Living in the Gers in South West France

Living in the Gers in South West France
By Helen Coles

We were lucky enough to find our new home in the Gers, Midi Pyrenees South West France. Having re-located to a little village only a stones throw from the Landes and Pyrenees Atlantique we benefit from all the beauty - physical and cultural of these departments. Within a five minute drive one can experience all the range of architectural styles apparent in these diverse regions. The striking beauty of the Barnaise house; the sturdy practical typical Landaise; the traditionally rustic Gersois farmhouses all add to the charm of this attractive southerly corner of France.

The department of the Gers, a relatively unknown corner of the south west, is easily accessible and not just from the UK. From the part of the Gers which borders the Landes it is just over an hours drive to the Spanish border. Within 35 minutes we are at Pau airport and are a comfortable drive from Toulouse; Bordeaux; Bergerac and Tarbes.

Ideally situated less than a couple of hours from the Atlantic or the Mediterranean and even closer to the ski resorts, no shortage of things to do in the holiday season and no need for manic packing to catch flights to the continent!

Living in this southerly corner of the Gers we only need to look out from the terrace of our house to see the majestic Pyrenees. We have such varied landscape in this part of France that working and living here is a pleasure with sun drenched valleys; rolling hills interspersed with attractive woodland; alongside the varied countryside we find all manner of wild life. Its quite the norm to spy wild boar in the fields and deer darting for the shelter of the woodland, birds of prey too impressively perched on branches along the roadside watching the world pass by.

The fields of sunflowers add a splash of bright colour among the crops of maize and field upon field of vines supplying this Gascony region with its fine wines; Armagnac and Floc. Gourmet restaurants found in even the most obscure of villages where talented chefs whip up delicious meals at ridiculously low prices.

There is something for every-one to enjoy here, traditional houses full of character with outbuildings and acres of land or the more modern town or village house with easy to maintain gardens and within walking distance of the local boulangerie.

The summer season sees the villages spring to life with ftes which run throughout the summer evenings a blaze of colour and music in the lovely warm evenings and under superbly starlit skies.

After extensively travelling throughout France to find the ideal spot to re-locate to Helen and family settled on the border of the Gers; Landes and Pyrenees Atlantique. Their extensive travelling around France gave them the confidence and experience which led them to establish their company, through which they are helping other people re-locate within these areas.

You can find out more by visiting their website at =>http://www.jdvproperties.com

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Gites Rentals And Holiday Cottages In France Booking Directly With The Owners Can Avoid Surprises

Gites, Rentals And Holiday Cottages In France - Booking Directly With The Owners Can Avoid Surprises
By Alexia Granville

Hiring a cottage in the country, in another country, can be a perfect way to ensure a calm and relaxing holiday that is really a break from the hassle of everyday life; and there is no country more suited to this than France.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of families or groups of friends flee the cities or even just the climate of northern Europe, and head for a cottage or a country retreat in the relaxing environment of rural France. Some of them have their own place to go to, but the majority do not. For them, it is a matter of choosing a place that has been recommended to them, or just of taking a chance and booking a country cottage somewhere south of the English Channel, in a place that they hope will turn out to be all that it claims. Yet before booking a gite, it is best to know a little bit about the system, and how to get the best results.

In France, country cottages are commonly referred to as gites; the old French word literally means just a place to lie down, and the first French gites were more or less just that; fairly basic accommodation, where you cand get a roof over your head for a few nights, for a very reasonable price.

In recent years, with the arrival of second-home owners from other parts of France and Europe led by the British and the Dutch the gite concept has gone up-market; and as a result, today there is actually a double market for gites, on the one hand fairly cheap and quite simple rural accommodation, and on the other hand fairly elaborately restored country properties, belonging either to people who have retired to rural France, or to absentee owners who have their property managed by people living locally. There are also of course properties in the middle, reasonably priced but nicely restored and in attractive locations.

To manage and promote gites throughout France, there is a large organisation known as the Gites de France, which has about 45,000 properties on its registers, and runs a central booking service. However, contrary to popular belief, the Gites de France federation is neither official nor an obligatory partner for promoting gites on the market. On the contrary, the federation was condemned by the French Monopolies commission (Conseil de la Concurrence) in March 2006 to a fine of ten thousand euros for abuse of dominant position in the market.

Obviously therefore, there are plenty of other ways of finding a gite or country cottage in France, rather than working through the Gites de France and one of the best ways to do this is to book directly with the owners.

In the age of Internet, where an increasing proportion of gite-owners have their own websites providing detailed information on their properties, booking directly has become far easier and less risky than it once was. Indeed, it might even be fair to say that in most cases booking a gite directly with the owner is liable to be one of the safest and surest ways of ensuring a successful holiday - especially when you have had the opportunity to thoroughly check out the property you have chosen.

Private owners renting out their property directly be they French, British, Dutch or whatever - often live close by, and have their own personal reputations to defend if there should be a problem. Many, if not most, take pride in ensuring that their visitors get a great welcome, for if not, it is they, they owners, who are in the direct firing line. They have no anonymous travel agency, gites organisation or tour operator to hide behind. Remember, bad news travels much faster than good news, and gite owners have every interest in ensuring that no-one starts spreading bad news about their property.

Booking directly

There is a standard tradition in the world of cottage rentals in France. A deposit, usually between 20% and 40% of the rental cost, is required to secure the booking, and the balance is due either a month or so before arrival or on arrival. There is also a standard damage deposit requirement, called in French la caution - though there is no fixed rate. Between 200 and 500 Euros is normal. Usually the visitor must deposit this in the form of a cheque which will not be paid in unless required. In some cases a deposit in cash may be easier.

Payment

Few gite owners accept online payment, and those who do, especially if they use online systems, often ask the customer to pay the transaction charges. Some owners will accept cheques in sterling on a UK bank or in Euros on a French bank. When payment is required in Euros, this is no big problem even if - as is probable - you do not have a French chequebook in Euros. European banks have now all adopted the IBAN system, and every bank account in France now has its IBAN number.

Gite owners who do not accept payment in British pounds should be able to provide an IBAN number; it is then a simple matter to instruct your bank to make payment of the required sum to the account indicated. Bank charges on IBAN transfers are low, and even - for transfers between countries in the Euro zone, which includes the Republic of Ireland - normally free.

Most owners will ask visitors to sign a rental contract; this is normal practice, and is generally in the interest of both the owner and the visitor. Clauses in the contract may cover such things as arrival and departure dates, damage liability and cancellation; they may also require the holidaymaker to be personally insured for civil liability which is something any sensible traveller will have anyway.

