France
Holiday apartments, homes and gites (7)

Wine connoisseurs, golfers, and outdoorsman share a penchant for the spacious lands of Aquitaine. The largest pristine forest in Europe is found here along with the finest golf courses in France. This may surprise vacationers who only thought of this Bordeaux area is the fountainhead of fine wines.

Rent a vehicle, pack a picnic basket, and explore Dordogne. Highlights may include the caves at Lascaux, open air markets, genuine wine tasting, and museums both large and small. Make plans to extend your self guided tour to Lot-et-Garonne and examine the Chateaus.

Lawrence of Arabia described the Chateau de Bonaguil as "It's so perfect that it seems ridiculous to describe it as a ruin". You can find out why this stunning manor was once sold for one hundred francs and a sack of walnuts.

The Atlantic Ocean blends with water from the Garonne and Dordogne rivers at Gironde. The Bordeaux vineyard has stood watch over the changing architecture for centuries.

Nearby Landes is well known for its striking pine forests but is also home to Cote d'Argent which is the longest beach in Europe and a popular destination for surfers.

Travelers continuing to Pyrenees-Atlantiques will notice cultural influences of Gascon and Basque as they near the border of Spain.

Extending hundreds of miles into the Atlantic Ocean is a land of open, smiling people determined to show you a great time. History and heritage are the veneer on every aspect of life in northern France.

Côtes d'Armor has over 19 miles of coastline dominated by pink granite that is so rare it only exists in Corsica and China.

Travel west to Finistere to visit the Armorique Regional Park near the sprawling port town of Brest. Fishing villages promote their individual personalities along the 1,700 miles of oceanfront. This area hosts hordes of visitors to the fortress renaissance castle at Kerjean.

Ille-et-Vilaine draws many hikers and cyclists to the Villecartier Forest and water sports are popular on the lake. The young and the young at heart will enjoy the La Bourbansais Zoo and some of the delightfully unusual animal residents. Many choose to split the day with the Cobac Theme Park which is definitely favored by young people.

Prehistoric sites, mysterious megaliths, and other unexplained standing stones are scattered throughout Brittany. Your travels throughout the region may take you to the villages and coastal communities that inspired the art of Chagall, Gauguin, and Wintz.

In this part of France you are forgiven if you relax with cider, locally brewed beers, or mead created from wild honey.

Narrow, crowded, streets wind past cafes, shops, and bars through the village at Mont Saint Michel where the Abbey is poised 264 feet above the ocean.

This fertile region supports cattle and dairy farms, superb apples, Camembert cheese, and breeding stables for its renowned racehorses. The English Channel washes ashore on three sides of Manche where auto and cycling tours along the 360 km coast are popular.

Seaside hotels, manors, castles and casinos in Calvados are outnumbered by over 900 historical monuments. This is where William the Conqueror tributes share a solemn legacy with D-day beaches and World War II museums.

In Eure, Richard the Lionheart built Chateau Gaillard just a short distance along the Seine from Foret de Lyons where the Dukes of Normandy hunted for game.

Seine Maritime deserves a drive along the north bank of the Seine River where you will keep company with enormous tankers and colossal transport ships on the water. You are traversing the country that is historically conspicuous for executing Joan of Arc, Monet's preserved home and gardens at Giverny, and a superb collection of medieval abbeys.

Many people are magnetized by Orne for its variety of river sports. Riding, walking, and climbing adventures creates an appetite for food and drink. Exclusive apple and pear brandy mixtures compare favorably to the areas celebrated ciders and are accompanied by delicious local creams and soft dessert cheese.

Your trip might begin with "Once Upon a Time" as you enter this fairytale land that shares a border with Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. Evidence of the enmeshed French and German heritage can be found in everything from architecture to cuisine.

The finest white wines, Kronenbourg beer, and the birthplace of quiche Lorraine are complimented by steaming choucroute. Picture sauerkraut with sausages, potato, and smoked ham to fuel your journey as fertile vineyards, gingerbread houses, and castles give way to modern Strasbourg.

Cathedrale de Nortre Dame was the tallest building in the world until 1874. Noted for its pink sandstone veneer, breathtaking interior and staggering views from the pinnacle it was described by Victor Hugo as a "gigantic and delicate marvel" and can be seen from the distant Vosges Mountains or the Black Forest on the other side of the Rhine River. Vosges provides an interesting detour to the town of Domremy where Joan of Arc grew up.

