France Crash Course

France’s metropolitan territory is located in Western Europe, and is surrounded by Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium.

France is a democratic country with a semi-presidential republic. It enjoys the sixth largest economy in the world and is what we call a developed country. For those more interested in the roots of the country’s philosophy and ideals, it is a good idea to look into the Declaration Of The Rights Of Man And Of The Citizens. France took a big part in the founding of the European Union and has actually got the largest land area in Europe. France also took part in the founding of the United Nations and is a member of La Francophonie, the G8 and the Latin Union. [1]

Why is France Popular?

France is the number one tourist destination in the world, attracting well over 75 million people annually: Surely there must be a reason for this! Some have made seeing France their life's goal! There's so much to do and see, from divine art and breathtaking architecture, to the stirring history, the ancient folk festivals, the vivid gardens and inspiring churches, that you could easily lose yourself in the country for years. Not that it would be a shame, considering you would find yourself in the planet's premier gastronomic kingdom! It also has some surprisingly wild corners, notably the Camargue Delta, remote parts of the Massif Central, the Pyrenees, and some parts of Brittany are also still quite untouched.

History

The borders of modern France are not that dissimilar from the way they were back in the time of ancient Gaul when the country was then inhabited with the Celtic Gauls.

France was first unified by ancient Rome. The Romans incorporated it with Gaul, together with other bordering territories, in the 1st century BC. With the fall of the Roman Empire in 5th century AD and a link with the Roman Catholic church strengthening, the whole region was soon part of western and central Europe.

Some Germanic tribes, especially the Franks, overran some of the eastern border region along with helping to originate the name 'France'. During the Middle Ages, a chain of royal dynasties claimed ownership of what was to become France but it was many centuries before an effective administration would be established. The Houses of Valois and Bourbon gave the nation a stronger and larger army and a competent administrative bureaucracy, thus helping the country to keep enemies away and extend the boundaries. Slowly, the French culture formulated and arose, to eventually become a revered and recognized culture the world over.

In the 17th century, during the reign of Louis XIV, the monarchy of France ruled uncontested. It had the largest population in Europe and was a leader in the political, economic and cultural fields. France’s role in the American Revolution was of utmost importance, bringing an end to the war in 1781 with the its victory over Britain at the Battle of Chesapeake and then leading the Siege of Yorktown, finalizing American Independence over Britain.

In the 20th Century, France fought two wars, it became a nuclear power and firmly established itself as a major center of the arts and the science.

The monarchy was overthrown in 1789, when King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette were decapitated. This was probably the world’s greatest revolution as it completely reformed not only the country itself, but the whole of Europe. With the Declaration Of The Rights Of Man And Of The Citizens, in the same period, many changes took place, but it was not for another century and a half that the country stabilized, based on a modern industrial economy that built a vast empire which it later lost!

The Social Culture

The culture of France has a lot of diversity; it reflects regional differences as well as the influence of recent immigration. For centuries France has played an important role as a cultural center, and Paris is still considered by many as the world center of high culture.

France’s modern culture was born in the late 1950s. It consists of three distinct classes;

• The High Class, with its politicians, old wealthy families and nouveaux rich entrepreneurs, and business owners.
• The middle class, with its senior executives and high income white collar job earners.
• The lower class with its blue collar workers still has a high level of unemployment, however recent changes in the industry have made a difference.

French People

Whether it is gastronomic greatness, artistic endeavor or cultural cachet that you are looking for, there is absolutely no doubt that France is still sitting on top. Let’s not forget after all that the word “Chic” was invented for France, which manages to be seductive and aloof at the same time, keeping its old fashioned culture and ways while simultaneously being very futuristic.

