France is often distilled down to a pretty picture: the Eiffel Tower illuminated against the night sky, a field of lavender in Provence, or an extravagant château reflected in the still waters of the Loire. The image is nice, yes — but the fearless researchers at Let's Go have dug a little deeper. They’ve braved bicycle trips in torrential downpours, mixed-up ferry schedules, and overbooked hostels to weed out the authentic from the postcard-perfect. Whether travelers are searching for an Impressionist masterpiece or the taste of an authentic bouillabaisse, France is bound to leave them breathless.