Here are 20 of the best places to visit in France to kickstart your trip planning.

Read on to discover 20 of the most beautiful places to visit in France.

Paris

Whether its your first or 50th trip to the city,Parisnever fails to inspire.

A fountain in a plaza

Place des Vosges in Paris, France.Credit:Heather Durham/Travel + Leisure

Dont miss Mortagne-au-Perches Saturday morning market to sample local flavors such as cider and Camembert.

But this alpine cityjust 45 minutes from Geneva, Switzerlandhas so much going for it beyond its charming setting.

Theres also the food sceneone of the most exciting in the countrywith several dining rooms that boast Michelin stars.

Bikes in a large plaza

Paris’s famous Place des Vosges.Heather Durham/Travel + Leisure

Were just 20 minutes fromNice, or an hours walk along a coastal trail around the headland.

My favorite way to reach the charming town is via an old mule track that winds through Mediterranean shrub.

When you learn this group of islands is just 15 minutes away by boat, your jaw will drop.

Rural farmhouse and land

Rural landscape of Le Perche.John Elk III/Getty Images

By contrast, serene Saint-Honorat is owned by a monastic community that cultivates their own wine.

The terraced hills behind the town are painted yellow as a group of dedicated farmers replant the crop.

Cinematic mountain vistas accompany the last 50 miles of the route toward Grenoble.

Architecture of Reims, a city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France.

The city of Reims in Champagne, France.Pakin Songmor/Getty Images

Spend some time here, however, and youll realize each village has its own character.

Carcassonne

The turreted skyline of Carcassonne rises out of the French countryside like a fairy-tale castle.

Luckily, theres nothing make-believe about La Cite Medievale (as the medieval district is called).

Colorful buildings along a river

Colorful buildings of Colmar, France.Evgeniya Vlasova/Travel + Leisure

The site is free to visit, although youll have to pay to enter the castle and ramparts.

Just save some time to enjoy the local specialitycassouleta rich duck, sausage, and white bean stew.

Toulouse

SolStock/Getty Images

SayToulouse, and chances are the first thing that comes to mind is aviation.

Buildings along a river with mountains in the background

Buildings along the water in Annecy, France.Chelsea Loren/Travel + Leisure

People sunbathing on Plage des Marinières in the South of France against a backdrop of Villefranche-sur-Mer clustered on the hillside

VV Shots/Getty Images

A building covered in ivy

Old town of Eze, France.Evgeniya Vlasova/Travel + Leisure

Coastline of Saint Margaret - one of The Lerins Islands ((Îles de Lérins)

Coastline of one of The Lerins Islands - Saint Margaret.mdurajczyk/Getty Images

Orange buildings contrast against a blue sea.

A street leading to the ocean in Menton, France.Chelsea Loren/Travel + Leisure

A city wraps around a large mountain

The mountain town of Sisteron along The Napoleon Route.Evgeniya Vlasova/Travel + Leisure

Orange buildings sit up on a hill

Cityscape of Roussillon, France.Chelsea Loren/Travel + Leisure

A boat sails through a canyon

View into the Verdon Gorge.Evgeniya Vlasova/Travel + Leisure

Aerial view of a harbor city

Bonifacio harbor in Corsica, France.thethomsn/Getty Images

The famous places of the island Belle Ile en Mer, Needles of Port-Coton and the cliffs

jpchret/Getty Images

A white castle along the water

Chateau de Chenonceau in The Loire Valley.Amanda Blackard/Travel + Leisure

Aerial view of a lighthouse along a beach

Lighthouse of Île de Ré.bofotolux/Getty Images

A castle on a hill above a town

A castle in Carcassone, France.Chelsea Loren/Travel + Leisure

A wide angle view of a family and their young son exploring the historic little streets in Toulouse in the South of France. They are enjoying a European city break as a family. They are looking around and admiring the beautiful stone buildings and quant streets.

A family walking the streets of Toulouse, France.SolStock/Getty Images