FRANCE : The Perfect Destination
Brittany and Normandy: a changing coastline
Brittany (Bretagne), in the far north-west corner of France has one of the most distinctive regional identities. The region has a jagged coastline of wide bays interspersed with towering granite cliffs. The people of Brittany consider themselves as being slightly separate from the rest of France and the regional dialect, Breton, is still fairly commonly heard. Further east along the northern coast, Lower-Normandy (Basse-Normandie) and Upper-Normandy (Haute-Normandie) are renowned for their wide sandy beaches which were the site of the D-Day Landings of 1944. The region is also home to Bayeux where the famous tapestry of the same name telling the story of William the Conqueror’s invasion of England is displayed. Both Normandy and Brittany are home to some beautiful, unspoilt stretches of countryside but these regions’ have a varied climate with rain and cool winds in the winter months. Nevertheless, these regions are popular with British holidaymakers and property prices here have increased rapidly in recent years. For the best bargains head to the Finistère department where you can still get excellent value for money.
Brittany (Bretagne), in the far north-west corner of France has one of the most distinctive regional identities. The region has a jagged coastline of wide bays interspersed with towering granite cliffs. The people of Brittany consider themselves as being slightly separate from the rest of France and the regional dialect, Breton, is still fairly commonly heard. Further east along the northern coast, Lower-Normandy (Basse-Normandie) and Upper-Normandy (Haute-Normandie) are renowned for their wide sandy beaches which were the site of the D-Day Landings of 1944. The region is also home to Bayeux where the famous tapestry of the same name telling the story of William the Conqueror’s invasion of England is displayed. Both Normandy and Brittany are home to some beautiful, unspoilt stretches of countryside but these regions’ have a varied climate with rain and cool winds in the winter months. Nevertheless, these regions are popular with British holidaymakers and property prices here have increased rapidly in recent years. For the best bargains head to the Finistère department where you can still get excellent value for money.
Châteaux
and waterways in the west of France
Across the southern border of Brittany and Lower Normandy, you will find Pays-de la Loire. This region is home to spectacular châteaux and lush scenery. The region’s Atlantic coast offers plenty of sandy beaches which stretch all the way down into Poitou-Charentes and Aquitaine. All three regions have hundreds of miles of navigable waterways and enjoy a temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters. Bordeaux is home to some beautiful 18th century architecture and the surrounding vineyards are also well worth a visit as this is one of France’s most prolific wine-growing areas. The man-made forest of Les Landes is another asset of France’s relatively undiscovered south-western corner.
Across the southern border of Brittany and Lower Normandy, you will find Pays-de la Loire. This region is home to spectacular châteaux and lush scenery. The region’s Atlantic coast offers plenty of sandy beaches which stretch all the way down into Poitou-Charentes and Aquitaine. All three regions have hundreds of miles of navigable waterways and enjoy a temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters. Bordeaux is home to some beautiful 18th century architecture and the surrounding vineyards are also well worth a visit as this is one of France’s most prolific wine-growing areas. The man-made forest of Les Landes is another asset of France’s relatively undiscovered south-western corner.
The sunny south
As a general rule, the closer you get to the southern French coast, the hotter and the more expensive it becomes. The south of France is generally extremely busy, particularly during the summer months. Many Parisians have second homes in Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and spend much of August here. They are joined by tourists from France’s neighbouring countries who come to take advantage of the sunshine and dazzling scenery. In the height of summer, yachts line the marinas of the Côte d’Azur whilst inland, lavender fields shimmer in the luminous sunlight that inspired such well-known artists as Van Gogh.
As a general rule, the closer you get to the southern French coast, the hotter and the more expensive it becomes. The south of France is generally extremely busy, particularly during the summer months. Many Parisians have second homes in Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and spend much of August here. They are joined by tourists from France’s neighbouring countries who come to take advantage of the sunshine and dazzling scenery. In the height of summer, yachts line the marinas of the Côte d’Azur whilst inland, lavender fields shimmer in the luminous sunlight that inspired such well-known artists as Van Gogh.
The Alps: the place to ski
Rhône-Alpes to the north of the Mediterranean coastal resorts is, as its name suggests, home to the French owned part of the Alps mountain range. The French Alps are buzzing with activity all year round and are home to some of the most popular year-round resorts in the world. Nevertheless, the area is still most highly acclaimed for its skiing and ski chalets are highly sought-after here. For example, the resorts of Chamonix and Courchevel attract skiers from across the world. However, the Alps are by no means the only mountains where it is possible to ski in France. The Pyrenees in the south-west offers some brilliant skiing and is especially recommended for beginners. Other options include the Jura mountains in Franche-Comte, the Vosges mountains in southern Lorraine and the Massif-Central in Auvergne.
Rhône-Alpes to the north of the Mediterranean coastal resorts is, as its name suggests, home to the French owned part of the Alps mountain range. The French Alps are buzzing with activity all year round and are home to some of the most popular year-round resorts in the world. Nevertheless, the area is still most highly acclaimed for its skiing and ski chalets are highly sought-after here. For example, the resorts of Chamonix and Courchevel attract skiers from across the world. However, the Alps are by no means the only mountains where it is possible to ski in France. The Pyrenees in the south-west offers some brilliant skiing and is especially recommended for beginners. Other options include the Jura mountains in Franche-Comte, the Vosges mountains in southern Lorraine and the Massif-Central in Auvergne.
