Eiffel TowerCity/Region: Paris
Gustave Eiffel, the architect of the Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) could never have guessed that it would become Paris's signature sight and attract more than six million visitors a year. It was built as a temporary structure to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution and was opened by the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII of England. It was considered an eyesore by many and there were petitions to have it pulled down. It was saved only because it had become an important antenna for telegraphy. It towers 984ft (300m) above
the Champ de Mars and until 1930 was the world's tallest building. The highest of its three levels offers a wonderful panoramic view over Paris.
Address: Champ de Mars 7
Phone Number: (01) 4411 2323 (recorded information)
Website: www.tour-eiffel.fr
Transport: RER Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel station; Métro Bir-Hakeim, Trocadéro, Ecole Militaire; bus 42, 69, 72, 82, 87
Hours: Daily 9.30am to midnight (15 June to 1 September); closing at 11pm (1 January to 14 June and 2 September to 31 December)
Admission: By elevator - 1st floor EUR4.50; 2nd floor EUR7.80; 3rd floor EUR12 (adults). By stairs - EUR4 (only up to 2nd floor). Concessions available
Notre-DameCity/Region: Paris
Notre-Dame looms large over the Place de Parvis, on the Isle de la Cité, and is the most enduring symbol of Paris. Built between 1163 and 1345 the Cathedral is considered one of the of the world's Gothic masterpieces. The massive interior can seat 6,000 and it is dominated by three spectacular and enormous rose windows and a vast 7,800-pipe organ. The 387-step climb to the top of the towers is worth the effort for the panoramic view of the city and the close-up views of the famous gargoyles. The tower also holds the great bell that was rung by Quasimodo, the fictional hunchback. Opposite the North door is a museum that displays the Cathedral's history, while under the square in front of the Cathedral is the crypt that houses Notre-Dame's archaeological museum.
Address: 6 Place du Parvis de Notre-Dame
Phone Number: (01) 4234 5610
Email Address: info@cathedraleDeParis.com
Website: www.cathedraledeparis.com
Transport: Cité métro; RER Châtelet-Les Halles or Saint-Mic stations; or bus 21, 24, 27, 38, 47, 85 or 96
Hours: Daily between 7.45am and 6.45pm, except during Sunday services which commence at 8.30am, 10am, 11.30am, 12.45pm and 6.30pm. The towers open daily 10am to 6pm, except on Mondays. The Crypt opens between 10am and 6pm (closed on Mondays). The museum is open on Wednesday and weekends 2.30pm to 6pm
Admission: Admission to the cathedral is free. Towers EUR5.40, crypt EUR3.40, museum EUR2.30
LouvreCity/Region: Paris
One of the world's great art museums, this vast edifice houses an extraordinary collection of paintings, sculptures and antiquities from all over the world. The Louvre was opened to the public in 1793, soon after the Revolution, to display the spectacular treasures looted from the royal palaces. The best-known attraction is Leonardo da Vinci's enigmatic Mona Lisa, which is protected by bullet-proof glass within its own room. The permanent collections are divided into Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Asian antiquities, painting, drawings, sculpture and objects d'art. Don't even attempt to see it all in one day.
Address: Cour Napoléon, 1. Reception area is under the giant glass pyramid
Phone Number: (01) 4020 5317 (information desk); 4020 5151 (recorded information); 4020 5050 (ticket sales)
Email Address: info@louvre.fr
Website: www.louvre.fr
Transport: Métro Palais Royal or Musée du Louvre; bus 21, 27, 39, 48, 68, 69, 72, 81 or 95
Hours: 9am to 6pm (until 9.45pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, except on public holidays); closed Tuesdays. Opening hours for temporary exhibitions vary
Admission: Permanent exhibitions EUR8.50 (until 6pm); EUR6 (after 6pm); free for under 18s and on first Sunday of every month. Temporary exhibitions EUR8.50. Admission package EUR13 (before 6pm); EUR11 (after 6pm). Tickets allow same-day re-admission
Pompidou CenterCity/Region: Paris
Built in the 1970s and named after former French president Georges Pompidou, the futuristic Pompidou Center is now considered part of the Parisian landscape. The outrageous design, complete with its glass elevators, was the inspiration for the Lloyds Building in London and attracts visitors by the million; it is the city's most popular attraction by far. The building houses the Musée National d'Art Modern (MNAM), which displays a vast collection of 20th-century art from Fauvism and Cubism to Abstract and Absurd and its numerous cinemas and theaters have regular musical and dance performances. The square to the West of the building attracts a varied assortment of street performers.
Address: Place Georges Pompidou, entrance by the plaza in Rue Saint-Martin
Phone Number: (01) 4478 1233
Email Address: info@cnac-gp.fr
Website: www.centerpompidou.fr
Transport: Métro Rambuteau, Châtelet, Hôtel de Ville; RER (train) Châtelet or Les Halles; bus 21, 29, 38, 47, 58, 69, 70, 72, 74, 75, 76, 81, 85, 96
Hours: The center is open daily except Tuesdays from 11am to 10pm. MNAM: Wednesday to Monday 11am to 9pm
Admission: One-day Center pass: EUR10. Exhibitions: EUR9. MNAM: EUR7, free for those under 18 and for all on the first Sunday of the month. Temporary exhibitions vary
Musée d'OrsayCity/Region: Paris
This great museum is fairly new by Paris standards. It is situated in a railway station by the Seine and houses a vast collection of works from the significant 1848 to 1914 period. There are important works from the Art-Nouveau movement but the Orsay is best known for its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. The collection is arranged chronologically and contains highly regarded works by Monet, Manet and Courbet. Also on permanent display is the famous painting by Gustave Doré entitled L'énigme and Henri Chapu's marble statue of Joan of Arc in Domrémy.
Address: Entrances on Rue de la Légion d'Honneur and Rue de Bellechasse
Phone Number: (01) 4049 4814, or 4549 1111 (recorded information)
Website: www.musee-orsay.fr
Transport: RER Musée d'Orsay; Métro Solférino; bus 24, 63, 68, 69, 73, 83, 84 or 94
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am to 6pm, with late closing on Thursdays at 9.45pm; closed Mondays
Admission: EUR8; Sundays and from 6.15pm (8pm on Thursdays) EUR5.50; under 18s are free. Free on first Sunday of each month.
Musée RodinCity/Region: Paris
The Rodin Museum is situated near the Musée d'Orsay and is housed in what was once the Hôtel Biron, the beautiful hotel where Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) once lived and worked. Inside are many of Rodin's great marble sculptures including The Kiss and The Hand of God while outside, in the garden, are famous bronzes including The Thinker. The museum also includes many works by Camille Claudel, Rodin's pupil and mistress, and paintings by Van Gogh, Renoir, Manet and Rodin himself.
