## Basic information

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## Why go to France

France is visited annually by approximately 70 million tourists from all over the world, as it is one of the most visited countries in the world. This is no wonder, because France offers many different reasons to visit. From beautiful nature through sand dunes, sea waves suitable for surfing, lovers of culture and history will also enjoy themselves here, and most importantly you will taste the real French cuisine that the whole world desires. One of the most visited places in France is also the highest mountain Mont Blanc, from where we offer a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside. Families with children, young couples, the elderly go to France, in short, it is suitable for all ages and you will place this place among your favorite destinations.

## The capital of France

The capital Paris or the most romantic place in Europe. Paris is the capital not only of France, but also the capital of fashion and the metropolis of love. Paris has its charm and many women leave the city with a ring on their left hand. YES, many couples get engaged here, most often asking for hands at the Palais de Chaillot and Martova Pole or during a romantic evening cruise on the river Seine.

- Paris boasts more than 1,800 monuments, 170 museums, half a million trees and a few replicas of the Statue of Liberty.
- Paris is a major world cultural, commercial and political center.

The city is divided by the river Seine on the left and right banks. The city also includes the three islands Île de la Cité, Île Saint-Louis and the artificial island Île aux Cygnes.

## Flag of France

The national flag of France has the form of a vertical tricolor composed of a blue, white and red stripe. The white color follows the traditional white royal flag, red and blue are the colors of Paris, which form the city flag. The roots of the French flag go back to the French Revolution. It was officially recognized as the national symbol of France in 1790 .. During the revolution of 1848, the red flag was used on the barricades. Subsequently, the tricolor was adopted as the national flag.

## Population

France's population is around 65,072,000, including overseas territories. According to estimates, France will have about 70,608,998 inhabitants in 2050, but it will not surpass Germany.

Approximately 51 million (85%) Caucasians of European descent, 6 million (10%) people from North Africa, 2 million (3.5%) blacks and 1 million (1.5%) people of Asian descent, including all generations, live in France. with immigrant origin.

By law of 1872, France forbids distinguishing between its citizens on the basis of race or religion during the census.

## Holidays in France

Public holidays in France are usually accompanied by military parades and fireworks over the Eiffel Tower.

- January 1 New Year - one of the biggest celebrations of the year
- Easter Monday (moving date) - During Easter, there are many different events, especially for children looking for eggs either in the garden or in the park. Disneyland Paris also offers a children's program. Then begins the great pilgrimage of the Foire du Trone in the Vincennes Forest. Impressive and unforgettable Masses are held in the churches, and one of the most visited is the Mass in Notre Dame Cathedral.
- May 8 Victory Day - every year the President of the Republic lays a flower on the grave under the Arc de Triomphe and revives an eternal fire in honor of an unknown soldier. Most monuments and museums are open on this day, only at the Arc de Triomphe is with restrictions.
- Ascension Day 39 days after Easter - Shops are closed, monuments are usually open
- Whit Monday - 50 days after Easter - this holiday is celebrated by the locals in their own way, mostly enjoying a picnic in the park or in the gardens. Shops are closed, some museums offer free admission this day.
- July 14 Celebrations of the fall of the Bastille - these are the most spectacular celebrations of France on the anniversary of the beginning of the Great French Revolution and the fall of the fortress of the Bastille. In this story you will see on the Champs-Elysées one of the largest parades in the world accompanied by firefighters and soldiers. He performs acrobatic flights in the sky, which draws a tricolor on the sky of Paris. There is fireworks over the Eiffel Tower in the evening.
- August 15 Assumption - Impressive Masses are held again at Notre Dame Cathedral
- November 1 Feast of All Saints
- November 11 Armistice - celebration of the end of the First World War. The museums are war-oriented and in many places you will see the French tricolor.
- December 25 Christmas - a visit to France during Advent and the Advent holidays offers the most magical experiences and memories. You will enjoy the Christmas atmosphere the most at the Advent markets on the Champs-Elyséée, but prepare in advance for large crowds. On this day, most museums and monuments are closed to the public.