There are plenty of ways to find gites directly on the Internet. One is just to key in the word gites into Google; another is to go through directories like the Gitelink gites and cottage directory which will lead you directly to individual websites where properties are presented in detail by their owners. Many of the properties in the Gitelink directory are run by British or English-speaking owners; flags in the directory indicate the languages in which they have put up their website.

Whatever part of France you are looking for or even if you just want to choose an area that is totally unknown to you, you can be sure that there will be plenty of gites or country cottages available. In some areas, such as the Dordogne and Brittany, there is even a glut of properties available to rent, and as long as you are not limited just to the very busiest weeks in August, you should have a good choice. However, France is not limited to just the best known regions of Brittany, the Dordogne and Provence; there are lots of other attractive regions with plenty to offer. What better way to discover them than by booking a gite in the heart of the country, and discovering France from the inside.

Alexia Granville has lived and worked in France for over twenty years, where she has for a long time lectured on the history and economics of tourism. She has contributed to academic journals on environmental issues and now writes for magazines and websites including the Gitelink.com gite and cottage directory.

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France Vacation Rentals Near Bordeaux's Famous Vineyards

France Vacation Rentals Near Bordeaux's Famous Vineyards
By Andrew Heaps

Bordeaux, the largest city in south west France, is the wine region of the Aquitaine area. Bordeaux wine is readily exported to countries throughout the world and there are many vineyards that help make this exportation financially rewarding for the region by producing popular tasty wines to suit all tastes.

Vineyards in Bordeaux cover hundreds of thousands of acres of land. Large quantities of wine producers in this area are independent wineries. Chateau Beychevelle is a Bordeaux winery that welcomes wine tasters from all over the world to sample its home grown produce. Visitors come and go daily, tasting and purchasing the fine product of the hard working vineyards laborers.

Another area in Bordeaux that wine enthusiasts should visit is the Saint-Emilion village. In Saint-Emilion village one will find a number of friendly vineyard owners who are always happy to show off their wines. The difficulty many say is choosing the vineyards to visit. With so much choice you may need several days to get a full taste of the area.

A popular way to cover many vineyards in this region is by going on a wine tasting tour. There are usually many tours being offered and they are individually unique in their own right. Some tours will be by bus or bike via an independent tour agency and others will be provided by a specific Chteaux. In order to consider all the available options, your concierge or local tourist information office is a good starting point to making an informed decision.

When looking to visit the Bordeaux vineyards, one should consider booking a France vacation rental for a week or two in order to have enough time to leisurely visit the many wineries in the area. France vacation rentals can be easily booked through your travel agent or by using the internet to find vacation packages that cater to France vacation rentals. Whatever vineyard an individual chooses to tour or France vacation rental one chooses to book, that person is sure to be happy with his/her final decision regarding this wonderful touring opportunity.

TipTopVillas offers France vacation rentals - outstanding France villa rentals available by owner. Browse all vacation rentals by owner at TipTopVillas.

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France Le Mans

France - Le Mans
By Michael Russell

Set on the main European London-Madrid line, Le Mans is just 50 minutes from Paris by TGV. Its historic heritage has made this mediaeval town the most popular film location for French cinema. But far from being a museum town, Le Mans is strikingly lively and creative.

Like Nantes, Toulouse and Montpellier, Le Mans is on the way to becoming the next fashionable weekend destination of coming years. The fact seems crazy because this town has been so neglected for so long, too often remembered for its rillettes (potted meat) and its 24 Hour car race and the fact that it witnessed the birth of the first automobile in history, in 1873. And yet, on closer inspection, you can feel in this town a certain buzz, an atmosphere that is both friendly and committed. The charm of the surrounding countryside, the proximity of the capital, all served by an inspired and enterprising town policy, today combine to make Le Mans a pioneer town as regards quality of life.

Less famous than neighboring Tours or Angers, Le Mans immediately impresses visitors, not expecting to find such architectural gems or such harmony between stone, water, vegetation and sky! Along the Sarthe River, above the old tanneries district, you can admire the beautiful Gallo-Roman wall built under Diocletian in the 3rd century. This red 1,300-m-long surrounding wall, marked out with eleven towers and adorned with black and white geometric patterns, is one of the best preserved military buildings from the Roman world, along with the surrounding walls of the two Imperial capitals, Rome and Constantinople.

At the summit of the mound dominating the river, the Celts erected the town's historic nucleus over 5,000 years ago and left an impressive menhir symbolizing both fertility and the centre of the universe. This mysterious pink sandstone rock, with its pleated forms, still stands against the Romanesque and Gothic cathedral of St Julien today.

Around the cathedral Vieux Mans (the old town) is a magnificent real life film set, with its winding alleys, 14th century half-timbered faades, turrets and corner pillars and gilded wooden sculptures. There Renaissance period mansions such as the Htel de Sceaux, at 54, Grand'Rue, where Marie de Mdicis stayed and which is still considered the town's most beautiful residence. In front of the house of Queen Berengaria (Richard the Lion-Heart's widow lived and died in Le Mans in the 13th century), you will find the locations where the finest scenes of Cyrano de Bergerac (with Grard Depardieu) or The Man in the Iron Mask (with Leonardo di Caprio) were filmed. Vieux Mans welcomes several film crews every year and each time its inhabitants are happy to act as extras.

Even if cathedrals are not your cup of tea, you might make an exception for the cathedral of St Julien - one of the biggest and most luminous in France. Begun in the 11th century and completed in the 15th, it is one of the greats of Gothic architecture with its double flying buttresses, 13 radiating chapels, lily-shaped stone filigree and its choir, which rises to 34 metres (112 ft). Like the cathedral of Chartres, it boasts one of the finest sets of mediaeval stained glass windows, mainly red, all made during the Hundred Year War by the master glassmakers of Le Mans. This cathedral is where where Henry II of England was baptised in 1133 and where the funeral of Queen Berengaria took place (in 1230).

Every night from 1st July to 31st August, the cathedral square, the Gallo-Roman surrounding wall, the faades of the houses, the gardens and cobbled alleys will be submerged by monsters and celestial figures of mediaeval imagination. This free son et lumire show will enable you to discover the history and treasures of the town. Last summer over 100,000 visitors played the game. This year, the musical angels painted on one of the frescoes of St Julien's cathedral will be projected onto the faade of the building; each angel plays a forgotten medieval instrument, such as the mandora, chiquier, rebec, bagpipes, buisine and oliphant, double flute and string drum... Using these instruments, a contemporary composer has created a piece of music to be broadcast at the same time as the video images: this is the concert des anges (concert of the angels).

