A distinctive spire makes it possible to recognise Strasbourg's enormous cathedral from a long distance. This gothic red church made out of sandstone was build during the years 1015-1439 and has a gigantic astronomical watch that rings each day at 12.30 a.m.
Some of the most interesting Gothic art can be seen in this old Dominican convent from the 13th century situated in the city of Colmar. It also has interesting sculptures from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
The port in Brest is one of the most beautiful natural ports in the world. In the city you can find a castle dating from the 13th century, which is definitely worth a visit. You can also hire a boat and enjoy the beautiful landscape from the channel that goes between Brest and Nantes.
The presence of its famous university can be felt everywhere in Rennes especially in its rich cultural life. In Rennes you can find le Musée des Beaux-Artsand and the more local Musée de Bretagne, which offers an excellent guide to Britannys history and culture. In Rennes a lot of beautiful buildings vanished during a large fire in 1720 but Palais de Justice survived and is now a beautiful tourist attraction. The palace has gold inlaid halls and some impressive tapestry.
Plagued by pirates this city was once of the most important ports in France. Today its defences are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Brittany. The city's big cathedral Saint Vincent begun in the 12th century also attracts visitors, as it is known among lovers of mosaic for its lovely interior.
In the main city of Burgundy Dijon you can visit an arts museum that is known for its diversity. In here you find paintings from a lot of different epochs. The artists cover from Rubens to Monet and the Impressionists to religious artefacts from Antiquity. The museum is in an old mansion that used to belong to a French count. The building itself is worth a visit.
Behind the antique walls lies the Roman city built by emperor Augustus around 10 years before Christ. Two of the original four gates can still be seen as well as the remains of the largest Roman theatre in the area.
In the centre of Burgundy lies this charming city Beaune that has dedicated a whole museum to the most important feature of the region, the wine. Here you will get to know the history of the wine. After a visit here you are well prepared to go for a taste of wine at the many interesting chateaux in the surrounding area.
The arch bishops old palace from 1690 today houses a museum that exhibits wall carpets, sculptures and other things from the kings' days of glory in Reims. It is a good idea to see this palace in connection with a visit to the cathedral.
This church has seen kingdoms come and go. It has been destroyed and rebuilt several times and has seen the mighty kings of France been coronated and celebrated. The cathedral is built in gothic architecture.
The city is mostly known from its role in First World War where several hundred thousands Frenchmen and Germans lost their lives in the area around the city. They are now celebrated at the city's war museum. It is still easy to recognise the battlefields, which are also a sight worth watching if you want to get an impression of what was the last sight for so many people.
More than a third of Corsica is covered by this more than 350.000 ha large national park. The striking diversity in the nature is nowhere better illustrated than in this park that encompasses high mountains, coast lines, Maki and deep lakes.
The main centre of the island Ajaccio is the home of a very beautiful cathedral but is mostly known famous for its famous son Napoléon Bonaparte. Among the many places you can find tributes to Napoléon Bonaparte is the museum Maison Bonaparte and the town hall in the Salon Napoléonien.
The main town in the northern part of Corsica used to be the island's capital. At the town's old port you will find the largest church in Bastia, Église Saint Jean-Babtiste whose twin towers can be seen from a far distance. Another and smaller church l'Oratoire de l'Immaculée Conception was earlier used for state ceremonies.
This Gothic church from the 13th century is one of the most famous in Europe. It is known for its excellent condition and it's interesting mosaics dating from Antiquity. The big building is placed on a hill and can be seen miles away.
In the midst of the hectic business-life in la Defense, which houses the largest concentration of skyscrapers in Europe stands the New Triumphal Arch. The New Triumphal Arch was designed by Axel von Spreckelsen and was ready in 1989 for the 100-year birthday of the 1889 World Show in Paris. The famous exhibition in 1889 is among other things remembered for creation of the Eiffel Tower. From the New Triumphal Arch you can in clear weather see all the way to Place de la Concorde through the Old Arc the Triumph and down Champs Élysees.
If you have seen the artist's masterpieces located at Musée d'Orsay or Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris you will find his garden very interesting. Visiting the garden you can see the beautiful surroundings that inspired Monet to make some of the world's most famous paintings. The best time to visit the garden is during spring, where the garden shows itself from its most impressive side. But the garden is blooming all summer, so you can stand at the Japanese Bridge and watch the water lilies. If you are staying in Paris you can visit Claude Monet's garden on a one-day trip.
This church has seen kingdoms come and go. It has been destroyed and rebuilt several times and has seen the mighty kings of France been coronated and celebrated. The cathedral is built in gothic architecture.
Also known as Beaubourg this cultural house among other things houses one of the most exciting museums for modern art in Paris called Le Musée d'Art Moderne. All the major currents including cubism and surrealism are represented here in pieces by such famous painters as Picasso, Braque, Matisse and Chagall.
The nature in Bretagne is known for being beautiful and wild. This is particularly true at this island, which is situated 20 kilometres from the French Coast. Île d'Ouessant is 8 kilometres long and its lighthouse has made many ships' journey through the Canal a lot safer. The wild nature and a couple of good local museums make a trip to the island more than worthwhile. Ferries to the island go from both Brest and Le Conquet.
