France day trip ideas - experience the best of France

Rated as one of the most pleasant regions in the country, the Loire Valley is a combination of natural beauty and a fascinating history. Located along the Loire River in central France, the Loire Valley is studded with fairy tale castles, quaint villages, fruit orchards, and vineyards. It's not hard to see why the area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, the Renaissance towns and scenic landscapes all have their own stories to tell. The area is perfect for scenic bike rides, walking tours and even boating along the river.

You can't visit the land of Champagne and not visit its vineyards! Set amid ancient Roman sites and sprawling vineyards, the city of Reims is located in the Champagne-Ardenne region. Travel along the scenic routes, exploring champagne houses and sampling some of their best wine. Check out the historic monuments and informative museums that give an insight into this beautiful region that claims a history over 2000 years old. First inhabited by the native Gallics, Reims was captured by the Romans, who were in fact the first to introduce grapes to the region. You can still see many reminders of its rich history and grandeur today, including the Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral, where several French kings were crowned.

The beautiful beach along the coast of Normandy was one of five strategic locations that played a huge role in WW2. On June 6, 1944, allied forces of British, Canadian and American troops fought and won a bloody battle with German soldiers. Today, the beach attracts travellers for not only its historical importance, but its scenic natural beauty. Interesting places to see include the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery and the Juno Beach Centre, a poignant memorial of the victory.

Prepare to be bewitched as your eyes set upon this entrancing island setting - a medieval abbey rising high above the waves as they crash along the coast of Normandy. The small islet and surrounding bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and has plenty to offer adventurous travellers. Mont Saint Michel is home to several historical buildings, each one with its own unique story. Possibly the most well known is that of the Benedictine Abbey - according to the story, sometime in the 8th century, the Bishop of Avranches had visions of the Archangel Michel, who asked him to build a church on the island. By 966, the abbey was built and soon became a pilgrimage site for the faithful. Mont Saint-Michel is quite a distance a long way from Paris, 361km in total, quite a distance for any first time traveller to France. Tour packages can be easily arranged and there are shuttle services like Easy Go Shuttle, for example, which operate daily.

Most famous for its red wine, it's well-worth the drive to tour the wine houses and sample some of the finest wine in France. Attractions here include the Haut-Folin ski resort, as well as the Morvan mountain range, which is perfect for camping. The region also has its fair share of cathedrals, abbeys castles and much more!