the regions of france
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Everything French Real Estate
Regions of France A Guide to the Regions of France
www.everythingfrenchrealestate.com.au
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A Guide to the Regions of France
Everything French Real Estate Index
1. Alsace 3
2. Aquitaine 7
3. Auvergne 12
4. Basse Normandy 49
5. Burgundy 17
6. Brittany 15
7. Centre 21
8. Champagne-Ardenne 24
9. Corsica -
10. Franche-Comte 27
11. Haute-Normandy 49
12. Ile-de-France 30
13. Languedoc-Roussillon 33
14. Limousin 36
15. Lorraine 39
16. Midi-Pyrenees 42
17. Nord-Pas-de-Calais 46
18. Pays-de-la-Loire 52
19. Picardy 55
20. Poitou-Charentes 58
21. Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur 61
22. Rhone-Alpes 68
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Alsace
Alsace shares its borders with both Switzerland and Germany
and has a strong German influence. The region is dotted with
quaint villages, historic towns, ancient Chateaux and is known
for the white wines produced here.
Highlights
La Route des Vins: the Alsace wine trail is an approximately 170
km long road, crossing the main wine producing areas of the
region and incorporating a number of beautiful villages
Haut-Koenigsburg Castle. Stunning fortified 12th century hilltop castle in the Vosges, near Strasbourg fortified by Vauban.
Kayserberg A picture perfect town of half wooden houses and a fortified bridge dating from the 15th century.
Neuf Brisach A seventeenth-century city and UNESCO site this town was fortified by Vauban.
Strasbourg Capital and largest town in the region Strasbourg plays an important role in the EU. Strasbourg has an historic centre called the Grand Ile which is a UNESC world heritage site.
Colmar Colmar historic city centre is remarkably well preserved and features a number of half wooden houses. The city architecture shows both the French and German influences
Mulhouse
Mulhouse is famous for its museums especially the Cité de and
the Musée Français du Chemin de Fer respectively the largest
automobile and railway museums in France.
Vogues Mountains The Vogues run along the western side of the Rhine Valley near the German border and a popular destination for hikers and skiers.
Map
Departments
Bas-Rhin Department 67
Haut-Rhin Department 68
Quick Facts
Area Total 8,280 km2
Population Total 1,815,488
Density 220/km2
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Alsace is the smallest most densely populated
region in metropolitan France. Alsace is located
on France's eastern border and on the west
bank of the upper Rhine neighbouring Germany
and Switzerland. The capital as well as largest
city of Alsace is Strasbourg which is the seat of
a number of international organizations and
bodies, making Alsace politically one of the
most important regions in the European Union.
Originally Alsace was inhabited by nomadic
hunters and later came under Roman rule
around 58BC. The Franks ruled in the 5th century
and experienced great prosperity during the
12th and 13th centuries under Hohenstaufen
emperors. The region came under French rule in
1639, moving to German rule after the Franco-
Prussian war and then back to France after
WWII. The region was occupied by Germany in
WWII but never annexed.
The Rhine River runs along the eastern river of
Bas-Rhin or the Lower Rhine and has always
played an important part of the area’s
economy. The foothills of the stunning Vogues
moutains, popular in both summer and winter,
are in Bas-Rhine. The department is bordered by
Germany on two sides, the north and east, to
the south is Haut-Rhine and the south east the
department of Vogues which is in the region of
Lorraine. The Palatinate forest, an area of
exceptional beauty and part of the UNESCO-
designated Palatinate Forest-North Vosges
Biosphere Reserve lies just across the border in
Germany. The biosphere reserve is one of the
biggest forests in Europe.
Haut-Rhin, or the Upper Rhine, is smaller and
less populated than Bas-Rhin, like Bas-Rhine it
takes its name from the Rhine river that runs
along the eastern border. The centre of the
department has a large fertile plain, along the
eastern border are the Vogues Mountains.
Other borders are Switzerland to the east and
the Territoire de Belfort and Vosges
departments.
Alsace is famous for its wine primarily
producing white wines, and some rose it
produces some of the most noted dry Rieslings
in the world, internationally Alsace is known for
its highly aromatic Gewürztraminer wines.
Tourist Attractions
La Route des Vins: the Alsace wine trail.
The Route des Vins d'Alsace (Wine route of
Alsace) is an approximately 170 km long road,
crossing the main wine producing areas of the
region.
Highlight Towns on the Wine Trail.
Oberni: A walled town that is centred around
place de Marche the ancient market square.
There are a number of wine growers who have
cellars within walking distance from the town.
Dambach-la-Ville: Features 14th century pink
granite ramparts with ancient watch towers
and outstanding half timbered homes dating
from the before the 15th century. This village is
surrounded by vines and has a number of caves
(wine stores) to visit.
Selestat: The largest town between Strasbourg
and Colmar, Selestat is most famous for its
Biliotheque Humatiste (Humanist Library).
Eglise St-George is a stunning Gothic church
dating from the 13th century. A market, held
since 1435, runs every Tuesday around the
Romanesque church of Eglise St-Foy.
Bergheim: A delightful walled town with half
timbered houses bursting with geraniums and
flower beds. The centre was spared from
bombing in WWII and is dominated by an early
Gothic church from the 14th century. This town
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has a dark history with it being captured or sold
over 20 times, between 1582 and 1630 thirty five
women and one man were burnt at the stake
for witchcraft.
Ribeauville: attracts many tourists and is
perhaps one of the most visited towns on the
wine route. It is a stunning town nestled in a
valley and full of delightful 18th century over
hanging houses and winding narrow alleys. The
local grand crus are Kirchberg, Ribeauville and
Geisberg.
Hunawihr: A tiny hamlet surround by 14th
century walls with a fortified church standing
just outside the walls.
Riquewhir: Medieval Requewhir has 13th to 16th
century ramparts and a labyrinth of alley ways
to discover. The Tours des Voleurs, a tower in
the towns fortifications features a medieval
torture chamber and an old style wine growers
kitchen. The Sentier Viticole de Grand Crus
which is marked by yellow signs will take you to
the most prestigious local vineyards.
Kayserberg: A picture perfect town where you
will find the ornate renaissance Hotel de Ville
(town hall) and the red sandstone Eglise Ste
Croix and 12th – 15th century church. The houses
of the town vary; some are half timbered and
other show baroque influence. A fortified
bridge that was built in 1514 crossed the Weiss
River. Nearby Chateau de Kayserberg stans
surrounded by vines.
Haut-Koenigsburg Castle
Built in the 12th Century Chateau du Haut-
Koenigsbourg is located at Orschwiller in the
Vosges mountains near Sélestat. The castle
holds at a strategic location on a high hill
overlooking the Alsatian plain. The chateau held
a major strategic point in Alsace and was used
by consecutive rulers from the Middle Ages
until the Thirty Years' War. In 1633 during the
Thirty years war the Swedish army held it in
seige for 52 days, they then pillaged the town
and finally burnt to the ground, after this the
castle was abandoned. In 1900 it was restored
under the direction of Emperor Wilhelm II.
Neuf Brisach
Neuf-Brisach was founded in 1699 at Louis XIV's
order. Built to plans drawn up by famed military
engineer Vauban, it is now considered as
Vauban's masterpiece. Its architecture is unique
in Europe, and the town is listed as part of the
world Heritage by UNESCO.
Strasbourg is the capital of Alsace and the
official seat of the European Parliament along
with a number of important European
intuitions. The first traces of human occupation
go back 600,000 years with bronze age and iron
age artifacts have been discovered. The
Romans had a military outpost here from circa
11BC. Stasbourg has an historic centre called the
Grand Ile which is a UNESC world heritage site.
The Catherdral Notre-Dame which was built
between the 12 and 14th centuries is arguably
Strasbourgs grandest building and houses the
300 year old Astrometric Clock. Other notable
buildings are the baroque Opera House, Maison
Kammerzell from the 15th century and the Palais
des Rohan built in 1681 after the acquisition of
the town by the French.
Colmar was founded in the 9th century gone
between German and French Rule for centuries
not returning to French rule until after WW11.
Colmar historic city centre is remarkably well
preserved and features a number of half
wooden houses. The city architecture shows
both the French and German influences and
includes the12th century Église des Dominicains
which displays Martin Schongauer's
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masterwork La Vierge au buisson de roses as
well as 14th century stained glass windows and
baroque choir stalls.
Mulhouse. The first written records of
Mulhouse date to the 12th century, like Colmar
Mulhouse has been ruled by both Germany and
France over the centuries finally returning to
French rule after WW11 in 1945. Mulhouse is
famous for its museums especially the Cité de
and the Musée Français du Chemin de Fer
respectively the largest automobile and railway
museums in France.
Vosges Mountains run along the western side
of the Rhine Valley near the German border.
The mountains are a popular place for hiking,
mountain-bike trails, nature trails, skiing in the
winter.
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Aquitaine
Aquitaine is a beautiful region of inland woods, villages and
castles. Along its coast are famous seaside towns and surf
beaches.
Highlights
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is home to 362 historic monuments with some
buildings dating back to Roman times. Bordeaux has been
added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as an outstanding
urban and architectural ensemble.
Bordeaux Wine
Visit the famous wine houses of the Bordeaux wine growing
region. A highlight town is beautiful town of St Emilion set
right in the centre of the vineyards.
Dordogne Valley
The Dordogne Valley is also known as the Valley of the five
chateaux for the five imposing chateaux that sit in the valley.
The valley is also renowned for its well preserved towns and
villages the highlight being Sarlat.
Vezere Valley
The Vezere valley is home to the pre-historic caves and
grottes dated from when cro-magnon man lived around
20,000 to 40,000 years ago. There are many caves to explore
with the two most notable being include Lascaux II and Font
du Guame.
Sarlat
A stunning medieval town in the heart of Black Perigord
Sarlat has been beautifully preserved and is a delight to visit.
Atlantic Coast
A popular beach holiday destination, the coast around
Biarritz is known for its surfing.
Map
Departments
Dordogne 24
Gironde 33
Landes 40
Lot et Garonne 47
Pyrénées-Atlantiques 64
Quick Facts
Area Total 41,308 km2 Population
Total 3,150,000 Density 76/km2
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Aquitaine is in the south-western area of
metropolitan France, along the Atlantic Ocean
and the Pyrenees mountain range on the border
with Spain. In the Middle Ages Aquitaine was a
kingdom and a duchy, whose boundaries
changed frequently. The capital city of
Aquitaine is Bordeaux. Aquitaine has 250 km of
beautiful coast with sand beaches and great
surf spots. The coast from just north of Biarritz
to Hendaye Plage is famed for its surf; other
notable towns on this coast are Aracahron well
known for its oysters, Cap Ferret and the
ancient and historic town of Bayonne.
Inland from the coast is the magnificent Vézère
Valley which is home to the pre-historic caves
and grottes dated from when cro-magnon man
lived around 20,000 to 40,000 years ago. There
are many caves to explore with the two most
notable being include Lascaux II cave paintings,
listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO, and
Font du Gaume. This area is often referred to as
the cradle of humanity.
Aquitaine offer natural diversity with the
Pyrenees national park, the Landes of Gascony
which is the largest pine forest in Europe, and
the great estuaries of the Gironde were the
mouths of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers
meet.
Famous for its wine Aquitaine is the largest
region of fine wines in the world with over
145,000 hectares of vines. The Bordeaux wine
region has some of the greatest designation in
the world such as Médoc, St Emilion, Pomerol
and Sauternes. Lesser known Bergerac also
produces so very good wine.
Aquitaine is a dream region for food lovers.
Local specialty are as foie gras, oysters from the
Bay of Arcachon, aspargus from Landes,
Tomme cheese from the Pyrenees and chilli
Espelette peppers.
Visit
Sarlat is a medieval town that developed
around a large Benedictine abbey of Carolingian
origin. Sarlat has remained beautifully
preserved and is one of the town’s most
representative of 14th century France. The
centre of the old town consists of impeccably
restored stone buildings and is largely car-free.
Main sights are St Sacerdos Cathedral and the
lovely Place de la Liberte which is surrounded
by grand period homes. Don’t miss the famous
Sarlat market held every Saturday and
Wednesday morning.
The Dordogne Valley is named after the great
river Dordogne that runs through it and
roughly corresponds with the ancient county of
Périgord. In addition to its castles, chateaux,
churches, bastides and cave fortresses, the
Périgord region has a number of wonderful
preserved villages which still have their market
halls, dovecotes, tories (stone huts), churches,
abbeys and castles. Saint-Leon-sur-Vezere,
Connezac, Saint-Jean-de-Côle, La Roque-Gageac
and many others are real jewels of architecture.
Vezere Valley is home to pre-historic caves and
grottes that play a significant role in the history
of both the area and Cro-Magnon man - the first
early modern humans who lived 20,000 to
40,000 years ago. The first sample of Cro-
Magnon man was discovered in the town of Les
Eyzies - de Taynac (or just Les Eyzies) in the
heart of the Dordogne. There are hundreds of
caves and grottes across the Dordogne region,
the most important ones being Lascuax II and
Font du Guame. The Vezere Valley is named for
the Vezere River that runs through it.
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Agen is on the banks of the Garonne River. The
old centre of town contains a number of
medieval buildings including the twelfth century
Agen Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Caprasius
which is one of the few large churches in France
with a double nave. The Saint Hilaire church is
notable for the statues Moses and St Peter in
front of the left. The Musée des Beaux Arts,
Fine Art Museum, contains artefacts, furniture
and sculptures from prehistoric times onwards.
The art gallery contains several hundred works,
including several by Goya, and others by
Bonnard and Seurat. The Canal des Deux Mers,
which joins the Mediterranean with the
Atlantic, crosses the river Garonne at Agen via
the town's famous canal bridge.
Bayonne sits at the meeting point of the Nive
and Adour rivers. The area has been ruled by
the Romans, the Vikings and the English before
coming under French rule shortly after the 100
years war. The Nive river divides Bayonne into
two quarters, Grand Bayonne and Petit
Bayonne with both quarters still backed by
Vauban's walls. The houses lining the Nive are
examples of Basque architecture, with half-
timbering and shutters in the national colours
of red and green. The Cathédrale Sainte-Marie is
an imposing Gothic structure that was
constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries.
Château Vieux, parts of which dates back to the
12th century, were where the governors of the
city were based, including the English Black
Prince.
Bergerac dates from medieval times and has an
interesting small old town and old Port, the
Vieux Port. The Covered Market is a lovely 19th
century building that has been restored. The
square of Place de la Mirpes is surrounded by
beautiful medieval half-timbered houses.
Recollets Convent is converted convent built
between the 12th and 17th centuries and used
by the Recollects order of Franciscans later it
was used as a Protestant temple. It is now the
Wine museum of Bergerac.
Wines of the Bergerac Region is situated on
both sides of the Dordogne River and covers
13.000 hectares across 93 villages. The blend
and the choice of the vine constitute the
Bergerac wine's prestige and bouquet.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot,
Malbec are used for the reds and Sauvignon,
Sémillon, Muscadelle for the whites.
Appellations: Bergerac AOC: dry white wines,
rosé wines and red wines. These are wines that
can be enjoyed young (from two years
old).Côtes de Bergerac AOC: mellow, soft red
wines that can be stored. They only reach their
prime after several years' storage in the wine
cellar. Montravel AOC: dry white wines and red
wines. Haut-Montravel AOC: sweet white
wines.Côtes de Montravel AOC: sweet white
wines.Monbazillac AOC: white dessert wines
that can be stored for a long time.
Pécharmant AOC: red wines. These are wines
suitable for medium-term storage.
Rosette AOC: sweet white wines. This
appellation, which is the smallest within the
wine-growing area, produces little-known wines
that are medium-sweet to sweet.
Saussignac AOC: white dessert wines that can
be stored medium to long-term.
Biarritz is a luxurious seaside town that is
popular with tourists and surfers that is on the
Bay of Biscay, on the French Atlantic coast In
the 12th century Biarritz was a whaling
settlement from the twelfth century onwards,
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and in the 18th century became a popular beach
for alleged cures for ailments.