One of France most impressive palaces it has housed such prominent Frenchmen as Napoleon, Marie Antoinette and Catharina Medici. The gardens are very beautiful with flower gardens and ponds full of carps. The castle is situated in a gigantic forest with lots of good possibilities for excursions.
Withdrawn from the wild life between the more fashionable Beach cities Cannes and Nice Antibes still has a share of the designer stores and fancy hotels. In the city's Picasso museum you will find a very good cultural alternative to the beaches. The museum is placed in Château Grimaldi from the 12th century. The city also has several other interesting museums.
The world famous sea front invites the rich and famous and those wishing to meet the rich and famous to dip their toes in the azure water. After the swim Cannes offers gold card shopping, good restaurants and fancy cafés designed to cater the jet set with money to spend.
At the Sun king's old castle it is now possible to get a feeling of the grandeur of earlier times. Here Louis XVl and Marie Antoinette later lived in luxury until the revolution reached them. You can get the feeling of luxury by strolling in the castle's ballrooms or by going outside in the gigantic park. In spite of a large storm around 1900 destroyed a lot of the garden's beautiful avenues the park is still impressive.
In this city you will find architecture from all the most important architectural epochs in France. Most buildings are Medieval but there are also a lot of majestic buildings from the 19th century. Not long ago the building l'Antigone was build. The building combines old ways of building with a modern look, for instance a triumphal arch has been made with windows of plate glass.
This aqueduct was a very important Roman water supply that supplied water over a gigantic cliff. The bridge is close to Nîmes and is built with three rows of massive arches on top of each other. You can go over the bridge if you are not scared by gigantic heights.
This castle was the home of some of the most resistant French. In fights concerning the Catarrhs they held out in spite of a massive siege. The castle is a little community in itself where the small streets are packed with shops, hotels and restaurants. The castle is illuminated by night and is a very beautiful sight. It is best to enjoy it outside the tourist season where it becomes almost intolerable to walk in the small streets.
The Mountain town Minerve was one of the places the Catarrhs held against the Roman Catholic Church's prosecution. When they finally surrendered the heretics as reward was gathered and burned alive in the local church. The town is placed on a cliff and is only connected to rest of the land by a bridge over a dried out riverbed. Under the mountain the rivers in olden times carved deep caves in the cliff. The caves offer a unique view of Mother Nature's mysterious ways.
The castle lies in the Loire-Valley, which is remarkable for its beauty. Francois the First wanted Loire's riverbed rearranged so that his residence would be situated at the bank. His plans were never realised so instead the castle is located in a national park and a sanctuary for swans. The castle has 440 rooms, large ballrooms and beautiful towers. It is open for visitors who wish to feel the atmosphere and grandeur of the earlier days.
This was the castle where Jeanne d'Arc came with her holy message of attacking the English. Back then, in its days of glory, the castle was enormous. Now what remains is only a small part of Henri the Second and Charles the Seventh's residences. The castle is situated 50 kilometres southwest from Tours.
This beautiful Renaissance castle in the village Villandry approximately 10 kilometres outside Tours is known for its elegant architecture but has a lot more to offer. One example is the castle's beautiful constructed garden, which is worth a visit in itself. It is placed behind walls shaped like horseshoes and has nine different sections. All nine sections are shaped in different geometrical figures and made out of vegetables, flowers and bushes. The castle is closed during the winter from mid November to mid March.
In Saumur lies the French army's equivalent of the Spanish riding school in Vienna. During the summer it is possible to see its advanced training when the school opens the doors and let outsiders watch the Cadre Noir horsemen train.
If you area travelling south for a gastronomically experience be sure to pay France third largest city a visit. In this city you will find the largest concentration of restaurants anywhere in the world. The cuisines amaze with their interpretation of the regions' dishes. The food in Lyon is definitely not a paradise for vegetarians since the focus is on meat and lots of it, accompanied by one of the region's wines, off course.
The things left behind by the Romans can be seen among other places at Marseille's port. The roman harbour was discovered when German bombs in 1943 displayed the exciting ruins from Antiquity. The ruins can be seen at this museum.
The oldest church in the city in many ways resembles a fort. The saint the church is named after died as a martyr crushed between to millstones. The church was built in his memory. For a small amount you can visit the crypt and the catacombs below the church.
The island situated 20 minutes by boat from Marseille was the centre of the story " The count of Monte Christo" written by Alexander Dumas. The fortification was used as a prison and nobody ever escaped in real life. The largest part of the prisoners was locked up here for political or religious reasons. Most of the prisoners ended up crazy or dead as a result of the confinement on this dark rock island.
In this frontier town between Germany and France there are some interesting museums, which are different from the usual museums. There is an automobile museum, a textile printing museum, an electricity museum and a railway museum, which also houses a museum for firemen. So if it rains there are a lot of things to do.
One of the most important cultural centres at Côte d'Azur is Nice's museum for modern art. The exhibition focuses on French names but the master of pop art Andy Warhold and the neo-realist Roy Lichtenstein can also be found in its collection.
