Choose from 490 Fun Things to Do in France
ShowingFilter 121-140 of 490 listings.
The elaborate lobby, grand staircase and massive entryway chandelier nod to a day when the cabaret was at its peak and definitely make this institution well worth a visit. See the 1882 Edouard Manet painting of a bar girl peering into a mirror, A Bar at the Folies-Bergère, and bask in the site’s history of risqué performances.
Eglise Notre-Dame des Sablons
Aigues-Mortes is about an hour south of Avignon in the heart of the marshy Camargue, a delightful walled town that was fortified in the 13th century by King Louis IX; it is now on the Canal Rhône-Sète although back in medieval times it was a strategic seaport on the Rhône delta. The creamy-stoned Gothic Church of Our Lady of the Sablon stands over the labyrinth of cobbled streets, built in the early years of the 13th century, and it was from here that Louis IX set out on his crusade to the Holy Land in 1248
Notre-Dame-des-Sablons has a turbulent history; starting life as a Catholic church, it was sacked by the Protestants in 1575 and the bell tower then collapsed in 1634, rendering the building unusable for almost a century. It was renovated between 1738 and 1744, and during the French Revolution in the 1790s was used as a barracks and salt depository. It reverted to Catholicism and in 1842 the interior was restored in Baroque style with vaulted ceilings, oil paintings and statuary. In the 1960s, this ornate makeover was reversed and the church today is pleasingly plain inside, its simple stone arches and bare walls giving it an air of medieval tranquility. In the 1990s, 31 startlingly contemporary stained-glass windows were added; they were designed by Claude Viallat and created by master glassmaker Bernard Dhonneur.
Practical Info
Rue Jean-Jaures, Aigues-Mortes. Admission to the church is free and it is open daily 9am-5.30pm. Aigues-Mortes is 84 km (52.5 miles) from Avignon and the road journey takes an hour along the A9.
Address: Rue Jean-Jaures, Aigues-Mortes, France
Hours: Daily 9am-5:30pm
From $ 93
Eiffel Tower
With its famous tapering cast iron tip, the Eiffel Tower is not just the symbol of Paris but of all of France. Erected by Gustave Eiffel to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution in 1889, the 1,050-foot (320-meter) tower once held the title of the world's tallest structure. Despite having been dwarfed by Dubai's Burj Khalifa and The Shard in London, the Eiffel Tower remains one of the most recognizable landmarks on the planet. View the architectural icon from afar, or stop in at the three observation levels for stellar city views.
The Basics
The Eiffel Tower's first floor features exhibits, kid-friendly experiences, and the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant; the second deck includes the Jules Verne Restaurant; and the third-floor summit, accessible via a glass lift, features Gustave Eiffel's private apartments and a Champagne bar. Of course, all levels offer striking 360-degree views of the City of Light.
How to Get to the Eiffel Tower
Take metro line 6 to stop Bir Hakeim or RER line C to the Champ de Mars station. For better views, take metro line 6 or 9 to stop Trocadero across from the River Seine.
When to Get There
There's no bad time to visit the Eiffel Tower, but summer and the holiday months are especially atmospheric, and night tours afford luminescent panorama views. For a unique experience, coincide your visit with Bastille Day and see the tower illuminated by fireworks.
Unique Eiffel Tower Experiences
The Basics
The Eiffel Tower's first floor features exhibits, kid-friendly experiences, and the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant; the second deck includes the Jules Verne Restaurant; and the third-floor summit, accessible via a glass lift, features Gustave Eiffel's private apartments and a Champagne bar. Of course, all levels offer striking 360-degree views of the City of Light.
Although a testament to the structure's global popularity, the crowds can be quite large, meaning that priority-access tours are highly recommended—in peak season, long lines mean waits can often exceed three hours. Save precious sightseeing time by booking a skip-the-line Eiffel Tower ticket with or without a tour guide; this experience can combined with a Paris city tour that covers the top sights, such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Moulin Rouge, Montparnasse, and the Louvre museum. If you'd rather view the iconic structure in all its glory than head to the top, book a Seine River cruise, or a walking, biking, or Segway tour.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Plan your visit in advance and book skip-the-line tickets to avoid long wait times.
