Bienvenue en France

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for the independent traveller

France

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Airports in France:

Paris:
Paris Charles de Gaulle
Airport: CDG
Paris Orly Airport: ORY

Marseille:
Marseille Provence Airport:
MRS

Paris

Bienvenue en France.
By Edward Kirwan

‘Bonjour’ is likely to be the first word you will hear on French
soil. How pleasant it is to be greeted and warmly welcomed to
a foreign country even if not in your native tongue.

France is a large country and the French enjoy their regional
differences with a fervor not seen in many places. While you
are visiting Paris with all its marvels, so others may be sunning
themselves on the Cote d’Azur or sipping one of the many
wines from the Languedoc, Bordeaux or Champagne regions.

France benefits from La Manche (The English Channel) in the
north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Mediterranean
Sea in the south. One of the many joys is the flair, skill and care
that is put into the preparation of the gastronomic seafood
dishes. It truly a wonder to behold a virtual fountain created
from the fruits of the sea.

Inland areas offer more robust dishes on the whole, with wild
boar, rabbit and venison being prepared in fine sauces that are
irresistible. Equally famous are the wines, desserts coffees, and
brandies where you will be really spoilt for choice.

France has been home to many artists and sculptors over the
centuries both foreign and domestic; Pissarro, Cezanne, Rodin,
Van Gogh and Picasso to name a few. Their works can be
viewed the length and breadth of the country from the Louvre
in Paris to the cluster of museums and galleries in the ancient
seaport of Marseille .

Marseille , founded in 600BC, has an enviable position in the
south east of France.
It is the nation’s second city due largely to its importance as a
trading port with their former African colonies of Morocco,
Algeria and Tunisia. The immigrants from those countries give
Marseille an unique Afro-European flavour. Nowadays the port
is a popular tourist destination in its own right and also the
centre for visitors to Provence, the Camargue to the west and
the Cote d’Azur to the east.

North east of Marseilles is the Alpine region of France where
many famous sportsmen and women have trained for their
particular discipline before bringing glory to themselves and
France. Grenoble and Lyon are in this region. From the Alps
heading east across the splendid Rhone valley lies the Massif
Central. This is a large mountainous area and is home to great
forests and lakes. Further east lies Toulouse in view of the
Pyrenees and the gateway to Spain.

Bordeaux lies further to the northeast and is a continual bustle
of Gallic activity. The city sits beside the Garonne river which
flows out to the Atlantic bordered by the famous Medoc wine
growing region. From here among the vast lakes of wine that
are produced come the Premier Cruz wines, Château Lafite-
Rothschild, Château Margaux, Château Latour, Château Haut-
Brion (Graves) and Château Mouton-Rothschild . A celbrated
Trosieme Cruz wine is also produced here in small quantity. It is
Château Kirwan.

In the north east of France on the rugged Atlantic coast lies
Brittany with its more down to earth and tranquil style. Brittany
has strong historical Gallic connections and this is reflected in
the people you will meet there. The region is dotted with well
preserved chateaux and castles dating back to its days of
independence. The fortified port of Saint Malo draws many
tourists particularly from Britain via the daily ferry service.

From Brittany, Normandy covers the north west of France. The
landscape is a patchwork of gently rolling hillsides. There are
vast areas of fertile cultivated land which some have dubbed
the breadbasket of France. This area towards Flanders is
littered with the war graves from both World Wars and many
visitors are drawn to pay homage to these brave men and
women.
The fragrances and flavours mixed with fashionable flair make
France fantastic. Bienvenue en France et Bon Appetit!

International country code:
33

Government:
Unitary semi-presidential
republic

Population: 64 million

Religion:
51%   Catholics
31%   agnostics or atheists
10%   from other religions
4%     Muslim
3%     Protestant
1%     Jewish.

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