## Coat of arms of France

The coat of arms of France as an official symbol of the state does not currently exist. The only official symbol of the state is the tricolor. But, for example, an unofficial coat of arms can be seen on French consulates and passports. This "emblem" has been an unofficial symbol of France since 1953, although it has no legal status as an official emblem. It appears on the cover of French passports and was originally accepted by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a symbol for the use of diplomatic and consular missions in 1912 using a design by sculptor Jules-Clément Kaplanen. This Coat of arms is more of an emblem, as it does not respect heraldic rules.

The emblem consists of the following parts:

- Wide shield - at one end a lion's head and at the other an eagle's head, bearing the monogram "RF".
- Laurel twig
- Oak branches - symbolizing wisdom.
- Fasces - a symbol associated with the judiciary.

## Currency in France

In France, as in many European countries, you pay in euros.

Here we stumble upon similar prices in all areas as in England. Whether it’s a shopping in the store or when we visit a restaurant.

Tipping is usually already included in the price. If you were satisfied, you can add another 10%. Tipping is also expected by a taxi driver or hotel staff.

### Prices in France

Approximate prices (converted to GBP):

|                                                               | Quantity Price in GBP EUR |
| ------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------- | --- | --- |
| Bottle of wine 0.75l                                          | 4.9                       | 5.5 |
| Local beer from the shop 0.5l                                 | 1.6                       | 1.8 |
| Food in a cheaper restaurant 1 person 13                      | 15                        |
| Three - course menu in a mid - level restaurant 1 person 22.2 | 25                        |
| Beer in a restaurant 0.5l                                     | 4.9                       | 5.5 |
| Cappuccino                                                    |                           | 3   | 3.4 |
| Coca Cola                                                     | 0.33l                     | 3   | 3.4 |
| Water 0.33l                                                   | 2.2                       | 2.5 |

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Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and most visited places in France is mont Saint-Michel. It is a small island on the Normandy coast, which offers a truly breathtaking spectacle. The extremely strong tides in the bay of Baie du Mont Saint Michel can be used as a natural defense. Water is still rising and falling depending on the lunar calendar. A bridge was built between the mainland and the island in 2014. At high tide, the water always cut off the island. And at low tide the sea was so far away that it could not be seen with the naked eye.

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## Farms where snails graze

There are currently around two hundred snail farms in France. Up to fifteen species of snails of the genus Helix are bred on them. The most delicious is the garden or speckled snail, but they are rarely bred on farms, because carcass sizes do not grow until three years later. That is why you will most often come across farms focused on African snails, which weigh the required 10 g in just three months, when they can already reproduce. You can also find it under the name snail caviar, because it produces larger eggs, used for caviar. Breeding takes place in buildings with artificially maintained microclimate, tunnel houses and greenhouses and outdoors. Soil quality is especially important for the proper development of the snail, ie slightly calcareous soil with 80% humidity and more than 80% air humidity at an ideal temperature of 15 to 25 ° C. If the snail is exposed to too cold or too hot, it will retract into his house where no one can access it.

Opponents of snails argue that snails evoke a similar aversion to them as mushrooms. Yes - snails and mushrooms have only one leg. But this is the end of the similarity. The flesh of the snail is very soft, reminiscent of something between mussels and harder beef. Gourmets who love it, eat the snail liver and the smallest caviar in addition to the muscular legs.

## Toulouse

The French call Toulouse a pink city. But it could also rightly be called purple after the ubiquitous violets.

Toulouse is the fourth largest city in France, its streets are full of young people, because there is one of the largest universities in France, which is also one of the oldest in Europe. They meet here in front of the gigantic brick palace Capitole, the seat of city councilors, with a history dating back to the 12th century. Its construction, like many other houses, is made of flat Toulouse brick, the typical color of which gave the town the nickname Pink City. It was made of clay from the bottom of the Garonne River.

## Interesting facts about France

The guillotine, digital calculator, hot air balloon and Braille come from France.

France is setting fashion trends for the whole world.

The shortest reign was only minutes of King Louis XIX of France. He abdicated his throne in favor of his nephew.

Since 1634, the French Academy has been protecting French from foreign words such as: e-mail, hashtag, blog, etc.

France holds the most Nobel Prizes in literature.

The average Frenchman eats up to 500 snails a year.