Bordeaux on the Garonne River and is the
capital of the Aquitaine. Over the centuries the
Celts, Romans, Vandals, Visigoths and the
Franks have all had influence on this area.
Bordeaux came under English rule when
Eleanor of Aquitaine married Henri Plantagenet
who became King Henry II of England. In the
16th century the city became the center of the
distribution of sugar and slaves from the West
Indies along with the traditional wine. In the
city was annexed to the Kingdom of France in
1653, when the army of Louis XIV entered the
city.
Bordeaux is classified a City of Art and History
and is home to 362 historic monuments with
some buildings dating back to roman times.
Bordeaux has been inscribed on UNESCO World
Heritage List as an outstanding urban and
architectural ensemble.
To See in Bordeaux
The grand cathedral Saint-André Cathedral was
consecrated by Pope Urban II in 1096. Of the
original Romanesque structure only a wall in the
nave remain. The Tour Pey-Berland which dates
to is a latge gothic tower annexed to the
cathedral. The Royal Gate is from the early 13th
century, while the rest of the construction is
mostly from the 14th–15th centuries.
Église Sainte-Croix (Church of the Holy Cross)
lies on the site of a 7th century abbey destroyed
by the Saracens (Arab Prirates). It was rebuilt by
the Carolingians and again destroyed by the
Normans in 845 and 864. It is annexed to a
Benedictine abbey founded in the 7th century,
and was built in the late 11th-early 12th
centuries. Place de la Bourse is a beautiful
square designed by Jacques Ange Gabriel for a
statue of Louis XV.
La Grosse Cloche is from the 15th century and
the second remaining gate of the ancient
medieval ramparts. It was the belfry of the old
Town Hall and consists of two 40 m-high
circular towers and a central bell tower.The
watch is from 1759.
Opera National de Bordeaux is an 18th building
century with stunning architecture and interior
design.
Bordeaux Wines is centred on the city of
Bordeaux and covers the whole area of the
Gironde department, with a total vineyard area
of over 120,000 hectares. 89% of wine produced
in Bordeaux is red with sweet white wines
(most notably Sauternes), dry whites, and also
(in much smaller quantities) rosé and sparkling
wines (Crémant de Bordeaux) making up the
remainder. Bordeaux wine is made by more
than 8,500 producers or Châteaux. There are 54
appellations of Bordeaux wine and the vast
majority of Bordeaux wine is red, with red wine
production outnumbering white wine
production six to one.The Bordeaux wine
region is divided into subregions including Saint-
Émilion, Pomerol, Médoc, and Graves. The 60
Bordeaux appellations and the wine styles they
represent are generally categorized into six
main families, four red based on the sub-regions
and two white based on sweetness.
St Emilion is a famous in the Bordeaux wine
growing area. The Romans planted vineyards in
the area in the 2nd century. The town was
named after the monk Emilion who settled in a
hermitage carved in the rock there in the 8th
century. The commercial wine production was
started by the monks who followed him to the
area. The town is a World Heritage site, with
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beautiful Romanesque churches and ruins
stretching all along steep and narrow streets.
Dax is famous as a spa, specialising in mud
treatment for rheumatism and similar ailments.
It was first established by the Romans, and its
reputation is supposed to date from a visit by
Julia, the daughter of the first Emperor
Octavian Augustus. In the Middle Ages, it was
administered by viscounts until 1177. With the
acquisition of Aquitaine by Henry II
Plantagenet, later King of England, Dax
remained under the English rule until 1451, when
it was conquered by the French troops before
the end of the Hundred Years' War. It
successfully withstood a Spanish siege in 1521-
1522. Later Dax kept its tradition as a renowned
spa site.
Pau is a fortified town from the 11th century
most noted for the Chateau de Pau which
dominates the centre of the town. Alphonse
de Lamartine was quoted as saying that: "Pau
has the world's most beautiful view of the
earth”
Périgueux is the capital of the Dordogne
department and dates back to the Gaul’s and
then the Romans. There is a lovely old town
centre with the most notable sites being the
amphitheatre, the remains of a temple to the
Gallic goddess Vesunna, a Roman villa the
Domus of Vesunna which is built around a
garden courtyard surrounded by a colonnades.
The cathedral of St Front was built after 1120 AD
and restored in the 19th century.
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Auvergne
Auvergne is a mountainous and very rural region in central
France which is known for its many extinct volcanoes.
Highlights
Le Puy en Velay
Home to the UNESCO listed Cathedrale Notre-Dame du Puy and
the Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe chapel which is perched high on a
rocky outcrop.
Vichy
Famous Spa town dating back to Roman times.
Romanesque Churches
There are a number of medieval churches scattered across the
region.
Chateaux
Dotted throughout the region are a number of historical
chateaux dating from times past.
Clermont Ferrand
The capital of the region Clermont Ferrand is built at the base of
a long extinct volcano and is one of the oldest cities in Europe.
Gourmet Delight
The Cantal region is famous for its cheeses; the best known is
Cantal which comes in three levels of maturity.
Map
Departments
Allier 03
Cantal 15
Haute-Loire 43
Puy-de-Dôme 63
Quick Facts
Area Total 26,013 km2
Population Total 1,341,000
Density 52/km2
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Auvergne sits in southern central France and is
a mountainous region which contains many
volcanoes, although the last confirmed eruption
was around 6,000 years ago. Auvergne is one of
the least populated regions in Europe. The
capital of the region is Clermont Ferrand which
sits at the foot of an ancient volcano.
The Allier is a prosperous agricultural
department with wide valleys and gently rolling
hills. Vichy, in the south of the department, is a
stylish spa town famous for its mineral water.
The spas, famous for their beneficial qualities
were first used by the Romans 2000 years ago
and made famous by Louis XIV and then again in
the 19th century by Napoleon.
The Puy de Dome department is also known for
its mineral water especially Volvic which springs
from the mineral-rich volcanic rock that this
area is known for. At the centre of the Puy de
Dome fertile alluvial plain, known as la Limagne.
A large proportion of the Cantal department lies
at an altitude of over 800 metres with large
areas that are barren and treeless, such as the
wide rolling grasslands of the Cézallier. Farmers
graze cattle in mountain pastures in the
summer and the produce the wonderful Cantal
cheeses. At the centre of the Cantal department
lie the Monts du Cantal, a volcanic bulge in the
crust of southern central France.
The Haute Loire department is also mostly a
high land area, but it does lower lying areas
consisting of the upper valleys of the Allier and
Loire rivers. The capital of Haute Loire is the
small city of Le Puy-en-Velay which has an
amazing cathedral Cathédrale Notre-Dame du
Puy, which is one of the historic starting points
on the medieval pilgrimage route to Santiago
de Compostella. Another highlight is chapel
Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe built in 962 on a volcanic
formation 85 metres high. The chapel is reached
by 268 steps carved into the rock. It was built to
celebrate the return from the pilgrimage of
Saint James.
A very rural region, Auvergne is not
traditionally a major tourist destination. Apart
from the spa resorts of Vichy, Le Mont Dore and
Chatel Guyon, Auvergne traditionally had little
tourist infrastructure.
Tourist Attractions
Le Puy en Velay is home to the stunning
Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy, dating mainly
from the first half of the 12th century and an
UNESCO world heritage site. Also of interest is
the Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe chapel which is built
on a volcanic outcrop 85 metres high. The
chapel is reached by 268 steps carved into the
rock. It was built to celebrate the return from
the pilgrimage of Saint James.
Vichy, in the south of the department, is the
famous spa town famous for its mineral water.
The spas, famous for their beneficial qualities
were first used by the Romans 2000 years ago
and made famous by Louis XIV and then again in
the 19th century by Napoleon.
The Romanesque Churches of Auvergne The
region has a number of mediaeval churches, the
most well known are:
Notre Dame du Port in Clermont Ferrand
Eglise Saint Austremoine at Issoire
Notre Dame d'Orcival
Eglise de Saint Nectaire
Basilique Saint Julien Brioude
Abbey and cloisters at Lavaudieu
Chapelle Saint Michel de l'Aiguilhe Le Puy en
Velay
Clermont Ferrand is one of the oldest cities in
France and was first written about by the
ancient Greeks. It was the starting point of the
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First Crusades and later became a Royal City.
Now the city is most famous for its chain of
ancient volcanoes. Notable buildings are the
Notre-Dame du Port: a Romanesque church
built during the 11th and 12th centuries and a
World Heritage Site and the Clermont-Ferrand
Cathedral built in Gothic style between the 13th
and the 19th centuries. Clermont-Ferrand's
public square is Place de Jaude, on which stands
a grand statue of Vercingetorix who united the
Gaul’s to rise up against the Romans, sitting
grandly on a horse and holding a sword.
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Brittany
One of France's most rugged regions, Brittany is a spectacular
mix of spectacular coastline, ancient towns, islands and inland
woods.
Highlights
Mont St Michel
The famous Mont St-Michel is a Grand Cathedral rising from the
middle of the bay dating to 790. The Mont is on the border of
Brittany and Normandy and is one of the most visited tourist
destinations in France.
Saint Malo
Pretty Saint Malo is an ancient walled port city that sits on an
island with a grand chateau and 14th century ramparts.
Emerald Coast / Cote d'Emeraude
Dotted with seaside towns the Emerald coast is a favorite with
holidaying families.
The Parish Closes
Dating back to 1532 the parish Closes are symbols of the regions
Catholic and Celtic heritage.
Quimper
Famous for fine glazed pottery which has been produced here
since 17th century.
Carnac
A seaside resort Carnac is known for it remains from the
Neolithic period and is a popular family holiday destination.
Map
Departments
Cotes-d’Armour 22
Finistere 29
Ille-et-Viliane 35
Morbihan 56
Quick Facts
Area Total 34,023 km2
Population Total 4,365,500
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Brittany is one of France's most rugged regions, it
is a wonderful mix of spectacular coastline, ancient
towns, islands and inland woods. It was Celtic a
Kingdom and then a duchy for more than one
thousand years before its annexation to France in
1532, it is a land rich in culture, tradition and history.
The name ‘Brittany’ comes from the Briotn who fled
to the area in the dark ages when fleeing the
invading Anglo-Saxons.
Whilst being quite small Brittany is a diverse region.
The south coast which facing the Bay of Biscay the
countryside is relatively flat. It has a number of
sandy beaches and quaint inlets such as along its
coast which were once fishing and commercial
centres but are now popular holiday destinations. In
contrast the North is rugged and rocky and faces the
North Atlantic and its sometimes violent weather.
Brittany is popular with holiday makers and has also
attracted many second home owners from Britain
and other parts of France.
An imposing granite ridge runs from east to west
across the region rising to Monts d'Arrée. Brittany
famous for its milk and butter and inland has gentle
rolling farmland. Brittany is also known for its cider,
beer and is where the crepe like Galette originated.
Brittany is quite different to the rest of France and
has its own language and Celtic cultural traditions.
The area celebrates it Celtic heritage in it folk music
and with Celtic festivals.
Tourist Attractions
Mont Saint Michel the sits on the border of Brittany
and Normandy is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. It is the most visited tourist site in France after
Paris. Built in 709 it stands on an outcrop of granite
rising from the middle of a bay. The buildings that
currently stand date from the 13th to the 16th
centuries, and include the gothic Benedictine Abbey,
the houses that went with it, and the defensive
fortifications.
The Mont once stood in the quicksands and moving
water courses making access to it difficult and
dangerous. In 1880 a causeway was built that now
carries tourists and pilgrims across the bay, the
construction of the causeway has led to a heavy
silting up of the area round Mont St Michel and
thebay has become farmland.
St Malo is a walled port city that sits on a granite
island. The historic old town was originally only
accessible by a long causeway. This changed in
modern times with the construction of the inner
harbours joining the citadel to the mainland. Saint
Malo is known for its castle, Chateau de St-Malo, the
13th c gothic cathedral of Saint Vincent, it is still
possible to walk around the 14th century ramparts
which overlook the sea.
Emerald Coast The Cote d'Emeraude is west of the
River Rance, and consists of the towns of St-Lunaire,
St-Briac-sur-Mer, St-Jacut-de-la-Mer, St-Cast-le-
Guildo, Fort la Latte, Cap Frehel. The coast is a
favorite for holidaying families as it has safe sandy
beaches.
The Parish Closes of St. Thegonnec, Guimiliau and
Lampaul-Guimiliaudate back to 1532 and are symbols
of Brittany's Catholic and Celtic heritage. Churches,
altarpieces and crosses are adorned with elves, gods
and fairies carved in wood and a tribute to the skilled
artisans that made them.
Quimper: Located in the heart of traditional Brittany
and flanked by the Odet and Steir rivers, Quimper is
famous for its faience ceramics which have been
produced by craftsmen since the 17th century. The
Gothic Cathedral of Saint Corentin has exceptional
15th century stained glass windows.
Carnac: The seaside resort of Carnac is famous for its
remains from the Neolithic period from around 4500
BC until 2000 BC. . Large standing stones erected by
tribes who inhabited the region before the arrival of
the Gauls called Menhirs. Carnac is also a very
popular seaside holiday destination.
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Burgundy
Burgundy name has been made famous by the quality wines
produced in the area. The region has diverse countryside and
many interesting historical towns and villages.
Highlights
Semur-en-Brionnais
Built on the highest point of the promontory, the castle is
one of the oldest in Burgundy.
Noyers-sur-Serein
A beautiful medieval village in the Serein valley filled with
half timbered houses and medieval arcades.
Flavigny-sur-Ozerain
Flavigny-sur-Ozerain is a picturesque village that stands atop
its rocky spur. Construction of the walls commenced in the
8th century around the Benedictine abbey.
Dijon
Dijon's pedestrian streets snake between medieval houses,
churches and Renaissance townhouses. The place de la
Libération is arguably one of the most beautiful squares in
France.
Auxerre
Auxerre has pedestrianised streets and is grouped around the
Tour de l'Horloge. The town has examples of many different
architectural styles, medieval, Renaissance with the oldest areas
having such as La Marine having retained its narrow winding
streets and half-timbered houses.
Burgundy Wines
Burgundy is one of France's main wine producing areas with
reputation for top quality wines. It is well known for both its red
and white wines. Follow the Burgundy wine trail from Auxerre in
the north to Mâcon in the south.
Map
Departments
Côte-d'Or 21
Nièvre 58
Saône-et-Loire 71
Yonne 89
Quick Facts
Area Total 31,582 km2
Population Total 1,631,000
Density 52/km2
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Burgundy was inhabited in turn by Celts,
Romans and in the 4th century, the Roman
allies the Burgundians, a Germanic people
possibly originating from the Baltic Sea,
who settled there and established their
own kingdom. During the Middle Ages,
Burgundy was the seat of some of the
most important Western churches and
monasteries, among them Cluny, Cîteaux,
and Vézelay. During the 100 years war the
region passed to Philip the Bold and it
finally was annexed by France in 1477.
The landscape of Burgundy is diverse
ranging from flat valleys, wooded hills
through to the foothills of the Jura. In the
north is department of the Yonne which is
a agricultural area of rolling hills and is
outer fringes of Ille-de-France. Nièvre to
the west is a hilly department that includes
the highest peak of the Morvan hills, Le
Haut Folin at 903 m and a considerable
section of the Morvan regional nature
park. The Côte-d'Or surrounding Dijon has
hills in the north west and is flat in the
south east. The Saône & Loire in the south
of the region stretches from the banks of
the Loire in the west to the foothills of the
Jura in the east and includes part of the
Saône valley.
Burgundy is one of France's main wine
producing areas. It is well known for both
its red and white wines, mostly made from
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes,
respectively, although other grape
varieties can be found, including Gamay,
Aligote, Pinot Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc.
The region is divided into the Côte-d'Or,
where the most expensive and prized
Burgundies are found, and Beaujolais,
Chablis, the Côte Chalonnaise and Mâcon.
The reputation and quality of the top
wines, together with the fact that they are
often produced in small quantities, has led
to high demand and high prices, with some
Burgundies ranking among the most
expensive wines in the world.
