Visitors Guide to France
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Guide no: 11
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History, Geography, Tourism
Plane, Train, Boat, Car
Health, Entry Requirements, Security etc
Cities, Museums, Castles, Churches, Monuments, Natural Phenomena
Golf, Rafting, Sailing, Canoeing, Horse Riding, Climbing, Paragliding etc
Festivals, Concerts, Special Events
About France
France is one of the largest countries in Europe and the most varied in terms of scenery and climate. Over 25% of the country is covered in forest and woodland. The northern half is mainly flat with rolling hills to its north and west. The southern half is more mountainous with a large raised area in its centre known as the Massif Central, formed from volcanic activity over 10,00 years ago. The area comprises mountain ranges, large plateaux and deep gorges offering spectacular scenery ideal for walking and hiking. To the east and west of the Massif Central are the country's two main mountain ranges, the Pyrenees in the South West and the Alps in the South East. Separating the Massif Central from the Alps is the Rhone valley, a major wine growing region and host to one of the France's most important river highways serving the industry and commerce of towns such as Lyon, Avignon and the Mediterranean port of Marseille. The Alps are the main destination for winter sports. For the sun and beaches most people head south where the country borders the Mediterranean, either to the more developed Cote d'Azur with its famous resorts such as Cannes, Nice and the municipality of Monaco or to the less developed region of Languedoc-Roussillon in the South West where the trappings of modern day life are less noticeable. Alternatively the Atlantic breakers of the east coast offer the chance to participate in more energetic water sports such as surfing. Further north are the Chateaux of the Loire valley and the historic battlefields of Normandy. Paris offers night life and sophistication for those wanting to live it up and for the children there is always the Disney theme park just outside Paris.
French property rentals are as varied as the French landscape itself, encompassing villas, apartments, farmhouses, chateaux or chateaus, mansions and boutique bed and breakfasts, but possibly the best known is the gite. A gite can be an apartment, a cottage, a bungalow, a house, a barn conversion or anything in between, but its key attributes are that it is self contained, self catering and is either part of the owner's property and is located within the owner's grounds. Gites may be a single unit or part of a gite complex, sharing facilities such as pools and gardens. Usually the owner lives on site and is therefore conveniently available for help and support. Most gite complexes are rural while single gites can be almost anywhere.
France is one of the largest countries in Europe and the most varied in terms of scenery and climate. Over 25% of the country is covered in forest and woodland. The northern half is mainly flat with rolling hills to its north and west. The southern half is more mountainous with a large raised area in its centre known as the Massif Central, formed from volcanic activity over 10,00 years ago. The area comprises mountain ranges, large plateaux and deep gorges offering spectacular scenery ideal for walking and hiking. To the east and west of the Massif Central are the country's two main mountain ranges, the Pyrenees in the South West and the Alps in the South East. Separating the Massif Central from the Alps is the Rhone valley, a major wine growing region and host to one of the France's most important river highways serving the industry and commerce of towns such as Lyon, Avignon and the Mediterranean port of Marseille. The Alps are the main destination for winter sports. For the sun and beaches most people head south where the country borders the Mediterranean, either to the more developed Cote d'Azur with its famous resorts such as Cannes, Nice and the municipality of Monaco or to the less developed region of Languedoc-Roussillon in the South West where the trappings of modern day life are less noticeable. Alternatively the Atlantic breakers of the east coast offer the chance to participate in more energetic water sports such as surfing. Further north are the Chateaux of the Loire valley and the historic battlefields of Normandy. Paris offers night life and sophistication for those wanting to live it up and for the children there is always the Disney theme park just outside Paris.
French property rentals are as varied as the French landscape itself, encompassing villas, apartments, farmhouses, chateaux or chateaus, mansions and boutique bed and breakfasts, but possibly the best known is the gite. A gite can be an apartment, a cottage, a bungalow, a house, a barn conversion or anything in between, but its key attributes are that it is self contained, self catering and is either part of the owner's property and is located within the owner's grounds. Gites may be a single unit or part of a gite complex, sharing facilities such as pools and gardens. Usually the owner lives on site and is therefore conveniently available for help and support. Most gite complexes are rural while single gites can be almost anywhere.
France has many small regional airports servicing European destinations which are listed under the individual regional guides. Most trans-continental flights in and out of France come through one the 2 Paris Airports listed below.
Museums Most French cities and large towns have museums, many dedicated to art. The most famous is the Louvre in Paris. For a list of museums throughout France see :Website
Historic Buildings France is littered with castles, or chateaux, as they are known although the word chateaux encompasses other architectural buildings such palaces, mansions and vineyards. A more precise term for a fortified castle is chateau-fort. for a list of chateau-forts see:Website
Golf courses France has over 400 courses dotted troughout the country. For a full list of French courses see: Website
Rafting/canoeing France has many rivers which are suitable for canoeing. Most suited to rafting are those found in the South of the country. In particular:
The Ubaye and Verdon rivers in Provence
The Ardeche, Doron de Bozel and Isere in the Rhone-Alpes region.
The river Aude in Languedoc.
The rivers Gave d�Oloron, Gave d�Ossau and Gave de Pau in Pyrenees Atlantiques region.
The Ubaye and Verdon rivers in Provence
The Ardeche, Doron de Bozel and Isere in the Rhone-Alpes region.
The river Aude in Languedoc.
The rivers Gave d�Oloron, Gave d�Ossau and Gave de Pau in Pyrenees Atlantiques region.
Surfing Most surfing in France takes place on the east coast from La Rochelle down to the border with Spain. Good waves can also be found in Brittany for the more experienced surfer.
What's OnBack to top
Notable annual events in France include:
Notable annual events in France include:
Feb/Mar Carnival de Nice (Music, theatre, fireworks)
May [Cannes] Film Festival, [Monaco] Grand Prix
June [Paris] Gay Pride (Carnival), [All France] Fete de la musique (Classical music), [Le-Mans] 24 hour motor race.
July [All France] Tour de France (Cycle race), [All France] Bastille Day (Parades, Picnic Parties, Fireworks), [Avignon] Festival d'Avignon (Music, Theatre, Fireworks), [Nice] Jazz Festival (Jazz), [Aix-en-Provence] Festival (Classical music), [Dijon Burgundy] Festival (Opera)
August [Hossegor - west coast] Rip Curl Pro (surfing competition)
September [Saint Hilaire du Touvet] Coupe Icare (free flight)