Le Mans, unlike many towns in Europe where more or less the same shops are always to be found, is full of boutiques and craft shops that you will find nowhere else. In the old town, comic book fans will head for Bulle, a leading bookshop known throughout France. Musicians or collectors will discover L'atelier d'Orphe, a specialist in the repair of old and new wind instruments. Nearby, an attractive boutique, Histoire de la mandoline, is entirely devoted to this now rare instrument, which provided inspiration for some of Vivaldi's finest concertos.

Le Mans is also the home of six MOFs (Meilleurs Ouvriers de France - Best Workmen in France), among them the great chocolate maker Jacques Bellanger, the jeweller Houillon, renowned for the purity of his stones and the wrought-iron craftsman Jean-Franois Jousse, famous for his spiral staircases. And don't hesitate to visit Atelier Avice, which perpetuates the Le Mans tradition of creating and restoring stained-glass windows. Grav'Or is a superb boutique specialising in glass engraving for cruise liners. The Crapeau Guind prides itself on restoring old chairs and traditional saddles. Nelly Bichet is a milliner and fashion designer of great talent. Sbastien Drouet is the favourite clockmaker of all the locals. Gilles Mmin is a passionate antique dealer.

One of Le Mans' greatest charms is to be able to find yourself immediately in the countryside, barely 10 minutes from the town centre. From this point of view, L'Arche de la Nature is an exemplary creation, which every weekend attracts thousands of locals who come to relax with their families. This 450-hectare (1,112 acre) natural area is mainly covered with hedged farmland and a forest (Scots and maritime pines, chestnut trees, birch trees and oaks) in which many wild animals live wild (roe deer, wild boar, pheasant and the very rare red partridge). The Ferme de la Prairie is a fascinating place where dying breeds of domestic animal are bred for example Percheron horses, Bayeux pigs, Touraine goats and the Coucou de Rennes (a rustic chicken native to Brittany).

4 km (2.5 miles) from Le Mans town centre, the Abbaye de l'pau is a lovely place set on the edge of the Huisne river in a 13 ha (32 acre) park where deer roam freely. Founded in 1229 by Queen Berengaria, daughter of the king of Navarre, dowager countess of Maine and widow of Richard the Lion-Heart (who died on a crusade), this is one of France's last Cistercian abbeys. This imposing building has been superbly restored over 30 years. Here you will discover the recumbent figure of the queen (in the chapter house), but also the sacristy whose walls are adorned with beautiful 14th century paintings, the abbey church and the dormitory restored to its original layout. Every spring (from 1st April to 1st May) for the last 27 years, the Abbaye de l'pau has hosted the Europa Jazz Festival, attracting the greatest jazzmen of the moment (Richard Galliano, Jacky Terrasson, Aldo Romano, Stefano Di Battista, Daniel Humair for the 2006 edition). In summer, you can attend classical music concerts in the evening.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Travel

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The Beauty of France Captured in Just One Night in Paris

The Beauty of France Captured in Just One Night in Paris
By Jeffrey Meier

Paris is known to be one of the most beautiful and romantic places on earth. It is the capital city of France, and the headquarters of the le-de-France region. Paris is located in the northern part of the country, on the banks of the River Seine. With an estimated mid-2004 population of 2,144,700, and an extended urban population of 9.9 million, it is the most populous city in France. Paris is known as the city with a 100 villages; Paris is divided in 20 districts.

Climate

Paris has an Oceanic climate and is affected by the North Atlantic Drift, so the city enjoys a temperate climate that rarely sees extremely high or low temperatures. Rainfall can occur at any time of the year, and Paris is known for its sudden showers. Snowfall is a rare occurrence, usually appearing in the coldest months of January or February, and almost never accumulates enough to make a covering that will last more than a day.

Hotels:

All hotels in the center of the city are at a walking distance to a subway station. The hotels are exceptionally beautiful and come in different ranges and there are about two thousand to choose from.

Champagne and wine:

It is wise to try their champagne and wine if you are in the city otherwise you will be missing out something. Discover the colorful vineyards of the most noble of wines. The most famous vineyard is Mot & Chandon. When you are on tour you should pay a tribute to Dom Perignon, who is often attributed with the invention of Champagne, and is buried in the village of Hautvilliers.The most famous champagne producers amongst the many grand houses and mansions lining the Avenue de Champagne allow Epernay justly to lay claim to the coveted title of the Capital of Champagne.

Epernay is at the heart of the world's most prestigious vineyards.20, 000 hectares of vineyards stretch all around you, whilst under your feet lay 200 million bottles of champagne ageing in 120 kilometers of cellars carved out of the chalk soil over hundreds of years.

Shopping:

Paris is not only for museums and monuments. Another way of experiencing the creativity of the capital is available to you in the form of accompanied shopping tours. Visitors need only take a stroll in the streets of Paris to see that shopping is practically a national pastime. Not only are the sidewalks lined with boutiques and stores, but city residents are stylishly dressed and accessorized. The best designer wears like Emporio Armani, Louis Vuitton, and Herms are available and it stocks beautiful, impeccably crafted items that subtly advertise your good taste and sufficient means.

Many international organizations such as UNESCO, the OECD, the ICC, or the informal Paris Club have their headquarters in Paris. From side seeing to wine testing, from dinning out to shopping everything that involves excitement can be seen in Paris. Perfect place for honeymoon too. Paris surely worth a visit, even for just one night!

Jeffrey Meier of Jam727 Enterprises at http://www.Jam727.com offers information on travel such as Paris, France at http://www.jam727.com/paris/parisarticles.htm

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History of the Hamlet of Fontenil Near Briancon Hautes Alpes France

History of the Hamlet of Fontenil, Near Briancon, Hautes Alpes, France
By Lin Davidson

This hamlet of Brianon, constructed on both sides of the Durance and upstream of the town, has belonged to the community of Brianonnais since 1292. This link was confirmed on the 4th March 1382 by an agreement between the syndicates of the Bourg de Brianon and the hamlets of the Tierce (i.e. Fontenil, Fontchristiane, Cervires, Preyt, Chamandrin, Saint-Blaise and Fortville). The inhabitants of Fontenil benefited in this way up to the Revolution, from the same liberties that were accorded to the inhabitants of the town in terms of management, commerce and circulation.

