The hot spots of France combine the worlds’ most talked about city Paris with a historical landmarks and unparalleled royal residences.

Paris, the “City of Lights,” the “City of Love,” the “City of a Thousand Dreams,” who doesn’t love Paris with it’s cobbled streets, iconic skyline, and constant smell of buttery croissant. Paris steals the hearts of the romantic in all of us but for some it can be more about traffic chaos, and over priced everything. But when you contrast that with the cruise and the Seine River or a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower or having your portrait done on—it’s difficult not to love Paris. The Louvre Museum is a shining example of Paris. It combines fabulous arts old and new architecture with throngs of tourists. For the most glamorous boulevard in the world check out Champ-Elysees. The most iconic landmark in Paris and maybe even the world is the Eiffel Tower designed by Gustave Eiffel. Towering over the city is the Sacre Couer Basilica located at the top of Montmarte. Another famous religious icon is Notre Dame, home of the fictitious Hunchback of Notre Dame, running like a vein to the middle of the city is the River Seine. Aside from it's’ popularity with tourist, the Seine help Parish become a major city as it was a major transport route Paris maybe too crowded for some or to cliché for others but a trip to France is incomplete without seeing the capital splendors.

On the north coast of France lies one of the most famous beaches in the world, Normandy. But it is not famous for glamorous beach goers or white sandy shores. It is known throughout the world as the sites of the D-Day landings. The D-Day landings occurred at the end of World War II. US, British and Canadian forces landed on five separate beaches in Normandy. They approach from sea and air and by the end of August 1944 all of northern France was liberated. The exact number of casualties in the D-Day battles is not known. It is estimated that around 45,000 of the allied forces were killed and 30,000 Germans with over 200,000 German soldiers declared missing or injured.

Memorial’s called Braves or The Brave as the allied soldiers are known have been erected around Normandy. More cemeteries are also dotted around Normandy such as the American War Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer and the British War Cemetery at Bayeux. Relatives, soldiers, historians and many others who understand the significance of the D-Day landings make sure Normandy is on any itinerary.

The Palace of Versailles has got to be the most luxurious royal residence in the world. The Chateau de Versailles which has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage list for 30 years is one of the most beautiful achievements of 18th Century French Art. In the 1670s Louis XIV built the Grand Apartments of the King and Queen, who’s most emblematic achievement is the Hall of Mirrors designed by Mansart, where the King put on his most ostentatious display of royal power. The Hall of Mirrors, the King’s Grand Apartments, the Museum of the History of France, the Chateau de Versailles, the seat of power until 1789 has continued to unfurl it’s splendor over the course of centuries. The Chateau lost it's standing as the official seat of the power in 1789 but acquired a new role in the 19th Century as the Museum of the History of France which was founded at the behest of Louis Phillip who ascended to the throne in 1830. That is when many of the Chateau’s rooms were taken over to house the new collections.