France things to see and do
Alsace
Wine Route
There’s no shortage of enjoyable French wine
trails to explore, but the Route des Vins d’Alsace – a gloriously scenic 170km
(113 mile) drive through hushed, hilly countryside – is arguably the most
atmospheric of the lot. Wine can be bought and tasted at roadside cellars.
Brittany
A region with a deeply individual character,
Brittany blends a proud Celtic heritage with a trove of vibrant travel
attractions, from prehistoric megaliths and lively port cities to dense forests
and dramatic coastlines. Its still-keen sense of independence only adds to the
overall ambiance.
Chamonix
A magnet for winter sport fans, summer hikers
and serious mountaineers, Chamonix is France’s ski resort par excellence. There’s a vast range
of action-based activities, but plenty too for those more concerned with
enjoying the views – as backdrops go, the Mont Blanc Massif takes some beating.
Marseille
Brimming with the colorful urban flavors of
the south, Marseille is a coastal city with a multi-layered history and a
character that’s part Provence, part North Africa. From the lively buzz of its
daily portside fish market to the clamorous throng of its football crowds, it’s
a city with a noisy, confident identity that remains very much its own.
Metz
Since the official opening of the excellent Centre
Pompidou-Metz in 2010, awareness of the charms of Lorraine’s capital city has
shot up. And rightly so – its Gothic architecture, classy restaurants and arty
spirit make it a hugely enjoyable place in which to spend time.
Bayeux
Tapestry
The Bayeux Tapestry, which is one of the most
historically important, and unusual, chronicles of its day, is located in the
town of Bayeux in Normandy. The 70m-long (231ft) tapestry – technically better
described as an embroidery – offers a splendidly vivid depiction of the events
leading up to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. It begins with Harold of Wessel’s
visit to Normandy and his meeting with Duke William in 1064, and culminates
with the flight of the English army at Hastings. All the main intervening
events are covered in painstaking detail. Although it was almost destroyed in
1792 when French revolutionaries used it as a wagon cover, the whole tapestry
(with the exception of the final section, thought to have depicted William's
coronation in Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066) has survived to this day
and can still be viewed.
Cannes
Film Festival
The Côte d'Azur resort of Cannes bursts to
life each spring when its world-famous Cannes Film Festival comes to town (www.festival-cannes.com),
its seafront promenade becoming an A-list parade of directors, producers and
Hollywood actors.
Carcassonne
Almost too picture-perfect to be true, the
fortified town of Carcassonne is home to a wealth of monuments from different
eras. Rising above the plains of the lower valley, it's somewhere for history
buffs and gastronomes alike.
Cave
of Lascaux
Discovered by chance in 1940 by a group of
teenagers, the cave paintings at Lascaux are considered to be among the world's
best examples of prehistoric art. The 15,000-year-old images of bulls, horses
and reindeer caused a visiting Pablo Picasso to proclaim, “We have invented
nothing”. After the discovery of the cave, the increasing levels of carbon
dioxide emitted by visitors were found to be damaging the paintings and, as a
result, the caves were sealed in 1963, following an order from the French
Ministry of Cultural Affairs. In order to compensate for the closure, a precise
cement replica of the original caves, known as Lascaux II, was opened to the
public in 1983; these caves feature the two most important parts of the
original caves, the Great Hall of the Bulls and the Painted Gallery.
Chartres
Cathedral
Chartres Cathedral is considered by many to be
the finest Gothic cathedral in France, if not in Europe. The Sancta Camisia,
the cloth that the Virgin Mary is believed to have been wearing when she gave
birth to Christ, was once housed in the town of Chartres. The cathedral itself
was first built in 1145, but was destroyed by fire in 1194. The Sancta Camisia
remained intact, which led a papal representative to convince the spiritually
devastated people of Chartres to build a new cathedral on the same foundations.
The result, which took until about 1260 to
complete, is a spectacular combination of early and high Gothic, still attracting
hordes of visitors every year. Built of limestone, the cathedral, which set the
standard for 13th-century architecture, stands 34m high (112ft) and 130m long
(427ft). The cathedral is particularly well known for its asymmetrical spires,
its 176 stained glass windows and its numerous religious sculptures.