From the 18th century, Fontenil was the second biggest hamlet after Cervires. In the 19th century, there were between 230 and 250 inhabitants, who were called 'les echylos' in patois, 'les ecureuils' in French meaning the squirrels.

The growth of the hamlet is explained partly by its favourable situation being en route to Montgenvre by foot. In this position, in spite of the risks close by of flooding (the flood of 1856 took away more than 15 houses and destroyed a big part of the small industries) and rock falls, the residents were given permission to develop a number of activities utilising the driving force of the water (mills, a tannery, sawmill etc). These activities were certainly a compliment of on negligence by the inhabitants of the village, all initialised by breeders and cultivators.

In 1917, a dam was built downstream of the hamlet to feed the central hydroelectric of Roche Perce in the Parc de la Schappe. This produced electricity for the La Schappe factory, the dam water arriving in a 1km long gallery dug in the rock, the long gorge under the Fort des Ttes, until a chamber of water (2500 cubic metres) became a driving force.

During the winter of 1952/1953, new developments were created in the hamlet: a ski jump and a bobsleigh. Of a length of about 1500m on a slope facing north, this piste was welcomed by Brianonnais amateurs of gliding sports, which were distinguished on several occasions at that time by national competitions and international 2 and 4 man bob.

The hamlet was composed of different quarters. Under the bob piste was situated the area called 'delalo' (beyond the water). This area was also called 'l'envers du Fontenil' (towards Fontenil), possibly because there was a chapel dedicated to Notre Dame of the Angels, which has now disappeared. At the centre of this quarter, a footpath went up to the right towards the forest. On following this, one could reach a huge stone at the side of the path known under the name of 'pierre aux sacrifices' (sacrifice stone). There are a number of legends on the subject of this grave stone but the mystery remains unsolved.

On the other side, on the right side of the river Durance, one can find another area which welcomed the only square of the hamlet. The houses here were tightly packed together on the route giving evidence again of the importance of the agricultural activities and of the reconstructions close to the floods. The ancient mills, situated on the most part under the dwelling houses, were distinguished by their detachment, by their connection to the street but also by the development destined for the passage of the ancient canals, always used for the irrigation.

The present chapel, placed under the term of Saint Antoine and Saint Marguerite is decorated with a 'cadran solaire' (sun dial) dated 1834 and inscribed 'A celui qui a une demeure, il faut donner l'heure' (for that which has a residence, it is necessary to give the hour). A charming little clock composed of a dome on pendants, tops the lot.

Three other sun dials can be found. The oldest, dated 1719 has a religious motto in Latin of a psalm: 'Si le seigneur ne construit pas lui-meme la maison, en vain s'efforcent ceux qui tentent de l'difie'. There are other observations in Latin which can be found below a door in the Grande Rue.

Finally, the area of the Henries, where one can find a 'maladrerie' (a place for illnesses?) nearer the outskirts of the town. Until the beginning of the 19th century, it was crossed by the route going towards the col du Montgenvre.

This article was written by Lin Davidson, who is a major contributor to various web sites about Serre Chevalier, a ski resort in The French Alps. Lin's own blog, Our Life in France came about because she has kept a daily journal about living in France since leaving England in 2002.

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The Wild Ouest of France (Phare Out!)

The Wild Ouest of France (Phare Out!)
By Cara Goubault

I am going to let you in on an insiders secret. There is uncharted territory in la vieille France, where you can be with the natives (or at least other Europeans), where you can be seen as exotic for being American, and where, yes, its less expensive than the usual touristy gathering spots (where you end up seeing your old neighbors from New Jersey anyway).

Many Americans are familiar with northern Brittany, which includes Dinard, and St. Malo. Its beautiful up there; with rock-strewn beaches under tremendous cliffs, over which huge mansions perch. You may not see the neighbors from New Jersey there, but youll see the ones from Nantucket and the Hamptons.

If you really want to get away, you can try my neck of the fort. This place is southern Brittany. Few Americans venture to this corner of Brittany. Is it because of the lack of mansions, or that here, you may need your high school French (or your recently acquired Berlitz equivalent) to get by? Im not sure what keeps you away, but Im here to vendre la mche, as we say (let the cat out of the bag). There are great deals to be had here, not to mention a more authentic European holiday. You know how when you go to Paris, you sense the French cringing ah non, pas encore, another American! Here, you will be unique, or mostly unique. Which means that you will be treated better. Which of course means a better vacation for you and yours. You will not hear people with your accent, though you may hear English. You will be able to truly say Toto, I dont think were in New Jersey/Nantucket/the Hamptons anymore. And believe it.

We have sandy beaches with rugged paths to explore along their edges. We have miles of endless fields with endless cows. There are no mansions, but there is a real artists colony (with real artists!) set upon winding cobblestone streets and restaurants overlooking a babbling stream. There are tiny towns that line the miles of shore, and others tucked away in the countryside. You will find brocantes, which are big, inexpensive flea markets, in back of dairy farms that will sell you fresh goat cheese. There are rivers where you can rent a canoe or rowboat. And of course there is the ocean on the bay of Quibron, where there are tiny (and not so tiny islands) only accessible by boat.

You can camp or rent a gte (cottage) on the Ile de Groix, and rent a personal sailboat to hop around. There are fishing expeditions; there are mysterious and ancient ruins in Carnacbref, there is something for everyone, whether you are more the shopping-lie-on-the-beach landlubber type, or the boating-fishing-surfing-live-like-the-natives rugged type.Ill let you in on another secret. They are calling our area of France the next Riviera. Why? Because the south of France has become so crowded in recent years, and gets so overly hot in the summer, that many Europeans have ditched it for the same sandy beaches we have up here (without those 20 euro-an-hour beach clubs they have down in St Croix). Yes, the beaches here are still free.

I, however, live in a town called Lorient, which I give you permission to skip. During the Second World War, many towns with military bases on the water were destroyed completely, and rebuilt circa 1950. Have you been inspired recently by 1950s architecture? Maybe so, but its not a reason to come to France. The only reason to come to Lorient is if youre a fan of Celtic and Breton music. In the mid-summer, there is a huge international festival, lasting ten days, that brings in thousands of fans from the entire world. If thats your thing, then youll love it. You will hear our accent though, but these will be the hippie/Woodstock/crunchy-granola/pagan-peace-lover types, probably not from Nantucket. I myself try to get out of town at this time of the summer. People start to think Im a tourist. The nerve.

If you are interested in learning more about southern Brittany, the departments of Morbihan and Finistre,look up the areas on Google. Kenavo (good-bye in Breton), and bientt!

