Holidays In France

Paris

The praises of Paris have been sung many times! Also known as the City of Light (la Ville Lumière), it was founded on a small island that is still named 'Ile de la Cité'. The impressive Notre Dame cathedral stands on the island in the middle of the Seine. It was the first Gothic cathedral of its kind with construction beginning in the 12th century and lasting throughout the whole Gothic period. The church became famous from the sad novel by Victor Hugo about the bell ringer Quasimodo. In addition to the classically-built sights such as the Eiffel tower, Arc de Triomphe and Sacré Coeur, there is some impressive modern achitecture to be seen. One example is the Grande Arche de la Défence, which stands in an exact line with the Louvre pyramid and the Arc de Triomphe. Paris is a shoppers' dream, filled with stylish shops and boutiques such as Lafayette and Le Bon Marché. The Paris nightlife goes on until the early hours. Choose from the Operá, the music of the Moulin Rouge or the friendly bars around the Place Pigalle. If it gets to busy there are plenty of wooded parks within easy reach such as the beautiful Bois de Boulogne. Paris is unforgettable!

Facts about Paris

The most sought-after spot in Paris is one in the Père Lachaise. This world-famous cemetery is home to the graves of many iconic characters from the past and contains over a million graves. It covers an area of 44 hectares and is the burial place of writers like Moliére, La Fontaine and Honoré de Balzac, composers like Bizet, Rossini and Chopin and opera singers Maria Callas, Edith Piaf. The British author Oscar Wilde is also buried there but the most popular grave for the tourists to visit is that of the singer Jim Morrison.

Paris in short

Size: 105km2
Population: 11 million
Currency and Language: Euro, French
July August Average temperature 20 19 hours of sun 8 7
Distances: Calais to Paris: 296km. Caen to Paris: 234km. Paris (centre) to Versailles: 22km. Paris (centre) to Charles de Gaulle airport: 29km.
Recommended (low cost airport): Charles de Gaulle, Orly and Beauvais.

Paris is a metropolis filled with fantastic resturants. There are plenty of small North African restaurants offering their specialities such as 'cous-cous'. The most popular street instrument is the accordian, followed by the guitar. If you prefer somewhere with no music, visit the artists square of Montmartre, found just behind Sacré Coeur, or the student area of the Latin Quarter.

The Loire

Château de Maintenon, Châteaudun, Sully-sur-Loire, Chambord, Villandry, Chinon, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau...these are just some of the charming châteaux in the Loire. There is no other river in Europe with so many long banks. The château at Chambord is breathtaking and, with its 365 towers, makes a great photo! The Loire itself is the longest river in France, spanning over 1000km, and flows through almost the whole country. It rises in the Cevennes in the south east and then flows out to the sea at Saint Nazaire, just south of Nantes. It is one of the few rivers left in Europe with its original course and the area between Chalonnes and Sully was added to the UNESCO world hertitage list. The river is rarely used for transport due to the many shallow sections. Alongside the river are many cities that have played an important part in French history, like Angers, Blois, Tours and Orléans. Aristocrats built their summer palaces here to be away from the heat and smells of Paris. In the Place du Martrois in Orléans there is a stature of Joan of Arc, the 'Orléans virgin', who liberated the city in 1429 and ended the 100 year war.

Facts about the Loire

Ride your bike on the safe and flat cycle paths and tracks that will take you past many of the Loire châteaux. The 'Loire-à-vélo' route stretches for 800km from Cuffy in the Cher region to St Brévin-les-Pins, where the Loire meets the Atlantic. There are numerous châteaux to see en route. You will soon be able to ride 4000km from the Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea along the Loire and Danube rivers but perhaps some training will be needed before trying this route!

The Loire in short

Size: 4780km2
Population: 730,000
Capital: Nantes
Currency and language: Euro, French
July August Average temperature 24 26 Hours of sun 8 7
Distances: Caen port - Tours: 274km Calais to Chalonnes: 498km Orléans - Angers: 245km
Recommended (low cost) airport: Nantes, Tours, La Rochelle, Poitiers.

