Official Name French Republic
Capital City Paris
Population 60,424,213
Language French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal,
Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)
Time Zone GMT+1 in winter and GMT+2 in summer
Independence 486 (unified by Clovis)
National Holiday Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
Currency Euro(EUR)
Summer Temp: 24º C
Winter Temp: 3º C
Ethnic Groups Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indo-chinese,
Basque minorities
Religions Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated
4%
Location: Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English
Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean
Sea, between Italy and Spain
Area:
total: 547,030 sq km
land: 545,630 sq km
water: 1,400 sq km
note: includes only metropolitan France, but excludes the overseas administrative
divisions
Land boundaries:
total: 2,889 km
border countries: Andorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy 488
km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573 km
Coastline: 3,427 km
Climate: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers
along the Mediterranean
Terrain: mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder
is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Rhone River delta -2 m
highest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m
Natural resources: coal, iron ore, bauxite, fish, timber, zinc, potash
Natural hazards: flooding; avalanches
Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive
losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state.
Nevertheless, France today is one of the most modern countries in the world
and is a leader among European nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a presidential
democracy resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentary
democracies. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany
have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction
of a common exchange currency, the euro, in January 1999. At present, France
is at the forefront of efforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to
supplement progress toward an EU foreign policy
History
Archaeological excavations indicate that France has been continuously settled
since Paleolithic times. The Celts, who were later called Gauls by the Romans,
migrated from the Rhine valley into what is now France. In about 600 B.C. Greeks
and Phoenicians established settlements along the Mediterranean, most notably
at Marseille. Julius Caesar conquered part of Gaul in 57–52 B.C., and
it remained Roman until Franks invaded in the 5th century A.D.
The Treaty of Verdun (843) divided the territories corresponding roughly to
France, Germany, and Italy among the three grandsons of Charlemagne. Charles
the Bald inherited Francia Occidentalis, which became an increasingly feudalized
kingdom. By 987, the crown passed to Hugh Capet, a princeling who controlled
only the Ile-de-France, the region surrounding Paris. For 350 years, an unbroken
Capetian line added to its domain and consolidated royal authority until the
accession in 1328 of Philip VI, first of the Valois line. France was then the
most powerful nation in Europe, with a population of 15 million.
The missing pieces in Philip Valois's domain were the French provinces still
held by the Plantagenet kings of England, who also claimed the French crown.
Beginning in 1338, the Hundred Years' War eventually settled the contest. After
France's victory in the final battle, Castillon (1453), the Valois were the
ruling family, and the English had no French possessions left except Calais.
Once Burgundy and Brittany were added, the Valois dynasty's holdings resembled
modern France. Protestantism spread throughout France in the 16th century and
led to civil wars. Henry IV, of the Bourbon dynasty, issued the Edict of Nantes
(1598), granting religious tolerance to the Huguenots (French Protestants).
Absolute monarchy reached its apogee in the reign of Louis XIV (1643–1715),
the Sun King, whose brilliant court was the center of the Western world.
After a series of costly foreign wars that weakened the government, the French
Revolution plunged France into a bloodbath beginning in 1789 with the establishment
of the First Republic and ending with a new authoritarianism under Napoléon
Bonaparte, who had successfully defended the infant republic from foreign attack
and then made himself first consul in 1799 and emperor in 1804. The Congress
of Vienna (1815) sought to restore the pre-Napoléonic order in the person
of Louis XVIII, but industrialization and the middle class, both fostered under
Napoléon, built pressure for change, and a revolution in 1848 drove Louis
Philippe, last of the Bourbons, into exile. Prince Louis Napoléon, a
nephew of Napoléon I, declared the Second Empire in 1852 and took the
throne as Napoléon III. His opposition to the rising power of Prussia
ignited the Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871), which ended in his defeat,
his abdication, and the creation of the Third Republic.
A new France emerged from World War I as the continent's dominant power. But
four years of hostile occupation had reduced northeast France to ruins. Beginning
in 1919, French foreign policy aimed at keeping Germany weak through a system
of alliances, but it failed to halt the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi war
machine. On May 10, 1940, Nazi troops attacked, and, as they approached Paris,
Italy joined with Germany. The Germans marched into an undefended Paris and
Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain signed an armistice on June 22. France
was split into an occupied north and an unoccupied south, Vichy France, which
became a totalitarian German puppet state with Pétain as its chief. Allied
armies liberated France in Aug. 1944, and a provisional government in Paris
headed by Gen. Charles de Gaulle was established. The Fourth Republic was born
on Dec. 24, 1946. The empire became the French Union; the national assembly
was strengthened and the presidency weakened; and France joined NATO. A war
against Communist insurgents in French Indochina, now Vietnam, was abandoned
after the defeat of French forces at Dien Bien Phu in 1954. A new rebellion
in Algeria threatened a military coup, and on June 1, 1958, the assembly invited
de Gaulle to return as premier with extraordinary powers. He drafted a new constitution
for a Fifth Republic, adopted on September 28, which strengthened the presidency
and reduced legislative power. He was elected president on Dec. 21, 1958.
France next turned its attention to decolonialization in Africa; the French
protectorates of Morocco and Tunisia had received independence in 1956. French
West Africa was partitioned and the new nations were granted independence in
1960. Algeria, after a long civil war, finally became independent in 1962. Relations
with most of the former colonies remained amicable. De Gaulle took France out
of the NATO military command in 1967 and expelled all foreign-controlled troops
from the country. De Gaulle's government was weakened by massive protests in
May 1968 when student rallies became violent and millions of factory workers
engaged in wildcat strikes across France. After normality was re-established
in 1969, de Gaulle's successor, Georges Pompidou, modified Gaullist policies
to include a classical laissez-faire attitude toward domestic economic affairs.
The conservative, pro-business climate contributed to the election of Valéry
Giscard d'Estaing as president in 1974. The right to vote at age 18 was introduced.
Abortion law promoted by Simone Veil is adopted (17 January 1975)
Socialist François Mitterrand attained a stunning victory in the May
10, 1981, presidential election. The victors immediately moved to carry out
campaign pledges to nationalize major industries, halt nuclear testing, suspend
nuclear power-plant construction, and impose new taxes on the rich. The Socialists'
policies during Mitterrand's first two years created a 12% inflation rate, a
huge trade deficit, and devaluations of the franc. Death penalty abolished (1981).
In March 1986, a center-right coalition led by Jacques Chirac won a slim majority
in legislative elections. Chirac became prime minister, initiating a period
of “cohabitation” between him and the Socialist president, Mitterrand.
Mitterrand's decisive re-election in 1988 led to Chirac being replaced as prime
minister by Michel Rocard, a Socialist. Relations, however, cooled with Rocard,
and in May 1991 Edith Cresson—also a Socialist—became France's first
female prime minister. But Cresson's unpopularity forced Mitterrand to replace
Cresson with a more well-liked Socialist, Pierre Bérégovoy, who
eventually was embroiled in a scandal and committed suicide. Mitterrand did
succeed in helping to draft the Maastricht Treaty and, after winning a slim
victory in a referendum, confirming close economic and security ties between
France and the European Union (EU).
On his third try Chirac won the presidency in May 1995, campaigning vigorously
on a platform to reduce unemployment. Elections for the national assembly in
1997 gave the Socialist coalition a majority. Shortly after becoming president,
Chirac resumed France's nuclear testing in the South Pacific, despite widespread
international protests as well as rioting in the countries affected by it. Socialist
leader Lionel Jospin became prime minister in 1997. In the spring of 1999, the
country took part in the NATO air strikes in Kosovo, despite some internal opposition.
January 1, 1999 Beginning of the introduction of the euro. The exchange rates
for 11 European currencies are permanently fixed relative to each other and
relative to the euro.
September 24, 2000 In a referendum, 73 percent of the French
people voted in favor of shortening the presidential term from 7 to 5 years.
The 5-year term will be effective after the presidential elections of 2002.
January 2, 2002 Euro bills and coins are introduced. The euro now is used for
all transactions in the 12 participating European Union countries (France, Belgium,
Germany, Spain, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal
and Finland). February 17, 2002 French francs are no longer legal tender in
France. May 5, 2002 Jacques Chirac is re-elected President of the Republic and
appoints Jean-Pierre Raffarin as Prime Minister. It is the end of the third
cohabitation. In July 2002, Chirac survived an assassination attempt by a right-wing
extremist.
During the fall 2002 and winter 2003 diplomatic wrangling at the United Nations
over Iraq, France repeatedly defied the U.S. and Britain by calling for more
weapons inspections and diplomacy before resorting to war. Relations between
the U.S. and France have remained severely strained over Iraq.