Cara Goubault is an American expat, English business coach and freelance writer living in Lorient, France with her husband and three children.

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Vacation Rentals In The South of France Cannes

Vacation Rentals In The South of France - Cannes
By Richard Rspad

Located in the south of France, the beach town of Cannes is legendary. Vacation rentals in Cannes can be inexpensive unless you are trying to catch the famous film festival.

Vacation Rentals In The South of France - Cannes

When you hear the name Cannes, a beautiful southern French town on the Cote d'Azur, you might automatically think of the famous Cannes Film Festival. While this is a major event in Cannes, it is certainly not the only reason to take a trip here. Whether you want to experience the tranquil blue waters of the Rivera or the atmosphere of a small French town, Cannes is a great place to enjoy a vacation. Rentals in Cannes make it easy to spend as little time or as long as you would like in the village, and you can set up your own home away from home.

Mandelieu la Napoule is one of the unique places in Cannes. Frankly, it is a bit of a secret. The house is located up on the hills surrounding Cannes, which is nice when you need a bit of piece and quite. It has an open French charm, and sleeps four to six people. The key to the place is the pool and view, which is to die for as it overlooks the town and ocean. This is a great place to kick back and just take in the sunset with a cool drink. For those who like to party the night away, it is also a great place to watch sunrises! The rental will set you back between 300 and 600 Euros a night depending on the season.

If you are interested in hobnobbing with the celebrities at the Cannes Film Festival, be sure to schedule your trip for the appropriate time usually in May. (In 2007, the Festival will take place between May 17 and May 28). You will need to be credentialed as a film industry professional, however, to get into the events. Most of the screenings and other festivities are not open to the general public.

Lodgings in Cannes are often booked well in advance of a trip, so make sure to consult your travel agent about the possibility of renting an open one. One such beautiful location that is available to rent is located only 50 meters from La Croisette, and its two bedrooms, dining room, living room, day room and more easily accommodates eight people. This style of lodging is common among those for rent in Cannes, and they can cost about 2900 Euros per week in the high season. Put another way, this is not the spot for the budget traveler.

Whenever you choose to visit the south of France, make sure to look into private rentals in Cannes. By staying for an extended period in one of these comfortable places, you can be sure to get a real feel for living in the south of France. The beauty and charm of Cannes is world-renowned, so making a trip here is definitely a luxury worth spending your money on!

Richard Rspad is with ResortSpaDestinations.com - reviews and articles on spa resorts.

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Shopping in France

Shopping in France
By Imogen Saddleworth

A day trip shopping in France can be a great way to experience some of the delights that this unique country has to offer and best of all it can be done in one day! With just 26 miles of water separating the UK and France you can arrive for shopping in France in less than 2 hours.

Shopping in France can be a real feast for the senses. From the bustle of French food markets where you can buy fresh, local, seasonal home produce including vegetables, fruits, meats, jams, breads and pastries to the aroma of roasting chickens, cherries in season and powerfully pungent yet delicious and appetising cheeses.

In addition to gourmet foods and culinary treats, France is also famous for its huge hypermarkets such as Auchan, Carrefour and Leclerc. The size of football pitches and situated in Centre Commercials on the edge of towns, these enormous French hypermarkets stock thousands upon thousands of products from electrical and white goods, clothing, household items, food and of course fine wines and beers. With many items cheaper than in the UK it is possible to make considerable savings when shopping in France.

Shopping in France and opening hours

Shop opening hours in France differ to those in the UK with virtually all shops and stores in France closed on a Sunday. Occasionally there are exceptions to this rule and some hypermarkets e.g. Carrefour have special openings. During the rest of the week most of the larger shops and hypermarkets are open all day with some smaller shops and businesses closing for lunch between midday and 2.30pm. On French national and public holidays all shops, banks and businesses are closed.

Best buys when shopping in France

French bread

While French bread tastes delicious, it is made with little or no preservatives and can therefore go stale quite quickly particularly during the summer months. One tip to preserve freshness is to use a bread bag or to wrap the bread in a tea towel. French bread is best bought from a boulangerie. Look out for those boulangeries which appear busy or where there are queues. Be prepared to pay a little more for your French bread here than you would in a supermarket.

Water

Although generally ok, tap water in France is rarely drunk with most French people preferring to drink eau de source for everyday use. Cheap and palatable, eau de source is mostly bought in 1.5L bottles. Well known brands such as Badoit, Evian and Perrier come under the banner of eau minerale naturelle and are often considerably cheaper to buy than in the UK.

Cheese

As you would expect in a country that has at least 365 cheeses to its name, French supermarkets sell a wide selection of cheese and they will often have samples for you to try. If you adore cheese, then perhaps a better option would be to visit a French specialist cheese shop called a fromagerie. The most famous fromagerie in Pas de Calais is Philippe Olivier at rue Thiers in Boulogne sur Mer, 30 minutes from Calais on the A16. Boulogne sur Mer is also the home of the World's Whiffiest Cheese - Vieux Boulogne as named by scientists at Cranfield University. Philippe Olivier sells local, regional and national varieties of cow, sheep and goat's milk cheeses.

French food markets

Your first stop to buy fresh fruits and vegetables should be a French food market. Open for business from around 8am and closing around noon most French towns will have a market taking place on Saturday. Generally seasonal, lots of produce for sale is local and regional with fruits, vegetables and meat direct from local specialist suppliers and farmers. Best buys from French food markets include seasonal vegetables and huge bundles of smoked garlic for a fraction of what they would cost in the UK.

Calais has two food markets, Place D'Armeson on Wednesday/Saturday morning plus Place Crvecoeur on Thursday and Saturday. The food market in Boulogne sur Mer takes place on Wednesday and Saturday mornings in Place Dalton just off the Grand Rue.

Fresh seafood straight off the boat

The pretty town of Boulogne-sur-Mer also happens to be France's largest fishing port. For fresh seafood and shellfish straight off the boat pay a visit to the harbour - Quai Gambetta. Here you can buy the day's catch of fish, lobster, crab and mussels from a variety of shops in the fish market or direct off the fishing boats. Another excellent place to shop and eat seafood is Aux Pecheurs D'Etaples situated on the Grand rue in the centre of Boulogne. A highly praised restaurant and fishmonger, Aux Pecheurs D'Etaples is run by a local fishing co-operative.