French people are ‘bon vivant by nature, they enjoy socializing, a good meal together with a good wine, they are always ready to learn something new but eager to speak out and give their opinion. French woman have joined the working force during the last few decades and in general families enjoy a good life and excellent standards, with both parents working. Women are treated as equal amongst the younger generation, however there is still a small amount of a machismo attitude in the most remote areas, and more so to the south. Fashion plays an important part in France needless to say, and you will find that people are for the most part smartly and elegantly dressed, ‘a la mode”, most have a flair for fashion with je ne sais quoi added which seems to be inborn, and this goes for both men and women. French people have a wonderful sense of humor and are wonderful hosts. Hospitality plays a big part in the life of the people there, always proud to offer a bite to eat and to give their guest a good time. They can be arrogant however, especially in Paris, or snobbish, and it is not advisable to assume that everyone there speaks English. Tourists turning to the English language automatically are not highly regarded, and may not be treated with due respect. Try and practise your French, it will always be most appreciated, and it doesn't matter how good it is, the very fact that you are trying will bring you many praises and appreciation.

Religion

In 2003, the CIA world fact book listed French religions as such: Roman Catholic 83-88%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5-10% and unaffiliated 4%. It has to be noted however that it is not clear as to where these sources come from.

Another poll in 2003 announced that 41% denied or said the existence of God was unlikely, 33% reckoned that they were atheists and 51% considered themselves to be Christians. Regarding religions, 62% Roman Catholic, 6% Muslim, 2% Protestant, 1% Jewish and 2% other religions (Buddhist and Orthodox not included), 26% no religion and finally 1% declined to answer.

A 2006 poll found 32% describing themselves as agnostic while 27% believed in a God or any type of supreme being.

In January 2007 51% of the French population say there are Catholics, 31% atheists, 4% Muslims, 3% Protestants and 1% Jews.

So their religious beliefs seem to be rapidly changing!

Geography

The country of France is located in western Europe. It has, however, territories in the Caribbean, South America, North American, the southern Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and even Antarctica.

Size

France covers an area of 543,965 sq km, or 210,026 sq mi including inland water, and Corsica, a small Mediterranean island. From north to south, it has a length of 965km or 600 miles and from east to west it is 935km or 580 miles.

Three different kinds of surface can be found in France, the rolling plains, the uplands and high mountains, with the majority of land less than 250mts or 820ft above sea level. Mont Blanc, located in the Alps in the southeast, rides the border between France and Italy. It is the highest mountain of the country with an altitude of 4,807 m, or 15,770 ft above sea-level. The Pyrenees are in the southwest, separating France and Spain. The Massif Central, an older chain of mountains which consists of old extinct volcanos is located in the south-central.

Climate

France’s climate is temperate in the north. The rest of France enjoys a variety of climates, due to the mountains, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean. The western side offers an oceanic climate, with a lot of rainfall and mild winters. The southern part is basically Mediterranean, with hot dry weather, very mild spring weather while autumn downpours are sudden but brief. The south is also the region of the Mistral, a cold, dry wind that blows down the Rhône Valley for about a hundred days per year. The inland part of the country has a continental climate, with cold winters and hot stormy summers. In the Alps, as well as other mountainous regions, the climate is Alpine, freezing cold and dry, with snow remaining about six months each year.

France travel

Entry requirements

United States, British National (Overseas), British Overseas Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British Protected Person, or 'holder is entitled to readmission into the UK', or 'holder has the right of abode in UK', Canadian, and New Zealand and Ireland citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is not required for a stay of up to three months.

South Africans must have a valid passport and a Schengen visa for travel to France.

Passport/Visa Note: Visitors are advised to hold a return or onward ticket and proof of financial means. The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that allows the holder, in principal, to travel freely within the borders of all.

How to get there

Most major airlines fly direct to Paris. Main airports for Paris are Charles de Gaulles Airport, Le Bourget Airport and Orly Airport. Major cities all have airports too, however many people opt for the TGV, or Train Grande Vitesse (high speed trains)

These trains are the fastest of the world and enable travelers to whiz from one city center to another, whether it is from Germany to France or France to Belgium, Uk to France etc…. And there is more to it than just train….Indeed, the snow trains offers not only dining and drinking but even has a disco! Check it on the site:

Rail Europe

For booking or any additional information check this following site:

