European Holiday Guide

European Holiday Guide
your guide to France
Chenonceaux Château, The Loire
Motoring in France
France
A breathalyser kit must be carried in your vehicle (see page 3). Reflective jackets are now compulsory
as well as headlight deflectors and red warning triangles. Medical kits and replacement bulbs are
advised.
Road Categories
A = Autoroute (Motorway)
N = Route Nationale (Major Trunk Road)
D = Route Départmentale - often less busy than N roads and of quite
acceptable standard. Sometimes they ‘cut corners’ but be wary,
distances on winding roads can be deceptively long.
V = Chemin Vicinal (Local by-road, not used by through traffic)
Reclassification of French road numbers The French government is currently transferring the
administration of approximately 18,000 kilometres of national roads to local authorities, resulting in the
significant re-classification and re-numbering of French roads. This will take several years to complete and
road numbers are likely to change slightly. For example the N404 will become the D1404. Be prepared for
the road numbers not to correspond with your maps, even if they are new!
Speed Limits
Motorways: 130 kph 110kph when wet
Free Motorways: 110 kph 100kph when wet
Ordinary road outside towns: 90 kph 80kph when wet
Roads in built-up areas: 50 kph
Cars towing a caravan: If the weight of the trailer exceeds that of the car, the speed limits are lower:
65kph if the excess is less than 30% and 45kph if the excess is more than 30%.
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Vehicle Weight in France Motorcaravans, caravans and trailers must not exceed the maximum authorised
laden weight written on the vehicles registration certificate. Police can weigh any vehicle thay they
suspect is overladen and issue a a fine up to €1500 or more.
Bison Futé or Itinéraire Bis is the term used for the road system recommended to guide traffic round
congested areas on to more relaxing, scenic routes, and they are indicated by green or yellow arrows.
Bison Futé maps, showing recommended routes are readily available free of charge at roadside offices
marked Bison Futé. They may also be available at the channel ports. There are 59 Bison Futé centres open
during the peak period giving free information on traffic conditions and recommended itineraries.
www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr
Motorways in France France has over 8,000 km of motorways. A toll system is in operation on most
motorways, indicated by a péage sign before you go on. Most operate on a punched card system, which
you take as you enter the toll booth by pushing the distributor button and which is handed in as you
leave to assess payment. British credit cards may not be accepted in the automatic credit card payment
booths when leaving the autoroute. On shorter stretches, the toll may be paid in euro coins thrown into
automatic machines. Short stretches of motorway round cities are usually free. There are several different
companies running the motorway system so prices per km can vary. A car and caravan count as Category
2 - you pay half as much again for the caravan as a rule. Trailer tents are generally charged at the same rate
as caravans.
You will find orange emergency telephones every 2 km, parking and resting areas every 10 km and 24hour petrol stations approximately every 40 km. Petrol stations have many amenities including good
toilet facilities. The service areas and “aires de repos” often indicated by a “P” provide excellent spacious
stopping points and picnic areas. Toilets and water are also available.
Many motorway service restaurants offer specially priced menus for children which often represent good
value for money. The food is quite acceptable, but not up to the standards of a small family-run restaurant.
Breakdown on the Motorway or the Paris Périphérique Park on the hard shoulder and put out the
warning triangle. Do not contact your own insurance company in the first instance. Use one of the orange
emergency telephones. This puts you in touch with the police who will send a mechanic to assist you.
The fee fixed by government for attendance is about £50. If the mechanic can repair your car within 30
minutes, you pay this fee plus parts; otherwise the car will be towed to the nearest garage where you
should contact your vehicle recovery insurance company who will make further arrangements on your
behalf. Ensure you get a receipt for any charges for insurance purposes. Motorway information on the
radio is FM107.7
www.autoroutes.fr - excellent for tariffs and route planning.
www.equipement.gouv.fr access “route” - Other traffic information
A toll system is also in operation on some bridges including Le Pont de Tancarville near Le Havre, Le Pont
de Normandie, the Viaduc de Millau and the bridge from La Rochelle over to the Ile de Ré.
Please note that on the main roads there are fewer petrol stations per distance covered in France than in
Great Britain and they rarely open after 20:00 hours except on Autoroutes and near hypermarkets, so be
wary of letting your tank run too low. British credit cards are not always accepted at French hypermarkets
in the automatic machines . They are accepted when the exit booth is manned during shopping hours.
Traffic congestion If heading south, the worst traffic problems occur each weekend throughout July until
the middle of the August and when returning each weekend from mid August until the first weekend
September. If possible it is a good idea to avoid these days for travelling: Friday pm and Saturday outward
and Saturday and Sundays on the return.
Fines Although speed limits are higher than in UK, the accident rate is also higher. Speed cameras are now
much more common in France particularly on motorways and roads round large towns. Procedures are
being put in place for the DVLA in the UK to chase up fines. Severe penalties for road traffic infringements
have recently been introduced in France. These include a sentence of up top to 10 yrs imprisonment and a
fine of 150,000 euros for causing death whilst over the alcohol limit; a sentence of 7 yrs and fine of 100,000
euros for causing death by dangerous or negligent driving; a sentence of of up to 2 years, a fine of 30,000
euros and seizure of vehicle and device for using any radar detecting device, even if the device is switched
off.
Drinking & Driving Please note that on the spot fines for speeding (as much as €1,500 ) and drinking
and driving are very common in France. Drivers who break French driving laws can also have their driving
licences confiscated by French police.
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Travelling with a motorhome A Motorhome Charter issued by a motorhome builders’ committee in
conjunction with the French Government issues certain guidelines to motorhome owners. The most
important point is to be considerate about parking, not to impede the view of shops or any other
businesses in a town, to avoid upsetting the flow of traffic and to park where possible in an area which
is not heavily populated. Overnight parking of motorhomes is controlled in certain towns and cities, but
where allowed, public areas should not be monopolised and they should not create any sort of problem
for local residents. Evacuation of water etc. must be done in the appropriate places provided and not in
any drains or rivers. Campsites more suitable for motorhomes as they are within walking distance of the
towns and villages are listed in the Eurocamp Independent or Select Sites brochure.
Accidents & Breakdown In the event of an accident, keep calm, do not move your car initially. If
somebody is injured, call the emergency services. If you have taken out a Car Breakdown and Recovery
Insurance, should an accident occur, you can telephone the emergency telephone number stated in
your insurance booklet to get advice. If you are on a motorway, you are obliged to use their own services
unless told otherwise. The police need only be called if someone is injured or your vehicle represents a
dangerous hazard. Get receipts for everything to be able to claim on your insurance.
Emergency telephone numbers: Fire 18, Police 17, Ambulance 15, Operator 13 Directory Enquiries 112.
From a mobile phone dial 112 for emergency services.
Money
Banks: Opening times vary but are generally open from 09:30 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 17:00. Banks close
early on a day before a bank holiday and are often closed on Mondays.
Credit cards Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in most establishments, provided they are for
amounts above 8 euros. Many of the fully automated petrol pumps do not accept English credit cards.
There are numerous ATMs in most towns.
Post Office or PTT is normally open from 08:00 - 12:00 and 14:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday and until
12:00 on Saturday. A letter from France to UK cost €0.55 up 20g.
Holiday Health
Doctors and Pharmacies The location of the nearest surgery can be provided by the site reception. They
are usually happy to make an appointment for you. In an emergency go to the Accident & Emergency
Dept of the nearest hospital. There is a wide network of chemists in most towns which operate the same
opening hours as shops. There is always one on duty at weekends.
Transport
Trains: the train service in France is efficient, punctual, and comfortable. France’s extensive railway
network connects large cities and towns throughout the country. Smaller towns without train stations
are generally linked by bus service to the nearest station. The French National Railroads’ (Société
Nationale des Chemins de Fer or SNCF, www.sncf.fr) network of inter-city rail links also provides frequent
express and high-speed train service known as the TGV or Train à Grande Vitesse.
Buses: the most convenient bus services are those run as an extension of rail links by SNCF, which always
run to and from the SNCF station and will access areas not accessible by rail. In addition to SNCF buses,
private buses can be useful for local and some cross-country journeys. Larger towns usually have a gare
routière (bus station), often next to the gare SNCF. However, the private bus companies don’t always
work together and frequently leave from an array of different points (the local tourist office will usually
help locate them).
Cycling The regulations are similar to those for Great Britain, except of course that you cycle on the
right hand side of the road. You must use cycle lanes and paths whenever available. We advise you to
take out adequate insurance cover for your bicycles. French towns are actively promoting the use of
bicycles. Already Rennes, Strasbourg and Nantes have increased the number of cycle paths (120km in
Rennes), created parking space for bicycles as well as cycle shelters next to bus shelters. For any further
information, please contact: The Touring Dept. Cyclists Touring Club, Parklands, Railton Road, Guildford
GU2 9JX Tel:0870 8730060 email:[email protected]
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Shopping in France
Even if you have difficulty communicating in French, shopping is no problem. There are many
selfservice stores and large hypermarkets on the outskirts of large towns. Most large supermarkets and
hypermarkets operate a deposit system for the trolley, so it is a good idea to have a euro piece handy. Ask
at the campsite reception for full details. Most shops have longer hours than in the UK often opening at
08:00 and closing at 19:00, although, (with the exception of hypermarkets) generally close from 12 noon
until 14:00. Many food shops open for a short time on Sundays. In some areas, there is often restricted
opening on Mondays. Some food shops, particularly bakers, open on Sunday mornings. Shops in holiday
resorts have different opening times which fluctuate according to the seasonal trade.
Types of Shop
- Boulangerie: Bakers, best place to find fresh bread and croissants.
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Pâtisserie/Confiserie: Cake shop and sweet shop often combined with a boulangerie
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Boucherie: sells fresh meat, a butchers.
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Charcuterie: literally a pork butcher’s, but it is also the equivalent of our delicatessen, selling cold meat pates,
prepared salads, sausages and pizzas.
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Alimentation/Epicerie: Small shops selling most items of grocery including vegetables & cheese.
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Poissonnerie: Fishmongers, fish is plentiful and reasonably priced in coastal areas e.g. Brittany.
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Pharmacie: Chemists, usually distinguished by a green cross, displayed prominently outside.
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Quincaillerie/Droguerie: Hardware shop/Ironmongers
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Maison de la Presse: Newsagents
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Papeterie: Stationers
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Librairie: Bookshop (please note that a “library” is “un bibliothèque”)
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Fleuriste: Florist. Interflora facilities as in U.K.
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Le Tabac: Tobacconists - sells not only cigarettes, tobacco, etc. but also post cards and stamps
- Coiffeur/Coiffeuse: Hairdressers
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Le Marché: Local market. There are far more open air markets in France than in the UK and they are a real
pleasure to visit. You can buy fresh fruit, vegetables, cheeses, eggs, meat, poultry, fish and especially near the coast a delicious variety of fruits de mer - seafood. Check with site reception for details of local markets
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Station d’essence: Petrol Station
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Hypermarchés: Hypermarkets- stay open till 21:00 or even 22:00 hours Monday to Saturday.
Some food shops, particularly bakers, open on Sunday mornings. Most large supermarkets and
hypermarkets operate a deposit system for the trolley, so it is a good idea to have a euro piece handy.
Shops in holiday resorts have different opening times which fluctuate according to the seasonal trade.
Eating Out
The French eat out much more than the British and this is reflected in the number of restaurants to
be found and the excellent value for money they offer. Emphasis is placed on eating well, so menus
tend to offer a wider choice and dishes are more attractively presented. Most restaurants stop serving
meals about 20:45, even earlier in the low season. Children are much more readily welcomed than in
the U.K. and many restaurants offer children’s menus. Les Routiers’ restaurants are usually good for an
inexpensive meal of good quality. All restaurants are required to display their menu and prices outside.
