The Pays-de-la-Loire region is usually visited for its long sandy beaches, the important historical towns such as Nantes and Guerande, and castles such as those at Angers and Nantes.
While these are all recommended to visitors, you might like to also consider a journey into the quieter parts of the region by following one of the rivers that traverse the Pays-de-la-Loire.
In 1814 Napoleon was sent into exile on the Island of Elba. The following year he returned from exile with a handful of followers, a small army of about 1200 soldiers, and a plan to overthrow the newly restored monarchy under King Louis XVIII. Napoleon landed at Golfe Juan on 1st March 1815.
From Golfe Juan he headed north, passing through the southern Alps to reach Grenoble. This route was chosen because of its remoteness, and therefore the chance that Napoleon's small army would avoid hostile royalists - in particular those around Marseille. Napoleon also moved very fast across the countryside in order to reduce the chances of meeting opposition.
The Lower Lot Valley here refers to the picturesque stretch of the Lot River between Figeac and Cahors. Along the course of the river there are numerous small villages to explore, several larger towns, castles and caves to visit.
There is also a great deal of beautiful scenery, with cliffs and wooded slopes rising either side of the broad river valley.The river here is passing through the Natural Regional Parc of the Causses de Quercy.
The eastern part of the Rhone Alpes contains some of the most dramatic scenery in France. This beautiful countryide in the Savoie and Haute Savoie departments includes mountains, lakes and verdant valleys.
This area contains a wealth of alpine towns, lake-side towns and villages and a number of spa towns as well as some really stunning scenery.
The Tet valley is a picturesque valley to the west of Perpignan, running east to west through the Pyrenees-Orientales department to the south of Languedoc-Roussillon.
It contains a great deal of interesting sights and villages and a visit is highly recommended. We travelled from the east towards the west, starting on the main road west from Perpignan.
First time visiting France and no idea where to start? Our quick guide shows 'at a glance' which areas most visitors - both first-time visitors and others - are drawn to the most often.
As you can see this is hardly a detailed guide to all that France has to offer but should at least get you started with a few ideas and reminders of where to visit! Below the map are the links to the relevant sections of france This Way where you can find more details.
Many of the most important historical town centres in France are now protected from further development with the 'secteur sauvegardé' classification, with the goal of preserving the appearance of the historical centre from any further development.
Any construction or renovation in these areas is closely monitored and controlled to ensure that the whole town centre remains unspoiled by new or inappropriate developments - for example, renovations are required to use the historical materials and techniques.
There are about 100 towns covered by these protection orders, and many would also be considered to be among the most attractive and interesting towns in France for visitors, so it is well worth seeing if there are any near you when you visit - I'm yet to be disappointed when visiting them, so the classification is quite a reliable indicator of a town worth visiting!
Some villages come back to haunt your memories for years after a visit - a scenic location, fine historical architecture, lovely gardens, traditional shops and cafes, all can play their part in creating these 'extra-special' places.
Lots of factors play their part in whether a village stands out as special - not just 'unchanging' features such as the landscape and the architecture but others that change with time:
The Medoc region produces many of the finest wines in the world (Margaux, Pauillac, Chateau Lafite-Rothschild...), has more than 100 kilometres of fine sandy beaches, and is just north of one of the most vibrant cities in France.
It sounds like the perfect destination for wine buffs and beach lovers alike - but I wonder how many visitors to France could point to it on a map?
The colourful character of the medieval 'Black Prince' perhaps owes as much to legend as to fact, and many places in France have a legacy to the English Prince who conquered so much of France in the early decades of the Hundred Years War.
In many places in France you are likely to come across mention of the Black Prince, from a quiet town in Gascony to the site of a battlefield in central France, and a little knowledge of the 'life and times' of the Black Prince makes a visit more interesting
The 'towns and villages in bloom' award (ville fleurie) is given to French places that make a special effort to create a pleasant natural environment for both residents and visitors by focussing on plants, flowers and open areas within the town.
