France is the most visited country in Europe, and it’s no surprise. This is a country overflowing with history, art and culture, all in one very beautiful package. From dazzling beaches, soaring mountains and majestic coastlines to city sophistication and rustic splendour, everything is right here in France. And there’s no place like Paris, one of the world’s most renowned cities, filled with a plethora of holiday treasures.
Culture
France is a treasure trove of art and culture. Majestic and priceless palaces, churches, chateaux and other monuments housing magnificent collections of art, and are more than often works of beauty themselves.
One of the country’s finest examples is the Palace of Versailles, filled with sumptuous furnishings and elaborate murals. France also boasts a vast number of historic religious buildings, from Paris’ Notre Dame and Sacré Coeur Basilica to Normandy’s Mont St-Michel and the amazing 13th-century cathedral of Chartres. Paris is an art lover’s delight: some of the world’s fi nest and most famous art galleries, museums and monuments, such as the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, are found throughout the capital. Seeing the masterpieces of Monet, Renoir and Courbet on display in their home towns is a magical experience, but even more amazing is discovering the source of their inspiration at every turn.
Lifestyle
The French way of life is famous the world over. Relaxed and family-oriented, with a love of fine food and wine, the French love a regular aperitif with family or friends. Settling into one of the many outdoor cafes in the early evening, locals enjoy a wine and a chat as the sun goes down. The French are also an affectionate bunch, known for their greeting of a quick peck on either cheek. Relaxed and sociable, the French lifestyle does not just encourage an easy-going holiday ambience, it lives it, seven days a week.
Natural wonders
France is a great land filled with many natural assets. The Loire Valley is one of the most beautiful regions in the country. The picturesque landscape is dotted with historic towns and villages, monasteries, monuments and elaborate grand chateaux.
The beautiful French Riviera is the place of dreams. Stretching along the Mediterranean coast, the region is dotted with seaside towns, all with famous names: Nice, Monaco, Cannes, St Tropez – they all conjure up visions of movie stars and glamorous beauties.
The French Alps are another natural wonder, renowned for their spectacular mountain scenery, pristine rivers and lakes and international ski resorts such as Chamonix and Val d’Isere.
Dining
Traditionally, the French have treated food with great respect. A reverence for food and a bounty load of the finest ingredients are combined with care and love. The result is French cuisine, considered to be the best in the world.
All over France you will discover and succumb to the sublime flavours of some of the most delicious food you’ve ever tasted. Let your tastebuds lead you through Burgundy, Normandy, Périgord, the Loire Valley, Provence and Alsace – France’s celebrated food regions, each with their own distinctive specialities and traditions. All that beautiful food will be accompanied by some of the world’s finest wines. Make your way through the world-acclaimed vineyards of Alsace, Languedoc-Roussillon, Burgundy, the Loire Valley and Rhône regions, Bordeaux and Champagne, discovering the specialties of each region. Be prepared to indulge in long, lingering lunches and seemingly endless dinners enjoyed well into the twilight, a parade of tantalizing courses accompanied by decadent drinks and lively conversation. It is almost worth the trip to France just for a meal.
Shopping
France is a shopoholic’s dream! Great local buys include lace, crystal glass, cheeses, coffee and, of course, wines, spirits and liqueurs. However, no shopping trip is complete without a taste of Paris’ world-famous fashion. Located next to the Louvre, the Faubourg Saint-Honoré district is the pulse of Paris design and fashion, boasting such designers as Versace, Hermes and Yves Saint Laurent. Avenue Montaigne and Avenue des Champs- Elysées form one of the city’s hottest fashion junctures with legendary designers like Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton lining the street. Montmartre, Paris
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When in Avignon in the beautiful south of France, be sure to plant your feet firmly on its spectacular bridges. Stroll across the 800-year-old Pont St-Bénézet (from the song Sur le Pont) or join the locals for a swim under the amazing Pont du Gard. This 2000-year-old Roman aqueduct is about half an hour’s drive from town (and a beautiful drive at that, so we recommend hiring a car). Until recently it supplied more than 40 million gallons of water daily to Nimes. Today it’s a picturesque location for cooling off on a hot summer’s day. Check the depth of the waters, but generally you can even take the plunge and dive from the cliffs that edge the waters.
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