Most restaurants serve ‘à la carte’ meals but these tend to be rather expensive compared to 3 or 4 course
set menus which are usually much better value. Many establishments provide a ‘menu touristique’,
usually a reasonable meal at a reasonable price. Bread is free and provided in unlimited quantities, but
butter usually has to be requested. Where possible, do try the specialities of the region, for example the
fish and delicious variety of cheeses in Normandy, the seafood and dry white wine of Brittany, the exotic
pâtés and truffles of the Dordogne. The Dordogne is traditionally regarded as the gastronomic heartland
of France with 6 course meals a particular speciality. All regions offer something interesting and tasty to
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try. Frogs legs - les cuisses de grenouille and snails escargots usually served in a delicious garlic sauce
are certainly worth testing! Steak or lamb tends to be eaten rather underdone by the French, so you
will probably need to ask for it to be “bien cuit” - well done or à point - medium. Bien cuit is regarded as
medium cooked by most British customers. Saignant or bleu means very undercooked, not far from raw.
Drinks: in cafés and bars it is usual to be served at your table by a waiter. It is normal practice not to pay
for your drinks until you are ready to leave.
Wine: if there is a local wine this is often a good choice, though not necessarily the cheapest option.
A restaurant will usually offer very reasonably priced wines under the following labels: ‘Vin de Table’inexpensive table wine; ‘Un Pichet’ - a jug of table wine, usually reasonable in quality and price; ‘Vin
de Pays’ - the local brew, nice to try; ‘Réserve/Cuvée de la Maison’ - usually a good wine and often
locally produced at a reasonable price. The basic hallmark of quality is the wording ‘Appellation
d’Origine Contrôlée’ (A.O.C.) on the label. This may also appear with the name of the region included,
e.g. ‘appellation Bourgogne contrôlée’, ‘appellation St. Emilion contrôlée’. It is normally an indication
of a good, basic standard. It does, however, cover a wide range of wines, from the humbly and locally
produced, right up to ‘premier cru’. ‘Vin de pays’ is the next step down. Like ‘Appellation d’Origine
Contrôlée’ wines, these must come from a particular region but the standards they must reach are
lower. Generally a ‘vin de pays’ is a reasonably good local wine and is often excellent value. French beer
is normally what we would call lager and is quite strong and always served cold. Sous pression - beer
on tap. Une bière - normally a 1/4 litre (just under a half pint) bottle. Un demi or une pression - draught
beer (usually cheaper). Un véritable - half litre. Un formidable - a litre. Pastis: this aniseed-based spirit is
the most popular apéritif, usually 4-5 parts water to 1 part pastis with lots of ice. Cognac and Armagnac:
undoubtedly the king and queen of brandies, ‘Cognac’, coming only from the Charente region, and its
lesser known counterpart ‘Armagnac’, from the Pyrenean Basque country.
Hot Drinks: coffee - café is normally served black in small cups. If you like it white, ask for un café
crème. Café au lait with milk is usually served for breakfast. Chocolate drinks are widely available. Tea
is usually weak and black and is often served with a slice of lemon. Water/Mineral Water: ‘eau minérale’
‘Perrier’ and ‘Vittel’ are fairly inexpensive. Restaurants will usually provide tap water ‘l’eau fraîche’, ‘l’eau
naturelle’, or ‘l’eau du robinet’. Most cafés serve sandwiches, croque-monsieurs and snacks but many
cafés and restaurants also serve one-course meals such as steak and chips or cold meats. Look for the
‘snack’ sign or ‘plat du jour’. Roadside stalls are available during the summer months selling hamburgers,
chips, sandwiches and pizzas, often heralded by signs advertising ‘frites/sandwiches/boissons’. Fast
food establishments such as ‘McDonalds’ and ‘Flunch’ are open late and there are many pizzerias, which
are often good value. Crêperies are especially prevalent in Brittany, although they are found all over
the country. They specialise in the preparation of ‘crêpes’ (wafer thin pancakes, sometimes known as
‘galettes’).
Do remember to take a dictionary or simple phrase book to the restaurant with you so that you can fully
appreciate what the individual menus offer.
There are 5,000 tourist offices across France -they stock leaflets on all the tourist activities in their area
and usually employ assistants who speak good English and are very helpful.
Useful websites:
www.franceguide.com
www.france.com
www.mappy.com (route planner)
www.viamichelin.com (route planner)
www.auto-routes.fr (information on motorways)
www.meteo.fr (French weather forecast)
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The Eiffel Tower
Places to Visit
Paris
Paris - We strongly recommend that you purchase a good map of Paris and métro system to find your way
round Paris easily and fully appreciate it.
Paris is one of the most attractive capital cities in the world. It has an exciting enchanting atmosphere that
insprires visitors to return time after time. The best way to visit is on foot strolling along the Boulevards
discovering side streets, window shopping in some of the top stores or relaxing in pavement cafés.
The Métro system is certainly the most convenient way to get around Paris as it is quick, efficient and
relatively inexpensive. Tickets can be bought in books or carnets of 10, and there is a standard price for all
journeys, but check your ticket applies to all zones that you wish to travel to. RER: an express suburban
métro. Métro tickets are valid on these trains within Paris. Buses: the same tickets are used on the buses
and the métro. Within Paris, one ticket is now sufficient to cover any journey. In the outskirts, two tickets
may be required for longer journeys. Taxis: all taxis have a display panel on the roof and are only allowed
to pick up from ranks -stations de taxi. Rates are shown in each cab.
Bateaux-mouches: these are pleasure boats that offer trips through the capital on the River Seine.
You can pick up one of these leisurely boat trips at le Pont d’Alma and cruise past Paris’ main tourist
attractions.
Open Tour buses run along three circuits that offer another way to visit Paris, letting you stop wherever
and whenever you want. The Paris Grand Tour, Montmartre, and Bastille - Bercy circuits offer guided tours
that tell you everything about the capital.
A good suggestion is to start with a panoramic view of this intriguing city. There are several points that
offer this facility.
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Tour Eiffel Loudly decried when it was built in 1889, this 300-metre iron tower designed by Gustave Eiffel
has become one of the symbols of the capital. Visitors may climb stairs or take the lifts to go up the Tower.
The stairs are open to the public and go up to the second floor (120 metres). To reach the top of the tower
(280m) visitors must take another lift from the second floor. There may be a long wait at busy times. Those
who go to the top or even to the second floor are rewarded by an exceptional view over Paris. www.toureiffel.fr
Sacré-Coeur on Montmartre Hill Montmartre was just a small village until the 19th century, but then it
was absorbed by Paris, and became one of the strongholds for intellectuals and artists, who loved to meet
up around the Place du Tertre. It also became the centre of Parisian night life. The Bohemiam way of life
and gaiety in the music hall were immortalised by painters like Renoir and Toulouse-Lautrec. After World
War I, the intelligentsia moved to the Left Bank. A small peaceful square in the early morning, this square
rapidly becomes one of the most visited parts of the capital. Cabarets, cafétheatres, restaurants with
terraces and curiosities of all kinds are found on every corner. It’s crowning glory is the beautiful white
basilica of the Sacré Coeur. The white Neo-Byzantine architecture features small cupolas surrounding a
large central dome. In the shadows of the Sacré-Coeur is the 12th century church of St Pierre, the only
remnant of the Bénédictines.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame Begun in 1163 at the initiative of Bishop Maurice de Sully, this imposing
cathedral was only completed in 1345, revealing two centuries of evolution in Gothic art from shaky
beginnings to full flowering. Mysterious and enticing, a lacework of finely carved stone dominates the
area. The nave rises to a height of 35m and houses many small chapels. The cathedral’s façade is a threedimensional bible whose stone carvings depict the scriptures and legends of saints and biblical kings.
Victor Hugo wrote in admiration of the cathedral’s famous stained-glass window: “the great rose window
of the façade glows in the half-shadow like a scatter of diamonds, a dazzling spectrum of colour, lighting
the farthest end of the nave”. You can climb the 69m twin towers that crown the cathedral to view not
only the city but also the gargoyles and celebrated bell tower. www. cathedraledeparis.com
Montparnasse Tower In 38 seconds using the fastest lift in Europe you can reach the 56th floor (196m) of
this building and experience a magnificent view across Paris through large bay windows.
Shopping Parisian food shops and markets can be interesting even if you do not wish to buy.
Flea markets or ‘Marchés aux Puces’ are very much a feature of Paris at weekends. The most famous is at
the Porte de Clignancourt on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. Others are at the Porte de Montreuil, the
Place d’Aligre (Métro Ledru Rollin) and the Porte de Vanves.
Parks: Most parks within the city are formal, and you cannot therefore sit on the grass. There are plenty
of seats though and many parks such as the Champ de Mars and the Jardin de Luxembourg provide
children’s entertainments such as puppet shows.
Champs Elysées is one of the world’s most famous avenues. In the 19th century it became renowned for
its numerous restaurants, cafés and music halls.
L’Arc de Triomphe Built by order of Napoleon in 1806 and completed around 1820, this colossal
monument in Neo-Classical style dominates the twelve avenues which radiate out from the vast Place
de l’Etoile. Since 1920, the arch houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where a permanently lit flame
burns in honour of those fallen for France on the battlefield.
Le Grand Palais & Le Petit Palais Standing at the opposite end of the Champs Elysées the ornate halls
made of stone, steel and glass were built for the 1900 World Exhibition. Temporary exhibitions along with
the Palace of Discovery occupy these sites today.
Place de la Concorde Situated at the eastern end of the Champs Elysées, this magnificent square is
adorned with sumptious fountains and the 3,300 year old Obelisk which comes from the Temple of Luxor.
During the French Revolution, this square was famous for the guillotine.
L’Opéra Garnier a Second Empire architectural masterpiece, this opera house was opened in 1875 and
bears the name of its architect.
Musée du Louvre One of the most famous buildings and museum in the world, this former royal
residence is one of the capital’s essential sites to visit. The Louvre Palace was first built in the 16th century
by François I, and underwent many transformations until it took on its present appearance in the mid
19th century. The immense glass-sided pyramid designed by the Sino-American architect I. M. Peï which
stands in its centre also testifies to the vitality and creative inspiration which still reign there today. www.
louvre.fr
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Other places of interest in the centre:
Les Halles This ultra-modern Halles-Beaubourg quarter dates back to the 12th century when the Halles
marketplace was a busy trading site. Today it is a bustling complex of museums, shops and restaurants.
The cascading metal and glass structure allows it to harmonise with the older buildings in the area
including the elaborate 17th century church of St-Eustache.
Centre Georges Pompidou This vast multi-purpose cultural centre is made of a unique design of steel
and glass piping. It houses an immense collection of 20th century and contemporary art including
Braque, Matisse and Picasso as well as Abstractionists like Kandisky and Klee and the Surrealists Dali and
Miro. Its plaza is famous for street performers. www.cnac-gp.fr
L’Hotel de Ville This Paris City Hall dates from 17th century and was rebuilt in the 19th century in the NeoRenaissance style.
Le Marais is 13th century swampland which later became the residential suburb of the French nobility.
This area is a jewel of 16th and 17th century mansions with exquisite courtyards.
La Place de la Bastille is the spot where the famous prison that was stormed in 1789 once stood. The July
Column now standing in the centre commemorates those killed in the struggles of July 1830 and 1848. It
is dominated by the vast rotund glass façade of the Bastille Opera House.
La Grande Arche is the culminating point of an axis connecting the Louvre, the Champs Elysées and the
Arc de Triomphe. This enormous concrete cube contains office space for government agencies and multinational companies.
La Défense is a sprawling project begun in 1958 as a model of urban efficiency and is a colony of
skyscraper offices and unusual glass and concrete structures. It features self-sufficient office complexes
and an underground communications network.
Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie de la Villette is a museum that houses permanent and temporary
exhibitions, a planetarium, the Geode (180° curved cinema screen), and a submarine converted into a
museum. Here visitors can discover science through games, observations exhibitions and interactive
experiences. A 55-hectare park surrounds it, with various cultural sites such as the Cité de la Musique.
Entertainment in Paris Paris is renowned for its nightlife and famous cabarets including:Le Crazy Horse
on the Avenue George V, Les Folies Bergères in the Rue Saulnier, Le Lido on the Avenue des Champs
Elysées, Le Moulin Rouge on the Place Blanche.
Around Paris
Château de Versailles (south west of Paris) Among the most famous monuments in the world, this
masterpiece was transformed by the Sun King Louis XIV. He turned a small hunting lodge into the most
grandiose palace of Europe with the help of the genius of the 17th century’s greatest artists. A visit to the
château concentrates on the royal apartments, the illustrious Hall of mirrors, the chapel and the opera.
Just like every part of the château, the gardens landscaped by Le Nôtre, the King’s vegetable garden, the
Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon and the town itself are all worthy of close attention. The opulence of the
King and his courtiers ultimately led to the demise of the French monarchy.
St Germain-en-Laye (west of Paris) One of Ile-de-France’s seven royal cities, Saint-Germain-en-Laye
boasts one of its most remarkable châteaux. Built on the foundations of a feudal fort on the initiative of
François I, it was greatly appreciated by Louis XIV, who arranged for a series of gardens and a vast terrace
designed by Le Nôtre to be added. The château also houses the Musée des Antiquités Nationales.
The Château de Saint-Cloud (just west of Paris) - the home of Napoleon - was burned down in 1870. The
magnificent 460-hectare park - designed by Le Nôtre - remains, most of which is covered by a majestic
forest. The 90m Grande Cascade is worth the visit in itself.
Château de Fontainbleau (south-east of Paris) Attracted notably by the immense surrounding forest full
of game, François I decided in 1527 to enlarge what was then just a modest fortified château, making it
one of the most prestigious royal residences. Its magnificent architecture and gardens make it one of the
jewels of French art. Part of the château houses the Napoleon Museum.
Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte (south-east of Paris) The harmony of its construction designed by Le Vau,
the grandeur of its gardens landscaped by Le Nôtre, and the beauty of the ensemble are such that its
ingenious sponsor, Nicolas Fouquet, incurred the wrath of a furiously jealous Louis XIV. Its creators, on the
other hand, obtained the favour of the king, who later employed them for the building of Versailles.
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Theme Parks
Disneyland®Park Situated at Marne-la-Vallée 32km north west of centre of Paris. Here you can visit the 5
imaginary lands, Main St USA, Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland and Discoveryland. It is an actionpacked park with over 80 attractions including a trip to the Moon on Space Mountain a thrilling ride on
Big Thunder Mountain, daily parades and regular visits from Disney characters. Waltdisney Studios® Park
next to the main park includes amongst its attractions Stunt Motor Shows, the Art of Disney cartoons
and a TV Production Tour. www.disneylandparis.com Parc Astérix Situated 30 km north of Paris between
exits 7 and 8 of the Paris – Lille A1 motorway. A theme park based around the “Gaulish” world of Astérix
and Obélix. It has several adventure areas and includes some amazing roller coaster rides including La
Tonnerre de Zeus - 1.2km full of double loops at a speed of 80km an hour and Goudurix which turns you
upside down at least 7 times. Visit also the Flying Chairs ride and the Dolphinarium. This park is more
suitable for older children over 10yrs old and is an experience not to be missed. www.parcasterix.com
Pays France Miniature Situated at Elancourt, not far from Versailles and the N12 heading west of Paris,
this exceptional park consists of a vast map of France covering 5 hectares that you explore on foot,
admiring some 160 of the country’s major monuments reduced to 1/30 scale.
Aquaboulevard Situated in the Rue Louis Armand this is the biggest Water Park in Europe: 7000 m≈
dedicated to relaxation, getting away from it all and fun. Tropical surroundings: air and water at 29°C all
year round. 10 giant waterslides, wave pools, jacuzzis, outdoor beach, contraflow water courses and lots
of other water play equipment. Also on the site, a 14 screen cinema complex, 7 restaurants, the Forest Hill
club - Europe’s largest fitness club, 1000 m≈ sports store, play area.
Jardin d’Acclimatation Located in the Bois de Boulogne, the best known outdoor leisure area in Paris, this
garden has a host of attractions to amuse children, radio-controlled boats, mini-cars, a puppet show, hall
of mirrors mini-farm and circus. www.paris.org, www.parisinfo.com
Nord/Pas de Calais
An area only two hours from Paris, London or Brussels, with 120 kilometres of fine sandy beaches, sand
dunes and cliffs that stretch along the Côte d’Opale from Calais to Berck-sur-Mer. Along the way there
are charming fishing villages to visit like Audresselles or Wissant as well as famous seaside resorts with
their Anglo-Norman style villas like Wimereux, Hardelot or Le Touquet Paris-Plage. They have managed
to preserve all the charm of their original turn-of-the century architectural styles. It is an area that can be
visited on foot or by bicycle – there are over 58 new cycle routes in the Pas-de-Calais.
The bourgeois towns of Béthune and Arras are steeped in Flemish with a little Spanish influence
and mark out the limits of a vast territory which covers the Artois plains, the coal mining country
and agricultural villages. This land lived through the bitter World War I and today hundreds of small
cemeteries and white crosses stand as souvenirs to the fierce fighting which took place in the area.
Dunkerque, which literally means the church of the dunes is situated in the Nord region about 35
minutes from Calais via
the toll-free A16. It was originally established in about 800
Calais
AD as a small fishing village and because of its strategic
position has been fought over by the French, Spanish,
English and Dutch. Dunkerque was the scene of Operation
Dynamo in May-June 1940 and was also the last French
town liberated on 10th May 1945. Today it is France’s third
largest port, a dynamic city which looks out onto the
busiest shipping lanes in Europe. As the busiest port in
Europe, Calais has a legitimate claim to the title “Gateway
to Europe”. The Romans, Spanish, English and Germans
have all taken Calais at various times throughout history.
The most recent invasion was of course during World
War II when the town was under German occupation.
The main shopping streets in Calais are the Boulevards
Jacquard and Lafayette as well as the Rue Royale. The War
Museum is well worth a visit.
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Grand Site National des Caps: Cap Gris Nez and Cap Blanc-Nez. - these two immense cliffs offer
magnificent views over the busiest navigation channel in the world. On a clear day you can even catch
sight of the British coastline (just 34kms away), as well as the flotilla of “flobarts” (local fishing boats),
trawlers, pleasure boats and car ferries, that bob up and down on the sea.
In Roman times Boulogne was the shortest route to England. The harbour is full of fishing vessels and the
charming old town perched on a hill, has cobbled streets, ramparts, a beautiful cathedral and a superb
château museum.. The old town is good for gifts and restaurants while fresh fish is sold every day on the
Quayside Boulevard Gambetta. Apart from a large variety of museums, Boulogne also boasts the famous
Nausicaa - France’s National Sea Centre. It has become an international landmark with an amazing
high-tech exhibition including a shark ring, touch tank and sea lion area with particular emphasis on sea
management and the importance of ecology.
Le Touquet is a chic seaside resort, nicknamed Paris-Plage or Paris-by-the-sea. It was built in the 1920’s
when it was a choice of destination for the British aristocracy and wealthy Parisians. The celebrated
Westminster Hotel has an impressive photographic gallery which records visits of famous stars like
Sean Connery amd Marlene Dietrich. Today the resort offers an enormous number of sporting activities
including golf, horse-riding, sand yachting and tennis. Attractions include Aqualud - an indoor and
outdoor leisure pool with waves giant waterslide, rivers, jacuzzi and sauna and two white-knuckle rides
The Black Hole and The Twister ; Thalgotherapy Centre and Thalassatherapy Centre; and two 18-hole golf
courses. Nearby, Merlimont offers the Bagatelle Amusement Park, the oldest fun park in France which
was opened in 1956. It still offers plenty of attractions for all the family including the “Raft” which sweeps
you around in a twister of water and the “Coléoz Arbres” white knuckle ride, speeding high and low above
the trees. www.crt-nordpasdecalais.fr
Picardy
Picardie is the perfect destination for a short break - starting 45 miles south of Calais and going all the
way down to just above Paris, by Charles de Gaulle airport. It is a region of rolling wooded countryside
full of pretty little villages and lovely old towns like Amiens, Abbeville or Beauvais with their Gothic
architecture and traditional markets. Laon or Senlis, Chantilly or Soissons - they could really surprise you.
This is wonderful walking, riding, cycling and golfing country. In the 12th century, the forests of Picardie
were the hunting grounds of kings and prelates, and today they are hardly changed. Not only vast - just
short of one million acres - the woods and forests of Picardie are amazingly diverse, home to a remarkable
range of flowers and animals, notably many types of deer.
Wild boar still roam and trees can be centuries old.
Arromanches
The Picardie coast itself stretches for about 60kms.
Majestic white chalky cliffs mark the southern end of
the coastline, while to the north splendid sand dunes
border the beaches. The River Somme meets the sea
in the spectacular Baie de Somme, where the everchanging light has inspired artists such as Sisley, Degas
and Seurat. It is classified as one of the most beautiful
bays in the world and is home to France’s largest colony
of seals. Every effort has been made to safeguard these
endangered creatures and to allow them to survive in
their natural habitat. They will occasionally pop up for a
friendly glance at promenaders on the waterfront at SaintValery-sur-Somme. Also nearby you can visit the famous
Parc Marquenterre d’Ornithologie, a magnificent bird
sanctuary situated in the Baie de la Somme, full of wld
birds and amazing fauna. There are easy walks between
3km and 6km and you can explore its dunes, rabbit
warrens and marshes.
Compiègne is undoubtedly one of the most interesting
towns in Picardy. While the town and nearby forest are best known for the signing of the Armistice in
1918, the château and vintage car museum are also worth visiting. There are countless British and Allied
memorials and cemeteries throughout the area, together with some French ones. The many graves
provide an emotional testimony to those who died during the horrors of the two World Wars. A tour of
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the Somme battlefields should start with the fascinating World War I museum built into the old ramparts
at Péronne - the Historial de la Grande Guerre. The museum presents a careful analysis of the events
leading to the Great War, and depicts the impact of the war on the lives of ordinary people too. Material
on display represents all the key actors in the conflict with special emphasis on the British and the
Commonwealth.
There is also a film show at the Historial which gives a personal account of the true life of a young British
soldier. The Musée des Abris-Somme 1916, in Albert, must not be missed. The town was the refuge of
the British rearguard and the museum is located in a tunnel which was converted into an air raid shelter
in 1939. The museum recreates the life of the Tommy in the trenches in the July 1916 German offensive.
From there, too, you can start your visit to the surrounding numerous war memorials and cemeteries.
These include the British memorial at Thiepval and the Canadian one at Beaumont-Hamel. The impressive
memorial at Vimy is a moving tribute to the 17,000 Canadians who died here in 1917. Nearby, the
old trenches provide a chilling reminder of the front lines. Notre-Dame de Lorette is the main French
cemetery with more than 20,000 graves from the First World War. Bellicourt, situated just north of St.
Quentin, is an American memorial with a cemetery in the nearby village of Bony. An excellent and fully
self-explanatory booklet is available in English with brief descriptions so you can select how much you
wish to see of the monuments and battlefields of the Somme.