There are 30 sites in France that are of such importance that UNESCO has designated them as World Heritage Sites.
Covering a wide range of sites and places, they all share one common feature: they offer something beyond the ordinary.
Most of the French heritage sites are covered in more detail this guide, see the list and map below to see if there are any to visit near your planned destination in France
One of the most popular ways to discover the vineyards and villages of southern Burgundy is to follow the 'route des Grands Crus'.
This route follows a quiet road (the D122), largely between Beaune and Dijon but also continuing south to Santenay, that passes many of the most famous wine chateaux of the region.
I am going to let you in on an insiders’ secret. There is uncharted territory in la vieille France, where you can be with the natives (or at least other Europeans), where you can be seen as exotic for being American, and where, yes, it’s less expensive than the usual touristy gathering spots (where you end up seeing your old neighbours from New Jersey anyway).
Many Americans are familiar with northern Brittany, which includes Dinard, and St. Malo. It’s beautiful up there; with rock-strewn beaches under tremendous cliffs, over which huge mansions perch. You may not see the neighbors from New Jersey there, but you’ll see the ones from Nantucket and the Hamptons.
By Antonia Anderson
Burgundy is a French Mecca for seekers of gourmet cuisine and devotees of wine.
The richness of the culture, history and visual splendor deserves leisurely exploration. Don't rush through the towns and vineyards with a checklist and camera. Instead, take the time to delve into one remarkable and distinctive department of Burgundy: the Cote d'Or.
Stretching from Dijon to Beaune with a blend of grand tradition and intimate features, the Cote d'Or unfolds one new surprise after another.
There is a deep 600 foot drop from the cliff tops in Le Thord, commune of St Haon, to the river. The Gorges are only occasionally accessible by road. They are heavily wooded with deciduous and conifer trees, and in autumn very colourful. The woods abound with wildlife and many happy hours have been passed watching soaring buzzards and hovering birds of prey; rabbits and small cats beware!
Bird watchers frequently descend the paths below the cliffs, complete with binoculars, notebooks and cameras, ...... and twitch for an hour or so and leave as silently as they arrive.
Here on the 1000 metre contour, towards the southern edge of the Massif Central, the air is clear, the wind is fresh, the temperatures range from very hot, in excess of 40 degrees without any humidity, to minus 15; crisp, dry and exceedingly beautiful. There are few people about.
Spectacular Scenery Inspires Cyclists at All Levels
by Peter Saborowsky
I have been a serious cyclist most of my life. Almost 30 years ago I started cycling in South Western France. It's an idyllic region beginning on Atlantic beaches, winding through the Basque country, and climbing into the Pyrenees.
The area's lovely weather, famous sights, and varied terrains make cycling an inspirational affair. It was when I saw professional cyclists and national teams vacationing and training in this same area that I realized just how much magnificent scenery and enjoyable roads can improve one's competitive advantage.
There are numerous attractive villages to be found in the Ardeche department of the Rhone-Alpes, and exploring them adds to the pleasure of a visit to this scenic part of southern France.
Seventeen of these Ardeche villages have also been classified as 'villages of character', and these provide good examples of the villages across the department as a whole.
A holiday in the Lot Valley offers some fabulous scenery, beautiful medieval villages, historic monuments and a superb gastronomical experience.
The Lot river flows for 500km starting at Mont Lozere and flowing into the Garonne River before reaching the Atlantic Ocean.
As it flows it passes through the fertile farming lands of Aquitaine, the high plateaux of the Aubrac and the beautiful wooded valleys of the Lozere.
The Dropt River runs from Capdrot, east of Monpazier, to La Reole near Langon where it meets the Garonne River.
It is close to the border between the Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne departments for much of the journey westwards, before entering the Gironde between Duras and Monsegur.
Along the way it passes through and near several attractive villages and towns, and a great deal of attractive countryside, making it an interesting way to spend a few days exploring this region of south-west France.
Did you know that just an hour and a half inland from the Cote d'Azur in the Alpes-Maritimes department life is very different, a landscape of quiet forests and deep gorges?
