What do I see in France?

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World Traveler

Good timing! I think the smoking ban will be in effect by then. So you can truly enjoy all the wonderful food France has to offer without breathing in a bunch of smoke. Make sure you check out all the patisseries (bakeries) and fromageries (cheese shops) and have lots of picnics in the parks.

In Paris - Montmartre district is lovely with its Sacre Coeur, the Louvre is a multi-day delight, Musee d'Orsay is great for impressionist art, Notre Dame is a good traditional place but the really cool church is Ste. Chapelle. It has the most beautiful stained glass in France.

You absolutely MUST go to Versailles. It is breathtaking. We lucked out and came on a day they were doing a musical theatrical even that evening. We enjoyed about 6 different performances in the gardens, capped with fireworks. You should be able to catch it in Sept.

other events in september -
Basque Country Music Festival, (in Saint-Jean-de-Luz) is one of France's premier music festivals and is situated in one of the country's prettiest small cities.
Piano aux Jacobins (in Toulouse), a festival devoted to classical piano music featuring numerous concerts at the Jacobins cloister.
Feria du Riz or Rice Feria, (in Arles) is a showcase of bullfighting traditions in Southern France. Well after fans leave the arena, the party continues into the night in this lively Provence city. Here, you not only find running of the bulls, but they are also guarded by the lovely Camargue horses.
Paris Techno Parade, (in Paris) is France's second most popular music festival and an ode to techno music. It is part of the Rendez-Vous Electroniques Festival (from September 8-18).
Jazz a Beaune, (in Beaune), a wonderful indulgence on the local Burgundy wines and jazz music. There are also classes offered, both on wine tasting and the jazz masters.
Feria des Vendanges or Grape Harvest Feria, (in Nimes) is another festive bullfighting festival in a city jam-packed with historic attractions.
Sauerkraut Festival, (in Brienne-le-Chateau) is a splendid homage to the Aube region, which produces much of France's sauerkraut annually.
Heralding the Harvest, (in Saint-Emilion) marks the start of the harvest in one of France's key wine-producing areas. The highlights include a mass and a torchlight evening tour of the town.

Mont St Michel - incredible castle on an island in Brittany. Eat a fluffy omelette and climb to the top where you can see it all.

Chagall Museum in Nice on the Riviera. By September, it shouldn't be so crazy busy down there.

Sarlat - amazing ancient village with beautiful buildings. You feel like you've gone back in time.

Carcassone - incredible village with a huge walled castle. Walk it - and many of these other places - at night when the tourists have left and you can revel in pretending you're back in the time of knights.

Monet's Water Lily garden - there's an American artists museum/gallery nearby that showcases work of Cassatt.

Lascaux caves in central France are awe-inspiring examples of prehistoric art.

Be sure to check with the Office du Tourisme and the Metro station for multi-day, multi-location passes. They are a terrific value. If you pay for everything separately you are crazy, because it costs SO MUCH MORE. Also, the pass lets you cut at least one line at busy sites and get right in. We used ours at Versailles and I felt like Marie Antoinette herself, breezing past all the poor suckers sweltering in the heat.

And don't be put off by the comments of some eejits regarding the French people. They are lovely and made us feel utterly welcome. Be sure to use good manners - merci and s'il vous plait go a long way. Most everyone we met knew English, but those who don't are nice too and you'd be stunned how much can be conveyed with pantomime. Of course, you may know some French, which is even better!

slick_3501

Are you going just to Paris? If so, just wander the streets until you come across something you like. All the tourist attractions can be so full of tourists that its not fun or cultural anymore.
I would go to some coastal cities...check out Normandy or Quiberon (two places I went this summer...had the best time of my life!) They are so beautiful, and really fun, too.

The Alchemist

The architecture is awesome.

mtcrooks

Cannes, Nice, Marseille, Bourdeux, Chambery, Lyon, Mont Blanc
Adieu.

[brownâ™¥eyedâ™¥girl]

I went to France and it's awesome. Just the scenery is so beautiful and it just gives you the time of your life. I'd say you could see the main monuments and just enjoy your time. have fun

paKC-leQ

no, you will not see a lot of p*ss**es unless you look as handsome as Di Caprio; the scene is dead.
Don't speak about politics, and French prefer english people now but even if they studied english , they make no effort at first.
Versailles, the castles on the Loire, the Mount Blanc, the french riviera are amazing

andrea

every single restaurant.

JustPeachy !!!

french toast

Mikey Mike

alot of pompous a@@holes

Coalie

Well, being from France, I wouldn't recommend going there. They are rude to Americans...(Not I, though). But there is so much stuff to do there-it'll take a day to tell you.

hah

YOu will see the french and if you have a lick of common sense you will come running home and thank god you live in the USA...they are mean, non-supportive of world freedom and frankly just plain snooty...I would rather see the US, but have fun, you will have more fun if you don't let em know you are american...

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