Rich in history, culture and passion, with a staggering 78 million foreign tourists visiting the nation during 2006 alone, France is a fantastic country to visit, offering a wide range of activities for all tastes.
France has many different regions to visit, each with its own unique character, such as Normandy, Loire, and Côte d’Azur, to name just a few. Normandy, of course, is probably most famous for the D-Day landings made by the allies during WWII and has many interesting places to visit, such as the war memorial of Caen and the towns of Bayeux and Mont-St-Michel. The Côte d’Azur region is home to Cannes and Monaco, the playgrounds of the rich and famous.
You may prefer to stay in Paris, the most romantic city in the world. The most popular tourist attractions in Paris include the Eiffel Tower built between the years 1887-1889, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Musée Du Louvre with Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting, the ‘Mona Lisa’. Or why not just enjoy a walk on the Champs Elysees.
France is home to several popular theme parks, the most notable of which are Futuroscope, Disneyland Paris, and Parc Asterix. The Futuroscope amusement park is located near Poitiers (300 km / 180 miles southwest of Paris) and features many attractions and shows to dazzle the senses. There are numerous visual experiences to enjoy on a giant IMAX screen, such as Mystery of the Nile, Deep Sea 3D, and Cyberworld. The park also features a 3D cinema, simulator experiences, restaurants, and shops. Futuroscope offers a unique experience and is an excellent day out for the whole family.
If you are a fan of history (or even if you are not), you will not want to miss a visit to some of the beautiful Châteaux (Castles). With more than 80 castles, you are sure to be within easy reach of some of them, regardless of the region you choose to stay in.
Perhaps you can see the Tour de France, one of the most famous and difficult cycling races in the world, covering more than 2,200 miles on many stages throughout the country. The 2007 Tour de France runs from Saturday July 7 to Sunday July 29.
For cheese or wine lovers, France is truly your Mecca. France is one of the largest cheese producers, with over 400 types to choose from and is famous for producing some of the best wines in the world. What does a wine tasting trip to Bordeaux or Burgundy sound like?