So near but yet so far from the busy coastal strip, the rural way of life still prevails, eggs and goats' cheese are sold direct from the farm, roads are single track and you are very lightly to meet a flock of transhumance sheep coming the other way.
For many years it has been popular to make a day trip to France, especially for those living within easy access of the ports of southern England. The pleasure of shopping in a different environment, the even greater pleasure of buying wine and other items at much cheaper prices than they can be bought at home, or simply for the fun of an adventurous day out - it's always a great way to spend a day.
On this page you can see the list of places that we have 'photo galleries' for several hundred towns and villages that we and our contributors have personally visited and photographed. Below these we tell you how you can share your own favourite photos of France with our visitors - thanks for any help!
The castles of the Loire Valley are renowned the world over, and a very major attraction with visitors to France. Altogether there are more than 300 chateaux in the region, many built in the heyday of the French royalty and nobility, centred around the 17th-18th centuries. Some were built 'new' while others were based on converting an earlier medieval castle on the same location into a more habitable and luxurious castle.
The Dordogne is said to have 1001 castles. Many of these are not open to the public, however, and also the name 'chateau' can be applied to any house that has been a centre of wine production - so many places that are called 'chateaux' will be distinctly less imposing than others.
Guest article by Corina Clemence
If you have never holidayed in a French castle before, here are some reasons why you should consider one for your next luxury holiday.
1. Size
By their nature, chateaux are large pieces of architecture. However the reception rooms on the ground floor are typically huge and wonderful rooms to relax in and soak up the ambience. French chateaux lend themselves perfectly for wedding venues. Sometimes a reception room may house a Michelin-starred restaurant. If it does not then usually there is one not too far away.
Amusement parks are very popular in france - four of the theme parks below appear in the 'top places to visit in France' list (Disneyland, Puy de Fou, Asterix and Futuroscope) and no trip to France would be complete without a visit to one of the renowned theme parks
A total of 56 belfries across France and Belgium have been listed as a combined World Heritage Site because of their importance and unusual architectural style. 23 of these belfries are in northern France, in the Picardy and North Calais regions of northern France.
Belfries were usually built as either independent towers or as part of a town hall.
There are six National Parks in France, covering slightly over 2% of the land surface of the country. They are maintained by Parcs Nationaux de France:
The map below shows the main wine-producing regions of France.
The River Vézère flows 190 kilometres from its source in the Massif Central to its confluence with the Dordogne River near Le Bugue.
In addition to the world renowned Lascaux caves, the Vézere Valley contains numerous other traces of prehistoric and early settlement - according to UNESCO - who have the valley listed as a UNESCO French world Heritage sites - there are 147 prehistoric sites and 25 painted caves in the valley.
Roses are blooming ....... by Terry Burke
The Valley of the lower Somme is beautiful on a bright cold winter’s day when the snow lies deep and crisp and even over the Picardy countryside.
Rolling dark green tree clad hills lift over the black gently flowing streams. The roads on the map corresponded to the terrain, white. Villages hibernate more deeply in the winter snow than they will slumber in the summer sun. Nothing stirs, except a covey of ducks and a few new Eolions lazily turning in the light breeze. The sky above is a delicate light blue with high wispy clouds.
The cathar period lasted more or less a hundred years, from about 1165 - 1271, deep in the violence of the Dark Ages. A turbulent and oppressive period of crusades and battles for power, the cathar history has left its mark on southern France, perhaps above all in the castles around Carcassonne and Languedoc-Roussillon.
(For the dramatic story of this much abused religion which dared to challenge the power of the catholic church see cathars).
The label 'Grand Site de France' has been granted to 33 locations in mainland France, which belong to the organisation known as the RGSF (Réseau des Grands Sites de France - network of Grand Sites of France).
All are listed sites, in attractive locations, that attract large numbers of visitors each year. They each share the common challenges of meeting the conflicting needs of local residents, the environment, and exceptionally large numbers of visitors.
