Things to Do in France

The St. Benezet Bridge - known as the Pont d’Avignon - is a famous bridge located in Avignon. The 12th century bridge originally spanned 900 m (2,950ft) across the Rhône River. The bridge collapsed frequently and was reconstructed multiple times. Today, only 4 of the original 22 arches remain complete.

The inception of the St. Benezet Bridge centers around a local shepherd boy of the same name who was told by an angel to construct the bridge. He proved his divine inspiration to the town and wealthy benefactors by lifting a large stone block. The bridge also served as a place of worship for Rhône boatmen until it became so unsteady it was deemed dangerous. The bridge is also historically significant in that was an important strategic river crossing.

Unlike many of the other prominent champagne producers in Reims, Taittinger Champagne house carries the distinction of being owned and operated by the same family who opened its doors in 1930. It may not be the oldest champagne producer, but it is regarded as among the best, bearing a grand marque, the highest honor in French Champagne.

The cornerstone of Paris's Notre-Dame Cathedral was laid in 1163, but it wasn't until almost a hundred years later, in 1250, that the towers were finished (and almost another hundred until construction was completed, in 1345). Its bells, the largest of which actually have a name – Emmanuel – have rung in the hour and some of Paris's most historical events ever since.

Hearty visitors to Notre-Dame Cathedral shouldn't miss the chance to climb the 387 stairs to the two western-facing towers. If you were impressed by the cathedral's soaring interior, you will be awestruck by what you find up there. Other than meeting the famous Emmanuel, make sure to say hello to the creepy gargoyles that guide the flow of rainwater away from the structure.

As is common in Europe, the St Germain des Prés neighborhood is named after its church, in this case the sixth-century Benedictine Église de St-Germain-des-Prés, named after St Germain, in honor of the Bishop of Paris. We have this church to thank for the student-led vibe of the area; they donated the land from the church to the Seine and to the University of Paris, thus creating the Latin Quarter that we know and love today.

The main street in the neighborhood, in the sixth arrondissement, is the Haussmann-designed Boulevard St Germain. It has chic stores and plenty of cafes for people watching. In fact, the romance of whiling away the hours at a cafe was practically born in St Germain des Prés, at historic Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore.

As the highest municipal building of France at 104 meters high, the Lille belfry (which is attached to the town hall) is certainly a must when in the north of France. Both the belfry and town hall are reminiscent of Flemish architecture with their typical triangular gables and red bricks – understandably, so, considering the border to Belgium is just a few kilometers away. The belfry was built in 1932 as part of the reconstruction of the town hall, which was, unfortunately, torn to pieces during the First World War. And although it is not in use anymore, the belfry contains a headlight that was once used to inform the population of imminent municipal gatherings. Because of how it dominates the city, the belfry offers unobstructed and unparalleled 360-degree views of Lille, and even surrounding areas on clear days. The city hall and its belfry have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2005.