- If you purchase an admission ticket for Eiffel Tower summit access, you'll head straight to the top before stopping at the lower levels on your downward journey.
- There are ATMs and souvenir shops on the ground floor.
- The tower's first two levels are wheelchair accessible, but the summit is not.
- You'll be required to undergo a security screening before entering the tower.
Take metro line 6 to stop Bir Hakeim or RER line C to the Champ de Mars station. For better views, take metro line 6 or 9 to stop Trocadero across from the River Seine.
When to Get There
There's no bad time to visit the Eiffel Tower, but summer and the holiday months are especially atmospheric, and night tours afford luminescent panorama views. For a unique experience, coincide your visit with Bastille Day and see the tower illuminated by fireworks.
Unique Eiffel Tower Experiences
The first-floor 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant is the perfect place to see the Paris skyline and try some French cuisine. Travelers can also opt to go behind the scenes at the tower to see the exclusive engine room and the second level's rooftop terrace.
Address: 5 Avenue Anatole, Paris, France
Hours: Daily 9:30am–11pm. (Mid-June to early September: 9am–midnight)
Admission: Varies
From $ 12
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
Famous for sitting on the underground source of the emerald-green River Sorgue, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse is a photogenic village squeezed into a lush, narrow valley backed by soaring 230-meter (755-foot) cliffs.
A mystery surrounds the village as no-one has yet been able to discover the underground spring that leads into the Sorgue; what is known is that the river is fed via a multitude of underground channels that are calm in summer, allowing a natural pool to form above ground for swimming. However, the pool quickly floods after heavy rainfall in autumn and again following the spring snow melt from the mountains of the Luberon. At these times the underground spring becomes much more powerful and water is thrown up from the subterranean depths at such a speed that rapids form on the river.
Thanks to its remote location, many of the buildings in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse are little changed since medieval times and today it is one of the most popular visitor spots in northern Provence, its cobbled streets lined with souvenir stalls, bars and terraced restaurants. In addition to its natural beauty, a ruined castle perches above the village, which also has a couple of interesting small museums and a printmaker still powered by ancient water wheel.
Practical Info
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse is 25 km (15.5 miles) east of Avignon and is best reached by car; take some change to pay for parking (around €4 per day). Visitor information is found at Résidence Jean Garcin, open daily from 9:30am to 12:30pm and from 1:30 to 5:30pm.
Address: Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, France
From $ 45
Epernay
Where Dijon is a center for Burgundy's red wine production (and that of mustard), Epernay is the main entrepot for the wines of the Champagne region. Visitors from all over the world come to this small town to buy champagne and see how it is bottled. As it is the center for champagne production, its economy and tourism largely revolve around sparkling wines.
Like most other metropolitan areas in France, Epernay can trace its history to the last days of Rome. Indeed, the town is replete with the obligatory 16th-century church and Old Quarter; however, these quaint relics of long-gone eras have been somewhat overshadowed by a cheerily modern streak. This doesn't mean that the town's charm has disappeared under a bunch of apartments and malls; rather, Epernay's appeal spreads outside its limits to the surrounding countryside, where the wealthy wine merchants and champagne producers keep impressive maisons.
Also spread throughout the countryside are the region's many wineries, most of which offer tours and tastings. Driving around centuries-old vineyards is awe-inspiring in itself, and many producers offer tours of the champagne caves. Mined for chalk during Roman times, these caves were later found to be perfect for storing the effervescent wines that made the region famous.
L'Avenue de Champagne is probably one of the biggest tourist attractions in Epernay, as many of the most prominent champagne producers such as Moët et Chandon, Mercier and De Castellane keep their headquarters on this street. According to local hearsay, L'Avenue de Champagne is the most expensive street in the world, given all the bottles of champagne (numbering some 90 million) stored in the chalk cellars beneath the street.
