About France

France is the largest country in Western Europe. It stretches from the grassy hills of the north to the endless beaches of the south, from the rugged coastline of Brittany to the icy mountains of the Alps. The main highlights that we all go to see in France are the beaches, the museums, the chateaux and the cathedrals. Add to this outstanding cuisine and restaurants, the world's finest wines and you have the world's No 1 tourist destination with over 70 million visitors.

The Cote d' Azur, or the French Riviera has some of the best known beaches in the world, probably the most famous is Cannes. Cannes holds the film festival in May and is filled with money, champagne and mobile phones. Some other beaches that are well worth the visit are in Biarritz, located in the French Basque Country. Here there are many fine beaches, casinos and surfing spots.

Some of Frances most exceptional museum’s can be found in France’s capital, Paris. These include the Louvre, the Musee d' Orsay, the Poimpidou Centre, the Musee Rodin and the Musee National du Moyen Age. Other cities known for their museums include Nice, Bordeaux, Stragbourg and Lyon.

The largest and most grand chateaux in France is the royal palace at Versailles. Many of the other chateaux are located in the Loire Valley. The largest and most lavish chateau in the Loire Valley is the Chateau de Chambord. Others include Cheverny, Chenonceau and Azay-le-Rideau.

There are many beautiful cathedrals in France. The most stunning cathedrals are located at Chartres, Strasbourg and Rouen.

Culture

Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in France, although attendance in church is very low. Muslims are the second largest religious group followed by Protestants and there is also a substantial Jewish population.

Some of France’s most famous foods are foie gras, truffles, Roquefort cheese, crustaceans, snails that are plucked off grape vines and fruit. France's North African and Asian populations have contributed also, bringing spice and colour to many dishes.

A typical day's eating in france begins with a small breakfast followed by a larger lunch. white wine sweetened with syrup is often served before a meal, while a digcognac or Armagnac brandy may be served at the end. Other beverages designed to aid digestion and stimulate conversation include espresso, beer, liqueurs and some of the best wine in the world.

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Traveller's cheques are the safest, most convenient way to carry funds in France and are accepted at most places. Banks and exchange bureaux give better exchange rates for traveller's cheques than for cash. France's ATMs accept all the major international credit and bank cards, and credit cards also get a better exchange rate on purchases.

Transport

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