The
heart of France: peace and quiet
Auvergne is one of the least densely populated of France’s regions. Limousin, Burgundy (Bourgogne), The Central Loire Valley (Centre Val de Loire) and Auvergne are all located in central France and do not have any coastal or national borders. These largely agricultural regions have suffered from rural depopulation recently. Fortunately, they are growing in popularity with foreign buyers who are attracted by the tranquil setting, slower pace of life and very reasonable property prices! The large number of lakes in Limousin and Auvergne is also attracting fishermen to these regions. Burgundy is a food and wine-lover’s paradise. The wholesome, earthy flavours of the regional cuisine are irresistible.
Auvergne is one of the least densely populated of France’s regions. Limousin, Burgundy (Bourgogne), The Central Loire Valley (Centre Val de Loire) and Auvergne are all located in central France and do not have any coastal or national borders. These largely agricultural regions have suffered from rural depopulation recently. Fortunately, they are growing in popularity with foreign buyers who are attracted by the tranquil setting, slower pace of life and very reasonable property prices! The large number of lakes in Limousin and Auvergne is also attracting fishermen to these regions. Burgundy is a food and wine-lover’s paradise. The wholesome, earthy flavours of the regional cuisine are irresistible.
Germanic influences in the eastern regions
To the east of Burgundy lie the regions which form France’s border with Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium. Franche-Comté is characterised by its landscape of woods and rivers. This is the perfect destination for ay lover of outdoor pursuits. Alsace and Lorraine have been fought over by France and Germany for centuries. A Germanic influence is evident in the regional accents and dialects, the strongly flavoured local cuisine and the architecture. However, the peaceful atmosphere of the fortified towns and rolling vineyards bears little resemblance to that of its turbulent past. Champagne-Ardenne is a region of contrasts. Whilst the department of Ardennes is hilly and densely packed with forests, the south of the region is full of water meadows and undulating plains. It is here, of course that the drink champagne comes from and where the stunning Reims cathedral is found. These regions experience cold winters and are generally very affluent due to the access they provide to the rest of mainland Europe.
To the east of Burgundy lie the regions which form France’s border with Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium. Franche-Comté is characterised by its landscape of woods and rivers. This is the perfect destination for ay lover of outdoor pursuits. Alsace and Lorraine have been fought over by France and Germany for centuries. A Germanic influence is evident in the regional accents and dialects, the strongly flavoured local cuisine and the architecture. However, the peaceful atmosphere of the fortified towns and rolling vineyards bears little resemblance to that of its turbulent past. Champagne-Ardenne is a region of contrasts. Whilst the department of Ardennes is hilly and densely packed with forests, the south of the region is full of water meadows and undulating plains. It is here, of course that the drink champagne comes from and where the stunning Reims cathedral is found. These regions experience cold winters and are generally very affluent due to the access they provide to the rest of mainland Europe.
Poignant reminders north of Paris
The most northerly region of France, Nord-Pas-de-Calais is home to the Channel ports of Dunkerque, Calais and Boulogne. It is also heavily influenced by its proximity to Belgium. The Flemish influence is reflected in both the physical landscape – windmills and canals cover flat seemingly never-ending expanses of land – and the local cuisine, architecture and beer festivals. This is, of course, also the site of the poppy-covered First World War battlefields, which act as such a moving and timeless legacy to the horrors that took place here. Closer to Paris, in Picardy (Picardie), there are numerous stately châteaux and splendid Gothic cathedrals. In this northern part of France the climate is not unlike that in the UK and since Paris is easily accessible, property prices come at a premium.
The most northerly region of France, Nord-Pas-de-Calais is home to the Channel ports of Dunkerque, Calais and Boulogne. It is also heavily influenced by its proximity to Belgium. The Flemish influence is reflected in both the physical landscape – windmills and canals cover flat seemingly never-ending expanses of land – and the local cuisine, architecture and beer festivals. This is, of course, also the site of the poppy-covered First World War battlefields, which act as such a moving and timeless legacy to the horrors that took place here. Closer to Paris, in Picardy (Picardie), there are numerous stately châteaux and splendid Gothic cathedrals. In this northern part of France the climate is not unlike that in the UK and since Paris is easily accessible, property prices come at a premium.
The
King of capitals
No guide to France could possibly be complete without reference to the French capital. Paris is arguably one of the world’s most majestic capital cities. It counts The Louvre and the Eiffel Tower amongst its many sites, the majority of which are within walking distance of the river Seine. Paris and the surrounding Île-de-France region are expensive but the wealth of architectural and cultural attractions it has to offer goes some way to justifying the high prices.
No guide to France could possibly be complete without reference to the French capital. Paris is arguably one of the world’s most majestic capital cities. It counts The Louvre and the Eiffel Tower amongst its many sites, the majority of which are within walking distance of the river Seine. Paris and the surrounding Île-de-France region are expensive but the wealth of architectural and cultural attractions it has to offer goes some way to justifying the high prices.
Flights & Car Hire
Links
The hard part is in which part of this magnificent country do you choose as the destination for your
holiday villa or apartment.
inFrance.
inFrance.
For rural splendour, then where better than a holiday gite in Vendee, Normandy or Ile de France.
Holiday villas or farmhouses in the Dordogne or Burgundy are the perfect choice of accommodation in France for anyone who has a passion for wine, and for sun soaked beaches, then Brittany or Poitou-Charentes could be the perfect destination for your holiday villa in France. Skiing chalets in the French Alps could be just what you're dreaming of - but then so might holiday apartments or farmhouses in Languedoc, cottages or gites inPays de la Loire or even holiday villas in Provence
Accommodation in France can be found to exactly suit your requirements wherever
you want to go in this big and beautiful country, so remember.....
the finest selection of quality holiday villas, gites, farmhouses andapartments in France is waiting for you to decide!
