This is why you should visit France in 2025

One of the most visited countries in the world, France has it all, from UNESCO World Heritage Sites and record-breaking museums to sprawling vineyards. The country was in the spotlight last year thanks to the summer Olympics taking over Paris in July and August, but there are plenty of reasons to visit (or revisit) in 2025.

Here’s why France needs to be on your to-visit list this year…

Set to reopen by the end of 2025 is the The Musée des Augustins in Toulouse. Housed within a former 14th-century convent, the fine arts museum displays collections of sculptures and paintings, some of which date back to the Middle Ages. Recent years have seen the building undergo essential renovations to address structural issues and adapt the space for modern needs. Since 2021, multiple phases of archaeological excavations have also taken place, and the interior design of the Gothic halls, church, and painting salon has been renewed. Its new grandeur reception building will be accessible for all and will connect onto a thoughtfully designed forecourt.

The Loire Valley is well-known for its cycle trails, and 2025 marks two decades since the first section of Loire à Vélo first opened. This 900km route winds its way through the UNESCO-listed region, following the flow of France’s last great wild river passing vine-covered slopes and picturesque villages en route, as well as plenty of stops for award-winning food and wine to fuel your journey. There’s more than 700 cyclist-friendly places to stay along the way, and if you ever need a break from pedalling, a train running alongside the route can help you rest your weary legs.

Montreuil-Bellay is one of the lesser-known châteaux of the Loire Valley, yet it was founded on the banks of the Thouet River back in 1025. It features a 600-metre-long wall with towers, extensive vaulted cellars and a vineyard that produces red, white, rosé and sparkling wines. Visitors here can explore the history of the rebellious Duchess of Longueville, a cousin of Louis XIV, and learn about the women once imprisoned here and the 1,000 wounded soldiers cared for during World War I. The village of Montreuil-Bellay, classified as a Petite Cité de Caractère (small town of character), is also part of the Loire à Vélo and Vélo Francette cycling routes.

Another places in France celebrating its millennium is the city of Caen, turning 1,000 years old in 2025. Normandy residents and visitors will come together for a programme of events throughout the year. The Caen Millennium will showcase everything that has shaped the city to be what it is today, highlighting its culture, arts, sciences, economy and of course, its people. Beyond this year of festivities, the Millennium aims to create a lasting impact, marking a significant ‘before and after’ moment for Caen.

Renowned impressionist painter Paul Cézanne will be celebrated in 2025 thanks to the reopening of two key artistic sites: his former home of Le Jas de Bouffan, and his art studio, which still houses the models for his final still-life paintings. Cézanne’s house is a designated historic monument, and is where the artist created many of his works. The reopening will once again allow visitors to encounter his living spaces and gardens – the latter featuring in many of his famous watercolour paintings. Don’t forget to visit Bibémus quarry, too, where he often painted, and take time to explore the streets that shaped his life and artistic legacy. The dedicated website cezanne2025.com has more details.

Maurice Ravel, born near St-Jean-de-Luz in the Basque Country, was a leading 20th-century composer known for his intricate works. Influenced by Erik Satie’s unique style and mentored by Gabriel Fauré, Ravel created iconic pieces such as Boléro, Daphnis et Chloé, and Pavane pour une infante défunte. The 150^th anniversary of Ravel’s birth is a great time to explore his former home in Montfort-l’Amaury, near Paris, which now operates as a museum and offers guided tours by reservation.

Following on from events to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day last June, France is now set to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day on 8 May 2025. While celebrations to mark 75 years since the official end of Second World War due to the COVID-19 pandemic, France is planning a ceremony in Reims, where Germany’s surrender was signed, this May. It should be noted that VE Day is a public holiday across France, so opening hours at museums or other attractions may be different – be sure to check in advance.

Just 5 years on from the devastating fire in 2019, Paris’s famed Notre-Dame cathedral reopened to the public at the beginning of December 2024. While every effort has been taken to restore the church to its past self, the works have also provided an opportunity to upgrade the visitor experience, with a newly designed visitor route. There is new liturgical furniture, including the altar, tabernacle and baptistery, designed in bronze by the fonderie d’art Barthélémy Art, and the crown of thorns has been placed at the heart of a new four-metre high reliquary. Perhaps the most commented on element of the restoration has been the stonework, with years of dirt scrubbed off to reveal a glimpse of how the building may have looked in years past. Aside from visiting the cathedral itself, you should also consider visiting the nearby Musée de Cluny for a special exhibition on the medieval carved decorations inside until 16 March.