Address: Epernay, France, France
Hours:
Open daily
From $ 73
Delville Wood Cemetery
The World War I struggle for the strategic ground of Delville Wood lying at the heart of the Somme battlefields took place between Commonwealth and German soldiers during July and September 1916. During this time a number of fierce battles were fought and even though the Commonwealth troops ultimately won through, there was huge loss of life on both sides. Delville Wood Cemetery at Longueval commemorates the heroism of 5,523 Commonwealth dead, lying at peace in a memorial designed by British architect Sir Herbert Baker just post-war, with an entrance arch topped by a bronze equestrian sculpture by Alfred Turner. A huge percentage of the graves at Delville Wood are unmarked as many of the fallen were reburied there after the Armistice in 1918.
Right across the road is the South Africa (Delville Wood) National Memorial, also built by Sir Herbert Baker and honoring the South African military personnel who were killed in World War I. With around 229,000 soldiers fighting on the Western Front, the SA dead at Delville Wood numbered around 10,000 and their names are inscribed in a memorial book in the hexagonal-shaped Delville Wood Museum, built to salute all South African troops who have died in combat across the world.
Practical Info
Both cemeteries are found in Longueval, 40 km (25 miles) south of Arras in the Pas-de-Calais. The Delville Wood Museum is open early Feb–early Apr, mid-Oct–late Nov Tue–Sun 10am–4pm; early Apr–mid-Oct Tue–Sun 10am–5.30pm.
Address: Route de Ginchy, Longueval, France
From $ 230
Espace Van Gogh
The Provençal town of Arles sits on the banks of the River Rhône southwest of Avignon and is placed firmly on the tourist trail for its UNESCO-listed Roman ruins, Romanesque cathedral, one of the biggest Saturday produce markets in France and for being the latter-day home of tortured artist Vincent Van Gogh. He arrived in Arles in February 1888 and fell in love with both the town and its rural environs, painting its historic center and spectacular landscapes repeatedly. Some of his most famous works were among the 180 he produced during this time, including Starry Night, several versions of The Sunflowers and The Café Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles, at Night. Sadly this prolific period did not continue and he soon succumbed to mental illness; following a fracas with his fellow artist Paul Gauguin on Dec. 24, 1888, Van Gogh lopped off his ear and was hospitalized in the 16th-century Hôtel-Dieu-Saint-Espirit. By May 1889, he was recuperating in the Monastère St Paul-de-Mausole in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, before he eventually died in Auvers-sur-Oise in July 1890.
During his time at the Hôtel-Dieu-Saint-Espirit, Van Gogh painted its beautiful courtyard twice; it has now been restored to match the layout seen in his masterly Garden of the Hospital in Arles and is a place of quiet contemplation for visitors. Although there are no original Van Goghs displayed here, there are frequent art exhibitions in the cloisters and a souvenir shop selling his prints. The gardens form part of a Van Gogh-themed walking tour of Arles, which links all the places he made famous in his paintings.
Practical Info
Place du Docteur Félix Rey, Arles. Admission free at any time. Arles is 45 minutes’ drive southwest of Avignon.
Address: Place du Docteur Félix Rey, Arles, France
From $ 45
Disney Village
From getting your adrenaline pumping on Space Mountain and flying with Peter Pan, to snapping a selfie with Donald and Mickey, and hunting down all your favorite characters, a visit to Disneyland Paris can be exhausting! Thankfully, there’s also the on-site Disney Village with its myriad of shops and restaurants, where you can take a break from the action and refuel in preparation for the next round of shows and rides.
Of course, the Disney fun doesn’t end just because its lunchtime and many of the restaurants continue the fantastical theme. Tuck into a Tex-Mex buffet at Billy Bob's Country Western Saloon; join the gang for brunch at Café Mickey; picnic in the wilderness at the Rainforest Café; or book an extra special Disney dinner show (don’t worry, there’s old favorites like Starbucks, the Hard Rock Café and McDonalds, too). Once you’ve finished eating, get your credit card ready for a tour of the official Disney souvenir stores, where you can pick up adorable toys, exclusive collectables and Disney-inspired fashions to transform your little ones into real-life pirates and princesses.
