Greece is the cradle of Western civilisation, its landscape dotted with ruins that shaped philosophy, democracy, and art. For travellers from France who are passionate about classical history, the country offers a rare chance to walk among the relics once studied in lecture halls and textbooks. In this blog, you'll find essential archaeological highlights, practical travel advice, and tips on renting a car, so you can experience each site at your own rhythm. Ready to begin your journey through time? Let’s get started!
French scholars have long been fascinated by ancient Greece. From the Enlightenment thinkers who translated Aristotle and Plato into French, to 19th‑century archaeologists like Émile Burnouf and Théophile Homolle, France has played a key role in uncovering Greek antiquity. Today, French universities continue to support excavations at Delphi, Delos, and other sites. As a result, French visitors often feel a special connection: inscriptions you studied in Sorbonne lecture halls lie before you in sun‑lit ruins. Every column, frieze, and mosaic feels familiar, yet somehow more vivid in situ.
Greece has a Mediterranean climate, characterised by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. For comfort and smaller crowds, aim to visit in late spring (May–June) or early autumn (September–October). During these months, temperatures range from 20°C to 28°C, perfect for outdoor exploration. You can stay in Athens and take day trips, or plan a circular route. Later in this guide, you'll find out how to rent a car, which allows you to set your own schedule and visit places that are less crowded or harder to reach.
No list of Greek landmarks is complete without the Acropolis. Perched 150 metres above sea level, this rocky hill hosts the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. These monuments were built in the 5th century BC, during the leadership of Pericles, and they represent the height of Athens' cultural and political achievements.
As you climb the Sacred Way, notice the remains of ancient fortifications and the Theatre of Dionysus at the hill’s base. On the summit, the Parthenon’s Doric columns still glow in the morning sun. Look for remnants of the original bright paint on marble surfaces—an unexpected flash of colour. The nearby Acropolis Museum displays sculptures, votive offerings, and the famous Caryatid statues, all recovered from the site. Audio guides in French are available, and museum labels often include French translations. Spend half a day between the hilltop and the museum to absorb the full context.
Around 180 km north‑west of Athens lies Delphi, once considered the navel of the world. Here the Oracle of Apollo delivered cryptic prophecies to city‑states and foreign dignitaries. The sanctuary spreads across terraces on Mount Parnassus, overlooking the valley below. Begin at the Temple of Apollo, where you can still see the stone blocks that supported the cult statue. Nearby, the Treasury of the Athenians gleams with well‑preserved Ionic columns.
Walk the ancient Sacred Way, pausing at the theatre and stadium. The Delphi Museum houses the Charioteer statue—a bronze masterpiece that exemplifies classical realism. The road to Delphi winds through mountains. If you prefer not to rely on coach tours, consider driving yourself.
In the western Peloponnese, the site of Olympia preserves the legacy of the ancient Olympic Games. French archaeologists, including Paul Foucart, contributed to the 19th-century excavations, and their inscriptions can still be found in the excavation reports. Stroll between the Temple of Zeus, once home to one of the Seven Wonders (the colossal statue by Phidias), and the Temple of Hera, one of the oldest Greek temples.
The Stadium, with its starting blocks carved in stone, evokes the athletic contests that united the Greek world every four years. The on‑site museum exhibits sculptures, armour, and the Olympic flame cauldron from the first modern Games 1896. Olympia’s gentle olive and shaded groves make it a pleasant half‑day visit. Combine it with nearby Ancient Elis, once the administrative centre for the games.
Closer to the east coast of the Peloponnese, Mycenae was the seat of King Agamemnon in Homer’s epics. The French School at Athens led early digs here, uncovering the Lion Gate and royal shaft graves laden with gold masks. Enter through the Lion Gate’s imposing relief, then climb to the Cyclopean Walls—massive stone blocks that gave Mycenae legendary strength.
Inside, see the Treasury of Atreus, a beehive‑shaped tholos tomb with a perfect corbelled dome. The museum displays pottery, weapons, and the famous gold funerary masks. Arrive early to avoid midday heat. The site lies 120 km from Olympia and 90 km from Athens, making it an ideal stop on a Peloponnese circuit.
Epidaurus combines art and medicine. Its 4th‑century BC theatre boasts perfect acoustics—your whisper on stage can be heard in the top row. French acoustic studies in the 20th century confirmed what ancients knew by experience. Beyond the theatre, explore the sanctuary of Asklepios, the god of healing.
The sacred spring, dormitories for patients, and ritual baths reveal a holistic approach to health. Pilgrims came from across Greece to seek cures. The on‑site museum presents votive offerings, surgical tools, and inscriptions recording cures. Epidaurus is 35 km south of Corinth and 150 km from Athens. Many visitors combine it with a drive along the Saronic Gulf.
