Things to Do in France

Built in 1889 on the Champ de Mars (and a national icon ever since), the Eiffel Tower is one of the most instantly recognizable monuments in the world. Familiarity, however, doesn’t make this remarkable iron structure any less impressive in the flesh.

Started back in the 12th century, and with huge spires and glorious stained-glass windows, Chartres Cathedral is as magnificent as it is ancient. It’s considered one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the world.

King Louis XIV’s impossibly grand residence is as much a symbol of the decadence of royalty as a building. Absolutely vast and surrounded by wonderful gardens, it's nevertheless a remarkable sight.

Marooned just off the Normandy coast, the fortified island village (and monastery) of Saint-Michel dates back as far as the 6th and 7th centuries.

The Louvre is one of the most prestigious (and most visited) art galleries in the world. Amongst its countless masterpieces is perhaps the most famous work of art of all - the Mona Lisa.