SNCF

Places you must see

Paris

Paris, the city of love and romance, the city of lights. Paris, home of the Sacre Coeur, the Tour Eiffel, Notre Dame, Le Louvre. Who hasn't thought of spending a day dreaming on the River Seine on board one of those magnificent Bateaux-Mouches, to admire Le Louvre, Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, flowing slowly under all these magnificent bridges, absorbing the essence and the history, taking in the feel and the scent. Few cities can claim to leave the visitors with such strong impressions. Paris in Spring is probably the best; the climate is soft, the trees are in bloom, the sunlight brings out the best of the architecture and the smell; the smell of Paris in spring, a mix of flowers, the cherry blossoms, patisseries…..Et les parfums, of course! The past is everywhere in Paris: A reminder of its religious and royal times, the old Paris seems almost medieval, while a neoclassical aire is prominent in some back streets, a reminder of the power of the French State. Stroll down the streets of Le Marais, le Quartier Latin…..Les Grands Boulevards, les Champs Elysees…. Each period has added its touch, Le Corbusier here, Eiffel there, they are the mark of the beginning of the 20th Century.

Le village of Montmartre has never disappointed a visitor, with its feeling of bohemia, and its small ancient narrow streets, sometimes steps, going up and down, and the magnificent abbey on the very top of the hill, majestically overlooking the city. Look for the old windmills. Have your portrait painted….Let yourself be taken away and go with the flow….

Dont forget however that there is more to Paris than just history. Visiting La Grande Arche de la Defense or La Vilette for example will transport you in the world of tomorrow.

Museums in Paris

Going back to art, history and culture, Paris is famous for its extraordinary museums, starting with Le Louvre, of course. When you go there, don’t try and see the whole place! Choose one or two exhibitions that you think interest you most. The place is huge. The Musee d’Orsay should not be missed, for its setting as much as for its exhibitions; it occupies a former train station. See the Museee Marmottan for the impressionists, the Palais de Tokyo for Modern Art, and smaller museums like Picasso and Rodin.

Sightseeing in Paris

While visiting Notre Dame, try to go up the towers, it is not to be missed and will transport you into the world of The Miserables. Strolling down the Champs Elysees, see the view from the top of the Arc de Triomphe, admire the scenery from there, it is quite a sight with all the grand avenues shooting out from the Arc like a star. Since the arc was erected almost two hundred years ago it has been the most famous Paris monument and now behind onlt the Eiffel Tower. The arc has played a unique role in Paris' and France's history. And of course, going on top of the Eiffel Tower is simply a must, if you are in Paris! There are lifts, but it is worth making the effort to use the stairs, as long as you are not too afraid of heights! It will only make the occasion a lot more memorable.

Paris is lively, full of art, music and fun, there is always something going on somewhere, a new exhibition, a street circus, some concert, etc…. The cafés and bistros, the little restaurants, all is simply too enchanting and romantic for words. Indeed, few have visited Paris without being charmed and mesmerized. Sightseeing in Paris is also made easy with the famous Metro, which is fast, clean, efficient and cheap.

Le Moulin Rouge

Paris is also well known for its nightlife and cabarets, and the Moulin Rouge is without a doubt the most talked about. Seeing Paris is simply not complete if you have not experienced the Moulin Rouge. Although they have modernized the show, little has changed over the last hundred years or so. Prostitution in France is legal, it is however not as common there as it is in the Netherlands or in Thailand! In the mid-1970s, Paris's prostitutes demonstrated in some churches, in some monuments and in public squares, and demanded unionization. They marched down Rue St-Denis, the central artery of the city's prostitution district, demanding equal rights and legal protection. Their campaign was a success and prostitution became legal. Officially, sex workers are still not allowed to work in the streets, and only the prostitutes themselves can use the money they earn on the job. This has created problems, since even if a woman uses her earnings to support her family, her husband can be prosecuted as a procurer.

Here is a good link to find your way around as well as finding hotels in Paris:

[2]

Le Chateau de Versailles

While you are in Paris, you must of course go to Versailles and visit the chateau and this includes the exuberant gardens as well, with flamboyant displays of fountains and pounds, landscape displays etc. If you are lucky enough to be around while there is a Son a Lumiere (light and sound show) then go for it, it is really a spectacular event.