Wine, beer and spirits

France's hypermarkets are second to none when it to comes to price and selection of wine, beer and spirits. In most French hypermarkets a huge area of floor space is dedicated to just aisles upon aisles stacked high with international and local beers, wine and champagne. Top tip: two trolleys are better than one if you plan on doing a major shop at a French hypermarket and don't forget to have plenty of change as French trolleys require a one Euro coin.

Take your own shopping bags to France

Taking your own reusable shopping bags to France will ensure that you won't have any nasty surprises when you arrive at the till with several heavy laden trolleys. Due to concerns over the impact of non-biodegradable plastic bags on the environment, supermarkets and shops in France have either phased out plastic bags at the checkout or are in the process of doing so. Instead, many French supermarkets and shops now give you the option of buying a reusable bag or brown paper bags and boxes.

Keep your shopping cool and fresh

Having a cool bag or cool box is essential when shopping in France. For one, there are all those ever so tasty but oh so whiffy cheeses to consider plus it is always a good idea from a food safety point of view to keep meats and dairy products cool especially if your shopping is going to be esting in the car boot for a while.

A good time to shop

A good time to shop in France, especially on a Saturday is between 12:00 and 14:30. At this time most people in France are having lunch and therefore the hypermarkets and shops are less busy allowing you plenty of time and room to whiz around the aisles.

Imogen Saddleworth is a freelance writer and contributor to http://www.francofonics.com a UK guide to all things France including shopping, buying property, French modern culture, language and lifestyle.

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Mountain Wildlife in France

Mountain Wildlife in France
By Marcus Smith

Visitors to France expect to see medieval villages and magnificent scenery, but the wild animals that live in the countryside are usually forgotten. However, France has very large areas of unspoiled countryside, allowing many rare and unusual species to live in peace, above all in the forests and in the mountainous regions.

Perhaps best know, because they frequently get in the news, are the Pyreneean bears. Several of these brown bears have been released in the mountains in recent years, to the pleasure of environmentalists and the annoyance of local sheep farmers.

Although sheep farmers get full compensation for any sheep killed by bears, they still object noisily to their reintroduction and the danger they present. The problem has emerged because over the last 100 years, with bears being almost extinct in France, the shepherds have stopped breeding the ferocious hunting dogs that used to protect the flocks. So now that the bears are being reintroduced from Slovenia, the sheep have little protection.

While you are thinking about the threat from bears in France, remember there are perhaps 20 bears in France and 5,000 in New York City!

The second large mammal to get a hard time in France is the wolf. Hunted to extinction in the country by the 1930s, the wolves have now re-entered France from Italy and live in remote places in the Alps, especially the Mercantour Alps.

Not surprisingly, as with the Pyreneean bears it is the sheep farmers who complain the loudest, about the wolves killing their livestock. But the statistics seem to show that the threat from wolves is really extremely small. Despite what you might expect, wolves will almost always run and hide rather than seek a confrontation with humans, and on a visit to the mountains you are very unlikely to see a wolf.

The lynx, a large wild cat, has also been successfully reintroduced in the mountains following earlier extinction across France and most of Europe. They are now a highly protected species.

Some other mountain mammals are also unlikely to be seen. The Alpine Marmot is very similar to (and closely related to) the American groundhog, and lives above the tree-line in these mountainous regions. You may hear the curious marmot sound, half whistle and half bark, as it warns of your approach.

Two other unusual mountain animals are the ibex and the chamois both are large goat types of animal. Both are also very good mountain climbers, and may even be seen on mountain tops if food is present. A chamois has even been reported as seen near the summit of Mont Blanc. By preference they live in the lower regions where food is more plentiful it is the presence of man that has forced them high up the mountains.

So you can feel safe to visit France, even the mountains, but be aware that when you are walking a quiet path through a high, rugged, region you might not be alone

You can read more about the wildlife in France, dangerous or otherwise, at http://www.francethisway.com/wildlife/francewildlife.php

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Three Wine Route Towns in Alsace France

Three Wine Route Towns in Alsace, France
By Craig Iles

BERGHEIM , along the Alsatian Wine Route is a classic town in Alsace , France. Its fortifications, baroque fountain and market square make it a real find for wine enthusiasts ,photographers and travel enthusiasts. Bergheim dates back to Roman times.

The town holds a 4 flower ranking as a Village Fleurie (an annual prestigious competition for Flower beautification in Alsatian towns) Bergheim is a perfect place to use as home base for hikers to explore the area. Check out the towns principal wine producer Domaine Marcel Deiss. Bergheim has a local fair each year on the 2nd Sunday of August. Christmas Markets start 1st weekend of December. (11 Kilometers N. from Colmar, one of the largest towns in Alsace.)

KINTZHEIM (Alsace, France) was existent way back in the Merovingian time (450-987). It was a huge royal preserve with a Castle. This castle was first destroyed in 1298 by the powerful troops of the Bishop of Strasbourg. This Castle was again whacked by Swedish troops in 1632. What remains of this ancient beat up castle is used today as a preserve and also a site for shows using birds of prey like falcons.
At the foot of the mountain where Kintzheim is located, lies La Montagne where visitors can watch monkeys roam free in the park. The website is www.montaignedessingles.com Kitzheim has a local fair on the last two Sundays of July. (24 Kilometers N. of Colmar, one of the largest cities in Alsace)

ANDLAUThe Alsatian Wine Town of Andlau was founded as a royal Abbey in 880 by Saint Richarde, the wife of Charles the Fat. The Abbaye d Andlau was consecrated in 1049 and holds the richest ensemble of Romanesque sculpture in all of Alsace France. Legend has it that a bear appeared with her baby cub as a divine sign to show St. Richarde where she should build her Abbaye. For centuries, a bear was kept in the crypt of the Church to ward off evil and as a special sign of Gods blessing for her endeavor. Legend also has it that the skull of Lazarus is entombed within the Crypt of the Church. Historians say this is not Christs friend Lazarus skull but rather an 8th Century Bishop Lazarus of Cyprus. Andlau is an Alsatian town that holds its weekly market on Wednesday. The town celebrates with a fair the last Sunday of June or the 1st Sunday of July. (Andlau is 40 kilometers SW of the Alsaces largest city Strasbourg, home of the European Unions Parliment), To find out more about Alsace France, visit our website.

Craig Iles is the owner ofAlsace-France.net A website dedicated to Alsacian Travel, Hotels, Food, Wine and Culture in Alsace, France.

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An Overview of France for Travelers

An Overview of France for Travelers
By Richard Monk

Throughout history, France has always played a pivotal role in Europe. From Art to Politics to Architecture, it is a fascinating place. Here is some background information to consider before your trip.