France sent peacekeeping forces to assist two African countries in 2002 and
2003, Côte d'Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Prime Minister Raffarin's plan to overhaul the national pension system sparked
numerous strikes across France in May and June 2003, involving tens of thousands
of sanitation workers, teachers, transportation workers, and air traffic controllers.
In August, a deadly heat wave killed an estimated 10,000 people, mostly elderly.
The catastrophe occurred during two weeks of 104°F (40°C) temperatures.
In 2004, the French government passed a law banning the wearing of Muslim headscarves
and other religious symbols in schools. The government maintained that the wearing
of conspicuous religious symbols threatened the country's secular identity;
others contended that the law curtailed religious freedom.
In March 2004 regional elections, the Socialist Party made enormous gains over
Chirac's Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) Party. Unpopular economic reforms
are credited for the UMP's defeat.
On May 29, 2005, French voters rejected the European Union constitution by a
55%–45% margin. Reasons given for rejecting the constitution included
concerns about forfeiting too much French sovereignty to a centralized European
government and alarm at the EU's rapid addition of 10 new members in 2004, most
from Eastern Europe. In response, President Chirac, who strongly supported the
constitution, replaced Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin with Dominique de
Villepin, a former foreign minister.
Rioting erupted on Oct. 27, 2005, in the impoverished outskirts of Paris and
continued for two weeks, spreading to 300 towns and cities throughout France.
It was the worst violence the country has faced in four decades. The rioting
was sparked by the accidental deaths of two teenagers, one of French-Arab and
the other of French-African descent, and grew into a violent protest against
the bleak lives of poor French-Arabs and French-Africans, many of whom live
in depressed, crime-ridden areas with high unemployment and who feel alienated
from the rest of French society.
In March and April 2006, a series of huge and ongoing protests took place over
a proposed labor law that would allow employers to fire workers under age 26
within two years without giving a reason. The law was intended to control high
unemployment among France's young workers. The protests continued after President
Chirac signed a somewhat amended bill into law. But on April 10, Chirac relented
and rescinded the law, an embarrassing about-face for the government.
Getting There
Air France and scores of other airlines link Paris with every section of the
globe. Other French cities with international air links (mainly to places within
Europe) include Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Strasbourg and Toulouse. In
France, inexpensive flights offered by discount airlines and charter clearing
houses can be booked through many regular travel agents.
If you are doing a lot of travel around Europe, look for discount bus and train passes, which can be combined with discount airfares.
Buses are slower and less comfortable than trains, but they are cheaper, especially for people under 26, over 60, teacher and students.
Rail services link France with every country in Europe; schedules are available from major train stations in France and abroad. You can book tickets and get information from Rail Europe (www.raileurope.co.uk, www.raileurope.com) up to three months ahead.
Tickets for ferry travel to/from the UK, Channel Islands and Ireland are available from most travel agencies in France. In some cases, return fares cost less than two one-way tickets.
Ferry
By sea, the quickest passenger ferries and hovercrafts to England run between
Calais and Dover, and Boulogne and Folkestone. There are numerous routes linking
Brittany and Normandy with England; Saint Malo is linked by car ferry and hydrofoil
with Weymouth, Poole and Portsmouth, while Roscoff has ferry links to Plymouth.
Ferries also ply the waters between France and Ireland (Cherbourg-Cork), the
Channel Islands, Sardinia (Marseille-Porto Torres), Italy (Corsica-Genoa) and
North Africa (Marseille-Algiers, Marseille-Tunis, Sète-Tangier).
Plane
Scores of national and international airlines link Paris with every part of
the globe. Other French cities with direct international air links include Bordeaux,
Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Strasbourg and Toulouse.
Train
Paris is the country's main rail hub, with services to/from every part of Europe.
The completion of the Channel Tunnel in 1994 has meant travel between England
and France - on the silent, ultra-modern Eurostar rail service - is now quick
and hassle-free.
Bus
Paris is the country's main bus hub, with services to/from every part of Europe.
Buses are slower and less comfortable than trains, but they are cheaper, especially
if you qualify for the 10% discount available to people under 26 or over 60
or hunt around for discount fares. The Chunnel has high-speed shuttle trains
that whisk coaches from England to France.
Paris
As the French capital, Paris is home to more than 2 million people, with another
10.5 million living in the Ile de France area. The river Seine bisects the city
into the Rive Droite (Right Bank) north of the river, and the Rive Gauche (Left
Bank) south of the river. Paris is divided into twenty arrondissements or districts
that radiate from the city centre.
Sights not to be missed include the Musee du Louvre, Notre Dame cathedral, the
Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe. The Louvre dates back
to 1200 when it began life as a fortress. It became a public museum in 1793.
A glass pyramid entrance designed by architect IM Pei was added in the 1980s.
Brave the crowds and wander through rooms full of paintings, sculptures and
antiquities including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.
The cathedral of Notre Dame is one of the most outstanding achievements of Gothic
architecture ever built. Completed in 1345, its massive interior can accommodate
more than 6000 people. Its spectacular rose windows are world-famous. View the
cathedral from the Square Jean XIII just behind it to see the ornate flying
buttresses that support its walls and roof. The Eiffel Tower is Paris’
most prominent and instantly recognizable landmark. Surrounded by open areas
on both sides of the Seine, it was built for the World Fair of 1889 to commemorate
the centenary of the French Revolution. Three levels of the tower are open to
the public.
The Champs-Elysees is the city’s most famous boulevard. Elegant and broad,
it links Place de la Concorde with the Arc de Triomphe. Standing at the intersection
of twelve avenues, the Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806
to commemorate his imperial victories. Paris begs to be discovered, to be explored,
to be experienced. Create your own Parisian experience. View the city from the
basilica of the Sacre Coeur, get your portrait done in Montmartre, take a bateau
mouche down the Seine, stroll down the wide boulevards, sip café au lait
in sidewalk cafes and pastis in smoky Gitane-wreathed bars, dine in the fashionable
Latin quarter, sunbathe in the Jardin du Luxembourg. No matter how many times
you visit, Paris offers something new and exciting each time.
Paris Sights
The Eiffel Tower
Built for the International Exhibition of Paris in 1889, which commemorated
the centenary of the French Revolution, the Eiffel Tower is probably the best-known
French landmark. Standing at over 300 meters and weighing 7000 tons, the tower
was one of the world’s tallest buildings until 1930. The view over Paris
from the top is breathtaking.
The Arc de Triomphe
Commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon shortly after his victory at Austerlitz, the
Arc de Triomphe was not finished until 1836. There are four huge relief sculptures
at the base of the four pillars including the famous La Marseillaise by François
Rude. The day the Battle of Verdun commenced in 1916 the sword carried by the
figure representing the Republic broke off. The figure was immediately hidden
to conceal the accident to try to avoid any undesired associations or interpretations
as a bad omen. Engraved around the top of the arch are the names of major victories
won during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods. The Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier and the eternal flame lies under the Arch.
Notre Dame Cathedral
A masterpiece of gothic architecture designed by Maurice de Sully, Notre Dame
was built between the 12th and the 14th centuries. Until the French Revolution
the cathedral remained relatively unchanged. Admire the stunning building from
the Place du Parvis or take the energetic 387-step climb to the top of the towers
for an amazing view of the city. Check out the statuesque gargoyles adorning
the cathedral.
The Champs Elysees
Central to most French National celebrations, the Champs Elysees is one of the
world's most well-known streets. The Tour de France finishes here and people
from all over the world congregate here to celebrate Bastille Day - the French
national holiday. Stroll along its wide expanse and stop for a coffee in one
of the chic cafes that line it.
The Sacré Coeur
The Sacré Coeur is one of Paris' best-known landmarks after the Eiffel
Tower. Built by public subscription after the 1870 defeat in the Franco-Prussian
war, the Sacré Coeur Basilica's grand collection of 19th century sculptures,
architecture, and paintings provide a wonderful insight into the history of
that century. Climb the steep steps up to the church and take in the amazing
views over the city.
The Latin Quarter
One of the most famous Parisian districts, the Latin quarter has welcomed intellectuals
and bohemians alike since the Middle Ages. It derives its name from the language
of the scholars as the students of the famous Sorbonne University spoke Latin
here throughout the 19th-century. The area is full to the brim with cafes, bookshops,
small boutiques, nightclubs, street merchants and artists. The area is also
the historical site of various political uprisings, one of which was the student
revolt of May 1968.