The Aisne department is one of the undiscovered corners of France, tucked away in the southern half of
Picardy, a place people hurry past on their way to Paris or Champagne. The villages are small and full of
flowers, the hilltop town of Laon resembles somewhere in Provence, and the rivers wind gently through
the valleys.
www.picardy.org
www.picardie.fr
Champagne
In Reims there are actually 250 kms of wine cellars and most of the well known Champagne houses
offer tours. Epernay is famous for the high quality champagne produced in the region. Guided tours and
tastings are organised in all the large champagne houses. Troyes is a ‘City of Arts’, with many restored
half-timbered houses in narrow picturesque streets. The best area to explore the old alleyways and streets
is around the rue Champeaux. Joinville typifies a Champagne village, with a 16th century castle, the
‘Château du Grand Jardin’. The old town of Langres has a 12th century cathedral, which has been rebuilt
and renovated many times. It is pleasant to take a walk along the town walls, where it is possible to visit
two of the towers.
Reims
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Honfleur
Normandy
This region is as large as Belgium offering over 400 miles
of magnificent coastline and a wealth of wonderful sights
and scenery, unfortunately often forgotten by the tourist
as he makes his way southwards from one of its four major
Channel ports. These are Dieppe, Cherbourg, Le Havre,
and Caen (or Ouistreham).
History It was William, Duke of Normandy who set
sail in 1066 to claim his inheritance to the English
throne and establish what was to become an enduring
Norman influence on English life. Almost 400 years later,
Normandy, by then part of the Kingdom of France, fell
under English rule and despite the execution in Rouen of
Joan of Arc, followers of the “Maid of Orléans” succeeded
in driving the English back across the Channel. The
British returned to Normandy just over 60 years ago
under very different circumstances. In 1944 the Allied
Forces succeeded in tricking Hitler to defend the Calais
area against invasion while launching one of the largest
waterborne assaults on the Beaches of Normandy.
Between D-Day on June 6th and August 21st, the Allied Forces managed to push the occupying troops
out of Normandy and thus created the “Liberty Way” which stretched right through to the Ardennes.
Some of the most tourist spots are listed below.
Honfleur is a delightful little fishing port and yachting harbour where a stroll down the narrow streets
allows the visitor to view the old timber-framed Norman houses with slate roofs. These were once the
homes of famous French people including the poet Charles Baudelaire, the humorist Alphonse Allais and
the composer Erik Satie. Honfleur’s beauty also captivated many an impressionist painter such as Eugene
Boudin, Monet and Courbet who also painted the verdant pastures of the Auge area just outside the
town.
www.ot-honfleur.com
Deauville, Trouville and Cabourg have all become fashionable holiday resorts. Indeed Deauville has all
the trappings of a top international resort, famous for racing, regattas and car rallies. It is full of grand
hotels, chic restaurants and fashion houses. Its sense of style and elegance appeals greatly to the British
jet set including the British royal family. www.deauville.org Trouville lies just across the river - it is a far
more traditional resort but still worthy of a visit.
Pont l’Evêque - many of its houses were lost during the last war but it still has some points of interest. In
particular, the main street is an excellent example of medieval France. The town’s greatest claim to fame is
its distinctive cheese and the Calvados distillery, which is worth a visit.
Bayeux, has an exceptional architectural heritage including streets lined with attractive, slate-rooved old
houses, and a magnificent cathedral. It owes its fame, of course, to the unique Bayeux Tapestry. This is
actually an embroidery in wool on a background of linen 230 feet long and 20 inches high (70m x 0.5m).
It is a pictorial account of the events leading up to the military invasion of England and the expedition led
by William, duke of Normandy. The tapestry can be viewed every day except Christmas and New Year with
an audio-guided tour in 6 languages including English.
www.bayeux-tourism.com. Due west of the port of Ouistreham stretching round to Carentan are the
famous D-Day Landing Beaches. Those involved in the victory on 6th June 1944 will never forget the
sorrows and triumphs of Operation Overlord carried out under the supervision of Generals Eisenhower
and Montgomery. Airborne divisions landed at the two extreme limits of the invasion front Ste Mère
l’Eglise and Bénouville. Meanwhile beach-heads were established in the Anglo-Canadian sector under the
names of Gold, Juno and Sword Beach and in the American sector under those of Omaha Beach and Utah
Beach. Visitors to these beaches can now see monuments erected in commemoration of those events
as well as War Museums and Military Cemeteries nearby. Just south of Ouistreham is Pegasus Bridge
at Benouville, the permanent site of the airborne troops’ museum. On an inland cliff, north of Caen, a
magnifcent museum called the Caen Memorial Museum has been built as a tribute and symbol of hope
for future peace. Le Memorial de Paix uses modern, audiovisual and computer technology to tell the story
of World War I, the dark years leading to World War II, and features the D-Day landings and the decisive
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battle of Normandy. One very moving audio-visual presentation shows simultaneous and stunning
archive films of Allied preparations before Operation Overlord. It also has an excellent website : www.
memorial-caen.fr
Le Mont-Saint-Michel and its Baie are among the modern wonders of the world. Both of them are on
the Natural and Cultural World Heritage list drawn up by UNESCO. They form one of our great classified
beauty spots because of their architecture, the natural beauty of their setting and their legends. No
matter which direction you choose, Mont St. Michel will be visible long before you arrive, giving early
warning of the imposing presence the ancient mount enjoys. Standing almost 150 metres above sea
level, the steep winding street leads eventually, and after many steps, to the Gothic Abbey. If you intend
to visit the abbey, it is a good idea to buy your tickets at the bottom of the mount - just after passing
through the main gate. Even for the less energetic a stroll along the ramparts affords spectacular views. It
is also a spot where the visitor can witness the strongest tides in Europe. During the highest tides, there is
a difference of almost 50 ft. between the ebb and flow, the
height of a fivestorey building.
Douarnenez
www.normandy-tourism.org
Brittany
A long peninsula on the western edge of Europe ,Brittany
is intimately linked to the sea and has been shaped by
the swells of the ocean and the weather. The coastline
is made up of hundreds of headlands, bays, coves and
inlets. The north has been endowed with a magnificent,
hard jagged coastline with dramatic views. The south has
been blessed with a mild climate vast sandy beaches and
hundreds of islands making it a sailor’s paradise. Inland
the lush green countryside is criss-crossed with woods,
lakes, rivers and hills. It is also a province full of traditions
and folklore. Many signs are bi-lingual, posted in Breton,
a language which has stong affiliations with Welsh, as
well as in French. The seafood of the region is wonderful
- mussels, oysters, prawns, langoustines etc. can be found
in abundance in the markets and the numerous seafood
restaurants and should be washed down with a glass
or two of Muscadet, the delicious dry white wine produced by the neighbouring Loire region. Another
splendid speciality not to be missed is the Breton pancake. When made with salt and buckwheat flour
and filled with cheese, bacon or any other savoury content, it is called a galette. The sweet version made
with white flour and served with sugar, jam, fruit and cream fillings is called a crêpe and both can be
sampled in one of the many crêperies.
The picturesque Côte d’Emeraude coastline in the north stretches from Dinard round to Mont St. Michel
and offers an enormous variety in its short length ranging from fine sandy beaches to rocky outcrops.
Dinard is a fashionable resort with a fine sheltered beach of golden sand, full of good restaurants and
a good night life particularly well known for its upmarket casino. It looks across the estuary of the River
Rance to St. Malo, a medieval walled city with restaurant-lined squares and narrow, cobbled streets
as well as a large fishing port. The popular resort of St. Cast has one of the largest sandy beaches in
Brittany. Dinan, which is down river from St. Malo, is another ancient walled town, dominated by a castle
overlooking the Rance. Wander through the animated old cobbled streets, and along the ramparts to
appreciate its medieval charm.Its most picturesque street is the Rue d’Horloge with a belfry and houses
dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries.
Combourg is a lakeside town dominated by an imposing feudal castle. Dol de Bretagne is a charming
market town with quaint streets and shops dominated by an imposing 13th century granite cathedral
which offers magnificent views from its tower.
Perros-Guirec and Tregastel are two busy seaside resorts on the Pink Granite coast renowned for its
amazing rock formations. Brest is both a great naval port and one of Brittany’s most important towns.
Sights include the castle, the naval museum, and Océanopolis, an Ocean Discovery Park, ideal for the
whole family.
Lac de Guerlédan is considered one of Brittany’s finest sights and also a good spot for walking and
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watersports.
The dramatic Point du Raz, is just about the most westerly point of mainland France. The western area of
Brittany called Finistère Between here and the Baie of Douarnenez are some of the most impressive rocks
and cliffs in Brittany. There are a number of old towns to explore in the Finistère, the western region.
Morlaix, characterised not only by its half-timbered houses but also by its massive two-storey railway
viaduct which towers 60 metres over the riverside below. Bénodet is a small picturesque resort popular
with the British. It is a lively resort which offers a good selection of cafes and shops. It has an attractive
wooded setting at the mouth of the Odet river and the best view of the town is from the Pont de
Cornouaille spanning the Odet behind the resort or from the pretty little village of Sainte Marine where
you can enjoy a drink or a crêpe in one of the bars overlooking the river mouth. Locronan a “Petite cité
de caractère” is a major tourist attraction. It is lined with granite stone houses, has a medieval church with
fine wood carvings, a perfectly preserved Renaissance square and a wide variety of local crafts.
Concarneau 20km to the east is still an important fishing port, its most important feature being the
ancient ramparts. Pont Aven, a delightful old port at the mouth of the Aven river is famous as the town of
artists and is full of pretty little art galleries.
Quimper built on the banks of the River Odet,the former capital of Cornouaille and now the
administrative centre of Finistère is still a focal point of traditional Breton culture and hosts to the annual
Festival de Cornouaille (week preceding the fourth Sunday in July). The town is centred around the
splendid twin-spired St Corentin cathedral which dates from the 13th century. It faces the old town with
its streets which still keep their medieval names and are full of shops, restaurants and bars. Southern
Brittany is renowned for its clement climate and all its offshore islands making it the perfect spot for the
keen sailor. La Trinité, although still a thriving fishing port is one of Brittany’s most popular marinas. The
town has a network of pretty streets and is quite charming. One of the most notable attractions of the
region is Carnac, famous not only for its beaches but more importantly for the thousands of standing
stones or megaliths arranged in alignements to the north of the town. Auray offers a contrast between its
charming medieval buildings, especially narrow streets and alleys and the active commercial atmosphere
derived from oyster breeding, tourism and pleasure boating. The old city of Vannes, the ancient Breton
capital is dominated by imposing ramparts and 15th century halftimbered houses. The 14th century
château in Josselin with its four pepperpot towers is one of the the most beautiful in Brittany standing
on the banks of the river and housing a lovely collection of antique dolls. The principal attraction of La
Baule is the 5km curve of excellent beach, the largest in Europe, which offers great facilities ranging from
windsurfing and sailing to well-equipped children’s clubs. Behind the seafront tree-lined avenues house
attractive old but very smart hotels as well as upmarket shops, lively cafes and restaurants, all creating a
vibrant animated atmosphere. Le Croisic just north of La Baule is a busy little fishing and sailing harbour
and an excellent place to sample locally raised oysters and shellfish. Further north Guérande on the edge
of Parc Naturel de Brière is a perfectly preserved medieval town with magnificent walls and tiny cobbled
streets full of craft shops, creperies and cafes. Penestin, Piriac and La Turballe are all worth a visit. Southeast of La Baule, a trip across the splendid Pont St. Nazaire, which connects Brittany to the Vendee is
highly recommended.
www.brittanytourism.com
Pointe des Saumonards
Vendée and Atlantic Islands
A region of sun, sea and sand which offers over 200km
of flat almost unspoilt coastline interspersed with fishing
ports, marinas and lively resorts. It is renowned as one of
the sunniest Atlantic coastlines and for the safety of its
long sandy beaches. The coastline stretches from the area
near Pornic in the north to Aiguillon sur Mer just below La
Tranche in the south. Inland is a flat, marshy area crisscrossed with canals and rich in fertile pastureland, similar
in appearance to the fenland regions of East Anglia. Here
and there brilliant white cottages “bourrines” show up as
bright splashes in the vast landscape and the countryside
is dotted with windmills. The Vendée is also home to two
of France’s famous dry white wines Muscadet and Gros
Plant Nantais, which perfectly complement the many
delicious sea-food dishes. It is great cycling country with
numerous signed bicycle routes.