The official name of the country is the French Republic. The French Republic covers an area of 220,668 square miles. This makes it the largest country in Western Europe, which is about 80 percent the size of Texas for comparison purposes. The capital of France is Paris. Other major cities of note include the port city of Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Nice, Rennes, Lille and Bordeaux in the famous wine region of the same name. If you have ever watched the Tour de France, you know the terrain in France varies from majestic mountain peaks to flat plains to beautiful coast line along the southern and western borders of the country. This gives the country various climatic conditions ranging from very cool in the mountain areas to downright hot in the southern beach locations such as Nice.

Citizens of the French Republic are designated with the name French. The total population exceeds 62.4 million with a strong annual growth rate of over 2 percent. Ethnicity is broken down as Celtic and Latin for strong influences of Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Sub-Saharan African, Indochinese and Basque minorities. The strong minority base is due to two facts, a lax immigration policy and the migration of peoples from former colonies of France during its more imperial periods.

Despite the massive immigrant influx over time, France is a largely uniform religious society. Over 90 percent of all French claim the Roman Catholic faith as their religion of choice. Strong Muslim population sectors, however, exist and are growing rapidly through immigration. The official language of the country is French and it is also the dominant language used in daily life. The literacy rate for France is over 99 percent, which makes sense given the free, compulsory education system.

As this overview of France demonstrates, it has played a major role in European history. This makes it a great travel destination since much of the country has historical value, which you can experience by just walking down the street.

Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about country facts and facts about France.

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France Ski Headlight Destination For The Winter Holidays

France Ski, Headlight Destination For The Winter Holidays
By Planigo Tourisman

The first winter show-offs are already here and the passionates for the great white circus are getting ready to help them discover this years treasures of a winter spent in the mountains.In fact, skiing and gliding have become in all their aspects star attractions for the French winter offers and also for the European neighbors, who are trying to take advantage of their generous spare time at this time of the year.France has become one of the most attractive destinations for the quality of its skiing domain but also for other essential fortes, represented by the exquisite cuisine and the welcoming atmosphere.

With more than 4000 installations, the French mechanical park is the most important in the world and it proposes the most advanced technologies.Each French ski-resort has its particular features and if you are a mountain ski fan, you will definitely be heading towards Val Thorens, La Plagne, Serre Chevalier or Tignes, while the passionates for surf will certainly choose Avoriaz, Les Deux Alpes or even Mribel. The cross-country skiers will have no rest on 12000 km of tracks essentially grouped around Savoie and Haute Savoie.The only worry of a gliding fan during the weeks preceding your departure: find a place to stay corresponding with your needs and budget.The choice is also extremely rich in this area, with hotels situated just at the bottom of tracks, with vacation residences or even, for the ones with more money to spend, locations with individual chalets.

The French middle budget for a skiing week was of 1365 in 2005, three times bigger than the one allocated in 1998.

Last check up regarding the equipment: in this area, the locations are rich in offer, as they offer several types of equipment, and they are able to renew their patrimony once every three years.So, locations, lodging, equipment Once theese are cleared out, the adventure can begin, with excitement, hot wine and guaranteed skiing ambient.

Planigo Editorialhttp://www.planigo.com/ski-resorts/en/France-South-Alpes.html

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Visit Lyon During Your Great Vacation In France

Visit Lyon During Your Great Vacation In France
By Pearson Brown

France is a great place to have a vacation. The food is great, the wine is superb and there is lots to see and do. Even the rude waiters provide something different to what you find at home. Everybody knows that Paris a great place to spend part of your vacation but where else in France should you go?

How about spending a couple of days in the city the French themselves think is the capital for food? How about staying on the edge of two different wine regions, with a chance to make comparisons between the two at amazing prices? How about being in an ancient Roman city with its own theater and with fabulous mosaics? How about wandering down narrow passages between houses, designed originally to get the bales of silk down to the river protected from the climate? How about having two of Europe's great rivers joining together within the city? How about seeing some great paintings and sculpture without being surrounded by hordes of other vacationers? How about a short trip to the Alps?

You can reach Lyon easily from Paris by the world-famous fast train, the TGV. You can travel across a major part of France in just two hours, in great comfort. In fact, some Parisians take their business colleagues down to Lyon by train just to have lunch.

I don't know why Lyon is not included in more vacation plans. It's a great city for tourists and a perfect stop on your vacation trip on the way from Paris to the sophisticated beach life of the South of France. For your next vacation in France, spend a few days in Lyon.

Pearson Brown is an expert on vacations in France and you can see more of his articles at http://www.visitsecretfrance.com

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Toulouse Airport In South West France

Toulouse Airport In South West France
By Gary Ingram

After Paris, which is the largest airport in France, Toulouse airport (TLS) ranks number 4 in size and capacity, following on from Nice airport, Lyon airport and Marseille airport.

Toulouse airport handles over five and a half million passengers per year, although the terminal has been designed with a capacity of 6.2 million passengers per year, and is the second largest freight airport after Paris. This makes Toulouse airport arrivals the busiest of all the airports that serve the Languedoc area of South west France.

The airport terminal building covers a massive 61,000 sqm and the airport itself sits on a plot of almost 780 hectares.

Toulouse airport departures are handled by 68 check in desks and 28 departure gates, rather more than you'll find at other airports that serve the Languedoc

Toulouse Airport Taxis

You will find the taxis just in front of the terminal building. As you walk out of the airport terminal building you'll see the taxis lined up in front of you. All taxis in France are metered so don't worry about the driver making up a price out of thin air. The journey from the airport to the very centre of town is around 8km and should only take about 10 minutes or so.

If you'd rather pre-book, then you might like to consider a private transfer and you can book through companies such as Holiday Taxis.co.uk.

Toulouse Airport Buses

Buses from Toulouse airport depart from Door C on the ground floor level, which is the arrivals hall level. Buses from the airport to the town centre run every day starting at 07:35 hrs Mon - Sat, and 09:15 hrs Sundays and Public holidays. Buses leave every 20 mins so don't worry if you miss one.

You can buy a bus ticket on board or from the bus ticket office in the airport.

Ticket prices are as follows;

Single fare: 3.90

Return fare: 5.90 (Valid 2 months)

Single fare for parties of ten or more: 2.40

Student fare: 3.00

Student return fare: 4.50 (Valid 2 months)

Toulouse Airport Parking

Toulouse airport parking has spaces for nearly 7,000 cars, including almost 80 spaces for disabled drivers.

