14 Activities to Add to Your France Bucket List
Ever dreamed of creating your own perfume in Paris, catching a secret sunset at the Eiffel Tower, or sleeping in a real-life château? France goes way beyond croissants and coffee (though we’ll take those too!).
We’ve rounded up 15 incredible activities that you need to add to your bucket list – and yes, they’re totally worth the hype!
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1. Catch the Twinkling Lights at Francette
Grab a glass of champagne at Francette and watch Paris’s iconic tower light up against the night sky.
This floating restaurant-bar sits right at the foot of the tower, offering front-row seats to the most enchanting show in Paris.
The tower dances with thousands of lights for five minutes every hour from dusk until 11 PM.
2. Soar Above the Alps in the Aiguille du Midi Cable Car
Hold your breath as you zoom up nearly 4,000 meters in one of the world’s most thrilling cable car rides. The journey takes you face-to-face with Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest peak.
From the top, you’ll feel like you’re standing on top of the continent, with snow-capped peaks stretching endlessly in every direction.
The views are absolutely mind-blowing – just don’t look down if you’re scared of heights!
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3. Watch Nature’s Drama at Mont-Saint-Michel
Time your visit just right to catch Europe’s most spectacular tidal show. The sea rushes in at 6 km/h, surrounding this medieval marvel with water that rises up to 15 meters – that’s as tall as a 4-story building.
The best views are from the abbey’s western terrace, where you’ll hear the roar of the approaching wave and watch whirlpools swirl around the base.
This natural phenomenon happens about 20 times a year, usually 36-48 hours after full and new moons.
4. Step into the “Ladies’ Castle” at Chenonceau
Cross the drawbridge into France’s most elegant château, gracefully straddling the River Cher on gorgeous arches.
This architectural stunner tells fascinating tales of powerful women who shaped French history, from Catherine de Medici to Louise Dupin.
The castle played a heroic role in WWII – resistance fighters used its unique position spanning the river to smuggle people from Nazi-occupied France to freedom through its grand gallery.
Don’t skip the wine tasting in the 16th-century vaulted cellar, where you can sample local vintages from the château’s own vineyards.
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5. Shop Under the Most Beautiful Ceiling in Paris
Look up – way up! The stunning Art Nouveau glass dome at Galeries Lafayette soars 43 meters high, making every shopping trip feel like you’ve stepped into a royal palace.
This mega-store spans three buildings packed with over 2,000 designer brands. Head to the ground floor’s “Espace Luxe” for Gucci, Dior, and Swarovski treasures, then zip up to the rooftop for amazing Paris views.
Insider Tip: Stop by the Lafayette Gourmet food hall for Pierre Hermé macarons and fancy French teas.
6. Marvel at Monet’s Masterpiece Garden
Step into two oval rooms at the Musée de l’Orangerie where eight massive water lily murals wrap around you in 360-degrees of color and light.
These dreamy paintings were Monet’s passion project for 30 years – he even kept painting them while dealing with cataracts!
There are about 250 water lily paintings scattered in museums around the world, but these specially-designed rooms showcase the cream of the crop.
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7. Walk Through France’s Mini Rome
Geek out over the most incredible Roman ruins outside Italy, the City of Nîmes. Start at the jaw-dropping Arena – this 2,000-year-old amphitheater could seat 24,000 people and still hosts events today.
Next, swing by the Maison Carrée, a perfectly preserved Roman temple that just nabbed UNESCO status.
For the best selfie in town, climb the Tour Magne watchtower – on clear days, you can spot the Mediterranean Sea glittering in the distance.
The Musée de la Romanité across from the arena has awesome miniature versions of famous Roman monuments.
8. Sip Bubbly with French Winemakers
Head to the charming village of Hautvillers to visit Joseph Desruets, a family-run champagne house that’s been popping corks since 1888. They still press grapes the old-school way using their original oak press!
Want more fizz? Zip over to Gaston Chiquet in Dizy, where friendly experts share their bubbly wisdom and pour seriously good champagne that won’t break the bank.
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9. Paddle Through Hidden Corners of Nantes
Glide past elegant mansions and weeping willows on the Erdre, nicknamed “France’s prettiest river.”
Grab a kayak from Ile de Versailles and follow the gentle current upstream to discover secret coves and charming châteaux.
Want to level up your adventure? Head to the Nantes-Brest Canal for a totally different vibe with its “Amazon-style” atmosphere along the Gesvres.
Insider Tip: Pack a picnic and make a day of it – most rental spots have cute waterside areas perfect for snacking between paddles.
10. Snag the Mona Lisa All to Yourself
Wednesday and Friday nights are pure magic at the Louvre – the museum stays open until 9:00 PM with way fewer crowds. Skip the daytime tourist rush and waltz right up to those famous masterpieces.
Use the Carrousel du Louvre entrance instead of the pyramid – the lines are way shorter.
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11. Wander Through Paris’s Underground Empire of Death
Descend 130 steps into a spooky labyrinth where 6 million Parisians rest in artfully arranged tunnels. Fun fact: The last “residents” moved in back in 1860.
Book tickets for Wednesday or Friday nights when the crowds thin out, or show up right when they open at 9:45 AM.
Visit during spring or fall to dodge the summer tourist rush and those brutal waiting lines. Just remember – only 200 people can explore these tunnels at once!
12. Sleep Like French Royalty in the Loire Valley
Snag a room in a real-life fairy tale at one of the Loire Valley’s dreamy castles. Pick your vibe: a medieval fortress with drawbridges and towers, a Renaissance palace dripping with elegance, or a fancy manor house with modern perks.
Our pick? The Château du Rivau offers seven gorgeous rooms in their 16th-century royal stables, plus 15 magical gardens to explore.
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13. Hike the Volcanoes of Auvergne
The Auvergne Volcanoes park stretches across 400 hectares of mind-blowing landscapes with over 80 volcanoes.
Start with the famous Puy de Dôme trail from Col de Ceyssat – it’s a bit sweaty but totally worth it for those jaw-dropping views.
Want something gentler? Circle the perfectly round Lac Pavin, a mysterious volcanic lake that plunges 92 meters deep.
14. Marvel at the Bayeux Tapestry
See the world’s most amazing piece of medieval storytelling – a 224-foot-long embroidered masterpiece!
This incredible tapestry tells the dramatic story of William the Conqueror’s invasion of England through 58 action-packed scenes.
Insider Tip: Grab an audio guide in one of 16 languages to catch all the juicy historical details.
