2. MAP OF FRANCE [http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/europe/france/map_of_france.jpg]
3. There are many types of people that travel to France. You will see honeymooners enjoying a romantic walk while taking in the breathtaking scenery. Families with children and students like to visit France during the summer months, while they are out of school. You will also see retirees who have been waiting to retire and travel. Food and wine enthusiasts like to visit to sample the great tastes of the country. War veterans will most likely be seen in Normandy. Bicycle enthusiasts who are there to see the Tour de France. WHO TRAVELS TO THIS DESTINATION
4. HONEYMOONERS WAR VETERANS FAMILIES RETIREES FOOD AND WINE ENTHUSIASTS PEOPLE WHO TRAVEL TO FRANCE STUDENTS [http://tiny.cc/olvtl] [http://tiny.cc/7ruz9] [http://tiny.cc/f3dig] [http://tiny.cc/6c81g] [http://tiny.cc/rez2u] [http://tiny.cc/mmvx2]
5. There are many places to see while visiting France. One of the most popular places to visit is Paris. In Paris you will see The Eiffel Tower, which is one of the most recognizable structures in the world, Notre Dame, which is a Gothic cathedral, Moulin Rouge, which is a famous cabaret and The Louvre, which is the greatest museum in the world. Not too far from Paris is Versailles, which is a sprawling palace, and Fontainebleau, the home of Napoleon. Normandy, mostly known as World War II’s D-Day site, some visitors want to see where the troops first landed. The French Alps, where you can ski, hike and bike. The French Riviera, where you can see stunning beaches, wonderful weather, superb dining and many art galleries. Monaco offers gambling in sophisticated surroundings. WHAT ARE THE TOP SPOTS OR SITES TO VISIT
6. PARIS PLACES OF INTEREST NORMANDY FONTAINEBLEAU THE ALPS AQUITAINE REGION, FRENCH ALPS, FRENCH RIVIERA, LOIRE VALLEY, NORMANDY, PARIS, THE PYRENEES AND VERSAILLES [http://tiny.cc/q8a8o] [http://tiny.cc/15wb6] [http://tiny.cc/b67cf] “HOME OF NAPOLEON” [http://tiny.cc/csn94] [http://tiny.cc/rs9sz]
7. FRANCE’S HISTORY People interested in the French Revolution will want to see the home of Napoleon. Omaha Beach is a big part of history as it was the site where 2,200 soldiers lost their lives on June 6, 1994. Many fascinated with architecture will want to visit The Luxembourg Palace, which was built between 1615-1627. After Henri IV was assassinated, his widow, Marie de Medici, decided to build herself a luxurious palace in the Luxembourg district of Paris. LUXEMBOURG PALACE [http://alturl.com/gps8]
8. WHY NOT GOLF IN ALSACE? HORSEBACK RIDING PEOPLE WATCHING LEISURELY THINGS TO DO IN FRANCE There are many activities you can do in France. [http://tiny.cc/rkf6l] [http://tiny.cc/5cood] [http://tiny.cc/dmh12] WHY NOT TAKE A WALK IN PARIS? WHY NOT FISH FOR GIANT CARP? [http://tiny.cc/e8dm9] [http://tiny.cc/93s29]
9. RELIGIOUS SITES IN FRANCE In France, 10,000 religious sites are listed and protected as ancient monuments and are open to visitors. Of course, the cathedrals have the most visitors, pilgrims and tourists. It is estimated that 12 million people visit the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris every year. Many religious sites also offer activities other than those linked with their primary vocation: short retreats, accommodation, museums and exhibitions, and festivals of sacred music. [http://tiny.cc/6w9he] CATHEDRAL OF NOTRE DAME [http://tiny.cc/ssb28] [http://tiny.cc/qguc0] BAYEUX CATHEDRAL CHARTRES CATHEDRAL
10. SHOPPING IN FRANCE Many come to visit France to shop for designer clothes, shoes, perfumes, artwork, wines. Take a stroll down Champs- Élysées, the most prestigious and famous street in the world. Enjoy yourself in a day filled with fun activities for example shopping in glamorous luxury shops like Louis Vuitton, chic clothing chain like H&M and many more! This avenue also has cinemas, restaurants and cafes, where one can revel in the rich and famous Parisian life. [http://alturl.com/iiya] [http://alturl.com/p3h2] H&M [http://alturl.com/tiyq] LOUIS VUITTON CHAMPS -ÉLYSÉES
