France
Welcome to France, a country known for its stylish cities boasting tree-lined boulevards, stunning beaches, majestic mountains, impressive châteaux, grand palaces, and exquisite cuisine and wines.
France, the third largest country in Europe by land area, shares borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, and Andorra. To the north, across the English Channel, lies the United Kingdom. The unique French island of Corsica, located in the Mediterranean Sea off the west coast of Italy, offers a distinct charm of its own.
France caters to every kind of traveler, whether it's your first time or a return visit. You can enjoy activities like swimming or sailing in the Mediterranean Sea, exploring the historic Châteaux of the Loire Valley or the Palace of Versailles, indulging in gourmet delights in Lyon, or leisurely strolling through diverse vineyards while savoring fine wines or champagne.
A trip to France would not be complete without immersing yourself in Paris, famously known as La Ville Lumière, or “The City of Light.” Explore its numerous museums and art galleries or simply spend a leisurely afternoon sipping hot chocolate at an outdoor café, observing the bustling city life. Playwright Henry Miller once remarked, “to know Paris is to know a great deal.”
France is a fantastic destination for a family getaway, suitable for children of all ages. Venture outside the cities to witness history unfold amidst the picturesque hills and enchanting castles of the magnificent Loire Valley. Explore the Dordogne region, where the essence of the Middle Ages remains preserved. Visit the Mediterranean coast for sandy beaches, Normandy for historical sites, or the French Alps for thrilling mountain escapades. Engage in exciting activities like treasure hunts at the Louvre, mastering the art of French macaron making, crafting a personalized perfume, or even experiencing a friendly fencing match.
The French Riviera is a stretch of coastline in the south of France that is famous for its glamour, luxury, and beautiful beaches. With train, cruise and road connections to cities such as Nice, Cannes, and Marseille, visitors can easily explore the region. Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, visit the Film Festival in Cannes, or explore the Calanques National Park near Marseille.
If you want a relaxing vacation by the sea, but are keen for something more traditional than the nearby metropolis of Marseilles, then head to Cassis, a medieval fishing village with all of the charm of a French commune. Popular with tourist day trippers, the port is no longer home to just fishing boats, with yachts and other tourists boats often moored up in the harbor (especially during summer). Still, Cassis retains much of its medieval feel; take a hike to the 14th century chateau, the Chateaux de la Masion des Baux, which offers great views of the shore line, or relax at the beaches located to the south and west of the village, including Plage du Corton and La Plage du Bestouan.
The Loire Valley offers a lush green landscape and is known for its vineyards, charming chateaux, and scenic countryside. Convenient train connections to cities like Tours and Angers allow travellers to effortlessly explore the numerous chateaux that are scattered throughout the region, including the illustrious Château de Chenonceau and Château de Chambord. In addition, the Loire Valley is a haven for food enthusiasts, with delectable local specialities like goat cheese and rillette waiting to be savoured.
Located in the southwest part of France, Bordeaux is known for its fine wine, exquisite architecture, and vibrant art scene. Travellers can conveniently reach this charming city from Paris and other major destinations via France's efficient train system. Once there, visitors can discover a wealth of attractions, from the stunning Place de la Bourse to the fascinating Musée d'Aquitaine and the immersive Cité du Vin. Additionally, Bordeaux serves as an excellent starting point for exploring the picturesque vineyards and wine regions that surround the area.
Provence is a region in southeastern France known for its lavender fields, olive groves, and charming villages. It is also easily accessible by train, with connections to cities like Avignon and Aix-en-Provence. From the awe-inspiring Pont du Gard to the impressive Palais des Papes and the breathtaking Gorges du Verdon, there is no shortage of sights to take in. In addition, the region's cuisine is not to be missed, with mouth-watering local delicacies like bouillabaisse and ratatouille waiting to be savoured.