Versailles will mesmerize you with its splendor. It was once the residence of Louis XIV, who inherited it from its previous "owner" Louis XII. The "Roi Soleil" (the sun king) had the best architect of those times, Louis Le Veau, as well and the famous Andre Le Notrewas as his landscape architect. The chateau became the center of the royal court. Indeed Louis could control effectively the government from this palace, single handedly, which was exactly what he wanteed. The French government became a monarchy.

La Galerie des Glaces, or hall of mirrors, is one of the highlights of the chateau. It was designed by the architect Jules Hardouin. The mirrors were the first of their kind for their size, unequalled anywhere in the world. Also, throughout history, this magnificent hall has witnessed some of the most important events and meetings in French history.

It can be said that Versailles is a true example of Baroque; it has gone through an endless series of expansions, always faithful to its style. It is not possible today to see the entire chateau but here is a list of what you can see:

• La Galerie des Glaces
  

  

  The Hall of Mirrors
• Le Grand Appartement de la Reine (The Queen's Suite)

This includes the Queen's Guard's Room, Antechamber, Peer’s Salon, and the Queen's Bedchamber

• L'Appartement du Roi (The King's Private Apartments)

With La Salle des Gardes (King's Guards Room) the Antichambre du Grand Couvert (Room to have grand private meals), L'Oeil-de-Boeuf Salon, Chambre du Roi, and the King's Cabinet du Conseil or Council Cabinet.

• Les cabinets du Roi et de la Reine (The King's and Queen's private's chambers)
• Le Petit Appartement (The Private Apartments)
• The Museum of French History
• The Opera
  

  

  The Gardens of Versailles
• La chapelle royale (The Royal Chapel)
• The gardens and outbuildings

The Loire Valley

The Loire valley became what is known today as the playground of the French nobility, under the reign of King Francois 1st. They proceeded to fill the region with extravagant chateaux, many of which were inspired by Leonardo da Vinci who lived in the area from 1519 until his death three years later. The nation’s wealth was used and abused sparingly in order to finance these caprices, and this was to keep on happening for another two hundred years.

The Loire Valley is one of the most highly rated regions of France. The climate is wonderful, the scenery magical, the Loire’s sinuous flow, lazing at the side of these fairy tale chateaux, the vineyards of some of the best wines of the world and their wine tasting are all a unique experience. The serenity and tranquility of the place is captivating and never fails to conquer your emotions. Out of all the chateaux, Chambord is the largest and most impressive. For its architecture, this chateau can be simply described as being grandiose and majestic. It was built by King Francois 1st, and it is very probable that Leonardo de Vinci had his say in such a project. The chateau is well known for its double helix stair case, where nobody can ever meet, and its 365 chimneys, its 440 rooms and the biggest “garden” of Europe.

The Loire Valley is truly one of the world’s wonders regarding gastronomy, sight seeing, art and culture.

La Provence

Maybe because of the medieval hilltop villages, the smell of Lavander, of Marjoram, or because of the olive groves and fields of sunflowers, this could be the most irresistible area of France. Visit Avignon, briefly a Papal city, Arles, Aix en Provence, listen to the sounds of the crickets, breathe in the Mediterranean mist, take in the sunshine, and follow the flow. Provence is like a little paradise on earth, full of life, energy, enthusiasm, sunshine, if you like it, you’ll love it.

The Alps

When thinking of the Alps, one automatically thinks of the snow, of skiing, and of beautiful chalets with sparkling fire places. But the French Alps are also glorious in the summer. Some of the sky lifts are opened throughout the year and will take you up to beautiful hiking trails. The atmosphere and look of the mountains is very different without the snow, it really is like a different world. Annecy is a very pretty town with its turquoise lake with the pick of La Tourette in the background.

La Champagne

Don’t forget to visit Champagne, where you can visit the caves of some of the most famous crus, including Veuve Cliquot-Ponsardin for example, from which you may well come out feeling slightly giddy. The largest city Reims has a very impressive gothic cathedral. And of course, you will probably enjoy a glass or two of champagne while there.