Disneyland© Paris
Disneyland© Paris
Practical Info
The Disney Village is located at Disneyland Paris, 32 km east of central Paris, and can be reached by train from the city or shuttle bus from the Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports.
Address: Avenue Paul Séramy, Marne la Vallee, France
Admission: Varies
From $ 28
Disneyland Paris
From riding Space Mountain to flying with Peter Pan and snapping a selfie with Mickey Mouse, few theme parks serve up as much fairy-tale magic as Disneyland. With some 14 million annual visitors, Disneyland Paris is Europe’s biggest and busiest theme park, boasting adrenaline-fueled rides, state-of-the-art movie sets, and spectacular shows and parades that make it a fantasyland for kids and adults alike.
The Basics
Two theme parks make up Disneyland Paris—the Disneyland Park and the Walt Disney Studios Park—and a variety of ticket options are available. Choose from single-day and multi-day passes, hopper tickets that allow full-access to both parks, and FASTPASS® tickets that offer skip-the-line entrance to the most popular rides and attractions. It’s impossible to see everything on a day tour, so if you only have a one-day pass, plan your schedule carefully to ensure you don’t miss the shows, parades, and rides that most interest you. To ensure a hassle-free vacation, pre-book a one-way or round-trip transfer to Disneyland Resort Paris from your Paris hotel or Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Bring comfortable shoes and be prepared to do lots of walking.
- Be prepared to wait in line for up to two hours for popular rides at peak times, especially in the busiest months of July and August.
- Disneyland Paris is wheelchair accessible, priority access is offered to many rides and attractions, and full accessibility maps are available.
- Wheelchairs, strollers, and pushchairs are available for rent inside the park.
- Families with young kids can take advantage of Baby Switch, which allows one parent to wait with younger children, without having to get back in line for their turn.
- Budget travelers can save on costs by bringing a refillable water bottle (drinking water fountains are located around the park), a packed lunch, and snacks—eating out in the Disney Village can be pricey.
How to Get There
Disneyland Paris is located 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of Paris in Marne-la-Vallée. The RER A train from central Paris takes about 40 minutes to reach the Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy station, and regular shuttle buses run to and from the Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports. Private transfers and taxis typically take about an hour, depending on traffic.
When to Get There
Disneyland Paris is open year-round, and most attractions, shows, and parades run even in low season. The busiest and most crowded times are the summer and Christmas holidays, when lines are long but opening hours are extended. Those on a budget can find deals by visiting in the low season (November to March) or midweek rather than on weekends, but be aware that there will be fewer shows. For an extra dose of Disney magic, visit during special events such as Halloween, Bonfire Night (early November), New Year’s Eve, or Christmas.
Must-Do Experiences at Disneyland Paris
At Disneyland Park, the most popular rides include Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain: Mission 2, Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril, and Pirates of the Caribbean. The top rides at Walt Disney Studios Park are Ratatouille: The Ride, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, and Flying Carpets Over Agrabah. Other must-do experiences include meet-and-greets with Disney characters, the Disney parades, a ride on the Disneyland Railroad, and the chance to have dinner with Mickey Mouse.
Address: Marne-la-Vallée 77777, France
Hours: Open daily, 10am - 6pm
Admission: Varies
From $ 14
Fort du Mont Alban
For visitors to Nice, a stroll up to the top of Castle Hill offers extraordinary views of the city from the Old Town straight on to the airport. And with such beautiful weather being the norm, getting a bird's eye view of the Cote d'Azur can be addictive! For those who want to see even more from up high, Fort du Mont Alban is a must.
Built in the mid-1500s for military defense, Fort du Mont Alban is located close to Nice in Mont Boron Park, just outside of Col-de-Villefranche. Although it suffered some damage in WWII, the fort is in excellent condition and was declared a national monument in the early 20th century.
