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France is an incredible holiday destination, with superb beaches, wonderful countryside, breathtaking natural sights, pretty villages and vibrant towns and cities, awe-inspiring attractions, food and wine that is famous across the world, and all across the stretch of water the French call La Manche. But which part of France should you visit? Here's our run down of our favourite regions. |
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Normandy is littered with religious and heathen beliefs, miraculous fountains, holy stones and supernatural legends. With its Celtic roots, the D-Day landing beaches and gastronomic delights, Normandy is full of discovered and undiscovered beauty. |
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Brittany, with the longest coastline in France, is most famous for its natural beauty - from its clear waters to natural sandy beaches and rocky waterfronts. It's also fun to explore the architectural heritage dating back to the Gallo-Roman era. Visit the cities of Nantes and Rennes, but don't miss the alleys and courtyards of smaller villages where history is evident in each and every home, cafe and shop window. |
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It's easy to see why the Loire Valley has always been popular with French kings and tourists alike. The Loire River flows from its source in the Vivarais mountains to the Atlantic at St Nazaire, and there are so many places of historic interest along the river that the whole Loire Valley has been named a World Heritage Site. |
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These two west coast regions are much-loved for their golden sandy beaches, bustling seaside towns and harbours bobbing with colourful boats. Head to historic La Rochelle to explore the intimate shopping streets and giant aquarium, and venture inland for the Roman town of Saintes, and its superb amphitheatre, and Cognac, famous for the local tipple. You can also discover two of France's most famous attractions: the live-action historical theme park Puy du Fou, and the science-based Futuroscope. |
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In the south west corner of France, the Aquitaine reaches Spain in the south and the Pyrenees in the east, and offers the perfect combination of picturesque beauty and historical interest. The coastline is home to huge sandy beaches and the giant Dune du Pyla, Europe's largest sand dune. Head inland and you can explore the wineries of Bordeaux. |
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France's less famous south coast region is still the perfect destination for a dazzling, sun-drenched summer holiday, with the coastal resorts offering golden beaches, bustling seaside towns and glamorous activities that include kitesurfing, scuba diving and jet skiing. The Languedoc is also the biggest wine-producing region in the world, and many vineyards throw open their doors for visitors who can sample and buy. |
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Most notable for Monte Carlo, St Tropez and Cannes, this region offers much more than jet setters and film festivals. The coast from Marseilles to the Italian border is brimming with quaint towns and secluded beaches, so you can get away from the glitziest excesses - if you want to! |