The Louvre
Philippe Auguste originally constructed the Louvre as a royal palace in 1190,
and it was only after the French Revolution that the idea of transforming it
into a huge art museum was discussed. The Louvre eventually opened on 18th November
1793. Today the Louvre is one of the most beautiful museums in the world, housing
collections from nearly every era and every major artist throughout history.
To see the collection in its entirety is a mammoth task. To make the most of
a visit, you will need at least a day to see it. Arrive early to avoid the queues!
The Georges Pompidou Centre
The Pompidou Centre is one of the most spectacular and controversial modern
buildings in Paris. It was designed with the aim of bringing art and culture
to the people on the street. Its 1977 factory style architecture starkly contrasts
with the surrounding classical French architecture. The centre is multifunctional,
containing a public library and the French National Museum of Modern Art which
has a large collection of paintings spanning the 20th century. These include
works by artists such as Picasso, Braque, Max Ernst, Magritte, Chagall, Matisse,
Delaunay, Kandinsky, Klee and much more. Throughout the day there are usually
colourful displays of street theatre for both adults and children.
Montmatre
A Sacred Place
High above the surrounding areas, with thick forest and numerous
springs, brought man, as early as the Antiquity, to make this mount a sacred
place. This mount, though not yet named Montmartre, became a place of frequent
pilgrimages. The Gallic druids came to revere their numerous gods here. The
Romans established a temple dedicated to Mercury and there they adored Bacchus,
God of the vine. During the Gallo-Roman era, the "Parisians" saw in
this haven, then lost in the removed countryside, the perfect place to pray
and honor their gods. In fact, the site was at a sufficient distance from Lutèce,
(the ancient name for Paris), to make it somewhat of an exploit to get there.
The rich merchants in turn found it to be the ideal location to build their
homes. They could see Lutèce but they were too far away and well beyond
the woods and marshes to be bothered.
The Legend of Saint Denis
If the numerous forests and springs had brought the Gallic and the Romans to make this mount their favorite place of worship, centuries later its religious vocation would be confirmed due to the wealth of its limestone subsoil. In fact, the numerous excavations dug by men capitalizing on theses quarries would later be used as a hideout for the persecuted Christians looking for a place to pray. Saint Denis, first bishop of the region, would have even carried out his first evangelizations here. Arrested, then tortured, he apparently died decapitated, never denying his faith. The legend relates that, guided by an angel, he traversed the mount, his head in his hands, to his burial ground. The mount, until then called the "Mount of Mars" or the "Mount of Mercury", eventually took the name "Mount of Martyrs", and the name Montmartre was derived from it. Near the end of the fifth century, a basilica was erected on the place where the remains of St. Denis rest. And Montmartre, until then a sacred place, became a frequent destination for pilgrimages.
The Pere Lachaise Cemetery
Cemeteries are not on your average tourist itinerary but this one is a must.
A popular attraction, especially if any of your idols are buried here. The gothic
grand cemetery houses the graves of such celebrities as Chopin, Edith Piaf,
Sarah Bernhardt, Rossini, Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison.
Disneyland, Paris
Disneyland Paris is situated just outside of Paris in Marne la Vallée
and opened in 1992. Today Disneyland Paris covers about 140 acres, with a theme
park to rival any of is competitors. Meet Mickey and Dumbo and all your Disney
friends! Belt up for a journey to the moon with Space Mountain, pilot your own
spaceship on Orbitron or take part in the intergalactic battle that is Star
Wars. Follow in the footsteps of Indiana Jones or visit the Wild Wild West in
Frontierland as well as hundreds of other themed attractions. Take a stroll
in its themed stores, listen to the orchestras, dive into the fever of Hurricanes
Nightclub, take a nightcap at the Sports Bar or go and see the latest films
in the newest cinema.
Bordeaux
Founded in the 3rd century B.C., it is famous for wine. The 1000 sq km wine-growing
area around the city is France’s most important producer of top-quality
wines, producing more than 850 million bottles in 1997. The region produces
many varieties - reds, rosés, sweet, dry and sparkling wines - all according
to strict government guidelines.
The city itself boasts an air of 18th century elegance with its neoclassical
architecture, wide avenues, and attractive public squares and parks. The centre
of town lies between Place Gambetta and the Garonne River. The fascinating Musee
d’Aquitaine on Cours Pasteur chronicles the history and ethnography of
the Bordeaux area from 25,000 years ago up until the 19th century. The Centre
d’Art Plastique Contemporain places just as much emphasis on showcasing
the work of up and coming artists as it does on the works of established names
such as Jackson Pollock. Stroll in the elegantly landscaped Jardin Public along
Cours Verdun or in the oasis of calm and flowers that is Place Gambetta. The
city’s principal shopping area is just east of here along the pedestrianised
Rue Porte Dijeaux. Check out the Galerie Bordelaise, a 19th century shopping
arcade located at the junction of Rue Porte Dijeaux and Rue Sainte Catherine.
For a great selection of cafes and restaurants head for the Place de la Victoire,
the Place du Parlement or the Rue de Parlement Sainte Catherine. Sample some
of Bordeaux’s lively nightlife by checking out the city’s late night
dance venues on the Quai de Paludate. Recover the next day in a sunny open-air
cafe along the Garonne.
Toulouse
In Toulouse, during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, misfortunes seemed
to follow one after another. Epidemics, floods of the Garonne River and uncontrollable
fires brought misery and desolation. In 1463, following an especially terrible
fire which destroyed 80% of the city, a law was passed encouraging citizens
to use bricks instead of wood as a building material. Furthermore, they could
use the dirt easily found near the Garonne River, giving the bricks a peculiar
pink color, which has since become one of the recognizable characteristics of
Toulouse. In the nineteenth century, however, the more well-to-do of Toulouse
society felt the pink building material was too common, and too rural. Many
inhabitants whitewashed the facades with lime and sand to disguise the bricks.
During this last century, however, the trend has been reversed with a resurgence
of pride in the history of Toulouse. Many of the whitewashed buildings have
been brushed and sandblasted to restore the charm of long ago, and to the city
its identity as the "Ville Rose".
Champagne
Throughout France, the Champagne region was held in the highest esteem. Reims,
Capital of the second Gaul, was the city of coronation of French kings from
Clovis in 496 until Charles the Tenth in 1825. The Champagne region is also
the oldest region of French wines. With a limestone earth, good exposure to
the sun and winegrowers devoted to their craft since the beginning of time;
one would expect the finest wines of all. At the beginning, the bubbly quality
of the wine was considered a flaw to be overcome. Apparently, the 45th parallel
(from the regions of Bordeaux to the Rhone valley) was the ideal latitude to
produce wines of high quality. Champagne was too far north, situated at the
49th parallel. Louis Pasteur took this “liability” and made it into
a science: A first fermentation of the grape juice occurred after the grape
pressing, then during the cold winter, the fermentation paused, then resumed
in the spring. This process, because of the specific latitude of the region,
gives this delicate wine, called Champagne, its well known effervescence.
The Abbey of Hautvillers
Legend has it that, Saint-Nivard, bishop of Reims, in search
of the ideal place to establish a monastery, looked to the heavens for a sign
from God. At that moment he saw a dove place itself on the tallest beech tree
at the highest point of Hautvillers. Thus the site, situated on the edge of
the Marne River, was chosen. As early as its foundation was laid, the abbey
was a big success. The monks there practiced the rules of Saint-Benoit. Their
prayers and the steady work of the vine which, until the middle ages was often
done by religious orders, regulated their days rhythmically. Unfortunately,
to prosperity followed dramatic periods of invasions and wars, leaving pillage,
destruction and desolation. Throughout time, the abbey of Hautvillers (north
of Epernay), often served as a refuge to the inhabitants of the countryside
in distress. Despite these hazards and difficult periods, the abbey did not
cease to grow, thanks to the gifts of the believers and the land purchased by
the monks. After his allocation in 1668, it was the abbot Dom Pérignon
who, thanks to his courage, his tenacity, and his intelligence, was able to
bring the abbey to its eminence and with it bring its prosperity and honor.
Reims
Around the year 400, the bishop St Nicaise chose to build a cathedral dedicated
to the Virgin Mary on the remains of Gallo-Roman thermal baths located inside
the city walls. This site was considered safe from the threat of attacks, as
indeed, the 5th century was a violent time marked by barbarian invasions.
One such onslaught did eventually penetrate the city of Reims (Rheims), on December
14th, 406. St Nicaise rushed to the doorway of his church to stand in the way
of the invaders and protect the faithful who had sought refuge inside. He was
savagely decapitated. Legend has it that he continued to recite a psalm after
he was beheaded. Realizing they had committed a sacrilege, the terrified barbarians
then fled the town. Over the following centuries, the people of Reims never
wavered in their devotion to the one who had saved their city, and successive
structures were built on the foundation where the altar that St Nicaise had
consecrated around 401 once stood.
