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France
Located in Western Europe, France is bordered by the English Channel to the north, Atlantic Ocean to the west, Spain and the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Monaco, Andorra, and Italy to the east. The landscape of France varies tremendously. The north and west has mainly coastal plains; the mountainous areas include the Alps in the southeast, with Mont Blanc being the highest mountain in western Europe at 15,780 feet, 4,810 m; the Massif Central mountains in the south-central area, and the Pyrenees in the south-western area. Major rivers in France include the Seine, Loire, Garonne and Rhone. Paris is the capital city and other major cities in France include Lyon, Toulouse, Nantes, Strasbourg and Bordeaux. French is spoken throughout the country, with regional dialects spoken in some areas and the Euro is the currency.
Cheap Travel Insurance for France and the rest of Europe.
The country is divided into regions, which include: Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, Burgundy, Brittany, Loire Valley, Champagne - Ardenne, Corsica, Franche-Comté, Paris Ile de France, Languedoc – Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Midi – Pyrénées, Normandy, Western Loire, Picardy, Nord Pas-de-Calais, Poitou-Charentes, Provence, Rhône-Alpes and Riviera Côte-d’Azur.
French Territories in tropical areas in the Atlantic Ocean include: Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint-Martin et Saint-Barthélémy, French Guyana, Saint-Pierre et Miquelon; in the Indian Ocean: Reunion Island and Mayotte; in the Pacific Ocean: New Caledonia, French Polynesia-Tahiti, and Wallis and Futuna Islands. France and the United Kingdom are linked via the Channel Tunnel (Chunnel) which lies under the English Channel. The island of Corsica is a region of France located in the western Mediterranean, southeast of Nice and west of Tuscany, Italy. The birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, the island is also known for its olive oil, wine, citrus fruits and rugged beauty. www.visit-corsica.com
France is known for many things, including its wonderful cuisine and wines, the majestic Alps, and also for its excellent rail system, with some of the fastest trains to be found in Europe. France also has excellent roads, with the autoroutes being a very good way to travel but, be warned, you often have to pay a charge for the privilege of using them. Remember to drive on the right side of the road!
France is one of the most visited destinations in the world. It has much to offer and every region is very diverse and different. Whether you plan to tour the vineyards, ski the Alps, visit battlefield sites and museums, or soak up the sun on the French Riviera, France has something to offer for every taste. Paris is a must-see of course – and the children (big and small) will want to visit Disneyland at least once. French Tourist Office website: www.francetourism.com. Maps of France: www.map-of-france.co.uk.
PARIS
Capital of France, and also known as the ‘City of Lights’, Paris is renowned as one of the most romantic and popular tourist destinations in the world. It is located on the River Seine in the north part of France in the Ile-de-France (Paris region). You can stroll the world-famous Louvre and admire the Mona Lisa and other famous works of art. The Louvre and its glass pyramid in the reception area were featured in the Da Vinci Code and tours are available. www.louvre.fr.
Other sights on every visitor’s list include the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Sacre Coeur in Montmarte and the Arc de Triomphe. Art lovers will also want to take in the Musee Rodin to see Rodin’s famous sculptures, modern art at the Pompidou Centre, and the Musee d’Orsay. The Champs-Élysées is the fashionable place to be seen, with its designer boutiques, shops, restaurants and nightclubs. www.parisinfo.com.
While you’re in Paris you may want to visit Eurodisney (also known as Disneyland Resort Paris) which will be sure to capture the imagination of kids from one to one hundred. Catch a train from Paris and you could be standing at the gates to this magical world in just over half an hour. The Disneyland site has many facilities for your convenience, including an array of restaurants and hotels. If you shop around and plan in advance there are usually bargains and ticket discounts to be found. www.disneylandparis.co.uk.
You may decide to take a flight over to France, or a ferry, but an easy way to get to Paris is via the Channel Tunnel (also known as The Chunnel or Eurotunnel). The tunnel provides a rail link (Eurostar) between England and France, so you can sit back and relax on the train, or in your car, for the short journey thirty miles under the sea. Websites: www.eurostar.com and www.eurotunnel.com.