Address: 77 Rue de Varenne
Phone Number: (01) 4418 6110
Email Address: penseur@musee-rodin.fr
Website: www.musee-rodin.fr
Transport: Métro Varenne, Invalides or Saint-François-Xavier; RER to Invalides station; bus 69, 82, 87 or 92
Hours: 9.30am to 5.45pm (garden till 6.45pm) from April to September; 9.30am to 4.45pm (garden till 5pm) from October to May. Closed Mondays
Admission: EUR6; EUR4 for 18 to 25s; Garden only is EUR1. There is no charge on the first Sunday of every month. Prices increase by EUR1 during the main exhibition
Musée National PicassoCity/Region: Paris
The Picasso Museum is situated in a 17th-century mansion in the heart of Paris. The collection was started in 1973, after the French government accepted Picasso's own collection in lieu of death duties, and was added to after his widow's death in 1990. All the phases of work from the Paris-based artist are represented including his paintings, drawings, ceramics, sculptures and even poetry. Memorable works include the self-portrait Paolo as Harlequin and Nude in an Armchair. Most of Picasso's great paintings however are owned by and housed in foreign museums or are in the hands of private collectors.
Address: Hôtel Salé, 5 Rue de Thorigny
Phone Number: (01) 4271 2521
Transport: Métro Chemin Vert, St-Paul or Saint-Sébastien Froissart; bus 29, 96, 69, 75
Hours: 9.30am to 6pm (April to September); 9.30am to 5.30pm (October to March). Closed Tuesdays
Admission: EUR6.50; EUR4.50 for 18 to 25s; free for under 18s
VersaillesCity/Region: Paris
The Château de Versailles stands 15 miles (24km) southwest of Paris and is one of France's noted attractions. Most of the palace was built between 1664 and 1715 by Louis XIV (known as the Sun King), who turned his father's hunting lodge into the grandest palace ever built. The 'Old Château' still exists but is enveloped by the vast white stone façade of the New Château. This lavish statement of monarchical power was to become a symbol of the excess that would lead to the revolution of 1789. Perhaps the most famous room in the palace is the Hall of Mirrors (Galerie des Glaces) where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, signifying the end of the Great War. Within the palace visitors can also see the former Royal bedchambers, the grand staircase and other staterooms, and within the vast landscaped park and gardens are many wonderfully ornate fountains and ponds. There is a small train that ferries visitors from the palace to the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon, former love nests where both the Sun King and Napoleon enjoyed the company of their mistresses.
Phone Number: (01) 3083 7800
Email Address: cirquededemain@cirquededemain.com
Website: www.chateauversailles.fr
Transport: Buses, trains and the métro all go to Versailles from Paris
Hours: 9am - 6.30pm (3 April to 31 October); 9am - 5.30pm (1 November to 2 April). Closed Mondays
Admission: The Palace (includes state apartments, Museum of the History of France and the Coach Museum) : EUR20 one day pass on weekdays. EUR25 from 7 April to 30 September and some public holidays. Under 18 free.
FontainebleauCity/Region: Paris
In the 16th century, Henry II and Catherine de Medici commissioned architects Philibert Delorme and Jean Bullant to build a new palace here within the Fontainebleau forest 40 miles (64km) south of Paris. Italian Mannerist artists Rosso Fiorentino and Primaticcio came to assist in the interior decoration, helping to found the School of Fontainebleau. Visitors will see the long Gallery of François I, which the artists adorned with scenes like The Rape of Europa and the monarch holding a pomegranate, a symbol of unity, as well as the richly adorned Louis XV Staircase and the Ballroom with its monumental fireplace and frescoes. The palace was a refuge for French monarchs from the days of the Renaissance; they valued it because of its distance from the slums of Paris and for the rich hunting grounds that surrounded it. Many important events have occurred here, perhaps none more memorable than when Napoleon stood on the grand steps in front of the palace and bade farewell to his shattered army before departing for Elba. Compared to the glories of Versailles, however, Fontainebleau can be a bit of an anticlimax; it is best to see it before Versailles.
Address: 4 Rue Royale
Phone Number: (0)1 6074 9999
Email Address: info@fontainebleau-tourisme.com
Website: www.fontainebleau.fr
Hours: Daily except Tuesdays 9.30am to 6pm (until 5pm from October to May)
Admission: EUR5.50, EUR4 for 18-25s, free for under 18s
Vieux BordeauxCity/Region: Bordeaux
Vieux Bordeaux (old town) centers on the Quartier St-Pierre, which is surrounded by narrow streets, and lined with old churches and grand mansions adorned by wrought-iron balconies and arcading. There has been a lot of restoration over the last few years, but many streets remain fairly seedy. One of the most opulent displays of Bordeaux's former glory is the Grand Theater. It was built between 1773 and 1780 on the site of a Roman temple and is faced with an enormous colonnaded portico topped by 12 Muses and Graces. Visitors can view the impressive interior by attending one of the operas or ballets (tel: (05) 56 00 85 95). Nearby is the Esplanade des Quinconces, which was laid out between 1818 and 1828 and covers nearly 12 hectares (30 acres) - making it the largest square of its kind in Europe. A smaller but more beautiful square is the earlier Place de la Bourse. Its centerpiece is a fountain of the Three Graces and is bordered by quays opening onto the river and flanked by the Custom House and the Stock Exchange. Crossing the river is the impressive Pont de Pierre, which was built during Napoleon's Spanish campaigns, and has 17 arches in honor of his victories. The views of the river and quays from here are memorable, particularly when floodlit at night. Important churches include the delightful Basilique St-Michel, across from which is the Fleche St-Michel, which has the tallest stone tower in France; it was built in 1472 and is 374ft (114m) high. During July and August (afternoons only) visitors can climb the 228 steps for wonderful views over the river. To the west is the 13th-century Cathédrale St-André, the most impressive and ostentatious church in Bordeaux (look out for the wonderful sculptures in the doors). The city's museums are gathered around the cathedral, the best being the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which has a fine collection of European art including works by Reynolds, Titian, Rubens, Matisse and Marquet, a resident of the city. (Open daily except Tuesday 11am to 6pm; cost: EUR5). The old town is fairly compact and is best seen on foot; two-hour walking tours can be arranged through the local tourist office. Boat tours can also be arranged.
The Wine CountryCity/Region: Bordeaux
The area surrounding Bordeaux produces over 70 million gallons of wine each year including the world's best red wine. Many vineyards are small family run businesses without staff to cater for tourists, but the larger more famous ones organize tastings and tours of the cellars and vineyards. Château Mouton-Rothschild (tel: (05) 56 73 2129) is located just north of Pauillac. It is still run by the Rothschilds and attracts thousands of visitors each year who come as much for the impressive collection of art as for the wine. Château Lafite-Rothschild (tel: (01) 53 89 7800) is nearby and was purchased by the Rothschilds in 1868. The vinothèque contains many vintage bottles, several dating from 1797. Château Margaux (tel: (05) 57 88 8383) is an imposing 19th-century château south of Pauillac; the estate produces three wines from its 650 acres. To see the vat rooms and wine cellars, make an appointment by letter or phone.
Mont Saint-Michel AbbeyCity/Region: Normandy
One of France's best-known attractions, the Mont Saint-Michel Abbey is situated on a rocky island just off the coast of Normandy and Brittany. It was founded in 708 by the Bishop of Avranches, who built a chapel here. Construction of the current abbey began in 1023 but was not finished for 400 years. Built with granite, it encompasses a range of architectural styles, from Norman to Gothic. The abbey was a place for pilgrimages for centuries and also served as a monastery, a prison and a fortress against the English. There is still a Benedictine monastery within the abbey, which can be visited on a guided tour. Among the maze of cobbled streets within the walls of the abbey are a number of other attractions including a maritime museum and a multimedia museum that tells the story of the island. The abbey is connected to the shore by a causeway, but there are plans to construct a bridge to it so that the sea will again flow freely around the island.
