Magnificent vistas

France is a sublime experience.

France has captivated the world with its unique charm and culture. While castles, cathedrals and coffee shops are scattered across the region, much of the French countryside remains untouched and traditional rural life still flourishes here.

France's geography stretches from a rugged coastline to seemingly infinite beaches, from bustling cities to quaint countryside villages and from a sun-drenched isle to luxury mountain ski resorts.

French capital

The French capital of Paris is one of the world's best-loved cities. With more than 80 museums and 200 art galleries this is truly where art meets life.

The recently renovated Notre Dame cathedral also houses the Crypte Archeologique, which displays Paris' early history. The spectacular stained glass architecture inside the cathedral is breathtaking. The city's Latin Quarter is the focus of most student activity and hosts fine bookshops and commercial art galleries. The Cluny Museum, located in the vicinity, displays some of the finest medieval European tapestries in the world.

At the western end of the Boulevard St. Germain is the Musee d'oorsay, a superb collection of 19th and early 20th century art located in a beautifully restored railway station.

Left Bank

The area known as Left Bank, hosts a number of attractions, including the Pantheon, the Hotel des Invalides which contains Napolean's tomb, and the charming Rodin Museum.

Paris is best viewed on foot. A walk along the Trocadero area displays a stunning glimpse of the majestic Eiffel Tower and is a delightful way to soak up the pristine Parisian air. A short walk to the north is Etoile from where the Arc de Triumphe can be viewed in all its splendour. This is also close to the elegant Champs- Elysees or Elysian Fields, famous for its cafés and boutiques.

The Louvre

The mother of all museums - the Louvre -is one of the main attractions in Paris. It houses a number of outstanding masterpieces, including Da Vinci's famous Mona Lisa. The museum has experienced renewed popularity thanks to Dan Brown's novel, The Da Vinci Code.

Another worthwhile stop is Monnaie de Paris, house of the French mint authority that issues coins and displays a fascinating treasure of more than 2,000 coins and 450 tokens portraying the history of money in France.

To the southwest of France is the country's former capital Versailles. It houses the famous Chateau de Versailles built by Louis XIV who abandoned the Louvre to build a royal palace, which has become a popular museum in itself.

Radiant glimpses

The cities of Lyon and Marseille are not far from Paris and offer equally radiant glimpses of the country. The popular resort-town of Cannes sits majestically on the French Riviera and is lesser known for its shipbuilding and textile industries than for hosting an international film festival every spring. Churches from the 16th and 17th centuries are located in the old part of this quaint town.

The scenic town of Provence is known for its spectacular climate and gentle scenery. The many olive trees found throughout the region provide an important aspect of the local cuisine, a fine olive oil used extensively in cooking local food. Champagne is a historic province in north-eastern France. The name is derived from the Latin campania, meaning ‘plain,' thanks to a largely arid plateau that slopes toward Paris. Champagne's strategic location made it a vital battleground whenever France was invaded from the east.

Lower slopes

The lower slopes of the Reims Mountains, the Valley of Marne River and Cote des Blancs, house world-famous vineyards that stretch for approximately 12-km. Cote des Blancs is named after white Chardonnay grapes, that are grown here almost exclusively.