In every city in France, there is a street named after Victor Hugo.

## Important contacts

**Where to call in case of emergency in France?**

Rescue service, fire brigade, police: 112

**The telephone code for France is +331.**

**Contacts at the Embassy of the United Kingdom in France:**

**Address:**

```txt
Embassy of the United Kingdom
35 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris,
```

Phone: +33 1 44 51 31 00

Email: france.enquiries@fcdo.gov.uk.

Further contacts can be found at <https://www.gov.uk/world/france>

## Thanks

Fotografie od [Augustina de Montesquiou](https://unsplash.com/@augustindem?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText), [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/mbeATPzFazg?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditShareLink)

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The bathing season is here until mid-October, the water temperature is around 20 ° C.

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The best dates are from the beginning of March to September or October

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The exchange rate is around 0,9 GBP for 1 euro

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French cuisine varies depending on the season. In summer, salads and fruit bowls are popular because they are refreshing, fruit is grown almost everywhere and is cheap. Greengrocers prefer to sell their fruits and vegetables at lower prices if necessary, rather than letting them rot in the heat. At the end of the summer, a lot of mushrooms grow and are stewed all over France. The hunting season begins in September and lasts until February. All game is eaten, often in complex dishes that celebrate hunting success. At the turn of winter and spring, crustaceans are on top, and oysters also appear in restaurants in large quantities. Crayfish, for example, have a short fishing season and catching them out of season is illegal.

## Tips from French cuisine

One of the reasons for visiting France is gastronomy. That is why we have written for you a few tips on what to taste in France.

### Quiche Cakes

Quiche is a French savory pie made of dough filled with cream and pieces of meat, cheese, and seafood. The most famous cake is quiche Lorraine stuffed with bacon. It can be served hot or cold and is popular all over the world.

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### Ratatouille

This vegetable recipe comes from Nice from 1780. Today there are many ways and combinations in preparing Ratatouille. The main ingredients for preparing Ratatouille include eggplant, garlic, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, onions and olive oil, and herbs.

Among other things, the dish is called the sun on a plate.

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### Cassoulet

Cassoulet is a famous dish from the French region of Languedoc, which originated in the Middle Ages during the Hundred Years' War - in the middle of the 14th century. This dish consists of a mixture of meats, sausages and beans served in a round ceramic bowl.

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### Foie Gras

Foie gras is a famous French delicacy made from the fatty liver of waterfowl, especially geese and ducks. This luxurious delicacy could be considered a national cultural heritage. Goose liver can be prepared in both cold and warm variations, can be baked, fried, prepared in steam and can be made into pâtés.

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### Crepe suzette

Traditional French dessert ready in minutes. In translation, it can be said that these are caramelized flamboyant pancakes supplemented with orange juice and cointreau liqueur. In better restaurants, pancakes caramelized right in front of guests.

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### Creme brulee

A single break in the crust and a taste will suddenly make you addicted to this amazing French dessert. The trio of custard creams create a delicate beautiful taste with a caramelized crust.

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### Andouillette

Coarsely ground sausage from pork and intestines, or stomachs. It also contains onions, wine, pepper and other spices. Sausage is served hot and cold, but more often warm, eg with vegetables in mustard sauce or red wine.

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### Bouillabaisse

is a traditional Provencal fish stew originating from the port city of Marseille. Today you can enjoy soup from fresh fish, broth, white wine, olive oil, saffron.

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## French cuisine and health

The French love food, they suffer from meticulous food preparation so that everything on the table looks beautiful, and in addition, food is a kind of ritual for them, where they can have fun for hours. French cuisine is very diverse, each region has its own specialties and dishes typical of the area.
French cuisine contains many meats, fish, seafood and vegetables. Their cuisine is therefore very suitable for a healthy lifestyle.

## Food prices in France

As we have already written, food prices and a visit to a restaurant are at a similar price as in England.

Tipping is usually already included in the price. If you were satisfied, you can add another 10%.

- Meals in a regular restaurant € 20-25
- Meals in a higher category restaurant € 35-50
- Meals in the gastronomic restaurant € 75-150

## Where can you have a good meal in Paris

A lunch menu from € 24 is offered by the Sequana Restaurant, located on the banks of the River Seine, a few steps from the charming Place Deuphine. The menu is light and corresponds to the season. 72 Quai des Orfévres, 1st district <https://sequana.paris/>.