The Loire valley is also known as the garden of France due to its châteaux, orchards and vineyards. The pleasant climate with limestone ground is perfect for the famous Sauvignon grape, which originates from here. Angers has one of the best preserved Mediaeval walled city centres. Don't miss out on a visit to Blois cathedral and the museum of the great magician Houdini.

Normandy and Brittany

One of the most beautiful parts of France, but also full of mysteries. Its original celtic name was Armorica meaning 'land near the sea'. Brittany was an independant country for a long time and only became part of France in 1532. Normandy received its name from the Normen, the Vikings who forged deep into the French countryside carried out their raids. They claimed the land we now know was Normandy from the French king in exchange for a ceasefire. Menhirs go back to celtic times and are still a presence in this area today. They are huge elongated stones .that were crafted from rocks with primitive tools and are impressive to see. The Locqmariaquer menhir weighs over 340 tons. Menhirs have a significant presence at ritual ceremonies and can sometimes be seen in large circles. These are a vast contrast to the concrete remains that litter some of the beaches from the allied invasion in 1944. The whole region is seeped in mystic tales about magic potions and magicians. Although this region has an historic background, it also boasts beautiful green hills with half timbered houses and excellent beaches.

Facts about Normandy and Brittany

The pink coloured northern coast of Brittany is known as the Côte du Granit Rose. This is because of the huge pink granite rocks there that remained a mystery for some time as nobody knew how they got there. Volcano experts came up with the theory that this particular area of Brittany was created by a massive volcano eruption. The lava has only risen to the surface after many years of erosion. It was then that the original lava colour came to light and now over ten kilometres of the coastline is made up of pink and red rocks.

Normandy and Brittany in short

Size: Normandy: 30,600km2; Brittany: 27,200km2
Population; Normandy: 3.3 million; Brittany: 3.0 million
Capital: Normandy: Caen; Brittany: Rennes
Currency and language: Euro, French
July August Average temperature 23 21 Hours of sun 7 7
Distances: Calais - Caen: 245km Cherbourg - Rennes: 234km Rennes - Caen: 184km
Recommended (low cost) airport: Brest, Bretagne, Dinard-Caen, Nantes

The best known isle is Mont Saint Michel, situated where Normandy and Brittany meet. This is a rocky tidal island and the most popular tourist sight in France outside Paris. Inland by lies Dol de Bretagne, a walled town with wonderful cathedral. There's another one in Quimper that is just as impressive. The pearly white beaches of the region are great family attractions and seafood lovers will have a wide choice of restaurants, many with a sea view.

West Coast

The French Atlantic coasts runs from southern edge of the Brittany peninsula to the Spanish border and is known as the 'West Coast'. Put another way, it runs from Nantes to Biarritz or, if you prefer, from the Loire estuary to the Pyrenees. The region is considered a quiet and peaceful area but history shows this was not always the case. Farmers in the Vendée region did not agree with the French revolution, which marked the start of the bloody civil war from 1793 to 1796. These days the Vendée is renowned for its beautiful beaches, making this area a perfect family holiday destination. There are as many hours of sunshine here as the Côte d'Azur but the Atlantic coast differs from the Mediterranean Sea. In certain areas the waves are huge, perfect for surfers who love a challenge. South from the Gironde estuary is the long, thin area known as Aquitaine, which boasts sheltered lakes and inland seas that are ideal for young children. Apart from the well known Dune du Pilat, which is the highest sand dune in Europe, the West Coast is fairly flat with a wide range of cycle routes to suit the whole family.

Facts about the French West Coast

Whilst staying in this region you may come across pilgrims making their way to Santiago de Compostela in the north of Spain. The best way to get there is by walking, horseback or cycling. Most pilgrims prefer the road that leads them from Bordeaux via Labouheyre and the old Roman spa resort of Dax to the border near Jean Pied-de-Port. The village of Lesperons is a little strange in that is it made up of three sections, Tireveste (remove your coat), Tiregilet (remove your shirt) and Tureculotte (remove your trousers)!