While tours of the fort are available only by appointment, the grounds are open to the public and free to enter. From the top there are sweeping views from Italy to Antibes – and after a rain, when the skies are clear, those with binoculars can even see Corsica!
Practical Info
Using public transport, take the Lignes d'Azur Line14 bus from Nice to the Mont Boron “Chemin duFort” stop, then enter the park and climb to the top using the trails. If driving, take the Corniche Andre de Joly (M6007) to the Route Forrestiere du Mont Boron; it is possible to drive to the top using this road.
Address: Chemin du Fort du Mont Alban, Nice, France
From $ 760
Domaine Debray
This family-owned yet sprawling estate winery, whose cellars are located in the city of Beaune, are geared towards quality and not necessarily quantity. What makes this winery special is its owner’s background; Yvonnick Debray spent 20 years of his life selling Burgundy wines on the French market, and therefore acquired a wealth of information about wine production and the art of being a wine-maker. Domaine Debray produces several wines, reds and whites, belonging to a variety of appellations including classics like Bourgogne Aligoté and Hautes Côtes de Beaune, as well as one Grand Cru, the Corton Charlemagne. The winery is extremely respectful of the soil and only picks grapes by hand; wines are vinified in French oak barrels directly on the estate.
Practical Info
Domaine Debray is located in Beaune, about 45 minutes southwest of Dijon in Burgundy. It can be easily reached by car via routes A31 and D974, as well as by train via Beaune train station and a short walk. The shop and winery is open year-round from 10am to 12pm and from 1:30pm to 7pm, although tastings are not always available in August and September during harvest season. Tastings and guided visits cost €10.
Address: 1 Place Saint-Jacques, Beaune, Burgundy 21200, France
Hours: 10am to noon, 1:30 to 7pm
Admission: €10
From $ 19
Eglise St-Trophime
The Eglise St-Trophime is a masterpiece of 12th-century Romanesque architecture in the Provençal city of Arles, which is located on the banks of the River Rhône and on the doorstep of the wild, marshy Camargue. Along with the city’s many Roman remains, the church was UNESCO World Heritage-listed in 1981; it was constructed from pale-hued stone in the 11th and 12th centuries and dedicated to Trophime, who was an early bishop of Arles and later its patron saint.
Its magnificent, colonnaded Romanesque portal was restored in the late 20th century; its carvings depict the Last Judgment, with Christ overseeing anguished sinners being dragged down into Hell and the righteous ascending to Heaven. Statues of lions, the Apostles and other saints guard the entrance to the church, which is austere and symmetrical on the inside. The adjoining cloisters surround a tranquil garden and are a combination of Romanesque and late- Gothic architecture, with ornate columns and pillars covered with sculptures of biblical scenes and figures of saints.
The church’s chapter house has a long medieval hall with a vaulted ceiling and displays some Gobelin tapestries alongside occasional temporary exhibitions.
Practical Info
12 rue du Cloître, Arles. Church open daily 8.30am–6.30pm. Cloister: Nov–Feb daily 10am–5pm; Mar–Apr, Oct: daily 9am–6pm; May-Sept 9am–7pm. Admission is free.
Address: 12 Rue du Cloître, Arles 13200, France
Hours: Daily 8:30am-6:30pm
From $ 127
Eze
With its twisting cobblestone lanes, jumble of medieval houses, and shady courtyards lined with traditional cafés, Eze is a tranquil village high above the glamorous resorts and golden beaches of the Cote d’Azur. The hilltop town is undeniably picturesque, affording panoramic views over the Mediterranean, and its timeless charm has made it a firm favorite on French Riviera itineraries.
The Basics
Eze’s tiny size means it’s often relegated to a pit stop for those heading east to Monaco or west to Cannes and St.-Tropez, but the medieval village can also make a quieter base to explore the glitzy resorts along the coast. A full- or half-day tour from Nice, Cannes, or Monte Carlo often includes nearby villages such as St.-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Menton, or La Turbie.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Bring comfortable shoes to navigate the steep lanes and cobblestones of the Old Town.