If you travel via the canal and river systems in the region you may visit Petite Venise, the popular and well-preserved canal quarter of Colmar. The home of engraver-painter, Martin Schongaur, and Statute of Liberty designer, sculptor Frederic Bartholdi; it is a small stretch to picture 16th century merchants crowding these waterways.

Travel through Lorraine area to find over 250 museums, including one dedicated to classic automobiles, along with France's second largest flea market in Metz and Europe's largest hot air balloon festival. The first international handshake in outer space happened directly over Metz when Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft docked in the summer of 1975 and their Commanders opened the hatch to greet each other.

For your out of this world experience, bring your hiking boots, cycle, appetite, and passion for history to this region in the heart of Europe.

Calm down. You're in Auvergne now. Relaxation is an art form here in France's undiscovered country. You are invited to travel back in time to the fabled volcanic mountains of central France.

Famous spring waters, 80 ancient volcanoes, and 11 thermal water spa towns share a connection to the land with Roman churches, historic châteaux's and vibrant villages. Ski resorts, superb cross-country skiing, climbing, cycling, bungee jumping, and fishing lure many travelers to this spacious land.

After you tromp the oak forests and vineyard laden landscapes of Allier, you can change the tempo by walking the streets of Clermont-Ferrand. A vivacious university population is a sharp change from the Sioule gorges in the south and the heaving Bourbonnaise Mountains to the southeast.

Many students can be found decorating the sky over the dramatic Puy-de-Dome where majestic views are filled with dozens of graceful hang gliders. The Celts worshiped their God of War on what they considered a royal mountain.

The Dukes of Bourbon enjoyed the therapeutic spa waters at Vichy which became a destination for wealthy Parisians and finally the middle class when rail service arrived in the early 20th century.

In Thiers, daggers to table knives made here provide 70 percent of the severing needs in France. Haute-Loire' showcases walnut carved Madonna's in many Renaissance churches.

You will be fascinated by Vulcania, a significant scientific center and major theme park in Auvergne. Here you will learn why volvic stone is used in sculptures and construction.

Delicious Fourme and Bleu d'Auvergne cheese, savory pork with stuffed cabbage, extraordinary green lentils, along with dried sausages and salted ham should not be missed in this region.

"During the early part of the month of March, in the year 1841, I traveled in Corsica. There is nothing more agreeable than a journey through this picturesque country." So begins the Dumas novel, The Corsican Brothers, and may echo your journal entry as you gather your memories of Corsica.

You can enjoy gourmet sausages and wine in the artist village of Pigna where a handcrafted cetera can be procured. This prized musical possession is a 16 string, 8 cord instrument akin to a lute. Try Corsican honey with chestnut bread when you dally along the vacant stretches of beach between the steep limestone cliffs of Bonifacio and the terrace cafes of bustling Bastia. Propriano to L'lle Rousse on the opposite side of the mountains are begging to be experienced via scooter.

The "Little Corporal", Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of the French, would be amazed to find four international airports. Jets land at his birthplace of Ajaccio in Corse de Sud, Caliv, Figari, and Bastia in Haute Corse. Bonaparte would be surprised to see what is unchanged. The people, food, and music in Bonifacio, Porto Vecchio and Propriano still embrace polyphony, sanglier (wild boar), and brocciu (the scrumptious soft cheese unique to the island).

Each year over 40 country fairs are organized by local artists, crafters, and food producers. The fairs are sprinkled across the island where they are seasoned with a variety of themes. The diversity includes cheese, music, vino, olives, wood crafts, ocean, animals and art.

You will forever imprint the resting harbor at dawn in Bastia, watching the sun slipping away from a café in Porto, or the stunning fingered mountain peaks scratching at a cold blue sky in the interior region. You may find it difficult to leave after living among people who wear their hospitality like comfortable clothes.

Picture the hazelnut roasted coffee and dark chocolate on the small table at the sidewalk café. One of the local men launches a steel ball weighing less than 2 pounds and it rolls toward the small wooden jack.

As you watch another seriously fun contest of boules or bocce; it is easy to forget you are within skipping distance of ultra-expensive shops, luxury yachts, and electrifying nightclubs. This is the star-studded city of Saint Tropez in Var synonymous with Brigitte Bardot.

