France Travel guide

France, the most visited country in the world

France is the most visited country in the world. It has everything that you could ever want to see on your holidays: a great city like Paris, good beaches, more monuments than any other country, lovely nature, incredible mountain scenery; need I go on? France is also a very pleasant place to stay. It has good food, great wines and people enjoy their lives. And the best thing is, maybe apart from Paris, living in France does not have to be expensive.

The North of France

The North of France consists of the flatlands around the town of Lille and the English Channel. This area will remind visitors in many ways of Belgium and the Netherlands. The Grand’ Place in Lille for example is a lot like the one in Brussels. 

Paris, the city of light and its surroundings are some of the most visited areas. Paris is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities on the planet.

The West of France

The West of France is facing towards the Atlantic Coast. In the north Normandy & Brittany have rolling hills, sandy beaches and quiet little harbor towns. Normandy & Brittany have a more rugged coast and many neolithic sites. It has quite a distinct atmosphere from the rest of the country; you can still sense the Celtic origin of the region in its inhabitants. 

The eastern part of France

The eastern part of France consists of the Alsace, Lorraine, Franche Comté and Burgundy regions. The landscape has rolling hills and many beautiful cities, such as Metz, Strasbourg, Nancy and Dijon. This region produces many famous wines, including magnificent pinot noirs and chardonnays valued the world over, as well as the famous “Yellow wine” from the Jura mountain vineyard. 

The Center of France 

The Center of France is in many ways the quietest part of France. But the great treasure of this region is the Loire valley , with many great castles and beautiful towns. Chartres with its famous cathedral and Tours rates among the most beautiful French cities. 

Where to go and when

France is a very touristy country. There are plenty of cafés, restaurants, bars, museums, and other touristy places, and they are cheaper than in other European destinations. There is a lot of information about France, either if you are planning to travel or if you are already there. You can read travel guides online or contact a travel agency and if you are there you will find many tourist offices that can provide you with any information you might need. 

Transport services in France

Transport services are good enough, especially when you travel by train. You will find a comfortable environment, with restaurants and other places where you can relax. Cyclists are highly thought of in France and there is even a city, La Rochelle where you can ride a bike free of charge. Part of the The Tour of France,the cycling event where only the best participate, takes place in Paris. 

The Pyrenees mountains

If you are a skier you should go between November and May. The Pyrenees mountains are less crowded and less expensive than other resorts in the winter season. Between May and October you can go to the Mediterranean beaches of France. They are more crowded in July and August, but you will still enjoy yourself. Cannes and Nice have France’s best beaches, they are all surrounded by cafés and restaurants that complete a beautiful sunny day. Don’t forget to visit the Island of Corsica the best place to practice water sports. Sandy beaches, water sports, excellent food and reasonable prices are a good option for a relaxing holiday. 

Eating in France

French cuisine is exquisite and famous worldwide. It has been taken as a model in many culinary schools as a base for cooking because of its technique, which can be a little bit complicated. The French are very careful about their food, they care about every detail even if it is an easy recipe. Traditional French chefs are trying to keep to the old ways, but today modern chefs are mixing ingredients to make that special meal dish. In many cases they are trying to experiment with the fusion of French cuisine with that of other countries. And there are also some places where foreign cuisine is available for example, North African, Moroccan, Caribbean and Asian food.

Vegetarians aren’t very well catered for. There are some places with vegetarian dishes in towns and in other cities, but you’ll be better off going to any pizzeria to ask for a vegetarian pizza or preparing your own food. There are plenty of markets where you can make your purchases. 

Each French region has its own cuisine, besides of them there is also Loire Valley cuisine, Basque cuisine and Roussillon cuisine, so if you travel through France you’ll get to know each region’s gastronomy, with a marked difference between them all. Of course there is prepared food, so if you want to make dinner for yourself, you can buy fruit and vegetables from supermarkets, grocery stores, small markets or street markets. However these are only open on specific days in some regions. If you want other types of food, Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine are very popular too.

Monuments and Museums in France

France is a country rich in architecture. You can spend all your day walking through the streets of Paris, or any other region, visiting the museums, and taking pictures next to one of the many impressive monuments. France has many old monuments and some of them are in good condition like the Maison Carrée and the Pont du Gard near Nîmes. 

Sightseeing in France is like plunging into ancient history: remains of the old Roman Lutetia, grand medieval abbeys, gothic masterpieces, classical architecture, collections from Napoleonic times.

An exceptional density of artistic and cultural valuables to choose from at each visit! many museums and monuments for your delectation: discover internationally-renowned collections of sculpture, decorative and painting arts, go in search of iconic emblems, symbols of the influence of an era, take inspiration from a wealth of contemporary heritage – all this makes France a country of the arts, both present and past.

Sports and activities in France

The most important cycling race in the world takes place in France. This competition is the hardest one and the competitors have to train for a long time and have to be well prepared. This race is only for professionals as it takes a lot of effort to reach the final stage that always finishes on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. This is a three week long road race that covers areas all around France and sometimes neighboring countries. 

France has beautiful beaches and river beaches. Surfing is best around Biarritz, and many people prefer the Canal du Midi, around Paris, for boating. Rock climbing and mountaineering are also popular sports in France. 

Ski in france

If you like skiing you can visit many regions of France and enjoy this sport. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or a professional, there are many travel agencies that offer free sky skiing lessons for you and your family specially during the skiing season. If you are completely new to this sport it’s best to be very careful and to have a personal instructor or someone who can help you. There are many resorts in France where you can have fun, some of them are: La Tania, Meribel, Les Deux Alpes, Valmeinier, Les Saisies, Les Gets, Cauterets, Tignes and many more.