Château
de Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is a magnificent
royal chateau that acted as the center of political power in pre-revolutionary
France. Today, the super-sized but beautiful structure remains delicately
preserved, drawing huge crowds with its opulent apartments and landscaped
gardens. It was built during the reign of Louis XIV, the Sun King, at a time
during which the monarchy was at the height of its pomp and power. You’ll find
priceless artwork, regal luxury and flamboyant design touches at every turn.
The palace itself is under 30km (20 miles) from Paris, and represents a
fascinating insight into the flavors and grand follies of its day.
Cycle
the Loire Valley
What better way to take in the medieval chateaux
and sparkling wine caves of the Loire region than on two wheels? The gentle
pace of life here has drawn countless artists and writers over the years - and
plenty of cyclists too.
Gorges
du Verdon
Considered by many to be the most impressive
river gorge in Europe (others have it as France's answer to the Grand Canyon),
the Gorges du Verdon reaches heights of up to 700 meters (2297ft) at its
deepest, with steep banks blanketed in greenery.
Hike
in Corsica
The offshore island of Corsica is somewhere once
visited, never forgotten. Ruffled with mountain ranges and edged by vertiginous
cliffs, it's a place of rugged beauty and age-old heritage. Its hiking trails
are among the most celebrated in Europe.
Lyon
There's a great deal more to France's
second-largest city than its fabled restaurant scene (although miss that at
your peril, foodies) - art museums, a vibrant clubbing scene, riverside walks
and a historical old town all add to its considerable appeal.
Millau
Viaduct
Designed by British architect Norman Foster,
the astonishing Millau Viaduct (www.leviaducdemillau.com)
is today the tallest bridge in the world, its modernist structure made all the
more impressive by its rural setting. It spans the valley of the River Tarn in
the south.
Mont
Saint-Michel Abbey (Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel)
Normandy's most iconic sight draws thousands
of visitors yearly with its impossibly photogenic setting: Mont Saint-Michel
(Saint Michael's Mount) is a rocky island surrounded by tidal waters one kilometer
(0.6 miles) off the coast of Normandy. It was founded in 708 by the Bishop of A
ranches, who built a chapel there after the Archangel Michael appeared to him
in a dream. Construction started in 1023 and finished some 400 years later.
Fashioned from granite, its delicate contours are an extension of the shape of
the island and encompass a range of architectural styles, from Norman to
Gothic. For centuries, the Abbey was a place of pilgrimage but it has also variously
served as a prison, a fortress against the English and a monastery.
Paris
sightseeing
Anywhere that boasts the Louvre, the Eiffel
Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Sacre-Coeur and Notre Dame Cathedral (and they're
just the hors d'oeuvres) is more than just another city. Equal parts chic, edgy
and drop-dead beautiful, Paris is cosmopolitan, ever-changing and unamicable.
Parisian
café culture
Like so many parts of France, Paris has a
proud café culture, and people-watching over a coffee – or something a little
stronger – is a quintessential way to experience the absorbing rhythms and
fashions of the capital. Be warned though: depending on the cafe and its
location, prices can be eye-wateringly hefty.
Provence
This long-acclaimed region of southeast France
is famed both for its countryside and its historical romance, which combine to
create one of the most magical corners of the country. From medieval hilltop
villages to purpled fields of lavender, Provence is one of the country's most
seductive destinations.
Ski
the Alps
The French Alps play host to some of the most
famed ski resorts in Europe, among them Courchevel, Val-d'Isère, Méribel and
L'Alpe d'Huez. The region as whole covers a colossal area and offers superb
choice for skiers of all levels.
St
Tropez
Synonymous with glamour, glitz and all the
other trappings of the jet-set, St Tropez was 'discovered' by Brigitte Bardot
and has been a trendy destination ever since. Over the summer months the town's
marina, which sits on the gleaming Côte d'Azur, is simply bursting with shiny
mega-yachts.
Tour
de France
The annual cycling showcase that is the Tour
de France tends to travel through some of the most picturesque parts of the
country. Being part of the crowds that throng the roadsides makes for a
fantastic experience.
Visit
a wine region
France and wine make a natural pairing, and
any serious oenophiles (or even those who just enjoy a tipple) should take time
to visit one of its varied wine regions. Bordeaux, Bourgogne (Burgundy) and the
Côtes du Rhône are three of many rewarding options.
Watch
a game of boules
Few things are as redolent of the France of
tradition as a game of boules (also called pétanque), in which players attempt
to throw metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden 'jack'. Expect old
men, cloth caps and a respectful hush.
No comments:
Post a Comment