Chartres Cathedral

One of the most beautiful and impressive cathedrals in France is the Cathedrale de Chartres.Notre Dame de Chartres is considered by many to be more admirable than Notre Dame de Paris, but you decide. Notre Dame de Chartres' greatest asset is its fantastic rose stained glass window, amongst the other 130 stained glass windows it has to offer. It is located on a hilltop, showing off the perfection of its geometry. Gothic cathedrals have the ability to look as light as air, always elegant and grandiose, as if pointing to the sky.

Le Mont St Michel

Le Mont St. Michel is located on the northern western coast of France, separating Brittany and Normandy, and is the home to centuries of tradition. In the early eighth century, it is said that the Archangel Michael appeared to Bishop Aubert of Avranges in a dream asking him to build a church on this rock, and as Aubert hesitated, the archangel pierced his skull with his finger; thus started an oratory, and in 966, a Benedictine monastery was established. In 1020, Richard II began the Abbey Church, and supported Abbot Hildebert's construction efforts. Soon the place became a place of pilgrimage over time, the spiritual foundations of the abbey waned, and in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries it was even used as a prison. Fortunately, the French government took responsibility in 1874 and the abbey and its surrounding buildings have all been restored. It is now a unique and spectacular site.

What makes this monument so striking, and the reason why so many visitors have come to admire it in the past twelve centuries, is its magnificent, almost arrogant location. Indeed to reach it, one must wait for the tide to be low, because at high tide, the church is on an island. The sea is wild in these parts. It is not advisable to try and cross as the tide is coming in because it rises very quickly. Once the tide is high, it takes on its real character as the violent waves break at its shores.[[3]]

Corsica

Corsica is the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardania and Cyprus. Famous for being the birth place of Napoleon, the island has kept some of its Italian identity, and is a typical Mediterranean island, for its cuisine, its exuberant people, its climate, its beautiful beaches, and the bright colors. The sunshine and the flora and fauna of this small island’s charm is simply irresistible. There is a natural park in the island which protects thousands of rare animals and plants which only exist there. Many of them can only be reached by sea but sailing is part of Corsica after all!

The Massif Central

Covering an area of 85,470 km2 or 33,000 sq miles, the Massif Central is an old chain of mountains consisting of extinct volcanos in central southern France. It has the basin of Paris in the north, the Rhone Valley on the east and south and the Aquitaine to the west. The core of the Massif is the Auvergne with the highest peak of the chain and the Puit de Sancy, at 1886 m or 6187 ft above sea level. At the southern limit, the Cevennes can be seen on the southeast and the Causses on the southwest. The Massif Central is, geologically speaking, one of the most varied regions of France and the home of many pre-historical caves.

The Rivers

You will, of course, enjoy France’s beautiful rivers. La Loire of course; who has not heard of the famous Loire Valley with its beautiful chateaux and its wine tasting trail. La Seine, which goes through the capital, la Garonne, le Rhin and le Rhone to name the largest ones. The Rhone, in fact, separates the Alps from the Massif Central, and spreads to form a delta, La Camargue, before losing itself to the Mediterranean Sea.

La Camargue

La Camargue is one of the wildest spot of France, and is rich in fauna and flora. It is the home of a beautiful breed of white horses, which live there in semi-wilderness, like the bulls found in the area. The horses are slightly smaller than their cousins, however they can never be completely tamed. The breed has existed in the area since prehistoric times and its origins are shrouded in mystery. There is a theory that they may be descended from the extinct Soutré horse, whose bones dating from 17,000 years ago have been found in the southeastern part of France. The Lascaux Paleolithic Cave Paintings show images of horses thus providing us with further evidence of prehistoric horses in southwest France. These horses are fiercely protected today.

The Adventurous Minds

Apart from enjoying the food and sightseeing, France has a lot of activities for those who are adventurous and enjoy a bit of sporting life;

• Sailing is popular along most coasts, especially Brittany, Normandy and the Mediterranean. The majority of the French coastline fronts the Atlantic Ocean, while only 20% is in the Mediterranean. Whilst areas such as Marseille tend to be quite industrialized, let's not forget that it is after all, a major port. There are still many beautiful ports and
  

  

  La Grave skiing
  anchorages all around the coastline with Brittany being by far many peoples favorite.

