Paris
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Eiffel Tower | The symbol of Paris, sparkling with lights every evening. | Book your ticket in advance |
| The Louvre | The world's most famous museum, home of the Mona Lisa. | Central Paris |
| The Palace of Versailles | The palace of the kings of France, with its Hall of Mirrors and vast gardens. | About 40 minutes from Paris by train |
The French Riviera (Côte d'Azur)
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Nice and the Promenade des Anglais | A long promenade on the Baie des Anges, in a city on the World Heritage list. | Nice |
| Èze village | A stone village perched on a rock above the sea, with enchanting views of the coast. | Between Nice and Monaco |
| Cannes and La Croisette | An elegant seafront promenade lined with hotels and fine shops. | West of Nice |
The Alps
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Chamonix and the Aiguille du Midi | A cable car up to 3,842 metres facing Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps. | Chamonix-Mont-Blanc |
| Lake Annecy | One of the clearest lakes in Europe, beside an old town laced with canals. | About an hour from Geneva |
Provence
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The lavender fields of Valensole | Purple plains filled with fragrance in the flowering season. | Roughly late June to mid-July |
| The Verdon Gorge | A deep canyon of turquoise water, with boat and kayak trips on Lake Sainte-Croix. | Haute-Provence |
Châteaux and the northern coast
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Loire Valley châteaux | Royal châteaux such as Chambord and Chenonceau among gardens and rivers, on the World Heritage list. | About 2 hours from Paris |
| Mont-Saint-Michel | A rocky island crowned by a medieval town, surrounded by the tides. | Normandy, about 4 hours from Paris |
| The cliffs of Étretat | White rock arches above the sea, one of the loveliest coasts in France. | Normandy |
Tips before you go
- You need a Schengen visa for France, so apply early before the summer.
- High-speed trains link Paris with Nice, Lyon and many other cities; a car is easier in Provence and the villages.
- The Riviera is at its best from May to September, and the Alps have snow from December to March.
Hotels in France
Flights to Paris
More places nearby
Visa
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in France?
The Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in Paris, Nice and Èze on the Riviera, Chamonix and Lake Annecy, the lavender fields, the Loire Valley châteaux and Mont-Saint-Michel.
When is lavender season in France?
Roughly from late June to mid-July in Provence.
Do Saudis need a visa for France?
Yes, a Schengen visa.
Planning your trip to France? Read Travel to France from Saudi Arabia.
Last updated: October 2026. The information is for guidance only; ticket prices and opening hours are set by each attraction and may change, so check them on the official website before you go.