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Travel Bestie

11 Apr 2022 - 10 min read

8 Places to Make You Fall in Love with France All Over Again

It has been two years since we get to walk into the airport and fly to our favourite destination - France. Safe to say, we are almost on the brink of misremembering what the Eiffel Tower looks like.

Whether we were working in France, studying in France or even just leisure travel in France, everything about France tugs a string in our hearts.

Great news! France is open again in today’s article, we will show you the 8 places in France that can spark your heart again!

Travel Requirements to Travel to France

Image by Cruse Ores from Canva

We have prepared the latest travel requirements needed before you can travel to France.

It is best to always get the latest update apart from the ones we mention below just to be sure because the updates below were up to the date of publication.

You can get more information from Traveloka’s COVID-19 Info & Requirements.

If you are already vaccinated, you shall present proof of your vaccination status and a sworn statement certifying the absence of COVID-19 symptoms and of any contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
A negative PCR or antigen test taken less than 48 hours old is required, except for arrivals from a Member State of the European Union, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, the Holy See or Switzerland.
If you are not vaccinated, you must present the transport company or the border authorities with a certificate of recovery dated more than eleven days and less than six months, or a negative PCR or antigen test dated less than 48 hours or less than 24 hours prior to departure, depending on your country of departure (departure of the first flight in case of connecting flight(s).
All travellers arriving from a green list country must complete a sworn statement certifying that they agree to take a virological or biological screening test for SARS-CoV-2 upon arrival. Children under 12 years of age are exempt from testing.
Travellers must present documents proving that their stay in the Schengen Area is legal.
All foreign travellers must present a valid passport at the border as well as the usually required documents:For a short stay (less than 90 days): Proof of resources and accommodation, and a short stay visa if applicable to their nationalityFor those planning to settle in France: A long-stay visaFor those residing in France: A residence permit.
Upon arrival in France, travellers should download the application TousAntiCovid, continue to strictly respect protective measures and physical distancing, wear a face mask, and act responsibly if symptoms appear or if they are infected.

How to Travel to France

While there are quite a few airports in France, travellers to land in Paris at the Roissy – Charles de Gaulle airport. This is the most widely used international airport in the country and caters to all major airlines.

Image by David Mark from Pixabay

In France, tourism is a major industry and is one of the world's leading tourist destinations.

Not only is it situated at the heart of western Europe, bordering on all the larger countries in the region - Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and - across the straits of Dover - the UK; it also has Europe's second busiest airport - Paris Charles de Gaulle airport - and dozens more airports with international connections.

Image by ahsing888 from Pixabay

Malaysians intending to visit France can take a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Paris and will have a variety of airlines to choose from including Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, All Nippon Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines, KLM, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines.

However, all the flights on this route are not direct flights, and travellers will need to make up to 3 transit stops depending on the chosen flight.

Eiffel Tower

Image by Nuno Lopes from Pixabay

Gustave Eiffel built it to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution. It was presented at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1889.

Three hundred twenty-four meters high, it is one of the most visited monuments in the world, with nearly 7 million visitors a year.

The first floor houses the Eiffel Tower 58, which extends over two levels, 58 meters above the ground as its name suggests.

The view is the best on the second floor at 115 meters because you have a diving view on the ground below.

Finally, on the 3rd floor at 275 meters, you can see what the office of Gustave Eiffel was. It is possible for the more adventurous ones to use the stairs and climb the steps (1,665 to the summit).

The Eiffel Tower's gracefulness has earned it the nickname of "Iron Lady." Visitors are impressed by the tower's delicate airiness despite its monumental size and the breathtaking panoramas at each of the three levels.

Tourists can dine with a view at the first level or indulge at the Michelin-starred Le Jules Verne restaurant on the second level.

At the exhilarating height of 276 meters, the top level offers a sweeping outlook over the city of Paris and beyond. Vistas extend as far as 70 kilometres on a clear day.

Location: Champ de Mars, Paris
Admission fee:Adult – Summit ticket EUR26.10 (approximately MYR123.97)Youth - Summit ticket EUR13.10 (approximately MYR62.22)Child - Summit ticket EUR6.60 (approximately MYR31.35)*different ticket tiers depend on what visitors plan to see & do
Operation Hours:Open Daily 9.30 am – 5.30 pmEvery December 18th – 30th 9.30 am – 11.45 pm

Musée du Louvre

Image by matt_86 from Pixabay

The Louvre Palace houses the largest museum in the world. The twelfth-century fortress was extended and refurbished several times throughout the centuries.

