France | Travel Research Online

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France

France is sophistication and wine and villas and Riviera and the arts and fashion, literature and culture. France was one of the first countries to have a national tourism office, and the nation knows something about holiday with one of the highest number of paid vacation days of any country, giving tangible reality to the phrase joie de vivre.

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60-Second Geography

France

The largest country in Western Europe, France looms large in the mind of the traveler as well. Its coastline takes in two seas and its interior hosts rich pastoral vineyards and the most sophisticated of urban centers. The Alps and Pyrenees formed natural geographic barriers for the nation historically. French is one of the most widely spoken languages, heavily influencing the English language and culture. The French take their holiday time seriously, with more than 25 days of paid vacation time each year.   

  • France’s large size and geographic diversity means that its climate is extremely varied from region to region. From the long summers and abundant sunshine of the Mediterranean coast to the temperate regions of the interior and the Atlantic to the cold winter playgrounds of the Alps, the climate in France makes for plenty of recreational opportunities year-round.
  • In both a historic context and in modern times, the impact of French culture is hard to over-state. Architecture in the middle ages was heavily influenced by French styles and early French literature gave rise to the ideals of courtly love and chivalry. Today, Paris holds sway over haute couture and haute cuisine.
  • A holiday in France can range from city visits to special interest travel in the wine country, river cruises, culinary tours and spa tourism. Tourism from North America in the World War II generation maintains a keen interest in Normandy and the sites of great battles from that war.
  • France maintains its ranking as one of the most popular destinations for inbound tourism. The completion of the Channel Tunnel enhanced the ease with with travelers could move from the United Kingdom to the continent and made Paris a hub for traveler transport for Western Europe.
  • The great museums of Paris remain some of the most popular attractions for visitors. Institutions like the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay host extraordinary collections of paintings, sculptures and antiquities.
  • The Côte d’Azur cities and beaches are popular with European and Canadian tourists, and increasingly so with a resurgence of travelers from the United States. Terrace cafés, quaint streets and blue oceans attract visitors looking for the essence of the French Mediterranean life and culture.
  • The wine country of France remains one of the most popular culinary and wine vacation theme locations in the world. Hosted tours and self-drive itineraries alike are available to travelers wishing to sample the fine wines, food, scenery and the grand chateaux of the wine regions.
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Top Specials to France!

by Avanti Destinations

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  • Paris + Provence with TGV
    7 Days/ 6 Nights
    Combine two of France’s most historic and modern places in one vacation! Paris, with all of its aristocratic air, the beauty of its centuries old monuments and buildings, is the perfect contrast to Avignon. Avingon’s importance in the Provence region of France goes beyond that of being the papal escape of the 14th century, though Le Palais des Papes (Pope’s Palace) is the world’s largest gothic building. Avignon, with its two historically major rivers, the Rhone and Durance, the troglodyte caves nearby, dates back to pre-history, yet the modernity of the city stands in strong contrast to the 14th century center of Avignon. Revel in Paris and Provence for a week of art, cuisine and history.  

  • Paris + London with Eurostar
    7 Days / 6 Nights
    Take in the sights, the sounds and the history of these two great European cities! Very few cities hold the key to so many hearts as Paris. Sit in a cafe in the Left Bank after taking in all that Paris offers. A day trip to Versailles or to Giverny and Monet’s garden are options you might want to explore. The D-Day beaches in Normandy can be easily visited as a day trip from Paris. With Eurostar, you will have the chance to enjoy a bit of the countryside along the way in the comfort of a high-speed train, coupled with an opportunity to travel up to 180 miles an hour under the English Channel. Certainly, this is the best way to travel from Paris to London. Sit back and relax in a pub after exploring London. Perhaps a day out of the city to Stonehenge or Oxford might be an option, too? Either way, Paris and London are a classic pair and transport visitors back to the old world.  

  • Paris + Riviera with TGV
    7 Days / 6 Nights
    This 6 night package combines two of the most popular cities in France and includes three nights in romantic Paris and 3 nights on the French Riviera in Nice. Experience the history and romance of world-renown Paris with a Visite Pass and then hop on board TGV with a 1st-class ticket to the French Riviera to learn why it’s been a vacation paradise for centuries. Nice offers a plethora of relaxation, markets and nightlife. You can also can take a day tour to nearby villages or visit Cannes, Monaco, or Antibes in half or full-day tours.
     
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