- Eze’s medieval streets can sometimes be a challenge for wheelchair users, so it’s best to check ahead for wheelchair access to hotels, restaurants, and attractions.
How to Get to Eze
Eze is located at the eastern tip of the French Riviera and close to the France-Monaco border. Its closest airport is in Nice, just 7 miles (11 kilometers) away, roughly 30 minutes by car, with most tours driving along the famous Corniche coastal road.
When to Get There
Celebrities, jet setters, and sun-seekers flock to the French Riviera in spring and summer, and Eze sees a steady stream of tour groups passing through. To avoid the crowds, get there early or stick around after the tour buses have left. Those wanting to soak up the atmosphere of popular events like the Cannes Film Festival or the Monaco Grand Prix will find Eze a good place to escape the masses, although be aware that accommodation, flight, and tour prices can soar during these busy months. Out of season, Eze is equally charming, but check ahead to ensure that hotels and attractions are open.
A Sightseeing Tour of Eze
Eze’s principal attraction is its attractive Old Town, centered around the majestic ruins of a 12th-century castle, and it’s easy to explore on foot. After admiring the medieval architecture, stroll around the Jardin Exotique and admire the exotic blooms of the stunning gardens, hike down to the beaches of Eze-Sur-Mer, or take a tour of the famous Fragonard perfume factory.
Address: Eze 06360, France
Admission: Free
From $ 115
Folies Bergère
Since it first opened its doors back in 1869, the Folies Bergère music and cabaret hall has been a facet in Parisian life and French culture. The famous performance center once showcased legendary acts such as Edith Pilaf and Josephine Baker, while today showing some musical and theatrical productions.
The elaborate lobby, grand staircase and massive entryway chandelier nod to a day when the cabaret was at its peak and definitely make this institution well worth a visit. See the 1882 Edouard Manet painting of a bar girl peering into a mirror, A Bar at the Folies-Bergère, and bask in the site’s history of risqué performances.
Practical Info
Folies Bergère is located at 32 Rue Richer in the 9th Arrondissement. It is accessible via metro from the Cadet and Grands Boulevards stations.
Address: 32 Rue Richer, 9th arrondissement, Paris, France
Hours: Hours vary according to showtimes.
Admission: Tickets: 25€-84€
From $ 35
Croix-Rousse
Centered around the 254-meter hill of the same name, the Croix-Rousse district was the heart of Lyon’s 18th-century silk industry, with the influx of workers earning it the nickname ‘the hill that works’, while neighboring Fourvière was dubbed ‘the hill that prays’. The historic district makes a fascinating addition to a walking tour, with its unique traboules - narrow, tunnel-like passageways that served as the setting to the 19th-century silk-workers revolt - snaking between the historic workshops and running down to the riverside. Today, some of the traboules have been restored, most notably the Passage Thiaffait, which is now home to the ‘Village of Creators’ and lined with artist’s galleries, crafts workshops and fashion boutiques.
The lively district retains its village-like atmosphere and is now crammed with bars, restaurants and cafes, many of which offer impressive views along the riverside. Additional highlights include the daily Croix-Rousse Market, the ruins of the Roman Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls, the landmark Gros Caillou (literally, a ‘Big Rock’) and the Croix-Rousse tunnel, a bus, bike and pedestrian route that burrows through the hill and is now the backdrop for a dazzling light and sound show.
Practical Info
The Croix-Rousse quarter is located in 1st and 4th arrondissements of Lyon.
Address: Lyon, France
From $ 10
Coustellet Lavender Museum
The Lavender Museum in Coustellet is at the farm where this brilliantly colored, fragrant plant is grown, harvested and processed into all kinds of products. But far from being a factory or simply a museum, it's a family-run business dating back five generations, and the pride in their work is immediately apparent to visitors.
Included in the museum is a large collection of vintage distilling machines and other implements used as far back as the 17th century; this was the hobby of one of the Lincelé sons. There is also a film about the distilling process and guided tours as well. It's a wonderful, in-depth look at how lavender is used, and even better, it's open even when the fields are not in bloom!
