France

Notre-Dame Cathedral, still undergoing restoration following the 2019 fire, remains a symbol of Gothic architecture and Parisian resilience. Montmartre’s cobblestone streets climb toward the white-domed Sacre-Coeur Basilica, with artists still sketching portraits in the Place du Tertre much as they have for over a century. The Musee d’Orsay, housed in a former railway station, holds one of the world’s finest collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. Paris’s unmatched concentration of art, architecture, and cafe culture make it one of the most romanticized cities on earth for good reason.

The Musee Matisse and Musee Chagall reflect the strong pull the Riviera’s light and color have long held for artists. Castle Hill, though the castle itself no longer stands, offers panoramic views over the bay and the terracotta rooftops of the old town. Nice’s flower market on Cours Saleya operates each morning, filling the old town with color and fragrance. Nice’s mix of Mediterranean glamour and artistic legacy make it the heart of the French Riviera.

The Traboules, hidden medieval passageways connecting buildings and streets, offer a glimpse into the city’s history as a center of the silk trade and, later, the French Resistance. Lyon’s Presqu’ile district, between the Rhone and Saone rivers, offers elegant squares and shopping streets at the heart of the modern city. The Musee des Confluences, a striking modern architectural landmark, houses exhibits spanning science and anthropology at the confluence of the two rivers. Lyon’s culinary reputation and layered history make it one of France’s most rewarding cities beyond Paris.