Why France is France, Still

France is a timeless destination. It has been, and always will be, the subject of many novels and paintings. According to Nietzsche, as an artist, a man has no home in Europe save in Paris. Considering how the country inspired the greatest minds that ever existed, how can you not want to visit?

You can say that it is one of the countries that should be on everyone’s bucket list. Although the crowded tourist spots might discourage you from visiting, there is a reason why tourists are flocking there.

If it’s your first time visiting, the best way to immerse in a country well-loved by travelers is this: spend 1/3 of your time following the travel brochure to see what the buzz is all about, and the 2/3 of your time slowing down and living like a local. It means reading a book in a café while watching the tourists walk by every once in a while as if you are not one of them. It can also mean having a French chateau holiday for a time away from the crowd. Okay, that’s living like an aristocratic local, but why not?

Despite the newly accessible and distinct destinations all over the world, France remains to be the most visited. You still can’t help but question why. Here is a list of reasons why the country continues to thrive as the top tourist destination:

1. France is blessed with a superb geographical location.

France is so accessible, it also serves as the gateway to other countries. Around 15 to 20 million of the visitors who come to France are merely passing through on their way to Spain or Italy. Because of its geographical location, France is just a short trip across the Channel. This is why people from the UK spend their holidays having brief trips to France for that dose of sunshine.

1. France offers a respite from the city.

There is more to France than the city of Paris. As a whole, France is a countryside. It boasts of small villages amidst serene landscapes. Because of this, tourists who prefer to rent a car and drive around roads less traveled are attracted to the thought of spending their summer in the French countryside. There are wineries and towns to visit that are charming enough to be the setting of a film-maybe they have been.

1. France has child-friendly establishments.

Paris is not exclusive to lovers. Although Paris is considered to be one of the most romantic cities in the world, it is also a child-friendly one. For kids who are afraid of heights, Champ-de-Mars park is a perfect place to admire the Eiffel Tower from a distance. The area also offers attractions that kids will surely love, like a vintage merry-go-round, swings, pedal cars, and a vast playground. If public parks are not enough, well, there is also Disneyland Paris.

1. France has a rich cultural background.

From visual art to architecture, literature to philosophy, history to fashion, France houses world-famous museums, galleries, fashion houses, and bookstores. All of which are a testament to France’s rich cultural background. For those who want a one-stop destination to learn and immerse in the art and culture of the old and the new, France remains to be the mecca to which they should visit at least once in their lives.

Visiting France gives tourists the chance to experience both the hustle and bustle of the city and the serene humdrum of the countryside. It’s always the perfect time to visit it.