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Pornic is a very attractive fishing town with many old streets and a busy harbour front. as well as a
yachting marina. The 13th-century château dominates the town.
St Jean de Monts - the old town is separated from the sea by wooded dunes but has expanded for 3km
along the immense beach of fine sand to become one of the main modern seaside resorts of this area. It
is not renowned for the beauty of its architecture but does boast good well laid out access roads. Parking
for the beaches here usually poses no problem.
St. Gilles-Croix-de-Vie (With St. Hilaire de Riez forms the built up area of Havre de Vie). There are two
beaches, one of either side of the inlet of the Vie, the Grand Plage of St. Gilles and the plage de Boisvinet.
To the right of the river lies one of the oldest fishing ports of the coast, home to over 200 boats including
many tuna vessels. The 16th/17th century church in St. Gilles boasts a fine stained-glass window.
Jard-sur-Mer offers a port, two beaches, a forest of large pinetrees and just outside along the coast road
the famous Monastery of Notre Dame de Lieu-Dieu founded by Richard Lion Heart, King of England and
Duke of Aquitaine.
La Tranche-sur-Mer is an attractive tourist resort renowned for its splendid beaches.
L’Aiguillon-sur-Mer and La Faute-sur-Mer are famous for the cultivation of oysters and mussels.
This little island of Ile d’Yeu has a very impressive coastline, picturesque little villages and an imposing
castle. The island of Ile de Ré is steeped in tradition, with its picturesque villages of whitewashed stone.
There is a toll-bridge joining the island to the mainland. Ile d’Oléron is a very popular holiday spot,
accessible via a bridge. France’s second largest island (after Corsica), the main industry is oyster farming,
with many oyster beds on the east coast. The western sandy coast has a wealth of superb beaches.
Château d’Oléron, now the island’s chief port, has remains of its 17th century citadel and ramparts.
There are several places of interest to visit inland including the château and car museum in Talmont St
Hilaire, the Château of La Guignardière near Avrillé, the Château d’Apremont, the pretty little town of
Coex amd most important of all Le Puy du Fou. This is an enormous recreational park situated between
65km and 80km from the coast in direction of Cholet and we highly recommend taking a day away from
the beach or swimming pool to visit it. Set in the grounds of a magnificent Renaissance castle, the park
offers a combination of culture, history and ecology. Open: 10 am - 7 pm on selected days at the end of
April, May, June and September and daily throughout July and August. You can witness a superb display
of falconry and admire the beauty of these birds of prey in flight. A marvellous display of horsemanship
can be seen near the castle walls and in the reconstructed 18th century not only do the artisans proudly
display their skils, but musicians in traditional dress sing and play old tunes on the instruments of the
olden days. You will also be able to hear a 21-bell clarillon, unique in France. The surrounding fields and
woods offer musical fountains, valleys of flowers and ancient breeds of animals. You can also watch
a display where you are taken back to time of the Vikings to the year 1,000. On Friday and Saturday
evenings only, a spectacular and quite unique Cinescenic Show is staged. It is presented by local people
involving 1,000 actors, 50 horsemen, 300 fireworks, over 1,500 spotlights and the best fountains in
Europe. It is a 90 minute extravaganza of the most stunning special effects. It is essential to check the
exact dates of the shows on the Puy du Fou website. www.puydufou.com.
Two water parks worth a visit are :
- Atlantic Toboggan at St Hilaire-de-Riez is a good day out for the whole family. It offers a variety of
activities from a selection of waterslides to a lake for pedaloes. There is a children’s pool and main pool for
swimming, a wave machine, jacuzzi and waterfall. There is also a mini-golf, an adventure park and indoor
games room.
- Parc d’Attractions des Dunes at Brem-sur-Mer. There are a variety of attractions on offer ranging from
waterslides, pedalo hire, children’s play area, pedal carts, superb mini-golf and a ball pond. This park is
particularly suitable for younger children.
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Puy de Foy
Charente Maritime
This is an area renowned for its clement climate, delightful
beaches, and coastal fortifications once designed to
keep the British at bay. Away from the seaside resorts
and towns the region is full of vineyards. The grapes are
used to make the famous cognac, Pineau de Charentes, a
delicious local aperitif and of course a variety of white and
red wines to complement the oyster and mussel dishes
which are highly recommended. The islands off the coast
are also worth a visit.
Marennes is a world renowned oyster farming capital,
opposite Ile d’ Oléron. Due to its geographical location,
the town has focused its efforts primarily on developing
the tourist trade, but it has succeeded in preserving
its historical significance, with a number of prestigious
monuments spared by the wars.
St. Palais-sur-Mer located on the Côte de Beauté at the
mouth of the Gironde River is a coastal resort which gives
access to 4.5km of fine sandy beaches. These beaches
offer sheltered coves, sand dunes, panoramic viewpoints
and legendary rock formations - like Le Point du Diable, La Roche au Moine and Le Puits de l’Auture.
At the heart of the town there is a protected pedestrian area called Le Parc de Loisirs du Marais du Rha
where a large area of lawns and trees surround a lake. Here you can take a gentle stroll and enjoy a
leisurely picnic or participate in one of the following activities in the park: fishing, tennis, table-tennis,
minigolf and French “boules”.
Royan slightly south of St. Palais is the largest and most modern of the seaside resorts along this Charente
coastline, the best feature being its beaches, which are well-supervised with coastguards constantly
on the look-out. It is good for all types of watersports, including windsurfing and sailing. The attractive
promenade behind the town beach houses many of the town’s hotels and the wide treelined boulevards
behind Royan’s excellent main beach offer a good selection of shops. There is also a large outdoor and
indoor daily market nearby. Royan has lots of open-air restaurants and cafés along the seafront many
specialising in seafood. It also offers a good nightlife. The 1950’s cathedral is the town’s top tourist feature
- a triumph of reinforced concrete which is visible from almost every street
corner, but some of the newer parts of the town are not particularly attractive.
Another tourist attraction is the large open-plan Zoo at La Palmyre situated about 16 km north of Royan.
Further north still are the beaches of La Grande Côte and La Côte Sauvage, renowned for their long
stretches of sand, backed by dunes and swathes of towering pine trees called La Fôret de la Courbre. It
is, however, an area where you need to take care if swimming, as there can be a very strong undertow in
the sea at times; this is indicated by a red flag flying on the beach and should not be ignored. It may look
relatively calm, but every year accidents are reported because the warnings have not been respected.
La Rochelle is a town dominated by a pair of medieval towers called La Tour St. Nicolas and La Tour de
la Chaine. A lively market right on the quayside has an interesting easy-going atmosphere and there are
splendid Renaissance town houses and quaint, narrow, cobbled streets.
Cognac about 60km from Royan is situated on the Charente river and along its riverbanks some of the
world’s most famous cognac distilleries are to be found. Tours of the distilleries round the cellars and
warehouses appeal to many tourists. www.cognac.fr
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Biarritz
The South West: Gironde, Landes and
Pyrénées Atlantique
A region of wide open spaces renowned for its ocean,
forests, vineyards, lakes and mountains. Together with
the Dordogne and the Lot-et-Garonne, it is an area
collectively known as the Aquitaine. It stretches from the
Gironde estuary and Bordeaux in the north to Biarritz and
the Pyrénées mountains in the south. Surfers will enjoy
the impressive Atlantic breakers which pound the coast
while the lagoons and lakes are a paradise for watersports
enthusiasts particularly windsurfers and yachtsmen.
Bordeaux is a bustling port with extensive shopping
centres. There are ample architectural memorials
to various ages of Bordeaux’s power - a Roman
amphitheatre, the vast Gothic cathedral of St. André, and
the old quarter of St. Pierre. The ‘Place de la Comédie’ is
one of the most elegant squares in Europe. Next door is
the celebrated ‘Vinothèque’, which sells an enormous.
range of Bordeaux wines.
Bassin d’Arcachon is like a vast indentation in the pine
forest and has the air of a lagoon. It is subject to the tides, and is protected from the winds by the Cap
Ferret headland. The “bassin” owes its unique character to the endless sandbanks uncovered at low tide.
Arcachon resort dates from the period of Napolean III and still remains popular at the beginning of the
21st century - summer visitors flock to the many sports and cultural events as well as enjoying sailing
from the marina. There are over 10 kilometres of sandy beaches leading up to the Dune du Pyla which
is the highest sand dune in Europe: 2.7kms long, 500m wide and 104m high. As there is no vegetation
covering the dune, its shape is continually changing. There are two ways to reach the summit, either an
arduous walk up the sand or to climb the 190 steps. It is certainly worth the effort to witness the views,
especially the western horizon at sunset.
Mont de Marsan, the capital of the Landes is surrounded by countryside and forests and not far from
either the sea or the hills of Armagnac. It was a major centre from medieval times until the French
Revolution.
Dax to the south-west is famous for the curative properties of its hot springs and mud baths. The historic
city, first founded by the Romans, is the largest spa in France.
Bayonne is right on the borders of the Landes and Basque country and has a long tradition as a port.
There is a wealth of medieval architecture demonstrating both Gascon and Basque influences.
Biarritz is a beautifully elegant town , famed for its hortensia flowers and attractive promenades along
the cliffs, in particular the one starting from the Grand Plage, around the Rocher de la Vierge to the
southern beaches. This is the surfing centre of France and probably Europe. It also has 4 golf courses
within a 15km radius of the town.
Saint Jean-de-Luz is not only a picturesque fishing port but also one of the most fashionable and
cosmopolitan resorts in France. It has a medieval background and evidence of Spanish and Moorish
influence. Its beautiful white houses contrast with the green slopes of the Basque mountains and the
magnificent bay is surrounded by beaches and protected by dykes.
Oloron Sainte Marie, a typical Haut Béarn town just a few miles inland was an important stopping place
on the Road to Santiago de Compostella. The old wool-washers’ houses are reflected in the rivers while
the Cathédrale de Sainte Marie was built by the returning crusaders.
Pau, the capital of the Béarn province and now a university town is the most elegant of the towns and
cities that overlook the Pyrénées The 19th century castle stands at the western end of the magnificent
Boulevard des Pyrénéesand offers superb views towards the mountains. St Jean Pied de Port is an ancient
town with many 16th century buildings and is used as a stopping place for pilgrims on their way to Spain.
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Loches
Loire
The châteaux of the Loire are the main attraction of the
area, but it is unlikely that the visitor would want to see
more than a few of these beautiful stately buildings at one
time. The valley is very attractive in its own right and offers
beautiful scenery, fine food and local wines and history
which predates the châteaux . It is a very flat region and
great for cycling, even for novices.
The Loire river rises in the departement of the Ardèche
and flows for more than 1,000 km before it reaches the
Atlantic between Southern Brittany and the Vendée.
However, it is only the stretch of about 200 km between
Angers and Orléans that is generally thought of as the
Loire Valley.
Chambord is the best known and perhaps the most
fascinating of the châteaux of the Loire. It is the largest
of the Renaissance palaces, built at the beginning of the
16th Century in an extensive park. From a distance the
building looks quite symmetrical but once closer the
visitor can appreciate that 800 capitals and 365 towers,
spires and turrets on each side are completely different. The exterior is intricate and impressive and the
interior cavernous.
