It won’t take long for France to touch your heart, but in 13 days it will capture it outright. Surrender to the allure of the Loire Valley, the sophisticated French Riviera and historic villages, towns and cities from Beaune to Bordeaux. You’ll explore a hidden realm of scenic vineyard-clad landscapes, admire the medieval facades of Carcassonne and get your WWII history fix in Normandy, where the tales of the D-Day Landings come to life.
French Riviera
French Riviera
From the elegant city of Cannes, home of the famous film festival, it's an easy drive to the other star attractions along the French Riviera. Enjoy the plunging cliffside scenery on one of the corniche roads to Monte Carlo. Or visit Antibes with its lush, bougainvillea-draped villas, or the medieval walled town of St. Paul de Vence.
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Destination Guide
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Deauville
Deauville
The town of Deauville is famous for its harbour and pleasure boats, beaches, luxurious hotels and casino as well as magnificent race track and annual film festival.
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Destination Guide
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Tours
Tours
Though it doesn't boast a major château, Tours is the traditional center for exploring the Loire valley. Devout Christians en route to Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain once stopped here to pay homage at the tomb of St. Martin, the Apostle of Gaul, who was bishop of Tours in the 4th century. With a population of 130,000, Tours is known for its food and wine. Because many of its buildings were bombed in World War II, 20th-century apartment towers have taken the place of châteaux. Because Tours is at the doorstep of some of the most magnificent châteaux in France, it makes a good base from which to explore. Most Loire Valley towns are rather sleepy, but Tours is where the action is, with busy streets and cafes. A quarter of the residents are students, who add a vibrant, active touch.
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Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Surrounding Bordeaux are world-renowned vineyards and châteaux. Visitors from all over the globe come here to learn about the winemaking process - from growing grapes to harvesting, fermenting and bottling these top-quality wines. Here in the wine region the title of château can mean anything from a palatial residence to a basic winery. There are thousands of châteaux that rank from very modest family establishments to large famous properties where grapes are raised, fermented and then matured to produce the area’s famous wines. Visit Rue Ste. Cathérine - a half-mile-long pedestrian street leading through the Old Town’s major shopping area and marking the beginning of the elegant 18th-century city. - and Musée des Beaux Arts -- a museum with a large collection of 17th-century paintings by Flemish, Dutch and Italian masters as well as works by Delacroix.
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Destination Guide
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Lourdes
Lourdes
In the heart of the Pyrenees, Lourdes receives more than 5 million visitors from all over the world every year. Spirituality, whether belonging to history or legends, is part of the present through the depth and beauty of the sight, the marks of the past, the serenity of the Sanctuaries. Lourdes was just a small market town in 1858, when Bernadette Soubirous met, along the River Gave, the “Lady” that made the town a Marian city. Bernadette saw many more of these apparitions. Many now come on religious pilgrimages. Today Lourdes has the second greatest number of hotels in France with 270 establishments. Its geographical position, at the foot of the mountains, makes it an ideal starting-point of excursions to the Pyrenees. The Fortified Castle rises at the middle of the city, leaning on the escarpment. Visit the Sanctuaries, Fortified Castle, Pyrenan Museum and more while visiting Lourdes.
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Destination Guide
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Avignon
Avignon
Visitors to Avignon won't want to leave, and the town is too interesting to leave. Avignon is ancient, full of history, life, youth, art, music and activity. Just to "see" the town itself, a visitor could wander the narrow streets inside the fortified walls for days without tiring of them.
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Destination Guide
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Lyon
Lyon
Lyon, the natural crossroads between northern Europe and the Mediterranean coast, is located in the heart of the Rhone-Alpes region. 2,000 years of history have left their mark on the city landscape. Lyon's rich heritage, passed down through the ages, tells the story of a great city. Lyon's rich historical heritage and its creative initiatives of all kinds find their expression in a multitude of establishments and prestigious events. The arts are represented in Lyon; from fine arts to performing arts, everyone will find their hearts' content. Every year finds sport increasing in popularity in Lyon. Lyon offers impressive facilities: some fifty sports fields and forty gymnasiums provide 550 clubs and associations with optimal training amenities. The City also knows how to make sport spectacular; every year it hosts events -like the Lyon Tennis Grand Prix and the Lyon Marathon - that draw top athletes. Though the mention of the word "Lyon" may conjure up images of fine dining, this is only the tip of the iceberg in a city proud of its diversity and quality image.
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Destination Guide
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Paris
Paris
Paris, world capital of art and culture, gathers some of the most famous museums and monuments in the world. Like all the world's great capitals, Paris lives at a fast pace, by day, by night and especially at rush hours. Bear in mind that museums and monuments are often less crowded during the week. Sights that should not be missed include: The Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay. Visit any of the many others according to your tastes and interests: the Musee Picasso, Musee Rodin, Musee Carnavalet, Musee Marmottan and the Arab Institute are just a few. Essential Paris monuments are the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe or the Grande Arche de la Defense.
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Destination Guide
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