Our Ultimate France Travel Guide

France is always, one might say, une bonne idée. La République and her lands have held the global cultural imagination in her manicured grip since time immemorial. The country and its symbols have starred in books, films, television shows, plays, and nearly every type of media you can think of; baguettes, berets, and the Marinière shirt have the hardest working agents in the biz. And naturally, Paris is on the perennial itinerary for many travelers, whether seasoned or aspiring; it's a capital of art and fashion, gastronomy and café culture, and literary and European histories. But take a closer look at its comparatively less populous, but no less important destinations—Lyon, the belly of France; Bordeaux, with its châteaux and vineyards; Nice, with surf and sun; Brittany, with its bracing coasts; Strasbourg, with its canals and tartes flambées—and you'll be rewarded with more and more places to add to your must-see list. France is not just escargots and the Moulin Rouge (though both are, indeed, essential). It’s viridian countrysides, lavender fields, azure waters, and every color in between. For some, France is a once-in-a-lifetime visit; for the luckier among us, visiting France will take a lifetime. —Matt Ortile, associate editor