At the end of the 5th century, Gaul was divided into small rival kingdoms ruled
by Germanic barbarians who had been invading it ever since the 3rd century.
They were the Alamans, Burgondes, Wisigoths, and to the north, the Franks. Clovis,
King of the Franks had married a charming young lady, Clotilde, who only had
one thing on her mind and that was to convert her husband to Christianity. Clovis,
however, felt that to renounce his Germanic gods of strength and fertility would
be a rejection of what his ancestors and his soldiers stood for. So, despite
his love for his lady, he stood firm in his convictions. It is said that one
day, as he found himself in trouble on the battlefield, trying to push back
the Alamans at Tolbiac (near Cologne) in 496, he vowed that should he win, he
would get baptized to thank “Clotilde’s God”. That is when,
seemingly miraculously, the Alamans hastily retreated. The victorious King of
the Franks kept his promise and was baptized with his warriors by the bishop
Saint Rémi in Reims, in front of a huge crowd. This gave birth to a new
civilization founded on Christian principles, called Francia.
As the years went by, the cathedral built by St Nicaise became dilapidated.
It was renovated and an extension was even added, but then it was torn down
and rebuilt once more. The structure that was eventually destroyed by fire on
May 6th, 1210, along with a large part of the city, had little to do with the
original one. But one year to the day after that disaster, the archbishop Abri
de Humbert laid the first stone of the new cathedral that we can still admire
today, thanks to the unfading devotion and generosity of the faithful.
Sadly, however, there were more setbacks to come. Although the choir was finished
in 1241, a lack of resources, epidemics, and the Hundred Years War all took
their toll on any substantial progress, even though the work never did come
to a complete stop. Determination and tenacity prevailed, and finally, in 1481,
the stone vessel was finished. The final touch would have been the addition
of seven spires that were designed to rise to a height of 558 ft. They were
never built, as yet another fire devastated the roof and the bell tower. The
extent of the damage was such that there was not enough money left after the
necessary basic repairs to endow the cathedral with those huge spires that had
been dreamed of.
In 816, Louis the Debonaire became the first king who wanted to be crowned at
the very same place where Clovis had been baptized. The archbishops of Reims
were quick to take advantage of this to increase their influence and declare
themselves sole prelates authorized to bestow the royal unction. After all,
they were the guardians of the “Holy Flask”, a phial of chrism that
according to legend in Reims had been brought by a dove, symbol of the Holy
Spirit, during the baptism of Clovis. Ever since Henri I in 1027, and until
Charles X in 1825, all the kings were crowned in Reims, except for Henri IV,
Napoleon I, and Louis XVIII. For many kings, the pompous ceremony took place
in a cathedral under construction. In 1328, the stones that were obstructing
the palace courtyard had to be moved out of the way for Philippe VI to get through.
One century later, in July 1429, it was in front of a tower-less cathedral that
Joan of Arc formally accompanied Charles VII. Nonetheless, through all its varying
stages of restoration, the cathedral of Reims remained the only cathedral for
the coronation of the kings of France.
Lyon
Founded more than 2000 years ago, the city was initially named Lugdunum by the
Romans, who saw it as an important crossroads between Northern Europe and the
Mediterranean, the Atlantic and the Alps.
Today, France’s second city is a fascinating mix of architecture, cultures
and people. One of the most charming districts in town is the Vieux Lyon area
lying between the west bank of the Saone and the Hill of Fourviere. Broken into
three villages, Saint Jean, Saint Paul and Saint George, Vieux Lyon is home
to the largest collection of Renaissance buildings in Europe. Its narrow winding
streets are filled with Bouchons - small Lyonnais Restaurants for which the
city is famous - as well as street performers, cafes, pubs and the workshops
of local artists, craftsmen and sculptors. Take a saunter up one of the quaint
Montées that meander up Fourviere and you will eventually arrive at the
colossal Notre Dame de Fourviere, the Basilica that towers over the city. Climb
to the top and take in the spectacular view of the city and its rivers. Just
beyond the Basilica is the fascinating Museum of Gallo-Roman Civilisation which
features Roman artefacts found in the Rhone Valley. The larger of the two Roman
amphitheatres next door to the museum is used for various cultural events including
music concerts, both classical and modern.
The Presqu’ile (peninsula) which lies between the city’s two great
rivers is home to fashionable shopping streets such as Rue Victor Hugo. The
beautifully elegant Place des Terreaux is at the heart of Lyon civic life and
plays host to numerous restaurants, cafes and bars in the most idyllic of settings.
Just behind Terreaux on Place de la Comedie is the National Opera House, an
amazing architectural example of old meeting new. The trendy Croix-Rousse area
is home to the Traboules Lyonnaises - secret passageways that wind for hundreds
of metres through and under buildings and streets. Initially used by the Silk
traders as short cuts, they were to be used centuries later by the Resistance
during the Second World War. Don’t miss the Trompe l’Oeils while
in Croix-Rousse. These are huge mural frescoes that cover entire sides of buildings.
The commercial part of the city lies east of the Rhone. Here you’ll find
the Lumiere Institute which celebrates the Lumiere brothers’ contribution
to cinema, and the Tony Garnier Urban Museum, an unusual outdoor museum showcasing
the work of this Lyon born architect. Let the spirit of this grand city cast
its spell on you.
Cote d’Azur
Start your exploration of the Cote d’Azur in its capital - Nice. A town
of broad palm-fringed avenues and grand hotels, of fine restaurants and outstanding
museums, its spectacular quality of light has long been an inspiration for artists
and musicians. Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, sip an aperitif in the
pink-domed Hotel Negresco and marvel at the paintings in the city’s Matisse
Museum. Head west down the coast for the beautiful sandy beaches and narrow
winding streets of Antibes. Find out for yourself why the town so enchanted
artists like Picasso and Nicolas de Stael.
Experience a slice of lively nightlife in Juan les Pins before bracing yourself
for the outrageously expensive chic boutiques and restaurants of Cannes. Famous
for its film festival in mid-May, Cannes is probably one of the best cities
in the world for people-watching. Stroll down the impressive palm-fringed Boulevard
de la Croisette and take in the style, glitter and wealth all around you. Journey
15 kilometres north of Cannes to Grasse, one of the most important perfume-producing
centres in France. The heady smell of perfume wafts through the town. Visit
one of the three perfumeries open to the public and discover how it is made.
Travel west further down the coast, past the towns of Frejus and St. Raphael
until you come to St.Tropez. Immortalized in the film Et Dieu Crea la Femme
with Brigitte Bardot, it is an alluring little town immensely popular with the
jet set. Watch them dine on their huge yachts before strolling down the Quai
Jean Jaures to choose a restaurant for yourself.
Journeying east of Nice you’ll discover the gem of a town that is Villefranche-sur-Mer.
With a tiny little port, a 16th century citadel and church and a beautiful beach,
it has a relaxed and laid-back feel. Ideal for recuperating in after a night
on the town in Nice! The seaside resort of Saint Jean-Cap Ferrat is situated
on the attractive wooded peninsula of Cap Ferrat. Travel east again to the beautiful
town of Eze lying on a rocky hilltop above the sea. Travel through Menton to
the tiny principality of Monaco. Walk up the hill to glamorous Monte Carlo -
famous for its casino, royal palace and the Formula 1 Grand Prix held each May.
Visit the palace’s state apartments, watch people gamble for high stakes
in the gaming rooms of the casino, have a drink in the world-famous Hotel de
Paris.
Marseille
Founded by the Greeks more than 2600 years ago, Marseille is the oldest city
in France. Bustling and brash, it is the country’s second city and the
largest port in Europe after Rotterdam. Large and industrial, it nevertheless
boasts a unique heritage and enjoys a spectacular setting along the Mediterranean.
Its majestic island-studded bay and its Calanques - rocky inlets and lagoons
- are world famous.
The city’s main thoroughfare is called La Canabiere and stretches eastwards
from the Vieux Port (Old Port). Make sure to stroll around the old port where
ships have docked for more than 26 centuries and where the atmosphere, spirit,
and charm of the city is at its most tangible. Climb up to the Basilique Notre
Dame de la Garde, a huge Romano-Byzantine basilica 1km south of the old port.