Address: 50116 Le Mont-Saint-Michel
Phone Number: (02) 3389 8000
Email Address: nicolas.simonnet@monum.fr
Website: www.monum.fr
Hours: Daily 9am to 7pm (May to August), 9.30am to 6pm (October to April)
Admission: EUR8 for a guided tour; concessions available
Scandola Nature ReserveCity/Region: Corsica
Resort Name: Porto
The Cape Girolata peninsula is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and encompasses the Scandola Nature Reserve, an ecological treasure covering 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres) of scrub and sea. The promontory is marked by incredible rock formations that were formed by Monte Cinto's volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. The subsequent erosion has fashioned caves and grottoes deep into the rock. The headland and its surrounding waters support significant colonies of seabirds, dolphins and seals, as well as 450 types of seaweed and some remarkable fish such as the grouper, a species more commonly found in the Caribbean. Scandola is off-limits to walkers and can be viewed only by boat; trips can be arranged from both Calvi and Porto.
La CroisetteCity/Region: Côte d'Azur
Resort Name: Cannes
The long, shop-studded promenade of La Croisette, and its seven miles (11km) of beach, is Cannes' major attraction. Palatial hotels line this strip each with their own private beach and this is where you are most likely to spot a familiar face, or topless hopeful, especially during the film festival, though you'll be lucky to see further than the sweating backs of the paparazzi. La Croisette is best viewed from the highest point of Cannes' Old Town, Le Suquet, where the remains of the fortified tower still stand, along with the 12th-century Chapel of St Anne. Le Suquet is a lovely place to stroll, with its winding streets, small boutiques and restaurants. At the end of La Croisette is the Palais des Festivals, whose endless Allées des Stars is imprinted with handprints and signatures of the famous. Just beyond is the atmospheric Vieux Port, with its odd medley of luxury yachts and tiny fishing vessels, and the rows of palm trees and fragrant flower market of the Allées de la Liberté. Further west along the seafront are the free beaches (where the locals go), along the Plages du Midi.
Ile St Honorat & Ile St MargueriteCity/Region: Côte d'Azur
Resort Name: Cannes
The two islands of Lerins - Ile St Marguerite and Ile St Honorat lie within a 20-minute boat ride from Cannes. Ile St Honorat is a tiny forested island, the smallest and most southern of the Iles de Lerins. It has been the site of a monastery since the 5th century and today the Cistercian monks are the only inhabitants on the island. Much of the monastery is surprisingly modern, with the exception of the ruins of the 11th-century monastery on the sea's edge. The monks organize tours of the island and try to sell their produce to tourists including homemade wine, honey and lavender oil. The monastery also welcomes visitors for week-long retreats. On the neighboring Ile St Marguerite is the fortress where the man in the 'iron mask' was imprisoned.
Phone Number: (04) 9299 5400 or 9298 7138 (boat trips)
Transport: Boats run daily to the island
Hours: 8am to 6pm (summer); 8am to 5pm (winter)
Admission: EUR8
AntibesCity/Region: Nice
Resort Name: Cannes
Antibes is a pleasant excursion a few miles east of Cannes. It has one of the best markets on the coast and an excellent Picasso museum in its ancient seafront castle, the 16th-century Château Grimaldi. Picasso was lent a room in the castle to use as a studio in 1946. Several extremely prolific months followed before he moved to Vallauris, leaving all his Antibes output to what is now the Musée Picasso. Although Picasso donated other works later, most of the collection dates from this one period. The best known work is Ulysses and his Sirens. There are also works here by some of Picasso's contemporaries including Nicholas de Stael. Picasso himself is the subject of some of his paintings. Alongside the castle is a cathedral which dates from Medieval times; only the choir and apse survive from the original Romanesque building, the nave and magnificent facade are Baroque. Nearby is a market which is open every morning over the summer and overflows with local produce.
Website: www.antibes-juanlespins.com
Hours: Musée Picasso open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm (June to September); rest of year 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm. Please note however that the museum is closed until further notice due to renovations
Admission: EUR4.58
BeachesCity/Region: Côte d'Azur
Resort Name: St Tropez
People don't just come to St Tropez for the nightlife, it also has some of the best beaches in France. Most are away from the center; although the family beaches, Plage des Graniers and Plage des Cannebiers, are within walking distance. The most serious collection of beaches are along the Baie de Pampelonne, south of St Tropez, the best known is the Plage de Tahiti which has long been favored by exhibitionists wearing next to nothing. All beaches are lined with restaurants and shops selling endless gifts or items to prove you've been there.
Around St TropezCity/Region: Côte d'Azur
Resort Name: St Tropez
The area immediately around St Tropez is pretty grim; congested roads are lined with billboards and neon signs, but the surrounding hills are almost uninhabited and make for a welcome excursion from the masses and the mayhem. The best view of this richly green and flowering countryside is from the hilltop village of Gassin, its lower neighbor Ramatuelle, or the tiny road between them, the dramatic route des Moulins de Paillas, where among the vineyards are three ruined windmills that were once powered by the dreaded winter mistral. Several vineyards offer wine tasting. Along the coast there are a number of good walking trails. Maps are available at the tourist office.
The town centerCity/Region: Côte d'Azur
Resort Name: St Tropez
Behind the cafés, the small streets and old buildings of St Tropez form a picturesque scene, but they are popular venues for their multitude of shops and restaurants rather than their historical significance. Place aux Herbes is a lively square that has been a center of activity for centuries; today it is a busy enclave of vegetable, fruit and flower stalls. Every May the town center bubbles to life with the St Tropez bravade, a colorful festival dating back to the 15th century. It originated as a procession in honor of the town's patron saint - whose bust is carried through the town, accompanied by a guard of honor with gun salvos, and Provençal singing and dancing.
Musée MatisseCity/Region: Nice
Matisse spent the last few years of his life in Nice and he is honored by this museum. The museum has several permanent collections, mostly painted in Nice and many donated by the artist and his heir. The better known paintings include Nude in an Armchair with a Green Plant (1937), Nymph in the Forest (1935/1942) and Portrait of Madame Matisse (1905). There is also an ensemble of drawings including The Créole Dancer (1951) and Blue Nude IV (1952). Seeing his nude sketches today, you'll wonder why early critics denounced them as 'the female animal in all her shame and horror.'
Address: 164 Av. des Arènes de Cimiez
Phone Number: (0)4 9381 0808
Email Address: matisse@nice-coteazur.org
Website: www.musee-matisse-nice.org
Transport: Bus 15, 17, 20, 22 or 25
Hours: Daily except Tuesdays 10am to 6pm
Admission: EUR4, under 18's free. Concessions available
The ChâteauCity/Region: Nice
With wonderful views over the rooftops and gleaming mosaic tiles of Old Nice, along the sweep of the promenade des Anglais and out to the Mediterranean, the Château park is good place for visitors to orientate themselves with the city. The Château has long gone but with cool walks in the shade of the trees, a large grassy park, Roman ruins and a waterfall it is a great place to spend an afternoon. To reach the park, visitors can either climb the steps at the front, from the Quai des Etats Unis, or for those who aren't up to it an elevator is available.
