Charming European Towns France

Amboise is a lovely historic town sitting on the banks of the Loire River right in the heart of the chateaux region of the Loire Valley.

Chateau Royal d’Amboise is renowned for being the final resting place of Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci. He is buried in the Chapel of Saint Hubert. The surrounding gardens are worth exploring.

Chateau du Clos Luce is where Leonardo da Vinci lived and worked for the last three years of his life.

Chateau Gaillared dates from the 15th century and once belonged to King Charles VIII.

Visit the Cave Ambacia with a 500-year-old wine cellar and enjoy some wine tasting.

Situated by Lake Annecy, the town of Annecy is known as the “Pearl of the Alps." During the spring the town explodes in different colors when everything begins to bloom. Three canals run through the Old Town, lined with trees and quaint buildings. (pictured above)

Visit Palais de l'Ile, which was once a prison. It became the residence of the Dukes of Savoy in the 1500s before being converted into the Palace of Justice in the 16th century. It sits on an island in the Canal du Thiou.

View it from the Pont sur le Thiou, a bridge offering the best views.

Located on the French Riviera, Cannes is known for its international film festival held every year. It is a top tourist destination for the rich and famous. There are beautiful museums and trendy neighborhoods.

The iconic Boulevard de la Croisette is a trendy street popular with celebrities.

Le Suquet is a great place to explore with winding lanes and alleyways lined with pastel-colored buildings.

The Musee de la Castre is surrounded by a beautiful Mediterranean garden. It sits on a hill offering views of the Bay of Cannes. The museum is home to an outstanding collection of Mediterranean antiquities, pre-Columbian primitive art, and 19th-century Provencal landscape paintings. It also has an impressive collection of musical instruments from around the world.

An hour away from Strasbourg, Colmar is a lovely town in the Alsace region. It has Germanic influences that can be seen in its architecture and food.

Visit the Petite Venice area with charming canals.

Visit the Musée Unterlinden, housed in a former Dominican convent. The museum has an extensive collection of Romanesque and Gothic sculpture, medieval paintings, and modern art.

See the Pfister House, a 500-year-old building with decorated facades. Inside paintings adorn the wall, ranging from Bible scenes to portraits of German emperors.

Flavigny-sur-Ozerain is a lovely town right in the heart of Burgundy. It was chosen as the location for the film “Chocolat” with Johnny Depp and Juliette Binoche, in which Binoche opens a chocolate shop.

The town is famous for a range of anise candies known as Les Anis de Flavigny. They are made in the local abbey.

Gordes is a lovely town situated in the Luberon region of Provence. The town has quaint gray-and-white stone houses winding through a rocky hill.

Visit Gordes Castle, which is home to various exhibits by local artists.

Visit the Our Lady of Senanque Abbey built from the 12th to 13th century as a residence of the Cistercian monks. It is a fine example of Romanesque architecture surrounded by lavender fields.

Located on the French Riviera, Menton is a colorful village situated on the Italian border. The Old Town is quaint with narrow cobblestone streets.

Visit the Saint-Michel-Arcange Basilica with a Baroque-style interior and an impressive bell tower.

The Menton Botanical Garden is a 19th-century garden with exotic flora.

Walk along the water's edge along Promenade du Soleil.

Mont Saint Michel sits on a rocky island and is a lovely town. It was built on a granite cliff located on the Normandy coast, and the medieval town has winding alleys and steps. It looks magical at night all lit up.

Take a stroll along the Grand Rue; the charming streets are lined with old stone houses that are home to shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Visit the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel built in the 8th century. It is located on the highest part of the island. With impressive Gothic architecture and a grand staircase leading to it.