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France... So much has been written about its food, wine, culture and countryside — sometimes the most difficult part of planning a trip is not knowing where to begin!

The choices for where to go, what to do and see seem endless ... from major metropolitan centers — where shopping and fashion compete with culture and cuisine, to sunny Mediterranean beaches, Atlantic coastal areas to the west and the mountainous slopes of the Rhône-Alpes region in the east.

The whole of France is divided into 83 departments and each of them are divided into cantons and communes. You'll also see maps marked out in regions. The regional differences ere very strong: the accents you'll hear, the foods you'll discover -- and the scenery that will steal your heart -- change as you travel from one area to another.

Paris, obviously, and its numberless attractions, should be at the top of everyone's list with major must-sees including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum.

In Paris, medieval Notre Dame cathedral, leisurely walks around the Paris Latin Quarter and the Marais district can be joined with a trip down the Seine by Batobus at dusk. Also don't miss (how could you?) the Paris fashion scene that is admired around the globe with plenty of opportunities for shopping on the glamorous Champs-Elysees.

France is waiting to be discovered in the obvious charms of Paris (left), to the lush vineyards
of Burgundy (middle) and further south to the lavender-covered fields of Provence.

Heading south from Paris

Farther afield from the capital, other major attractions include a tour of the scenery and chateaux of the Loire Valley, washed down by a vineyard and winery tours in Bordeaux or Burgundy.

For art history buffs, the village of Arles is a major stop of pilgrimage for its association with painter Vincent Van Gogh, with the rest of Provence luring gourmets from around the world for its soul-satisfying cuisine and breathtaking scenery.

Movie fans may want to brave the circus atmosphere at Cannes at its annual film festival, or take in the rest of the French Riviera in Nice and Marseille followed by a quick trip to the glitz and glamor of Monte Carlo in the independent nation of Monaco.

FEATURE STORIES:
Getting Around the Paris Metro
It has been the model for urban subway and underground transportation for over a century, and remains the cheapest, quickest way around Paris. Take a virtual crash course in navigating around Paris with maps, directions and ticket-buying guides for visitors ...
Chateaux of the Loire Valley
Return to the golden days of French royalty and opulence with a tour of the country's top chateaux in the beautiful Loire Valley. Two hours from Paris, this world renowned storybook architecture is situated in the region most aptly named "the Garden of France" ....

also see -> Enjoy Your Travels Around Paris

Paris Catacombs | Christmas in Franc

Top France Travel Guides Around the Web:

Discover France - Our personal favorite for pages chock full of information, pictures and illustrations, with generous helpings of travel tips, hotel and restaurant information, lots of background info on French culture, food, wine, language and trivia.

France.com - Find pPictures, info and a clickable map in which visitors can dig deeper into the country's attractions by region, with recommended restaurants & hotels, plus check out the online forum to lurk for more info from fellow-travelers or pose a question.

The Paris Pages - Here's an overwhelming hodgepodge of great info, but if you can find your way around, discover extensive travel resources including street and Metro maps as well as guides to the major train stations, and where to find hotels by arrondissement.

also see in Sports -> Monaco Grand Prix