Practical Info
The Lavender Museum is 12 miles from Avignon and not accessible by public transport. It is closed in January. It's open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., but sometimes closes for lunch from 12:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. The entrance fee is 6.50 euros, with discounts for students, seniors and groups (kids under 15 accompanied by adults enter free). There is an audio guide available in several languages, and there are guided visits as well.
Address: 276 Route de Gordes, Coustellet, France
Hours: Daily 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; closed in January
Admission: Adults 6.50€; student and seniors: 5.5€; Children under 15 free with adults
From $ 45
Fort Saint-Jean
Fort Saint-Jean is a historic but highly quirky fortification in the Old-Port of Marseilles commissioned by none other than Louis XIV in 1660—but not for obvious reasons. He had the fort built for defensive purposes, of course, but also because he wanted to please his Marseilles people, noticing that inhabitants were extremely fond of nice fortresses but were also wary of their governor; the two new forts were built in response to a local uprising rather than for the defense of the city - their cannons pointed inwards towards the town, not outwards towards the sea. The name of Saint-Jean comes from the site on which the fort is built, which was previously occupied by the Order of the Knights of Saint John.
The fort was later used for military purposes on several occasions, as it was in the possession of the French army for the better part of the 19th and 20th centuries; it was utilized as barracks and clearing station for the Army of Africa during the 1830s and was occupied by the German military in November 1942. But in the wake of the liberation of Marseilles in August 1944, much of the fort and its historic battlements and buildings were destroyed by the explosion of a munitions depot. Today Fort Saint-Jean is an exhibition space for permanent collections operated by MUCEM, the Musée des civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditérannée.
Practical Info
Fort Saint-Jean is located on Promenade Louis Brauquier in the Old-Port of Marseilles. It can be reached on foot from Quai du Port and from Quai de la Tourette, and also by car with ample parking across Hôtel de Ville on Place Jules Verne (€6 for three hours, €7 for evenings between 7PM and 2AM or €17 for 24 hours). The closest tram station is Sadi Carnot and the closest metro station is Vieux-Port / Hôtel de Ville; both are located 10 minutes east of the fort.
Address: Prom. Louis Brauquier, Mareseille, France
From $ 11
Fontaine Saint-Michel
Fontaine Saint-Michel was sculpted by Gabriel Davioud in 1860 and gives its name to the square where it’s located, Place Saint-Michel. The monumental fountain, located between boulevard Saint-Michel and Place Saint-Andres-des-Arts was commissioned by Baron Georges-Eugene Haussmann as part of Napoleon III’s plans to bring more light and air to the city of Paris.
The fountain depicts the archangel Michael vanquishing Satan, a controversial political symbol at the time hinting at Napoleon vanquishing the revolutionary fervor of the neighborhood. Unlike many of Paris’s fountains, Fontaine Saint-Michel was made from various colors of materials, including red and green marble, blue and yellow stone, and bronze. Place Saint-Michel is a popular meeting spot among both the city’s youth and foreign visitors.
Practical Info
Fontaine Saint-Michel is located in the Latin Quarter near the metro stop Saint-Michel.
Address: Place Saint-Michel, Paris, France
From $ 29
Deauville
Founded by Napoleon’s half-brother on the Normandy coast in 1861, the chic seaside town of Deauville (pronounced “Dovil”) has been a summer playground for the French elite, including Yves Saint Laurent, ever since the late 19th century. Full of designer boutiques and five-star hotels, manicured gardens and ritzy restaurants, Deauville is the place for Parisians to see and be seen in the summer.
Known in France for its starring part in Proust’s “In Search of Lost Time,” Deauville is in the heart of the Parisian Riviera and boasts the Grand Casino, Deauville-La Touques racetrack and the American Film Festival in the first week of September every year. Unlike at Cannes’, public admission is available for many of the previews at Deauville.