Crossing by ferry or flight to Crete, you reach Europe’s oldest palace complex at Knossos. Here the Minoan civilisation flourished from 2000 to 1450 BC. French archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans led excavations in the early 20th century, controversially restoring frescoes and columns. Wander the labyrinthine corridors of the Central Court, imagine ceremonies in the Throne Room, and admire the vibrant frescoes of bulls and dolphins.
The advanced water‑drainage systems demonstrate remarkable engineering. In the nearby museum at Heraklion, see original fresco fragments, pottery, and Linear A and B tablets—the earliest forms of Greek writing. Knossos lies just outside Heraklion city; allow a full day including museum time.
In central Greece, the monasteries of Meteora perch atop sandstone pillars. Built from the 14th century onwards, these Eastern Orthodox retreats feel suspended between heaven and earth. French travellers in the 19th century recorded local legends of hermits hauling stones by rope. Today six monasteries remain active.
The Great Meteoron and Varlaam feature frescoed chapels, libraries of religious texts, and breathtaking views. Footbridges and staircases carved into rock allow access. The serenity of the site contrasts with the labour once needed to reach these heights. Meteora lies about 350 km from Athens. Many visitors stay in Kalambaka and use local buses to visit the monasteries, but a rental car gives you the freedom to see the pillars at sunrise from various viewpoints.
Ancient Corinth controlled the narrow land bridge between mainland Greece and the Peloponnese. Its wealth derived from two ports—Lechaeum on the Gulf of Corinth and Cenchreae on the Saronic Gulf. French excavations uncovered the Temple of Apollo, a Doric ruin dating to the 6th century BC.
Stroll the Roman Agora, once the commercial heart under Emperor Julius Caesar’s patronage. From the hilltop fortress, gaze across the Isthmus to the twisting canal that modern engineers cut in the late 19th century. The small museum displays inscriptions, sculpture fragments, and architectural reliefs. Corinth lies 80 km west of Athens, easily combined with Epidaurus or a drive into the Peloponnese.
For a mix of classical Greek, Byzantine, and Crusader heritage, the island of Rhodes stands out. Its medieval Old Town is a UNESCO site, with Gothic arches built by the Knights of St John. Beneath these ramparts lie Hellenistic and Roman remains such as the Temple of Apollo, a 3rd-century BC stadium, and mosaic floors.
French naval officers surveyed the harbour in the 19th century, recording inscriptions now displayed in the Archaeological Museum. A drive around the island reveals ancient temples at Lindos and Kritinia. Ferries connect Rhodes to Kos, Patmos, and other Dodecanese isles with classical sites of their own.
Greece’s second city, Thessaloniki, was founded in 315 BC by Cassander of Macedon. Its Byzantine walls, Roman forum, and early Christian basilicas attest to its strategic importance. French scholars took part in early 20th‑century digs at the Rotunda, a 4th‑century AD mausoleum later converted into a church.
Wander through the Arch of Galerius, the Roman Agora, and the Ladadika district, where Ottoman-era mansions stand beside neoclassical townhouses. The city’s museums display tombstones from ancient cemeteries, fine mosaics, and icons. Thessaloniki lies 500 km north of Athens; many travellers arrive by train or plane. A road trip through northern Greece can include Philippi, Vergina (the Macedonian royal tombs), and Kavala.
Before you begin your journey through Greece’s historic sites, it helps to know a few essentials about travel logistics, local customs, and daily conveniences. These practical tips will help French visitors navigate the country with confidence and ease.
To visit these ten sites on your schedule, consider the freedom of driving. When renting a car in Greece, you avoid crowded coaches and fixed timetables. Finalrentals offers a modern fleet—compact cars for city use, comfortable sedans for highways, and sturdy SUVs for mountain roads. You can pick up your vehicle from major city centres or convenient locations across Greece.
Booking online is quick—select your dates, choose any extras like GPS or an additional driver, and confirm. Transparent pricing means no hidden fees and 24/7 roadside assistance offers peace of mind. By driving, you can rise early to watch the sunrise at Delphi, linger over lunch in a seaside taverna near Corinth, or chase the golden hour light at Meteora. The choice is yours. Visit our page and rent a car in Greece today!
Greece’s historic landmarks trace the entire journey of Western civilisation—from the Bronze Age palaces of Crete to mainland temples, Byzantine strongholds, and island castles once held by Crusaders. For French history lovers, these sites echo the eras studied in lecture halls, now vivid under Greek sunlight and shaped by the warmth of local hospitality.
By choosing the right season and mapping out your route, you can enjoy a more meaningful and memorable journey through Greece’s historic landscapes. Renting a car allows you to spend more time at each site—catching the sunrise at Meteora or strolling through Olympia at your own pace. Want to travel on your own terms? Rent a car in Greece and set off at your own pace.