The West Coast in short

(Loire-Atlantique, Vendée, Charente-Maritime, Gironde, Landes, Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
Size: 47,287km2
Population: 4,445,500 No Capital.
Currency and language: Euro, French
July August Average temperature 23 22 Hours of sun 9 8
Distances: Bordeaux to Biarritz: 205km Nantes to Bordeaux: 346km Bordeaux airport to Arcachon: 72km
Recommended (low cost) airport: Limoges, Pau, Bordeaux, Bergerac, Nantes, La Rochelle.

Families with young children will love the Les Landes area to the south of Bordeaux. Biarritz features a stylish boulevard and Dax boasts its old Roman bath houses. The Vendée and Charente-Maritime offer good beaches and the lovely walled cities like La Rochelle, which is still guarded by the old Fort Boyard in the bay where TV game shows have been filmed. Have fun at the Atlantic Toboggon water theme park near St. Hilaire and the crazy family park Puy de Fou near Nantes.

Dordogne/Lot

The 'Massif Central' is the starting point for two rivers called Dor and Dogne. These eventually join to become the Dordogne and continue their journey to Bordeaux and finally, the Atlantic ocean. The Dordogne river is vast and covers a total surface area of over 24,000km2. Before the year 1790 this part of France was known as Périgord and was divided into four different regions that were names after colours to highlight the differences in the landscape. Vert (green) signified the forest, Noir (black) related to dark oak, Blanc (white) came from the white limestone rocks, Pourpre (purple) refered to the wines and vineyards. Many people still use the old Périgord names today. There are hundreds of limestone caves, the most popular near Lascaux. Pre-historic rock paintings were discovered here, one of the oldest signs of civilisation in France. In the Middle Ages the land was conquered and ruled by the British for four centuries. The Dordogne is now one of the most popular French holiday destinations thanks to its impressive historic cities, caves and beauty. Don't miss out on a canoe ride down the Dordogne, Lot and Vézère rivers.

Facts about the Dogdogne

Bergerac is located beside the Dordogne river and was home to the well-known playwright and soldier Cyrano de Bergerac. Author Edmond Rostand portrayed him as a romantic hero with an unusually large nose. The story of Cyrano has been performed on the stage, as a musical and in a film starring Gérard Depardieu in the main role. Although the film is based on a fictional story, Hercule Savinien Cyrano de Bergerac did exist. He was born in the 17th century and wrote science fiction stories about air travel and exciting adventures. There is a statue of him in the Place de la Mirpe in Bergerac.

The Dogdogne in short

Size: Dordogne: 9225km2; Lot: 5215km2
Population: Dordogne: 400,000km2; Lot 164,000km2
Capital: Dordogne: Périgueux, Lot: Cahors
Currency and language: Euro, French
July August Average temperature 29 28 Hours of sun 9 8
Distances: Paris to Périgueux: 553 km, Périgueux to Bordeaux: 130 km, Limoges airport to Bergerac: 213 km.
Recommended (low cost) airport: Limoges, Bergerac, Bordeax, Toulouse

Canoeing is very popular here, be it a kayak for one or a family-size canoe. This is a replica of the ancient wooden ships that once took freight to Bordeaux. Good ideas for family trips include the Lascaux and Padirac caves, the artist village of St Cirq-Lapopie and the pilgrims destination of Rocamadour, which was built upon a giant rock. Another tip: the Sarlat weekly market is worth a visit.