Semur-en-Brionnais - From the 10th to 14th
centuries the Brionnais was controlled by
the powerful dynasty of the Barons of
Semur. Built on the highest point of the
promontory, their castle is one of the
oldest in Burgundy. In the 11th century,
Hugues de Semur (1024-1109) founded
Cluny abbey, whose influence was to
spread throughout Christian Europe.
During the middle ages Semur-en-Brionnais
enjoyed prosperity and security. This
relative calm meant that many
Romanesque churches and medieval
buildings have been preserved. Classed as
one of the loveliest villages in France, this
former capital of the Brionnais is the ideal
destination for heritage enthusiasts.
Noyers-sur-Serein – A beautiful medieval
village in the Serein valley in the north of
the Avallonnais. Noyers-sur-Serein has
superb half-timbered houses, carved
pilasters, soaring wisteria and medieval
arcades. From the 13th century the castle
at Noyers-sur-Serein was one of the
strongest bastions in the kingdom and was
held by the De Noyers family. After this
family died out, Noyers-sur-Serein became
a Huguenot stronghold and flourished
again under the rule of the Dukes of
Luynes.
Despite its turbulent history Noyers-sur-
Serein has always been a wine-growing
village with many cellar doors that open
directly onto the street. In autumn, the
famous Burgundy truffle market is held in
Noyers-sur-Serein.
Flavigny-sur-Ozerain is a picturesque
village that stands atop its rocky spur.
Construction of the walls commenced in
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the 8th century around the Benedictine
abbey. It is said that Julius Caesar set up
one of his military camps on the hill before
defeating the Gallic army at Alésia. In 1590
king Henri IV established a parliament at
here to counter hostility in the assembly at
Dijon.
The narrow streets of Flavigny-sur-Ozerain
meander past stunning and ancient
Medieval and Renaissance houses. In the
Abbey of Saint Pierrea recent
archaeological exploration has uncovered a
hexagonal chapel and ambulatory in an
extension to the Sainte-Reine crypt. You
can also walk around ramparts which
offers wonderful views of the Auxois hills.
In the abbey the famous Anis de Flavigny
sweets are made and it enjoys Site
Remarquable du Goût status. The recipe
for the sweets has not changed since the
16th century
Dijon. In Roman times Dijon was a
crossroads between northern Europe and
the Mediterranean. In the 14th century it
was here that the Valois Dukes of
Burgundy founded one of the most brilliant
courts in Europe. Dijon then became seat
of the order of the Golden Fleece. From the
Renaissance, the townhouses of Nobles of
the Robe reshaped this “city of a hundred
towers”.
Dijon's pedestrian streets snake between
medieval houses, churches and
Renaissance townhouses. The place de la
Libération is arguably one of the most
beautiful squares in France.
Housed in the former Palace of the Dukes
and States of Burgundy is the Fine Art
Museum. Flemish paintings are displayed
alongside 19th century sculpture and
decorative arts. The modern art collection
is worth seeing.
At the Charterhouse in Champmol, the
“Puits de Moïse" is a fine example of the
splendors of medieval Burgundian
sculpture.
The Halles de Dijon (covered market) was
built in 1868 by the Eiffel Company.
Chalon-sur-Saône. The birthplace of
Nicéphore Niepce, a French inventor, most
noted as one of the inventors of
photography and a pioneer in the field
noted for producing the world's first
known photograph in 1825. The town also
has an important river port which gave rise
to large-scale regional trade. As the town
sat at the meeting point of Roman roads
and many inland waterways, Chalon-sur-
Saône was a trading centre of European
importance in the Middle Ages. In the 19th
century the creation of the canal de
Bourgogne and the canal du Rhône au Rhin
expansion of river trade.
Autun was a key staging post on the route
from Lyon to Boulogne-sur-Mer and
flourished under the influence of Emperor
Augustus. In the Middles Ages Autun
enjoyed a significant spiritual and
economic boom. Autun has retained many
exceptional monuments from the Gallo-
Roman period. Its amphitheatre with
20,000 seats was the largest in the Roman
world. The temple of Janus is another
superb testament of that era.
In the 12th century the Romanesque
cathedral of Saint Lazarus was built along
with a number of townhouses.
Auxerre has a very ancient history being
involved in river trade from the 1st century.
In the Middle Ages increasing numbers of
pilgrims came to worship the relics of
Bishop Saint Germain. The cathedral of St
Etienne was built on the foundations of
several Gallo-Roman building and the crypt
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of the Abbey of Saint Germain is adorned
with some of the oldest wall paintings in
France.
Near the marina is the departure point for
the canal du Nivernais with its 116 locks.
Two of Auxerre's oldest districts are close
to the marina.
The old town of Auxerre has
pedestrianized streets and is grouped
around the Tour de l'Horloge. The town
has examples of many different
architectural styles, medieval, Renaissance
with the oldest areas having such as La
Marine having retained its narrow winding
streets and half-timbered houses.
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Centre
With elegant Chateaux, rolling lands covered with
vines, ancient cities and quaint villages the Centre
region is a treasure trove to explore.
Orleans
Orleans is the regional capital and an historic city on
the banks of the Loire.
Tours
The largest city in the region, Tours boasts an
appealing historic centre with old half-timbered
houses, St Gatien's Cathedral and the Chateau de
Tours.
Chartres
A stunning ancient town with the beautiful UNESCO
listed Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres.
Chateaux
There are over 300 beautiful chateaux in the Loire
Valley. The most popular are;
Chateau Chambord
Chateau Chenonceau
Chateau du Blois
Chateau de Cheverny
Chateau d’Azay-le Rideau
Wine
Famous for its wines the Loire produces mainly white
wines but also some reds. The wine region stretches
from Saumur to the vineyards of the Touraine by Le
Mans, from Nantes to the Vendee.
Map
Departments
Cher 18 Eure-et-Loire 28
Indre 36 Loiret 45
Loir-et-Cher 41 Indre-et-Loire 37
Quick Facts
Area Total 39,151 km2
Population Total 2,538,000
Density 65/km2
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The Centre region of France is not a
historic province however it is the heart of
historic France as it is the area between the
Paris region and the Loire valley that was
for many centuries the centre of the
kingdom of France.
To the north of the region is the area la
Beauce one of the breadbaskets of France.
This area is a major wheat growing area.
Chartres the main city of the area is famous
for its wonderful cathedral the Cathédrale
Notre-Dame de Chartres which is a superb
example of early gothic cathedrals.
The middle of this region is characterised
by the low-lying valleys of the river Loire
and its tributaries. This area was popular
with the kings of France and their dukes in
the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and is
thick with magnificent châteaux. The most
famous are those that are in the area
known as Chateaux de la Loire such as
Chambord, Azay-le-Rideau, Blois or
Chenonceaux. Between Orleans, Blois and
Vierzon lies a large area of forest and
grassland known as La Sologne, this area
was once the preferred hunting grounds of
the nobility, and today popular with
hunters, nature-lovers and hikers. The Loire
valley is also has a number of vineyards,
producing mainly white wines, including
the sparkling whites of Touraine and
Vouvray.
In the south and south-east, covering the
departments of the Cher and the Indre, the
Centre region rises towards the hills of
Limousin and Auvergne; this area, known
as le Berry, is agricultural. To the south-
west of the town of Chateauroux lies an
area known as La Brenne, one of the most
important wetlands in France.
Wines of the Loire
The Loire Valley, famous for its wines, has
87 appellations under the Appellation
d'origine contrôlée (AOC), Vin Délimité de
Qualité Superieure (VDQS) and Vin de pays
systems. While the majority of production
is white wine from the Chenin blanc,
Sauvignon blanc and Melon de Bourgogne
grapes, there are some red wines made
from Cabernet franc. In addition to still
wines, rosé, sparkling and dessert wines
are also produced in the area.
The Loire Valley has 185,000 acres / 750
km2 planted under vine and is about two-
thirds the size of the Bordeaux wine
region. The location and marginal climate
of the area impacts the overall quality of a
vintage greatly, more so than with other
French wine regions.
Cycling the back roads and trails that
wander through the vine yards is a popular
way to explore the area.
Things to See
Orleans is the Regional capital and was an
important city before the Romans came to
the area. It was here that Jeanne d’Arc
(Joan of Arc) rallied the armies of Charles
VII which was a key turning point of the 100
years war. Significant buildings are the
Cathederal Ste-Croix, a gothic cathedral,
Hotel Groslot now a private museum and
the Musee d’Beaux-Arts.
Blois: An ancient historic town that was
first mentioned in the 6th century Blois sits
on the northern bank of the Loire, with a
magnificent Renaissance castle Chateau de
Blois.
Tours is largest city in the region, Tours
boasts an appealing historic centre with
old half-timbered houses, St Gatien's
cathedral, and Chateau de Tours.
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The River Loire is one of Europe's great
rivers. The river, excellent for fishing, is
bordered by many attractive small towns,
and the flat land is good for cycling. There
are also many vineyards in the area of
Tours.
Bourges was the capital of Aquitaine
during Roman times and is home of the
UNESCO listed gothic Cathédrale Saint-
Étienne de Bourges and the Jacques Coeur
Palace.
Chartres is best known for the Cathedral of
Chartres Cathédrale Notre-Dame de
Chartres widely considered to be the finest
Gothic cathedral in France. It is included on
the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Its
construction started in 1205, following the
destruction of the old cathedral of
Chartres. Construction took 66 years.
Gargilesse is one of France nominated
beautiful villages this pretty village sits
near the near the meeting of the Gargilesse
stream and the river Creuse.
Chateaux of the Loire
There are over 300 Chateaux in the Loire
Valley that were built mainly in the 17th and
18th century for French Royalty and
Nobility. Unlike the defensive fortified
chateaux in other parts of France, the
chateaux of the Loire, built in safer times,
are fairytale castles of architectural
elegance.
Here are some of the highlights;
Chateau Chambord is simply breathtaking
and a stunning example of renaissance
architecture, construction started 1519 at
the order of Francois 1 and was completed
30 years later. Ironically Francois 1 only
stayed in the chateau for 42 days during his
entire reign finding it too drafty. The
chateau features a double helix staircase
designed by Leonardo da Vinci.
Chateau Chenonceau spans the Cher River
with graceful arches and is one of the Loire
Valleys loviest chateau. Legend is that the
Grand Gallery was used by refugees escaping
the Nazi occupation.
Chateau du Blois has three different types
of architecture that comprise the castle
and the rooms are representative of the
time periods so the interior tour can take a
while.
Chateau de Cheverny is a lovely example of
French classical architecture and has
survived the passing centuries with little or
no alterations while being merticulously
maintained. The chateau was the
inspiration for Marlinspike Hall in the Tintin
comics.
Chateau d’Azay-le Rideau is on an island in
the middle of the Indre River. The chateau
features both French and Italian style
architecture and was built between 1518
and 1527. Corner turrets, a walking path
around the external wall, and the water
surrounding the chateau give it a medieval
or fairytale castle feeling.
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Champagne-Ardenne
In far northern France this region is most famous for its
sparkling wine, follow the champagne trail and along the
way visit historic chateau and quaint villages.
Highlights
Reims
The capital of the region and home of the UNESCO listed
Notre-Dame de Reims where the Kings of France were
once crowned.
Epernay
Epernay is in the heart of champagne country and the
home of the most famous champagne producers. Wander
down Avenue de Champagne and visit some of the great
champagne houses.
Langres
A lovely hilltop town often referred to as the Carcassone
of the North.
Chateau Chaumont
Chateau Chaumont was built in the 10th century and held
an important strategic position. The Basilica is home to
straight Tomb dated 1471 that comprises eleven
characters. The village of Chaumont-sur-Loire surrounds
the chateau.
Troyes
Troyes is a 16th century town situated on the Seine River.
In the town is a lovely 13th century gothic cathedral, the
Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul Cathedral which has stunning
stained glass.
Château-de Sedan
A grand medieval fortress said to be the biggest ancient
fortress in Europe.
Map
Departments
Ardennes 08
Aube 10
Marne 51
Haute – Marne 52
Quick Facts
Area Total 25,606 km2
Population Total 1,334,000
Density 52/km2
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Champagne-Ardenne is one of the most
famous provinces of France dating back to
the times of the Emperor Charlemagne in
the ninth century. Today word Champagne
is known worldwide due to its sparkling
wine.
The Champagne-Ardenne region consists
of four departments and the region is
bordered by Belgium in the north, by
Lorraine in the east, by Franche-Comté and
Burgundy in the south, and by the Paris
region and Picardy in the west.
Ardennes is a wooded and hilly region
named after the Ardennes Mountain range
part of which lies in the department, the
Meuse River runs through this department.
Ardennes is bordered by Belgium to the
north is Belgium, Aisne to the west, Marne
to the south and Meuse to the east. This
area saw a great deal of fighting in both
WWI and WWII with the most notable
battles being the Battle of the Ardennes
and the Battle of the Bulge.
The Aube is bordered by the departments
of Marne and Haute-Marne in Champagne-
Ardenne Region, Côte-d'Or and Yonne in
the Burgundy Region , and Seine-et-Marne
in Ille-de-France. The Aube has chalky soil
and an undulating plain, which makes the
department ideal for vines that are used to
produce champagne for which the region is
famous for.
The Marne is surrounded by the
departments of Ardennes, Meuse, Haute-
Marne, Aube, Seine-et-Marne, and Aisne. In
the east is the chalk plain so suited to
vineyards and wine growing and in the
west it is wooded and hilly. The Marne is
home to the capital of the Champagne-
Ardenne region Reims and the famous
champagne town of Epernay.
Haute-Marne is named for the Marne River
which runs through it, it is bordered by the
French departments of Meuse, Marne,
Haute-Saône, Côte-d'Or Vosges, and Aube.
The central part of Champagne is an
important agricultural area, with cereal
production, along with production of
vegetables and sugar beet.
Champagne region is not a particularly big
tourist destination. It is popular with
second home buyers mainly from Paris,
Belgium and Holland due to the rural
aspect, easy accessibility and low
population. The major city Reims is
dominated by the 13th century Notre-Dame
de Reims cathedral which is one of the
great gothic cathedrals of northern France,
and a UNESCO world heritage site. Reims is
also home to some of the major
Champagne producers, such as Taittinger,
and cellar tours are available.
In 2006, 308 communes throughout
Champagne-Ardenne were awarded the
“Villes et Villages Fleuris” label. The region
is ranked first in France for its flower
arrangements in towns and cities.
Of these communes, 13 are classified with
“4 fleurs”, and 3 have won a “Grand Prix”.
Epernay is the heart of champagne country
and is home of the most famous
champagne producers, including Moët &
Chandon and Perrier-Jouët. Avenue de
Champagne has many shops of leading
Champagne manufacturers. Close to
Epernay are Château de Pierry an 18th
century chateau and now a reception
centre, Château de Montmort a stunning
Renaissance chateau and park open to the
public and Château de Condé a private
estate that is open to the public dating
from the 17th century.
Langres is a hill top town sometimes
referred to as the Carcassonne of the
North and has been a fortified city since
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Roman times. In the old town is a notable
collection of historic buildings, enclosed
within 3.6 kilometres of ramparts dating
from the 13th and 17th centuries.
Charleville Mézières is the capital of the
Ardennes department and the birthplace
of the poet Arthur Rimbaud. In the Ducal
Palace is a museum dedicated to him.
There is an interesting old town.
Colombey les Deux Eglises is a small village
which was the home of General Charles de
Gaulle, who is buried there.
Reims plays an important part in French
history as it was once where the kings of
France were crowned. Coronations took
place in the Notre-Dame de Reims which is
now a UNESCO World Hertitage site. The
town also has a number of other
interesting sites such as the Basilique St.
Rémi dating from the 11th century, Porte de
Mars a Roman triumphal arch, and the 17th
century Hotel de Ville. The town also plays
an important role in the champagne
industry.
Lac du Der is the biggest reservoir in
Europe (48km²) and is an important area
on the migration routes of water birds. The
annual visits of flocks of cranes draw
birdwatchers from all over Europe. It is also
a popular water sport destination.
