Roads to infinite wonders
From Dunkerque to Montpellier and Brest to Strasbourg, France has an extraordinary level of hospitality that is as high as the list of its sights and attractions is long. The scenery changes at every bend in the road, dotted with countless natural and man-made wonders: medieval cities and hilltop villages, romantic châteaux and extravagant palaces, vineyards no bigger than a postage stamp or stretching as far as the eye can see, prehistoric remains and avant-garde architecture, museums that are world famous or very niche.
Of course, this means that the list of places to visit is never-ending: the châteaux in the Loire and Versailles; Mont-Saint-Michel; the Palace of the Popes in Avignon; the coast of Brittany; the Alsace Wine Route; the Gothic cathedrals that are UNESCO listed; Paris and its iconic Eiffel Tower; Marseille and its old port… And just imagine the joy of beholding, unexpectedly along one of your walks, the chapel in Puy-en-Velay that is perched on a volcanic plug or a secret waterfall in the Jura Mountains. Because therein lies the ultimate pleasure: getting off the beaten track and taking the backroads to discover tucked-away oases and incredible sights you never knew existed.
Lifestyle à la française
Not only can France boast untold natural and cultural treasures, it is also a country rich in tradition. Across the four corners of the country, venture off to partake in festivals that wake up sleepy villages from their slumber, meet the local artisans who keep heritage crafts alive and, most importantly of all, enjoy a meal or two at one of France’s plethora of restaurants. If France is known for having one of the finest cuisines in the world, it’s above all thanks to its climate and geography. From its hearty dishes packed with cream and butter to its sun-blessed dishes drenched in olive oil and lemon juice, never has one country offered such variety in so small a space. You only have to look at France’s 1,200 types of cheese, veritable national treasures that are produced at dairies scattered between the Savoy, Auvergne, Vosges and Pyrenees mountains, along the coasts of the three seas and the Atlantic Ocean that border the country, from the Basque Country to Gironde, from Brittany to Normandy, from the Côte d’Azur to the wild landscapes of Corsica. Explore these well-preserved regions as one road leads to another, taking you further and further away from civilization, with the sound of the wind, cicadas and birds as your permanent soundtrack. Happiness à la française…
