A review of 10 of the most important tourist attractions in France
1- Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is considered one of the symbols of the city of Paris. It was designed by the architect Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 Paris World’s Fair. The tower is composed of 8,000 metal pieces, standing at a height of 320 meters. It is the tallest building in Paris and has been visited by over 200 million people since its construction. Visitors can enjoy dining in the restaurants on the different levels of the tower and take in the breathtaking views of Paris and its suburbs. On clear days, the visibility can extend up to 70 kilometers on the horizon. The Eiffel Tower is one of the most popular tourist attractions in France and is the most visited paid monument in the world. It is often referred to as the Iron Lady due to its graceful design despite its massive size.
2- Disneyland
The Disneyland entertainment city was opened in the center of Paris in 1992. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Paris, having been visited by over 275 million people by 2014. Disneyland covers an area of 19.4 square kilometers and includes numerous restaurants, hotels, Disney movie showrooms, and shopping centers. It features 57 rides, including the famous Pirates of the Caribbean ride based on the movie starring Johnny Depp. This ride alone was visited by approximately 16.7 million people in 2011. Additionally, there is the Walt Disney Studios Park, opened in 2002, which houses rides inspired by various films.
3- Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum is the most visited art museum in the world. Located in the heart of Paris, it is a royal palace built in the 12th century during the reign of King Philip II. The museum covers an area of approximately 210,000 square meters, with around 60,600 square meters allocated for artistic exhibitions. The remaining parts of the palace are still visible in the museum’s basement. The construction of the museum was completed in 1989. The museum welcomes over 15,000 visitors daily and over 10 million visitors annually. It is home to many famous artworks, including Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, valued at around 800 million dollars. It would take weeks for a visitor to see all the exhibits in the museum. The exhibits are divided into eight categories: Egyptian Antiquities, Near Eastern Antiquities, Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities, Islamic Art, Middle Ages and Renaissance Art, Sculptures, Paintings, and Decorative Arts.
4- Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez is considered a social resort and sanctuary located on the French Riviera. Once a small fishing village, it is now a destination for celebrities, models, writers, and the wealthy. Its beaches are famous for sunbathing, and it is also a destination for water sports, sailing, and surfing.
5- Mont Saint-Michel
Mont Saint-Michel is a historical town located in Normandy, France, dominating a significant portion of the horizon from its position on a small rocky island connected to the coast by a bridge. The town is known for the Benedictine abbey and the church built in the early 8th century. It was inhabited during Roman times and later became a stronghold for the Bretonians. Mont Saint-Michel gained fame when Duke William of Normandy entered the region and made it his residence, settling with the Benedictine monks on the site. The abbey was expanded into its present form between the 11th and 16th centuries. A small village grew around the abbey during the Middle Ages, and it still exists today. In 1979, Mont Saint-Michel was added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.
6- Camargue
The Camargue region is ideal for various outdoor activities, including birdwatching, horseback riding, attending equestrian events, biking, riverboat trips, and more. The nature reserve in Camargue is a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve, and its wetlands are a major destination for thousands of migratory birds, including flamingos, pelicans, and herons.
7- Sacre-Coeur Church
One of the most important landmarks in Paris, the Sacre-Coeur Church is situated on the hill of Montmartre and attracts thousands of visitors annually as a historical monument of the region. The church is relatively modern, having been opened after World War I. The French architect Paul Abadie began its construction in 1875, and the church was completed in 1914. The view from the church is one of the main reasons for its popularity, offering a panoramic view of the entire city, enhancing the visit’s beauty.
8- Nimes Arena
The Nimes Arena has been a venue for various Roman games in the past. Its elliptical shape provides an open space for viewing events for over 200,000 spectators seated in its 34 rows. The arena has two levels, a covered upper room, 60 stone arches, and over 126 staircases leading visitors to their seats. The arena was transformed into a fortress by the Western Goths after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Later, a small town grew around it during the Middle Ages. This continued until the 18th century when the first bullfighting event was allowed in 1813, restoring the arena to its original purpose.
9- Verdon Gorge
The Verdon Gorge is located in southern France and is a river canyon passing through a high plateau. The river’s length reaches 25 kilometers, and the gorge’s depth reaches 700 meters from the surface. The area is one of the most attractive landmarks for tourists in France, thanks to the beautiful turquoise color of the water, which results from the mineral-rich rocks. Many activities can be pursued in Verdon Gorge, such as kayaking, swimming, rock climbing, canoeing, paragliding, fishing, and more.
10- Chamonix
Chamonix is a town in the French Alps that can be seen from the top of the highest mountain in Europe, Mont Blanc, which stands at a height of 4,810 meters. It is often called the White Mountain because it is covered in snow throughout the year. At the base of this steep mountain lies the town of Chamonix, filled with historical churches, restaurants, chalets, and charming small hotels. The area is a destination for camping, skiing, rock climbing, wilderness survival experiences, or simply relaxation. Its restaurants offer some traditional dishes such as fondue and raclette, which consist of melted cheese served with boiled potatoes.
