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France Travel Guide

INTRODUCTION

France has long been one of the main cultural centers of Europe, if not the world. Even the Russian Czars and nobility spoke French, adhered to French fashions, studied French philosophy, and brought French art of all kinds to Russia.

France is an incredible country. There are wonderful, long rivers lined with chateaus, such as in the Loire Valley. Bustling cities, such as Lille in the north, Bordeaux in the west and Nice and Marseille in the south, lie just outside of the majestic, world-renowned cultural center that is Paris.

Major Regions Include:

Alsace

Lille

Paris

Provence

Versailles

Normandy

HISTORY

France has a rich and varied history. Like most countries in Europe, it was dominated by rivaling tribes and changed hands several times, during this time it was known as Gaul.

When the Roman general Julius Caesar conquered it in 52 B.C. the region was still called Gaul. The Romans named the settlement they found on the shores of the Seine River "Lutetia". We know it better as Paris, the capital of France, a city that has long been synonymous with culture, elegance, and civilization.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Capital: Paris

Climate: Cool winters and mild summers.

Currency: Euro - Currently 1 EUR € = 1.2139 USD

Languages: French and English.

Power: 230 V, 50 Hz

Time Zone: DST +0200 UTC

Helpful Hints

The French are incredibly proud of their language, and considering its long and prestigious history this is no surprise. Although most people in France (and especially in Paris) speak English, any attempt to communicate in their native language will be appreciated. Here are some phrases and tips to help you get started.

Hello/Good day- Bonjour (pronounced bone-jour, with a soft 'j')

Good evening- Bonsoir (bone-swar)

Please- S'il vous plait (seel-vu-play)

Thank you- Merci (mare-see)

You're welcome- De rien (deh ree-on)

Yes- Oui (we)

No- Non (no)

In English, please- En anglais, s'il vous plait (on on-glay, seel-vu-play)

In general, consonants at the end of words are not pronounced (think ballet and buffet), unless there is an 'e' after them (as in toilette). Accent marks are extremely important in French. The most common is 'é' which often shows up at the end of words (café) and is pronounced like a long 'a' (as in play). More advanced speakers should remember to use the formal 'vous' pronoun when speaking with strangers and not the informal 'tu'.

ATTRACTIONS

One of the most important wine making countries in the world, there are several amazing vineyards in France that you can tour. Depending on your taste, there are wine tours covering the regions that produce French champagne, or vineyards that specialize in making red and white wine. Of course, it also depends where in the country you're exploring. The best of Bordeaux wines will, of course, be found in Bordeaux. But if white wine is your thing, Alsace or the Loire Valley are good bets. Aside from Bordeaux, a good bottle of red wine can be found either in Provence or the Rhone Valley. And for those who fear their travel companion prefers white while they prefer red, or vice versa, there is always Burgundy or the southwest of France in general. In these regions both red and white wines are proudly produced.

Despite the fact that France is one of the biggest wine producers in the world, the country isn't all about alcohol. Take a journey through the French Alps in the East and enjoy a holiday skiing the slopes, or drive to the beautiful French beaches along the Côte d'Azur. Make sure to take a daytrip to Monaco to work on your tan. Keep an eye out, these beaches are very popular with the rich and famous--you could possibly find yourself picking out the celebrities. Each region in France has its own peculiarities and beautiful sights. Yet another is the region of Provence, where you can explore the famous French Riviera.

France is full of history and beauty. There are small, wonderfully historic villages just beyond the excitement of busy, culturally inundated cities. Carcassonne in the south is one such town, and its attractions include ancient Roman fortifications. There is even a canyon in Provence, called the Verdon Gorge, which rivals the Grand Canyon in Arizona in beauty. I have seen both and thought the Gorges du Verdon paled in comparison to the magnificence of the Grand Canyon in color, width, and depth. Yet both have a subtle, quiet charm of their own.

Eiffel Tower

A major tourist attraction, the Eiffel Tower is 324m high. This incredible structure can vary by as much as 15cm, however, as the tower's 10,000 tons of iron, held together by 2.5 million rivets, expands in warm weather and contracts when it's cold.

Corsica

This wonderful island has its own unique culture, music, and language. The island has a simple character that is entirely its own. This beautiful, wild playground is the ultimate combination destination-- physical exertion in the elements by day, French wine and cuisine by evening.

Filitosa

Incredibly, a few of these extraordinary monuments date as far back as the early Neolithic era and others date back to Roman times.

RESTAURANTS

There's certainly no shortage of restaurants in France. Whether it be in Paris or one of the many quaint little towns that populate the countryside, your taste buds are sure to be dazzled by world-renowned French cuisine.

LODGING

Royal Garden Champs Elysées: This beautiful 4 star hotel is set in the heart of Paris and has its own restaurant and bar.

Best Western Premier Elysees Bassano: A 3 star hotel in a prestigious sixteenth arrondissement of Paris, Best Western is a world-renowned hotel.

Hotel Brice: A 3 star hotel located in the heart of Nice and only a short stroll to shopping and dining.