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Top Attractions in France |
The Loire Valley
The Loire Valley was the capital of the French aristocracy from
the 15th to 18th centuries and the area is dotted with the most
beautiful castles in France. The most famous chateaux include
Angers, Chinon, Chambord, Chenonceau, Saumur and Villandry. A tour
of the Castles over several days is highly recommended and in summer
many of them play host to outdoor spectacles of music, dance and
fireworks. The town of Chartres, with its magnificent 13th-century
cathedral, is regarded as Europe's most superb Gothic building. The
United Nations has designated the Cathedral an international
cultural heritage site. Make sure to visit the ‘Maison de Jeanne
d’Arc’ in Orleans, which honours her life and times. The Loire
Valley is regarded as the "garden of France," so make sure to savor
the very affordable and delicious foods and wines of the regions –
bon apetit!
The French Riviera (Côte d’Azur)
The Côte d'Azur or French Riviera stretches along the
Mediterranean coast at the very foot of the Alps and is one of
word’s most popular holiday destinations. In less than two hours you
can travel from Mediterranean bliss to the cool Alps. Make sure to
visit the fascinating cities of the region. St.Tropez is regarded as
the epitome of the French Riviera, check out the multi-million
dollar yachts in the port, sip an overpriced coffee and watch the
‘other-half’ live! Cannes is also a millionaire’s playground but
lacks the exclusivity of St.Tropez. The annual International Film
Festival is its most famous attraction. Take a day trip to the
independent principality of Monaco for some more glitz and glamour
but make sure to dress well, it is an essential part of even getting
into the country! If you favour relaxation in less pretentious
surroundings, Antibes with its lovely sandy beaches is your only
choice. Home to Picasso for many years, his studio is now the
Picasso Museum. Spend some time wandering around the charming small
towns of Villefranche-sur-Mer, St.Jean-cap-Ferrat, Eze-le-Village and
Cap D'Ail. The capital of the Riviera – Nice – is also well worth a
visit for its outstanding Matisse Museum.
Paris
The French capital is one of the
most stimulating cities on earth. Although described countless
times, words still fail to capture the exact quality that
renders Paris enduringly seductive. Is it the elegance of
the tree-lined boulevards? The radiance of the light? The
magnificence of the architecture? The style and ambience of
the cafes? Come find out for yourself...
Website: Paris
Biarritz
Biarritz is a sophisticated coastal town in French Basque
Country, which first became popular with the aristocracy and then
with wealthy British tourists in the mid-19th century, when Empress
Eugenie (the wife of Napoleon III) fell in love with this part of
the Basque country and built a Palace on the beach at what is now
the world class Hotel de Paris. Today, Biarritz draws a cosmopolitan
crowd from all over the world. The beaches, casinos, golf courses
and surfing spots have made it a haven for outdoor-loving sun
worshippers. Make a visit to the Museum of the Sea, which contains a
vast aquarium and research centre.
Chateau de Versailles
The Chateau at Versailles is one of the most stunningly beautiful
attractions in France. Built by Louis XIV in just 40 years, it was
designed to be the court and the capital of France. Versailles is of
gigantic proportions (the western facade is nearly 2,000 feet wide)
and masterpieces by French artists and craftsmen were used by Louis
XIV to showcase the power of the French Monarchy. Visit the splendid
Galerie des Glaces, the Salon d'Apollon, the Royal Chapel and the
Petit Appartement. There is also a park of over 200 acres
surrounding the Chateaux. There you will find the Grand Trianon,
Louis XIV's summer private residence and the Petit Trianon, built by
Louis XV and which became Marie-Antoinette's favorite retreat.
DETAILS: 15 miles West of Paris - A13 Freeway, exit Versailles - 01
30 84 74 00.
Website: Versailles
Lourdes
Even if you are not a devout
Catholic, or seeking miraculous cures, Lourdes is a fascinating stop on any
itinerary. Just over six million Catholic pilgrims arriving each
year
can’t be wrong! Lourdes was little more than a village in
1858 when Bernadette Soubirous experienced the first of eighteen visions of the
Virgin Mary in a spot called the Grotte de Massabielle. You can
visit the Grotto and the Shrine, reputed to seat over 20,000 people at
one time. Visit any of the hundreds of shops which sell innumerable,
and sometimes very kitsch religious souvenirs. Lourdes is not only a
pilgrimage city, it is also a very charming little Pyrenean town.
Wander through the town and discover a very rich historical and
natural heritage from the fortified castle to the Pic du Jer, as
well as Lourdes Lake and the many very interesting private museums.
Website: Lourdes
The Parc National des Pyrénées
Created in 1967, the Pyrenees National Park extends about 100km
along the French-Spanish border and covers an area of 460 sq km. The
park contains an amazing array of high-altitude lakes and contains
the highest point in the French Pyrenees, the 3300m Sommet du
Vignemale. The protected fauna of the park include the brown bear,
lynx, chamois, marmot and endangered birds of prey such as the
bearded vulture and golden eagle. The park is popular for
rock-climbing and hiking and there are many marked trails, some of
which are linked with Spain. Why not stay in one of the well-known
mountain cabins, basic accommodation which will get you truly back
to nature.
Website: The Pyrenees National Park
Mont-St-Michel
Mont
St. Michel is a small quasi island off the coast of Normandy. It is separated by approximately one kilometre of sea from the mainland at high tide. This tiny outcrop of rock sports a massive abbey featuring a number of architectural styles. It is topped by a copper statue of Michael the Archangel killing a dragon and tailed by ancient ramparts and the houses of people who actually live on the island. Try and see Mont St Michel at night when it is brilliantly illuminated.
Website: Mont St Michel
Normandy Beaches
Normandy is a green and peaceful region dotted with pretty little
fishing harbours and charming resorts. It was also, however, the
setting for "Operation Overlord". At dawn on June 6, 1944, one of
history's most decisive battles, led by General Eisenhower, began
with the Allied invasion of German-held Normandy. The Battle of
Normandy lasted over two months. In the Calvados department alone
over 30,000 soldiers and over 20,000 civilians were killed. Museums
and memorials are abundant in the area and the immaculately
maintained cemeteries honour the dead of all nations. The beaches of
Normandy are a pilgrimage site for those who were involved in, or
remember the Great War, and they are a valuable and enriching
experience for those who were not.
Website: Normandy Beaches
The French Alps
Travel to the majestic French Alps and discover the legendary
deep snows of France's great ski resorts. In resorts such as the
Trois Vallées, linking Courchevel, Méribel, La Tania, Les Menuires,
and Val Thorens, the network of interconnected lifts stretches so
far you can ski there for weeks without ever retracing your tracks.
Gaze in awe at the mythical Mont Blanc, the "rooftop of Europe.” The
French Alps are actually more popular in summer than they are during
the winter season. When the ice and snow melts, beautiful craggy
hills and lush meadows are unveiled creating an ideal destination
for walking, biking and climbing, or just taking in the pure
mountain air.
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