Phoenix Parc Floral de NiceCity/Region: Nice
Outside Nice, near the airport, this vast tourist attraction includes a botanical garden and a bird and insect zoo where visitors can tour a greenhouse full of wonderful butterflies. There is also a tacky theme park with automated dinosaurs and mock Mayan temples but the highlight of the park is the Musée Départemental des Artes Asiatiques, which houses a collection of ethnographic artifacts, including silk goods and pottery, as well as traditional and contemporary art.
Address: 405 Promenade des Anglais
Phone Number: (0)4 9229 7700
Hours: Museum 10am to 6pm (May to September), 10am to 5pm (October to April); closed Tuesdays. Park 9am to 7pm (March to October), 9am to 5pm (November to April)
Admission: EUR5.34 (museum); EUR6.10 (park)
Musée des Beaux-ArtsCity/Region: Nice
Housed in the former residence of the Ukrainian Princess Kotchubey is a fine collection of 19th- and 20th-century art, including works by Boudin, Ziem, Raffaelli, Renoir and Monet. The gallery also includes great sculptures including works by J. B. Carpeaux, Rude, and Rodin. There is also an important collection devoted to the masters of the Second Empire and Belle Epoque.
Address: 33 Avenue des Baumettes
Phone Number: (0)4 9215 2828
Website: www.musee-beaux-arts-nice.org
Transport: Bus 3, 6, 9, 10, 12, 22 or 23 to Grosso stop, or bus 38 to Chéret stop
Hours: Daily except Mondays 10am to 6pm
Admission: EUR4 (adults), EUR2.50 (concessions). Under-18s are free
CimiezCity/Region: Côte d'Azur
In a residential area in the hills above the hustle and bustle of the city, the grounds of 'Cimiez' include a large park set amidst olive groves, the Archaeology Museum, Matisse Museum and the Franciscan Museum and Monastery. Also within the gardens the Musée National Message Biblique Marc-Chagall displays some 450 of the artist's oils, drawings, pastels, lithographs, sculptures, and ceramics. During a couple of weeks in August, Cimiez is the site of the Nice Jazz Festival, with music being played every day until midnight and performed on three stages, in the olive groves and the Roman Amphitheater. It is an hour's walk, or a short bus ride from the town center.
Château de ChenonceauCity/Region: Loire Valley
Resort Name: Tours
Only a few miles outside Tours, on the River Cher, the Château de Chenonceau is probably the most celebrated of the many châteaux in the Loire valley. It was used as a mill in the Middle Ages and bridges the whole width of the river. It was owned by a succession of powerful noblewomen including Henri II's mistress Diane de Poiters, the Queen Regent Catherine de Medici and Louise de Loraine and is often referred to at the 'Château des Femmes'. Inside visitors can see a wonderful 200ft (61m) gallery, Louis XIV's sitting room and Francois I's bedroom.
Phone Number: (02) 4723 9007
Email Address: Chateau.de.chenonceau@wanadoo.com
Website: www.chenonceau.com
Hours: Daily 9am to 7pm (mid-March to mid-September). Closing times vary during other months from 4.30pm to 6pm
Admission: Castle and gardens: adults EUR9, children EUR7.50 (adults EUR10.50, children EUR9 including the wax museum)
VillandryCity/Region: Loire Valley
Resort Name: Tours
Five miles (8km) outside Tours is the tiny village of Villandry and its wonderful château. The château is best known for its gardens that are open between February and November. It is not your standard ornamental garden; between the vine-shaded paths and ornamental box hedges are carrots, cabbages and aubergines carefully arranged in patterns; roses climb gracefully above small herb gardens. Villandry is an easy cycle from Tours and, for those that have worked up an appetite, there are some excellent local restaurants.
Phone Number: (0)2 4750 0209
Email Address: info@chateauvillandry.com
Website: www.chateauvillandry.com
Hours: Château: daily 9am to 6.30pm (July to August); closing times vary from 4.30pm to 6pm during the rest of the year. Gardens: daily 9am to 7.30pm (mid-June to mid-September)
Admission: EUR9 (château and gardens), EUR6 (gardens only). Concessions available
Château d'AngersCity/Region: Loire Valley
Resort Name: Angers
A kilometer-long wall studded with 17 circular towers surrounds this vast medieval fortress. Visitors can tour Château d'Angers, including the courtyard, prison, ramparts, windmill tower, 15th-century chapel, and royal apartments. The overriding reason however for coming here is to see the 328ft (100m) Tapestry of the Apocalypse. Woven between 1375 and 1378 for Duke Réné of Anjou, it takes as its text St John's vision of the Apocalypse, as described in the Book of Revelation. Guided tours provide insight into its architecture and fascinating history.
Address: 2 Promenade du Bout-du-Monde
Phone Number: (02) 4186 4877
Email Address: elisabeth.dreyfus@monum.fr
Website: www.monum.fr/m_angers
Hours: Daily 10am to 5.30pm (5 September to 30 April); 9.30am to 6.30pm (2 May to 4 September). Last admittance is 45 minutes before closing
Admission: EUR7 (adults); EUR4.50 (seniors and students)
Château de ChambordCity/Region: Loire Valley
Resort Name: Blois
Eleven miles (18km) east of Blois, the vast Château de Chambord is the largest château in the Loire Valley. It was commissioned by François I, who wanted to outshine the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, and the result is a spectacular Renaissance masterpiece with 450 rooms. It was designed by an Italian architect in 1519, but was worked on by French masons. The outside is essentially French medieval - massive round towers with conical tops, and an explosion of chimneys, pinnacles and turrets. The details inside, however, are pure Italian: the Great Staircase (attributed by some to da Vinci), panels of colored marble, niches decorated with shell-like domes, and freestanding columns. Wandering through, you can get a good feel for the contrasting architectural styles, which have combined to create a very decadent, if at times discordant, whole. The château is surrounded by a 20-mile (32km) wall containing a 5,261-hectare (13,000-acre) deer park.
Phone Number: (0)2 5450 5000
Email Address: chambord.accueil@wanadoo.fr
Website: www.chambord.org
Hours: Daily 9am to 6.15pm (1 April to 30 September); 9am to 5.15pm (1 October to 30 March). Closes at 7.30pm from July to August
Admission: Adults: EUR8.50 (September to June); EUR9.50 (July to August), free for under 18s. Concessions available
D-Day BeachesCity/Region: Normandy
Early on 6 June 1944 the largest armada ever known left England's south coast and set off to liberate France. Shortly thereafter British, American and Canadian soldiers began landing on the beaches. Today veterans and their families walk along the same beaches codenamed Juno, Gold, Sword, Utah and Omaha. A good place to start a battlefield tour is at Arromanches-les-Bains, a few miles northeast of Bayeux. After it was taken by the British 50th Division, this small fishing village was turned into the mammoth military harbor using a prefabricated port that was towed across the Channel. Two and a half million men and 500,000 vehicles landed here. The wreckage of 'Mulberry Harbour' remains just off the beach. A little down the coast are Omaha and Utah, the beaches where the US Division famously landed. The cliffs are still pitted with German bunkers and shell holes, but otherwise these fairly innocuous beaches show little sign of the bloody battles that took place here. Many people come to Normandy to pay respects to the Allied soldiers at the many vast cemeteries along the coast that are maintained so immaculately.