Château-de Sedan in Sedan is a grand
medieval fortress said to be the biggest
ancient fortress in Europe. It started its life
as a manor house in the 1400s and over
time was added to, becoming the huge
fortified castle it now is.
Troyes is situated on the Seine River with a
lovely 13th century gothic cathedral with
stained glass. Many half-timbered houses
from the 16th century survive in the old
town. The town has a number of historical
sites including the Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul
Cathedral, a number of grand homes and
the beautiful Hotel de Ville.
Chaumont: The town of Chaumont was
built in the 10th century around a chateau
and enjoys a strategic position on the steep
spur overlooking the Suize and Marne
valley, it is surrounded by woods. The 16th
century church, the Chaumont Basilica,
contains an extraordinary masterpiece, a
superb straight Tomb dated 1471 that
comprises eleven characters in multi
coloured stone. The town also has a
viaduct built in the 18oos and gives superb
views across the valley. It was in Chaumont
that an offensive treaty against Napoleon I
signed by the United Kingdom, Austria,
Prussia, and Russia in 1814.
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Franche-Comte
Franche-Comte is a green haven in the far north-east of France. Popular in the winter for skiing and the summer for hiking and camping Franche-Comte is alos know for its famous Vin Jaune, cheeses and smoked sausage.
Highlights
Bresancon Besancon is dated back to 58BC and has one of the most beautiful historic centres of any major town in France. The old Vauban citadel is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Arbois Arbois is a small town that is centred around an arcaded square in the heart of the Jura wine growing area. This delighful town has some interesting historical buildings.
Château-Chalon The birthplace of the famous Vin Jaune made from late harvest grapes the chateau has views over the vineyards from the top of the cliff on which it is perched.
Buame – les Messiers Lovely Buame-Les-Messiers is a tiny town in the Jura surrounded by limestone cliffs with an interesting ancient abbey dominating the town. Nearby are Grottes de Buames.
Vin Jaune Sample the yellow wine exclusive to this are or attend the Percée du Vin Jaune (Opening of the Yellow Wine) which each February is held to celebrate the first opening of the new vintage.
Map
Departments
Doubs 25
Haute-Soane 70
Jura 39
Territorie-de-Belfort 90
Quick Facts
Area 16,202 km2
Population Total 1,168,208
Density 72/km2
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Franche-Comté is on the far eastern side of
France and shares a border with
Switzerland. The region has been inhabited
since the Paleolithic age and was occupied
by the Gauls later coming under the rule of
Burgundy, it was incorporated into France
in 1477. The capital of Franche-Comté is
Besançon, a historic city beneath its
ancient citadel in a loop formed by the river
Doubs.
The region consists of four departments;
Haute Saone is in the north is mainly an
agricultural area with small towns and
villages, low hills and valleys escalating into
the foothills of the Vosges Mountains to
the east. Doubs lies in the centre of the
region and consisting of high table lands
and hilly ridges. In the south of the region
the department of the Jura covers part of
the broad flat Saône valley, plus the central
part of the Jura Mountains. The smallest of
all French departments lies in the north,
Territorie-de-Belfort which for centuries
was the French-speaking part of Alsace.
This department is quite industrialised, and
is the home of the Peugeot car group.
The Franche-Comté almost always remains
green when the rest of France is dry during
long hot summers. In the Haut Doubs and
Haut Jura area along the Swiss border is
great area for camping hiking and
mountain biking as the meadows remain
green and full of flowers. In winter the area
is great nordic and downhill skiing, Franche
Comté has two popular resorts.
Franch-Comte is famous for its agricultural
products, notably the famous "Comté"
cheese, very similar to Swiss Gruyère, and
smoked sausages. It is France's watch
making area, home of France's optical
glasses and spectacle industry, and the
town of St Claude in the Jura is famous for
its pipes. In the north of the region, the
area around the towns of Montbéliard and
Belfort is the home of the car maker
Peugeot, which has a major factory at
Sochaux. In the Jura a special aperitif wine
called Vin Jaune is produced.
Jura Buame – les Messiers is a tiny village
almost surrounded by limestone cliffs
about 200m high. The River Seille has its
source within the Reculée and flows
through the village. The village is
dominated by the former Baume Abbey
which is known for it beautiful framed
Alter.
Besançon is dated back to 58BC and has
one of the most beautiful historic centers
of any major town in France. The old
Vauban citadel is a UNESCO world heritage
site, and the town also features a 2nd
century Roman triumphal arch, the St.
Jean's cathedral with a massive Virgin and
Saints altarpiece by the Italian Renaissance
painter Fra Bartolomeo plus the, Musée
des Beaux Arts, and the Palais Granvelle.
The town was a stronghold fortified by the
great military architect Vauban in the 17th
century, and classed as a UNESCO world
heritage site in 2008. Besançon is one of
the hidden jewels of France composing of
old stone-built houses, with a selection of
18th century town residences. The town
has the oldest public art gallery in France,
with an impressive collection of old
masters and 19th century French art,
including works by Cranach, Titian, Bellini,
Rembrandt, Rubens, Zurbaran, Goya,
Fragonard, Courbet, Bonnard, Renoir,
Matisse and many more.
Arc et Senans Saline Royale (Royal
Saltworks) is an 18th century building that
produced salt by Claude-Nicolas Ledoux
and an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Chateau de Joux is an imposing fortified
castle that commands the mountain pass
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Cluse de Pontarlier. Over the centuries it
passed into the hands of Burgundy, and
then the Hapsburgs and the Spanish. It was
finally regained for France in 1687 by Louis
XIV. The chateau was modernised by
Vauban in 1690 and then again in 1879
where it was turned from a castle into a
fort. In later years it served as a prison and
now houses a museum.
Arbois is a small town that is centred
around an arcaded square in the heart of
the Jura wine growing area. In the town
you will find the Tour Gloriette that was
built in the 13th century, Château Pécauld,
dating to the twelfth and fourteenth
centuries, and which once belonged to the
Dukes of Burgundy and now houses a small
museum dedicated to wine growing and
production, Saint Just church and the
Pasteur Museum.
Château-Chalon is the birthplace of the
famous Vin Jaune (literally yellow wine)
made from late harvest grapes the chateau
has views over the vineyards from the top
of the cliff on which it is perched. The
village grew up around the castle and gets
its name from and the Benedictine abbey,
but all that remains of these are the keep
and the Romanesque church of Saint
Pierre.
The chapel of Notre Dame du Haut in
Ronchamp was completed in 1954 and is
one of the finest examples of the
architecture of Franco-Swiss architect Le
Corbusier and one of the most important
examples of twentieth-century religious
architecture.
Ballon d'Alsace is a mountain on the
borders of Alsace, Lorraine, and Franche-
Comté. From its top, views include the
Vosges, the Rhine valley, and the Black
Forest.
Vin Jaune is a special white wine made in
the Jura. It is similar to dry fino Sherry
however unlike sherry it is not a fortified
wine. It gets its character from being
matured in a barrel under a film of yeast,
known as the voile, on the wine's surface.
The wine is made from the late harvest
Savagnin grape. On the first week end in
February the La Percée du Vin Jaune
(Opening of the Yellow Wine is held to
celebrate the first opening of the new
vintage. It is held in a different village each
year.
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Ile-de-France
Ile-de-France is home to Paris, one of the most
famous and most romanticised cities in the world.
Paris has so much to offer and to see, venture outside
the bustle of Paris you will find a rural region with
pasture land, woods and villages.
Highlights
Eiffel Tower - Paris
Built in 1889 for a world trade fair this tower has
become the icon symbol of Paris. Ride to the top for a
stunning view of the city.
Notre Dame Cathedral - Paris
Standing grandly on an isle in the Seine, the Notre
Dame Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic
architecture complete with ornate carvings and
gargoyles.
Arc de Triomphe - Paris
Commission by Napolean Bonaparte the Arc de
Triomphe honours those who fought and died for
France in the French Revolutionary and the
Napoleonic Wars. Beneath its vault lies the tomb of
the unknown soldier from WWI.
Lourve
The Lourve is possibly the best known museum in the
world and has a diverse collection ranging from the
Antiquity up to the mid 19th century with over
35,000 works of art on display.
Palace of Versaille
The Palace of Versaille is a stunning palace
surrounded by formal gardens 20 kms from Paris.
Map
Departments
Essonne 91 Haute-de-Seine 92
Paris 75 Seine-et-Marne 77
Seine-Saint-Denis 93 Val-de-Marne 94
Val d”Oise 95 Yvelines 78
Quick Facts
Area: 12 072 km2
Population: Approx.11 028 000
Density: 980/km2
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Ile-de-France is the most populated region
of France with over 11 million people
residing in it; it is also the wealthiest region.
Paris one of the most famous cities in the
world is the capital of the region. It is a
historical province of France being the one
at the centre of power during most of
French history. Today the borders the
borders are not exactly as they were
historically.
Essonne shares borders with the
departments of Hauts-de-Seine and Val-de-
Marne to the north, Seine-et-Marne to the
east, Loiret to the south, Eure-et-Loir and
Yvelines to the west. All of northern
Essonne belongs to the greater Paris area
and is very urbanized. The south remains
rural.
Hauts-de-Seine and two other small
departments, Seine-Saint-Denis and Val-de-
Marne, surround Paris and are known as
the Little Crown or Petite Couronne. These
three departments are small and highly
populated.
The department of Seine-et-Marne covers
nearly half of the land area of Ile-de-France.
It is bordered by Aisne and Oise to the
North, Val-d'Oise, Loiret and Yonne to the
South, Aube and Marne to the East, and
Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-de-Marne, Essonne to
the West. The department has many natural
reserves, notably Brie and Gâtinais.
Val d’Oise gets its name from the Oise
River, a major tributary of the Seine, which
crosses the region.
Yvelines is bordered by the departments of
Val-d'Oise on the north, Hauts-de-Seine on
the east, Essonne on the southeast, Eure-et-
Loir on the southwest, and Eure on the
west. The eastern and northern parts of the
department are part of the Paris
metropolitan area, but the rest of the
department is rural, much of it covered by
the Forest of Rambouillet.
The city of Paris has a great many incredible
sites and ‘the best’ is always subjective
however here are the most popular.
Eiffel Tower. The icon symbol of Paris or
even France the Eiffel tower, named after
its builder Gustave Eiffel was built in 1889
for a world trade fair. One can travel to the
top of the Eiffel tower to take in a stunning
view of Paris.
Notre Dame Cathedral. This stunning
example of Gothic Architecture sits on an
island in the Seine River, the Île de la Cité. It
was begun in 1163 and finished in 1345 and
features flying buttresses, portals
surrounded by ornate carvings and
gargoyles on the roof. You can climb 87
steps to the top of the towers for a
panoramic view of the area and a close up
view of the gargoyles.
Avenue des Champs Elysees & Arc de
Triomphe. Arguably the most famous street
in the world the Champs Elysees extends
1.9 km from the Jardin de Tuileries to the
Arc de Triomphe and includes the Place de
la Concorde. Originally market gardens it
was extended to the Tuileries by Marie de
Medici in 1616 and then transformed by
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André Le Nôtre in 1667 by order of Louis
XIV. By the late 18th century the avenue had
become very fashionable. The avenue has
been the scene of a number of historic
military marches the most notable being
the infamous march of German troops
celebrating the Fall of France of on 14 June
1940, and the two most famous were the
marches of Free French and American
forces after the liberation of the city in
August 1944.
The Arc de Triomphe sits at the western
end of the Champs Elysees and honours
those who fought and died for France in the
French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic
Wars, with the names of all French victories
and generals inscribed on its inner and
outer surfaces. Beneath its vault lies the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World
War I. It was commissioned in 1806 after
the victory at Austerlitz by Napoleon at the
peak of his power and completed in 1836.
The arch stands 164 feet tall and the
viewing platform can be accessed via an
underground passage and then 284 steps or
a lift.
The Louvre Place sits on the Right Bank of
the Seine and was once a royal palace. The
building dates back to medieval times, its
present structure has evolved in stages
since the 16th century. It was the seat
government in France until it was moved to
Versailles by Louis XIV in 1682. The Louvre
remained the formal seat of government
until the end of the Ancien Régime in 1789.
Since then it has housed the Musée du
Louvre which has a collection of over 1
million works of art, of which about 35 000
are on display, spread out over three wings.
The museum has a diverse collection
ranging from the Antiquity up to the mid
19th century. Some of the most famous
works of art in the museum are the Venus
of Milo, the Nike of Samothrake, the Dying
Slave by Michelangelo and, Leonardo da
Vinci's Mona Lisa.
Outside Paris
The Palace of Versaille is a stunning palace
surrounded by formal gardens 20 kms from
Paris. Originally built as a hunting lodge by
Louis XIII Versaille it was expanded by Louis
XIV to become one of the largest palaces in
the world. The royal court and government
was moved here in 1862. Louis XV and XVI
continued to expand and develop the
buildings and grounds which included the
gardens. When abandoned by the royal
family during the French Revolution the
much of the furniture and art was sold by
the government with only items of artistic
of intellectual significance being spared.
Versailles is now a museum of major
importance in France and one of the most
visited tourist destinations in France.
Châteaufort is a small town south west of
Paris most notable for with its three 12th
century fortified castles.
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Languedoc-Roussillon
Languedoc – Roussillon is a diverse region stretching
from the peaks of the Pyrenees, along the coast of
the Med to the inland foothills of the Massif and
stunning Tarn Gorges. A major wine growing region
this delightful region has something for everyone.
Highlights
Carcassonne
The Cité de Carcassonne is an ancient town with a
fairy like Cinderella castle that was added to the
UNESCO world heritage list in 1997.
Nimes
A wonderful historic city with a number of Roman
sights the most famous being the Les Arènes the
best preserved Roman amphitheatre in existence.
Tarn Gorge
The Tarn Gorges are among the deepest gorges to
be found anywhere in Europe. The gorge is
stunningly and a road winds through it with a
number of camping spots along the way.
Cathar Country
The Cathar country is dominated by a collection of
medieval fortified castles usually high on rocky
outcrops guarding over this once turbulent frontier
region.
Wine
Visit the Languedoc-Roussillon wine growing region
which has been an important winemaking centre for
several centuries. It is reputed as being the largest
wine producer in the world.
Map
Departments
Aude 11 Gard 11
Herault 34 Loreze 48
Pyrenees-Orientales 66
Quick Facts
Area Total 27,376 km2
Population Total 2,565,000
Density 94/km2
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Languedoc-Roussillon covers a large part of
southern France stretching from the Pyrenees
Mountains along the Mediterranean and inland.
The capital of Languedoc-Roussillon is the city
of Montpellier, a thriving modern city in the
Hérault department which has a lovely historic
centre; other major cities in the region are
Nimes, Narbonne, Sete and Perpignan.
Languedoc has a large coastal plain which until
it was drained in the mid 1900’s was swampy
and plagued with malarial mosquitoes. This is a
major reason is why tourism did not develop
here in the 19th century as it did on the coast
further east.
Now the coast of Languedoc is has long sandy
beaches, often with both quiet beaches and
modern resorts such as Cap d'Agde, Palavas, or
Narbonne Plage. The fertile coastal plain is
home to agriculture, vineyards and fruit and
vegetables. Languedoc is one of France's major,
and largest wine-growing areas.
Inland the landscape changes again becoming a
drier area with arid rocky Mediteranean hills
with scrub, scented bushes and occasional
fields. Further inland, the valleys of the
Cevennes are more wooded and rural leading to
the Cevennes hills, the southeastern peaks of
the Massif Central.
The Pyrenees form a natural land barrier
between France and Spain and are a stunning
range of high mountains. The coastline where
they meet the sea is unlike the rest of the
Languedoc coast, and is has old coastal villages
such as Banyuls and Collioure, famous for its
anchovies along with rocky cliffs and small
coves.
The Tarn Gorges are dramatic gorges running
from Le Rozierto Quézac, and follow the course
of the Tarn River for 50 kilometres. The Tarn
Gorges are among the deepest gorges to be
found anywhere in Europe. The gorge is
stunningly and a road winds through it with a
number of camping spots along the way.