Erected between 1853 and 1864, it stands on a hilltop and provides breathtaking
views over the city. Two museums well worth visiting are the Centre de la Vieille
Charite where exhibits are housed in a workhouse and hospice dating back to
the 17th century and the Musee d’Histoire de Marseille which gives a history
of the city. Take a ferry out to the mysterious Chateau d’If which lies
on an island 3.5 kilometres west of the entrance to the old port. The 16th century
fortress-turned-prison featured in Alexandre Dumas’ classic work of fiction
The Count of Monte Cristo.
Take a break from sightseeing and head for Cours Julien, just south of La Canabiere.
A large pedestrianised square complete with a water garden, fountains and palm
trees, it is lined with some of Marseille’s trendiest cafes, restaurants
and theatres. Other cafes and late-night restaurants can be found in the lively
Place Thiars and the Cours Honore d’Estienne d’Orves on the south
side of the old port. No trip to Marseille would be complete without tasting
its most renowned dish - bouillabaisse. This is a hearty soup with three kinds
of fish served in a broth with onions, tomatoes, saffron, sage and thyme. Work
up an appetite by strolling in the unspoilt countryside just outside the city
and swimming or scuba diving in the warm, turquoise Mediterranean.
Nice
Stretching out along the Bay of Angels, Nice is regularly chosen as the town
where most French people would like to live. It is not hard to see why. Capital
of the French Riviera, it is a town of broad palm-fringed avenues and grand
hotels, of azure-blue sky and golden sunshine, of beaches and fine museums.
Its spectacular light and beauty have long been an inspiration for many artists
and musicians. Toulouse Lautrec, Matisse, Chagall, Berlioz and Verdi to name
but a few who fell under its spell.
The spectacular Promenade des Anglais curves along the seafront for 6 kilometres
and was established by Nice’s English colony in 1822 as a seaside walking
path. Strolling along it is a superb way to get your bearings and to take in
the magnificenct Bay of Angels. Watch out for the pink domed Hotel Negresco
along the way. Built in the Belle Epoque style, it dates back to the 1900s and
is classified as an historic monument. Nice has hidden treasures around each
corner - from the early 19th century neoclassical arcaded buildings in Place
Massena painted in a variety of eyecatching ochres and reds to the fantastic
flower market on the Cours Saleya to the winding narrow streets of the old town.
The town’s Matisse Museum boasts a fine collection of the artist’s
work and is well worth a visit. Don’t miss the Musee d’Art Moderne
et d’Art Contemporain which specialises in French and American avant-garde
works from the 1960s onwards and the Musee National Message Biblique Marc Chagall.
The attraction of Nice lies in the sheer range of activities it makes possible.
Rollerblade along the Promenade des Anglais in the morning, take in a museum
in the early afternoon, stop for flowers or fruits glaces (candied fruits) on
the Cours Saleya on the way to the beach, dine in the balmy open air until late
into the evening. The town also makes a great base for exploring with excellent
rail links to the beautiful town of Antibes, the wealthy glittering resort of
Cannes and the romantic principality of Monaco. Nice is, quite simply, an unforgettable
experience.
Cannes
The city of Cannes is spread out around a heavenly bay. According to legend,
at the time of the Genesis God spent an entire day here, fussing over minute
details in order for it to be perfect. The boardwalk, “La Croisette”,
is like a magic ribbon stretching for three kilometers along the bay: Ellipses
of green palm trees and gilded sand beaches skirting the blue azure sea put
to shame the most beautiful Saharan oases. Strewn along the seashore are hundreds
of blue chairs which appear innocently abandoned. They are in fact judiciously
laid out facing the ocean, like an invitation to a dream. Turning one’s
back on the open expanse and the mysterious presence of the islands of Lérins,
an evening stroller walking around the city in the evening can see the “Massif
of Esterel”.
In 1938, the festival of the "Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografico"
of Venice awarded Grand Prizes to two films, one supervised by Mussolini’s
son and the other a film-documentary of Leni Riefenstahl on the Olympic Games.
In doing so they created a diplomatic and cinematographic incident without precedent.
This inspired Philippe Erlanger, a leading historian for the Fench association
of artistic activities, to create a French festival of cinematography. On September
1, 1939, under the presidency of Louis Lumiere (the French inventor of the cinema),
the first International Film Festival was inaugurated in Cannes. Unfortunately
the war started two days later, and the Festival disappeared before it had even
existed. It was necessary to wait until the end of the conflict to see it reappear.
In 1946, it began again. The festival became the symbol of a new found peace.
Monaco
This rock, standing tall and unaffected by the fury of the elements, has always
impressed those who have come to it and thereafter referred to it as "The
Rock". From the time when it was still called "Monoïkos",
this land belonged to Ligurian tribes who controlled several city ports of the
south of France, including Nice. At the height of its glory, the Roman empire
appropriated this territory to make it a trading station. It was then repeatedly
besieged by the barbarians and invaded by the Saracens, before becoming German
property in the twelfth century. Frederick Barbarossa, emperor of Germany, offered
the sovereignty of Monaco to Genoa, and so it became Italian. But at the time
Italy was divided into two violently warring factions, each claiming possession
of this territory: the Ghibellines, allied with the German Empire, and the Guelphs,
who were fierce defenders of the Pope’s authority.
The Grimaldis were a great Mediterranean family. They were prosperous businessmen,
as well as clever politicians. Several consuls and ambassadors of Genoa bear
this illustrious name. Rooted in Monaco, they were Guelphs who were forced into
exile when the Ghibellines took over power in Genoa, in 1295. Under the Ghibellines’
rule, the little Monacan territory became a true pirate’s lair. But François
Grimaldi’s ruse allowed the family to take back The Rock on Christmas
eve 1306: he disguised himself as a monk and while all the inhabitants were
at church, took the guards by surprise which enabled his troops to penetrate
the fortress. He thus gained the nickname of "Malizia" (the Cunning),
and since that memorable day the Grimaldis continued to consolidate their dominion,
even though they still had to defend their supremacy for centuries. This family
still reigns over "The Rock" today...
At the beginning of the twentieth century, the director of the Automobile Club
of Monaco, Anthony Noghès, came up with a far-fetched idea: to organize
a Formula 1 motor race in the streets of the Principality. With the aid of a
famous Monacan pilot, Louis Chiron, he imagined a course particularly complex:
the sportsmen had to drive through streets - sometimes narrow, sometimes wide,
punctuated by hair-pin curves and occasionally interrupted by tramlines - at
more than one hundred and fifty miles an hour. The Englishman Williams Groover
won the first Monaco Grand Prix in 1929. The Monaco circuit is still today considered
one of the most formidable automobile challenges in the world. It is said that
winning this race redeems one for all prior defeats. Each weekend of the Ascension
holiday, hundreds of thousands of spectators from all over the world come to
this rendez-vous of emotion and festivity when the sunny streets of Monaco,
until then quiet, come to life with the noise of the roaring motors.
Monte-Carlo
The Principality of Monaco has two main areas: Monte Carlo and Monaco. Mid-nineteenth
century, Monte Carlo was very far from being the symbol of elegance, luxury,
and vibrant night life that it is today. Back then, it was just a charming humble
place on the French Riviera, with an economy based on fishing and agriculture.
Prince Florestan and his wife Caroline bought this beautiful unspoiled territory
for a very modest sum. Their plan was to open a casino and build luxury hotels
worthy of the great European bathing resorts. A daring but successful wager!
Soon after, the world’s rich and powerful came to be seen and to try their
luck on the green baize. In the main hall of the Grand Hôtel de Paris,
there is a very interesting curiosity: a bronze equestrian statue of Louis XIV,
with a very peculiar shine on the horse’s knee. There is a superstitious
ritual behind this: it is a tradition for the players to touch this knee for
good luck before visiting the casino, and in so doing over the course of many
years, they have imparted a high polish to it.
Grasse
As early as the Middle-Ages, Grasse was a wealthy commercial city. It owed its
prosperity to several factors, but first and foremost was its geographic location,
neither too close nor too far from the sea. Not that it was always completely
spared by the wars, but it did often find itself sufficiently removed from the
coast to escape the direct fallout of the devastating barbarian invasions.
On the other hand, it was close enough to develop very early on a thriving maritime
trade, particularly with the city of Genoa, in Italy. Its political situation
also contributed greatly to its development. Inspired by the little Italian
republics, Grasse set up a consulate in the 12th century. This enabled the city
to reject the feudal administrative power of the neighboring city of Antibes
and acquire some autonomy, although this was not an easy proposition due to
the interference of the lords and bishop (whose authority was often questioned).