Palais LongchampCity/Region: Marseille
One of Marseille's most scenic buildings is the Palais Longchamp. Built during the Second Empire, it is the grandiose conclusion of an aqueduct that once brought water from the Durance to the city. Although the aqueduct is no longer in use, water is still pumped into the center of the colonnade connecting the two palatial wings. Below, a spectacular fountain features an enormous statue of three muscular women above four bulls wallowing in a pool from which a cascade drops four or five storys to ground level. In the palace's north wing is the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which displays a vast array of paintings from the 16th to the 19th centuries. They include works by Corot, Millet, Ingres, David, and Rubens as well as some 80 sculptures and objets d'art; particularly interesting is a gallery of Pierre Puget sculpture.
Address: Boulevard Montricher
Phone Number: (0)4 9114 5880
Hours: Musée des Beaux-Arts: Thursday to Sunday 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 6.30pm
Admission: Musée des Beaux-Arts: EUR2; free Sun morning
Massif des CalanquesCity/Region: Marseille
Directly south of Marseille, and to the west of Cassis, is the wild coastline of the Massif des Calanques. Some of France's most beautiful and dramatic scenery can be found along this 12-mile (19km) stretch of coastline; the sea has cut gorges, up to a mile (2km) deep, into the limestone. Dazzling white limestone cliffs overhang the sea and attract rock climbers and deep-sea divers. The mountains rise up 1,850ft (564m) and are a haven for climbers. Walking tours and boat trips can be organized via the tourist board. The highlight of the Calanques is Sormiou, with its beach, seafood eateries and small harbor. Sormiou is separated from another small but enchanting settlement at Morgiou by Cap Morgiou, which offers a panoramic belvedere with splendid views of both the Calanques and the eastern side of the massif. At Morgiou there are tiny creeks for great swimming.
BeachesCity/Region: Marseille
The most popular beach near the city center is the Plage des Catalans. This marks the beginning of Marseille's corniche that ends at the Plage du Prado, the city's main sand beach, where the water is remarkably clean. There is a nice walk along the corniche which takes you past the Anse des Auffes, a picturesque inlet with small fishing boats beached on the rocks and behind the Plage de Prado to the Parc Borély, which has a boating lake, rose gardens, palm trees and a botanical garden (daily 8am to 9pm; free). Along the Malmousque peninsula are a number of tiny bays and beaches that are perfect for swimming when the mistral wind is not inciting the waves.
Château d'IfCity/Region: Marseille
On the sparsely vegetated island of If is the infamous prison, Château d'If, which is best known as the penal setting for Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo. François I built the fortress here to defend Marseille and its port in the 16th century, and the site later housed a state prison. The cells are horribly well preserved; carvings by Huguenot prisoners can still be seen inside some of the cells. The views back towards Marseille and the mountains beyond are wonderful.
Phone Number: (0)4 9159 0230
Transport: Boats for If leave regularly from the Quai des Belges on the Vieux Port 9am to 6pm (20min)
Hours: Daily except Mondays 9am to 6.30pm (April to September)
Admission: Castle and Island: EUR5 (adults), concessions available
CassisCity/Region: Marseille
Cassis is a beautiful resort town just west of Marseille. Hemmed in by high white cliffs, its modern development has been limited and it retains much of the charm lost by its more high-profile neighbors. Built on the side of a hill, the old village is centered around a shady square where the inhabitants come to cool off and play 'pétanque' on summer nights. Portside posing and drinking aside, there's not much to do except sunbathe and look up at the ruins of the town's medieval castle, built in 1381. A popular excursion is to take a boat trip to the calanques - long, narrow, deep fjord-like inlets that have cut into the limestone cliffs. If you're feeling energetic, you can take the well-marked footpath from the Route des Calanques behind the western beach; it's about a 90-minute walk to the furthest and best calanque, En Vau, where you can climb down rocks to the shore. Intrepid pine trees find root-holds, and sunbathers find ledges on the chaotic white cliffs. The water is deep blue and swimming between the vertical cliffs is an experience not to be missed.
Palais des PapesCity/Region: Provence
Resort Name: Avignon
Towering over Avignon the imposing Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) is the symbol of the city's medieval power. The palace consists of the ascetic Old Palace, commissioned by Benedict XII, and the extravagant Gothic New Palace of Clement VI. It was built primarily as a fortress with massive outer walls, battlements and sluices for pouring hot oil onto attackers. Inside the palace, so little remains of the original interior that visitors could be mislead into believing that all the popes and their entourage were as virtuous as the last official occupant, Benedict XIII. In reality the interior was once elaborately decorated, displayed the decadence of the feuding cardinals and their mistresses. The fire of 1413 destroyed most of the decoration and furnishings, but evidence of the once magnificent interior remains including some frescoes, including one painted by Italian artist Matteo Giovannetti in the Great Audience Room. Visitors can take a fascinating tour of the palace taking in the Pope's Bedchamber, the Chapelle St-Martial and the Stag Room. Nearby, dwarfed by the palace, is the 12th-century Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms.
Address: Place du Palais, 6 Rue Pente Rapide
Phone Number: (04) 9027 5000
Email Address: rmg@palais-des-papes.com
Website: www.palais-des-papes.com
Hours: High Season: Daily 9am to 7pm (15 March to 1 July), 9am to 8pm (July to September), 9.30am to 5.45pm (1 November to 14 March) 9am to 7pm (October)
Admission: High season: EUR10.50 (adults); Low season: EUR8.50
Petit PalaisCity/Region: Provence
Resort Name: Avignon
Just below the Palais des Papes, the Petit Palais contains a wonderful collection of 13th- to 15th-century paintings and sculpture. Most are the work of Italian masters from that era and, as you progress through the 19 rooms, you can observe how they wrestled with and finally conquered the representation of perspective - a revolution from medieval art, where the size of figures depended on their importance rather than position. The highlights of the collection are Botticelli's sublime Virgin and Child and The Angel of the Annunciation by Sano Di Pietro.
Address: Place du Palais
Phone Number: (04) 9086 4458
Email Address: musee.petitpalais@wanadoo.fr
Website: www.petitpalais.paris.fr
Hours: Daily 9am to 7pm (April to October); 9.30am to 5.45pm (November to March)
Admission: EUR7 (adults); EUR5.50 (children, students and seniors)
Pont d'AvignonCity/Region: Provence
Resort Name: Avignon
Behind the Petit Palais is the much photographed Pont d'Avignon, known best from the famous children's song of the same name. The bridge was originally built in the 12th century to shorten the journey for the busy traders ferrying their goods between the Mediterranean and Lyon. The torrents of the Rhône regularly damaged and brought down sections of the bridge and builders finally gave up repairing it in 1660, four centuries after it was built. Today only four of the original 22 arches remain. On the first of the bridge's bulwarks is the tiny Chapelle St-Nicholas, and this delicate Romanesque chapel, dedicated to St Nicholas, patron saint of bargemen, is well worth a visit.