Côte d'Azur
The Côte d'Azur, also known as the French Riviera, lies on the south-eastern coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea. It is known for many things, including its warm and sunny climate, beach resorts, expensive yachts, casinos and movie stars. The French Riviera oozes international flair and glamour and includes resorts such as Nice, Antibes, Cannes and St. Tropez. The famous annual film festival at Cannes attracts movie stars and celebrities every spring. The place to see and be seen is La Croisette, the main boulevard and beach area. (www.cannes-on-line.com).
Nice is the regional capital of the Riviera and fifth largest city in France. This is another very fashionable and glamorous resort where you can enjoy the good life, or at least get a taste of it! The Promenade des Anglais runs alongside the sparkling blue sea and is a great place to stroll. (www.nicetourism.com).
If you want to escape the ‘beautiful people’ and the associated expense, there are plenty of areas outside the hot spots where you can find a more peaceful and down to earth experience. Head inland a little and you will find sleepy towns, medieval villages and magnificent views of the mountains and sea. You will see why many famous people and artists such as Picasso, Chagall, Matisse and Renoir made this part of the world their home, or spent time there during their lives. The area also has prehistoric sites, medieval castles and Roman ruins. Grasse, the perfume capital of the world, is a short distance from Cannes. Queen Victoria was known to spend holidays there. Tours of the perfume factories are available to see how the famous French perfumes are made. Website: www.grasse-riviera.com. French Tourism site: www.francetourism.com.
MONACO
Monaco lies along the coast, just east of Nice and is worth a visit. Monaco is an independent state and principality. Enjoy spectacular views over the capital city, Monte-Carlo, from the palace where Prince Albert resides and where Princess Grace lived and is now buried in the cathedral. Stroll the exotic gardens and visit the aquarium and oceanographic institute where ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau was director for many years. www.palais.mc. Monaco is also famous for its grand prix and for its waterfront casino and hotels where the rich and famous have congregated throughout the years. www.visitmonaco.com.
PROVENCE
Provence is now part of the administrative area of Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur. This beautiful region of France is located in the southeast of the country, between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea. Many have read about Provence and fallen in love with it through the books of Peter Mayle. The name Provence originated from the former Roman ‘province’. This is an area with outstanding and breathtaking scenery, lots of medieval villages and Roman remains. The Cote d’Azur is not far away so you have the double pleasure of beautiful mountains and beaches. Provence is a place where you will see fields of lavender, historic cities, small villages and towns with fountains, street cafes, restaurants and a relaxed way of life. www.francetourism.com.
Aix en Provence
Aix is located just north of the capital city, Marseille, in the Bouches-du-Rhone department of Provence. It is the ancient medieval capital with a fascinating history. It is a place of many fountains, monuments and mansions, cathedrals and palaces and a lovely ‘old town’ area. Street markets selling local produce will tempt you with Mediterranean favourites, as well as the colourful flower market and flea market. The atmosphere is young and lively with the students of many art schools and universities located in the area.
A wonderful place to stroll and relax is the plane tree-lined main avenue, the Cours Mirabeau, in the centre of Aix. You will find plenty to do here with sidewalk cafes, designer boutiques, bookshops and galleries. You will also see some of Aix’s many wonderful fountains here, including a hot-water fountain which is believed to have healing properties. There are thermal baths located close to the site of the original Roman baths.
The famous painter Cezanne was born in Aix and used local scenes as inspiration for his paintings – many of which can be seen at the Musee Granet. A guided tour takes you to the artist’s birthplace, home and studio and gives you insight into his life and work. Website: www.aixenprovencetourism.com
Avignon
Avignon is a historical city located in Provence in the south of France, famous for the beautiful Pope’s Palace and bridge. Avignon is one of the major cities in Provence along with Arles and Marseille and is the capital of the Vaucluse in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region. The city is on the list of most visitors when in the Cote d’Azur area.
Many will have heard of Avignon through the children’s song ‘Sur le pont d’Avignon’ (on the bridge at Avignon) which was in honour of the original Pont Saint-Benezet located close to the Palais des Papes (Pope’s Palace). Built in the Middle Ages the idea for the bridge was believed to have been started by a poor shepherd boy who was inspired by angelic beings. Avignon was the seat of the papacy instead of Rome during the fourteenth century. Many buildings in Avignon today occupy former churches and chapels which were built during the time the Popes were in residence. Avignon is also famous for its annual ‘Festival d’Avignon’ during July which is one of the oldest theatre festivals. Performances are held at different locations throughout the city, including some at the Palais des Papes.