English people sensitive to cold went to the mild Southern France to nurse their rheumatism and asthma in the temperate climate. They recuperated on this parade that stretches from Vieux Nice alongside the water and passes the fashionable hotels. Now you can enjoy the azure sea, the beautiful topless girls and the swaying palms on a walk surrounded by roller skaters, bikers and tourists with cameras.
Even though it says castle on the sign you will have difficulty finding the old Roman acropolis that used to be on this mountain that towers over the old part of the city. Although there has not been any fortification in the last 300 years the place is still named after the old fortification. Walking up the mountain is demanding but in return you will be rewarded with an excellent view from the top. Up here you can see the entire Bay of Angels while Nice lies in the deep squeezed in between green mountains.
The Normans' achievements in England in the beginning of the last millennium are depicted thoroughly at this 70-meter long embroidered tapestry. The tapestry hang in Bayeux Cathedral until the revolutionary Frenchmen severed the links to the past and decided that the valuable cloth could be used to cover a wagon. Now this important historical evidence has been saved, restored and is admired by travellers from all over the world.
This small mountain is only connected to the mainland when the tide wishes it to be so. At other times it appears as an isolated rock island with its own convent. Here a few monks still live, pray and try to protect the holy buildings from being run over by tourists. The island is almost a distinct community and has a Medieval town where you can spend the night.
In this town Jeanne d'Arc ended her days at the fire at Place du Vieux Marché in 1432. The city has also housed Richard the Lionhearted. Rouen has a beautiful cathedral, which has been depicted in several of Monet's paintings.
The Cathedral of Notre Dame is one of the most famous landmarks in Paris. It became known throughout the world when Victor Hugo decided to let Quasimodo be bell ringer in this church. The Cathedral's unique location at Île de la Cité in the middle of Seine makes it possible to see Notre Dame from both sides of the Seine. The first stone was laid in 1163 and since its completion 150 years later the Gothic church has been the most important religious centre in Paris.
Opposite Place de la Concorde in the other end of Champs Elysée stands the Triumphal Arch. The largest triumphal arch in the world was a present from Napoleon to his returning soldiers. Sadly, Napoleon himself never got to see it in use. This symbol of freedom is also a memorial to the Unknown Soldier. Each morning at 6.30 a.m. a flame is lit to remember the many millions who have lost their lives in the battlefield.
Known throughout the world for some of the most valuable pieces of art in the Western World, the Louvre with its more than 300.000 pieces of art is impressive. Among some of the famous masterpieces in this enormous museum is Mona Lisa and Venus from Milo. In Louvre you will find art dating from the Antiquity, over the Renaissance to Modern Art.
To the world the Eiffel tower is the symbol of Paris. The little more than hundred-year-old tower stands as the citys landmark looking down at the busy life in the streets. The 307 meter high iron construction can be seen almost everywhere in Paris. In spite of the long cues it is worth waiting for the elevator that takes you to a fabulous view over Paris or to eat at the restaurant "Jules Verne"
A Luzor obelisk from 13th century Egypt dominates the most glorious place in Paris. This place used to be called Place de la Révolution and was the centre for one of the most horrendous bloodbaths in European history. The guillotine was placed here during the French Revolution and more than 1200 people was decapitated. Today Place de la Concorde is one of the main traffic points in Paris and 8 roadways, which are not divided makes it a horrible place for new drivers.
Nature's wilderness can be seen here where a 80 metre long chasm can be experienced. In some places the chasm is half a kilometre. In the bottom of the chasm you can go at a boat trip or experience a cave with more than 400 gigantic stalactites and stalagmites.
In Avignon you will find a bridge from the 12th century named Pont St. Benezet, which attracts many tourists to the city. The city also has a lot of other sights. 9 different popes has had their head quarters in the city which played a large part in the political intrigues in the Middle Ages. At le Palais des Papes from the 14th century or one of the many large museums you can learn more of the story.
The Romans have left their mark on this beautiful antique city situated at the shore of the Rhône River. In the city's arena the spectators can experience true bullfighting at a close look. The arena is open for visitors between the shows. The city also has a historical museum called Le Musée de l'Arles Antique that describes the life and deeds of the Romans.
One of the oldest chateaus in the Rhône Valley is Le vignoble de Côte-Rôtie. The wine here belongs to some of the most well reputed wines in the area. The wine is produced from both la Côte Brune og la Côte Blonde. The story behind the name is that the lord in the area wanted to name the place after his two daughters and since one was blond and the other brunette the place was named after their hair colour.
The village Châteauneuf-du-Pape was home of the popes' summer residence during the time in the Middle Ages when the popes resided in Avignon. The holy men saw to that grapes were planted in the area. This district is now world famous. The ruins from the old papal residence can still be seen in the area.
If you want to rub shoulders with the rich and famous this is the place to go. Stars go here to get a tan. The truly famous stays at their yachts anchored at a good distance from the coast so you will only be able to see them through long tele lenses as the paparazzi do. Saint Tropez is a fine medieval city with luxurious stores, excellent food and a good nightlife on shore for those without a yacht.