Phone Number: (0)4 9027 5116
Email Address: monument@palais-des-papes.com
Hours: 9am to 7pm (April, May and October); 9am to 9pm (June to July); 9am to 8pm (August to September); 9.30am to 5.45pm (November to March)
Admission: EUR3.15 (combined ticket with Palais des Papes)
OrangeCity/Region: Provence
Resort Name: Avignon
Ten miles (16km) north of Avignon, Orange was the former seat of the counts of Orange, a title created in the 8th century and passed to the Dutch crown in the 16th century. The family's most famous member was Prince William, who ascended the English throne in 1689. Today the town is best known for its spectacular Roman theater and triumphal arch, both of which remain remarkably intact. The rest of Orange isn't strikingly picturesque, however there are pleasant tree-lined streets and squares with some nice cafes and restaurants.
Châteauneuf-du-PapeCity/Region: Provence
Resort Name: Avignon
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a medieval village on the side of a hill, dominated by the ruins of an ancient château towering above. The château was the pope's summer retreat from the Palais and although all that remains are the foundations and two outer walls, it is still an imposing sight and a wonderful viewpoint. The village below is a maze of well-restored medieval buildings and narrow streets that weave around the hillside. Today life in the village often involves working in the surrounding vineyards or selling the famous wine to the many tourists who visit. The village is 11 miles (18km) northeast of Avignon.
Palais des Beaux-ArtsCity/Region: Lille
The striking, ornate 19th-century building which houses Lille's renowned museum of fine arts is a masterpiece in itself, but inside the building is a treasure-trove for art lovers, second only to the Louvre in Paris. The gallery features works by Goya, Donatello, Raphael, and Rubens to name just a few of the masters represented. There are also a number of works by French artists, including three major items: Belisarius Asking for Alms by David; After Dinner at Ornans by Courbet; and Sleep by Puvis de Chavannes. Although the museum contains mainly paintings there are also some collections of ceramics, relief maps and a large section of Italian and French drawings.
Address: Place de la République
Phone Number: (0)3 2006 7800
Transport: Metro to République station
Hours: Monday 2pm to 6pm; Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm; Friday 10am to 7pm. Closed Tuesdays
Admission: EUR5 (adults), EUR3 (concessions). Free on the first Sunday of each month
FilitosaCity/Region: Corsica
Resort Name: Ajaccio
The most celebrated prehistoric site in Corsica, Filitosa is worth a visit for its megalithic menhir statues, which have been carved to represent human faces or armed figures. The purpose of these granite structures is still unclear, and many mysteries surround the many ancient structures on the site. Filitosa V, with its sword and dagger, the face of Filitosa IX, and the five menhir statues around the foot of a 1,200-year old olive tree, are the most important structures of the prehistoric site of Filitosa. A small museum offers further menhirs, as well as some ancient tools and pottery found in the caves, dating back to 3,300 BC.
Address: The site lies 11 miles (17km) north of Propriano, and about 25 miles (40km) south of Ajaccio
Phone Number: (04) 9574 0091
Hours: Daily 9am to sunset between April and October
Admission: EUR5
Cours Saleya Food and Flower MarketCity/Region: Nice
Nice's most famous market area, the Cours Saleya bustles with activity every day and is a riot of color and fresh smells. The market is packed with flowers, fresh produce, souvenir shops and sidewalk cafes. On Mondays the market becomes a large flea and antiques market.
Address: Between Place Massena and the Old Town
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 6am
EpernayCity/Region: Champagne Country
Epernay, along with Reims, is one of the great centers of champagne production; dug into the chalk beneath the town are more than 200 miles (322km) of cellars and tunnels containing champagne from the surrounding area including such great brands as Moët et Chandon, Pol Roger, Mercier, and de Castellane. Having been ravaged by war over the centuries, few old buildings remain in the town, but visitors come here to visit the great champagne houses rather than the architecture. Both Moët et Chandon (tel: (03) 26 51 2020; entrance: EUR8), the world's largest producer of bubbly, and Mercier (tel: (03) 26 51 2222; entrance: EUR7.50) give guided tours of their cellars in English throughout the day. They are both situated near each other on Avenue de Champagne. Castellane also has daily tours from March to December (tel: (03) 326 51 1911; cost: EUR7). No appointment is necessary for small groups. Epernay is situated 40 miles (64km) east of Paris.
Iles SanguinairesCity/Region: Corsica
Resort Name: Ajaccio
The four small islands in the Gulf of Ajaccio, with their red rocks and jagged outline are a popular destination for boat trips from Ajaccio. They are a sanctuary for birds, rare fauna and flora, and offer secluded swimming spots and good walking. The islands lie just off Pointe de la Parata, where there are some walks and beautiful coastal scenery.
Les CalanquesCity/Region: Corsica
Resort Name: Porto
The mass of intriguing red rock formations along the coastal road between Porto and Piana are known as Les Calanques, and are a highlight of a visit to Corsica. The narrow, twisting road reveals a landscape of spectacular vistas and panoramas that outdo each other at every turn, where wind and sea have eroded the pink granite rock into pillars, huge boulders and weird shapes. The scenery is most spectacular at sunset, when the setting sun highlights the natural red and pink colors of the rock, and the drive is best appreciated in the direction from Piana to Porto.
ReimsCity/Region: Champagne Country
A visitor's first impression of Reims (pronounced Rhance) is of a sprawling industrial town peppered with concrete apartment blocks, the result of World War I bombs and later disastrous town planning. However Reims is an ancient Roman city and the birthplace of the French nation - it contains one of the most impressive Gothic cathedrals in France, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, where dynasties of French monarchs were crowned starting with Clovis, first king of the Franks. The neighboring Basilique St-Rémi is even older and, half Gothic, half Romanesque in style, includes the old royal abbey which is now a museum documenting the history of the town. Most visitors come to Reims not so much for history but for the hedonistic pleasure of visiting the cellars of its great champagne producers. This is the home of the world's best bubbly. The best of the best is to be sampled at the Maison de Pommery (tel: (03) 26 61 6256; entrance: EUR8), which has more than 10 miles (16km) of tunnels extending 100ft (30m) down into the chalk below its Gothic superstructure. Move on to Mumm (tel: (03) 26 49 5970; entrance: EUR7.50), which contains 25 million bottles of slowly fermenting champagne in their vaults; Taittinger (tel: (03) 26 85 4535; entrance EUR7); and Veuve Clicquot (tel: (03) 26 89 5390; entrance: EUR7 ). All give a guided tour of the cellars and champagne making process, followed by a tasting. Tours take between one and two hours. Reims is situated 90 miles (145km) east of Paris.
Château-ThierryCity/Region: Champagne Country
Château-Thierry is an industrial town 55 miles (89km) east of Paris on the River Marne. The surrounding countryside was the site of many great battles during both World Wars and a number of monuments and cemeteries mark the bravery of thousands of Allied soldiers who fought to liberate France and who now lie interred under her soil. The town is also known as the home of the famous poet and fable writer Jean de la Fontaine (1621-95); the Musée Jean-de-la-Fontaine is one of the most popular literary museums in the world and contains a collection of his personal effects, memorabilia and a number of editions of his works.
