Fantastic France Vacations

With its rich history and cultural delights, France is a favorite destination for guided tours. Below I've shared some of the country's most popular attractions.

See a current list of money-saving deals on France tours, or read on to learn about some of the country's famous sights.

France's cities and towns range from luxurious seaside retreats to picturesque countryside havens and, of course, the cosmopolitan metropolis of Paris, where most itineraries that focus on France start or end. Paris is home to a wealth of world-famous art museums, remarkable architecture and a chic cafe culture. Must-see landmarks include the Eiffel Tower, the Arch of Triumph, the Louvre and the broad, busy Champs-Elysees.

Explore the gardens of Claude Monet's Giverny, captured in many of the artist's paintings, or tour the Palace of Versailles, the hub of political power in France from the 1680s until the French Revolution in 1789. Marie Antoinette's Petit Trianon estate and impeccably landscaped grounds are part of the chateau's attractions.

Northwest of Paris are the beaches of Normandy, where the Allied invasion began on June 6, 1944. Next year marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day -- visit battle sites, memorials and cemeteries related to the historic World War II event here. The rocky isle of Mont-Saint-Michel is nearby and houses a stunning 11th-century Benedictine abbey with soaring spires.

In central France, sample wine in the Loire Valley, worth visiting for its rolling green hills, medieval architecture and more than 1,000 chateaux, and discover why the 2,000-year-old city of Lyon is considered to be the country's gastronomic capital.

On France's southeastern coast, the French Riviera (also known as the Cote d'Azur), is a stunning stretch of coastline famed for its turquoise Mediterranean waters, sunny beaches and colorful towns. Head to the Franco-Italian city of Nice for lively markets and elegant 18th-century architecture, or stroll along the winding boardwalk in glamorous Cannes to check out its trendy boutiques and ritzy restaurants.

You might also consider a cruise in France along the Seine, Saone or Rhone rivers or the waterways of Bordeaux.