Nimes was once the capital of a Gaulish tribe
and was annexed in 121 BC to Rome. The Roman
emperor Augustus founded a new city on the
site and granted the town privileges that
allowed it to prosper. The town became one of
the richest in Gaul during its Roman period. The
city was plundered by the Vandals in the 5th
century and then occupied by the Moors until
they were driven out in 737. The town was
acquired by the counts of Toulouse in the 10th
century and was finally annexed to France 1229.
In the Middle Ages wool and silk industries
brought wealth to the city. It was here that a
type of serge material originated called Serge
“De Nîmes”, which eventually found its way to
America in 1870 and became known as Denim.
During the Reformation Nîmes became largely
Protestant. In 1598, the Edict of Nantes
conferred upon French Protestants a degree of
religious freedom. After the Edict was revoked
in 1685 the city suffered once again from
persecution.
Highlights of Nime
Les Arènes . The amphitheatre is one of the
best preserved Roman amphitheatres in
existence.
La Maison Carrée The famous Maison
Carrée is a temple and was built in a Greek
style during the 1st century AD
The Tour Magne is an octagonal tower
dating from circa the 1st century BC and was
once part of the Roman fortifications.
Carcassonne is divided into the fortified Cité de
Carcassonne and the more expansive lower city,
the ville basse. Carcassone was founded by the
Visigoths in the fifth century, though the
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Romans had fortified the settlement in earlier
times. The Cité de Carcassonne an ancient town
with a fairy like ‘Cinderella’ castle that was
added to the UNESCO world heritage list in
1997.
Wine The Languedoc-Roussillon region,
particularly in and around the Aude
department, has been an important
winemaking centre for several centuries. It has
740,300 acres of vineyards which is three times
the combined area of the vineyards in Bordeaux
and reputed to being the largest producer of
wine in the world. It is believed that grapevines
existed in the South of France since before the
existence of Homo sapiens with the first
vineyards of Gaul developed around the towns
of Béziers and Narbonne. The Mediterranean
climate and plentiful land with soil ranging from
rocky sand to thick clay is very suitable for the
production of wine, and it is estimated that one
in ten bottles of the world's wine was produced
in this region during the 20th century.
Monpellier was founded around 900 AD and is
the capital of the region. Montpellier is one of
the few large cities in France without any
Roman heritage and also one of the few cities in
southern France without a Greek foundation.
Cathar Country: Cathar was a Christian sect that
flourished in Western Europe during the 12th
and 13th centuries. It was considered heretical
and was condemned by the Roman Catholic
Church. The Cathar country is dominated by a
collection of mediaeval fortified castles usually
high on rocky outcrops guarding over this once
turbulent frontier region.
Two of the highlights are;
Le château de Peyrepertuse Built in the XI
century on a huge rocky ridge, the skilled
construction of this building makes it the
most important and remarkable example of
military architecture.
Le Château de Quéribus Built on a steep
rocky spur, at an altitude of 728 meters, this
castle was the last bastion of resistance in
the crusade against the Albigensians
(Cathars) in 1255. The dungeon offers a
superb view of the Mediterranean Sea.
St. Guilhen le Désert is situated in a narrow
valley in the in the Hérault department. It is a
small village dating from medieval times. It
features a Romanesque abbey Abbey of Gellone
which is an UNESCO World Hertitage site and
the nearby Pont du Diable. The town is a
designated French Beautiful Village.
Narbonne was established in Gaul in 118 BC by
the Romans. It was located on the Via Domitia,
the first Roman road in Gaul, built at the time of
the foundation of the colony, and connecting
Italy to Spain. The town has some impressive
sites including the Narbonne cathedral dating
from 1272, The Palais des Archevêques, the
Archbishop's Palace, and its donjon with views
over Narbonne, The Roman Horreum, a former
grain warehouse, built underground as a
cryptoporticus, and remains of the ancient
Roman road the Via Domitia.
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Limousin
Limousin is a very rural region in central west France. In this
peaceful region you will find rolling pastoral lands, hills and
valleys, mighty rivers and historic towns and Villages.
Highlights
Limoges
An ancient town dating back to Roman times made famous in
the 19th century for its fine porcelain. Limoges has a fine
historic centre.
Collonges la Rouge
Dating back to the 8th century this town is made entirely from
red-sandstone and has a number of historically significant
buildings.
Turenne
Turenne is one of France's beautiful villages and sits atop the
Martel Causse.
Brive-la-Gaillarde
Settled in the 1st century Brive has a lovely old centre.
Aubusson
The home of tapestry Aubusson has been famous for its
tapestries and carpets since the 14th century when weavers
from Flanders settled in the area.
Oradour sur Glane
Is a small town in the Haute-Vienne department that was
completely destroyed by the SS Panzer Division Das Reich in
June 1942. 642 men, woman and children were killed. The town
has been left as it was found after it was destroyed in a Ruined
State.
Map
Departments
Correze 19
Creuse 23
Haute-Vienne 87
Quick Facts
Area Total 17,000 km2
Population Total 743,000
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Limousin is one of the traditional provinces of
France and can be traced back to the Celtic and
Roman times, it is named from the name of a
Celtic tribe, the Lemovices. The region was
converted to Christianity during the III century
by Saint Martial who was sent to Limousin by
order of the Pope.
Limousin is mostly a region of hills and valleys
and low mountains lying in the foothills of the
western edge of the Massif Central. The highest
point in Limousin is the Mont Bessou at 977
metres which is in the Corrèze department.
The Limousin region is made up of three
departments, the Haute Vienne, the Creuse and
the Corrèze.
Limousin is sparsely populated with the
majority of people living in and around Limoges,
the main city of the region. Recent years have
seen a number of British and Dutch settle in the
area who are seeking a rural lifestyle. Once you
leave Limoges it is a very rural region; with
sheep farming pastoral land in the north, woods
and fields in the west and northwest. In the
east is the Plateau de Millevaches, grazing land
for cattle and spruce forests. The Dordogne
river cuts through part of the south west of the
region and the region borders the Dordogne.
Once a Roman city, Limoges, lying on the river
Vienne and on a main route between Paris and
Toulouse, has always been a major centre, in
this relatively sparsely populated region. In the
Middle Ages, it was renowned as a centre of
arts and culture. In the nineteenth century, it
became famed throughout Europe, and
beyond, for its porcelaine; indeed the city
became rich with its porcelaine industry, and
much of the city centre dates from this period.
Brive-la-Gaillarde, on the river Corrèze is an
attractive small city, with a historic centre built
in the pale honey coloured local stone. Brive is
also the most important centre in southern
Limousin due its position as a communications
hub, being the point where the east west route
between Lyon and Bordeaux crosses the north-
south route between Paris and Toulouse.
Limoges is the regional capital of Limousin and
the largest city in the region, It is art and history
with a lovely old city centre, parts of which date
back to medieval times. Limoges has been
famous over the centuries for its fine porcelain.
The most notable sights in Limoges are the
Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Limoges, the Crypt
of Saint Martial from the 10th century, and two
bridges of Saint Martial, dating from Roman
times and of St-Etienne from the 13th century.
Ahun is an old village with remains of a
medieval monastery. Also notable is the church
of St.Sylvain, dating from the twelfth century
and three fifteenth century chateaux.
Aubusson has been famous for its tapestries
and carpets since the 14th century when
weavers from Flanders settled in the area.
There is a famous collection of Aubusson
tapestries at Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and Musée
Départemental de la Tapisserie showcases 600
years of weaving history.
Bourganeuf is an attractive old town, founded
in mediaeval times by the Knights of St John,
who built a castle here. Notable sites are the
church of St.Pierre, dating from the twelfth
century, the church of St.Jean, dating from the
fifteenth century and the remains of a 12th
century castle. There is also a museum to
electricity in the town.
Beaulieu sur Dordogne: Beaulieu is a medieval
town which was once dominated by its great
abbey of St Pierre, of which only the abbey
church remains.
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Brive la Gaillarde dates back to the 5th century
and developed around the church of Saint-
Martin-l'Espagnol. Walls were built around the
city in the 12th century for defensive purposes
and during the 100 years war a second wall was
built. Brive was the regional centre of the
resistance during WWII and was the first
occupied town to liberate itself by its own
means. Brive has a pleasant old centre.
Collonges la Rouge dates back to the 8th
century and is made entirely from red-
sandstone. The town has a number of
historically significant buildings including the
ancient court of the Châtellerie from the 16th
century, the manoir de Vassinhac from the 14th
and 16th centuries,and the 17th century
marketplace. Collonges la Rouge is a Les Plus
Beaux Villages de France. (Beautiful Village of
France)
Oradour sur Glane the martyred village. In 1944,
the German Waffen SS torched the village and
massacred a large number of inhabitants in a
mistaken act of reprisal. The village has been
left as it was, fixed in time, as a memory to the
brutality and horror of war.
Rochechouart is an the impressive castle,
dating partly from the 13th century it houses
administrative offices and an contemporary art
gallery, as well as historic rooms and artefacts.
Turenne is a pretty hill top village dating from
the 9th century. It is a Les Plus Beaux Villages de
France. (Beautiful Village of France) and has an
impressive castle.
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Lorraine
Lorraine shares it border with Germany and thus has both
French and German influences. A famous daughter of
Lorraine is Joan of Arc who was born in the Vosges
department of the region.
Highlights
Nancy
In Nancy find Place Stanislas named for the cities founding
father and built in 1737 is one of the finest town squares in
France and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Verdun
Verdun is known for the WWI battle of Verdun that lasted
almost a year, taking 400,000 French lives and a similar
amount of German lives. Visit the memorial in the town.
Metz
The Capital of the region Metz has a number of significant
buildings notably the Cathedral St. Etienne and the Eglise
St. Pierre aux Nonnains which is said to be the oldest
church in France
Gerardmer
Is a very popular mountain resort in the Vosges, famous
for its lake and natural environment.
Ouvrage du Hackenberg
Visit part of France's Maginot Line defenses from WWI
just near the village of Veckring.
Map
Departments
Meurthe-et-Moselle 54
Muese 55
Moselle 57
Vosges 88
Quick Facts
Area Total 23,547 km2
Population Total 2,343,000
Density 100/km2
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The Lorraine region consists of four
departments, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse,
Moselle, and Vosges. It is the only French region
to border on to three different countries –
Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany: it also
borders on three other French regions, Alsace
to the east, Champagne-Ardenne to the west,
and Franche-Comté to the south.
Lorraine was once part of the middle empire
that sat between France and Germany. In the
9th century Charlemagne divided his lands into
three and bequeathed them to his three
grandsons. Thus area that has now become
Lorraine was born, then known as Lotharingia.
Until the late twentieth century, Lorraine was
an industrial region and the region was home to
a great deal of heavy industry, mainly coal, iron
and steel. The industry was concentrated in the
departments of Meurthe et Moselle and
Moselle. Outside of the industrial areas and
particularly in the west and south of the region
in the departments of the Meuse and the
Vosges the region is very rural. The department
of the Vosges, which includes the western part
of the Vosges Mountains of which the Grand
Ballon at 1424m is the highest peak, is heavily
forested. Epinal, the capital, is a small town in
the high valley of the Moselle.
It was in the Meuse department that one of the
great battlefields of World War I was fought in
1916 at Verdun. An area of Meuse belongs to
Parc naturel régional de Lorraine which is a
protected area of pastoral countryside.
The capital of Lorraine is Metz which is also one
of the oldest cities in France. It was in Metz that
the Carolingian dynasty first came to power.
They held great power in the region ruling from
the mid 8th century until the late 10th century,
the greatest Carolingian monarch was
Charlemagne who was named Emperor in 800.
From the 10th to the 17th century, Metz was a
city of the Germanic Holy Roman Empire, only
becoming French on the signing of the Treaty of
Westphalia in 1648.
The other large city in the region, Nancy,
developed the middle ages and grew into a
major regional city in the eighteenth century.
The neo-classical city with its magnificent
central square was developed by the deposed
king of Poland, Stanislas, who was given the
duchy in 1737. The town square is named in his
honour.
Nancy. The first signs of man in Nancy date back
to 800BC. It was established as a small town in
1050. In 1218 Nancy was burned to the ground
at the end of the Way of Succession of
Champagne and tehn slowly rebuilt over the
next few centuries. Nancy became part of the
French Empire in 1766. A notable sight is Place
Stanislas named for the cities founding father
and built in 1737 is one of the finest town
squares in France and a UNESCO World
Heritage site.
Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery. This is the
largest American military cemetery in Europe,
with over 14,000 war graves from World War 1.
It is located among the main battlefields of the
1918 offensive.
Verdun was founded by the Gauls and is now
most known for the WW1 battle of Verdun that
lasted almost a year, taking 400,000 French
lives and a similar amount of German lives.
There is a Memorial museum in the town.
In Metz is Cathedral St. Etienne, a stunning
gothic cathedral with fine stained glass and
Eglise St. Pierre aux Nonnains which is said to
be the oldest church in France. Also in the town
is the Musées de la Cour d'or which was
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founded in 1839 and houses the history and
archeological museum, containing rich
collections of Gallo-Roman finds.
Petite Rosselle. La Mine, Musée Carreau
Wendel. Opened in 2006 is an interesting coal
mining museum that has a 2 hour underground
tour.
Ouvrage du Hackenberg was part of France's
Maginot Line defenses in the First World War
and is near the village of Veckring.
Domrémy la Pucelle: The birthplace of Joan of
Arc with the Joan of Arc interpretive centre and
pilgrimage basilica.
La Bresse-Hohneck: is the biggest ski area in
north east France.
Gerardmer: A Mountain resort in the Vosges,
famous for its lake and natural environment.
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Midi-Pyrenees
The Midi-Pyrenees is the largest region in France and
also one of the most sparsely populated. The Midi-
Pyrenees has a diverse landscape from rugged
mountains through the rolling pastoral land and is
dotted with stone villages and historic towns.
Highlights
Albi
In Albi you will find magnificent Sainte Cécile
cathedral which is a masterpiece of the Southern
Gothic style, the Palais de la Berbie, formerly a
bishops palace and the 10th century Pont Vieux or Old
Bridge.
Lourdes
One of the world’s most important pilgrimage sites
becoming so in 1858 after a young girl saw the Virgin
Mary in a series of visions that came to her in a grotto
which was ratified by the Vatican.
Rocamadour
This delightful town hangs from a cliff above a
tributary of the Dordogne River. It has been an
important stop for pilgrims for centuries.
Conques
A lovely medieval village located at the meeting point
of the Dourdou and Ouche rivers. It designated as one
of Frances Beautiful Villages the Le Beaux Plus de
Villages of France.
Canal du Midi
Travel on a barge down this UNESCO listed canal. The
canal, along with the Canal de Garonne join the
Mediterranean with the Atlantic.
Millau Viaduc
The world’s highest road bridge and spans the Tarn
River.
Map
Departments
Aveyron 12 Ariege 09
Gers 32 Haute-Garonne 31
Haute-Pyrenees 65 Lot 46
Tarn-et-Garonne 82 Tarn 81
Quick Facts
Area Total 45,348 km2
Population Total 2,865,000
Density 63/km2
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Midi-Pyrénées is the largest region of
metropolitan France by area and is larger
than the Netherlands or Denmark. Midi-
Pyrénées has no historical or geographical
unity. It is one of the regions of France
created in the late 20th century to serve as
a sector of influence for its capital,
Toulouse.
The Midi-Pyrénées is made up of 8
departments. All except the Hautes-
Pyrénées department are named after the
river that runs through them. The region is
largely rural, but also has a strong presence
in aeronautics and the space industry
which operates out of Toulouse, giving it
extensive influence in Europe.
The area immediately surrounding
Toulouse is highly populated with 1.2
million people living in the greater
Toulouse metropolitan area. Once you
leave the capital the Midi Pyrenees is one
of the most sparsely populated regions of
France and is very rural. The landscape is
very diverse with fertile plains which is
farmed for agricultural and food
production ranging through to mountains
of the Pyrenees.