Auvergne/Aveyron

This isolated mountainous region has a small population and is renowned for the 80 or so old volcano craters that still dominate the landscape. Even though it may have a moon-like look to it, there are still plenty of fresh green spaces and silent lakes within the craters. The fertile volcanic soil provides a rich growing medium and flowers abound, making it a walkers' paradise. Most of the volcanoes are in the nature reserve 'Parc Regional des Volcanos d'Auvergne'. The most well known is the Puy de Dome measuring 1465 metres. There is a narrow road that takes you to the top and the climb is well worthwhile just for the fantastic view over the craters. Though the volcanoes have not been active for centuries, there are still hot spa baths in the La Bourboule health resort. The Auvergne area is situated in central France, in the heart of the Massif Central. This high plateau is from where rivers like the Dordogne, Allier and Tarn rise to the surface before starting their trip to the sea. The neighbouring areas of Aveyron and Tarn offer beautiful nature and plenty of water-based fun in the Lac de Pareloup.

Facts about the Auvergne

Millau has a huge cable span bridge that is used by many tourists to cross the valley of the river Tarn on their south. However just 200km further north is the Viadic de Garabit, a viaduct which spans the Truyere river. You can't really compare the two as the viaduct was built 120 years earlier. It was constructed by Gustave Eiffel who most probably treated it as a test as 5 years later he went on to build the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris. Although the Garabit train bridge is 'only' 122 metres high, the open steel construction is almost as impressive as its modern counterpart near Millau.

The Auvergne / Aveyron in short

Size: Auvergne - 26000km2. Aveyron - 8700km2
Population: Auvergne - 1.3 million. Aveyron - 363,000
Capital: Auvergne - Clermont-Ferrand. Aveyron - Rodez
Currency and language: Euro, French
July August Average temperature 20 19 Hours of sun 9 8
Distance: Paris to Clermont Ferrand: 425km. Clermont Ferrand to Millau: 228km. Clermond Ferrand airport to Rodez: 245km.
Recommended (low cost) airport: Clermont Ferrand, Rodez Marcillac, Lyon.

Aurillac comes alive in August when it hosts an annual street festival. If the weather is wet an unusual alternative is a visit to the umbrella museum. In addition, there is a mine museum near Decazeville and the children will love the Garden of Eden at the Colombier castle. Other places of interest include the 'Gorges du Tarn' ravines and the giant Millau bridge. This amazing bridge is made up of a mix of metal decking and pylons supported by seven concrete pillars, the highest located next to the river near the village Peyre.

Languedoc-Roussillon

After the French revolution the regions of Languedoc and Roussillon were merged using more or less the borders of the former Septimania. A few years ago it was planned to re-introduce the old name to the region but the locals were against this. The Languedoc-Roussillon stretches from the Spanish border to th Rhône estuary. Up until the 17th century the southern part of the Roussillon region was ruled by the Spanish kings of Aragòn, and the Catalan language can still be heard today. Nowadays people make a living producing good quality wines and of course from the tourists, who are very important to the region. For young families the stretched sandy beaches with their long shallow waters are perfect for lazy days by the sea. There is plenty of culture to be found, such as the walled city of Carcassonne and Béziers, which is situated close to the Canal du Midi, the oldest canal in Europe. The Pont du Gard aqueduct is an impressive remnant of the old Roman water supply system. Nîmes is another Roman city with one of the best preserved Roman arenas.

Facts about Languedoc-Roussillon

The name Languedoc originates from the 'langue d'Oc', a form of the Latin language. This is still used in a large part of southern Europe such as northern Spain, north west Italy and the region of France between Bordeaux and Lyon. In Mediaeval times the Occitan dialect was the official language for the whole of the area and Toulouse was its cultural centre. Today, two million people can still speak this language and many cities and villages have bilingual names on their border signs.

Languedoc-Roussillon in short

Size: 27,376km2
Population: 2,500,000
Capital: Montpellier
Currency and Language: Euro, French and, in some areas, Catalan
July August Average temperature 27 26 Hours of sun 10 9
Distances: Lyon - Montpellier: 304km; Béziers - Perpignan: 95km; Marseille (airport) - Béziers: 232km
Recommend (low cost) airport: Carcassonne, Perpignan, Toulous, Montpellier.

