Once a mighty kingdom, today a democratic republic. A country with a very huge history and a real touristic sensation. If you ever have a chance visiting France you will be able to witness a breathtaking magic. Therefore, here are few cities aside Paris you can visit:
- Lille. A historic city dating back to the 17th century. You will be mesmerized by amazing squares, outstanding architecture and the beautiful churches. Places to visit: Palais de Beaux-Arts de Lille – A big museum of European fine art; Place Charles de Gaulle – theater, architecture and history; Lille Cathedral – cathedral housing museum of sacred art; Vieille Bourse – ornate 17th-century stock exchange.
- Montgenèvre. A commune of the Hautes-Alpes in southeast France, it’s an amazing natural sensation. Top places to visit: Mont Chaberton – mountain with remnants of an old fort; Col de Montgenèvre – mountain pass near French-Italian border;
Clarée – a river in southeastern France, a tributary to the Durance. Its source is in the Cottian Alps, near Mont Thabor and Valloire. It flows for all of its course in the Hautes-Alpes department. - Mont St. Michel. An UNESCO protected church built on a cliff. Places to visit: Mont Saint Michel Abbey (abbey, gothic architecture and monastery) – the Mont Saint Michel Abbey is located within the city and island of Mont-Saint-Michel in Lower Normandy, in the department of Manche. The abbey is an essential part of the structural composition of the town the feudal society constructed; Tombelaine (abbey and history) – is a small tidal island off the coast of Normandy in France. It lies a few kilometres north of Mont Saint-Michel. At low tide the island can be reached on foot from the coast of Cotentin, 3.5 kilometres to the northeast, and from Mont Saint-Michel; Alligator Bay (Reptile park with snakes and crocodiles).
- Bordeaux. Renowned for its varieties of high quality wine, it’s a city you must visit. Places: Place de la Bourse – is an iconic city square with 18th century architecture, a fountain and a vast reflecting pool; Bordeaux Cathedral – dating to the 11th century, is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to Saint Andrew and is the seat of the Archbishop of Bordeaux; Pey Berland Tower – a 15th-century Gothic bell tower of the cathedral, offering far-reaching views of the city; Pont de pierre (historic bridge inaugurated in 1822) – commissioned by Napoleon, this elegant bridge has 17 spans enabling it to cross the River Garonne.
- Strasbourg. Places in Alcase, on the German border, this city offers someting different than the other typical French cities. Places: Petite-France – is the city’s lively tourist hub, known for cobblestone streets, canals, and well-preserved half-timbered homes like the Tanners’ House, built in 1572; Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg – a gothic edifice, built from 1187 to 1439, with a 16th-century astronomical clock & a rose window; Palais Rohan – archeological, fine, decorative arts museums in grand, 18th-century palace with rococo interiors; Grande Île – an island in the center of the city, with churches, palaces and tourist draws such as hotels & shops; Alsatian Museum – set in 16th- & 17th-century mansions, with displays on Alsatian art, folklore & rural life.