110 Captivating Pictures of France That Will Leave You Dreaming of a French Adventure

Looking for beautiful pictures of France to inspire your next trip? Explore the beauty of France through the photos in our captivating image gallery.

If you're like me, you can't resist the allure of France. From the romantic streets of Paris to the sun-drenched Cote d'Azur, France is a place that captures the hearts and minds of travelers from all over the world. 

In this post, I've curated a stunning collection of pictures of France from my personal travels over the last 15 years that will transport you straight to the heart of this enchanting country. This photo showcase covers some of the most iconic landmarks, natural wonders, and historic gems of France. 

Whether you're actively planning a trip to France, looking for vacation destination ideas, or simply dreaming of your next vacation, join us on an armchair travel adventure via this France image gallery. 

I hope that these captivating pictures inspire your own French adventure.

Pictures of the Loire Valley

The Loire valley is a magical place. We were delighted when inspiration struck to undertake a 5 day Loire Valley road trip. 

In this section of our photos of France gallery, you'll find stunning châteaux, beautiful gardens, and quaint historic towns. Many of the villages in this section are dominated by impressive fortresses. See for yourself!

1.  Château d'Ussé

2.  Ornate towers at Château de Chambord

3.  Château de Chambord

4.  Half-timbered buildings in Chinon France

5.  Gargoyle keeping watch in Chinon France

6.  The spectacular gardens at Château Villandry

7.  Château du Clos Lucé, one-time residence of Leonardo da Vinci

8.  Half-timbred building in Amboise, France

9.  Hall over water at Château de Chenonceau

10.  Magical Château de Chenonceau

11.  Château Royal d'Amboise

12.  Château de Saumur

13.  Château d'Angers

14.  Medieval door in Angers

15.  Inside the walls of Château d'Angers

16.  Apocalypse Tapestry at Château d'Angers

17.  Château Villandry

18.  Light show at Château Royal de Blois

Pictures of Bordeaux (and Nearby)

Bordeaux is another one of our favorite places to spend a weekend in France. Our 3 day Bordeaux itinerary included day trips from Bordeaux city to the surrounding wine regions. 

We also attempted to answer the question: which is the best wine-focused day trip from Bordeaux? Medoc or St. Emilion?

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I hope this section of our France picture gallery inspires you to visit this charming French city and the surrounding countryside.

19.  Rain-soaked street in Bordeaux

20.  Porte Dijeaux in Bordeaux

21.  La Cité du Vin

22.  Bordeaux Cathedral

23.  Looking up at Bordeaux Cathedral

24.  Views over St. Emilion

25.  Vineyards near St. Emilion

26.  Indulgent slice of chocolate cake in Bordeaux

27.  Fountain in a garden in Bordeaux City

28.  Bordeaux's Miroir d'eau

29.  Sidewalk cafe in the shadow of a church in Bordeaux

30.  Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Médoc

31.  Château Cos d'Estournel in Médoc

32.  Elegant fountain in Bordeaux

33.  Checkerboard pavement in Bordeaux

34.  Château Prieuré-Lichine in Médoc

35.  Château Lafon-Rochet in Médoc

36.  Château Lagrange in the Médoc wine region

37.  Château Margaux

Pictures of Languedoc

Languedoc is one of the more off-the-beaten track places to visit in France. We set up our home base in Montpellier and took the opportunity to explore Languedoc by car. 

From windswept coasts to towns with imposing fortresses to quiet nature reserves, this corner of France begs to be visited. Do these regional images of France have you convinced?

38.  Fortifications surrounding Aigues-Mortes

39.  Entrance gate to Aigues-Mortes

40.  Canal running through Sète

41.  Giant octopus sculpture in Montpellier

42.  Pont du Gard near Nîme

43.  Flamingo taking flight in the Camargue

44.  Camargue flamingos

45.  Languedoc dunes and kites

46.  Languedoc horses

Pictures of Carcassonne and Toulouse

Carcassonne and Toulouse make for a perfect Ryanair weekend getaway from points across Europe. Fly into one and out of the other with a day to explore in each of these French cities. 

You'll find fairy tale castles and indoor and outdoor markets bursting with amazing food. Steep in the atmosphere of these regional photos and decide if this is where you'll spend part of your French vacation.

47.  Walls of Carcassonne Castle on a foggy day

48.  Turrets and roof tiles of Carcassonne Castle

49.  Loaves of fresh bread at the market in Carcassonne

50.  Carcassonne Castle after dark

51.  Galerie Le Château d'Eau in Toulouse

52.  Seafood at Marché Victor Hugo in Toulouse

53.  Le Capitole in Toulouse

Pictures of Normandy

We enjoy visiting places steeped in history and Normandy has more history than most. Grab a car and embark on a Paris to Normandy road trip. 

You'll find charming seaside villages and plenty of WWII history and memorials to keep you busy for a long weekend. What do you think? Do these images of France have you convinced that you should head for the North coast?

