Historical and Natural Wonders: Western France

One of the world’s most photographed monuments, the Iron Lady is a shining beacon in the City of Light. Its esplanade, lawn and gardens thrum with energy, while the tower’s three observation decks offer increasingly stunning panoramic views.

A village within a city, Montmartre was the favourite haunt of artists, poets and other avant-garde minds. Its signature landmark, Sacre-Coeur Basilica, is worth a visit, as are the cafés, shops and galleries lining romantic cobblestone streets.

On either side of the Seine are some of the city’s most desirable neighbourhoods. Stroll the river to admire famous monuments, gardens and bridges, or relax on the quais like so many Parisians do. For another vantage point, take a river cruise.

Commissioned by Napoleon III, Palais Garnier is a masterpiece of Beaux Arts architecture. During a visit or a ballet performance, discover opulence like the sweeping Grand Staircase and ceiling mosaics shimmering in the light of golden chandeliers.

This seaside resort is renowned for its beach, an expanse of soft sand dotted with colourful parasols. Parallel to the water’s edge is its equally famous boardwalk, Les Planches, with Belle Époque mosaics and bathing cabins named after movie stars.

Between Deauville’s beach, port and polo field are a cluster of haute couture stores (Coco Chanel’s second boutique is here) and a Printemps department store in a Norman-style building, as well as quaint antique shops and a traditional food market.

If Deauville is the playground of the fashionable, then Trouville is its more cultured, serene sibling. On the other side of the port, the city centre exudes a quiet charm and beauty that have long attracted writers, artists and seekers of relaxation.

As the oldest seaside resort in France, Trouville-sur-Mer has been the destination for seawater cures since the 19th century. Today, the Purist builds on that holistic heritage with time-honoured marine treatments and cutting-edge technologies.

Located between Normandy and Brittany, this tidal island and its bay are a UNESCO World Heritage Site for many reasons: waters that disappear during low tide, rich history as a pilgrimage site, and the magnificent 1,000-year-old abbey at the peak.

Brittany has some of the world’s most extreme tides. When the water recedes, it’s possible to walk on lands inaccessible at other times. These and other expanses of sand are ideal for walks, fishing, treasure hunts, sea bathing and meditation.

A mild climate, diverse landscapes and numerous tiny villages make Brittany a biker’s paradise. Cycling is the perfect way to explore the rocky coastline, moors, forests, castles and canal towpaths – and meet the inhabitants – of this unique region.

There’s no sweeter way to understand Breizh culture than to explore its numerous markets. Spend the morning browsing fresh harvests, artisan goods and local specialities like buckwheat galettes, kig ha farz and the many ways to enjoy seaweed.

Between the mouth of the Loire and the Gironde estuary, the Vendée and Charente regions are lined with stretches of wilderness areas and sandy coastlines, interspersed with quaint towns. Several holiday beaches are centred around Les Sables-d’Olonne.

From hamlets to villages, along the shore or in the countryside, biking is a popular way for locals and visitors to get around. Avid cyclists can travel the Vélodyssée, the European bike route that includes the coast from St-Brevin-les-Pins to Royan.

With its revitalising air and a gentle pace of life, the Atlantic coast creates the perfect setting for wellness resorts. Many of the holistic treatments centre around seawater’s healing powers, elevated by cutting-edge therapies and inspiring views.

Some of the world’s finest oysters are raised in the estuary south of La Rochelle, thanks to its flow of fresh and salt waters. In addition to Marennes-Oléron oysters and other treasures of the sea, this area is also known for its cognac and melons.

The Occitanie capital is called La Ville Rose for its red-brick buildings, but this city on the Garonne river also delights with its friendliness, historic centre-ville and rich culinary heritage.

Once a key thoroughfare, this canal is now famed for scenic boat rides, historic bridges and locks, and peaceful tree-lined paths. Explore this engineering marvel, whose starting point is in Toulouse.

Strolling through this medieval fortress is like stepping back in time. Surrounded by ramparts, this living museum features carefully restored towers, churches and other structures, some of which now house charming boutiques, restaurants and hotels.

The peaks between France and Spain have long been home to human settlements, as evidenced by caves with prehistoric paintings. Today, this picturesque region attracts locals and visitors with mountainside villages, ski resorts and scenic trails.