Finally, a political and trade agreement with Genoa promoted exchanges between
the two cities, and would remain in force for the next 300 years, up until the
end of the 15th century. Wheat and animal skins arrived from Italy, while the
ships returned full of wine, livestock and skins freshly dyed in Grasse by the
local experts.
Strasbourg
The cosmopolitan city of Strasbourg is the intellectual, cultural and economic
capital of Alsace. Stylish and atmospheric, it is the seat of the Council of
Europe and the European Parliament. Situated just west of the Rhine, Strasbourg
lies at the heart of the vital transport arteries that have linked northern
and Central Europe with the Mediterranean since Roman times.
The Grande Ile is the hub of both ancient and modern-day Strasbourg. Boasting
lively public squares and upmarket shopping streets, it’s a great place
to while away an afternoon. Head for the Petite France area southwest of the
Grand Ile with its beautifully preserved half-timbered houses and riverside
parks for a true glimpse of Alsatian atmosphere and charm. The magnificent Cathedrale
Notre Dame looms over the town, its pink sandstone glowing. Dating back to 1176,
it offers a breathtaking view over the city. Its spectacular stained glass windows
alone make it worth a visit. Don’t miss the Musee de l’Oeuvre Notre-Dame
either. The city’s finest museum, it has a stunning collection of Romanesque,
Gothic and Renaissance sculpture in both stone and wood. The new Musee d’Art
Moderne et Contemporain houses a fine collection of paintings and sculpture
from the impressionists to the present including works by Monet, Manet and Chagall.
The Palais d’Europe, home of the European Parliament, lies 2km north-east
of the cathedral and is open to the public for one-hour tours each weekday.
What makes visiting Strasbourg a real pleasure is its low volume of car traffic.
It has the most modern tramway system in Europe as well as being the most bicycle-friendly
city in France with a 300 kilometre network of cycling paths. What better way
to see the city and get fit after over-indulging in Alsatian specialities? With
Alsace boasting the largest collection of star-rated gastronomical restaurants
in France, there’s no doubt you’ll be eating and drinking well!
The Alps
One of the most spectacular mountain ranges in the world, the French Alps stretch
from Lake Geneva in the north to Provence in the South. The area is divided
into two regions - Savoy and Dauphiné. Savoy is home to Europe’s
highest mountain - Mont Blanc.
The city of Grenoble is the capital of the Alps. Enjoying a spectacular setting
surrounded by Alpine peaks, Grenoble is a university city with a progressive
reputation. It is home to a number of interesting museums including the Musee
de Grenoble which boasts an excellent collection of modern art. The attractive
town of Chamonix lies at the base of Mont Blanc. A winter ski resort since the
turn of the century, the town has nine ski areas. Check out the huge Mer de
Glace glacier - the second largest in the Alps. You can actually go inside it
at the Grotte de la Mer de Glace. The area around Chamonix also boasts some
of the best hiking trails in the Alps. Savour the traditional Alpine village
atmosphere of places like Morzine and Megeve.
The picturesque lakeside town of Annecy is a great base for water sports, hiking,
and cycling. Enjoy a stroll around the narrow streets of the old town, a swim
in the lake or a visit to the town’s 13th-century castle. Lying between
Annecy and Grenoble, the town of Chambery is also well worth a visit. It is
built around a 14th century castle and has a charming old quarter and interesting
museums. The town of Meribel nearby is at the heart of one of the biggest skiing
areas in the world - the Trois Vallees which caters for skiers of all levels.
The 1992 Winter Olympics were held in and around the Trois Vallees. Don’t
miss visiting the Parc National de la Vanoise. France’s first national
park, it is a breathtakingly beautiful region of Alpine peaks, lakes and glaciers.
It is also home to France’s largest colony of Alpine ibex. For summer
skiing, head for the resort of Les Deux Alpes.
Corsica
Corsica is known as l’ile de beauté - the island of beauty. An
apt name for this Mediterranean gem of fine sandy beaches, azure seas, dense
forests, snow-capped mountains and unspoilt countryside. Despite belonging to
France, the island’s close affinity with Italy is clearly to be seen in
its wealth of Italianate churches and a language that’s closely linked
to the Tuscan dialect.
The most mountainous and geographically diverse of all the Mediterranean
islands, Corsica has something to offer every kind of tourist be they sun seekers,
mountaineers or anglers. The sunny coastal town of Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon
Bonaparte, is where most people begin their Corsican adventure. Located in a
beautiful sweep of bay, Ajaccio is a pastel-coloured city of yachts, pavement
cafes, elegant squares and palm trees. Head for the Pointe de la Parata, a wild
black-granite headland west of the city, famous for its spectacular sunsets.
A group of small islands known as the Iles Sanguinaires are visible offshore
and turn a beautiful deep red as the sun goes down. The wildest and most breathtaking
coastal scenery can be found running northwards from Ajaccio to Calvi. Don’t
miss Les Calanches - the most stunning natural sight in Corsica. Just south
of the seaside town of Porto, Les Calanches is a dramatic mountain landscape
of red and orange granite forms in the most amazing and unusual shapes.
The prosperous citadel town of Calvi is located on top of a promontory in the
north-west of the island. The beautiful turquoise waters of the Golfe de Calvi
surround the town and the coast between it and l’Ile Rousse to the north
is studded with spectacular sandy beaches. Journey to the extreme south of the
island to see the Citadelle of Bonafacio which sits precariously on top of a
headland of white limestone cliffs. The town retains a medieval atmosphere with
its narrow alleyways and stone houses. If you’re a keen hiker, head for
the fortified old town of Corte in the centre of the island. As well as being
a young, lively town, it makes an excellent base for hiking excursions, ringed
as it is with snow-capped mountains.
The stretch of coastline from Toulon to the Italian border has long cast a spell
on visitors. Known as the Cote d’Azur or the French Riviera, it boasts
beautiful sunshine, chic towns and villages, azure-blue sea, a spectacular coastline
and an almost tangible sense of romance. The glamorous towns of Antibes, Juan-Les-Pines,
Saint Tropez, Nice and Monaco are synonymous with style and beauty.
Normandy
The sloping vineyards, olive groves, colourful scenery and old Roman towns of
Provence make it one of the most distinctive regions in France. Combine this
with glorious sunshine, the hum of cicadas and the spectacular quality of light
for which the region is famous and you have one of the most seductive holiday
destinations imaginable. Peter Mayles immortalized the region in his best-selling
books A Year in Provence and Toujours Provence.
The bustling, brash city of Marseilles is France’s second largest city.
Quite atypical of Provence, it is nevertheless worth a visit. Stroll around
the old port where ships have docked for 26 centuries and where the atmosphere,
spirit, and charm of the city are at their most tangible. Aix en Provence, one
of France’s most sophisticated and stylish cities, lies north of Marseilles.
An elegant mix of public squares, grand avenues and beautiful fountains, the
city was home to Cezanne who did much of his painting here. Stroll along the
wide and leafy Cours Mirabeau and stop in one of the myriad trendy cafes that
line it.
The Vaucluse area of Provence, just north of Aix, is the region
at its most picturesque. Dotted with Gallo-Roman buildings and wreathed in vines
and lavender, it is home to the region’s highest mountain, Mont Ventoux.
The capital of the region, Avignon, has been one of France’s important
artistic centres for centuries. Pope Clement V and his court set up here in
the 14th century due to political turmoil in Rome. Avignon was to remain home
to the Holy See for nearly 70 years. Check out the Avignon bridge – as
featured in the well-known French nursery rhyme, the interesting walled city
and the Musee du Petit Palais which houses a great collection of 13th to 16th
century Italian religious paintings. The outstanding Roman theatre and triumphal
arch in the town of Orange are two of the most remarkable buildings of their
kind in France.
The city of Arles in the west of the region and the wild beauty of the Camargue
should not be missed. Arles was one of the most important settlements in Gaul
and boasts well-preserved evidence of its illustrious past – including
a spectacular Roman amphitheatre. The thinly populated 780 sq kilometre delta
of the Rhone River is known as the Camargue and is home to more than 400 species
of land and water birds. Watch out for the famous pink flamingoes that come
to nest here every summer and the herds of white horses that also make their
home here. Round off your trip to Provence by visiting the north-eastern town
of Digne les Bains. Enjoy a thermal spa in the town’s thermal springs.
Mont Saint Michel, the Fortified Abbey
Mont Saint Michel is a monastery built at the top of a rocky
islet that overlooks the sea, right at the border between Brittany and Normandy.
The statue of Archangel Saint Michael towers 560 feet above the English Channel.
