1. Paloma Plage.

Paloma Plage, located in the French Riviera, is one of France’s most popular beaches. In fact, it’s regularly visited by such celebrities as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Contrary to what many people believe, Paloma Plage is family-friendly. Besides featuring calm waves and clear water, Paloma Plage also boasts a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere. Since Paloma Plage is one of the most popular beaches in France, it is usually almost always crowded.

2. Beaulieu-sur-Mer.

Located in the French Riviera, the serene Beaulieu-sur-Mer beach is great for the young and old alike. Besides featuring shallow water, a floating trampoline, and soft sand, the Beaulieu-ser-Mer beach also boasts clear, warm water.

3. Cote Sauvage.

If you enjoy wild, unspoilt beaches, Cote Sauvage is the perfect beach for you! Located in Poitou-Charentes, Cote Sauvage features glorious white sand, gentle waves, and fantastic views. The best thing about this beach is that no shops, umbrellas or restaurants litter its shoreline. Unbeknownst to many people, a 10 minute hike or bike ride is required to access this particular beach.

Experts and thrill-seekers can find sweeping views of Mont Blanc at resorts like The Grands Montets and Le Domaine de Balme. High speed chairs and trams whisk skiers to the top of the mountain for long runs that provide time to take in the surrounding beauty and step away from the crowds and noise of daily life.

Skiiers and snowboarders can find all they’re looking for in the mountains surrounding Chamonix. World-class snow parks? Check. World class lifts? Check. Scenery that can only be found one place in the world? Check. If high speed and high intensity is your thing, Chamonix can deliver. If you prefer the quiet beauty that can be found in fresh tracks during backwoods skiing, Chamonix offers that too.

Only the high-mountain Alps provide the hills, the snow and the history to make your skiing adventure all you’d hoped for and more.

Historic statues, quaint squares, modern shopping and sidewalk cafes await you in Montpellier. Carve out some time to walk down the old streets, within the heart of the city, where you won’t find any motorized vehicles. Take pictures of the old statues scattered throughout the city. Check out the La Place de la Comedie to experience vibrant sidewalk cafes. Tour the Opera house that has a history dating back to the 19th century, when it was first built.

Stroll through the authentic wineries located throughout the Lanquedoc region, north and west of Montpellier. The wineries of southern France cater to a variety of travlers, depending on what you like. Visit a winery that goes by Mas des Tourelles. Mas des Tourelles makes wine both the old Roman way and by incorporating present-day advanced technology to create unique recipies. Take a day trip to the Pic St. Loup area. This part of France is located 20 kilometers (12 miles) to the north of Montpellier. The Pic St. Loupe region has worked for over two decades to build a stellar reputation, both in France and around the world.

The second festival that one may want to plan a holiday around is the Cannes Film Festival. This is the world’s most prestigious film festival, drawing many A-list celebrities. It is held at the end of May, every year, in the southern part of the country.

The French tennis open is also held at the end of May, though in Paris. This is an extreme tennis match, with professional players. This tournament lasts for about two weeks. Having both the Cannes Film Festival and the French tennis open held at the end of May, this may be a prime time to vacation in the area.

One more very popular event to consider while planning a vacation in France is the Nice Jazz Festival. This is a very popular event, taking place in the metropolis of Nice. It boasts concerts by well known musicians every night.