6 reasons to travel to France
France is world famous for being a romantic destination. And it has to be said that visitors are seduced by its charm. Here are a number of reasons why you should visit France and fall under its spell.
- 1Travel back in time and explore beautifully preserved historic towns
- 2Sample its world famous cuisine
- 3Visit museums housing exhibitions for all tastes and ages
- 4Explore beaches, mountains and jagged coastlines all in one holiday
- 5Take part in numerous, diverse festivals throughout the year
- 6Explore Paris to the max
1. Travel back in time and explore beautifully preserved historic towns
Cobbled town centres, old houses, castles and churches galore; France's rich cultural heritage goes back centuries. A tour of Notre Dame de Paris or Metz cathedral are incredible, not least because they were built so long ago. Some towns, such as the Medieval Sarlat, will plunge you straight back in time.
2. Sample its world famous cuisine
France is globally renowned for its food, so much so that French expatriates miss it dearly. Wherever you go you'll be able to try a range of local specialities, be it the wine or the recipes: wines from the Loire Valley, Bordeaux or Champagne, ciders, strong/mild cheeses, traditional duck dishes from the southwest, savoury pancakes in Brittany and the Loire Atlantique or Mediterranean seafood on the south coast. When summer evenings arrive, enjoy an aperitif or dinner on a terrace.
3. Visit museums housing exhibitions for all tastes and ages
Paris is equally famous for its museums - an art fan's paradise if ever there was. A trip to the Louvre is a must, but be prepared for crowds gawping at the Mona Lisa. If you find yourself in a big town, don't hesitate to pop into the local museum where you'll find eclectic mixes of old and modern masterpieces. Then there are the science museums - a great idea for family fun on a rainy day.
4. Explore beaches, mountains and jagged coastlines all in one holiday
France is home to classic landscapes: seafronts with sandy beaches, coves that line the Marseille coast, national parks and mountains in the Alps and Pyrenees, Brittany's sheer cliffs, forests and countryside. Lace up your walking boots and head off on an enchanting Corsican trail or hike your way from the Massif Central to the Alps. If you like cycling, hop on a bike and tour the Loire Valley or Atlantic coast - cycle lanes are well mapped out so you can appreciate another side to the country.
5. Take part in numerous, diverse festivals throughout the year
All year long numerous cultural and art festivals are held throughout France; check them out in advance so you can organise your trip around their dates. There's something for everyone - Christmas markets in Alsace, modern or traditional music festivals during summer, Angouleme's famous comic festival, theatre productions in Avignon, Lille's flea market at the end of each September...
6. Explore Paris to the max
A few days in Paris is a must There's loads to choose from. Head up Paris's streets to the Sacre-Coeur, tour Notre Dame, march up to the top of the Eiffel Tower, visit a museum, sip a coffee on a terrace, hit the shops...
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When to go in France?
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France's temperate climate makes it a fairly pleasant country to visit all year round, though you do need to bear in mind that it can get very cold in winter, especially in the north and the east, and very hot in summer, particularly in the south. Many French people (and other Europeans) choose to holiday on the Mediterranean coast in August. This can make the price of accommodation particularly high at this time of year, and the most popular and well-known coastal resorts can get very busy. Shops more or less everywhere will be closed for the annual holidays too. So avoid August if you plan to go on a shopping spree!
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