Paris is iconic. The Eiffel Tower. Notre-Dame. The Louvre. You've seen them in photos a thousand times. They're still impressive in person.
Montmartre is the artistic heart—cobblestone streets, Sacré-Cœur basilica, artists painting in Place du Tertre. It's touristy. It's also charming.
The Marais is trendy—boutiques, Jewish bakeries, falafel stands, hidden courtyards. It's where Parisians actually hang out.
Seine river walks are underrated. Start at Pont Neuf. Walk past Notre-Dame. Watch the houseboats. Stop at bouquinistes (book sellers). Very Parisian.
Skip the Champs-Élysées. It's McDonald's and tourist traps. Go to Canal Saint-Martin instead—locals, cafés, picnics.
French food isn't complicated—it's about quality ingredients done right. Fresh bread. Good butter. Ripe cheese. Simple.
Markets are the soul of French food culture. Every neighborhood has one. Locals shop daily. You should too—cheese, charcuterie, fresh produce.
Bistros serve classic French food—steak frites, coq au vin, duck confit. Order the house wine. It'll be good.
Wine regions define French geography—Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Loire Valley. Visit one. Tour a vineyard. Taste directly from the barrel.
The French take food seriously. Meals are long. Conversations longer. Nobody rushes. It's not laziness—it's culture.
Provence in summer is lavender fields, medieval villages, and outdoor markets. Gordes and Roussillon are picture-perfect. Aix-en-Provence is elegant and walkable.
The French Riviera is glamorous—Nice, Cannes, Monaco. It's expensive. The beaches are rocky. The views are stunning. Go anyway.
Lyon is France's food capital (Parisians hate this). Bouchons (traditional restaurants) serve hearty local dishes. The old town is Renaissance beauty.
Normandy brings history—D-Day beaches, Mont-Saint-Michel (magical island monastery), half-timbered villages, cider, and Camembert cheese.
Loire Valley is château country. Chambord is enormous. Chenonceau spans a river. Villandry has perfect gardens. Pick two or three. Skip the rest.
