Visit France- few countries provoke such passion as La Belle France. Love it or loathe it, everyone has their own opinion about this Gallic Goliath.
Snooty, sexy, superior, chic, infuriating, arrogant, officious and inspired in equal measures, the French have long lived according to their own idiosyncratic rules,
and if the rest of the world doesn’t always see eye-to-eye with them, well, tant pis (too bad) – it’s the price you pay for being a culinary trendsetter, artistic pioneer and cultural icon.
If ever there was a country of contradictions, this is it. France is a deeply traditional place: castles, chateaux and ancient churches litter the landscape,
while centuries-old principles of rich food, fine wine and joie de vivre underpin everyday life.
Yet it is also a country that has one of Western Europe’s most multicultural make-ups, not to mention a well-deserved reputation for artistic experimentation and architectural invention.
Sights of France
Eiffel Tower
For 130 years, the Eiffel Tower has been a powerful and distinctive symbol of the city of Paris, and by extension, of France.
At first, when it was built for the 1889 World’s Fair, it impressed the entire world by its stature and daring design, and symbolized French know-how and industrial genius.
Loire Valley Châteaux
The châteaux of the Loire Valley (French: châteaux de la Loire) are part of the architectural heritage of the historic towns of Amboise,
Angers, Blois, Chinon, Montsoreau, Orléans, Saumur, and Tours along the river Loire in France. They illustrate Renaissance ideals of design in France.
Mont St-Michel
The dramatic play of tides on this abbey-island in Normandy is magical and mysterious.
Said by Celtic mythology to be a sea tomb to which souls of the dead were sent, Mont St-Michel is rich in legendand history,
keenly felt as you make your way barefoot across rippled sand to the stunning architectural ensemble. Walk around it alone or, better still, hook up with a guide in nearby Genêts for a dramatic day hike across the bay.
Three Corniches, Nice
The Corniche Roads of the French Riviera consist of three routes following the mountainous stretch from Nice to Menton.
The Corniche offers dramatic coastal views which can be discovered by car through three scenic routes: the Grande Corniche, the Moyenne Corniche and the Corniche Inférieure
Alsatian Wine Route
The Alsace Wine Route is actually the oldest wine route in France. It was inaugurated on May 30th,
1953 during a car rally where two convoys took the road, one leaving from the very north of the Alsatian vineyard, from Marlenheim, and the other leaving from the very south of this vineyard, from Thann.
D- Day Beaches
The D-Day Beaches are in the Calvados and Manche departments of Normandy, France. They were the landing places for the Allied invasion of western Europe during World War II.
An excellent time to visit is on the June 6th anniversary when there are numerous memorial ceremonies to mark the occasion.
Provençal Markets
No region is more of a market-must than this one. Be it fresh fish by the port in seafaring Marseille,
early summer’s strings of pink garlic, melons from Cavaillon all summer long or wintertime’s earthy ‘black diamond’truffles,
Provence thrives on a bounty of fresh produce – grown locally and piled high each morning at the market.
Every town and village has one, but those in Carpentras and Aix-en-Provence are the best known.
While you’re here, stock up on dried herbs, green and black olives marinated a dozen different ways, courgette flowers and oils.
Pont du Gard
The Pont du Gard was built shortly before the Christian era to allow the aqueduct of Nîmes (which is almost 50 km long) to cross the Gard river.
The Roman architects and hydraulic engineers who designed this bridge, which stands almost 50 m high and is on three levels – the longest measuring 275 m – created a technical as well as an artistic masterpiece.
Carnac Megaliths
Most notable at Carnac are the extraordinary alignments, long rows of parallel lines of standing stones.
Keep your eyes open for menhirs, single-standing stones, and tumuli, which are burial mounds. Dolmens, another formation of prehistoric stones, are easily recognized.
Carcassonne
Carcassonne became famous for its role in the Albigensian Crusades when the city was a stronghold of Occitan Cathars.
In August 1209 the crusading army of the Papal Legate, abbot Arnaud Amalric, forced its citizens to surrender.
Adrenalin Kick, Chamonix
Sure, 007 did it, but so can you: skiing the Vallée Blanche is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
You won’t regret the €75-odd it costs to do the 20km off-piste descent from the spike of the Aiguille du Midi to mountaineering mecca Chamonix –
every minute of the five hours it takes to get down will pump more adrenalin in your body than anything else you’ve ever done. Craving more? Hurl yourself down Europe’s longest black run, La Sarenne, at Alpe d’Huez.
Charles de Gaulle Airport
PARIS. Charles de Gaulle Airport Paris (External link) (CDG) is said to be the second busiest airport in Europe.
Located to the north-east of Paris, 26 km from Paris city center, it opened in 1974 and is today, the main international gateway to France and a major aviation hub in Europe.
That irresistible Paris
Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is known worldwide for the Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame cathedral, and the Eiffel tower.
It has a reputation of being a romantic and cultural city. The city is also known for its high-quality gastronomy and the terraces of its cafés.
Paris is monumental, both due to its size but also its wealth of architectural heritage! The symbol of the capital city, and doubtless its best-known monument,
is the unique Eiffel Tower, the “Iron Lady” that offers visitors an unsurpassed view. Close by is the equally iconic Arc de Triomphe.
Almost all people love Paris. Why?
From its bustling river banks, the beauty and charm of its architecture, the delicious food, countless opportunities to explore art, culture, and history—
the reasons we love Paris are as diverse as the city itself.
Why is Paris called city of love?
People call Paris “the City of Love” because of the romantic atmosphere it exudes. In fact, The City of Love isn’t just a random nickname given to Paris;
it’s the perfect description anyone who visited the French capital would give to the city for all the romantic vibes they find there.