Lunch menu from € 26 Les Fous de I´lle is located in the middle of the island of St-Louis and you will find this informal modern bistro, where good food goes hand in hand with a good mood. 33r. Des Deux-Ponts, 4. District <https://www.lesfousdelile.com>.

Lunch menu from € 18 La Marée Jeanne, a place dedicated to fish and mussels, where you will find three well-thought-out dishes on the original menu. A small garden on a quiet street, but the interior will captivate you with its atmosphere of a stylish fishmonger's. 3r Mandar, 2nd district.

Food

## List of airports

Due to the large area of France, there are many airports. In the most frequently used places we find the following airports:

| City       | Airport                             | Code |
| ---------- | ----------------------------------- | ---- |
| Paris      | Charles de Gaulle                   | CDG  |
| Paris      | Orly                                | ORY  |
| Paris      | Beauvais                            | BVA  |
| Nice       | Nice Côte d'Azur Airport            | NCE  |
| Lyon       | Saint Exupéry Airport               | LYS  |
| Marseilles | Marseille Provence Airport          | MRS  |
| Toulouse   | Toulouse-Blagnac Airport            | TLS  |
| Bordeaux   | Bordeaux Airport                    | BOD  |
| Nantes     | Nantes Atlantique Airport           | NTE  |
| Bâle       | EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg | BSL  |

### List of airports in Paris

#### Paris Charles de Gaulle CDG

Charles de Gaulle - CDG - is the largest airport near Paris and the second in Europe in terms of the number of people transported after London Heathrow.

It is located 23 kilometers northeast of Paris and is connected to the city by suburban RER B and high-speed TGV train, highway, several bus lines and taxis. It was one of the first in Europe to introduce an integrated transport system.

Charles De Gaulle Airport offers its customers the opportunity to stay in various luxury hotels.

##### Transport to / from the center

From CDG Airport we can choose to get to / from the center by bus, suburban train (RER B) or taxi.

The RER train is the fastest connection from the airport to the center, which can be reached in about 35 minutes. Line B will take you to Gare du Nord or _Notre Dame_ Cathedral. The train runs every 12 minutes, and you can buy a ticket from a vending machine directly at the airport. You can also pay by card. The ticket costs € 10.30.

Trains run from 05:30 to 23:50.

A cheaper option of transport to the center is the bus. In total, you will need 3 tickets, which you can buy directly from the driver for € 6 or a few cents cheaper at the vending machine for € 5.70. Alternatively, you can buy exactly 10 tickets called Carnet for € 16.90.

Bus 350 goes to Porte de la Chapelle Metro Station.

Bus 351 will take you to Nation Metro Station.

There are two direct buses, Le Bus Direct, lines 2 and 4, which run directly to central Paris. They stop at terminals 1 and 2, the ticket costs € 15 and you can get there in about 60-90 minutes.

#### Paris Orly ORY

Paris - Orly Airport, French Aéroport de Paris - Orly, is an international airport located south of Paris in the city of Orly. Until the opening of Charles de Gaulle Airport, it was the main airport in Paris and remains the busiest airport for domestic routes.

Since April 2019, the airport has a total of 4 terminals in operation, which are connected by corridors into one complex. The terminals are divided according to the airlines

- Terminal 1: Air France (European flights), Air Malta, Alitalia, Iberia, Tap Vueling
- Terminal 2: Air France (long-haul flights), Air Europa and EasyJet
- Terminál 3: Air Corsica, British Airways, Level, Pegasus, Transavia
- Terminál 4: Flybe, Norwegian, Tunisair, Air Crabe

##### Transport

As with Charles de Galle, the fastest connection to the center is by RER train. The nearest train station at the airport is run by the ORLY VAL train, which takes you to the city center, for example, Notre Dame Cathedral or Gare du Nord. The journey to central Paris will cost you € 12. You can buy a ticket at the train station at the airport in a vending machine.