Of these Grand Sites, six are authorised to use the 'Grand Site of France' logo having met the stringent requirements: required to demonstrate that the site is being developed and sustained in harmony with the local environment. These are indicated below.
The four main starting points for pilgrims in France are from the cities of Tours, Vézelay, Le Puy-en-Velay and Arles. They are all signed routes of the Grande Randonnée network.
Every year thousands of pilgrims cross France, usually on foot or on bicycle, on the four main pilgrimage routes that lead, via Spain, to the shrine of St James at Santiago de Compostella (often spelt Compostela) in north-west Spain. These routes are also known as the 'Ways of St James'.
St James (James the Great) was beheaded by Herod - he was the first of the apostles to be martyred - and was thought to have been buried in north-west Spain. His tomb was, so they say, discovered in the 9th century, and a church was built on the site.
Cycling in France is a national pastime. Extremely popular among all ages, but there are a very large number of active cyclists in the 40 - 65 year old age group. Why is the sport so popular, when in many countries (eg the UK) it is reasonably unusual?
Perhaps the weather plays a part - cycling is almost a year around activity in France, especially in the South. The endless availability of quiet roads in peaceful beautiful countryside has a role to play. Very often I will cycle 50 - 70 kilometres and only see two or three cars. The roads are usually well maintained, and many popular cycling areas e.g. in the Pyrenees, will have cycle routes on the larger roads.
The Canal du Midi is a canal in the south of France that connects the Garonne river (and therefore the Atlantic) with the Etang de Thau (and the Mediterranean).
Also known as the Canal des Deux Mers (because it joins the two oceans), the Canal du Midi runs for 240km from the city of Toulouse down to Sete, on the Mediterranean.
Vendee can pride itself on having the most carefully chosen names for their stretches of coastline and beaches!
The weather and sea conditions are more certain to be sunny and warm here than any other region of France. But the beaches are often stony and frequently expensive to access.
Some of the most popular beaches and coastal towns in Normandy include:
The Normandy Landing Beaches have a separate section because of their historical importance and significance, and because they tend to attract visitors because of this, rather than 'beach lovers'. See Normandy Landing Beaches and also Arromanches.
Languedoc has many quality sandy beaches along it extensive coastline. The region is also well known for its naturist beaches such as Cap d'Agde and Aphrodite.
Some of the more popular resorts include:
Brittany has some of the finest beaches and coastline to be found in France. Picturesque fishing villages scattered between rocky coves, and lots of beautiful sandy beaches.
The coast of Brittany includes:
It is impossible to say which is the best French beach, because it depends, of course, on what you are looking for in a beach! But somewhere in France there is the perfect beach for you, whatever you are looking for.
The surfing beaches of the Atlantic coast between Biarritz and Arcachon will suit the watersport enthusiast, while families will like the coves of Brittany. Those with small children will like the gently sloping beaches of the Vendee (western France), and others the beaches of the islands off the west coast of France such as the Ile-de-Ré.
Through the Poitou-Charentes region, including the popular destination at Ile-de-Ré, and on south of Arcachon, all the way down to Biarritz and St Jean de Luz, there are many long sandy unspoiled beaches along the Atlantic coast of France.
Some of the finest surfing beaches in Europe are found in this region, especially around Biarritz and along the southern part of this stretch of Atlantic coast. The beaches attract many international standard surfers, because of the waves that come in from the Atlantic.
The Loire Valley is found south of Paris, in the center of France. The valley from Sully-sur-Loire to Chalonne is listed as a French world heritage site by UNESCO.
The Loire Valley falls into two French departments - Centre and Pays de la Loire.
The region is best known for its fine castles (many are seen on this site - see separate section Loire Valley Chateaux).
Planning a trip to France with the children but don’t know where to go? Looking for theme park excitement in Europe to rival that of America? Then why not visit Paris – not only is it one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but it also has two great theme parks nearby, which children will love. Enter the cartoon world of Gaul at Parc Asterix or mingle with Mickey, Minnie and company at Disneyland Paris.