Close to the Spanish border are charming towns as Collioure and Port-Vendres. Much further north-east is Aigues-Mortes. In between these great beaches can be found. The Pont du Gard is close to Nîmes with its Roman arena. Visit Carcassonne, the walled city which cast out the Cathars in the Mediaeval times. Don't miss out on a family bicyle ride along Canal du Midi.

Côte d'Azur

The coastline of the Côte d'Azur was named after the colour of the sea, azure blue. However, it could have easily been named after its pearly white beaches, or the dark red mountains of the Massis des Maures. Gold could be another good name when you consider living on the Côte d'Azur. Wealth has been linked to this region since the beginning of the 19th century when the first tourist arrived. It was quiet and serene until St Tropez was used as a film set in the 1950's. The mix of luxurious chic with a pleasant climate has enticed both holidaymakers and celebrities to the 'Côte' for many years. In addition, there is the breathtaking countryside of the Esterel mountains behind St.Raphael, not far from the coast. The Loup river basin, near the artist's village of St.Paul de Vence, is beautiful. Another lovely area is the 'corniches'. These coastal roads run at different altitudes between Nice and Monaco over the rocky coast line and provide great views out to sea.

Facts about the Côte d'Azur

The small state of Monaco is made up almost entirely by the city of Monte Carlo. Although independent, Monaco actually belongs to the French Côte d'Azur. When the casino was constructed in 1856, the economy of Monaco boomed and has thrived ever since. As the game of roulette was prohibited in France, Monaco became the gambling centre of the entire region and its success and ambience filtered with wealth into the nearby French cities like Nice and Cannes. It may be expensive to buy a drink on the boulevards but it's definitley the place to people watch.

Côte d'Azur in short

Size: 25,850km2
Population: 4,500,000
Capital: Nice
Currency and language: Euro, French
July August Average temperature 28 28 Hours of sun 11 10
Distances: Marseille - Menton (Italian border): 235km, Cannes - Castellane: 82km, Lyon - Marseille: 316km
Recommended (low cost) airport: Toulon, Nice, Nimes, Marseille.

The best beaches are the smaller ones in the intimate bays between Ste.Maxime and St.Aygulf. Cities like Cannes, Nice, Antibes and Monte Carlo are great places to visit and the magnificent 'corniche' drives are unforgettable. Children will love Fréjus zoo and the many water parks. The Col de Vence is a fabulous drive either by car or motorbike.

Provence

Like many other French regions, the Provence was one Roman territory. Its name comes from the Latin word for a province. Its history has seen changes of power, the most recent being the Vatican and the Duke of Anjou. It eventually became psrt of the region Provence-Alps-Côte d'Azur. Provence is, without a doubt, famous worldwide for its sunny mountain plateaus filled with the scent of the lavender fields. The Route Napoleon (N85) passes Castellane, Digne and Gap and is one of the most popular scenic drives. Popular rivers are the Durance and the Verdon, which passes through one of the most impressive gorges - the Grand Canyon du Verdon. It differs from the American gorge of the same name because of its greenness and pleasant climate. In addition, the drive to lake Ste. Croix is very impressive. The north western area of Provence is called Vaucluse, which originates from Latin and means closed valley. It is also home to Mont Ventoux which, at 1909m high, can be seen from faraway. The best way to the windy summit is to approach from the south. The route up by bike is only recommended for professional cyclists, others will need a car.

Facts about Provence

The lavender fields in the Provence turn purple in the summer and the sweet scent fills the air. Apart from roses, mimosa and jasmine, lavender is the most popular plant in the perfume industry that has the city of Grasse at its centre. Over 60% of all French natural aromas are produced here and roadside stalls can be found on every bend. The oil produced from lavender flowers is also an important ingredient for some medicines. In all, it is a very versatile plant, even the tales about a lavender love potion could be true...