The cheapest way to get to the center is tram line number 7, from where you can change from the station Villejuif-Louis Aragon to the metro towards the center. The journey to the center by tram and metro will cost you € 3.80 and in about an hour you will be in the center. Between the terminals ORLY VAL the train is free.

#### Paris Beauvais-Tille BVA

Beauvais Airport is the farthest airport from Paris, yet it is called Paris Beauvais Airport. It is 83 km away from Paris and this airport is mainly used by low-cost airlines Ryanair and WizzAir.

The airport closes at night and opens in the morning 2 hours before the first departure. It is therefore not possible to spend the night at the airport.

##### Transport from / to the airport

From the airport, the best way to get to the center is by bus, the so-called shuttle bus, which will take you to a place called Porte Maillot. Buses to the airport also leave from here. Buses run every 20 minutes based on departures and arrivals at the airport. The bus from Paris leaves 3 hours before the departure of the airport. You can also find a detailed breakdown on their website <https://www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/passagers/>

You can also buy a ticket online for € 15.90 or on the spot for € 17 one way. If you need a return ticket, we recommend purchasing at once for € 29 online € 34 on site. The bus ride takes 75 minutes.

Airports

Northern France is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and clouds alternate with rain. Thanks to the open sea, there is humid air and also warm winters. Western France brings considerable humidity and frequent rainfall, especially in Brittany. Temperature differences between winter and summer are small. Summers are relatively cold here.
Eastern France is more continental. Cold winters and hot summers. A considerable amount of snow falls on the mountains. In spring and autumn, Eastern France is accompanied by precipitation and storms. In southern France in the Provence region, frost days are rare. Summer dry and mountain days predominate here. In winter, a cold dry wind blows from the Alps. On the Côte d'Azur it is on average 12–14 ° C in winter. The weather in the Alps is accompanied by high rainfall and snow cover for almost half a year.

The best date for visiting France is usually the end of April. The weather is more sunny here than in our country and the weather is suitable for hiking. If you want to go to the Atlantic, expect it to be cold until June. The bathing season is here until September and often until mid-October, when the water temperature is around 20 ° C. The most attractive time to visit France is from the beginning of March to September or October.

The winter months in the Alps and the Pyrenees are suitable for winter fun.

## Cheapest flights from London to Paris in the context of the weather

The graph describes the minimum prices of tickets found to France and their development
by weeks. Further data on the graph show the average day and night temperatures and
total precipitation, if data are available. By clicking on the individual columns in
graph, you will get a more detailed [current data from the search engine](/).

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## Weather in Paris

Temperatures in July and August rise to 27 ° C. Expect temperatures from 1 ° C to 6 ° C in January. The temperature average of the spring and autumn months is 11 ° C, in winter the temperature is around 4 ° C. A good time to visit Paris is from April to October, when the weather is usually sunny and warm.

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## When to fly to Paris

The most attractive months to visit Paris are from the beginning of March to September or October. April is a good choice for visiting Paris. However, the city attracts visitors all year round. Paris experiences the most intense influx of tourists during Christmas and New Year's Eve, Easter and, of course, during the summer holidays.

Weather

## The most beautiful sights in France

We will start with the capital and what can we look forward to in Paris?

List of TOP places to see in Paris:

- Eiffel Tower
- Notre Dame
- Louvre
- Champs-Elysées
- Orsay Museum
- Seine embankment and bridges
- Latin Quarter
- Montmartre at bazilika Sacré Coeur
- The Marais
- Moulin Rouge
- Versailles

If you’re embarking on a romantic getaway with your sweetheart, don’t forget to bring a padlock with you, write your initials on it and attach it to one of the bridges on the Seine. Then you throw the key into the water :-). In many places you can leave the symbol of your love there on the fence.
We also recommend going for a night walk, because Paris is called the city of lights, among other things. From Montmartre or the Palais de Chaillot, you will have a magnificent view of illuminated Paris.

For many, shopping in Paris will also be a great experience when visiting the Galeries Lafayette or the Printemps department store. The buildings have large open spaces full of fashion brands and design accessories for the apartment. After shopping, you can climb the terrace, from where you can enjoy wonderful city views.

