Information on France
France, in Western Europe, encompasses medieval cities, alpine villages and Mediterranean beaches. Paris, its capital, is famed for its fashion houses, classical art museums including the Louvre and monuments like the Eiffel Tower. The country is also renowned for its wines and sophisticated cuisine. Lascaux’s ancient cave drawings, Lyon’s Roman theater and the vast Palace of Versailles attest to its rich history.
Capital: Paris
Dialing code: +33
Capital and largest city: Paris; 48°51.4′N 2°21.05′E / 48.8567°N 2.35083°E
Date format: dd/mm/yyyy
President: Emmanuel Macron
Population: 66.81 million (2015) World Bank
In spite of everything, France remains the world’s number one tourist destination, and by and large it remains one of the safer places in the world to visit. it’s not hard to understand why. France has it all – or more or less. It has tourist sights for all tastes; it has some of the greatest beaches in Europe, as well as the highest mountains and the finest historic monuments, the most beautiful cities, the most idyllic countryside, the most magnificent castles, the finest rivers, and plenty more, not to mention some of the best restaurants and the finest wines and more hotels than any other country in Europe.
France has something for everyone, which is one of the reasons why it remains the world’s number one tourist destination. It has magnificent holiday opportunities for everything from a short weekend city break, in places such as Paris, Nice or Bordeaux, to a relaxed family holiday in a gite in the countryside, a week or two’s relaxation by the seaside, or an energetic break hiking, climbing, kayaking or cycling in France’s great outdoors.
Paris
Paris is the icing on the cake – the French capital city and surely the most interesting city in the world. With its museums and monuments, its fine boulevards and its river Seine, its culture, its restaurants and its unique atmosphere, Paris is a city that you can visit for a week or a month or a year, and never tire of. In the memorable words of Thomas Jefferson, “A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of life.” And much more too. But Paris is just a starting point. France is much much more than just Paris.
Cultural tourism in France
French museums and art galleries – which contrary to popular belief are not all located in Paris – offer a magnificent collection of works of art and artefacts; and for those for whom a holiday is an opportunity to discover Europe’s historic heritage, France’s great cathedrals, medieval castles, and thousands of other ancient monuments are a treasure trove waiting to be discovered. For themed breaks, the châteaux of the Loire (in the Centre region of France) are an obvious choice; among the many other historic sites, consider discovering the Roman remains of Provence , the medieval bastide towns of the southwest, or the castles and caves of the Dordogne. There are even some scenic steam railways for people who enjoy a trip down memory lane. Check out the regional guides for information on sights, monuments and tourist attractions in each area.
Click here for 100 things to do in France: https://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com/things-to-do-in-france.html
The French seaside:
In July and August, France’s Mediterranean beaches tend to be pretty packed; this is particularly the case in the famous resorts of Provence and the French Riviera. By contrast, the long sandy beaches of the Languedoc offer much more legroom. Away from the resorts, Brittany offers plenty of good beaches, with the added fun of tides and good waves; and France’s Atlantic coast, south of the Loire, has plenty of long sandy beaches, in the regions of Poitou-Charentes and Aquitaine. South of Bordeaux, there are mile upon mile of fine beaches. For more information see guide to the French coast.
Fact File
France off the beaten track:
If you want the life, culture and bustle of the big city, go to Paris. But France is a lot more than Paris. There are plenty of places in deepest rural France that are still very much off the beaten track; and for camping holidays, gite holidays, or for those who are content to put up in small rural inns, several regions in France offer wonderful holiday opportunities away from it all. Five French departments (counties) that are particularly worth checking out are the Aveyron (Midi Pyrenees region), the Haute Loire (part of the Auvergne region, recommended for 2016 by Lonely Planet as one of the ten regions of the world to visit), the Corrèze (Limousin), the Jura (Franche Comté) and the Vosges (Lorraine): all these departments include sparsely populated areas, attractive scenery, and plenty of leisure opportunities – or just some great places to sit back with a glass of wine, relax, and enjoy the peace and quiet. One of the best times of year to visit France off the beaten track is Autumn, specially in the south of the country.
Driving in France
France has an extensive network of motorways, and many of them offer relatively relaxed driving conditions, except at peak periods. Off the motorways, driving on France’s backroads can be a way to discover motoring as it used to be, a pleasurable experience and a way to discover the country. For more information click for our guide – driving tips and advice. and our checklist of things not to forget before you leave.