Provence in short

Size: 31,500 km2
Population: 4,506,000
Captial: Aix-en-Provence
Currency and language: Euro, French
July August Average temperature 28 28 Hours of sun 11 10
Distances: Castellane - Grenoble (N85): 224km Avignon - Digne-les-Bains: 197km Marseille (airport) - Castellane (Gorges du Verdon): 181km
Recommended (low cost) airport: Nîmes, Nice, Avignon.

The pope's palace on the banks of the Rhône dates back to the times when Avignon was the pope's residence and is an impressive building. The famous bridge from the children's song "sur le pont d'Avignon..." is next to it. Along the Route Napoleon (N85) there are stalls where you can buy small bottles of perfume. Visit Die, Digne or Forcalquier. A visit to the Grand Canyon du Verdon and the red-coloured Luberon mountains are well worthwhile.

Drôme and Ardèche

The Rhône river flows through past Lyon and the south in a straight line. On one side of the valley is the Ardèche region and the Drôme is on the other. Both are part of the Rhône-Alps region. The French people still use the old name used before the French revolution, when the Ardèche region was known as Vivarais. Fruit cultivation has been big business here for years and cities like Privas, Annonay and Aubenas produce massive quantities of fruit each year. Along the rivers are many old factories that once made paper, silk and textiles. In this south eastern part of France many rivers have created deep crevices in the rocky soil. Each river and its 'gorges' are hugely popular with walkers and canoeists. The high road along the Ardèche river provides magnificent views, in particular between Vallon Pont d'Arc and St. Martin. In addition to the gorges there are waterfalls like the Ray-Pic falls and huge ares full of caves. A large part of the Ardèche and Drôme areas are preserved national parks. The larger cities in the Rhône valley are Valance and Montélimar, also known as the centre of nougat production.

Facts about the Drôme and Ardèche

Today's hot air balloon is a vast improvement to the paper air bag Joseph and his brother Etienne Montgolfier constructed. Their father was a paper manufacturer from Annonay, in the northern region of Ardèche. The first unmanned test flight was a success and took place on 4 June 1783. Its passengers were a duck, a rooster and a sheep. A few months later, on 21 November 1783, the balloon took its first passengers. Every June there is a huge hot air balloon festival in Annonay as a tribute to the inventors.

The Drôme and Ardèche in short

Size: Drôme: 6530km2; Ardèche: 5530km2
Population: Drôme: 438,000; Ardeche: 286,000
Capital: Drôme: Valence; Ardèche: Privas
Currency and language: Euro, French
July August Average temperature 27 27 Hours of sun 10 8
Distances: Paris - Privas: 603km; Lyon - Montélimar: 149km; Grenoble - Valance: 100km.
Recommended (low cost) airport: Marseille, Lyon, St. Etienne en Nîmes

The classic steam train ride from Tournon to Lamastre travels high up into the mountains, running through the most beautiful areas of the Ardèche. The region is ideal for canoe trips on the Doux, Chassezac or Ardèche rivers. A well known meeting point is the huge, natural rock bridge near Vallon Pont d'Arc. In the Drôme region the Palais Idèal near Hauterives is a lovely place to visit. It's an oriental castle built by a French postal clerk.

The Alps

Although the Alps stretch across eight European countries, the highest peaks are in the west, in the French section. There are 128 mountains in the Alps that reach an altitude of 4000m or more. On the border of France and Italy is Mount Blanc, which measures 4808m, including 32m of thick ice at the top, making it the highest peak in Europe. At the foot of the mountain in Chamonix is a statue of Michel Paccard and Jaques Balmat, the first two men to reach the summit on the 8th August 1786. Climbing mountains like this may not be for everyone but more leisurely mountain walks have porved to be very popular. The healthy mountain air attracts many people to the high rambling routes. An increasing number of mountain passes are also being discovered by amateur cyclists who want to follow their 'Tour de France' heroes. In the area to the south west of Lake Geneva (Lac Leman) there are plenty of water sports available on the lakes usch as Annecy, Bourget and Aiguebelette. One of the larger cities in the French Alps is Grenoble, home to 50,000 students taking a natural sciene degree.