When you visit these places you will return to your childhood and you will definitely enjoy the visit, for example, in the circus Cirque D´hiver Bouglione, you will also find fun when visiting the minimalist park 1:30 France Miniature.

Adrenaline fun can be found in Asterixpark, which is close to Charles de Gualle Airport, and finally Disneyland in Paris, where the whole of Europe travels for experiences, fun in the world of Walt Disney, where you can meet your animated favorites, visit Sleeping Beauty Castle or be tricked by Jack Sparrow.

In short, entertainment is provided in Paris.

### Mont Sant Michel

Le Mont-Saint-Michel, is a granite, 80 meter high, tidal island. It was connected to the mainland from 1879 by an embankment, which was subsequently abolished because the bay was drying up. Now the island is connected to the mainland by a bridge in the former region of Lower Normandy (Basse-Normandie) in northwestern France in the bay of the same name off the coast of Normandy - département Manche. The difference in sea level at high tide is about 15 m (mostly in Europe), so either the “mountain” is surrounded by liquid sands or “floats in the sea.” The low tide exposes the seabed to a distance of 10–15 km from the coast.

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### Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a medieval town in southern France. The Aude River flows through it and the Canal du Midi passes through it.

The original fortified city, the medieval city fortress of Carcassonne, rising on a hill on the right bank of the Aude, is one of the best-preserved medieval fortress cities in Europe and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

In addition to the citadel, the list also includes a technical monument - the Canal du Midi. The canal that flows through the city connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic. A beautiful walk is also along the river Aude, which springs in the Pyrenees.

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### The historic town of Colmar

Colmar is a city in eastern France, which often claims to be the oldest city in Alsace. Thanks to its rich diversity of historical and architectural monuments, it is one of the exceptional cities.

Vines are grown here, because Colmar has a sunny microclimate with a minimum of rainfall (550 mm). There is a typical Gothic architecture (eg the monastery of St. Anthony).

The city also organizes festivals and markets:

- Spring Festival in Colmar (March-April): Easter markets
- Folklore evenings at Ancienne Douane-Koïfhus - accompanied by traditional tancy and folklore repertoire.
- Colmar International Festival (July): The New York Times named the festival one of the top 10 in Europe.
- Christmas light markets with the scent of orange and vanilla with a Christmas vibe on every corner.

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### City of Annecy

This city is not one of the famous tourist destinations in France, but it certainly has something to offer. We find it near Switzerland and it is a picturesque town on the lake of the same name.

In and around Annecy:

- Annecy Castle, the historic seat of the Counts of Geneva
- Palace d'Isle from the 12th century
- Cathedral of St. Peter from the 16th century
- Saint-Maurice d'Angers Cathedral in the style of flamingo gothic
- Basilica of Saint-Joseph-des-Fins of the House of Bellot

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### Castle of the Loire

The valley of France's longest river, the Loire, is interwoven with historic buildings, many of which are listed as World Heritage Sites.
Over a hundred castles surround the banks of the Loire. You will not find a similar density of castles anywhere in the world.

The Loire basin covers more than a fifth of France's area of over 117,000 km2. A popular tourist destination is the Pays dela Loire.

Each of the castles has its own charm and its own story. Each castle is unique and hides its story. Here is a list of the most visited castles:

- Villandry Castle
- Rigny-Ussé Castle
- Clos Lucé Castle
- Clos Lucé Castle
- Chambord Castle
- Amboise Castle
- Bellegarde Castle
- Candé Castle
- Cheverny Castle
- Langeais Castle
- Rivau Castle
- Serrant Castle

You can complement the visit and tours of the castles by exploring the natural landscape by bike or on foot, complemented by excellent wine and gastronomy.

### Provence

Provence is a historic country located in southeastern France. French Provence is accompanied by the Côte d'Azur along the Mediterranean Sea, where you will find, among other things, luxury yachts, expensive cars, the festival city of Cannes and many other contrasts. Provence has a charm not only along the coast, but also in the interior you will find picturesque villages, extensive vineyards, goat farms, wine cellars, ancient streets and shops with spices and herbs. The region is full of lavender fields and olive groves. Provence is also home to red, white and rosé Provencal wine, which were planted here by the Greeks about 600 years BC .n.l.

