10 Reasons To Holiday In France
What makes France such an enjoyable holiday destination? Well the reasons are obvious. Its close proximity to the UK make is a perfect holiday choice, and easily reached by ferry, Euro tunnel, or air. With 80 million visitors a year, France is the most visited country on earth and everyone has their own individual reasons for visiting La France!
Fantastic Cities
France is home to marvellous cities, each full to the brim of Gallic flavour. Paris is home to many iconic attractions ranging from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame, the laid-back cafés and public houses of Monparnasse and the final resting places of poets and writers from Oscar Wilde to Jim Morrison. Lyon is perfect for a cultural break in a UNESCO World Heritage site city. Nice, the premier city of the Côte d’Azur, is sophistication personified.Strasbourg and Marseille offer historical and cultural appeals.
The Wonderful Landscape
France has a diverse and varied landscape, from the rugged, strikingly beautiful rocky headlands along the Normandy and Brittany coastlines, and Mountain ranges of the French Alps and the Pyrenées to the rolling green landscapes of Provence and Languedoc. France is home to six enthralling national parks, of which four are in Provence. There are 43 regional parks in the volcanic Auvergne region. Why not hire a car hire France to travel at your own leisure to get the best out of your France holiday.
Gourmet Food
France is well known for its wonderful cuisine, after all it gave the world Michelin Stars, and chefs who have acquired distinction in this culinary rating tradition! Wherever you dine in France be it a small café or a sumptuous restaurant you are guaranteed fantastic food to satisfy all taste buds!
Fine Wines
Whether you like red or white wine, you are bound to find a wine to suit your palate! Nothing compliments the fine gastronomy delights of France than a fine wine, so pick a bottle to best wash your dish down with! The wines of the Champagne, Provence, Burgundy and Bordeaux areas are delightful, and as part of your self drive tour of France, why not visit these wine regions, and take a tour of a vineyard and savour how these wines are cultivated.
Shopping In France
Another attraction for a France holiday is the amazing array of shopping options available to you. First and foremost, Paris is a haven for shoppers. The most famous store is called Gallaries Lafayette. Indeed there are many fashionable shopping outlets along the Champs d’Elysées, with boutique stores selling the latest fashions in shoes, clothes, handbags, perfumes and other additions to the wardrobe. The markets are also well worth checking out, in particular the Saint Ouen Flea Market.
Other cities well worth checking out in France for shopping include Toulouse, Lyon, Marseille and Nice.
Perfect Family Holiday Destination
For families with small children, France is the perfect family destination. It is easily reachable from the UK and Ireland. You can select your own family holiday, whether it is staying at a caravan/camping park, taking a boating holiday, visiting Disneyland or taking a seaside vacation!
Top Class Beaches
France boasts over 3,500km of coastline, and has some of the best beaches in the world on offer, to the north, west and south of the country. Check out the Normandy beaches in the Caen and Arromanches area, the Brittany seaside resorts of la Cóte d’Emeraude, Crozon peninsula and the Vendée region, and the sophisticated seaside resorts along the south coast such as the Cóte D’Azur, also known as the French Riviera. Resorts such as St Tropez, Nice, Cannes, Villefranche-sur-Mer all come to mind. And don’t forget the Languedoc region! Pencil in the good weather and you have all the ingredients for a wonderful holiday.
Arts and Culture
The wonderful world of the artist is immersed in French culture, and this goes back to prehistoric times, with cave paintings at Lascaux in south-western France testifying to this. Capital city Paris is the home of French art, and there are many museums where you can savour the rich art tradition. The Louvre not only is home to Da Vinci’s finest work The Mona Lisa’ it houses thousands of other priceless works of art. If you are interested in the work of Degas, Money, Cézanne and Van Gogh, check out the Museé D’Orsay. Modern art can be savoured at Centre Georges Pompidou and Musée Picasso.
Wonderful Charm and History
France has a colourful and chequered history unrivaled throughout the world. The country is dotted with over 30 UNESCO heritage sites. Some of the most historic places to visit include the wonderful city of Paris, with monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, L’Arc de Triomphe, and the wonderful Palace of Versailles remain key reference points for understanding French history. Go back further in time to discover the key Roman relics in France, especially in the Nimes and Languedoc areas, where you will discover wonderful attractions ranging from theatres, colloseums, amphitheatres and the queduct at Pont du Gard which truly is a magnificent piece of engineering.
Home of Romance
There is more romance associated with France than probably any other country in the world. For this reason, France is a perfect place for couples to retreat to for a romantic break. No lady would turn down being pampered at a wonderful French chateau in the lap of luxury, where you both can relax and take in the wonderful surroundings with romantic strolls in the stunning garden scenery. Fairytale castles such as Fontainebleau Castle, and seeing the orange sun set around the bay of Mont St Michael cannot beaten for romance!
All roads lead to Paris for romance however, but this is not to say France is just about Paris. You should make Paris part of any romantic plan however. Take in the majestic views above the Eiffel Tower, stroll along the Seine, explore the museums hand in hand, or simply enjoy a café au lait outside a street facing café and watch the world go by together.
Thinking of taking a France holiday in 2011? Hope this article helps you to consider your options. If you have been to France we would love to hear from you.