Facts about the Alps

For cycle race lovers there is only one Alp, the l'Alpe d'Huez. This mountain climb from Le Bourg d'Oisans to Alp d'Huez has 21 hairpins and an average incline of 8%, with some areas as steep as 12%. The route only measures 13 kilometres but raises 1141m in height, making it a huge challenge for amatuer cyclists. For those who want more, La Marmotte is host to an annual amateur event. The circuit measures a distance of 175km and takes the riders through huge mountain passes including Glandon, Télégraphe, Galibier and, to finish, the Alpe d'Huez.

The Alps in short

Size: Haute-Savoie: 6300km2; Isère: 7430km2
Population: Haute-Savoie: 375,000; Isère: 1,100,000
Capital: Haute-Savioe: Annecy; Isére: Grenoble
Currency and language: Euro, French
July August Average temperature 25 25 Hours of sun 9 8
Distances: Lyon - Grenoble: 112km Chambéry airport - Annecy: 50km Geneva - Chamonix: 82km
Recommended (low cost) airports: Lyon, Chambèry, Geneva

The narrow railway in Chamonix will take you to the Mer de Glace, a huge glacier of around 40km2. Not far from here is another glacier, near L'Argentière, where you can visit an old silver mine. For a scenic drive take the Route Napoleon to Grenoble. Annecy, the town at the north end of the lake, has a 'lover's bridge' (Pont des Amours' and the beautiful Palais de l'Ile

North East France

Both France and Germany have conquered what we now call North Eastern France several times. The territory has been subjected to wars by both countries since the Verdun Treaty in 843, after Charles the Great died. These wars have sparked locals to move often as many did not agree with their new rulers. As a result a diverse mix of dialects and cultures developed. This can be seen in German-like names and half-timbered houses. The local food and the well known Alsace grapes, like Riesling and Gewürztraminer originate from German times. In addition, the famous physician Albert Schweizer came from Alsace. In the north east are the districts of Lorraine, Champagne-Ardenne and Franche-Comté. Comté is known for its spicy cheese and the Champagne region for its sparkling wine from the areas near Reims and Châlons sur Marne. Lorraine has beautiful cities like Metz and Nancy. Nancy owes its picturesque city centre to the Polish king Stanislas. He was appointed by the French king to rule the area temporarily but he ended up ruling for over 30 years before he passed away at the age of ninety.

Facts about North East France

The secret Champagne is in second fermentation. It has to be created in the bottle to effect the carbonation of the wine. During the process the pressure in the bottle rises and this why they are made of thick glass. To remove the sediment, the bottles are stored upside down and the bottle's neck is frozen. The cork is then carefully removed, allowing the sediment to be pushed out of the bottle by the pressure inside. The bottles are then quickly closed with what eill be their final cork.

North East France in short

Area: Elzas: 8280km2; Lorraine: 23,550km2; Champagne- Ardenne: 25,600km2; Franche-Comté: 16,200km2
Population: Elzas: 1,800,000; Lorraine: 2,345,000; Champagne-Ardenne: 1,340,000; Franche-Comté: 1,117,000
Capital: Elzas: Straatsburg; Lorraine: Metz; Champagne - Ardenne: Chalons-en-Champagne; Franche Comté: Besancon
Currency and language: Euro, French July August Average temperature 24 25 Hours of sun 8 7
Distances: Calais - Reims: 270km; Nancy - Châlons-en- Champagne: 160km; Strasbourg - Metz: 164km
Recommended (low cost) airport: Metz, Nancy.

The river Doubs is ideal for a family canoe trip. Halfway along is the friendly and quaint city of Ornans. Visit the freedom tower in St.Dié and Joan of Arc's birth place of Domrémy-la-Pucelle. For car enthusiasts visit the Bugatti museum in Mulhouse. Another must see is the unique Swiss car designer Sbarro in Pontarlier. Sport cyclists will enjoy the many routes that take you through the mountains. This area is also used in the Tour de France.