Mountain Ranges and Gorges: France is anchored by two major mountain systems. The French Alps, home to Western Europe’s highest peak, Mont Blanc, feature colossal glaciers like the Mer de Glace and world-class alpine vistas. The Pyrenees are known for their wilder, more secluded beauty, including the dramatic Cirque de Gavarnie. Southern France hosts the stunning Gorges du Verdon, often called the “Grand Canyon of Europe,” where a turquoise river cuts a deep, 700-meter canyon through limestone cliffs. The Massif Central features the gentle, grass-covered slopes of the dormant Volcanoes of Auvergne.

Diverse Coastlines: France has four distinct coastlines. The Mediterranean boasts the glamorous beaches of the French Riviera and the rugged, white limestone inlets of Calanques National Park near Marseille. The Atlantic Coast features the massive Dune du Pilat near Bordeaux, Europe’s tallest sand dune. The Normandy and Brittany coasts are known for dramatic cliffs, including the iconic chalk arches of Étretat on the Alabaster Coast and the rosy-hued granite formations of the Côte de Granit Rose in Brittany.

Unique Regional Landscapes: Beyond the mountains and coasts, visitors can explore:

• The quintessential French countryside, including the lavender fields of Provence, which bloom into vast purple, aromatic blankets each summer.

• The wetlands of the Camargue, a unique delta region of salt marshes, lagoons, and pastures, famous for wild white horses, black bulls, and pink flamingos.

• The ochre-colored canyons of the Colorado Provençal in the Luberon, a striking landscape of red, yellow, and orange cliffs reminiscent of the American Southwest.