This is not a dream but a dream location. Cote d'Azure was named for the rich blue of the ocean and sky. Beyond the celebrity watching summertime of the French Riviera is Hautes-Alpes. Here you have glaciers to gorges, abundant sunshine and superior skiing and all it laced with over 4,000 miles of stimulating hiking trails.

In Alpes-de-Haute-Provence you may make new friends while sharing the highly praised cheese of Banon or spreading their prized creamy lavender honey over fresh breads. Unlock the treasure chest in Vaucluse to find pale golden cliffs, untamed gorges, and experience the architecture and local markets dripping with culture.

The restful soul demands a visit to Bouches-du-Rhone and its signature city, Marseille. The oldest town in France is the perfect place to sample the signature fish soup of France, bouillabaisse.

Longchamp palace, the dominating basilica, narrow streets, tall buildings, ship lined shore, and terraced cafes are full of surprises and adventures. The water tower and palace of Longchamp are home to exceptional cascading fountains, the museum of fine arts, and several famous sculptures.

Cote d'Azure offers a variety of settings providing a tranquil retreat for the spirit. The areas that are traditional playgrounds for celebrity uncork thrilling nights of excitement and entertainment. Living among the locals can deliver a multitude of memories coated in laughter and peaceful reflection.

Scribe your fanciful tale in the French Riviera. Imagination becomes reality when you dip yourself into the diversions of this celebrated coast of legendary cities and activities.

Alps-Maritimes Valleys range from city convenient to country curious explorations. Ancient and new mingle in every discovery you make. High cliffs and climate create perfect conditions for growing the best lemons in the world at Menton lying just shy of the Italian border.

Nice area. Follow the lead of the Carnival King and have fun! Flower battles during the annual festival in Nice capture the magic and mirth of a city that pays homage to its history and welcomes rollerblading aficionados. The international jazz festival is set in the stunning Cimiez gardens and arenas.

Breathe deep during your detour to Grasse where you will find the perfume factories of Galimard, Molinard, and Fragonard. This postcard town with its 13th-century cathedral lies amongst the fragrance of roses, jasmine, and violets and hosts the International Perfume Museum.

The Crosisette may be the most famous seaside beach boulevard in Europe and nearly an unavoidable pleasure in cinematic Cannes. Shoot your own film festival in the Suquet old city center while negotiating a maze of merchants.

Antibes claims a world renowned marine theme park, the Grimaldi castle, and the Picasso museum. Hours can easily be lost voyaging the sights, sounds, and scents of this seaside jewel.

The entire area is wrapped around Independent Monaco. Palace, princesses, and Formula 1 Grand Prix fuel expectation and excitement throughout the French Riviera. The Riviera offers the finest in cuisine and beverages and most menus include regional specialties.

The young d'Artagnan shared the motto "all for one, one for all" with his inseparable friends in the Three Musketeers. Can you imagine his reaction if he arrived in Paris from Gascony today?

The most romantic city in the world, "The City of Lights", is best beheld from the pinnacle of one of the 10 most recognizable structures on earth - the Eiffel Tower. The realistic wax version of Gustave Eiffel and his daughter, Claire entertain Thomas Edison at the top of the tower. At nearly 1,000 feet above Paris, your heart will take a deep breath at the epic views.

Historical landmarks and cherished treasures spread out in every direction from the tower. Plan to take a minimum of one day for the unequaled Louvre and smile back at The Mona Lisa. Visit the Arc de Triomphe, experience the magnificent mile at The Avenue des Champs-Elysees, stroll past the Sorbonne to investigate the Latin Quarter, and find out why Notre Dame Cathedrale is the most trafficked church and monument in Paris. Place de la Concorde is the spot to take pause among the famous fountains and statutes to relax and reflect.

If Hautes-de-Seine was a color, it would surely be green. Perfect parks, lush gardens, thick forests, and scores of intricate hiking trails spread out from the banks of the Seine. Separated from Paris by the River Seine you will find exquisite porcelain, a high tech business district and the home of Napoleon and Josephine Bonaparte's Malmaison castle which hosts tours.

The "imagineers" at Disneyland Paris located in nearby Marne-la-Vallee cannot rival the enchantment that lies outside the magic kingdom. An African reserve, the Vincenes royal castle, the Gothic basilica of Saint-Denis, and the cemetery of the kings of France are within easy reach of interested wanderers.