The region has a sizable wine growing
region around the Cahors and Gaillac areas
although it is not recognized as a premium
wine growing region.
Ariege is dominated by the Pyrenees
Mountains that are the border between
France and Spain. The magnificent
mountain range can be explored by the
numerous paths and walking tracks, the
high mountains are easily accessible good
roads. There are also a number of fresh
water lakes which provide a variety of
activities including, walking, swimming,
fishing, canoeing, sail boarding and
picnicking.
Aveyron is surrounded by the departments
of Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne, Lot, Hérault,
Gard, Lozère, and Cantal. The highest point
in the department is the summit of Le
Signal de Mailhebiau at 1469 m. Lac de
Villefranche-de-Panat is used as a reservoir
to provide drinking water for the region.
Haute-Garonne and is surrounded by the
departments of Hautes-Pyrénées, Gers,
Tarn-et-Garonne, Tarn, Aude, and Ariège
and Spain in the south. The upper Garonne
River travels for 200 kms through the
department and the borders of the
department follow the river. The extreme
south of the department lies in the
Pyrenees mountain range and is very
mountainous the highest elevation is the
Peak of Perdiguère, at 3,222 metres.
The Gers is surrounded by the departments
of Hautes-Pyrénées, Haute-Garonne, Tarn-
et-Garonne, Lot-et-Garonne, Landes, and
Pyrénées-Atlantiques. The Gers is a very
rural area growing a variety of crops
including sunflowers. The area and is one
of the least densely populated areas in all
of Western Europe.
The Lot is bordered by the departments of
Corrèze, Cantal, Aveyron, Tarn-et-Garonne,
Lot-et-Garonne, and Dordogne. Another
very sparsely populated area the Lot is very
rural with large areas of fertile farmland,
rolling hills and woods.
Hautes-Pyrenees terrain is diverse; the
southern section, along the border with
Spain, consists of rugged mountains.
However in the North there is mainly flat
agricultural land. Within the Hautes-
Pyrenees lies the Western Pyrenees
National Park which covers a significant
area, and includes well-known attractions
such as the Cirque de Gavarnie and the
Pont d'Espagne. The area has been known
for centuries for its hot springs, with the
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towns of Cauterets, Luz-Saint-Sauveur and
Bagnères-de-Bigorre being built around
them. A notable lake in the area is Lac Bleu
d'Ilhéou, southwest of Cauterets.
The Tarn is a stunning department of
mountains and forests, the mountain
ranges are the Mountains of Lacaune, the
Sidobre, and the Montagne Noire. The
limestone and sandstone foot-hills are
farmed with vines and fruit trees, and are
broken by deep fertile valleys.
Tarn-et-Garonne borders the departments
of Lot, Aveyron, Tarn, Haute-Garonne,
Gers, and Lot-et-Garonne. The highest
point in the department, at 510 m, is the
Pech Maurel, situated in the commune of
Castanet.
Rocamadour: Is one most visited places in
France and is famous both for its stunning
setting and its historical monuments and
religious significance. The town hangs from
a cliff high above the Alzous, a tributary of
the Dordogne and still retains some of its
castle, ramparts and fortified gates. The
sanctuary of the Black Virgin Mary has for
centuries drawn pilgrims from every
country, among them kings, bishops, and
nobles. It remains today an important stop
on the pilgrim route. Rocamadour also
produces goat’s cheese which comes in
small discs and takes the name of the
town, it has an AOC status.
Saint-Cirq Lapopie
The village of Saint-Cirq Lapopie is perched
on a cliff 100 m above the Lot River and is
one of the one of the most beautiful
villages of the Lot valley. Saint-Cirq Lapopie
is a Les Plus Beaux Village de France. In the
Middle Ages, Saint-Cirq Lapopie was the
main town of one of the four divisions that
made up Quercy. The village was
dominated by a fortress made up of a
number of castles and towers. Below the
fortress, the village streets lead down to
fortified gates. Many historic houses have
stone or half-timbered fronts going back to
the 13th-16th centuries have survived the
test of time.
Beneath the Saint-Cirq Lapopie cliff there
are watermills, weirs, harbours, locks and
towpath dating back to times when river
transport was a key transportation method
in the Lot Valley.
Conques is a lovely medieval village located
at the meeting point of the Dourdou and
Ouche rivers. It designated as one of
Frances “Beautiful Villages” Le Plus Beaux
de Villages of France. The St. Foy abbey-
church was a major stopping point on the
Santiago de Compostela pilgrim route, the
main draw for the medieval pilgrims were
the remains of St. Foy, a martyred young
woman from the fourth century.
Toulouse is the regions capital and the
centre of the aerospace industry in Europe.
The city has two UNESCO World Heritage
Site historic sites the Canal Du Midi and the
Basilica of St. Sernin which is listed under
the World Heritage Sites of the Routes of
Santiago de Compostela in France. Also in
Toulouse one will find the Galerie du
Château d'eau, one of the oldest places
dedicated to photography in the world, the
Académie des Jeux floraux, the oldest
literary society of the Western World and,
it is believed, one of places where
capitalism was invented.
Canal du Midi, The Canal du Midi is a 240
km long canal with 65 locks and is
considered a major engineering feat. The
Canal du Midi meets the 193 km Canal de
Garonne at Toulouse – the two canals
together join the Mediterranean with the
Atlantic and are called the Canal des Deux
Mers or Two Seas Canal. It was included as
a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
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Albi The first human settlement in Albi was
in the Bronze Age dating form 3000 to 600
BC. Later the Gauls settled in the area who
then defeated by the Romans in 51 BC who
then settled in the area. In 1206 the Pope
and King of France joined forces to fight
the Cathars resulting in many ‘heratics’
being burnt at the stake and a severe
repression of the people.
Once annexed by the French Crown and
after the Cathars upheaval the town
enjoyed a period of commercial prosperity
largely due to the cultivation of Isatis
Tinctoria, commonly known as woad a
natural dyeing agent. The grand houses
built during the Renaissance bear witness
to the vast fortunes amassed by the
merchants of the time.
In Albi you will find Sainte Cécile cathedral
which is a masterpiece of the Southern
Gothic style and was built between the 13th
and 15th centuries. The Palais de la Berbie
formerly the Bishops' Palace of Albi is one
of the oldest and best-preserved castles in
France. This imposing fortress was
completed at the end of the 13th century;
the castle is now the Toulouse-Lautrec
Museum. The Pont Vieux or Old Bridge was
built in 1035 and is still in use after almost a
millennium. Originally built in stone then
clad with brick, it sits on eight arches and is
151 m long. In the 14th century, it was
fortified and reinforced with a drawbridge
and houses were built on the piers.
Cordes sur Ciel The fortified bastide town
was built in 1222 by Raimon VII, the Count
of Toulouse, who, though not a Cathar
himself, tolerated the heresy. It is generally
considered to be the first of the bastides of
SW France. The town is remarkably well
preserved and sits on a hilltop above the
Cérou River.
Lourdes is one of the world’s most
important pilgrimage sites becoming so in
1858 after a young girl saw the Virgin Mary
in a series of visions that came to her in a
grotto. This was later ratified by the
Vatican. The major sites in Lourdes are the
Grotte de Massabielle the most scared of
all sites in Lourdes, the Byzantine Basilique
de Rosaire and the neo-Gothic Basilique
Superieure.
Millau The Millau viaduct spans the Tarn
River and it the world's highest road bridge
being 343 metres at its highest point.
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Nord-Pas-de-Calais
The region of Nord-Pas-de-Calais sits in far North West
France and borders Belgium. This tiny region has a big
past being one of the most fought after areas of land in
Europe.
Highlights
Lille
In Lille you will find a lovely historic old centre, three
world renowned art museums and the grand Cathedral
the Basilique-Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille.
Belfries of France and Belgium
A group of 56 historical buildings built between the 11th
and 17th centuries and showcase Roman, Gothic,
Renaissance and Baroque styles of architecture.
Opal Coast Cote d’Opale
This lovely coast has sandy beaches and is a popular
holiday destination. Notable are the beautiful chalk cliffs
the highlights being Cape Blanc Nez and Cape Gris Nez
Le Quesnoy
Is a well preserved fortified village that was the first town
fortified by Vauban.
Map
Departments
Nord 59
Pas-de-Calais 62
Quick Facts
Area Total 12,414 km2
Population Total 4,022,000
Density 320/km2
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Nord-Pas-de-Calais has been inhabited
since prehistoric times. It has always been
an important strategic area and is one of
the most fought-over regions in Europe.
Historically the area that is now Nors-Pas-
de-Calais covers what was once the French
section of Flanders. Over the centuries, it
was conquered in turn by the Celtic Belgae,
the Romans, the Germanic Franks, England,
the Spanish and Austrian Netherlands, and
the United Provinces of Holland. After the
final French annexation in the early 18th
century, much of the region was again
occupied by Germany during the First and
Second World Wars.
The department Nord is bordered by the
French departments of Pas-de-Calais and
Aisne, as well as by Belgium and the North
Sea. Nord is situated in the far north France
and lies along the western half of the
Belgian frontier. The area is heavily
industrial and once a mining area.
Nord-de Calais saw some of the costliest
battles of World War I fought on its soil.
The Vimy Memorial commemorates the
Battle of Vimy Ridge and is Canada's most
important memorial to its fallen soldiers.
Pas-de-Calais also plays an important role
in WWII history as it was also the target of
Operation Fortitude, which was an Allied
plan to deceive the Germans that the
invasion of Europe at D-Day was to occur
here, rather than in Normandy. Pas-de-
Calais is surrounded by the departments of
Nord and Somme, the English Channel, and
the North Sea.
Ocean Beaches The north part of the
region has the Opal Coast or Cote d’Opale
which is a popular seaside destination for
holiday makers. It has sandy beaches,
beautiful chalk cliffs the most notable
being Cape Blanc Nez and Cape Gris Nez,
large area of sand dunes along with surfing
and other water sports.
The Belfries of France and Belgium are a
group of 56 historical buildings built
between the 11th and 17th centuries and
showcase Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and
Baroque styles of architecture. They are
highly significant tokens of the winning of
civil liberties and are listed by UNESCO as
World Heritage Sites.
Belfries of France Villages and Towns Nord Pas-de-Calais
Armentières Bailleul Bergues Cambrai Comines Douai Dunkirk Gravelines
Lille
Loos
Aire-sur-la-Lys
Arras
Béthune
Boulogne-sur-Mer
Calais
Hesdin
Lille sits on the Deûle River, near France's
border with Belgium and is the fourth
largest city in France. The first mention of
the city is in archives form the 11th century
although the area was controlled by the
Gauls, the Saxon, Germanic tribes and the
Franks prior to this. The city was captured
by the French forces led my Louis XIV in
1667 and came under French rule in 1668.
In Lille you will find a lovely historic old
centre and three world renowned art
museums and the grand Cathedral th
Basilique-Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-la-
Treille. Lille is the regional capital and was
once an industrial centre but has recently
under gone a transformation now making
it a centre for art and culture.
Le Quesnoy is a well preserved fortified
village that was the first town fortified by
Vauban.
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Roubaix is notable for its art gallery La
Piscine which has collection of French 19th
and 20th century art and as then name
suggests is housed in an old swimming
pool.
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Normandy
The name Nomandy comes from the times when the
Vikings, who were known as 'northmen' settled in the
area. From then until the modern time of today this
northern region has a vast and incredible history.
Highlights
Mont St Michel
The Mont stands on an outcrop of granite rising from
the middle of a bay, built in the 8th century this
UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most
popular sites in France.
Rouen
Rouen was once one of the largest and most
prosperous cities of medieval Europe. Originally
founded by the Gauls it has a very long and
fascinating history.
Caen
Caen was nce home to William the Conqueror and is
an ancient town that has retained its ramparts which
can be walked upon and gives an excellent view of the
city.
Bayeux Tapestry
This famous tapestry that tells the story of the events
leading up to the Norman conquest of England and
culminating in the Battle of Hastings. It can be found
at the Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux in Bayeux.
Caen Memorial
a moving museum that gives the visitor an hour-by-
hour account of D-Day in WWII
Deauville
Stroll along the wooden promenades at this popular
beach destination.
Map
Basse-Normandy
Departments of Basse-Normandy
Calvados 14 Manche 50
Orne 61
Haute-Normandy
Departments of Haute-Normandy
Eure 27 Seine-Maritime 76
Quick Facts
Area Total 30,627km2
Population Total 3,260,00
Density 109/km2
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Normandy In 1956 Normandy was divided into 2
regions Upper Normandy Haute- Normandie and
Lower Normandy Basse-Normandie.
Archaeological discoveries and cave painting
show that humans were present in the
Normandy region in prehistoric times. Initially
populated by Celtic and Belgic tribes, it was
conquered in 98 AD by the Romans. After the
fall of Rome in the 5th century, the Franks
became the dominant racial group in the area
and built several monasteries. It was due to
their influence the barbarism of the region was
replaced with the civilization of the Carolingian
Empire. Towards the end of the 8th century,
Viking raids devastated the region, prompting
the establishment of the Duchy of Normandy in
911. After 150 years of expansion, the borders of
Normandy became stable. These old borders
roughly correspond to the present borders of
Lower Normandy, Upper Normandy and the
Channel Islands. Mainland Normandy was
integrated into the Kingdom of France in 1204.
The region was badly damaged during the
Hundred Years War and the Wars of Religion,
the Normans having more converts to
Protestantism than other peoples of France. In
the 20th century, D-Day, the 1944 Allied invasion
of Western Europe, started in Normandy. In
1956, mainland Normandy was separated into
two regions, Lower Normandy and Upper
Normandy, although proposals to unify the
regions are under consideration.
Upper Normandy (Haute-Normandie) consists
of the French departments of Seine-Maritime
and Eure, and Lower Normandy (Basse-
Normandie) of the departments of Orne,
Calvados, and Manche.
Lower Normandy is an important cattle
breeding area and predominantly agricultural.
The region is known for The Bocage which is a
patchwork of small fields with high hedges,
typical of the western areas.
Upper Normandy has much more industry than
Lower Normandy.
Mont St Michel sits on the border of Brittany
and Normandy is listed as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. It is the most visited tourist site in
France after Paris. Built in 709 it stands on an
outcrop of granite rising from the middle of a
bay. The buildings that currently stand date
from the 13th to the 16th centuries, and include
the gothic Benedictine Abbey, the houses that
went with it, and the defensive fortifications.
In the past, the Mont stood in the midst of
quicksand, bogs and moving water courses
making access to it extremely dangerous and
difficult. In 1880 a causeway was built that now
carries tourists and pilgrims across the bay, the
construction of the causeway has led to the
area round Mont St Michel silting up turning
what was once a bay into grazing lands.
Battlefields
On June 6 1944 the Allied forces landed on the
beaches of Normandy in the largest amphibious
operation ever to take place, by July 4th 1 million
men had landed on the beaches. It is estimated
that more than 425,000 Allied and German
troops were killed, wounded, or went missing
during the battle. D-Day or code name
operation Neptune was a significant turning
point in the war. There are a number of war
cemeteries in the area.
Bayeux Tapestry
The Bayeux Tapestry is a famous tapestry that
tells the story of the events leading up to the
Norman conquest of England and culminating in
the Battle of Hastings. The tapestry is nearly 70
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metres long and consists of fifty scenes with
Latin captions. It is believed that it was
commissioned by Bishop Odo in the 1070s. The
tapestry is now exhibited at Musée de la
Tapisserie de Bayeux in Bayeux.
Bayeux was founded in the 1st century BC by the
Gallo-Romans, the city was largely destroyed during
the Viking raids of the late 9th century but was
rebuilt in the early 10th century. While under the rule
of Richard the Lionheart Bayeux was a wealthy and
prosperous town however from the end of his rule
until the end of the 100 years war the town was
repeatedly pillaged. In the 1400s the King of France
re captured the town and calm and prosperity
returned. In the town you will find the stunning
Cathédrale Notre Dame which dates from the
13th century and the very famous Bayeux
Tapestry which tells the story of the Norman
conquest of England in 1066.
