Things to see and do in France

France has a proud café culture, and people-watching over a coffee and croissant is a quintessential way to pass the time. If you're looking to imbibe something with a bit more pep, move on to a pastis.

Almost too picture-perfect to be true, the fortified town of Carcassonne is home to a wealth of monuments from different eras. Rising above the plains of the lower valley, it's somewhere for history buffs and gastronomes alike.

Chartres Cathedral is considered by many to be the finest Gothic cathedral in France, if not in Europe. The Sancta Camisia, the cloth that the Virgin Mary was wearing when she gave birth to Christ, was once housed in the town of Chartres. The cathedral itself was first built in 1145, but was destroyed by fire in 1194. The Sancta Camisia remained intact, which was seen as a sign of Mary's love and led a papal representative to convince the spiritually devastated people of Chartres to build a new cathedral on the same foundations. The result, which took until about 1260 to complete, was a spectacular combination of early Gothic and high Gothic, attracting hordes of visitors every year. Built of limestone, the cathedral, which set the standard for 13th-century architecture, still stands 34m high (112ft) and 130m long (427ft) today. The cathedral is particularly well known for its asymmetrical spires, 176 stained glass windows and numerous religious sculptures depicting scenes from both the Old and New Testaments.

Considered by many to be the most impressive river gorge in Europe (others have it as France's answer to the Grand Canyon), the Gorges du Verdon reaches heights of up to 700 metres (2297ft) at its deepest, its steep banks blanketed in greenery.

There's a great deal more to France's second-largest city than its fabled restaurant scene (although miss that at your peril, foodies) - art museums, a vibrant clubbing scene, riverside walks and a historical old town all add to its considerable appeal.

Normandy's most iconic sight draws thousands of visitors yearly with its impossibly photogenic setting: Mont Saint-Michel (Saint Michael's Mount) is a rocky island surrounded by perilous waters one kilometre (0.6 miles) off the coast of Normandy. It was founded in 708 by the Bishop of Avranches who built a chapel there after the Archangel Michael appeared to him in a dream. Construction of the spectacular Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel (Mont Saint-Michel Abbey) started in 1023 and finished some 400 years later. Fashioned from granite, its delicate contours are an extension of the shape of the island and encompass a range of architectural styles, from Norman to Gothic. For centuries, the Abbey was a place of pilgrimage but it has also variously served as a prison, a fortress against the English and a monastery.

Anywhere that boasts the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Sacre-Coeur and Notre Dame Cathedral (and they're just the hors d'oeuvres) is more than just another city. Equal parts chic, edgy and drop-dead beautiful, Paris is cosmopolitan, ever-changing and unmissable.

The French Alps play host to some of the most famed ski resorts in Europe, among them Courchevel, Val-d'Isère, Méribel and L'Alpe d'Huez. The region as whole covers a colossal area and offers superb choice for skiers of all levels.

The annual cycling showcase that is the Tour de France tends to travel through some of the most picturesque parts of the country. Being part of the crowds that throng the roadsides makes for a fantastic experience.

France and wine make a natural pairing, and any serious oenophiles (or even those who just enjoy a tipple) should take time to visit one of its varied wine regions. Bordeaux, Bourgogne (Burgundy) and the Côtes du Rhône are three of many rewarding options.