France

Ahh, France.  Our six visits (11/07, 5/08, 12/10, 2/11, 5/11, 7/11) could be summarized by two words: beauty and war.

Maginot Line
After WWI, France developed a huge network of underground fortifications (collectively called the Maginot Line) along the border with Germany in the event war broke out again.  The problem: they didn't build them all the way to the coast, thinking that Germany would never come through Belgium like they did in WWI.  Oops; The Germans did exactly that.  This fortification (Simserhof) surrendered with hardly a fight.

Strasbourg
A nice city with a beautiful cathedral.

Colmar
A wonderful little town full of charm and interesting architecture.

Riquewihr
Similar to Colmar, but smaller.

Verdun
Of all the battlefields I've visited, Verdun- site of a massive WWI conflict- was the most haunting.  The town is (understandably) dominated by the event, and on the battlefield itself, remnants from the fight remain (shell craters, rebar, barbed wire).  Though a century of growth has occurred, the grass and trees do not diminish one's ability to perceive the horror and impact of the event.  An ossuary (under renovation when we visited) contains the remains of 130,000 unknown combatants.  Process that for a second.

Reims
You visit Reims for one reason: to see the cathedral.

Dunkirk
WWII history buffs will recognize Dunkirk as the site from which the British (surpisingly successfully) evacuated over 330,000 soldiers in 1940, after failing to repel the initial German advance.  Had the Germans been able to capture or kill those men, the war could have turned out very differently.

Paris
The obvious highlight of the country, Paris is a scene of much beauty, history, and art.

Versailles
A short train ride from Paris, Versailles is stunning, opulent, and a good example of the decadence that eventually brought the monarchy to a swift and terrible end.

Normandy
Site of the famous WWII allied landings in 1944, the beaches offer ruins of the conflict and an amazing memorial to the fallen.

Mont St. Michel
An island at high tide, peninsula at low, Mont St. Michel has served in turn as a monastery, fortification, and prison for centuries.  Tens of thousands of visitors every year flock to enjoy the awe-inspiring structures, steep and narrow walkways, and overall charm.

Conclusion
We enjoyed France a good deal.  We hope to one day experience the southern areas.