When the Royal Family moved to Versailles, the impressive building that covers a total area of 160,000 square meters was transformed into one of the most important museums in the world.

A glass pyramid, which is currently the museum’s principal entrance, was built in the palace’s main courtyard in 1989, piercing the monotony of the Louvre's exterior.

The Louvre’s permanent collection features nearly 300,000 works of art that date before 1948, of which only 35,000 are visible to the public.

The enormous collection is organised by themes in various departments: an Oriental Antiquities department, Egyptian Antiquities department, Greek Antiquities department and Roman and Etruscan departments.

The museum also includes a part on the history of the actual palace, including the Louvre during the Middle Ages, Islamic art, paintings, sculptures and graphic art.

Location: Rue de Rivoli, Paris
Admission fee:Adults: Online: EUR 17 (approximately MYR80.75) Museum: EUR 15 (approximately MYR71.25)Children (less than 18): free entry*Free entry with the Paris Museum Pass and the Paris Pass
Operation Hours:Monday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday: 9 am – 6 pmWednesday – Friday: 9 am – 9:45 pmTuesday: closed

Château de Versailles

Image by matt_86 from Pixabay

The Château de Versailles emblematises the grandeur of the French monarchy prior to the fall of the Ancien Régime.

This UNESCO-listed monument represents a glorious moment in France's history, under the reign of Louis XIV (known as the "Sun King"), when the palace set the standard for princely courts in Europe.

The most spectacular space in the palace is the Hall of Mirrors, where courtiers waited for an audience with His Majesty. This dazzling gallery sparkles with sunlight that enters through the windows and is reflected off hundreds of ornamental mirrors, while dozens of glittering chandeliers and gilded details make the overall impression even more marvellous.

Location: Place d’Armes, Versailles
Admission fee:Adults: EUR 20 (approximately MYR95) (includes the palace, temporary exhibitions, gardens and gallery)Individuals under 18: Free*Free entry first Sunday of each month between November and March**Free entry with the Paris Museum Pass and the Paris Pass
Operation Hours:From the 1st of April to the 31st of October:PalaceMonday: ClosedTuesday – Sunday: 9 am – 6:30 pmGardenEvery day: 8 am – 8:30 pm.The 1st of November – the 31st of March:PalaceMonday: ClosedTuesday –Sunday: 9 am – 5:30 pmGardenEvery day: 8 am – 6 pm

Côte d'Azur

Image by MARIE SCHNEIDER from Pixabay

The most fashionable stretch of coastline in France, the Côte d'Azur, extends from Saint-Tropez to Menton near the border with Italy.

Côte d'Azur translates to "Coast of Blue," a fitting name to describe the Mediterranean's mesmerising cerulean waters.

On the Côte d’Azur, visitors can admire the vivid blue of the Mediterranean that laps the coves, islands and golden beaches. It’s an incredible natural colour chart that inspired the greatest painters of the 20th century.

The Côte d’Azur is also glittering with world-class events such as the Cannes Film Festival – and the warm hues of its villages and gardens give it an inimitable holiday atmosphere, bolstered by the famous scents of its hinterland.

The seaside resorts are packed with beach lovers and sun worshippers during summer. The rich and famous are also found here in their lavish villas and luxury yachts.

The town of Nice has panoramic sea views and stellar art museums. The best sandy beaches are found in Antibes, which also has an atmospheric Old Town and superb museums.

Saint-Tropez offers fabulous public and private beaches along with the charm of a Provençal fishing village, while Monaco seduces with its exclusive ambience and stunning scenery.

Location: South-eastern France
Admission fee: Not applicable
Operation Hours: Open daily*The Best time to visit is during Spring and Summer

Alsace Villages

Image by pixelRaw from Pixabay

Alsace is home to Strasbourg and Colmar, but also some magnificent villages. Known for being some of the most beautiful villages in France, each one has its speciality, which you can discover from Colmar, just 2 1/2 hours from Paris by TGV.

Nestled among the vineyards just 15 minutes from Colmar, Éguisheim is one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France and was even voted France's Favourite Village in 2013.

What makes it stand out from the crowd? Its medieval city winds its way like a snail around magnificent monuments in the centre of town.

Éguisheim is full of half-timbered houses. As you walk through the cobblestone streets, you will see one timber-framed house after another, many with inscriptions carved above their beautiful doorways.

Just 20 minutes from Éguisheim, you can find another one of France’s Favourite Villages, Kaysersberg (elected in 2017).

