The 10 Best Chateaux to Stay in France

Whether you prefer to stroll the iconic streets of Paris, soak up the relaxed atmosphere of the coastal cities of Côte d'Azur, embark on a thrilling hike in the snow-capped French Alps, or travel back in history in the green hills of Normandy, France truly has it all! Not surprisingly, the country is the world's first most-visited destination. Are you already dreaming of your next France tour? Here are the 10 best places to visit in France you cannot miss!

Bordeaux, pain au chocolat, and the Mona Lisa: France is the ultimate travel destination. But with 5 climate zones on the mainland alone it can be hard to decide when is the best time to visit. Our answer? The best time to have a trip to France is from April to November for great weather but during spring (April to June) or fall (October to November) if you wish to avoid crowds. Whether you are visiting the museums of Paris or enjoying a luxe resort on the French Riviera, favorable weather and fewer crowds are essential to enjoying the perfect holiday. Read on for more details on the best time to visit France.

With 11 days in France, you can explore the rich tapestry of cultural, historical, and culinary wonders this enchanting country offers. From the romantic ambiance of Paris to the sun-drenched vineyards of Bordeaux and the stunning coastal landscapes of the French Riviera, your journey can include a delightful mix of experiences. Whether you choose to immerse yourself in one or two iconic destinations or enjoy a whirlwind road trip across multiple destinations, the possibilities are endless. Explore more through our France 11-day tours.

Whether you have been in love with Paris for the longest time or have been dreaming about biking or walking expeditions through its wine country. Maybe the French Riviera has been tugging on your heartstrings for as long as you can remember or you’ve always wanted to hit the ski slopes in Val d'Isère? Well, 8 days in France is ample time for any such endeavors. Paris is a good base for your France trip with plenty of opportunities for day trips, or settle down in the Loire Valley to become a wine connoisseur. Wherever you are, on an 8-day France tour, you can revel in uniquely French activities, such as perfume-making workshops, cooking classes, or honing in on your artistry skills like drawing.

Continental France comprises 13 official regions, including the island Corsica, which are further categorized into six primary tourist areas. During 6 days in France, focus on one of these provinces, or travel to two. For example, the northwest includes Brittany, favored by cyclists, and Normandy. Ocean-lovers often prefer the south, including cities and towns like Nice, St. Tropez, Nimes and Provence, extending from the Riviera to the foothills of the Pyrenees. During your 6-day France tour, take the opportunity to uncover one of the regions thoroughly, or go with a tour that hops in between a few, covering the streets of Paris to Champagne-Ardenne. If you’re an avid hiker, the Western Massif Central beckons with its mountain ranges, including destinations like Loire and Rhône.

From cycling across the Loire Valley to soaking up endless sunshine in the French Riviera, with 13 days in France you have the freedom of exploring a dizzying array of unique destinations. With this duration, you’ll be left with a cup overflowing with authentic, excellent French wine and food. Marvel at the sights that inspired fairytales like “Sleeping Beauty” and “Beauty and the Beast” in Ussé, Chambord and Riquewihr, and photograph some of our world’s most famous gardens. Explore cities founded by ancient Greeks and Romans, or set foot in the neighborhoods where great artists like Monet and da Vinci once lived. On a 13-day tour of France, you can also carve out time to see some of Europe’s most iconic architecture, from Romanesque-Byzantine churches to medieval forts.

Wondering if 9 days in France is enough time? The answer is a big YES! Choose in-depth explorations of cities, visiting one new destination a day, like Paris, the Loire Valley and Deauville; pick a part of the country to make your base and then day-trip plenty, for example, the French Riviera or Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes; or opt for an extensively jam-packed tour, visiting close to 20 cities, towns and villages, some days up to four new destinations in a go, or even a country, like the world’s second tiniest, i.e. Monaco. You can experience it all on a 9-day France tour.

While you can travel the length of France from Hauts-de-France to Lamanère in just 10 hours, you will need more time than that to properly explore the country. If you are traveling through Europe and have only 4 days to spend in France, sticking to a region of interest just as the French Riviera and Burgundy or the Loire Valley will allow you to see more and waste less time on the road. First-timers would do well spending all 4 days in Paris, checking off highlights such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum and Seine River cruise. If planned correctly you can even add in a day trip from Paris to Loire Valley or Versailles to a short 4-day tour in France. Overall 4 days in France is enough time to cover a couple of cities or a major region in the country.

From the fashionable streets of Paris to the balmy Mediterranean shores along the French Riviera to the countrysides laden with vineyards, castles and perfumeries, your cup will be left full after 12 days in France. It’s just the right amount of time for moving between multiple cities, towns, villages and citadels in a day, or even day trips to new countries, like Monaco. Tick off UNESCO heritage sites, like the Roman Theater of Arles (built in the 1st century), the Episcopal City of Albi and the Pont du Gard, a Roman Aqueduct. Join authentic workshops or cooking classes, cruise through national parks, and see first-hand where some of the world’s greatest art geniuses lived and found inspirations for their masterpieces—all on a 12-day France holiday.

Two weeks in France give you plenty of options when it comes to adventuring through the country. You can uncover close to 25 destinations in just 14 days in France and even hop into two more countries. With the time at hand, lace up your travel shoes and explore multiple regions and provinces like Brittany, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Normandy, Loire Valley, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, and Corsica Island. Naturally, food, art, culture and wine are at the forefront of it all, because that’s what France is famed for. Join in cooking classes by renowned Michelin-star chefs, learn history from the Middle Ages to WWII, check out the plethora of museums and boat ride through mystical grottos.

Experience all that France has to offer in three weeks and still have some more time to hop into neighboring countries like Monaco or England. Check off major highlights like Paris, Nice, Marseilles and Lyon and travel to villages nestled between vineyards like Cassis and Riquewihr as well as towns at the foothills of the Alps such as Chambéry. Relax on the beaches of the French Riviera. Taste France’s revered wines, haute gastronomy in Michelin-star restaurants, stay in centuries-old châteaux, take snaps in bright purple Lavendula fields and against some of the world’s most iconic landmarks and buildings like the Eiffel Tower, Palace of Versailles and Mont Saint-Michel.

Sunny skies, festival season ignited, and nature in full bloom—destinations around the world come alive in July. Whether you're yearning for Greece's sun-drenched beaches or Kenya's exhilarating wildlife safaris, July has something special in store for every adventurer. For those who seek history and culture, Croatia’s Adriatic coast beckons with its historic cities and pristine waters, while Turkey’s ancient sites and lively festivals provide a captivating blend of past and present. Outdoor enthusiasts will find Iceland’s dramatic landscapes and Canada’s vast wilderness and national parks perfect for exploration. We’ve curated a list of good places to visit in July, highlighting spots with perfect weather, captivating events, manageable crowds, and a blend of natural and cultural attractions. From France's vibrant Bastille Day celebrations to Peru's cultural festivals and Norway's mesmerizing midnight sun, these locations promise unforgettable adventures. Here are our recommendations for the 10 best places to visit in July.