12. WHERE TO EAT IN FRANCE In France you will find all sorts of restaurants, from simple and cozy to fancy and gourmet, and course everything in between: brasseries, inns and tearooms. While in Paris be sure to check out Brasserie Bofinger. It’s location is tucked away down a side street and serves traditional Parisian food. While in Nice, check out Boccaccio. Situated in the heart of town in the Massena pedestrian district, this seafood restaurant has opted for an unusual décor that recreates the splendid interior of a centuries-old sailing ship. While in Cannes, check out Caffe Roma. One of Cannes’ best known and most popular, café terraces is always jam-packed. [http://tiny.cc/u73nl] [http://tiny.cc/14zhe] [http://tiny.cc/1ewqh]
13. WHERE TO STAY IN FRANCE Places range from hotels, cottages and villas to bed and breakfasts and hostels. Some great places to stay are Le Jardin Secret, a bed and breakfast which is close to the center of Paris. Also in Paris, is the famous Ritz, which is one of the most prestigious and luxurious hotels in the world. In Marseille, there is a B&B named Les Amis de Marseille, which is an attractive property with a panoramic terrace superbly situated in the center of the city and just a stone’s throw from Notre Dame. In Lyon you can stay at Chateau De Bagnols, where guests enjoy a spectacular journey through the history of France. [http://tiny.cc/fxvbv] [http://tiny.cc/6afl0] [http://tiny.cc/4vs53]
14. WHEN SHOULD I GO? France has the benefit of a temperate, agreeable climate. Continental France is divided into four climate zones:
15. CURRENCY & EXCHANGE RATE The euro is the currency of France. One euro = $1.32 USD. Notes are €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500. Coins are 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1 and €2. U.S. Dollars are not accepted in most establishments, though some hotels, shops and restaurants may accept U.S. dollars at an agreed upon exchange rate. [http://tiny.cc/i225j] TIME ZONE
17. AIRPORTS IN FRANCE http://alturl.com/587a http://alturl.com/zezi http://alturl.com/dh56 http://alturl.com/3u2y
18. WHERE TO STAY IN FRANCE GETTING AROUND http://tiny.cc/u88zk http://tiny.cc/gb39f http://tiny.cc/w6z1r http://alturl.com/r8bj It is always good to carry an English-French dictionary so that you are able to communicate.
19. WHERE TO STAY IN FRANCE WHAT ARE NOT THE BEST WAYS TO GET AROUND… http://alturl.com/hp4j You can rent a car, but it isn’t recommended because the traffic is ridiculous. http://alturl.com/ncgu You can take a taxi, but it isn’t cheap. The starting fee is $2.90, and the rate per kilometer ranges from $1.15 to $1.85 depending on the time of day. Plus they charge you fees per bag and they expect a 10 – 15 percent tip on top of that.
20. LANGUAGE The official language of France is French, but there are some that do speak English.
21. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS All U.S. and Canadian citizens, including infants, need a valid passport to enter France. Visas are not required for American and Canadian visitors staying in France for up to 90 days. It is mandatory in France to carry some form of identification at all times. If you lose your passport, the nearest U.S. Consulate will issue Americans a limited-validity replacement if travel is imminent or a full-validity passport if further travel is not within two weeks. When dealing with custom as you are re-entering the U.S., citizens who been away for 48 hours or more are allowed to bring back, one every 30 days, $800 worth of merchandise duty-free. [http://tiny.cc/xnqhk]
22. IS IT SAFE…? While France has a relatively low rate of violent crime, a limited number of neighborhoods in larger French cities merit extra caution. Thieves commonly target vehicles with non-local license plates and work in or near tourist attractions such as museums, monuments, restaurants, hotels, beaches, trains, train stations, airports, and subways. Americans in France should be particularly alert to pickpockets in train stations and subways. Travelers should keep photocopies of travel documents and credit cards separate from the originals, along with key telephone numbers to contact banks for credit card replacement. [http://tiny.cc/hk3vh] [http://tiny.cc/kgc1w]