France

A narrow inlet lined with towering limestone cliffs, the approach to Bonifacio on the French island of Corsica is breathtaking. Napoleon Bonaparte was born here a year after the island transferred to the French from the Genoese, who established the town in the 12th century. Italian influence remains strong to this day. Connected by a staircase built into the cliffs in the 15th century, the town consists of the Lower Town near the port and the Upper Town, where the 9th-century citadel dominates.

It’s not surprising that Graham Greene, Max Ernst and Pablo Picasso loved Antibes. What better place for creative inspiration than this spectacular setting on the Côte d’Azur? Half of the world’s biggest yachts anchor for at least part of the year at “Billionaires’ Quay,” where the sound of summer is the clink of champagne flutes. But celebrity sighting isn't the only draw. The Grimaldi Castle is the home of the famous Picasso Museum, which includes many works donated by the artist himself, including his famous La Joie de Vivre.

Located east of Marseille on the southern coast of France, Cassis is a quaint Mediterranean fishing village that has become a popular destination thanks to its lovely beaches and the nearby Calanques, narrow coastal inlets framed by scenic limestone cliffs. Hikers can take the well-marked trails to Cap Canaille, a rocky headland with panoramic sea views. In town visitors will find narrow streets bordered by the colorful homes of local fishermen. Numerous restaurants and sidewalk cafés offer the wonderfully fresh catch of the day.

Located in southwestern France, Bordeaux is a handsome 18th-century city with stately buildings, broad avenues and historic public squares. Highlights include the majestic gate known as Porte de Bourgogne, the stained glass windows of Bordeaux Cathedral, the 12th-century Romanesque basilica and the impressive Hôtel de Ville, or City Hall. But no visit to Bordeaux is complete without an acknowledgment of what makes this region of France known worldwide – wine! Wine lovers everywhere will recognize appellations such as Pauillac, St. Emilion, Margaux and Sauternes.

Situated where the Seine estuary meets the English Channel, Honfleur has been an important port of trade and defense for centuries. Tall, narrow buildings line cobblestone streets in the Vieux Bassin, the historic harbor, and attract Parisians on summer weekends. Look up for the 15th-century wooden spire of the Église Saint-Étienne, the oldest church in town and now a maritime museum. Contrast it with the Église Sainte-Catherine, built entirely of wood by the town’s shipbuilders. Honfleur has a long tradition of inspiring artists in the impressionist school.

Located on the northeast coast of Brittany, Saint-Malo has long been an important French port and today keeps busy receiving ferries arriving from the UK. This walled city is ringed with mighty ramparts and towers built to protect its inhabitants from intruders long ago, and a walk along the ramparts makes for a pleasant tour. The most famous attraction and one of the most popular in France is nearby Mont St. Michel, a rocky tidal island that has been one of the top pilgrimage sites for Christians through the ages.