A CURATED GUIDE TO FRANCE

From vineyard-strewn valleys to culture-rich capitals, we've compiled the best places to visit in France on your next grand adventure.

- By Eleanor Edstrom.

I'm sitting on stone steps in the upper reaches of Menton's old town, tucked beside a sleepy Baroque basilica that throws just enough shade to make the summer swelter tolerable. Below me, rose- and lemon-hued houses cascade towards the sea, where the Mediterranean flaunts an azure and turquoise palette.

Indistinct chatter intermingles with the lull of the waves, citrus-tinged seafood scents the air, and time seems to unplug itself. This, I think, could very well be the apex of contentment.

Such moments are hardly rare in France. The country has long mastered the art of détente (relaxation), inviting visitors and locals alike to savour a slower pace and soak in their surroundings - which often happen to be extraordinarily atmospheric. It isn't hard to do just that given the nation's sweeping diversity of flavours, landscapes and moods spread across 13 distinct mainland regions.

Whether you're uncorking a grand cru in Champagne or diving into turquoise bays off Corsica, the best places to visit in France are far more than picturesque. They offer historic depth, culinary expertise and pleasure refined to an art form. Here are our top picks.

NORMANDY

Often overlooked in favour of Paris or the South, Normandy offers a blend of medieval charm, WWII history and Celtic heritage. Try some of its famous seafood, especially moules (mussels), and Camembert cheese. Rouen is known for its Gothic cathedral and ties to Joan of Arc. Bayeux houses the 11th-century tapestry that tells the story of the Norman Conquest. Another must-see is Mont Saint-Michel, a tiny but spectacular tidal island crowned by an 8th-century abbey stacked over rocky granite cliffs. It's one of the best places in France to visit for medieval history.