One of the highlights of a visit to the Dordogne, as with many other parts of France, is the chance to visit the local French markets.
Although most markets do now sell products aimed at the tourist market, especially during the summer months, they are still a great way to find and buy the local produce, the freshest produce, and the products of the local artisan-farmers.
There are several types of market:
One of the most popular activities for visitors to France is visiting the local French markets in the nearby town. All areas and places will have a local market town, usually held in the same location every week for many centuries (our own town has held its Saturday market for the last 820 years and still going strong).
French markets really do still have great produce to tempt you, and you will be lucky to get away without a large bag of delicious fresh produce...and an empty purse! There are reputedly more than 35,000 traditional markets in France, so you should have no difficulty finding one.
Golf was introduced to France at the end of the 19th century by the Le Phare golf course near Biarritz. Initially it was to cater to visitors and residents from England, and this trend still continues to some extent - many golf clubs in France have English teams, English groups, and English mornings for golf.
There are many superb golf-course in France that remain quiet for much or all of the year, with fabulous fairways and plenty of sunshine. This is perhaps especially true of the south-west of France, in Aquitaine, and in Normandy - two regions that have more than their fair share of golf courses.
In addition to the 'most famous places in France' it is interesting to see which places are top by number of visitors - the most visited places in France.
Perhaps surprisingly the two lists are not the same, although certain key Paris landmarks appear on both lists. Theme Parks play a much larger role in the list of 'top places in France' when judged by visitor numbers. The top places to see when judged by numbers of visitors are:
Where do you think of when asked to name the most famous sights in France? Here we have prepared a list of what we believe are the most famous places. We have selected just 10 places.
Your own list will be different, I'm sure, and there are many top places in France that are contenders for the list.
Below we show the most famous individual highlights. See also most popular regions at where to go on your first visit to France.
France information > largest towns
There are a few ways to classify the size of a town, but the most usual (and probably the most effective) is to use the population as measured in the most recent census of the country.
Hence the schedule below represents the 'most populated' biggest French towns and has been prepared on this basis. The list is in descending order and uses data from 1999. The populations have changed, but the ranking according to size remained unchanged at 2005:
by Thomas Dowson
Think of Normandy, and for most people this conjures up images of the D-Day beaches, the Bayeaux Tapestry and le Mont St Michel. All of these important and interesting sites are in what is Basse Normandie. Less well known is Haute Normandie, an area that most people simply drive through on their way further south. But this area is as rewarding and interesting as any of the other regions of France, with history stretching from the earliest Stone Age peoples to the more recent political alliances between the United Kingdom and France.
To fully understand Normandy, one has to visit more than WWII sites and museums. To experience this region and understand its history and culture, one should visit these eight venues:
This picturesque little port village has been a magnet for artists for years, including the French impressionists. The cobblestone streets of the town and the old basin full of sailboats are especially gorgeous. One can visit the many shops and galleries, and there are excellent restaurants nearly everywhere. There are several museums and unique old wooden churches to see as well.
by Brenda Warneka
As my husband and I picked up our rental car at Charles de Gaulle International Airport and headed west from Paris to Normandy, we looked forward to reliving "Operation Overlord," the military campaign led by Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower, in June 1944, that would free Europe from the Nazi occupation.
We arrived in Caen, about 150 miles from Paris, in mid-afternoon and checked into our hotel. Caen is located on the Orne River, and is famous for its connection to William the Conqueror. Favourite tourist sites in Caen include magnificent twin abbeys founded by William and his wife, Mathilda of Flanders, in 1060 as penance to the Pope, and the ruins of Ducal Castle, their favourite residence.
France travel > Normandy > Normandy cider route
The Cider Route is found in Normandy, and makes for a pleasant day or two exploring some of the Normandy villages, and discovering how and where in Normandy cider is made. Cider tasting is of course obligatory!
Meanwhile you will also see some lovely Normandy Villages, and for many people this is the main reason for following the route.