Sunshine bounces off the beaches and mountains in this region. Bring a hearty appetite on this adventure and your appreciation for a major wine making area. Corbieres, Saint Chinian, and Coteaux du Languedoc wines are often kept company with Pelardon and Roquefort cheese.

Favorite regional foods that might find their way to your table might include oysters, bull stew with rice, anchovies with garlic, or Morue Catalane (pepper and tomatoes over cod fish). A visit is not complete without a healthy serving of Crème Catalane made with fennel seed, vanilla, and lemon.

Pack the wine and cheese before you picnic across Aude. Take a day to enjoy the abbeys, castles, and panorama away from the coastal sand beaches. The citadel of Carcassonne has the tallest walls of any medieval town in Europe and 52 separate towers.

Traveling through Gard demands a stopover at the Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct bridge. This UNESCO listed World Heritage site was designed to funnel water from the Eure springs in the first century.

Aladdin would feel right at home in the stirring caves at Clamouse and Demoiselles in the Herault valley. The scenic sea hugging coastal communities are expert at showing you ways to relax and enjoy the beauty along the Mediterranean Sea.

Sturdy hiking boots and swimsuits are essential in Pyrenees-Orientales. You will enjoy genuine warmth from the citizens to the climate. From the Catalan coast to the top of Canigou Peak, you will find many interesting diversions competing for your attention.

This idyllic region features the both the expected and the exclusive encounters unique to its history and people. Languedoc-Roussillon has managed to carefully preserve its heritage while it benefits from the most modern of conveniences.

Why do 5 million people travel here annually? Why does Lourdes have more hotels than any other city in France except Paris? Hautes-Pyrenees barely contains the spiritual touchstone city called Lourdes. In 1858, the Virgin Mary appeared before a local girl, in a nearby cave called Grotte de Massabielle. You can imagine the powerful draw this has become over the last hundred years.

If you were surprised by the MacDonald's in Lourdes the antidote is a visit to the caves of Padirac in Lot or visit the crowded town of Cordes in Tarn. You will find an abundance of glassmakers, artists, and potters of every kind. I dare you to resist leaving here without making a purchase. In Tarn-et-Garonne you can rest at the café lined square near the entrance to the abbey in Moissac.

The heartbeat of southwest France is Midi-Pyrenees, the largest region in the country. It is framed by the mighty Pyrenees mountain range, noted for its prominent vineyards that include the Gaillac, which is numbered among the oldest in all of France and boasts the Armagnac with its worldwide reputation.

The caves of Ariege tell stories about human life. Enjoy oral histories from the locals while you indulge yourself with the aperitif, Hypocras, which remains unchanged from medieval days. The conversation goes well with Aligot, a potato and Aveyron cheese puree or a dish of magret which is duck breast with gizzards.

Visit with the stall owners at the multitude of markets throughout Aveyron to hear first person accounts of their trades. See how the Martres-Tolosane artists decorate earthenware exactly as their forefathers. Meet the proud Laguiole cutlers that produce the famed knives adorned with the bee symbol.

In Gers you will be tempted to forego the attractions in favor of duck foie gras or a massive serving of garbure that blends cabbage, beans from Tarbes, potatoes, and the essential dried pork knuckles. The celebrity Gers wine for a local meal is Pousse-Rapiere.

The gem of Haute-Garonne is the "Pink City" of Toulouse. The nickname comes from the color of brick used in most buildings and homes. When the sun goes down this town welcomes you with its remarkable lights. This ancient city is populated with trendy restaurants and a vibrant nightclub scene.

Sleek, honeyed beaches on the mid-Atlantic coastline, seaside ports with 3 medieval towers, Roman art and history bid for your attention in Poitou-Charentes.

La Rochelle is the ultimate city for walkers and bicyclists after dark when the lights shine on ancient structures, scents from cafes follow you down the streets, and music seeps out of the pubs and nightclubs.

Day or night, you will be delighted by acrobats in makeup, jovial brass bands, singers, and drummers that provide street entertainment while you explore the markets of this seaside city. The Aquarium of la Rochelle ensures adults will be awestruck and children fascinated by this "top 20" attraction.

