On the Atlantic coast, between the châteaux and the castles of the Loire Valley and the Bordeaux vineyards, lies Poitou-Charentes, one of the sunniest parts of the French western coast. Its mild climate - 2,250 hours of sunshine per year - makes it desirable to visit anytime from early spring to late autumn. A 300 mile-long coastline with fine sandy beaches, backed by fragrant pine forests, lively resorts such as La Rochelle, Royan and the islands of Oléron, Aix and Ré provide attractions to tempt everyone from the beachcomber to the bathing-belle.
Inland, the scene is one of serenity, with vast horizons and wooded valleys, the Poitou fens and Marais Poitevin, the soothing tranquility of canals, the valley of Vienne, the foothills of Charente and the Cognac vineyards.
Population: 60.656.200 Languages: French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects ( Currency: euro Currency code: EUR Local Times: France - Paris
Country Dialling Code: +33 Voltage: 230V 50Hz Electrical plugs:
France has been the world's most popular tourist destination for more than twenty years (averaging more than 80 million visitors per year) and it's geographically one of the most diverse countries in Europe. Its cities contain some of the greatest treasures in Europe, its countryside is prosperous and well tended and it boasts dozens of major tourist attractions. Paris, the French Riviera, the Atlantic beaches, the winter sport resorts of the French Alps, the castles of the Loire Valley, Brittany and Normandy are just a fraction of the range of motivations to visit this fabled land. The country is also renowned for its gastronomy (particularly wines and cheeses), history, culture and fashion.
Savour the art and romance in the shining capital Paris. See beauty and history in all its glory at Versailles. Travel south for Roman civilisation and the sparkling blue Med; indulge your jet-set fantasies in balmy Nice and St-Tropez. Ski the Alps. Sense the subtle infusion of language, music and mythology in Brittany brought by 5th-century Celtic invaders. Dwell in the sad and shameful chapter of humanity on the beaches of Normandy and battlefields of Verdun and the Somme. All of this is just a fraction of what the French call culture.
In a country where transport links are excellent and you can be on the beach one day and skiing the next, a single holiday can now absorb metropolitan culture or rustic charm, four-star luxury or camping sauvage, lazy café musing or white-water rafting - or all of them.
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information above.