Rouen sits on the banks of the Seine River and
is the capital of Upper Normandy. It was once
one of the largest and most prosperous cities of
medieval Europe. Originally founded by the
Gauls it has a very long and fascinating history.
Captured by the English in 1419 and then
returned to french control in 1449, it saw the
execution of Joan of Arc who was burnt for
heresy in 1431. Rouen was almost entirely
rebuilt following damage in WW2.
Deauville is located on the Norman Riviera and
was extremely popular with upper class
Parisians in the 19th century. Deauvilles beach
the Plage de Deauville is very popular and the
town is famous for its wooden promenades
along the fine sandy beach.
Caen is the capital of Basse Normandie (Lower
Normandy) and was home to William the
Conqueror. The town has retained its ramparts
which can be walked upon and gives an
excellent view of the city. From the walls you
can see the church of St-Pierre which has had its
14th century façade reconstructed, the
churches Renaissance stonework has survived
intact at the church’s east end.
Chateau de Caen was built by William the
Conquerer in 1060. Part of the museum in the
castle is where the Exchequer of Normandy was
based. Richard the Lionheart held an enormous
banquet at the castle, attended by 1000
knights, en route to the Crusades.
The Caen Memorial is the second most popular
museum in France, after the Louvre, and a
must-see for any visitor to Normandy. It is a
moving museum that gives the visitor an hour-
by-hour account of D-Day.
The countryside surrounding St Hilaire du
Harcouet is well known for its excellent river
fishing and the scenic Lakes of Vezins and La
Roche qui Boit. There is a good selection of
walking tracks and towpaths, which are great
for walking, cycling and horse riding.
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Pays de la Loire
Pay de la Loire is predominantly a rural region with many
small farms and villages, along the coast are a number of
fishing ports. The Loire River cuts through the region and
has been declared a World Heritage for Humanity Site by
UNESCO, which described it as a cultural landscape of
exceptional beauty.
Highlights
Nantes
Nantes is the regions capital and sits on the banks of the
Loire River and has many historic sites such as the Gothic
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, the Château des ducs
de Bretagne, and the magnificent fine arts museum the
Musée des Beaux-Arts.
Angers
Is an historic city, with one of the biggest and finest
mediaeval churches in France the Cathédrale Saint-
Maurice d'Angers.
Guérande
Guérande is a small walled city, with a historic centre that
is just inland from the coast, to the north of the Loire.
The Loire River
The mighty Loire River is one of Europe’s great rivers.
Explore the pretty villages and towns on its banks.
Les Sables d'Olonne
One of the most famous seaside resorts on the west
coast. The Vendée Globe round-the-world yacht race
starts here.
Maps
Departments
Loire-Atlantique 44
Marne-et-Loire 49
Mayenne 53
Sarthe 72
Vendee 85
Quick Facts
Area Total 32,082 km2
Population Total 3,553,353
Density 110/km2
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Pays de la Loire was created in the late 20th
century and is not one of France's historic
regions. In historic terms, Pays de la Loire
covers parts of the old provinces of
Brittany, Anjou, Maine and Poitou and its
capital Nantes was once in Brittany.
On the coast of the Loire Atlantique
department lie two of France's historic
seaside resorts, La Baule and Le Croisic.
The area round Le Croisic is also famous for
its salt pans, and "sel de Guérande" is one
of the best-known types of salt in France.
The town of Guérande is a delightful small
ancient walled city, just inland from the salt
marshes.
To the south of the Loire Atlantique
department lies an area known as Vendée.
It is famous in the history of France as one
of the old bastions of Protestantism. After
the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in
1685 and the end of religious tolerance
tens of thousands of Vendéen Protestants
fled from this part of France, and went to
live in England, or America. After the
French Revolution, Vendée was a centre
for the royalist counter-revolution.
On the coast there are many seaside
resorts such as les Sables d'Olonne, Saint
Gilles Croix-de-Vie and St. Jean de Monts
however there are still stretches of empty
coastline to be found and enjoyed. Along
parts of the coast is a stretch pine forest
that protects the flat farmland behind from
the Atlantic storms.
The department Maine et Loire covers a
territory to the north and south of the
Loire river. This area is known as Anjou,
and its capital Angers is one of the great
historic cities in the Loire valley. Anjou was
the fief of the Angevines who, with Henry
II, became the kings of England. The great
castle of the counts of Anjou, in Angers is
one of the biggest medieval fortresses in
Europe.
The other two departments are Sarthe and
Mayenne and are rural departments with a
strong agricultural industry.
Nantes is the regions capital and sits on the
banks of the Loire River. Nantes has a very
long history with numerous rulers over the
centuries including the Gauls, the Romans
and the Bretons, it finally came under
French rule in 1532. Nantes was the capital
of the slave trade in France in the 18th
century which made the port the largest in
France and the city a very wealthy city. It is
reputed that in the 18th to 19th centuries,
ships from Nantes transported more than
550,000 slaves to the colonies in the West
Indies, Brazil and North America, Reunion
and Mauritius. One can visit the Memorial
to the Abolition of Slavery in Nantes.
The city has an interesting historic centre
which includes; the Château des Ducs de
Bretagne, a spectacular castle built
between the 13th and 16th that was the
residence of the Dukes of Brittany and
today houses the History Museum of
Nantes. The Gothic Cathedral of Saints
Peter and Paul, the construction of which
began in 1434 and it took around 450 years
to complete. Inside the cathedral is the
ornate tomb of Francis II, Duke of Brittany.
The Fine Arts Museum or Musée des
Beaux-Arts de which is housed in the Palais
des Beaux-Arts.
Les Sables d'Olonne: One of the most
famous seaside resorts on the west coast.
The Vendée Globe round-the-world yacht
race starts here.
Guérande is a small walled city; with a
historic centre it lies just inland from the
coast.
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The Loire River is one of Europe's great
rivers. It is bordered by many beautiful
small towns and villages, and the flat land
is good for cycling. The Loire Valley and has
been declared a World Heritage for
Humanity Site by UNESCO, which described
it as a cultural landscape of exceptional
beauty.
Angers was for many centuraries an
important stronghold in northwestern
France. It is the birth place of the
Plantagenet dynasty and was during the
15th century one of the intellectual centres
of Europe. Angers has a number of half
timbered houses including Maison d'Adam,
the Cathédrale Saint-Maurice d'Angers a
large 12th century church and the Château
d'Angers built by Louis IX.
Laval is an old city with some interesting
and unusual monuments including the
Lactopole, a museum of the milk, cheese
and dairy industry.
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Picardy
Picardy is a diverse region, in the west is the Somme estuary
with beautiful beaches, in the east are large forests and
pastures and in the south is the chateaux of Chantilly and
vineyards that border the region of Champagne.
Highlights
Amiens
Amiens is the capital of Picardy and hosts a number of
historical sites including the Cathedral de Notre Dame which is
the largest Gothic church in France and a UNESCO World
Heritage site. Jules Verne lived in Amiens for a number of years
and there is a museum dedicated to him in the town.
Château Chantilly
This lovely chateau is one of the most scenic castles in the
region. It sits on an artificial lake, and is surrounded by
beautiful parkland, with the Chantilly forest in the background.
Thiepval
The site of a number of monuments to the victims of the WW1,
including the First World War Franco-British Memorial and the
Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Somme
Somme is most known for its WWI war history, this was the
site of a series of battles through the Great War which includes
the 1916 Battle of the Somme.
Map
Departments
Ainse 02
Oise 60
Somme 80
Quick Facts
Area Total 19,399km2
Population Total 1,890,000
Density 97/km2
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The Region of Picardy has seen some of
the most famous battles of French and
European history including the battle of
Crécy and the battle of the Somme. In the
last thousand years, areas that are now
part of modern region of Picardy have
been ruled over at different times by the
English, the Habsburgs, the Spanish and
the French. In the past region was
comparatively prosperous with productive
farmlands that created wealth in local
towns and cities.
The terrain of Picardy is diverse, in the west
is the Somme estuary with beautiful long
sandy beaches, in the east are large forests
and the pastures of the Thiérache and
south is the chateaux of Chantilly and
vineyards that border the region of
Champagne.
Aisne borders the Ardennes Forest and
Belgium to the northeast and is crossed by
the Aisne River. The southern part of the
department is known as la Brie poilleuse, a
plateau known for its dairy products and
famous Brie cheese. There are steep rock
structures in the department which often
have steep flanks with the most impressive
at Laon and the Chemin des Dames ridge.
Oise is very close to Paris being only 35 km
north of the city. It is surrounded by the
departments of Somme, Aisne, Seine-et-
Marne, Val-d'Oise, Eure, and Seine-
Maritime.
Somme is most known for its WWI war
history; this was the site of a series of
battles through the Great War which
includes the 1916 Battle of the Somme. The
department is home to many military
cemeteries and several major monuments
commemorating those who died on its
battlefields.
Amiens is the capital of Picardy. The
Ameins mediaeval gothic cathedral dating
from the 13th century, the Cathederal de
Notre Dame, is the largest Gothic church in
France and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Also notable are the Hortillonages or
Floating Gardens: Market gardens which
span a vast area and have supplied the city
with vegetables and flowers since the
middle ages. Visitors can take a tour by
boat. Jules Verne fans can visit the house
the famous sci-fi author lived in for 18 years
as his turreted home is now a museum.
Thiepval sas a number of sites and
monuments to the victims of the WWI,
including the First World War Franco-British
Memorial and the Thiepval Memorial to the
Missing of the Somme which stands 45 m
high and is visible for several kilometres in
every direction. The sixteen pillars are
engraved with the name of 73,367 British
and Commonwealth soldiers that fell
during the First Battle of the Somme
between July and November 1916 and who
have no known grave.
Château Chantilly is one of the most scenic
castles in the region. It sits on an artificial
lake and is surrounded by lovely parkland
with the Chantilly forest in the background.
Built in 1560 for the Montmorency family
and added to by the Conde family in the
1700’s it was an opulent royal residence. A
large section of the château was destroyed
during the French Revolution and what
remained was used as a prison. The
château was later rebuilt in the 19th
century in the French Renaissance style,
complete with gables and towers.
Compiegne The Clairière de l'Armistice is
the site of the signing of the 1918 Armistice,
that put an end to the first world war.
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There is a reproduction of the railway
carriage in which the Armistice was signed.
Laon is charming old walled city perched
on a plateau overlooking the surrounding
plains. The Laon Cathedral Cathédrale
Notre-Dame de Laon is one of the most
important examples of the Gothic
architecture of the 12th and 13th centuries.
The old historic town – the upper town -
and the newer lower town are connected
by an automated cable car.
Belfries of France
The Belfries of France and Belgium are a
group of 56 historical buildings built
between the 11th and 17th centuries and
showcase Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and
Baroque styles of architecture. They are
highly significant tokens of the winning of
civil liberties and are listed by UNESCO as
World Heritage Sites.
Villages and towns in Picardy
Somme
Abbeville
Amiens
Doullens
Lucheux
Rue
Saint-Riquier
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Poitou-Charentes
Poitou-Charentes sits half way along the Atlantic coast
and has a number of attractions from the historic capital
of Poitiers through to the ancient port city of La Rochelle.
Highlights
Poitiers
Poitiers is the regional capital and an ancient hill-town
with a lovely old centre. The city is most famous for its
historic churches, including the mediaeval frescoes in St.
John's Baptistry.
Brouage
Brouage is on the Bay of Biscay facing the Atlantic Ocean
once was an island and an base for the salt and sea trade.
Today one can walk the walls of the city and explore the
old restored town.
Saintes
Saintes is on the Charente River and was once the capital
of the Roman province of Aquitaine. Today the town it is
most famous for the Roman triumphal arch the Arch of
Germanicus and remains of the Roman amphitheatre.
La Rochelle
La Rochelle's old is beautifully restored and the Port,
Vieux Port, is at the heart of the city.
Maps
Departments
Charente-Maritime 17
Charente 16
Deux-Sevres 76
Vienne 86
Quick Facts
Area Total 25,809 km2
Population Total 1,722,000
Density 67/km2
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Poitou-Charentes The historic area of this
region is Poitou, Poitou-Charentes was
established in 1956 from Poitou plus several
other small areas. The first known inhabitants
were a Gallic tribe who were conquered in 56
BC by the Romans who incorporated the area
into Gaul as part of the province of Aquitania.
The Visigoths seized the region in 418 AD, but it
passed to the Franks in 507. In 732 or 733,
Charles Martel halted the Muslim invasion of
Western Europe with his victory in the Battle of
Poitiers. From the 10th to the mid-12th century,
the counts of Poitou were also the dukes of
Aquitaine, and the city of Poitiers grew in
importance. In 1152, Poitou came under English
control through the marriage of Eleanor of
Aquitaine to Henry II who later became the King
of England. The region was reunited with the
French crown in 1416 and was a province of
France until the French Revolution.
The region covers the central part of France's
Atlantic coastal plain, inland you will find the
gentle foothills of the Massif Central. The
region has four departments;
Deux Sèvres and Vienne are in the north and
make up the historic Poitou region and are
centered around the ancient city of Poitiers. In
the south are Charente and Charente- Maritime
which is low-lying and in some areas marginally
below sea level. The whole region is largely
rural, and has a low population.
The coastal area is a major oyster growing area
with many kilometres of oyster beds, the coast
is also a popular tourist beach destination. The
Islands of Oléron and Ile de Ré which sit just of
the coast are famous for their beaches.
Famous for its brandy is in the Charente
department, in the southern part of the region.
Here you will find extensive vineyards provide
the grapes that are used not only in the in the
production of Cognac but also the local apéritif
wine Pineau des Charentes.
Poitiers. The regional capital, Poitiers is an
ancient hill-town with a lovely old centre. The
city is most famous for its ancient churches,
including the mediaeval frescoes in St. John's
Baptistry, reputedly the oldest place of
Christian worship in France, and the Notre-
Dame la Grande church, one of the most
famous and unique Romanesque churches in
France.
Just north of Poitiers is the theme park,
Futuroscope, opened in 1986, was designed to
give an economic boost to the region which is
one of the twenty most visited attractions in
France.
Brouage was founded in 1555 by Jacques de
Pons and is on the Bay of Biscay facing the
Atlantic Ocean. Its economy was based on salt
and sea trade. The town was fortified between
1630 and 1640 by Cardinal Richelieu as a
Catholic stronghold in order to fight the
neighbouring Protestant town of La Rochelle. In
1685 the fortifications were modernized by
Vauban. The harbour silted up in the last part of
the 17th century, leaving the town stranded and
useless as a port and it fell into ruin. During the
Revolution, the city became a detention center
for the refractory priests who refused to swear
allegiance to the Republic. Today one can walk
the walls of the city and explore the old
restored town.
La Rochelle was founded during the 10th
century and became an important harbour in
the 12th century. La Rochelle came under
English Plantagenet rule in 1152 until Louis VIII
captured it in the 1224. The Knight Templars had
a major presence in La Rochelle and based their
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main fleet in the port. During the 100 city years
war the town was Protestant. La Rochelle's
best feature is the "Vieux Port" ("Old
Harbour"), which is at the heart of the city and
is very picturesque.
Saintes is on the Charente River and was once
the capital of the Roman province of Aquitaine.
Today the town it is most famous for the
Roman triumphal arch the Arch of Germanicus
and remains of the Roman amphitheatre. The
historic Abbaye aux Dames is the largest
example of Saintonge Romanesque
architecture.
Saintonge is a remarkable collection of 11th and
12th century Romanesque churches, with
magnificent carved porches and stonework.
Notable churches among the collection are
those in Allas-Bocage, Rioux, Retaud and
Retaud.
St Savin sur Gartempe Known as the
'Romanesque Sistine Chapel', the Abbey-Church
of Saint-Savin contains many beautiful 11th and
12th century murals which are still in a
remarkable state of preservation and are on the
UNESCO World Heritage list.