Try Collioure, just south of Perpignan. It does not have a marina, but there is room to anchor in the sheltered bay and aside from being utterly picturesque, it's within easy striking distance of Spain too!

• Skiing, snow boarding and all winter sports are mostly done in the Alps but there are a few stations in the Pyrenees.

The mountains of France are the highest in Europe, including mighty Mont Blanc. France has always lead the world in creating vast ski regions, often linked by ski lifts and covered by one regional ski pass. The resorts are some of the most popular anywhere including Valdisere, Les Arcs and Meribel. For avid and enthusiastic skiers, France certainly delivers as nothing compares to it. Known for its off-piste, France provides ski resorts that offer excellent terrain for the advanced skier and if steep slopes are wanted, then ski resorts such as La Grave offer some of the best extreme terrain to be found anywhere. If variety is what you seek, the ski areas of the Milky Way and Les Portes du Soleil are unbeatable. Ski resorts with access to glaciers are numerous so snow is assured and skiing is often possible all year-round. Rock climbing is another popular sport in France, indeed many visitors go there on rock climbing holidays. For more information on this, try this link: [4]

• For white water rafting, kayaking and canoeing, go to the Massif Central, or also the Pyrenees. The magnificent scenery will stay with you forever, and the adrenaline rush will keep you going for years to come!

[5]

• Diving and snorkeling are good in the Mediterranean. The Atlantic has far too many currents and waves. Not many people realize how wonderful diving in the Mediterranean is; many types of fish found in this sea are found nowhwere else in the world making it a unique experience not to be missed if you have the chance.

• If you are into surfing though, the Atlantic coast is where you should be heading.

French surfing regions can be split into three main areas. The Mediterranean coast in the south east, hardly worth mentioning, surf is small almost non-existent. Next is the north facing coast stretching from Brest in Brittany, the northwest tip of France right through to Belgium. The surf is better the closer you get to the northwest tip and has interesting reef breaks. The swell gets worse the further east you go. So that leaves the west, the Atlantic facing coast - this is where the action is and this coast is where everyone wanting some top notch waves should head. But beware, these waves can be big! And they are strong. [6]

French Cuisine

A large number of people go to France with the sole purpose of eating well. Good French cooking never really goes out of fashion. The heavy haute cuisine of days past has largely been shelved in favor of a lighter approach to cooking, and it could be said that there has always been much more to French cooking than haute cuisine. In fact, it could be argued that the ingredients and techniques used in each region are so different that there's not really such a thing as 'French' cooking at all!

French cuisine is the most refined, varied, stylish, succulent and outstanding of the world, whether it is the haute cuisine or simply the provincial cuisine eaten everyday. The gastronomic greatness of France first appeared for the delight of the kings of France. Later on, chefs such as Taillevent, La Varenne, Careme, Bocuse and Escoffier transformed it into an art. The French cooking techniques have had an impact on all Western cuisine today, and culinary schools use it as a basis for their trainings. The Boulangeries are irresistible, with their baguettes and croissants, the Patisseries are impossible to ignore, with their delightful cakes and chocolates, and as far as eating out is concerned, the choice is endless. French cheeses have their fame too! Who has not tried Camembert, Brie, Roquefort, Crotin de Chavignolle ( Goat cheese), and Gruyere. There are over 750 different types!

Try some local dishes;

• La Ratatouille, a Mediterranean dish, another typical from the Provence, La Salade Nicoise, and La Bouillabesse, a fish stew from Marseille with lobster, crab, mussels or clams, served as a main course and accompanied by La Rouille, a spicy mayonnaise made with olive oil, garlic, chilies and fish broth, and the whole lot served with warm bread. Dishes in Provence rely mainly on tomatoes, olive oil, garlic and plenty of fresh herbs.

• Normandy gives us a traditional dish using both mussels and cream, Moules a la crème Normande, le Calvados, a strong alcohol made from apples and of course, le Camembert. The delicious Brioche was first invented in the town of Gournay in Normandy.

