Paris, the Loire Valley, and Bordeaux

Paris is situated in the northern part of France. The city sprawls over both banks of the Seine River and on two islands: the Îles Saint Louis and the larger Île de la Cité. The historical city center is built around the Seine, and it has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. For a glimpse into the oldest part of Paris, take a stroll along the Seine and around the 1st and 4th districts to admire iconic landmarks, such as the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris or the Louvre Museum, among others. But leave some space and time for the rest of the city's districts, as each of Paris' 20 arrondissements possesses incredible treasures to discover.

About 150 miles southwest of Paris, Tours became the Royal Court’s second home after being the French capital during the 15th and 16th centuries. This explains the plethora of stunning mansions and castles around Tours and further down the Loire Valley. Also called the White and Blue City because of its white walls with blue slate roofs, Tours is home to the Vieux-Tours, a medieval historical center registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Museum of Fine Arts and the Saint-Gatien Cathedral, a true masterpiece of Gothic architecture, are two stops you won't want to miss before letting the scenery of the Loire Valley seduce you with its utter beauty.

Part of the Nouvelle - Aquitaine region in the southwest of France, the city of Bordeaux spreads around its crescent-shaped harbor. The so-called Port of the Moon is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for being a place of exchange of cultural values over the centuries. Yet Bordeaux owes its fame almost exclusively to its wine-making culture and traditions. Dotted with century-old vineyards and fairytale-like castles, the stunning countryside of the Nouvelle - Aquitaine region is where the famous French wine is born before it travels to all corners of the world to warm the hearts of wine enthusiasts from all across the globe.