In Charente the spotlight is on the city of Angouleme perched high over the Charente River and braced by multiple ramparts. The National Comic Strip and Image Center is Mecca for comic book fans. The museum has collections of original drawings, a library of comic books, and hosts an annual International Comics Festival.

Charente Maritime has the distinction of farming mussels in the Aiguillon bay. Over 1,600 animals from 5 continents entertain visitors to the Palmyre Zoo. The Cognac vineyards are found in both of these departments and spread into the delightful Deux-Sevres.

Near Niort is a small town called Coulon where you can rent a boat to explore the charming man-made canal network that dates back to the middle ages. This area of the region is called "Green Venice" due to the natural greenbelt landscape that has very few roads.

A 90 minute drive from La Rochelle is the unexpected Futuroscope Theme Park where a world of white knuckle adventures to riveting scientific experiences awaits. They have nailed the formula for family fun at this unexpected diversion.

The doctor and the crystal-hunter were speechless. At nearly 16,000 feet atop what is now known as Mont Blanc, they were the first to stand upon Europe's highest peak. Since that August day in 1786 when Paccard and Balmat made history, millions of people have visited the Rhone-Alpes region of France.

If you golf, rides horses, or cycle you may find yourself in Ain on the Swiss border. You could encounter extreme sports practitioners in the market town called Bourg en Bresse. A day of travel might begin with Pogne de Romans, a rum and orange flour flavored Brioche made with eggs.

You can whet your appetite for adventure in Ardeche with white water rafting in narrow gorges and spectacular canyons. Castles, caves, vineyards and spa towns are blended with growers who produce the chestnuts used in gratins, soups, and ragouts throughout the country.

Cuisine lovers flock to Montelimar in Drome where the lavender, sunflowers, and lime groves come in second to its 17th century almond nougat. It's difficult to depart the medieval center, crammed with specialty shops, unless you are continuing south to Nyons for tasty olives and apricots.

In Haute-Savoie you can drink Evian water from the source, explore the principal ski area in France, and bicycle through gracious spa towns. You will find yourself comparing the charms of Chamonix and the city of Grenoble in Isere.

Chamonix hosted the first Winter Olympic Games in 1924, Grenoble entertained the world in 1968, and Albertville in Savoie produced the 16th edition of the winter games in 1992.

You can enjoy plenty of activity on France's largest freshwater lake where they have mastered the art of "the royal treatment". Queen Victoria frequently enjoyed scones with tea at Aix-les-Bains on Bourget Lake.

It may be fair to say that this area of France dominates the world of skiing and snowboarding with its vast diversity of resorts and amenities. Imagine having the time to explore and experience it all like a "local".

The Pays-de-la-Loire is a spectrum of geography. It has 300 kilometers of wave-kissed Atlantic coastline where salty breezes visit beaches, beguiling bays, and the islands of Yeu and Noirmoutier. This picture morphs when you enter the emerald countryside.

The Loire River flows towards the Atlantic through lush rural views, Contreau vineyards, taffy stretched sandy beaches and salty marshland. Isolated castles, hidden manors, and secluded hunting lodges await your discovery. Pastoral pleasures blend with charming cities, eye-catching artwork and enlightening festivities.

Horse enthusiasts will visit the "Cadre Noir" at Saumur, nerve center of the world famous National Horse and Riding School. Here you can sample an amazing variety of wines, sweet and dry, sparkling to still, which you may recognize as Muscadet, Gros-Plant, dry Sa, Cabernet, or Gamay Red.

Loire-Atlantique is where you find the brilliant architecture of Nantes, the Guerande peninsula, and the thatched cottages in Briere Regional Nature Park.

A gigantic mechanical elephant, a magical castle, and decorated buildings are wrapped in the spirit of Jules Verne at the harbor town of Nantes. The birthplace of Verne holds vast art treasures, a beautifully appointed 19th century shopping arcade, and touts ultra-chic boutiques.

Maine-et-Loire is where you can practically "wear" the heritage of Angers and Saumur. The Dukes of Anjou lived in the castle constructed by Saint Louis in the 13th century. The Castle of Angers 17 towers mark this medieval fortress where you will find the famous Apocalypse tapestry.

The Apocalypse enjoys the distinction of being the biggest medieval tapestry in the world. This is a quiet park-like place in the middle of a vibrant city where people often share their picnic near the grassy moat with grazing deer.