Mont Saint Michel was an island until a causeway was built at the end of the
19th century. It was separated from the mainland by one mile of sand at low
tide, or by water at high tide. The range in tides is one of the greatest in
Europe: it can be 46 feet between high and low water marks. The bay around the
Mont is absolutely flat and the rising tide is said to sometimes match the speed
of a galloping horse. In the early 8th century, according to catholic lore,
Archangel Saint Michael instructed the bishop of Avranches, Saint Aubert, to
build the monastery. From the year 1000 on, and for 6 consecutive centuries
thereafter, the Dukes of Normandy and the pilgrims financed the construction
of additional structures despite the difficulty of building on an island only
accessible by foot. During the French Revolution, the fortified abbey became
a prison for political opponents. Mont Saint Michel was designated an official
French National Heritage Site in 1872 and is restored on a yearly basis by the
French Government, much to the delight of its visitors.
Rouen
St Catherine hill is the edge of the high land that drops down into the open
valley where Rouen resides, and is a very pleasant way to discover this city.
525 steps will take you to its 460 ft high “summit”.
Now that may not seem that high, but the panorama is dramatic just the same:
the city fully presents itself at the foot of the hill, where the river Seine
curls into a very large meander. The viewpoint is magnificent. A 10th century
abbey and its priory were once used on this hill as a stopover for passengers
coming from Paris. At the time, the road did not follow the Seine valley floor
and it was very difficult to reach the city. Legend has it that a monk named
Simeon, who had come from the Sinai desert, travelled through Rouen towards
the year 1027, carrying a relic with him: one of the young martyr St Catherine’s
fingers. He supposedly left behind a fragment of it that possessed many curative
properties. The abbey’s strategic position also turned this hill into
a key post for the defence of the city in the Middle-Ages. Today, the abbey
is long gone, the great walls have all collapsed, and the miracles have been
forgotten, but St Catherine hill remains nonetheless a magical place to go for
a walk.
It was towards the year 795 that the first Viking fleets, driven by famine and
cold weather, landed on the coasts of the English Channel and travelled the
river Seine up to Paris, pillaging and devastating everything in their wake.
The "Normans", as the local population called these men who came from
the north, committed numerous atrocities in the region for more than a century.
It was an uneven fight. France was then made up of many rival feudal landowners
who were easy targets as they couldn’t seem to unite to fight a common
enemy. Rouen was systematically sacked. With so much destruction over the years,
the loot of these pillaging barbarians began to dwindle, just as the population
was getting organized at last. They started resisting more effectively and rendered
these attacks more difficult, but they were still unable to push the Vikings
back for good. No one was really getting anywhere. Finally, King Charles III
“the Simple” decided to negotiate with Rollo, the Viking leader.
He offered him the city and the surrounding land in exchange for which Rollo
promised to protect the region from any future invasions. The treaty was signed
in St-Clair-sur-Epte, in 911. And so came into being the Duchy of Normandy,
with Rouen as its capital city.
Originally, like all the others, the cathedral of Rouen was made up of a group
of churches and adjoining buildings. Like Notre Dame in Paris, Reims, Chartres
or Amiens, it is a shining example of French gothic art and architecture. But
aside from the beauty they all have in common, the cathedral of Rouen is undeniably
unique in many ways. There is infinite variety in its architecture, and its
urban location on a relatively small square allows it to be nestled in the heart
of the city, where it discreetly reveals itself to the passerby. It has lost
none of its charm of yesteryear. The difference between the two towers is another
unique feature. The left side St Roman Tower, of primitive Gothic style, is
the oldest. On the right side is the Butter Tower, which owes its name to the
fact that its construction was financed with mandatory donations from the local
wealthy bourgeois. They were allowed to consume meat during Lent, as well as
butter and milk, under the condition that they atone for this sin of gluttony
with their contributions. Finally, the 495 ft height of the cast iron spire
is also unique, and makes the cathedral in Rouen the tallest one in France.
Unique and "magnifique"!
Joan of Arc Tower
This big and simple round tower is of course much more than the only remains
of the fortified castle built by Philip Augustus in 1207, after having conquered
the city of Rouen and added Normandy to the Kingdom of France. It reminds us
of Joan of Arc’s terrible martyrdom, her imprisonment and her torture.
The inhabitants of Rouen were clearly divided when what would become the 100
Year War was declared between the English and the French in the 14th century.
For decades, Rouen had been a prosperous city thanks to its geographical location
and its trade across the English Channel. When Joan of Arc arrived in Rouen
towards Christmas of 1430, most of the population had never even heard of the
young girl. A travesty of justice took place in utmost secrecy inside the castle.
Joan’s fate was sealed in advance of the trial. Her sentence was to be
burned at the stake, like any other witch would be. On May 30, 1431, it was
a horrified crowd that assembled on the Place du Vieux-Marché in Rouen
and bore witness to the ignominy of such an execution. France changed after
that day. The English were finally booted out of the country, and for the first
time in French history a true feeling of patriotic unity developed. The young
girl sacrificed herself for the love of a country that she believed in, and
her prayers were heard. It was a long time ago and the English are now very
welcome.
St. Malo
St Malo, City of Corsairs
Located in the north of Brittany, St Malo was named after Father MacLaw, a Welsh monk and bishop who fled Wales to Brittany in 538. This 44-acre fortified city became very famous in 1590 when its inhabitants declared it an independent republic! Their motto was "Neither French nor Breton, but a Corsair am I". This status did not last more than four years but that was long enough for St Malo’s residents to earn a strong reputation as rebels. In the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, St Malo acquired considerable wealth, not only from its maritime trade between the Americas and Europe but also, and mainly, from the very lucrative ventures of its corsairs. The trade generated by the "Newfoundlanders", those fleets that set off to fish for cod in Newfoundland (east coast of Canada), accounted for some of St Malo’s prosperity and glory. However, its most profitable business, without a doubt, came from capturing merchant English and Dutch vessels with the King of France's blessing!
In 1532, the French King Francois I visited the Mont St Michel pilgrimage site. On his way back, he asked Jacques Cartier who was from St Malo to find a northern route to Asia through North America. The brave captain thus discovered the St Lawrence River and the eastern coast of Canada, but the severe winter forced him to drop anchor at a place now called Montreal. He made 3 more trips back and forth, each time bringing with him more and more French immigrants whose descendants, five centuries later, are now the "French cousins from America".
Outdoor activities
In addition to the old standbys - walking, cycling and skiing, and the traditional
French boules - France provides a fantastically wide range of outdoor activities
.
Rafting and canoeing are growth industries in France, and practically every stretch of river, particularly in the gorges and ravines of the Pyrenees, the Alps and the Massif Central, has outfits renting boats or organizing excursions. These mountainous areas also provide prime rock climbing ( escalade ) territory. Paragliding (a combination between parachuting and hang-gliding) is another popular and stimulating option; the best areas for this are the Hautes-Alpes of Provence and Corsica.
More placid inland activities include fishing (local tourist offices will assist you in obtaining a licence) and horse-riding . Practically every town has riding stables ( centre équestre ), although the most famous and romantic region for riding is the flat and wind-swept Camargue - the Rhône Delta. On the scrappy trails of the Pyrenees and Alps, mule-trekking is also coming increasingly into vogue. You can also swim at many river beaches (usually signposted from highways) and in the real and artificial lakes which pepper France. Many of these have leisure centres ( bases de plein airs ) at which you can rent pedaloes, windsurfers and dinghys, as well as larger boats and jet-skis (on the bigger reservoirs).
France's extensive coasts have also been well developed for
recreational activities, and this is especially true in the south. Although
in summer, you can swim just about anywhere from Normandy to the Mediterranean,
the Côte d'Azur is justly reputed as the best for beaches . In the coastal
towns and resorts of the Mediterranean coast, you'll find every conceivable
sort of beach-side activity, including boating , sea-fishing and diving . If
you don't mind high prices and crowds, its too-blue waters and sandy coves are
unbeatable. The western Mediterranean coast is much windier, and windsurfers
delight in the calm of the broad salt-water inlets (étangs ) which typify
the area. The best surfing is to be found on the rougher Atlantic coast, where
Biarritz is something of a Mecca for the sport, hosting a lively annual championship.
Skiing
Skiing in France takes place in two parts of the country: the Alps and the 5
times smaller Pyrenees. Although as many as 400 fully equipped mountain resorts
are situated in the Alps range, they only cover 6% of its total area, so that
the mountains have not lost any part of their natural beauty.
Due to location at the height of up to 3300 meters above sea level, French resorts
are busy for a very long part of the year. The skiing season in these starts
in late autumn and ends in the first days of May.