Famous people born in Avignon include singer Mireille Mathieu, painter Joseph Vernet, writers Henri Bosco and Pierre Boulle. AvignonTourism Website: www.ot-avignon.fr
Marseille
Marseille is the third largest city in France and a very large metropolitan area, located on the Mediterranean Sea. It is home to France’s largest port and is considered to be the capital city of Provence and of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur area.
To the east of the city is a beautiful area of small waterways, the Callanques. To
the north is a mountain range, to the west the Camargue area and Gulf of
Lion.
The Chateau d’If is an old prison set on the island of If which was
used as the setting used in the novel by Alexandre Dumas where the Count
of Monte Cristo was imprisoned. The main boulevard, The Canebiere,
runs from the Old Port area to the east. The fish market and marina
are located in the Old Port. The entrance to the Old Port has two
forts at its entrance, Fort St. Jean and Fort St. Nicholas. There
is good shopping and pedestrian streets with fountains which are great
for strolling. Marseille has plenty of history and culture with some
interesting museums such as the Museum of Fine Arts and Natural History
Museum. Worth a look also is the Notre-Dame-de-la Garde Cathedral
where you will find good views across the city. Website: www.marseille-tourisme.com.
BORDEAUX
Located in southwestern France in the famous wine growing region, the city of Bordeaux is a very cosmopolitan port city and is known as the world’s wine capital. The area produces many types of wines.
The city of Bordeaux is worth a visit. It lies on the Garonne river and close to the Bay of Biscay. You will want to tour the wineries, but don’t forget the city with its wide boulevards, parks and squares and good shopping. Bordeaux, as you would expect, has some fine restaurants and street cafes. There is much more to Bordeaux than we can possibly cover here so see for yourself: Website: www.bordeaux-tourisme/uk.
LILLE
Lille is located in the northeast corner of France close to the border with Belgium. It is just over half an hour from Brussels, an hour from Paris and about 90 minutes from London. Lille is admired for its beautiful Flemish architecture dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The Eurostar stops at Lille on its way through to Paris so there’s no excuse not to stop off and see this charming city.
The Palais des Beaux-Arts (Museum of Fine Arts) is a major attraction with many Flemish, French and Dutch works and, being almost as big as the Louvre. Lille is also the birthplace of Charles de Gaulle.
Lille is a good place to base yourself if you wish to tour the French
Battlefields of the First World War. Tours of many sites are available,
including the Somme. The sobering Menin Gate Memorial is located
close by in Ypres, Belgium.
www.lilletourism.com
LYON
The city of Lyon is located in the eastern-central area of France. Located in the Rhones-Alpes region, it lies on the Soane and Rhone rivers. The Old Quarter area has plenty of interest with its cobblestone streets, Roman ruins and museums. Visit the imposing Fourviere and admire the magnificent views of the city from the Basilica followed by a tour of the Byzantine art collection. The Basilica can be accessed by a cable car. Lyon is where you will find the headquarters of Interpol. It is also close to many wonderful wine growing areas.
Known as the capital of the silk industry and famous for its textiles, Lyon has dozens of museums containing collections of paintings, ancient textiles, art, furniture, sculptures and antiquities. Lyon’s history has seen it through various periods of prosperity and it became an increasingly important centre of trade. During WWII Lyon was the base for the French Resistance. Website: www.en.lyon-france.com.
STRASBOURG
Strasbourg is a major French city and capital of the Alsace region in the northeastern part of France close to the German border on the River Ill in the Rhine valley. It is located close to the Black Forest and the Vosges Mountain range and has been influenced by German culture over the centuries. This is a place from fairy tale books with its pretty timbered houses, medieval villages and vineyards. Strasbourg is the seat of the Council of Europe and other European bodies such as the European Parliament of the European Union. It is also a port city and the second largest port on the Rhine.
The historic centre of Strasbourg, also known as the Grand Island (Grande Île) is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Gothic Cathedral is very imposing and the medieval centre is picturesque with many churches, parks, bridges and squares. There are several very notable museums and theatres. Strasbourg is also known for its Christmas Market. Website: www.francetourism.com
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