The promontories and islands, which we can set off on hiking trails, also have their charm. Mostly it is an uneven rocky terrain, so replace the flip-flops with sturdy shoes.

Provence is suitable for summer holidays on the beach. The ideal time to visit is the beginning of July, when the water has a pleasant temperature.

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The cities in Provence that are definitely worth a visit are:

Cannes - or the Mecca of the film industry. Red carpets, festive gowns, popular actors, filmmakers, journalists meet once a year to announce the best who will win a gold award.

Nice is considered the capital of Provence. Beautiful nature, azure coast, luxury boats and yachts and much more hides this city.

Avignon is considered the "Vatican of France" The most famous monument of Avignon is the magnificent papal palace Palais des Papes, which is an exhibition papal residence.

Marseille is one of the oldest cities in France. You can also get to Marseille by TGV from Paris. Marseille offers museums, monuments, restaurants, the historic port and all that even more. The city is also famous for the film TAXI.

Les Baux-de-Provence is an ancient village with castle ruins, located on a rocky plateau in the south of France. The village was named after its location - baou means "rocky promontory" in Provencal. The village was ranked among the most beautiful villages in France. Don't miss the nearby bauxite mine museum in Les Baux, which features projections of paintings by local famous painters.

Gordes is a village located in the hills of the Lubéron limestone mountains. Due to its dramatic location on a rocky outcrop, this village acquires a true Provencal character. From here there is a wonderful view of the whole region.

Mont Ventoux is a 1912 m high mountain in the southeastern part of the Provencal Alps about 20 km northeast of Carpentras. For fans of cycling, this place is perfect, as one of the stages of the Tour de France is being completed here.

## Corsica

Corsica is an island in the western Mediterranean Sea under the administration of France. The island covers an area of 8680 km2 and is the 4th largest island in the Mediterranean. Its shape resembles a clenched fist with a raised thumb.

The island is 183 km long and 83 km wide, which roughly corresponds to the distance of the island from the European mainland. It is 180 km from France and 80 km from Italy. It has a population of approximately 322,000. The highest mountain of the island is Monte Cinto, which reaches 2706 m above sea level.

The official language is French, but Italian and Corsican are often spoken here.

Corsica is the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte and an untouched landscape with many glacial lakes. Parts of the island are listed in UNESCO. The island is known for its whitish beaches and clear sea (length of the coast is 1047 km), which makes it a frequent destination for tourists.

Corsica, like France, is full of ancient cities where you feel like you are in a fairy tale. Among other things, Corsica is said to be the "mountain in the sea" or the "white pearl of the Mediterranean". Don't miss the charming town of Bonifacio or the village of Evissa. Corsica is often considered one of the most beautiful places in Europe.

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## Verdon Nature Park

The protected natural park Naturel Régional du Verdon is one of the most beautiful canyons not only in all of France. Its depth is sometimes up to seven hundred meters and is relatively narrow. Nevertheless, it is the largest canyon in all of Europe with a length of 25 km, where at the end it flows into the blue lake Lac du Sainte-Croix.

The Grand Canyon du Verdon is definitely worth a visit. For lovers of sports, adventure and adrenaline, this place is perfect. It is a popular destination for fishermen, lovers of hiking, mountaineering lovers (there are more than 1500 climbing routes), or you can rent paragliding, rafting, canyoning or bungee jumping.

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## Dunkerk/Dunkirk

Dunkirk is a city in northern France, which is best known for its history during World War II. The battle of the German invasion in 1940 took place here. A large number of soldiers escaped through this city to England, who crossed the canal almost during the constant bombing. Winston Churchill called it the "Dunker Miracle." The evacuation was called Operation Dynamo, which rescued over 338,000 men. During the battle, the city was severely damaged.

Today, the city of Dunkirk has one of the largest ports in France, which thanks to its modern equipment is able to handle a large number of excessive cargo ships.

The city center is quite modern, as the city was renovated after the war. All the sights fell here as a result of the bombing. Here we can visit the Musée Portuaire, dealing with the maritime past and present, or the Musée des Beaux Arts, where you can also see an exhibition of works from the dramatic evacuation of soldiers.

Guide to France

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