A strong historical identity, rich culture and diverse environment make France one of the most visited countries in Europe, whether you want to discover French cities, the countryside, mountain adventures, or for a holiday by the sea. Each day is a new discovery.
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The best time to visit is the beginning of spring. Coastal destinations receive their first visitors in May. Winter sports can take place as early as December to February. Beginning from the Christmas holidays, crowds climb in the Alps, the Vosges, the Pyrenees and the Jura mountains.
The French pride themselves on their historical identity, and receive world heritage funds from Unesco. However, France attracts tourists because of diversity of the landscape and multitude of activities available for tourists.
Tourists who opt for Paris can explore the city throughout the year and especially should not miss the steps of the Eiffel Tower, the Sacred Heart dome, the Notre Dame spire, and the Chateau Versailles.
Places, events and amusements
France has many annual cultural events, attended by a great number of travelers. To mention a few, at the top of the list would be the Cannes Film Festival dedicated to cinema (every year from mid-May), the music festival elaborately celebrated in the French style every June 21st, and the great ball of July 13th, on the eve of National Day.
Many similar events are held in different cities, such as the International Festival of Music, during the first half of June in Strasbourg, the Avignon theatre festival, which lasts one month, starting mid-July, and various other festivals dedicated to opera and jazz.
Apart from tourist resorts on the Mediterranean coast, on the beaches of Corsica or on the Atlantic coast, you can also enjoy water sports on lakes such as the Annecy. For winter tourism, the Alps are home to many ski resorts for those who enjoy winter sports. The same locations are suitable for hiking, mountaineering, climbing and paragliding in summer.
You will find some amusement parks located near forest zones, such as the central park in Normandy, in Picardy or in Sologne, the famous Park Asterix, which is located in Oise, as well as Disneyland in Marne-la-Vallée near Paris.
Exploring these places usually provides the opportunity to discover the wealth of fauna and flora of France and the rediscovery of species reintroduced in some areas, especially during walks through oak forests.
A visit is never complete without going into one of the theme parks like the Parc de Futuroscope in Poitiers, dedicated to recreation, science and technology. There are similar parks in Toulouse (Cité de l'Espace) and Paris (Parc de la Villette).
Historical journey
Rich with a history of several centuries, France is a delight for tourists looking to discover new architecture. After all, these are the historical monuments that attract the highest number of visitors. You can discover the Caesar or Augustus era (1st century BC) by visiting the Roman villa at Nimes. Very close to Avignon, visitors can discover the City of the Popes (beginning in the 14th Century). The same historical discoveries are possible in Lyon, the city of silk workers, and Toulouse where Roman art remains.
Finally, for night owls, nightclubs stay open until dawn in most major French cities, especially those located near tourist sites. In Paris neighborhoods such as the Bastille, the Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Pres or Oberkampf, you will find friendly bars. But the Cote d'Azur, in general, and Provence, in particular, remain a popular choice for holidaymakers and nature lovers.
Budget for one week: More than 500 Euros
Taxes and gratuities: Prices include taxes and service charge unless otherwise displayed. To show your appreciation, you can leave 5 or 10% of the bill.
Local currency: Euro
Spoken language and/or official language: French, as well as Creole in the DOM and TOM
Area: 675,000 km² including the DOM and TOM
Population: More than 65,000,000 inhabitants
Motto: Liberté - Egalité - Fraternité
Electricity: 230 V / 50 Hz:
- Type E: 2-pin earthed (allows connection to F-type and receives the connection C-type)
Sanitary requirements: You can drink tap water in France.
Major cities: Paris, Marseilles, Lyon, ...
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