Great food. Great wine. Great scenery. These are just a few reasons to visit France, which is considered one of the most beautiful countries and the top tourist destination in the world. Indeed, you should visit France at least once in a lifetime. While there, make the most of your trip by stopping by these must-see France attractions.

The Palace of Versailles

First constructed in 1624 under the reign of King Louis XIII, Versailles became the French royal residence from 1682 to 1789, during which it served as a seat of political power and a symbol of luxury. Today, it is one of the most popular France attractions - a place of national importance, as well as incredible beauty, with its magnificent rooms, ornate furniture and stunning gardens - all of which are sure to take your breath away, send shivers down your spine or even move you to tears as they remind you of the grandeur of an era gone by. Versailles is located just a few minutes away from Paris, and is open most days of the year.

Louvre Museum

France boasts of some of the best art museums in the world, including the famous Louvre Museum. Aside from being one of the most popular France attractions in Paris, it is a national museum, housing hundreds of thousands of masterpieces from the Egyptians, Greeks, Etruscans and Romans. There are also plenty of excellent examples of Islamic and decorative art. The most popular collection, though, are the paintings, particularly the works of Leonardo da Vinci. Other notable French museums include the Georges Pompidou Centre and the Musee d'Orsay.

Eiffel Tower

It goes without saying that a trip to France is not complete without climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower, where the views of the city are spectacular, or at least having your photo taken against its magnificent structure. After all, the Eiffel Tower remains the most distinct symbol of France, although it no longer holds the distinction of being the tallest building in the world. It is especially amazing at night when it is illuminated, truly contributing to the romantic ambience of the City of Lights.

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

'Notre Dame' means 'Our Lady' in French, which is why there are many Catholic churches in France bearing the name. The one that readily comes to mind, though, is the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, best known for being featured in Victor Hugo's masterpiece 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame'. Even if it were not, though, it would still surely draw visitors for its rich history dating back from the 12th century and more notably, for its remarkable Gothic architecture. In fact, the Notre Dame de Paris is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the world. Other impressive cathedrals in France include those in Rodez, Reims and Strasbourg.

Chambord Castle

France is overflowing with romantic attractions, including fairy tale castles such as the Chateau de Chambord. This castle, which was built under the reign of King Francois I, is one of the most popular in France and all over the world, distinct for its impressive French renaissance architecture. Its unsymmetrical yet elaborate roofscape is particularly astonishing, with eleven kinds of towers and three different types of chimneys. Its most famous architectural feature, though, is its double staircase which ascends three floors, reportedly the work of Leonardo da Vinci.

The Loire Valley

During your vacation in France, don't just linger in Paris. Rather, make it a point to discover the beauty of the French countryside, like the Loire Valley. Aside from the Chombard Castle, the Loire Valley offers many other enchanting castles, as well as charming towns and historic cities like Bourges and Orleans. It is also known for its excellent wine and breathtakingly romantic natural scenery, earning it the title of the Garden of France, which is why it is one of the best France attractions in itself.

If you still have some time left, you can also visit other France attractions, such as the Futuroscope, the Fontainebleau Forest and the beautiful beaches of the French Riviera. While you won't be able to visit them all, you might as well try to see as many of the scenic spots in France as you can, so you can truly say that you have experienced France instead of merely visiting it - an experience sure to be on the top of your list for a lifetime.

Isabella Olsen is a travel writer who has toured major destinations worldwide, including France, by car. Zencarhire.com offer car hire from many locations throughout France, including, car hire Nantes airport. To book a France car rental, or learn more about car rental worldwide, visit www.zencarhire.com