54.  American Cemetery

55.  Omaha Beach Memorial

56.  Mont St. Michel

57.  Church of Saint-Pierre in Caen

58.  Gargoyles on the Church Saint-Pierre in Caen

59.  Crooked timbered buildings in Le Havre

60.  Le Havre Harbor

61.  Roadside shop near Le Havre

Pictures of Alsace

Strasbourg for Christmas is the ultimate French vacation. Visit Strasbourg and the surrounding villages of Alsace and you'll discover some of the best Christmas markets in Europe. 

Alsace has changed hands over the years, so the architecture may feel a little more German than elsewhere in France. Enjoy these photos of France and inspire a winter trip filled with delightful and warming food.

62.  Alsatian architecture in Strasbourg

63.  Gugelhupf for Christmas in Strasbourg

64.  Pharmacie Centrale behind the Christmas Market in Obernai

65.  Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Strasbourg

66.  Ponts Couverts de Strasbourg

67.  Carousel in Obernai

68.  La Petite Venise in Colmar

69.  École Nationale d'Administration in Strasbourg

70.  Bend in the river in Strasbourg

71.  Église réformée Saint-Paul in Strasbourg

72.  Escargot

Pictures of Lyon

We spent 3 days in Lyon on a weekend city break in France. Eat your way through the city and indulge in wines from Côte du Rhone. 

Explore Lyon's Roman past in the city itself and on a day trip to nearby Vienne, France (not to be confused with Vienna, Austria). 

What say you? Do these photos of Lyon make you want to visit?

73.  Views over Lyon

74.  Place Bellecour in Lyon

75.  Street musicians in Lyon

76.  The Weight of Oneself in Lyon

77.  Cemetery on the hillside in Vienne

78.  Roman Temple of Augustus and Livia in Vienne

79.  Gate to Parc de la Tête d'Or in Lyon

Pictures of Provence

We spent one magical Christmas in Provence. I find that winter is an excellent time to visit Aix-en-Provence because you'll have this popular tourist town largely to yourself. 

Also, Provence has a Christmas tradition called Treze Desserts. Yes, you read that right...thirteen desserts for Christmas!

What do you think? Do these regional photos of France have you in the mood for some holiday cheer in Provence?

80.  Hotel de Ville in Aix-en-Provence

81.  Old Town Aix-en-Provence architecture

82.  Santons to celebrate Christmas in Provence

83.  Aix-en-Provence Fountain

84.  The Papal Palace in Avignon

85.  Baux de Provence

Pictures of The French Riviera

Ah, the French Riviera. Can you think of a more sophisticated part of France to visit? 

We find that the Côte d'Azur is great for festivals from ringing in the New Year to celebrity spotting at Cannes. Take a break from the festivities for a walk along the beach, of course.

Do these French images make you want to visit the French Riviera? I know they make me want to go back again and again.

86.  Flower parade at Nice Carnival

87.  Carnival party in Nice, France

88.  Bar decorated for Carnival in Nice

89.  Buildings on Nice Harbor

90.  Deserted beach in Nice in the winter

91.  Fontaine du Soleil in Nice

92.  Le Negresco in Nice

93.  Sculpture at the Citrus Festival in Menton

94.  Menton harbor

Pictures of St. Jean de Luz in The Basque Region

What do you think of when you hear "Basque Country"? I imagine your first thought was Spain and more specifically Bilbao (not to mention fantastic Bilbao food) and San Sebastian. 

Did you know that the Basque region extends into France? Check out these photos of St. Jean de Luz and inspire your own trip to the region.

95.  Fishing harbor in St. Jean de Luz

96.  Pointe de Sainte-Barbe in St. Jean de Luz

97.  Lifeguard station in St. Jean de Luz

98.  St. Jean de Luz at sunset

Pictures of Marseille

Marseille is definitely worth a stop if you are visiting Provence. Discover the best of this gritty French city with the photos below.

99.  Christmas ferris wheel in Marseille

100.  Cherubs in Marseille

101.  St. Vincent de Paul Church

102.  Le dresseur d'oursons de Louis Botinelly

103.  Carousel in Marseille

104.  Cathédrale La Major

Pictures of Paris (and Nearby)

No post covering photos of France would be complete without a section about Paris. The French capital is the capstone of our list of places to consider for your next vacation. 

Discover things to do in Paris itself and make sure to plan a day trip or two to places like the Champagne region and Fontainebleau.

105.  View over the Seine toward the Eiffel Tower

106.  Heart-shaped pastries for Valentine's Day in Paris

107.  Gilded clock at Musée d'Orsay

108.  Chapel of the Trinity at Fontainebleau

109.  Fontaine de Diane in Fontainebleau

110.  G.H. Mumm champagne cellar in Reims

Turning Photos into Action with a Trip to France

Did this comprehensive gallery of pictures of France inspire you to book a trip? 

Find flights to Paris via Skyscanner, book hotels for your French destinations on booking.com and maybe even join a tour or two to make the most of your vacation and generate some of your own photos of France to treasure.

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