Amboise château dates from the middle ages and occupies a strategic postion looking over one of the
few bridges over the river. Blois is one of the symbols of French Renaissance art. Chaumont overlooks
the Loire and is surrounded by a beautiful English-style park designed in the 19th century. Chenonceau
has five elegant arches, which span the river Cher and is a fine example of graceful architecture in a
sumptuous setting. Built in the classical style of the 17th century and set in a large park, Cheverny could
be described as an elegant country mansion. Three châteaux between Tours and Saumur are definitely
worth a visit: Aizay Le Rideau built on an island in the middle of the Indre, Château d’Ussé also called the
Castle of the Sleeping Beauty and Villandry renowned for the elegance of its Renaissance architecture
and magnificent gardens. Chinon is an impressive ruin and powerful medieval stronghold towering over
the old town and river Vienne. century keep. Langeais has a forbidding exterior but elegant, beautifully
furnished apartments. Loches has one of the most celebrated X1th century fortresses with impressive
dungeons and extensive ramparts. The attractive little château of Montreuil- Bellay stands surrounded
by ramparts, towers and moats.
One of the oldest towns of the Loire Valley is Saumur and its château one of the best known. The old
quarter is grouped round the riverbank beneath the château. Doué-la-Fontaine, a pleasant small town is
famous for its roses and troglodyte dwellings, particularly those at Rochemenier. There is also a good zoo.
Fontevraud was once one of the wealthiest abbeys in France and is where Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine
and Richard the Lionheart are buried. Angers has a large, medieval ‘château fort’. Tours is one of the
oldest cities in France and capital of the central Loire and is now a busy modern city. The old medieval
town with its narrow streets, half-timbered houses and 18th century ‘hôtels’, surrounds the cathedral. The
‘Tour de Guise’ is all that remains of the 12th century fortress. The ‘Pavillon de Mars’ houses a fascinating
waxworks museum, which traces the highlights of Touraine’s history.
For a different view of one or more of the châteaux, visit an evening Son-et-Lumière show. These take
place regularly through the season at Azay-le-Rideau, Blois, Chambord and Chenonceau and during July
and August at Amboise and Loches.
If you want to see something of the late 20th and 21st century for a change, a full day visit to
FUTUROSCOPE, a technological theme park on the A10/N10 some 80 km south of Tours and just north
of Poitiers, is highly recommended. The site is full of permanent exhibitions and fascinating film show
experiences. Do not miss the sound and light show staged every evening at about 10pm from the first
Saturday in April until the end of August.Further information about Futuroscope can be found on www.
futuroscope.com which also details opening dates and times.
The Loire Valley produces some of the best known French wines including the ‘rosés d’Anjou’. It is possible
to taste the wines both at the houses of the ‘vignerons’ (the small local producers) and at the ‘caves’,
the wine cellars run by growers’ co-operatives or the larger commercial firms. The sparkling wines from
Saumur are a highly respected alternative to champagne.
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Domme
Dordogne
The Dordogne is located in south-west France, most of it
in the Aquitaine basin. with the north-east bordering on
the Massif Central. It is the third largest “département” in
France and the chief town is Périgueux. The countryside in
the north is a delightful combination of rests, meadows,
streams and lakes. Nontron overlooking the gorges de
Bandiat has attractive ramparts and old streets. Brantôme
is famous for its magnificent Benedictine Abbey
overlooking the Dronne river.
The two main towns of the central Dordogne are Sarlat
and Les Eyzies-de-Tayac. Much of the charm of Sarlat lies
in its narrow streets, secluded courtyards and old stone
buildings. The protected town centre offers remarkable
architecture like the Maison de la Boetie, the cathedral, la
Chapelle des Penitents Blancs and la Lanterne des Morts.
The layout of the town lends itself to street entertainment
and shows in July and August.
Les Eyzies is one of the leading world centres of
prehistory and occupies a pleasant position surrounded by green-topped cliffs, at the confluence of the
Beune and the Vézère. Souillac is renowned for its Byzantine style former abbey church. Rocamadour,
whilst rather touristy, is regarded as the jewel of the Dordogne, clinging dramatically to an almost vertical
150 metre cliff. The fascinating ecclesiastical city, dominated by the castle, gives those who climb up
its steps (more than 140!!) an unforgettable panorama. La Roque-Gageac is certainly one of the most
beautiful villages in France with picturesque houses and alleys on the cliffs of the Dordogne. Limeuil
occupies a unique and important defensive position overlooking the confluence of the Dordogne and
Vézère rivers and is a great spot for canoeing and swimming. Along the Dordogne river there are also
many beautiful châteaux. Les Milandes is a beautiful white Renaissance dwelling with terraces and
gardens looking down towards the Dordogne. Beynac towers over the attractive riverside village, offering
magnificent views of the Dordogne valley. Castelnaud was once a ruin, but is now largely restored and
is home to an excellent Museum of Medieval Warfare. The 17th-century château of Veyrignac has been
carefully restored since it’s burning during the Second World War. Castelnau-Bretenoux is undoubtedly
one of the region’s great castles and a fine example of medieval military architecture. Biron is another
of the great ‘châteaux forts’ of the region.and Monpazier is one of the oldest bastide towns in Europe
renowned for its wonderful main square.
The Dordogne is not only famous for its wonderful range of châteaux but also all its fascinating variety
of caves. La Grotte de Lascaux II, La Grotte de Font-de-Gaume and La Gouffre de Padirac are among
those worth a visit. The region is renowned for its wonderful gastronomy. The cuisine is rich and delicious,
specialising in “confits” of goose, duck and rabbit, where the dish is cooked in its own fat. “Pâté de foie
gras” is the main delicacy of the region, Other items on their menus are “rillettes” which are small pieces of
(or minced) goose or duck meat cooked and preserved in its own fat, and “gesier confit” which is gizzard
cooked and preserved in fat. Truffles, often dug out of the ground by pigs, are a prized garnish on many
dishes, although their enjoyment is largely a matter of taste. For dessert you may wish to try ‘clafoutis’, a
local flan decorated with plump black cherries or ‘Gâteau aux Noix’, a delicious walnut cake. Restaurants
need not be expensive and are not limited just to the towns. All meals can be washed down with a glass
of local Cahors or Bergerac wine and at very reasonable prices! To round off any meal, the region offers
a large range of fruit liqueurs. The most interesting of these are ‘Crème de Noix’, ‘Eau de Noix’ or ‘Brou de
Noix’, a delicious walnut liqueur.
Vosges and Jura
The Vosges mountains form the western edge of the Rhine rift valley and are separated from the Jura
Mountains to the south by the Belfort Gap. The hills and rich green country of the Vosges spread fanwise
across Eastern France. Visitors have an infinite number of walks to choose from along lush plains decked
with wild flowers or shady paths in the forests.
Epinal is the county town of the Vosges and provides a powerful link between plain and mountain. In the
10th Century it was a small stronghold, but is now a city with an attractive basilica. The spring waters of
the Vosges have given rise to numerous therapeutic 19
spas and health resorts such as Vittel, Contrexéville
and Plombières.
Lac de Chalain
Gérardmer, is the jewel of the Vosges, as it is dominated
by a lake and surrounded by forests, rivers, lakes and
waterfalls - it is also famous for its textile industry.
Belfort, built on both banks of the river Savoureuse is
renowned for its military history.
Besançon, the capital of Franche-Comté is set in a loop of
the river Doubs, and has much to see of interest.
In Dole there are many interesting old houses dating
from the 15th, 16th and 17th and lovely views of the old
town. Clairvaux-les-Lacs is a lovely little country town
surrounded by pine forests and two lakes.
Strasbourg is one of the largest and most attractive
cities in France and is a lively place dominated by a
red sandstone cathedral with beautiful stained glass
windows, tapestries and carvings. The old quarter, the best
preserved part of Strasbourg, seems untouched by the
20th century.
Colmar with pretty carved wooden houses in its old
quarter is a typically Alsatian town.
Mulhouse has the world’s largest car museum!This wonderful collection, built up by the Schlumpf
brothers, consists of more than 600 motor vehicles and 90 well-known makes. A unique 20,000 m≈ display
of cars to be discovered: Bugatti, Rolls Royce, Mercedes, Panhar, Levassor, ....
Two spots not to miss: Baume-les-Messieurs Caves, near Lons le Saunier are 30 million years old.
Located at the end of Baume-les-Messieurs’ Blind Valley, they open out on to 500 m of accessible
galleries enabling the visitor to explore (120m underground) 30 – 80 m high rooms with spectacular
lighting effects, rock formations and a beautiful waterfall at the cave entrance, Cascade du Hérisson – a
magnificent waterfall near Clairvaux-les-Lacs. Local specialities include la Fondue Comtoise made from
Comté’ cheese, dry Jura wine and a dash of Kirsch. The German influence is strong: Quiche Lorraine, Tarte à
l’Oignon -savoury onion tart and Choucroute Garnie, pickled cabbage cooked and garnished with various
meats and sausages. Strongly flavoured cheese from Munster is ranked as one of France’s greatest. The
Jura produces lovely rosé wines. Wines from Alsace include Riesling, Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc and Muscat
d’Alsace.
Burgundy
Burgundy’s natural riches and colourful history have
marked the region with some of the finest heritage of
European art and architecture. It is a beautiful fertile land,
whose wealth is nurtured by farmers, vinegrowers and
foresters. The reputation of the local cuisine is famous
throughout the world, while its wines are a byword for the
very best. However Burgundy is not reserved solely for
wine connoisseurs and lovers of art and architecture. The
visitor has a choice of activities as varied as the region’s
landscapes, lakes, canals and rivers including numerous
châteaux and beautiful towns.
Auxerre, is built on charming terraces overlooking the
River Yonne. The Gothic cathedral of St. Etienne dates from
the 13th Century. Nevers has been famous for pottery
since the 16th century and has many interesting streets
and buildings - the Cathedral, the Ducal Palace, ‘Porte du
Croux’ gateway and the St. Etienne church.
Beaune is renowned for the brilliantly coloured tiled
roofs of the Hôtel-Dieu which have come to symbolise
Burgundy throughout the world. No expense was spared in the building of this monument dating from
a time when the power of the Dukes of Burgundy extended as far afield as Flanders and the present-day
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Netherlands. When in Beaune it is essential to visit the ‘Musée du Vin’ and the former hôtel of the Dukes of
Burgundy to see the history and work of the vineyards and wine. South of Beaune is the ‘Archéodrome’, a
museum devoted to the early history of Burgundy with life-size models of Neolithic dwellings.
Cluny A single spire, at once elegant and robust, rises in the Burgundian sky – all that remains of what
was once the largest, mightiest and most influential abbey of the Middle Ages. In spite of the destruction
during the French Revolution there is still much to admire and learn from an exhaustive visit of Cluny and
the exploration of the many buildings representing the Cluny style. Many houses in the town’s historical
centre still bear some resemblance to their appearance when the Abbey was at its in its heyday.
Dijon The former Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy is the veritable heart of the ducal capital which is now
also the capital of an administrative region. It houses, along with the Town Hall, the Fine Arts Museum
(Musée des Beaux Arts), one of the great museums of Europe.
Chalon-sur-Saône is a major commercial and industrial centre offering a wide range of tourist attractions
ranging from Cathedral of Saint Vincent built in three stages from the 11th to 15th century to remarkable
houses in the old part of the town. The Musée Niepce is well known as a museum of early photography.
Mâcon The most southerly town in Burgundy, it is gateway to the south and the Saône river is nearly 300
metres wide here.
Although Meursault is only a small village, it is famous as a producer of one of the world’s finest white
wines. Things to see include the medieval church of St. Nicholas and the ‘Hôtel de Ville’, originally a
fortified country château. South of Beaune is the ‘Archéodrome’, a museum devoted to the early history of
Burgundy with life-size models of Neolithic dwellings.