If you’re planning to spend your next holiday in France, then perhaps you will want to add something new to your itinerary. Besides the sightseeing, rich culture, art museum tours, and the deliciously delectable French cuisine, there truly is a lot more in store for you here - and if you’re the type who enjoys aqua sports and exciting activities, then you’re in for a treat. Here are five great suggestions for ways to plan your holiday around water based activities:
When speaking about the finest beaches in France, people will immediately mention the world-famous French Riviera, or the Côte d'Azur, located along the southern region of the country. Extending westward from the eastern commune of Menton to St. Tropez near the southern tip, the French Riviera is a 115 kilometer stretch of nothing but sun, sand, surf, and of course, fun.
There are several regions of France that have navigable canals and rivers, a very pleasant way to explore the countryside and to enjoy the towns that are passed during the journey.
The most popular regions with visitors wanting to explore these French canals and rivers include:
According to Barefoot Doctor, "though some would say yoga is the mother of all exercises, surely there is nothing more natural and primal than walking". It is true, the benefits of practicing yoga are well known today, disciplining the body and focusing the mind.
Stretching is the most natural way of releasing tension in the muscle groups, and combined with correct breathing it de-stresses the nervous system and increases energy levels.
Note: holiday idea was suggested by bergerac gites - two gites to rent between Monpazier and Villereal.
To the south of the very popular Dordogne department there is a sprinkling of towns and castles set in attractive countryside that are slightly beyond the better known tourist destinations - yet would make an ideal base for a holiday. While you won't entirely escape the tourist throngs, they are certainly less here than in the Sarlat region slightly to the north.
In this article we look at a few of the highlights of your visit. ( I am not going to describe all the attractions of the Dordogne region here - the caves, the villages, the river and countryside are renowned the world over and covered elsewhere in this guide at Dordogne.)
In the past, French Midi-Pyrenees has played a secondary role to its more glamorous rival, the Alps. In the last decade however, great advances have been made to turn what was perhaps considered rather dull Pyrenean mountain towns and villages into excellent skiing resorts.
There are black runs in all the Pyrenean resorts, but the pistes are less crowded than the Alpine slopes, so there is less chance of the beginner being involved in an accident, or incurring the wrath of the chair lift operator for holding up the loading because of a tangled the ski pole. And who hasn’t done that, at least once?
The so-called 'villages-perchés' are found in various parts of Provence, especially in the Luberon region but also in several other regions / departments, and are instantly recognisable because of the distinguishing features of these villages:
- they are located high up on a rocky crag. As a result the perched villages in Provence all have very impressive views across the surrounding countryside
Many regions of France have attractive medieval villages to discover and explore, frequently with an 'old town' that is astonishingly well preserved given the age of these medieval towns - and the wars that have ravaged the country at various points in the last 600 years.
Two of the most well known (and most attractive) 'groups' of medieval villages are the bastide towns of south-west France, and the perched Luberon villages (see separate feature) of south-east France.
Many visitors to France like to see a vineyard or visit the occasional wine chateaux for a little sampling of the local produce, while many wine enthusiasts make an entire visit planned around visiting the vineyards of their selected region.
The map above shows the main wine-producing regions of France:
The Alsace wine route is one of the most popular and attractive ways to explore the traditional villages of the Alsace region, and to learn more about the wines that are produced. The route covers more than 170 km as it traces a line from north to south broadly following the eastern edge of the Vosges mountains.
The Alpine ski resorts mostly fall into a few very extensive regions, which combine several villages and ski areas in one large resort with interconnecting ski slopes and transport links. This has the advantage for the visitor that there are always new slopes and variety close to hand.
To understand the rivers of France it is useful to first have a little knowledge of the geography of the country.
Essentially France is mountainous along its eastern border with (from north to south) the mountains of the Vosges, Jura and Alpes, with further mountains in south-central France (Massif central) and along the southern border with Spain (the Pyrenees)
Author: Marcus Smith
