Paris is one of the main attractions of France, and it’s not difficult to see why. The city has no end of museums, including the Louvre, along with architectural wonders such as Notre Dame, plenty of restaurants and amazing nightlife. However, there are many other great places to see in France, all with their own charm.

Bayeux, northwest of Paris, is on the Normandy Coast. Steeped in history, it is home to the Bayeux Tapestry, which documents the invasion of Normandy in 1066. In the north, there’re also the D-Day invasion beaches, stunning stretches of sand which were the sites of the Normandy Landings in 1944.

Heading south from Paris, tourists will find Rocamadour, through which the River Dordogne flows, creating stunning gorges and cliffs. It’s an extremely religious place as it is said to be the resting place of the Virgin Mary.

Another well-known religious city is Lourdes, in the Pyrenees. The Virgin Mary is said to have appeared here to a miller’s daughter, and it has long been a destination for those seeking miracles. The Stations of the Cross, arranged at intervals along a steep path, are a point of interest and the candle-lit parade through the town at night is a wonderful sight.

For glamour, it has to be the French Riviera. Here, tourists can find some of the most luxurious resorts and no end of stunning beaches. Cannes Film Festival, held in the city of Cannes every May, sees all of the big stars turn out for the red carpet. St Tropez, just along the coast, is another amazing place for celebrity spotting.

France is renowned for its cuisine, and it’s impossible to not find amazing food wherever you go. However, Lyon, in the northeast, is the number one place for French haute cuisine. The restaurants in Lyon are renowned as some of the best in the world, so this city is well worth a visit.

The Eiffel Tower in Paris is an internationally recognised monument. Despite being originally scorned by many French citizens at its time of erection, it is today one of the most iconic images of France. The views from the top of the tower are stunning and at night, the tower is spectacularly lit up bright blue.

Notre Dame Cathedral, as made famous in the Hunchback of Notre Dame, is an amazing example of Gothic architecture and a must-see for those visiting Paris. Another popular tourist attraction in Paris is the Louvre museum. Although Paris has many museums, this is easily the most popular as it is home to Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, along with 35,000 other works of art.

Outside of Paris is the Palace of Versailles in Versailles. The palace was the home of French royalty from the late 17th to the late 18th century. The stunning architecture and beautiful gardens make it a great place for a daytrip from Paris, with visitors allows to tour the royal apartments and Hall of Mirrors, among other locations.

Vanoise National Park is one of the largest parks in France. Here, tourists will find the Vanoise Mountains, with the highest peak being the Grand Casse, at over 3,000m high. Pyrenees National Park sits on the southern border with Spain. Parts of the park make up a UNESCO World Heritage site which encompasses the glacial cirques of Gavarnie and the wall of Barroud.

Not yet listed as a heritage site, but still a hugely popular attraction, is Mont Blanc. This is the highest peak in Europe and a great place for both hiking and skiing. Many tourists stay in the town of Chamonix, at the foot of the mountains.

Paris has some of the best nightlife in the country and no end of shows and performances. One of its most famous places to visit for a show is the Moulin Rouge. Founded in 1889, this cabaret show is still going strong under its trademark red windmill, with shows on almost every night.

St Tropez has long been associated with the rich and famous, and so it’s not surprising that the nightlife here is amazing. The coastal town boasts a number of cocktail and champagne bars, with DJs often headlining the bigger clubs during the summer months.

For those travelling with kids, or even those without, there is Disneyland Paris. This theme park offers a huge host of rides, shows and entertainment for all ages. Universal Studios, also be found here, features similar rides and roller coasters to its American counterpart.

France has around 130 casinos, and the French Riviera is one of the most popular destinations for those wanting to gamble. Both Nice and Cannes are known for their superb casinos, but punters should expect strictly enforced dress codes.

There are a number of cinemas across France that show the latest Hollywood blockbusters, although some films are dubbed so it’s best to check before purchasing a ticket. The Hangar du Premier Film in Lyon screens films of all eras in their original languages and from June to September, the films are screened outside. It is located next door to the Musée Lumiére, which is housed in a former factory, and is credited as the birthplace of cinema.

The French cuisine is known globally as the best in the world, particularly for pastries, cheese and wine. The style of eating venue can vary from Michelin star restaurants to the French bistro, found on pretty much every corner. In the bistros, tourists can try crepes, thin pancakes with either a savoury or sweet topping, or any number of the mouth watering French pastries, such as croissants and pain au chocolat.

Eating in France, particularly in the evening, is a long, drawn out social affair. Some restaurants open only for dinner, while others open only for lunch, and many three-course meals require advance booking.

Each region in France has a regional dish based around the food resources traditionally found in the area, so trying something new when moving around is a great idea. Burgundy boasts boeuf bourguignon, slow cooked beef with gravy, while the Rhone-Alps is known for gratin dauphinois, an oven roasted dish with sliced potatoes.

The French Riviera is known for its bouillabaisse, a fresh fish and saffron dish that can be expensive, but is well worth it. For those tourists wanting to try something a little more out there, frogs’ legs and snails are served in a number of high quality restaurants, often as appetizers.

France is also the best place in the world for cheese, with almost 400 different kinds made in the country. Cheese here varies from the creamy brie to the considerably more crumbly and smelly Roquefort. Many restaurants serve cheese boards for dessert so tourists can try a number of local cheeses.

Many other cuisines can be found in France, with Italian, Chinese and Vietnamese common. In the big cities, international cuisines are easy to find and the Italians restaurants in particular tend to be very good.