Burgundians know how to use their local products to best effect. They have a genuine love of food, and
their reputation for cuisine and good wines is second to none. Burgundy’s range of culinary experiences
includes ordinary inns on the banks of a river, formula “assiette de pays”, offering the very best of local
cooking as well as many prestigious restaurants. Specialities include snails, cooked with parsley and garlic
butter, ‘jambon persillé’, ham with parsley, served up with the famous Dijon mustard and a selection
of gherkins and mixed pickles. Many dishes are, naturally, cooked in the local wine, notably ‘boeuf
bourguignon’.
The vineyards of Burgundy stretching from Dijon south to Santenay are amongst the world’s finest wine
producing regions. It is the most famous of Burgundy’s products and its best ambassador. Throughout the
province, from north to south, are prestigious appellations : Chablis, Coteaux de l’Auxerrois, Côtede- Nuits,
Côte-de-Beaune, Hautes Côtes, Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais, not forgetting the vineyards of Pouilly
sur Loire and Couchois.
Massif Central
Cantobre
Auvergne, Aveyron and Ardèche
Sculpted by fire, the Auvergne is the largest volcanic
region in Europe and has four volcanic massifs, the
youngest of which dates back 10,000 years. For the
enthusiast it is a veritable open-air geological exhibition.
The last volcanic eruption was some 5800 years ago. Lakes,
rivers, rapids and thermal springs - water is ever present in
the Auvergne, creating some unusual phenomena and the
region is renowned for its spa resorts, including ChaudesAigues, Vichy and Le Mont d’Oré at the foot of the Puy de
Sancy, the highest mountain in the Massif Central. Towns
worth visiting include St. Nectaire with its wonderful
cathedral like church, Le Puy-en-Velay, famous for its
coloured roofs, narrow streets and distinctly Italian air and
Issoire with its ancient Benedictine abbey.
The small town of Murol occupies a unique location in the
heart of the Auvergne mountains right by the magnificent
Lac Chambon. It has a delightful gothic style church
famed for its interior decoration and 12th century château.
Places to visit nearby include the Lake and the Chaudefour
valley with the Crête du Coq and Dent de la Rancune. Vulcania - a volcanic theme park, situated at SaintOurs-les-Roches, just off the road linking Clermont- Ferrand to Limoges. It covers an area of 57 hectares
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and is the first scientific exploration park designed for both young and old who wish to discover and
understand the fascinating universe of volcanoes and the earth sciences. Satellite images, moving models
and an audio visual show on a giant screen, a film ‘in relief’ and various simulations all help make it an
unforgettable visit.
The Aveyron is a magnificent region of breathtaking scenery where deep chasms in the valleys of the Tarn
and Dourbie were formed thousands of years ago. Many people visit the area for the canoeing, rafting and
hang-gliding. A canoe trip along the Tarn gorges is an unforgettable experience.
Millau in the heart of the Aveyron continues to be a shopping centre for leather goods and is also the
ideal base for numerous excursions either on foot or by car. It is also home to the amazing Viaduc de
Millau, designed by British architect Norman Foster. To visit the viewing point for this magnificent
structure, together with the visitors’s centre, leave the A75 motorway at sortie/exit 45.
From Millau you can drive along the valleys and see picturesque villages perched on the top of cliffs like
Peyreleau, Cantobre, Saint-Véran. In the centre of the Causse de Larzac, you will find La Couvertoirade, a
fantastic Knights Templar town encased in five-sided outer wall.
Montpellier-le-Vieux is a weird universe of amazing rock formations. Water and wind transformed the
grey rocks of the Causse Noir into a wonderful city which has now become the shelter for delicate flora.
You can walk on well signed footpaths or take the little green train that will lead you to the heart of this
imposing site.
Aven Armand, an extraordinary cave of stalcamites and stalactites, 75m deep, discovered one Sunday
afternoon in September 1897 by Louis Armand.
Roquefort, home of the famous blue-veined cheese, which offers a fascinating visit. This ewes-milk
cheese has been made here for centuries in huge caves where gigantic chimneys and air ducts allow the
slow penetration of saturated air.
Conques, a stopover on one of the four routes to Santiago de Compostella, is a delightful town that fits
snugly into the hillside known as the “conque” (from the latin “concha” : shell) when it was chosen as a
retreat from the oustide world by a hermit in the VIIth century.
The Ardèche Gorges remain one of the richest natural sites in Europe. It is a region of beautiful unspoilt
scenery, rushing rivers, dramatic gorges, wonderful lakes and cultural traditions ranging from prehistoric
times to the present day. The whole region lying west of the main autoroute to the Mediterranean, covers
a vast area from Annonay in the north right down to Vallon Pont d’Arc and Pont St Esprit in the south. Our
sites are all situated in the Southern Ardèche region, well-known for its Mediterranean climate, beautiful
riverside beaches and canoe-kayaking. The Ardèche is a favourite place for sporting holidays. Apart from
canoe-kayak, mountain biking, paragliding, climbing, potholing, or simply hiking, canyoning and caving
are also popular.
Le Pont d’Arc is a graceful natural arch over the river Ardèche, in the heart of the Ardèche gorge. Little
footpaths lead to its base where you will find spectacular scenic routes to explore over 19 miles of the
gorge. The modernised town of Vallon Pont d’Arc has plenty of bars and restaurants. The beautifully
positioned hilltop town of Largentière is worth a visit because of its lovely quaint local market and
interesting old quarter overlooked by a château. The old village of Labeaume is very picturesque with
houses merging almost totally into the rock face. Vogüé is dominated by a château, which is open for
visits in the afternoon. There are medieval streets to explore and a number of river beaches. There are also
several amazing caves to visit in the area including Aven d’Orgnac and Aven Grotte de la Forestière.
Midi-Pyrénées and Pyrénées
This region is one of the most varied in France, ranging from warm limestone plateaux to the snowy
peaks 170 miles south in the Pyrénées mountains. Dozens of medieval towns and fortified villages are
scattered along the hilltops and valleys. Many towns are “bastides”, built in the 12th and 13th centuries
in an orderly fashion around a central market place, often with shady stone-arched arcades. Richard the
Lionheart fought here and this area saw the only Crusade ever launched against a Western country, a
war in which Simon de Montfort tarnished the family name with the persecution of the Cathar “heretics”.
The region possesses a wealth of art from prehistoric wall-paintings to Romanesque cloisters. There is an
amazing collection of works by Toulouse-Lautrec in his native town of Albi. Midi-Pyrénées is also a region
of castles, thick-walled houses and rolling farmland with attractive old dovecots. It is an area renowned for
its foie gras, Roquefort cheese, and Armagnac. It is also a region of great contrast between rural Gascony,
the land of D’Artagnan, the musketeer, and the bustling city life of Toulouse, important aerospace centre,
university city and capital of the area. Toulouse also marks the start of the Canal du Midi, a world heritage
site linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.
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Towns to visit in the Midi-Pyrénées include the following:
Foix, famous for its 11th – 15th century castle.
Carcassonne (south west of Nimes, on the eastern edge
of Pyrénées region)This medieval walled Cité is one of the
most amazing sights in France. Seen from a distance it
looks almost like a model, dreamlike with its turrets and
castellations, too perfect to be real - a sight you will not
forget!
Auch (pronounced Osh) is the capital of Gascony in the
Gers département. This former Gallo-Roman city contains
a monumental staircase (370 steps) leading from the lower
to the upper town, where the visitor comes face to face
with a statue of the local hero D’Artagnan, the famous
musketeer.
La Romieu, an ancient walled town on the road to
Santiago de Compostella which has one architectural
gem, a 14th century collegiate church with a mysterious
past and rich Gothic paintings.
Condom, the town of seven churches and the former
Bishop’s Palace of Bossuet, where the 16th century
cathedral, flamboyant cloister and ancient town houses are of particular interest.
Lourdes Every year particularly during the summer months, Lourdes’ many ceremonies and processions
attract thousands of pilgrims. The most important place of pilgrimage is the Massabieille grotto where the
Virgin Mary appeared on 18 occasions to local peasant Bernadette Soubirous.
The Hautes Pyrénées offers a stunning variety of flaura and fauna. Hundreds of miles of paths run
through the park with refuges to accommodate hikers and mountaineers. They range from the 150km
GR10 path which links the Atlantic and the Mediterranean and runs through the park from East to West,
to 2-, 3- and 4- hour walks among the peaks, tarns, cirques and corries. Walkers will discover a wealth
of wildlife, pure mountain streams, magnificent beech and pine forests and above all glorious views
absolutely everywhere. Places of access to the mountains include Luz St Sauveur, Les Cauterets, Saint Lary
and Arrens-Marsous. It is also a superb area to go white-water rafting and canoeing.
The Cirque de Gavarnie is a magnificent glacial cirque, rising to over 4,000ft which has been scoured by
the ice into a near-perfect semi-circle. It can be reached via the village of Gavarnie, on foot, by donkey
or on horseback. The view on to the Cirque is splendid, steep rock, walls, snow capped peaks the great
waterfall reached by a signposted footpath. There is an impressive view from above this waterfall (420m),
which is the highest in Europe, over the waters of the ice-covered lake of Mont Perdu.
The Pic du Midi de Bigorre dominates the neighbouring peaks for miles around and is a protected
heritage site with an observatory on the peak.The site can be visited via le Col du Tourmalet either on foot
or using a cable car and offers unique views over the whole chain. The steep walk up the mountainside is
well signed and highly recommended.
The Road over the Passes Numerous passes in the Pyrénées are well known because of the “Tour de
France” bike race, including Aspin, Tourmalet, Peyresoude… These mountain roads that run from valley to
valley reveal an ever changing landscape at every bend. The Pic du Midi gives way to the Arbizon Massif.
You then overlook the valleys of the the Upper Adour, Aure and Louron with splendid panoramic views
from each pass.
Castellane
French Alps
Renowned for their glaciers, deep gorges, mountain passes and lakes, this area is a haven for tourism
both in winter and summer. It is a region of natural contrasts ranging from the magnificence and majesty
of the Mont Blanc massif to the solitude and unspoiled natural beauty of the nature reserves and the
pleasant green plains of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), Lac d’Annecy, Lac du Bourget and Lac d’Aiguebelette.
The mountain ranges rise majestically to a height of 4,800m. Mont Blanc is the highest peak in western
Europe. The region has an excellent road network system, fully maintained in all types of weather
conditions. Access to ski resorts is guaranteed at all times.
Walking A wide range of cross-country walks and alpine treksare on offer. The tour of Mont Blanc is
perhaps the best known trek in the region. However other lesser known trails cross the Chablais, Bornes
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and Aravis mountain ranges. Treks across Haute-Savoie’s
Grande Randonnée trails (G.R.s) enable hikers to discover
some of the region’s finest scenery. They avoid built-up
areas and link up with resting places and supply points
along the way. Country hikes across the valleys and plains
can take place from May onwards. Treks in the mediumrange mountains start in June and continue throughout
the season until late November. Always ask for advice
at the tourist offices to check on the accessibility of the
footpaths and check the weather forecast before setting
off as there are three levels of difficulty.
Lac d’Annecy is reputedly France’s most beautiful lake
and Europe’s purest. The town of Annecy, at the north
end of the lake, is full of narrow streets and has many
canals lined with flower bedecked balconies, making it
extremely picturesque and overlooked by an 11th century
château. On the lake, there is a steamer, which calls at
many lakeside villages such as Talloires, one of the most
expensive resorts on the lake. It is separated from its
neighbour, Menthon, also overlooked by a château, by the
‘Roc de Chère’, a wooded rocky promontory. ChamonixMont-Blanc is busy all year round, with skiers during the winter and walkers and climbers in the summer.
This is largely a Victorian town, bearing witness to the early, pioneering days of mountaineering. Climbers
are now mainly drawn by the technical difficulty of the ‘Aiguilles’, jagged rock needles, rather more
comfortably viewed by cable-car, for example to the Aiguille du Midi or the ‘téléphérique du Brevent’.
