One of the strongest economies in the world, France has developed itself as one of most charming tourist destinations in Europe. Covering an area of 543,965 sq. km., France is the largest country in western Europe and the third largest in all of Europe. Cut in a shape of hexagon, the country is divided into 22 regions which are further sub divided. The beautiful country of France is either bordered by beautiful mountain ranges or deep blue oceans. Only a small part in north east is bordered by Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium.
France is undoubtedly the most famous country among tourists. It receives nearly 81.9 million visitors every year and the next best is Spain with just 58.5 million visitors. Among the cities of France, paris leads the race by attracting the largest number of tourists. With attractions like Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum and palace of Versailles, it cannot be expected any other way. Nature too has been very generous on France. There are beautiful beaches on one side and there are snow covered peaks and lush green valleys of French Alps on the other that lend uncountable adventure and recreation opportunities for tourists.
France is also one of the most appreciated countries in the world for its exceptional cuisine. The French people absolutely love their food and the dishes are capable of making the visitors fall in love with them as well. Coq au vin, Coquilles Saint-Jacques and Noisettes d’Agneau are few of the famous dishes of France. It’s hard to get all the tastes of French cuisine in just one visit, so many are the varieties of cheeses, so many types of wines and so many delectable dishes. And the cuisine differs drastically from region to region. What you will find in the remote villages will be absolutely different in taste from the delicacies you will get in the swanky restaurants in the cities. Mind you, the name of the dish might be same.
Paris, the capital city of France, has by many world trotters been considered as the most beautiful city in the world. And why not, The City of Lights will leave you flabbergasted with the number of attraction that find home here. Nestling on both sides of Seine River, Paris is the largest and most populous city of France. More often than not, visitors to Paris end up spending more time here than they expected, such is the beauty of the city which has also been christened The Most Romantic city in the world.
The best time to visit France is between May and June when the country offers you glimpse of beauty of sunny summers as well as white winters.
Location – Western Europe
Capital - Paris
Population – 60.2 Million
Langauge - French
Religion - Roman Catholic, Protestants, Jewish, Muslim
Calling Code - +33
Time Zone – UTC +1
Day Light Saving – UTC +2
Climate - Oceanic, Continental, Mediterranean
Currency - Euro
Best time time visit – May and June
Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower has been the face of France ever since the its completion in the year 1889. Named after its designer, Gustave Eiffel, Eiffel Tower is the tallest structure in France. Year on Year the number of visitors are increasing. So much that in 2006, it crossed the 6 million mark and overall 200 million making it the most visited paid monument in the world. Rising to a height of 324 meters, the view from top of Eiffel Tower is absolutely breathtaking. There are two restaurants as well namely Altitude 95 and Jules Verne in Eiffel tower. The famous Jules Verne Restaurant in itself is an attraction.
Louvre Museum
This is probably the most recognized museum today in the world. Situated in the center of Paris, Louvre is the national museum of France. One of the most important attraction of the museum is at the entrance itself, the glass Pyramid. There are in all 35, 000 items that are put on display here dating from 6 BC to 19th century. The museum is situated in the Louvre Palace in an area of 60,600 square metres. The most famous painting Monas Lisa is also on display here in the Louvre.
Other Attractions of Paris
• Arc du Carrousel – Build in the year 1808, Arc du Carrousel is one of the three and smallest arches made by Emperor Napoleon to honor his army that won him the Austrian war. The grand architecture of the arch is somewhat inspired by Arch of Constantine in Rome. The main feature of the structure are the three brilliantly carved archways and the eight marble Corinthian pillars with statues of soldiers of Napoleon’s army.
• La Madeleine – Dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, Le Madeleine is among the earliest churches in Paris. The construction of the church was started in the year 1864 but was halted in the year 1806 as Napoleon decided to build a temple in honor of soldiers. The constructed building was then razed and construction of a temple was started. But after Arc de Triomphe was completed, the temple was consecrated as a church. There are 52 pillars around the temple all measuring 20 m. Like the exterior, interiors will also leave you awe-struck. The caving work on the walls is simply stunning.
