Oozing romance, style and elegance, France is a country of distinctive and overwhelming character. Renowned for its artistry, haute couture fashion, chic cities and beautiful, diverse landscapes, wherever you are, you’ll find the lifestyle seductive.
Many women around the world have been proposed to at the top of the Eiffel Tower and it’s not surprising as Paris is renowned as one of the most romantic cities in the world. There is nothing more famous in Paris than the Eiffel Tower, however the Eiffel Tower is not the only incredible piece of architecture in France, there is also The Arc De Triomphe, The Louvre Museum www.louvre.fr/louvrea.htm and The Notre Dame Cathedral www.cathedraledeparis.com/EN/0.asp to name but a few. There is also stunning scenery in France ranging from picturesque medieval villages to magnificent hilltop cathedrals.
Something for everyone can be found in France, including action packed holidays in the Alps where you can try skiing or snowboarding, or in summer, trails through green valleys and soaring peaks make for wonderful hiking. If history is more your cup of tea why not stop off in Normandy and visit the beaches where the Allied forces landed on D-Day in World War Two, or stroll through the narrow streets of the pretty abbey island of Mont St-Michel. There is also historic Rouen and Bayeux Tapestry.
Those of you with an appreciation for delicious food and fine wine will also love France. The French way of eating is very different to here in the UK and mealtimes are often long and leisurely with many courses. In fact, France boasts one of the most varied and developed cuisines in the world. Haute-cuisine, bistro-fare and family cooking all rely on quality produce, and each region is extremely proud of its own specialities. France is also famous for producing fine wine and over 300 different types of cheese!
You can travel to France via the Eurostar, ferry or by plane. Flights are short making France an ideal destination for families with young children or for couples wanting a short romantic break away. Many people also take day trips to France. Once you are there, in most areas, especially Paris, you will find many hotels to choose from but it is always advisable to book ahead. There is also car hire available or you can access most areas by the Metro, all day tickets are available allowing you to hop on and off whenever you feel like it making it a great way to explore Paris. One thing to bear in mind though is that in summer months queues for the Eiffel Tower can often become quite long. However in a country like France even if the queue for the Eiffel Tower is long you will not be left short of things to do or see. You will also never be stuck for food with plenty of cafes and patisseries serving some absolutely delicious cakes and some of the longest baguettes you will ever see!
There is so much more to do and see in France than we have been able to cover in this article. For more information why not check out France on the web or pop in to a local travel agents for some brochures!
The Perfect Evening in Paris...
Start off your night with a three course dinner at Altitude 95, the Eiffel Tower’s stunning first floor restaurant which overlooks the beautiful city of Paris.
After dinner you can take to the water for a romantic boat trip along the River Seine where you can in take in the spectacular views of the illuminated boulevards and monuments.
Then enter the world of feather boas, glitter, lipstick and high heels at the worlds most famous cabaret - The Moulin Rouge! The Moulin Rouge is an elegant venue and formal attire is required, it is also advisable to pre-book. Dinner is also available at the Moulin Rouge.
For more information on the shows at the Moulin Rouge log on to: www.moulinrouge.fr/home-flash-gb.html
Travel Facts...
Capital: Paris
Language: French
Currency: Euro
Finance: Credit cards and travellers cheques widely accepted.
Business hours: 0900-1200, 1400-1800 Monday-Friday. GMT +1hour (2 in summer)
National driving licence is acceptable. EU nationals taking their own car to France are strongly advised to obtain a Green Card.
Some useful websites for flight information include;
www.flybmi.com
www.ba.com
www.thomsonfly.com
www.airfrance.co.uk
www.easyjet.com
Alternatively package trips can be booked on websites such as www.expedia.co.uk or www.lastminute.com. These can be useful if you want to book your flights, hotel, car hire and any shows or events all in one go!