There is also a rack railway up to ‘La Mer de Glace’. Any ascent of Mont Blanc will be amply rewarded by the
truly breathtaking views.
Aix-les-Bains is situated on the edge of the Lac du Bourget and is also France’s second busiest spa town,
renowned for its balneotherapy. The queen of Aix-les-Bains, however, was Queen Victoria, who came
incognito under the title of Countess of Balmoral. She liked the waters and the climate of Aix so much that
in 1888, she wanted to buy a domain on the hill of Tresserve to build a second home. This plan did not
succeed.
You will also be able to discover the other features of the town, including the 18-hole golf course, cruises
on the lake, the Casino, the racecourse and many guided tours. The Lac du Bourget offers all manner of
water sports - sailing, wind surfing, water-skiing and underwater diving. The first pleasure boats were seen
in Aix at the end of the 19th century.
The pretty lake of Lac d’Aiguebelette, with its clean waters, is popular with water sports enthusiasts. The
western and southern shores are the most accessible and visitors will find a number of pleasant, sandy
beaches along the lakeside.
Le Bourg-d’Oisans, a small, lively town, is the scene of frequent fairs and markets and centre of some of
the most attractive scenery in the area. Above Le Bourg d’Oisans is the ski resort of Alpe d’Huez, which is
reached by a spectacular road of twenty one hairpin bends. From the resort there is a cable car up to the
Pic du Lac Blanc with superb views as far as Mont Blanc and the Massif Central. Summer skiing is possible
in the area, if there are suitable weather conditions.
Regional Specialities include Alpine Cheeses such as Beaufort, a pressed cooked cheese, Tomme de
Savoie, and Tomes des Bauges, pressed uncooked cheeses. Reblochon is a semi-pressed, uncooked
cheese. Abondance, made from cow’s milk and Chevrotin des Aravis, made from goat’s milk are delicious
farmhouse cheeses. The areas most famous cooked cheese dish made by mixing it with white wine is of
course fondue. Cooked Meats include pormoniers which are fresh sausages made from pig’s offal and
herbs; diots; small fresh pork sausages simmered in white wine with onions and herbs; grelots; pork
sausages with herbs and nuts and Savoie ham.
Wines – the local perlant wines make a good aperitif. The whites go well with fondues (especially raclette),
seafood, fish, cheese and cakes, while the reds and rosés make an ideal accompaniment for game, red and
white meat, and rich Savoie cheeses.
Provence and Rhône Valley
There are many delightful places to visit in the so-called “Provence” region of France. They are all situated
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in the area just north of the Mediterranean and are within easy driving distance of the main autoroute
south.
Aix-en-Provence (east of the A8) is a city of water springs and art, which is a magnificent example of
the Provençal way of living so admired by the rest of the world. The boulevards shaded by majestic
sycamores, the streets bordered by rich private residences, the discreet squares ornamented with
beautiful fountains and garnished with welcoming sidewalk cafés, Aix inevitably seduces those who take
the time to linger.
Avignon (west of A7) is bursting with life and energy,
yet echoing with history, this ancient riverside fortress
Canyon du Verdon
city is quintessentially southern. From the bank of the
broad turbulent river Rhône rise its magnificent ramparts.
The famous bridge of the nursery rhyme - Sur le Pont
d’Avignon projects oddly into the river, its broken arches
stretching just half way across. The uninhabited and
immense Palais des Papes or Papal Palace is the most
important landmark after the bridge.
St Rémy de Provence (south of Avignon) located at the
foot of the Alpilles, has an exceptionally rich historical
heritage. This small, dynamic city has kept its traditions
and personality. Seduced by the setting and atmosphere
of the town, many writers, painters and musicians have
chosen to live here and it is the ideal departure point for
discovering the Alpilles region. The lively streets of the
town centre, house private residences from the 17th and
18th century with magnificent facades.
Le Pont du Gard, at Remoulins (west of Avignon)
Admirably integrated into a natural site that has preserved
its wild charm, The Pont du Gard fascinates each of its
visitors with its elegance and majesty. Two thousand
years after its construction, this ancient edifice is still a veritable masterpiece, as much for the technical
prowess involved, as for its simple beauty. This monument has been registered as a World Heritage of Man
site since 1985. It attracts more than a million tourists each year and is the 2nd most visited provincial
monument after Mont-Saint-Michel.
Arles (south west of Avignon) sits on a low hill where the Rhône river branches in two parts to the sea. The
major Roman sites, such as the Arena and the Theatre are unique as they are integrated into the houses
and buildings of the town, rather than sitting apart as they do in other places. The streets of this city are
truly medieval in character: narrow and winding between ancient buildings.
Nîmes (west of Avignon) A panoramic view over the town’s roof tops from the Tour Magne shows the
history of Nîmes at a glance. To the east, the oval of the Roman Arena is a flashback to the past splendours
of the ancient city. A short distance further on, stands the tower of the 12th century Cathédrale St Pastor
which dominates the narrow streets of the old town and still bears witness to their medieval past.
Valence is well worth a visit, not only for the range of shops, excellent restaurants and market, but
also for its stunning position and cathedral. Dominated by the St. Apollinaire cathedral, rebuilt in the
17th century, the town is built on terraces, which run down to the Rhône at the base of the valley. The
old town, surrounded by ramparts, has a maze of alleys and winding streets where you will find some
interesting shops.
The Gorges du Verdon, known as the Grand Canyon of Europe, although not of quite the same
proportions, are nevertheless most impressive. It is possible to do a round trip of the gorges, one way
on the ‘Corniche Sublime’ (D71) and the other on the slightly less spectacular northern side (D952).
Driving around the gorge you will see tremendous panoramas and breathtaking views. The small town of
Castellane has become an important tourist centre because of its position on the ‘Route Napoléon’ and
at the head of the eastern end of the Gorges du Verdon. The main square is pleasant and there are several
interesting old buildings in the town. Pride of place must go to the chapel of Notre-Dame-du- Roc, built
on a narrow, rocky needle, which towers over the town and neighbouring valley. The chapel is reached
on foot. Leaving Castellane on the D955, you gain fine views of the Castellane basin and soon reach the
Lac de Castillon. The road runs along the dam, giving interesting views of the long, narrow reservoir. The
lake is a super spot to spend an afternoon sunbathing or swimming. Grasse is the world-famous centre of
perfume production and surrounded by immense fields of flowers. A visit to the Molinard or Fragonard
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perfume factories is recommended. Other points of interest include a cathedral dating from the 12th
century (which was restored in the 17th century), and a museum devoted to Provençal art and history.
The mountain scenery beyond Grasse is very attractive, as you pass through the Loup valley and the
Alpine foothills. Tournette-sur-Loup, situated between Grasse and Vence is an unusual fortified village
standing on a rocky plateau above a sheer drop. The weavers, potters, painters and sculptors who live
here have made it an arts and crafts centre. Vence is a picturesque old market town favoured by artists.
Henri Matisse designed and decorated a chapel here between 1947 and 1951. St. Paul-en Aix-enProvence, the historic and beautiful university spa town and ancient capital of Provence, is a fascinating
town of 17th-18th century houses, quiet squares and fountains with several notable buildings, art
galleries and museums. Cézanne’s studio is open to visitors, who can see where the master created some
of his famous paintings.
Languedoc Roussillon
This region stretches from the Pyrénées-Orientales on the Spanish border to Provence. It is bathed in the
warm Mediterranean climate which boasts an average 300 days of sunshine per year. You are rarely far
from both mountains and sea. On the western side, the foothills of the Pyrénées fall down to meet the sea
at Argelès-sur-Mer and on the eastern side the majestic river Rhône flows through Provence before finally
exiting to the sea near Marseilles. The coastline offers a kaleidoscope of scenery. This region also known
as French Catalonia, has a fascinating cultural and gastronomic mix of French and Spanish. The region is
heavily planted with vines and produces some excellent wines.
Argelès, a gateway to Spain, is situated in the southernmost part of the region at the foot of the Pyrénées.
There are 7 km of beaches and 3 km of creeks. The resort retains the label “Kid” and is awarded with the
Blue Flag for Clean Beaches every year. There are sporting and relaxing activities for everyone: supervised
beaches from June till September, children’s clubs, sailing
schools, windsurfing, bobskiing, deep-sea diving, boat
Sommieres
hiring, sea-trips, sea-kayak, waterskiing, pedalos and
balneotherapy.
Collioure is the jewel of the Côte Vermeille. This Catalan
fishing village has for centuries impressed travellers and
traders, artists and invaders with its simple beauty. The
little harbour is a perfect gem, protected by sea walls
and a fortified village church on one side and a 12th
century “Royal Castle” on the other. Beside the church
with its curious round lighthouse there are small secluded
beaches. Behind the waterfront is a delightful maze of
narrow streets lined with artists shops, restaurants and
cafes.
Agde has retained its importance in the fish, wine and
agricultural trades and the nearby Cap d’Agde is a
colourful holiday resort.
The Camargue is most famous for its marshy wilderness
and its beautiful white horses. A tour of the area should
certainly include the walled town of Aigues-Mortes. To
the south is Le Grau-du-Roi, a lively fishing port and the
striking, purpose-built marina village of Port-Camargue. Further east is Les Stes.
Maries-de-la-Mer, with its fortified church hosts an annual gypsy festival. The Carmargue museum is also
an interesting stopping place.
La Côte d’Azur or French Riviera
This area stretching from Toulon to Nice is one of Europe’s most beautiful stretches of coastline with lovely
sandy beaches and rocky promontories set against the magnificent backdrop of the Maritime Alps and
pine covered hills of Provence.
Roquebrune-sur-Argens, “Cité Millénaire”, is an ancient town located in an expansive pine forest,
accentuated by the beautiful red cliffs of the Rocher de Roquebrune, and cooled by the Argens river.
Narrow old streets run between the old buildings and past the 16th century church.
St. Tropez is now one of the best known resorts in Europe, very fashionable and very expensive.
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The harbour teems with life. Older buildings worth visiting include the 19th-century church, built in Italian
baroque style, and the 16th-century citadel, from which there are fine views over the town and the bay.
This modern resort of Port-Grimaud has been built in the style of a typical Provençal village and is
unusual in that no cars are allowed in the village. There is an elegant collection of colourful houses and a
well-equipped marina. In Fréjus you can see the aqueduct, two gateways, the amphitheatre and, above
all, the arena, which lends a marvellously dramatic setting to the concerts, which are occasionally staged
there. To the north lies the large, beautifully situated Lac de St Cassien.
St. Raphaël is a fashionable resort with a large marina and sheltered beach. The old harbour is a hub
of activity with cafés and shops lining the broad pavements and street artists and buskers entertaining
the crowds. The museum of underwater archaeology contains an interesting collection of artefacts from
sunken ships.
One of the Riviera’s great showpieces, Cannes remains an elegant and expensive resort. It is worth visiting
the celebrated ‘Boulevard de la Croisette’ with its flower borders, palm trees, smart shops and expensive
hotels. The Film Festival takes place in May. Le Suquet is the old town, dominated by the 16th century
church. The square is still lined by the old town wall and ashady terrace affords excellent views of the
harbour area. Also just outside the town is Le Cannet, a small resort retaining much of its traditional charm
amid a semi-circle of wooded hills.
Nice is the undisputed ‘Queen of the Riviera’ with its world famous sea front. The old town is a maze of
alleys, interspersed with little squares and markets, in particular, the flower market. The town is rich in
museums, art galleries and majestic buildings.
Monaco consists primarily of the old, picturesque town of Monaco and the great, legendary gambling
centre of Monte-Carlo, itself a most attractive town. During July and August there are magnificent
firework displays most Friday evenings and the famous Grand Prix is in May.
The western part of the country is mountainous with peaks ranging from 2,500m to more than 3,700m.