There’s enough in Paris to fill weeks’ worth of a travel itinerary. But if you’ve had enough of Rodin and Monet, escape the 20 arrondisements to surrounding cities and explore France’s charming countryside en route.
Versailles
Channel your inner royalty by visiting the former home of King Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette. The expansive regal gardens and photogenic interior hallways and ballrooms take you back to the days of the French Revolution.
Villandry Chateau of the Loire Valley © Alison Cornford-matheson | Dreamstime
Loire Valley
If you flock to castles like Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, the Loire Valley is a must-visit destination. The chateaux of Chenonceau, Chambord, Blois and Amboise each offer a different glimpse into the regal architecture and pristine royal grounds.
Normandy
History buffs and novices alike will enjoy a trip west to Omaha Beach where the American troops landed in 1944. Stop by the cliffside cemetery to pay your respects for lives lost on that day during World War II while simultaneously taking in stunning views of the beach. The region of Bretagne is also famous for its delectable seafood and refreshing wine.
Bed Chamber to Anne of Austria, Consort to Louis XIII in Chateau de Fontainebleau © freephoton | Dreamstime
Fontainebleau
Sitting on 130 acres of greenery and pathways, the royal palace of Fontainebleau is the only château that was occupied for seven consecutive centuries. Seasonal exhibits of art and sculpture are scattered throughout the four museums, and the neighboring town is perfect for that afternoon glass of vin rouge.
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