Similar to other Alpine countries, the policy of one ski pass accepted by many
resorts greatly improves quality of services and provides the skier with incredible
choice of skiing trails everyday during their holiday.
The accommodation options awaiting travellers vary from old, traditional villages
similar to Megeve, through modest resorts getting full only for the weekend
to absolutely artificial structures like La Plagne or Val-Thorens. Tourists
visiting French Alps for holiday can choose among many various accommodation
options, from simple non-serviced apartments to high-end 4- and 5-star hotels,
depending on one's needs and spending possibilities.
Camping
France is Europe's most popular camping destination and offers a wide variety
of camping holidays.
There are many self catering holiday campsites that offer camping tents, mobile
home holidays or camping chalets. These camp sites frequently offer facilities
such as clubs and bars, swimming pools, shops and playgrounds for younger children.
These are ideal for family camping holidays or inexpensive self catering holidays
in France.
If you have your own tent or touring caravan there are also well equipped campsites
that welcome touring holidaymakers. You can arrange to stay for a week or travel
from campsite to campsite as you wish.
Camping in France can offer you the freedom and flexibility of a touring camping
holiday or the comfort of a self catering campsite. France offers everything
- beautiful sandy beaches, rolling hills and forests, stunning mountains, fascinating
towns, history, culture, style, great food and wine.
Choose a camping holiday in France for fresh air, family fun and good value.
Food
Traditionally each region of France has its own distinctive cuisine - from creamy
butter-based dishes of the north to olive oil and tomato-laden Provençal
stews of the south. The influence of its bordering countries - Germany, Spain,
Italy and Belgium - is marked strongly on the cooking styles.
Though French wines are too numerous to detail here, France’s quality tipples are the basis of dishes ranging from red wine-infused Burgundian boeuf Bourguignon to creamy white wine-cooked moules à la Normande.
Cuisine bourgeoise
A particular manner of cooking using complex techniques and roux-based sauces has come to be known internationally as French cuisine – this is what the French call ‘cuisine bourgeoise’ and the top end of this category is known as ‘haute cuisine’.
Haute cuisine was a term first used to describe the cooking of Marie-Antoine Carême (1784-1833), who brought together the jumble of dishes that make up French cooking into a comprehensive whole. This complex and refined approach was later built on by ‘the father of French cooking’ Auguste Escoffier (1846-1935). This style is made up of a complex hierarchy of primary and secondary sauces, branching out from the basic building blocks of flour, butter, milk, stock and egg yolks.
Nouvelle cuisine
In the 1970s forward-thinking chefs such as Michel Guérard
updated French cookery. This ‘nouvelle cuisine’ was characterised
by lighter sauces and tiny portions, served in a decorative manner. The current
trend is a movement away from both haute and nouvelle cuisine, focussing on
simple hearty bistro-like dishes.
Northeast France
The Normandy area is renowned for its rich butter, cream and soft cow’s milk cheeses, such as creamy camembert, strong-smelling Livarot and rustic Pont l'Eveque. Normandy’s apples are also famed; these are distilled into calvados (a delicious apple brandy) or made into a highly carbonated cider. Slow-cooked apple and pork dishes make use of the quality local produce.
Another north-eastern speciality is Britanny crêpes. These thin pancakes are made with wheat flour and can be served with a sweet or savoury topping; a galette is a similar pancake made with buckwheat flour.
The Alps
Cuisine from the Alps tends to be substantial and warming; a perfect foil against the uncompromising winter climate. Soup Savoyard (a filling thick potato soup with grated cheese) is a particular favourite. ‘Diots au vin blanc’ is a hearty dish of pork sausages poached in white wine - perfect for a warming post-piste dinner.
Alsace-Lorraine
Cuisine from the area around Alsace is reminiscent of German cookery - this area has passed various times between German and French rule in the years after the 1648 peace of Westphalia. Like German cooking, dishes are broadly based around sauerkraut, beer, lard and pork. 'Choucroute garnie' is a classic Alsatian recipe for preparing sauerkraut with potatoes, Alsatian Riesling wine and salted meats.
Another well-loved dish from this region is the classic Quiche Lorraine, with the 'quiche' coming from the German word 'küchen', meaning cake. Originally a flan filled with savoury egg custard and bacon, cheese was later added. The addition of onions makes a Quiche Alsacienne.
Central France
Burgundy’s homely cuisine makes much use of the deep and flavoursome wines from the region. Based around red wine, bacon, onion and the excellent meat produce from the area, warming stews such as boeuf Bourguignon and coq au vin are top of the menu.
World famous Dijon mustard also hails from this area - stir it into a salad dressing, add a spoonful to a stew, or serve it with a plate of charcuterie or a rare rib steak. Escargot (snails) baked in their shells with garlic, parsley and butter is also typically Burgundian.
Widely touted as the gastronomic capital of France (at least by the Lyonnaise), Lyon boasts a huge number of Michelin starred restaurants. Traditional dinning is focussed around intimate, informal restaurants known as ‘bouchons’ where local dishes such as quenelles (patties made of butter, semolina and fish), cervelle de canut (a soft farmhouse cheese mixed with herbs) or Lyonnais andouillette (chitterling sausage) may be served. Authentic bouchons are becoming increasingly difficult to find – the bouchon is largely a tradition kept alive by tourists.
South of France
Cuisine from the south encompasses foie gras from Dordogne, cassoulet from Toulouse and Roquefort cheese, which is derived from the Mediterranean Lacaune breed of sheep kept around Auvergne. As with much of the cuisine enjoyed along the sunshine-soaked Mediterranean, fresh herbs, olive oil, tomatoes, peppers and aubergines are widely used in this cooking.
Dishes prepared ‘à la provençale’ are based around tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, herbs and onions, while those made ‘à la niçoise’ also include olives, capers, tarragon and anchovies. The seafood in this area is also reputed as top notch – one of the most famous dishes is bouillabaisse; a fish stew made with saffron, orange peel, fennel and a selection of fresh fish, served with rouille (a garlicky mayonnaise). On the Côte d'Azur the Italian influence is noticeable - pasta is widely used, as is pistou (a basil paste similar to pesto).
Often called 'the milk of Provence', pastis is a spicy aniseed-flavoured
aperitif, which is mixed with water into a cloudy, milky white drink. This drink
is regarded with great affection all over France.
Pastries and desserts
An overview of French cuisine wouldn’t be complete without mention of the fabulous range of crisp pastries and cream-laden desserts beloved across the country.
Patisserie goodies include breakfast bites such as croissants, buttery brioche, pain au raisin and pain au chocolate. You may have tried these from your local supermarket or bakery, yet there’s nothing quite like the taste and mouth-watering aroma of pastries from Paris’ best quality artisan shops.
Other French desserts include crème brûlée
(which means ‘burnt cream’). This is a set custard dessert with
a crisp caramelized layer of burnt sugar on top. Chocolate mousse, sugary crêpes,
mont blancs (chestnut filled meringues) crème caramels, croquembouche
(cream puffs made with choux pastry) and clafoutis (a fruit-studded batter pudding)
are just some of the calorific desserts that make you wonder how all those slim
French women stay trim.
Cheese
For serious cheese- lovers, France is the ultimate paradise. Other countries
may produce individual cheeses which are as good as, or even better than, the
best of the French, but no country offers a range that comes anywhere near them
in terms of sheer inventiveness. In fact, there are officially over 400 types
of French cheese (with new ones being created every year), whose recipes are
jealously guarded secrets. Many cheese-makers have successfully protected their
products by AOC ( appellation d'origine contrôlée ), laws similar
to those for wines, which limit the amount of cheese that a particular area
can produce, meaning that the subtle differences between French local cheeses
have not been overwhelmed by the industrialized uniformity that has plagued
other countries.
Most restaurants keep a well-stocked plateau de fromages (cheese-board),
kept at room temperature and served with bread, but not butter. Apart from the
ubiquitous Brie, Camembert and numerous varieties of goat's cheese ( chèvre
), there will usually be one or two local cheeses on offer - these are the ones
to go for. Your best bet for local produce is a fromagerie , which often has
200 varieties or more to choose from.
Wine
France is one of the oldest wine producing regions of Europe. Regions in the
south were licensed by the Roman Empire to produce wines that instantly grew
in popularity and have remained so for much of history. More than a century
ago, many of France's vineyards were plagued by a fungus that destroyed its
treasured grape vines, however, most regions have by now recovered from this
affliction. France now produces the most wine by value in the world (although
Italy rivals it by volume and Spain has more land under cultivation for wine
grapes).