Travelers heading to France often concentrate on the big cities, yet overlooking the Alsace region and its key cities like Strasbourg would be a missed opportunity. Situated about five hours east of Paris by car, this region is easily accessible. What sets it apart is its German influence, stemming from its history as part of Germany and retaining much of that heritage. This blend makes it a captivating destination to discover, with a variety of must-see attractions in Strasbourg, along with the surrounding areas.
Saint-Malo is a beautiful, walled port city in Brittany, France.
Highlight’s Include:
The Ramparts
Petit Bé Fort
Fort National
Grande Plage Beach
Plage des Bas Sablons
Sillon Beach
The Bordier Butter Shop
Solidoor Tower
Saint Vincent Cathedral
Saint- Malo Castle
Mont St Michel
Lyon is situated in the southeast of France, positioned halfway between the Alps to the east and the Mediterranean to the south. The city is divided into different areas by two rivers, the Saône and Rhône, and two hills, La Croix-Rousse and Fourvière.
Dive into culture, history, fashion and food in the wonderful city. Whether you are here for a weekend or a week you will find countless things to do, from historic sights to world-class museums and pleasant city parks.
Culinary
Every city, town and village has its own boulangerie (bakery) that sells bread in all shapes, sizes, and varieties. You would be amiss to travel to France without indulging in a croissant.
Croissants: Perhaps France’s most famous bakery pastry, the classic croissant is light, buttery, flaky, and delicious.
Charcuterie: The backbone of every French picnic and bistro, charcuterie is typically served as a sharing dish in the center of the table. Traditionally made from pork, you’ll find saucisse (small fresh sausage, boiled or grilled before eating), saucisson (salami), saucisson sec (air-dried salami), boudin noir (blood sausage or pudding made with pig’s blood, onions and spices) and other cured, salted meats.
Cheese: A source of pride for the French, locally made cheeses like Camembert, Brie, Boursin, Bleu d’Auvergne, Reblechon, Pont-l’eveque, and Munster are a perfect to pair with charcuterie.
Wine: Whether it’s Bordeaux, Burgundy, Côtes du Rhône or Champagne, French wines are abundant. The French thirst for wine dates back to Roman times when techniques to grow grapes and craft wine were introduced, and dégustation (tasting) has been an essential part of French wine culture ever since.
Beef bourguignon: A stew made from beef braised in red wine, beef broth, and seasoned vegetables, including pearl onions and mushrooms. A piece of freshly baked bread on the side is a perfect addition to this hearty meal.
Escargot: This popular hors d’oeuvre is the edible land snail, cooked with heaps of garlic and butter.
Croque monsieur: A great choice for children, the croque monsieur is a baked ham and cheese sandwich made with Gruyère cheese and rich béchamel sauce.
Ratatouille: A dish you might have seen in the movie of the same name, ratatouille is a French stew from Nice with shallow-fried baked vegetables in a garlic tomato sauce.
Coq au vin: Chicken braised with wine, mushrooms, salty pork or bacon (lardons), mushrooms, onions, garlic and sometimes finished with a drop of brandy.
Tarte Tatin: Famous since the late 19th century and created by two sisters in their Loir-et-Cher hotel just outside Paris, tarte tatin is an upside-down caramelized apple pie with a flaky crust.
Poire belle Hélène: This tasty treat combines warm poached pears, vanilla ice cream, and chocolate sauce; a perfect ending to any meal.
The official language of France is French. English is widely spoken and understood in Paris and most large cities, while in other areas of the country English-speakers may be less common.
In France the standard voltage is 220-230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The plugs in France are Types C and F, which have two small round pins.
France also uses a Type E plug (round pin and receptacle with male grounding pin). If you bring electrical appliances, you might need a plug adapter.
The country code for France is +33.
France enjoys a temperate climate, with plenty of coastal and regional diversity. Most of the country has hot, dry summers and cool, wet conditions in the fall, while winter can be cold and foggy in the north, and much milder in the south.
Currency is the Euro.
Films with scenes from France:
Amelie
Midnight in Paris
Moulin Rouge
An American In Paris
The Three Musketeers
