France - it's the world's most visited country. But why does it hold such a special place in people's hearts?

According to luxury tour operator APT, a river cruise and land journey can certainly offer an insight into this very question – the type of holiday that leads you outside the city limits and into a land filled with a rich concoction of art, architecture, history and gastronomy.

Need some more persuasion? Here's five reasons why APT can't get enough of 'fantastique' France:

1. You can sample wines as diverse as the scenery

Swirl, smell and sip your way through France's world-famous wine regions, where ancient terraces have witnessed millennia of winemaking. Just outside of Bordeaux, is Saint-Émilion, home to numerous globally acclaimed vineyards. Here you can savour the lovely full-bodied Merlot-based blends that are the dominant wines of this region. Further east, nearing the Mediterranean, the balmy Rhône River and its surrounding landscapes favour the fruit-driven notes of Beaujolais reds. Stop by a family-owned vineyard to discover proud winemaking traditions and learn why local vintners prefer France's historic waterways and their surrounds.

Tip: Slip into one of Saint-Émilion's cellar doors for an intimate wine tasting that reveals the artistry of local viticulture.

2. Art is at its heart

You'll find world-class art scattered across all corners of the country. Normandy is where poetic landscapes moved the likes of Monet, Sisley, Pissarro, Cézanne. See for yourself some of Monet's greatest inspirations: the water lilies at his garden in Giverny and the intricate facade of Rouen cathedral. Impressionism is not the only art form that blossomed in France. A former bohemian centre, Paris' historic Montmartre district attracted impoverished artists such as Dalí, Modigliani and Picasso. Soak up the magic of Saint-Rémy, where Van Gogh produced Starry Night, and stop by the tiny hilltop village of Saint-Paul de Vence, famed for its boutique galleries and studios.   

Tip: Purchase a Paris Museum Pass for unlimited entry to 60 museums and monuments in and around Paris, allowing you to peruse the city's many treasures of art at your leisure over a number of days.

3. Every holiday leads to the delicious

From flakey pastries to soft oozing cheese, succulent seafood and warm crusty bread, France is all about 'food, food, glorious food'. Discover Normandy, famous for its apple orchards – where cider and Calvados producers ply their trade – and its acclaimed Camembert cheese. Whereas the Atlantic Coast is a haven for seafood aficionados. Outré-fresh fish is on the menu in Cap Ferret; and in Cancale you can slurp oysters plucked right from the bay. For another authentic taste of France, gather an impressive selection of produce from Lyon's famed Les Halles de Lyon market. If you're able to tear yourself away from the gastronomic delights of Lyon, Saint-Rémy will reward you with the chance to sample golden-green olive oil from the press. And how best to discover the ultimate French delicacy? Join a truffle farmer and his dogs to sniff out some of these rare treasures.

Tip: Michelin-starred chef Paul Bocuse is a huge fan of Lyon's local ingredients and his restaurant L'Abbaye de Collonges is an essential stopover for an insight into haute gastronomy.

4. Architecture more beautiful than you can ever imagine

France gathers some of the world's most iconic structures, as well as buildings so extraordinary you need to pinch yourself to believe they're real. Grand Chateaux, both ancient and modern-day, will have you reaching for your camera. Richard the Lionheart's Château-Gaillard stands proudly atop the vertical mountainside of Les Andelys; sprawling clipped gardens flourish at Château de Villandry; and Château de Cheverny tempts travellers with its stately charm. Frolic through the endless fields of Provençale lavender surrounding Grignan Castle and experience the epitome of Belle-Epoch extravagance at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild on the French Riviera.

Tip: In Summer, head to Mont Saint-Michel at sunset and be captivated as the World Heritage-listed Abbey is illuminated in a stunning light display.

5. Relive major moments in history

Lose yourself in Carcassonne's historic centre, encircled by remnants of a 12th-century fortification, while Sarlat's collection of Medieval honey-coloured buildings and atmospheric cobbled squares are magical. Amble through Avignon's tiny lanes to the Palace of the Popes; in Rouen visit the market square where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake and follow in the footsteps of French royalty at the Palace of Versailles. And on the Norman coast, visit the vestiges of D-Day or look back on one of the most significant encounters of World War I at Somme Battlefields.

Tip: You could happily lose yourself for days in the 8,000 hectares of stunning parks and gardens at Versailles, so leave yourself plenty of time to explore.

To book an APT French river cruise and luxury land journey call 1300 196 420, visit aptouring.com.au or see your local travel agent.

Ends

For further information, please contact:

Zoe Palmer, PR Executive, APT

T. 03 8526 2152 M. 0407 601392 E. zoe.palmer@aptouring.com.au