AmiensCity/Region: Champagne Country
Amiens is the ancient capital of Picardy and lies on the River Somme, 75 miles (121km) north of Paris and 65 miles (105km) south of Calais. Walking around the maze of narrow streets, divided by canals, visitors will feel that this is a city past its prime, nevertheless there are a couple of sites worth exploring. The city's centerpiece is the Gothic cathedral, built between 1220 and 1270, and is one of France's finest. The interior contains wonderful examples of medieval masonry and woodwork; 126 slender pillars hold up the vast structure and the stalls are decorated with thousands of carved figures. Like most great churches it has been added to and restored over the centuries. The nearby Musée de Picardie displays the history and art of the region from prehistoric times through to the present day, along with exhibits from the Roman, Greek and Egyptian empires. The art collection includes European paintings and sculptures from the 16th century including works by El Greco, Fragonard, Guardi, and Tiepolo.
TroyesCity/Region: Champagne Country
Those who are tired of fighting off the summer crowds in Champagne country find a refreshing alternative in the quaint old town of Troyes, a little off the tourist track and therefore exuding plenty of genuine French appeal. In the beautifully restored city center, sporting quaint narrow streets, Renaissance mansions and pretty old houses, stands one of France's most magnificent Gothic cathedrals. The city also boasts a private collection of art housed in the old Bishops palace, the Musée d'Art Moderne that displays works by Bonnard, Degas and Gauguin.
CahorsCity/Region: Dordogne and Lot
Situated 55 miles (89km) north of Toulouse in a loop of the Lot River, the ancient city of Cahors was inhabited long before the Romans arrived, and in medieval times was a thriving university town. Across the river is the town's signature piece, the Pont Valentré. This magnificent fortified bridge was built between 1308 and 1500 and features a trio of towers, battlements and seven pointed arches. The Cathédrale St-Etienne dominates the old town and features a sculptured Romanesque north portal, which was carved around 1135. Today the town is best known for its excellent cuisine and the fine deep red wine that is made in the surrounding vineyards. Sunday is market day and a good opportunity to buy some of the local produce. A good excursion from Cahors is the stunning cliff-edge village of St-Cirq-Lapopie, 19 miles (31km) to the east. Perched high above the south bank of the Lot, the village, with its cobbled lanes, half-timbered houses and gardens, is best visited in the evenings when the tour buses have left and the excellent restaurants have more tables available.
MontaubanCity/Region: Dordogne and Lot
Montauban lies on the banks of the River Tarn, 50 miles (80km) north of Toulouse and is one of the most ancient cities in southwest France. Its origins date from 1144 when the count of Toulouse decided to create a bastide here as a bulwark against English and French royal power. The genius of the original medieval town plan is still obvious in the lovely town center, and though the suburbs now sprawl way beyond the old core, the city is still dominated by the fortified Eglise St-Jacques fort and the 14th-century brick bridge, Pont Vieux. The artist Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (1780-1867) was born in Montauban and many of his works now hang in Musée Ingres, situated in the old 17th-century Bishops Palace, including The Dream of Ossian, originally intended for Napoleon's bedroom in Rome.
ConquesCity/Region: Dordogne and Lot
Conques occupies a spectacular position on the flanks of the steep, densely wooded gorge of the little River Dourdou, a tributary of the Lot, and is one of the great villages of southwest France. The site was chosen as a retreat by a hermit called Dadon in the 7th century, and was named from the Latin concha, meaning shell. Dadon founded a community of Benedictine monks here, one of whom pilfered the relics of the martyred girl, Ste Foy, from the monastery at Agen. Known for her ability to cure blindness and liberate captives, Ste Foy's presence brought pilgrims flocking to Conques and the magnificent Romanesque abbey-church became a prime place on the pilgrimage route to Compostela in Spain. Pilgrims still come today, along with tourists who come to admire the beautiful town.
RocamadourCity/Region: Dordogne and Lot
Tiered precariously halfway up a cliffside above a small river, Rocamadour has one of the unique settings of any town in Europe. The town is famed for being the site where the body of St Amadour (who is believed to be Zacchaeus of the Biblical gospel) was discovered, an event that led to a succession of miracles in the town. Since the 8th century it has been an important pilgrimage site; everyone from prince to pauper has ventured here in the hope of curing their ailments at the shrine, which has been plundered several times so the reliquary today bears little relation to the original. Today the town is overrun by tourists and its atmosphere has suffered accordingly, but, despite this, it is a must-see for the stunning views of the Dordogne and its marvelous situation.
Les EyziesCity/Region: Dordogne and Lot
In 1868 prehistoric skeletons were discovered in the Vézère valley and the area was found to be one of the richest in the world in ancient sites and deposits. The small market town of Les Eyzies suddenly became the base for exploring this treasure-trove of antiquity, including the many prehistoric painted caves, the most famous and beautiful being at Lascaux, which were discovered in 1940 by boys looking for their dog. The paintings were executed about 30,000 years ago and depict wild boar, deer and majestic bulls. Unfortunately visitors cannot view the actual paintings because the caves have been closed to the general public to prevent deterioration, but a replica gives you a clear picture of the remarkable works. The town has some excellent museums in which prehistoric art and artifacts are on display.
GrenobleCity/Region: French Alps
The beautiful university town of Grenoble is situated on the Drac and Isère Rivers, and is surrounded by proud mountains, dramatic gorges and hidden valleys. The prosperous, lively and cosmopolitan city is a base for companies involved in the chemical, nuclear research and electronics industries, but more obviously it is home to 40,000 students, many international. There are some excellent walks among the mountains surrounding the city and there are ski slopes within easy driving distance, but for many tourists Grenoble is simply a stopover before heading further into the Alps.
BayeauxCity/Region: Normandy
This ancient Viking settlement is situated a few miles inland, between La Havre and Cherbourg, and was the first French town to be liberated in 1944 during World War II. Fortunately it was spared from too much war damage, and remains full of old world character with wooden houses, some elegant stone buildings and cobblestone roads. Many visitors flock here to explore the sites associated with the war's 'Longest Day' including an interesting D-Day museum and the famous landing beaches (less than 10 miles/16km away). A museum celebrating an older, but equally historic battle is located in the vicinity. This, the Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux, contains the famous tapestry that tells the story of the Battle of Hastings. The 231ft (69m) strip of embroidered linen depicts scenes of Harold's coronation as the Saxon king of England, him being told of the apparition of a comet (a portent of misfortune), William dressing for war, and Harold's death. (Admission EUR7.60 (adult), free for children under nine; open 9am to 6.30pm, closing at 7pm from May to August). Also worth seeing is the Notre-Dame de Bayeux, a fine Norman Romanesque cathedral, rich in sculpture.
HonfleurCity/Region: Normandy
By accident or design is not certain, but somehow the quaint fishing village of Honfleur, just across the estuary from busy, bustling La Havre, has managed to make time stand still and presents its many visitors with scenes and experiences largely unchanged for 100 years or more. The town fortunately escaped serious damage during the World War II Normandy landings, and since then development has been minimal. It still functions as a fishing port and follows traditions dating back to medieval times, although it has lost its beach, due to the silting up of the river. Cute Honfleur is certainly worth a visit from La Havre.