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Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur
Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur ranges from the
popular and glamorous beaches of the Cote d’Azur
to the soaring mountains of the Alps to the
wetlands of the Camargue and the rolling fields of
lavender in Provence. Man has lived here for
thousands of years and has left countless treasures
to explore.
Highlights
Avignon
The old city is surrounded by fully intact medieval
walls and is an UNESCO world heritage site. In
Avignon you will find the Palace of the Popes the
home of the popes in the 14th Century and the
Calvet Museum a fine art museum.
Orange
Orange founded in 35BC by the Romans it is famous
for its Roman remains, notably the Roman Theatre
which is still used today.
Saint Paul de Vence
Saint Paul de Vence is one of the oldest mediaeval
walled towns in the French Riviera. It is in the hills
just inland from Nice.
Nice
Nice thought to one of the oldest human
settlements in the world and now a beach play
ground.
The Camargue
The Camargue is major wetland and nature
reserve, home to unique breeds of Camargue
Horses and Camargue Bulls, and to more than 400
species of birds including Pink Flamingoes.
Map
Departments
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence 04 Alpes-Maritimes 06
Bouches-de-Rhone 13 Haute-Alpes 05
Var 83 Vaucluse 84
Quick Facts
Area Total 31,400 km2
Population Total 4,952,000
Density 160/km2
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Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur is in the far
south western part of France and buts up
against Italy. It perhaps the most well
known region in France with a diverse
terrain this area has a long and interesting
history.
The region has six departments;
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is a mountainous
region with peaks over 3,000 metres close
to the Italian border. The climate is very dry
and arid but irrigation allows for a healthy
fruit-growing industry. It is surrounded by
the French departments of Hautes-Alpes,
Alpes-Maritimes, Var, Vaucluse, and Drôme,
as well as Italy.
Hautes-Alpes is another mountainous
department with the highest elevation
being over 4000 m. The village of Saint-
Véran is the third highest commune in
Europe.
Alpes-Maritimes is mountainous right
down to the coast, it includes the French
Riviera coastline on the Mediterranean Sea
and famous towns and cities of Cannes,
Nice, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and Antibes.
Bouches-du-Rhône is very urban and the
home to Marseille the largest city in the
region and third largest in France. Marseille
port is France's largest commercial port
contains.
Over 50% of the Var is covered with forest,
the department is at the foothills of the
Alps and is quite mountainous.
A large area of Vaucluse is mountainous
with Mont Ventoux at 1,900 metres
dominating the landscape. Fruit and
vegetables are cultivated in great
quantities in the lower-lying parts of the
department, on one of the most fertile
plains in southern France.
Provence. Humans have inhabited the
coast of Provence since in Europe 1 to 1.05
million years BC, proof is in the primitive
tools that have been found in the Grotte du
Vallonnet near Roquebrune-Cap-Martin,
between Monaco and Menton.
Between the 10th and 4th century BC the
Ligures and the Gauls lived in the area and
the first Greeks visited the area in 7th
century BC. Greek later settled moved in
the area in about 600 BC establishing the
town of Massalia on the site of what is now
Marseille. Massalia grew to become one of
the major trading ports of the ancient
world.
The Romans had influence in the area from
181BC and established permanent
residence here in around 125 BC where they
built roads to facilitate trade and to move
armies more easily. The Roman reign lasted
until the 3rd century when they were over
run by the Germans.
From the 9th to the 13th century the region
was ruled by powerful counts and was a
hotly contested prize between several
factions. During this time Provence was
raided by both Arab pirates called Saracens
who built castles and strong holds and the
Normans who pillaged the area and left.
Pope Clement V moved the Roman Catholic
Papacy to Avignon in 1309 and from then
until 1377 seven Popes reigned in Avignon
before the Papal Schism between the
Roman and Avignon churches split the
Catholic Church and led to the formation of
two popes. Between 1334 and 1363 Popes
Benedict XII built the Old Papal Palace of
Avignon, and Clement VI built the New
Palace, together the Palais des Papes
became the largest gothic palace in
Europe.
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In 14th century the Black Plague decimated
the population of the whole region. The
defeat of the French Army during the
Hundred Years' War forced the cities of
Provence to build walls and towers to
defend themselves against armies of
former soldiers who ravaged the
countryside.
The last ruler of Provence was King Rene of
Naples, shortly after his death the region
passed into French hands which saw it
involved in the 100 Years War, the War of
Religion and the French Revolution.
Heavily damaged in WWII Provence was re-
built and is now a major tourist destination.
To See in Provence
Aix-en Provence was settled in 123BC by
the Romans. The historic town of Aix has
winding streets and many fine houses. The
Cathedral of St. Sauveur was built on the
site of a former Roman forum and an
adjacent basilica, it contains a mixture of all
styles from the 5th to the 17th century.
Arles was once a Roman city, now all of the
Roman monuments in the town have been
listed by UNESCO. The town is now the
gateway to the Carmargue.
Avignon’s old city is surrounded by fully
intact medieval walls and is an UNESCO
world heritage site. In Avignon you will find
the Palace of the Popes the home of the
popes in the 14th Century and the Calvet
Museum a fine art museum. Just outside
the town is the Pont Saint-Bénezet, which
is also known as the Pont d'Avignon, built
in 1171 part of it was swept away in 1169 by
a flood and has remained un touched since.
Briançon Is the capital of the Hautes Alpes
department and the highest town in the
European Union. The high town is encircled
by ramparts built by the famous military
engineer Vauban.
The Camargue is major wetland and nature
reserve in the Rhone Delta bounded by
two branches of the Rhône and the
Mediterranean Sea. The area it covers is
930 km² and it is Western Europe's largest
river delta, with exceptional biological
diversity. The Camargue is home to unique
breeds of Camargue Horses and Camargue
Bulls, and to more than 400 species of
birds including Pink Flamingoes.
Fontaine de Vaucluse is the 5th largest
spring in the world and a dramatic source
of the river Sourgue as it emerges as a full
river at the foot of a cliff.
Gordes is built on the foothills of the
Monts of Vaucluse, facing the Luberon.
Gordes is popular hilltop village and one of
the most beautiful in France. Its houses
and buildings are of white stone and perch
on the side of the mountain.
Marseille is the oldest city in France with
first evidence of first inhabitation being 1
million BC. Marseille has been a major port
city for many centuries and remains so
today. Marseille has a number historical
monuments some of the more notable are
the Old Port or Vieux-Port which include
the Abbaye Saint Victor and the Fort Saint
Jean. Chateau d'If sits on a small island in
the bay and was once a defensive castle
built to protect the city and later it became
a prison.
Orange founded in 35Bc by the Romans is
famous for its Roman remains, notably the
Roman Theatre which is still used today
and the Triumphal Arch of Orange is
thought to date from the time of Augustus
or Tiberius.
Pont du Gard is an amazing ancient
aqueduct that crosses the Gardon River. It
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is part of the Nîmes aqueduct, a 50 km-long
construction built by the Romans in 1st
century AD to carry water from a spring at
Uzès to the Roman colony of Nemausus
which is now modern day Nîmes. It is listed
on the UNESCO's list of World Heritage
Sites.
Saint-Rémy de Provence . Is a walled city
with a number of Roman remains.
Nostradamus an outstanding physician in
ancient times known throughout the world
as prophet was born in the town.
Doctor Albert Schweitzer wrote The Decay
and the Restoration of Civilization and
Civilization and Ethics, part of his
philosophical study of civilization while
hospitalized here during WW1 and Vincent
Van Gogh was voluntarily confined in the
Asylum of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole beside
Saint-Rémy. During this period of his life he
painted two of his most famous works:
Starry Night and Self-Portrait. He was
released from the hospital in May 1890 and
shot himself on 27 July 1890 dying two days
later.
Cote d’Azur
The Côte d'Azur is also known in English as
the French Riviera is the Mediterranean
coastline of the southeast corner of
France. There is no official boundary, but it
is usually considered to extend from the
Italian border in the east to Saint-Tropez,
Hyères, Toulon or Cassis in the west.
The Cote D’azur was one of the world’s
first modern resort locations when it
became a winter health resort for the
British upper class at the end of the 18th
century. The mid-19th century saw a rail
line going through the area and it became
a popular vacation area of British, Russian,
and other aristocrats. The coast continues
to attract many tourists and has some of
the most expensive real estate in the
world.
Antibes was founded in the 5th century as a
Greek colony; it has a protected port and
quickly became an important trading
colony. The Romans settled in the area
around 43BC building amphitheatres and
aqueducts that the remains of can still be
seen today. The fortified Château Grimaldi
dates from the 10th century and now
houses the Pablo Picasso museum.
Cannes is most famous for its annual Film
Festival.
Grasse is the world’s capital for perfume
and is a Ville d'Art et d'Histoire.
Nice is the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes
department and the second biggest city of
the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region
after Marseille. The area of today’s Nice is
thought to be among the oldest human
settlements in Europe. One of the
archaeological sites, Terra Amata, shows
proof use of fire in ancient times. Around
350 BC, Greeks of Marseille founded a
permanent settlement and called it Nikaia,
after Nike, the goddess of victory.
Through the ages, the town has changed
hands many times. Its strategic location
and port significantly contributed to its
maritime strength. The capital of the
Riviera, Nice was made popular almost 200
years ago by the English seeking the
warmth away from harsh British winters,
and the seafront is now known as the
Promenade des Anglais. The town has
plenty to offer including a Matisse
museum, a Chagall museum, the famous
flower market, the old town, and the
gardens of the castle.
Saint Jean Cap-Ferrat is a small peninsula
just east of Nice. It is one of the most
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exclusive places to live and has of the most
expensive real estate in the world. The Villa
Ephrussi de Rothschild is a beautiful
Italianate villa set among gardens
overlooking the sea.
Saint Paul de Vence is one of the oldest
mediaeval walled towns in the French
Riviera. It is in the hills just inland from
Nice. Extremely popular with artists and
musicians, there are a number of excellent
galleries and museums in the town.
Saint Tropez started its life as a 15th century
as a military stronghold and is now the
playground to jetsetters, fashion models,
and millionaires.
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Rhone-Alpes
Hike in the Alps, dine in a Lyon Bouchon or follow the
wine trails of the Cote du Rhone or Beaujolais. The
Rhone-Alps has a diverse terrain ranging from the flats
of the Rhone valley to the towering heights of the
majestic Alps. In this lovely region you will find a
mountain of things to do.
Highlights
Lyon
The capital of the region is known for its historical and
architectural landmarks and is a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Historically known as an important area
for the production and weaving of silk it has now
developed a reputation as the capital of gastronomy in
France.
Aix-les-Bains
Aix dates back to the Roman Empire, today it is a
prosperous spa town on the Lac du Bourget, nearby
numerous Roman ruins have survived the passage of
time.
Chamonix
Chamonix is a stunning part of the country and the
departure point for hiking and skiing in and around
Mont Blanc, Europe's highest peak.
Grenoble
For a great view take the cable car up to the historic
Fort de la Bastille, another one of Vauban
fortifications.
Wine
The Rhone-Alpes is home to two great French wine
growing regions; the Cote du Rhone and Beaujolais.
Visit one of the famous Cote du Rhone wine making
villages or the vineyards of the historic Beaujolais.
Map Map
Departments
Ain 01 Ardeche 07
Drome 26 Haute-Savoie 74
Isere 38 Loire 42
Rhone 69 Savoie 73
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Rhone-Alpes The earliest recorded settlers of
the region were the Gauls who established
what is now the capital of the region,Lyon. The
majority of the area became part of Roman
territory during the invasion of Celtic Gaul led
by Julius Caesar with Lyon became a major city
in the Roman Empire. The region came under
French rule early in French history.
The region, excepting Savoy, was part of the
Merovingian and Carolingian Kingdoms before
becoming a royal territory under the Capetians.
As it became a royal territory early on in French
history, its cultural, political and economic
influences and developments are the same as
those of greater France. Rhône-Alpes is one of
the larger regions in France and has eight
departments. With its three main cities, Lyon,
Grenoble and St. Etienne, plus the area that
includes the French suburbs of the Swiss city of
Geneva, Rhone-Alpes is not only one of the
largest regions in France, but also one of the
more prosperous.
The region's landscape is diverse ranging from
the valley the Rhone River and its tributaries run
through to the majestic Alps. From Lyon to the
Mediterranean, the Rhone valley is historically
significant as it is the shortest historic route
between north and south, avoiding a crossing
of the Alps.
The areas around Lyon, Grenoble and St.
Etienne are highly industrialized while the
northern departments of the Rhone Alpes
region are relatively prosperous agricultural
areas.
Lyon is known for its historical and architectural
landmarks and is a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. Lyon was historically known as an
important area for the production and weaving
of silk and in modern times has developed a
reputation as the capital of gastronomy in
France. It has a significant role in the history of
cinema due to Auguste and Louis Lumière, who
invented the cinematographe in Lyon. Legend
says that the Virgin Mary saved the city from
the plague and, to thank her, a statue was built.
Lyon is between the rivers Rhone and Saône,
and on the steep western bank of the Saône.
The old city has an architectural and cultural
heritage spanning over two thousand years.
Lyon has been known as the French capital of
gastronomy and has many of France's finest
chefs. This reputation also comes from the fact
that two of France's best known wine-growing
regions are located near Lyon: the Beaujolais to
the North, and the Côtes du Rhône to the
South. Lyon is also home to the Bouchon which
is a traditional restaurant serving local dishes,
and local wines.
Chamonix is a stunning part of the country and
the departure point for hiking and skiing in and
around Mont Blanc, Europe's highest peak.
Annecy is a pretty old Alpine town, on the
shores of Lake Annecy. One of the most
popular sites in Annecy is the Palais de l'Isle, a
castle in the centre of the Thiou canal, built in
1132.
Aix-les-Bains Aix dates back to the Roman
Empire, today it is a prosperous spa town on
the Lac du Bourget, nearby numerous Roman
ruins have survived the test of time.
Grenoble For a great view take the cable car up
to the historic Fort de la Bastille, another one of
Vauban fortifications. In the town the National
Centre for Contemporary Art is one of the best
in France. The Grenoble Museum has a good
collection of 19th - 20th century art, including
Gaugin, Matisse, Bonnard and Picasso.
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Vallon. Pont-d'Arc is situated at the nearby of
one of the most beautiful tourist sites of
France: "les gorges de l'Ardèche" (the Ardèche
canyon). The famous Pont d'Arc is a natural
arch more than 30 metres high, carved out by
the Ardèche river, and is classified as Great Site
of France.
Côtes du Rhône Wines
Côtes du Rhône is a wine-growing region in the
Rhône valley controlled by the AOC. The area of
the produces red, white and rosé wines which
are dominated by Grenache (reds and rosés) or
Grenache blanc (whites). The official AOC Côtes
du Rhône region stretches 200 km from Vienne
in the north to Avignon in the south and from
the foothills of the Massif Central in the west to
the slopes of the Vaucluse and Luberon
mountains east of the town of Orange.
Côtes du Rhône Villages
The Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC are wines
produced in 95 communes and are a more
upscale wine than Côtes du Rhône AOC. Within
this appellation there are 18 Villages that can
use the name of the village on the label; these
wines have even stricter controls than the other
Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC or the Côtes du
Rhône AOC.
VIllages that are can use the village name on the
label are : Cairanne, Chusclan (red and rosé
only), Gadagne, Laudun, Massif d'Uchaux (red
only), Plan de Dieu (red only), Puyméras (red
only), Roaix, Rochegude, Rousset-les-Vignes,
Sablet, Saint Gervais, Saint Maurice, Saint-
Pantaléon-les-Vignes, Séguret, Signargues (red
only), Valréas, Visan.
Beaujolais wines are from the Beaujolais
province. It is located north of Lyon, and covers
parts of the north of the Rhône department and
parts of the south of the Saône-et-Loire
department in Burgundy. The wine is a French
Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) wine and
is generally made of the Gamay grape which has
a thin skin and is low in tannins. Beaujolais is
usually a light-bodied red wine, with high
amounts of acidity. There are some whites
produced in the region from Chardonnay
grapes, however this is only 1% of the areas.
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