• Brittany is famed for its crepes and its wonderful dry cider. Sea food is to be found in abundance there, and like Normandy, Brittany likes its butter and its crème fraiche!

• La Bourgogne and Bordeaux give us some of the best wines of the world. Coq au vin, (capon cooked in red wine), Boeuf Bourguigon, (beef cooked in wine, with herbs and mushrooms), and snails, the famous Escargots de Bourgogne.
  

  

  Les Escargots de Bourgogne

• Languedoc-Roussillon, La Gascogne and le Pays Basque also rely mainly on tomatos, garlic and olive oil, with a certain influence from Spanish cuisine. Le Cassoulet, a stew of mouton and beans, is the dish of Languedoc, quite excellent! The Rousillon shows a strong influence from Catalan and the dishes are quite meaty, including the famous Merguez, spicy Mediterranean sausages. Lets not forget of course the Jambon de Bayonne, ham braised in Madeira wine.
  

  

  Nouvelle cuisine

Deserts

• French deserts are indescribable and the variety is endless. Tartes and pies, gateaux, ice creams and sorbets, flans. Each region comes with their own specialties and versions, and deserts could be counted by the thousands. To name a few:
  

  

  Gateau de Fromage Blanc

Poire Belle Helene, Mousse au Chocolat, Profiterolles au chocolat, Tarte aux pommes, Clafoutis aux Abricots, Crepes Suzette, Paris-Brest, Concorde, Eclairs……

And the list could go on endlessly. Just try them!

When To Go

When to go in France depends largely on where you are planning to go and what you are planning to do. Unless you have an unlimited amount of time, it is virtually impossible to go everywhere or to do everything.

Spring is always a good time; beach tourism starts to pick up in May in the south. On the other hand temperatures are still high until at least the end of September in the Cote D’azur. Winter is the right time if playing and skiing in the snow is what you are after. Remember that from mid-July to the end of August all major cities literally close down, as their dwellers take their annual 5 weeks holiday during this time. The same thing happens, to a lesser extent, during February and March.

The famous preening prêt-a-porter fashion show of Paris takes place in early February. The Cannes film festival in Mid-May, the Deauville American Film Festival in September. The famed International Music Festival of Strasbourg starts at the beginning of June and lasts 3 weeks. And lets not forget the mainstream and fringe theatre of the Festival d’Avignon, from mid-July to mid-August and the Festival de Jazz de Nice, in late July to early August.

Maps and tourist guides

If you are exploring France and need a guide, the Michelin Green Guide is a very useful starting point; in fact it is all you need and don’t even look any further. Everything is there, from restaurants to hotels, must sees and avoids, best ways to get places, when it is best to go, etc. It is great if you are looking for good deals, or for hidden secrets. The Michelin Green Guide has it all.

French maps are very detailed and the Michelin maps are the most used in France. IGN (Institut Geographique National) publish the other most popular maps of France apart from Michelin.

Travelling around France

If you are planning to visit France by train, you will no doubt be using the EuroStar and the TGV, Trains Grande Vitesse. These famous trains are the fastest in the world today, and will take you from one city center to another without the hassles of having to go to any airports. Other train services are also excellent and it is a good idea to buy a travelling card or pass enabling you to travel at a lower cost. Remember that you may need to reserve up to three months ahead. Travelling by trains through France is a lovely way to visit the country and enables you to go virtually everywhere.

Safely.travel

If you are new to travelling, or even if you have travelled the globe for years, I strongly recommend you check out the following link for some very interesting and informative reading about safe travelling in France, and the Third World in general. It is an accumulation of original thoughts and experiences of several worldly travellers, just go to Safely.travel. It was written with the Third World in mind, where travelling disasters are around every corner, and a pre-emptor to what we may all expect someday in the First World as populations increase and desperate people become more brave and sophisticated in their survival techniques. It will make you aware of all sorts of scams, how to check into a hotel, advice for single lady travellers, advice for single men travellers, rip tides, credit card scams, driving in a foreign land, kidnapping, street people, you name it. It is an essential read for anyone travelling, and the most comprehensive discussion I know of!