Lyon National Opera HouseCity/Region: Lyon
This 300-year old structure's glass dome has become a landmark in the city of Lyon, situated between the City Hall and the Rhone River. The first five levels of the opera house are underground while the six higher levels are encased in vaulted glass. The hall seats 1,200 people and boasts six vertically stacked balconies overlooking the orchestra level. This Italian style hall is lined with black wood with gold accents, adding an air of luxury to the venue. The National Opera House is home to the Lyon Opera Ballet company as well as the world renowned Opera House Orchestra. The acoustics are so good that it currently makes more recordings than any other French opera house as well as releasing award winning CDs of operas, including 12 world premieres, ballets and symphony performances.
Address: 1 Place de la Comédie
Phone Number: 0826 305 325
Historical Museum of Lyon & International Puppet MuseumCity/Region: Lyon
To the right of the river Saône lies the 'Hôtel Gadagne', one of the most prestigious Renaissance mansions in Lyon. It was built between 1511 and 1527 for the two sons of a spice merchant but fell into the hands of the prominent Gadagne family in 1545. Being rich Florentine bankers, they threw many extravagant parties, infamously linking their name to the mansion. In 1902 the city of Lyon bought the mansion and in 1921 its Historical Museum was installed on the premises. It wasn't until 1950 that the International Puppet Museum became an addition to the mansion's contents. The Gadagne Museum houses paintings, sculptures and furniture as well as archaeological relics dating back from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, illustrating Lyon's vast history. The International Puppet Museum displays hand puppets, stick puppets, marionette puppets and sliding bar puppets originating from countries such as Japan, Cambodia, England, Italy, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, and Russia.
Address: 14 rue de Gadagne Hôtel Gadagne - 1 place du petit collège
Phone Number: (0)4 78 42 03 61
Email Address: gadagne@mairie-lyon.fr
Website: www.museegadagne.com
Musée des MoulinsCity/Region: Lille
Something different that appeals particularly to the mechanically minded is Lille's museum devoted to windmills. Situated on the highway to Roubaix the site boasts two preserved, working pivoting windmills which visitors can watch in operation grinding corn, as well as a museum detailing the history of windmill technology.
Address: Rue Albert Samain, Villeneuve d'Ascq
Phone Number: (0)3 2005 4934
Transport: Metro to Pont de Bois station, then bus 41 to the Parc Urbain
Hours: Monday to Friday 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm. Closed Saturdays, bank holidays, during August and from 15 December to 15 January
Admission: EUR6
Natural History MuseumCity/Region: Lille
Particularly enjoyed by children, Lille's natural history museum has been drawing the crowds since it opened in 1822. Featuring interesting displays of extinct species, two huge whale skeletons, insectariums and geology collections, the museum is both educational and fun.
Address: 19 Rue de Bruxelles
Phone Number: (0)3 2855 3080
Transport: Bus 13 or 14, or metro to République or Mairie de Lille stations
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9am to 12pm, and 2pm to 5pm; Sunday 10am to 5pm
Admission: Free on weekdays; Sundays EUR2.50; EUR3 for temporary exhibitions
Open Air MuseumCity/Region: Lille
Travel back in time with a visit to Lille's living museum, which is a recreation of a local village in days of yore. The site covers 10 hectares and visitors can explore thatched cottages, traditional farmhouses, seed barns and rural craft workshops where artisans demonstrate old skills.
Address: 143 Rue Colbert, Villeneuve dAscq
Phone Number: (0)3 2005 5941
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 7pm (June to October)
Admission: EUR5
Notre-Dame de la Treille CathedralCity/Region: Lille
A modern architectural wonder, Lille's cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary is an imposing homogenous structure, begun as a basilica in 1854 in 13th century Gothic style. Building continued slowly, interrupted by wars and financial constraints, but finally in 1999 the lofty building was declared complete after the completion of the unique main façade, designed by local architect Pierre-Louis Carlier in collaboration with Peter Rice, who engineered the Sydney Opera House. The central marble section supported by steel wires is an impressive sight, particularly viewed from inside or at night, when it is revealed as resembling a pink translucent veil.
Address: 12 Rue Jean Moulin, off rue de la Monnaie
Hours: Open daily 10am to 7pm (early closing at 6pm in winter)
Admission: Free
Hospice ComtesseCity/Region: Lille
In the heart of Lille's old town stands one of the few remaining Flanders buildings founded as a hospital in 1237 by the Countess of Flanders, Jeanne de Constantinople. It remained in service as a hospital until 1939, and today has been turned into an art museum, works displayed in the old hospital ward with its barrel-vaulted ceiling and other halls where the community of Augustine nuns once lived and worked, providing a haven for the sick. Outside there is a delightful medicinal garden. The collections on display include paintings, tapestries, sculpture and porcelain from the region.
Address: 32 Rue de la Monnaie
Phone Number: (0)3 2836 8400
Transport: Bus 3, 6 or 9, or Metro to Lion d'Or
Hours: Monday 2pm to 6pm, Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 6pm. Closed Tuesdays
Admission: EUR3; free on the first Sunday of every month
Arc de TriompheCity/Region: Paris
The world's largest triumphal arch, the Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile is set at the center of a star-shaped configuration of 12 radiating avenues. It stands 165ft (51 meters) tall and the names of major victories won during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods are engraved around the top of the Arch. The names of less important victories, as well as those of 558 generals, can be found on the inside walls. Since 1920, the tomb of France's Unknown Soldier has been sheltered underneath the arch. Its eternal flame commemorates the dead of the two world wars, and is rekindled every evening at 18 0. On July 14, the French National Day, also known as Bastille Day, a military parade starts at the arch and proceeds down the Champs Elysées.
Address: Center of the Place Charles de Gaulle,
Les InvalidesCity/Region: Paris
Les Invalides were built by Louis the 14th in 1670 as a military hospital to take care of wounded soldiers. It comprises the largest single collection of monuments and museums in Paris all relating to the military history of France. It is a burial site for some of France's war heroes, including the ashes of the greatest French military genius, Napolean Bonaparte, rest under the dome of Les Invalides and attract many visitors to Paris. Its 13 hectares of building and large church with a golden dome make Les Invalides a classical French architecture masterpiece.
Address: 35 Rue du Chevaler-de-la-Barre
Phone Number: +33 (0)1 45 55 37 70
Transport: Acessible by Line 8 Latour-Maubourg, or Bus 32, 63, 93.
Hours: October to March 31 open from 10am to 5pm, April to September 30 open from 10am to 6pm. June 15 to September 15 the Dome church including the Tomb of Napoleon I are open from 10am to 6.45pm.
Admission: EUR6, concessions available. Free for children under 12.
Jardin des PlantesCity/Region: Paris
The Jardin des Plantes is France's main botanical garden. Covering 28 hectares (280,000 m²) the garden was originally planted by Louis XIII's doctor in 1626 as a medicinal herb garden. In 1640, it became Paris's first public garden. In 1739, after a long period of decline, the gardens wee expanded greatly and a maze called the Labyrinth was added. It still exists today. The Jardin des Plantes maintains a botanical school which constructs demonstration gardens and trains botanists.
Address: Blvd Henri IV, Quartier Montpellier Center Montpellier 34967
Phone Number: 04 6763 4322
