It's hard to generalise about France - as Charles de Gaulle once remarked, 'how could one describe a country which has 365 kinds of cheese?' Yet there is something about this magnificent land which draws millions of francophiles back year after year for a taste of la vie Français. Could it be the chic boulevards of Paris, the sparkling ski slopes of the Alps, sunlit vineyards and sun-baked beaches, a dusty game of boules, or coffee and croissants in an undiscovered village? Or perhaps it's a tour of the majestic châteaux of the Loire that appeals, the glamorous jet-set lifestyle of the Mediterranean, or a relaxing picnic in Provence, where the air is fragrant with wild herbs and lavender? Consider also the delights of other lesser-known regions such as Franche-Comté, Gascony or Berry, deep in the green heart of France - regions firmly rooted to the land, whose sleepy villages offer visitors a chance to sample the true douceur de vivre of provincial France.
There is no denying that France is a land of great contrasts, offering an endless choice of enticing destinations, a rich diversity of landscapes, cuisines, climates and peoples, with an exceptional cultural heritage. It's easy to see why the French stay at home for their holidays and why they so felicitously call their country La Belle France.
By Car: : Traffic drives on the right! France has over 9000km (5600 miles) of motorways (autoroutes), some of which are free whilst others are toll-roads (autoroutes à péage). Prices vary depending on the route, and caravans are extra. There are more than 28,500km (17,700 miles) of national roads. Motorways bear the prefix 'A' and national roads 'N'.
By Bus: : Information on services may be obtained from local tourist offices. Local services outside the towns and cities are generally adequate.
By Rail: : French Railways (SNCF) operates a nationwide network with 34,200km (21,250 miles) of line, over 12,000km (7500 miles) of which has been electrified. The TGV (Train à grande vitesse) runs from Paris to Brittany and southwest France at 300kph (186mph) and to Lyon and the southeast at 270kph (168mph).
By Ferry: : France is one of Europe's best connected countries by Ferry with frequent sailings to and from the UK, Ireland, Corsica and Sardinia.
By Air: : Air France flies between Paris and around 45 cities and towns as well as connecting regional airports.
As the world's most popular tourist destination, France manages to be all things to all people. For city slickers, Paris is one of the world's truly great cities, with a myriad of attractions and diverse eating and drinking experiences.
The large cities of Lyon and Marseille are not far behind Paris with their own copious charms, both offering alternatives and complements to the Parisian experience.
Outside of the big three, there are many more cities worth exploring and every town and village seems to have something to offer, with even the smallest town usually boasting a couple of worthwhile churches and a civic museum, as well as the bountiful culinary traditions that the country is rightly famed for.
Beyond urban France, there is a diverse range of scenery, with everything from towering Alpine peaks in the southeast and rugged sea cliffs on the Atlantic coast, through to sweeping beaches in the west and south and some of Europe's wildest areas, like the wild Camargue in the south. Any list of French attractions is, by virtue of the country's rich and eclectic nature, bound to be incomplete.
Main Attractions
Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel), Paris
Completed in 1889, this colossal landmark, although initially hated by many Parisians, is now a famous symbol of French civic pride.
Musee du Louvre, Paris
Home to Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the Louvre is considered the world's greatest art museum.
Notre Dame Cathedral (Cathedrale de Notre Dame de Paris), Paris
This famous cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture on which construction began in the 12th century, stands on the ? de la Cité and is the symbolic heart of the city.
Arc de Triomphe, Paris
This world-famous landmark structure has served ever since the days of Napoleon as a symbol of victory for triumphant French troops returning home.
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