• Pantheon – Pantheon is one of the most imposing structures in Paris. Completed in the year 1791, Pantheon was designed to be a church but today serves as a civil temple. The dome of Pantheon reaches a height of 83 m and has three superimposed shells. There are many brilliant statues of famous people inside the temple.
• Sacré-Coeur – Unlike other known building which were build in Romanesque architectural style, Sacré-Coeur employs Roman-Byzantyne style, totally different style and stands out. Situated on Montmartre Hill, the shiny white structure rises to a height of 83 m above the ground.
• Notre Dame Cathedral – Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most brilliantly crafted cathedrals in entire Europe. It took nearly 100 years to complete this one of a kind building that became famous for its new presentation of gothic architecture. The main attractions of the cathedral are the towers, stained glasses and statuary.
French Alps
Do not miss out on the breathtakingly beautiful French Alps that is surely the most awesome mountain range in the world. With green valleys dominated by snow clad peaks, the views one gets here are unmatched anywhere in the world. In summers, the green alps are perfect for trekking and winters show the alps in a totally different colors. The white snow covered peak will entice you to enjoy the magical stint with skiing. The mountains are filled with resort that offer you skiing in low as well as high altitudes.
Vanoise National Park
Situated in southeastern France, Vanoise National park is the oldest national park in entire France. A major part of the park extends into Italy and together they are the largest protected area in Western Europe. The park is situated just south of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Europe. This geologically diverse park has numerous formations of schist, sedimentary snadstones and limestones. Animals like marmots, ibex and chamois are found in plenty here. You can also indulge in trekking in nearly 310 miles of well laid out routes in the park. Vanoise National Park covers a total area of 130,565 acres.
Up on Eiffel Tower
Do not miss this; there is nowhere else you could experience this feeling, no matter how high you go. The sights of Paris from 1000 feet above is nothing less than magical. There are two restaurants where you could enjoy the delectable French cuisine along with the one of a kind views. There are souvenir shops as well. The best time of the day to enjoy this is during nights.
Skiing Down The French Alps
What better spot than the French alps to enjoy the sport of skiing. French Alps have few of the most splendid and well equipped ski resorts in Europe. Even though they are slightly overpriced, they are worth every penny you spend here. And if you are looking for cheaper ones, there are ample low-altitude ski resort near Pyrenees. Months of December and January are the best time to indulge in Skiing.
Surfing With The Wind
The Mediterranean coast with its windy conditions are the best places for wind surfing whereas for surfing, slightly trickier Atlantic coast are perfect. Most tourist visit around Biarritz which is absolutely adored by surfers. There is an annual surf championship organized here that attracts surfers from around Europe. Anglet and Hossegor on the northern part of France are also good for surfing.
Hiking Through The Green Trails
Almost all regions of France are blessed with thousands of kilometers of scenic hiking routes. Before starting on a trail, go through the trekking guides that are published in France. They give you a clear idea which hike to choose according to their distance, location and difficulty.
Thrills of Rafting And Canoeing
Canoeing is one of the most popular activities that tourists indulge in. Marked with some splendid rivers, which are both scenic and calm are apt for canoeing. For more adventurous tourists, the same rivers on few stretches, are fast enough to become a haven for rafters. There are class 1 to class 5 rapids present in these rivers.
Cycling Your Way In France
In a country that is known among a large section of people for its Tour de France, cycling has to be a must do activity. Some of the best places in France for cycling are around Alpine resorts of Annecy and Chambery, Brittany, Normandy and the Atlantic Coast. Where Brittany, Normandy, and Atlantic coast are for starters, Annecy and Chambery are for pure enthusiasts and professionals. You can find ample guides on cycling routes. It is advised that you go through a guide so as to not miss out on the best routes.
Exploring Wine Country in Bordeaux
France and Wine are like synonyms to each other. Almost every meal is taken with wine here. Some of the best wines in the world get produced here in the numerous vineyards spread across the country. Different regions produce different variety of wine depending of the grapes and soil found there. The most important places in France where wine is produced are Alsace, Champagne, and Rhône Valley. Some wines here sure are quite expensive but what cheers most tourists to France is the fact that cheapest wines are cheaper per litre than soft drinks. They are known as vins ordinaires or vins de table.
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