France: a country of diversity and emotion
France is not one destination — it’s many.
Each region has its soul: Alsace with its half-timbered houses, Brittany with its wild coast, Burgundy with its wines, and Paris with its light.
Our guides take you from famous landmarks to hidden gems, from villages to vineyards, to experience the real France.
What You’ll Find Here
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Weekend trips and itineraries across France
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Regional guides: Brittany, Alsace, Provence, Corsica, Vendée...
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Cultural walks through castles, villages, and UNESCO sites
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French gastronomy: recipes, local markets, wines, and traditions
Immerse yourself in the private lives of France's greatest writers through their homes. From Montaigne to Zola, Hugo, Sand, Rabelais, and Chateaubriand, discover the places where masterpieces were born and where literature continues to thrive.
From the roses of the Loire Valley châteaux to the hydrangeas of Brittany, from the lavender of Provence to the daffodils of the Vosges, here are 15 iconic flowers that tell the story of metropolitan France and its overseas territories. Where to see them and when to go: everything you need to know to plan your trips at the right time.
article updated on December 2, 2025
In many countries around the world, tipping is not included. It's added as a thank-you for the service. In France, all service is included, so there's no obligation to add a tip when you've been served. That said, you can always make someone happy. It's even welcome.
If you're an American looking to discover culinary France, here are 10 must-try dishes for your stay. Don't worry, I've removed the weird stuff like snails, frogs, seafood platters etc... Dishes you can also make at home, and for which you'll find the recipes. Enjoy your meal!
As you prepare to come and stay in France, you may be wondering how you're going to make yourself understood. The French are notoriously bad at foreign languages. That's a bit unfair. 60% of them speak English more or less well, and above all: the French, contrary to what people say about them, will always do their utmost to help you, whatever your language.
Getting ready to come to France? Thank you! Here's my advice on the weather. When to come to France? What's the best season to visit Paris or the country? Here are the best seasons to come here.
France boasts over 40,000 châteaux. From medieval châteaux to Renaissance manor houses and the palaces of kings, it's hard to choose just 10. But I've decided to rank the 10 most beautiful castles. It's a ranking that blends the eras and the beauty of the sites, which probably wouldn't be the same for others, but which is mine and which I'm sharing with you. I'll also give you some tips on how to visit each of these 10 superb French châteaux.
Having been told that I was being too chauvinistic in saying that Nancy's Place Stanislas is the most beautiful in France, and looking for an impartial arbiter, I asked ChatGPT to give me a list of the 10 most beautiful squares in France. Here are his rankings and... Nancy's Place Stanislas takes first place! I don't totally agree with this ranking, to tell you the truth, but let's find out what artificial intelligence has to say about France's most beautiful squares.
Politeness is much more French than you might think, even if the French often have an (unfair) reputation for being unfriendly. In fact, many rules of politeness have been devised and implemented in France for a very long time, notably at the court of kings, before becoming commonplace. It has to be said that politeness facilitates encounters and makes life smoother for those who use it in their dealings with others. If you follow them, they'll be much appreciated, and will open the door to many new encounters in France. Here are 10 essential rules of politeness.
Looking for inspiration to say I love you? Here are 20 short texts on love selected from French literature by Monsieur de France to help you say je t'aime.
