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France is the number one country in the world for tourism, and between its unforgettable gastronomic experiences and millennia-old heritage, with some cities being nothing short of architectural wonders, it’s not hard to see why more than 100 million tourists visit every would like to visit the city. year.
However, this is a big country, about the size of Texas, and not one region of France, or whatever they call it. departmentis like the others: while parts of the north, for example, could belong to the wider Celtic or Germanic world, much of the south, for example, has a distinctly southern European character.
If it’s your first time and you’d like to taste a variety of typical French flavors while soaking up some culture, these are the the top 5 French destinations this year:
Brittany
Brittany is France’s most northwestern peninsula, famous for its rugged nature, wild Atlantic beaches and Celtic roots.
It is a mainly rural province, with a landscape full of castles and countless picturesque Breton villages that have yet to learn the dark side of tourism.
As for delicacies, the cuisine Brittany is best represented by his seafood-based dishesthe most outstanding Coquille Sint-Jacques (large scallop), usually served with light pasta or even risotto, hard cheeses, such as monk-made Saint-Paulin, and fresh, buttery pancakes.
Culturally, Brittany is the top attraction Saint Maloa port city surrounded by walls, with a preserved medieval center, but the charming Rennes, with its half-timbered houses and traditional Breton restaurants, and the cobbled, fairytale town of Vannes are not to be missed.
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital of Alsace and a historically charged city located right on the border between France and Germany. Although undisputedly French, it could easily belong in the latter, with its colorful half-timbered houses with motifs and Cuisine with German influences.
No food tour of Strasbourg is complete without trying Flambéed tarte (or whatever it’s called in German, FlammeKueche), a thin dough pizza topped with creme fraiche and bacon, the sausage-heavy Choucroute Garnie, or the cheese-filled one bretzels (yes, with a B).
In terms of sights, Strasbourg is dominated by the towering Strasbourg Cathedral, one of the largest Gothic churches in Europe, and once the tallest building in the world, and visitors should make sure to visit the cafe-lined canal district of Petite-France.
Lyon
Located on the banks of the Saône River, Lyon dates back at least 2,067 years. It was first founded as a Roman colony before growing into a major French city (currently the third largest conurbation in the country). a cultural center of the first order.
The unofficial French capital of gastronomy, it is the proud home of andouillettea coarsely chopped tripe sausage served with salad and fries, coq au vinthe classic stew made from chicken slowly simmered in red wine, and on the sweet side the marzipan-chocolate fusion known as cousin.
If you are a culture lover, apart from exploring the underworld of Lyonnaise brasseries, you’ll be happy to hear that this is one UNESCO World Heritage City crisscrossed by hilly medieval streets and dotted with ancient Roman monuments and beautiful Gothic churches.
Paris
Paris, France’s capital and most cosmopolitan city, is as famous for its wide, green boulevards, lined with stately buildings commissioned by Haussmann, as for its delectable cuisine, which is representative not only of the city, but also of the whole country:
It is the best choice to enjoy France’s diverse regional cuisines in one destination, as well as the culinary endeavors commonly attributed to Paris itself, from steak tartare to the world famous French onion soup (and of course, Croissants and all other verses Baker pastry that you can possibly name).
Maybe it got some criticism from tourists for supposedly being too dirty – ahem, this is a major global metropolis, so would you expect that? – or in a constant state of maintenance – did you know the Olympics are coming up? – but it is impossible that you come to France without seeing the sparkling Eiffel.
Marseille
Not charming Lyon, and certainly not Paris, the most obvious choice: the best French destination for local food and experiencing French culture – or a side of it – this year is the lively, chaotic port city Marseilleon the country’s Mediterranean coast.
Here you will find the iconic bouillabaisse Fishsoup, anchoiade directly from the market, bottargaa variation of caviar that served as an appetizer in high-end restaurants, and of course, the pride and joy of the South, the boat-shaped cookies navettes.
As a sightseeing attraction, Marseille will almost certainly not disappoint: between the fortifications on the harbor and the distinctly Arabic feelit exists in a world of its own, in stark contrast to the Northern European charm of Paris.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