Once again, you will be surrounded by the magnificent, colourful half-timbered houses typical of Alsace. A river flows through the middle of Kaysersberg, and the fortified bridge that spans the water offers a perfect vantage point for some beautiful photos.

Next, it's time to climb up to the medieval castle overlooking the city. From atop the hill, you can take in the view of the beautiful valley of Kaysersberg. Kaysersberg is a treat to the eyes during winter.

The village is dressed up to the nines with its festive illuminations and other decorations. The Christmas market will transport you to an enchanting world filled with the smells of gingerbread and hot spiced wine.

Another village worth visiting in Alsace is Riquewihr. “A good sparkling wine always beats a bad champagne”. This is a common saying in Alsace, and especially in Riquewihr.

Indeed, it was here, in another one of France’s most beautiful villages, that a winemaker named Julien Dopff first made the famous crémant d’Alsace. You can meet his descendants at the Dopff Au Moulin estate and taste their best sparkling wines.

Colmar is a good base for those planning an Alsace vacation itinerary to explore the Alsatian villages and surrounding nature trails.

Location: North-eastern France
Admission fee: Not applicable
Operation Hours: Open daily*The Best time to visit is during Spring

Provence

Image by David Kooijman from Pixabay

Provence invites visitors to escape into a dreamy bucolic landscape of olive groves, sun-drenched rolling hills, and deep purple lavender fields, with little villages nestled in the valleys and perched on rocky outcrops.

The vibrant scenery has enchanted many famous artists, including Cézanne, Matisse, Chagall, and Picasso.

Provence conjures up a scene of summer, of air filled with the scent of lavender, the tangy aroma of freshly pressed olive oil and the sound of cicadas singing.

Sultry weather encourages leisurely strolls along cobblestone streets and afternoons spent on sunny terraces of outdoor cafés. In winter, though, there's nothing quite like the sight of the snow-capped peak of the Sainte-Victoire Mountain.

Among the many attractions of Provence is its delicious Mediterranean cuisine, which is based on olive oil, vegetables, and aromatic herbs. Tourists can choose from a wide range of culinary establishments, from family-run bistros to Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurants.

The quintessential Provençal town, Aix-en-Provence, is famous for its colourful open-air markets and the hundreds of fountains that are typical of southern France.

Fascinating ancient ruins and traditional festivals distinguish the town of Arles. The medieval city of Avignon is home to the UNESCO-listed Palais de Papes. Like Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Saint-Rémy, and Gordes, even tiny villages have amazing historical sites, fantastic museums, and an irresistibly quaint ambience.

Location: South-eastern France
Admission fee: Not applicable
Operation Hours: Open dailyThe Best time to visit is from April to May or September to October

Prehistoric Cave Paintings in Lascaux

Image by Klaus Hausmann from Pixabay

For history buffs travelling to France should make it a point to visit the prehistoric art in Lascaux. It is one of the finest examples of Paleolithic art in the world. This UNESCO-listed site is in the Vézère Valley of the Dordogne region.

Discovered in 1940, the Lascaux Cave contains exquisite prehistoric paintings, but in 1963 was closed to the public to prevent damage.

A replica of the cave was created at the nearby Lascaux II site in Montignac, 200 meters from the actual cave.

Opened in 1983, Lascaux II is a faithful reproduction of the Lascaux Cave and its paintings. The Paleolithic art has been carefully recreated, including every detail of the animal paintings in authentic ochre hues.

Lascaux II represents 90 per cent of the paintings depicted in the prehistoric cave. To visit the Lascaux IV cave, tourists must go on a guided tour. The museum portion of the visit is self-guided.

Highlights of the Lascaux prehistoric cave paintings are the Salle des Taureaux (Hall of the Bulls) with panels featuring unicorns and bears and the Diverticule Axial, a narrow 30-meter-long hall with impressive drawings of bulls, cows, and horses.

The art reproductions of the replica caves are so accurate that visitors would not be able to tell the difference from the original.

Location: Montignac, France
Admission fee:Adults EUR20 (approximately MYR95)Children (less than 18) EUR12.90 (approximately MYR61.27)
Operation Hours:For the 19th of July – the 9th of July from 9 am to 7 pmFor the 10th of July – the 31st of August from 8 am to 10 pmFor the 1st of September – the 7th of November from 9 am to 7 pmFor the 8th of November – the 2nd of January 2022 from 10 am to 6 pmFor the 24th of December: last visit at 3 p.m.Closed on the 25th of December - the 1st of January 1 pm to 6 pmLast admission 2 hours before closing

Enjoy these fantastic destinations in France. Book your flight and accommodation via Traveloka to enjoy the best deals!

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