Very much a resort town, Deauville’s population of 4,100 heavily depends on tourism. Twinned with the town of Trouville right next door, visitors often hop over to Trouville by simply wandering over the pont des Belges bridge, which is just east of the train and bus stations in Deauville.
Practical Info
Deauville is about a two-hour drive west from Paris, and there are also regular TER trains from Paris to the Trouville-Deauville train station.
Address: Deauville, France
From $ 109
Crazy Horse Cabaret
Held in an intimate underground venue, the Crazy Horse cabaret’s provocative yet sophisticated burlesque-style show celebrates femininity and specializes in the art of seduction, with a series of elaborately choreographed routines performed by highly trained dancers wearing custom-made red-soled Louboutins, bob wigs, bright red lipstick—and often little else. Avant-garde artist Alain Bernardin established the venerated Crazy Horse de Paris in 1951.
The Basics
During the cabaret’s 90-minute Totally Crazy show, audience members witness some of the troupe’s most classic routines, including the well-known Philippe Decouflé–choreographed Crazy Horse Guards, which sees the Crazy Girls donning bearskin hats and skimpy royal guard uniforms. The venue also hosts newer acts created by the likes of Dita von Teese and Ali Mahdavi. You can book show tickets in advance or upgrade your experience to include VIP extras such as Champagne and appetizers. You can also pair a visit here with a pre- or post-show dinner at the nearby art deco brasserie, Chez Francis.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Dress respectably. Ties and jackets are not required, but shorts, sneakers, and sportswear are not allowed.
- Performances contain partial nudity and may not be suitable for kids.
- For the ultimate indulgence, splurge on a private VIP booth to sip Champagne and snack on caviar during the show.
- Seats are not reservable; they are assigned and allocated on the night of the show.
- The Crazy Horse is wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
The Crazy Horse de Paris venue is on Avenue George V near the Champs-Elysees. Both the bus (lines 42, 63, 72, 80, and 92) and the Metro (line 9) connect to the nearby Alma–Marceau station. Alternatively, take the RER C line to Pont de l’Alma or the RER A line to Charles de Gaulle–Etoile.
When to Get There
Shows take place twice a night, at 8:30pm and 11pm, Sunday to Friday; on Saturdays there are three performances, at 7pm, 9:30pm, and midnight. Arrive early to catch the pre-show burlesque act, which begins 30 minutes before the main performance.
Which Paris Cabaret is Right for You?
Paris is home to several legendary cabaret venues, and choosing between the two most renowned—Moulin Rouge and Crazy Horse de Paris—can be difficult. If you want Las Vegas–style acts and fanfare—and to see the world-famous cancan—Moulin Rouge is the cabaret for you. Crazy Horse, meanwhile, offers artistic and slightly racier performances in a smaller, more intimate setting.
Address: 12 Avenue George V, Paris 75008, France
Admission: Check website for show prices
From $ 98
Espace Dali
There are plenty of galleries and museums in Paris dedicated to individual artists. But the Espace Dalí is more than just paintings on a wall. In a style befitting Salvador Dalí's surreal school of art, it is a full-immersion experience. There is music playing, usually a big no-no in the more hallowed halls of art; there are sculpture versions of his paintings, giving visitors a chance to rethink these famous pieces; and there's even a full roster of children's events that welcome a new generation to get to know Dalí better. There are also some videos and other multimedia exhibits that take you into the mind of this brilliant artist.
Your entrance fee also covers the museum's neighbor, Galerie Montmartre, which features works by today's artists.
Your entrance fee also covers the museum's neighbor, Galerie Montmartre, which features works by today's artists.
Practical Info
To reach Espace Dalí, take the M12 to Abesses and then the funicular to walk to 11, rue Poulbot. Note that it's much easier to take the elevator up and out of the Abesses stop; the stairwell is steep, long and not the best for anyone who is uncomfortable in tight spaces!
Address: 11 Rue Poulbot, Paris 75018, France
Hours: Mon - Sun: 10am – 6pm
Admission: Adult: 11 € and Child: 6 €
From $ 14