There are two short stay car parks; P0 and P1, as well as three longer term car parks, P2, P3 and P5. It's worth knowing that P0 and P1 give you the first 30 mins free.

Car parks P2 and P5 have a free shuttle bus to take you between the car park and the terminal building.

There are seven hire car companies with desks at Toulouse airport. These companies combined have more than 2500 vehicles at their disposal from Toulouse airport.

Toulouse Airport Shopping and Eating

Two restaurants serve the airport, both situated on the second floor of the terminal building. They are L'Horizon and Le Pre Carre.

In addition to this there are seven other bars and cafes:

Bye Bye Caf - International departure lounge in Hall C. Ciel Mon Caf - Departure lounge in Hall C. L'Escale - Shopping mall on the departure level in Hall C. Sand Show - Shopping mall in the public area on the departure level in Hall B. Sgafrdo Hall B - Departure lounge in Hall B. Sgafrdo Hall C - Departure lounge in Hall C. Terminal - Departure lounge in Hall C.

Toulouse airport shops are divided into two areas. Those in the public area and those in the departure lounge.

In the Public area you'll find;

Art Espace an art gallery with sculptures, paintings and glasswork.

Ducs de Gascogne with a full range of regional and delicatessen products such as pates and fois gras.

Marionnaud awell known perfume chain. Relay stocking books, magazines and gifts for all the family.

In the boarding area you'll find;

Aeroboutique a duty free shop with a selection of cosmetics, wines, perfumes and travel items. Relay stocking books, magazines and gifts for all the family.

The Address For Toulouse Airport is:

Toulouse Airport, Blagnac,

BP 90103,

31703

Blagnac Cedex

Telephone : (00 33) 5 61.42.44.00

Gary Ingram runs Spanish Airport Guide and has recently added a whole section on Languedoc Airports to Languedoc Holiday Guide.You can now find in depth information on all seven airports that cover the Languedoc Area including: Toulouse Airport and Carcassonne Airport.

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How To Find The Perfect Holiday Villa In The Languedoc France

How To Find The Perfect Holiday Villa In The Languedoc, France
By Jack Languedoc

Travel to Catalonia, and discover the best of the Languedoc region of France.

I have travelled extensively on holiday to Europe and to many other countries. I must share with you my favourite place to visit in the world, it is French Catalonia.

Languages spoken commonly are French, Spanish and also Catalan(which is now taught to children in schools in both France and Spain)

The Catalan region is known as Catalonia in France and Catalua in Spain. This diverse region encompasses the Pyrenees Mountains, beaches of the Mediterranean, many vineyards in the Languedoc, excellent walking and cycling routes. Cycling is a passion for the French and many holiday makers hire a bike whilst on their vacation, many villas come equipped with their own bikes.

Property in the Languedoc is of a high standard and if, like me, you prefer to stay in self-catering accommodation then there is a huge range of apartments, villa and gite to rent. The property on offer is diverse from a large villa to a small gite. Apartments are many located in the cities such as Perpignan and Girona (or Gerona as it is sometimes spelt)

The climate affords sun for most of the year, on average over 300 days a year. This makes the area an excellent base for skiing in the Pyrenees, fishing, golf or just relaxing on sun drenched beaches or by your villa pool.

The main cities are famous throughout Europe and the world, Barcelona in Spain, and Perpignan in the Languedoc, France. The culture of this vibrant place, with its world class art galleries and museums it is worth a visit. Picasso or Dali who frequented this area and produced some master pieces whilst staying here. Many artists have travelled and made their homes in this area, and there is a vibrant artistic community thriving today.

I suggest when you plan a vacation to this area you select a base near to the border so that you can experience the best of both countries and the unique hospitality of the proud Catalan people. There is a plethora of accommodation available to suit all needs, from a small city apartment, a French gite or a Spanish Villa, larger property mostly comes with a swimming pool. You can also swim on the clean beaches.

I have now purchased a property in the Languedoc and have visited on holiday over 20 times. I am an active person and am never bored of travel around this dynamic and interesting area. I never fail to be fascinated with the amount of things to do on my days out, whilst on vacation relaxing at my villa. My experience is also shared by the growing number of holiday homeowners who have lodgings to rent in this part of France and Spain.

My friends, who have stayed at my villa on holiday, have been amazed at who relaxed and friendly the locals are. The Languedoc has one of the longest life expectancy rates in the Europe.

Another reason to visit is the excellent wine. The Languedoc is the most prolific wine making area in France. A great idea is to rent a bike, or hire a villa with a bike and cycle around the vineyards sampling wine. French food is something to be sampled at leisure, a minimum of 2 hours from 12-2pm is taken everyday when work colleagues, family and friends all sit together eat, chat and enjoy.

If you want to holiday in Europe visit the Catalan region and stay in Languedoc or Spain, you wont be disappointed.

Jack LanguedocTraveller and lover of all things French.Recently purchased a villa in the Languedoc.www.catalanholidayhomes.com

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Visit the Dordogne Region of France

Visit the Dordogne Region of France
By Marcus Smith

Some of the key attractions to visitors to the Dordogne region of France include:

Lascaux caves.

The prehistoric paintings at Lascaux are probably the most renowned cave paintings in the world. The cave paintings you can now visit are a copy of the prehistoric paintings contained in the original Lascaux caves, 200 metres away, because human breath was damaging the originals. The replica paintings have been made using the same materials and techniques as were used for the original paintings, 19,000 years ago.

The Lascaux cave paintings are mostly pictures of large animals, including the 'auroch' - a now extinct early relative of the ox (it is thought that the Auroch was worshiped as a sacred beast in prehistoric times). Truly a remarkable experience, and you quickly forget that you are looking at modern day replicas.

Sarlat

Sarlat is a beautiful medieval town a few kilometres north of the River Dordogne. The old town, dating from both medieval and renaissance times is a pleasure to visit, especially during the spring and autumn, or early in the morning. If you can catch the early morning sunshine on the yellow sandstone buildings, so much the better.

Wander through the back streets around the cathedral to get a feel for how the town must have been 500 years ago.

Les Eyzies

Les Eyzies is at the centre of a very beautiful area, in the Vezere Valley, with numerous cliff and rock formations, surrounded by rivers, hills and tranquil countryside. At the centre of prehistoric life in Europe, there are several interesting cave systems and prehistoric relics to visit around Les Eyzies.

Les Eyzies is also home to the National Prehistory Museum which houses one of the worlds most complete collections of prehistoric artefacts. Just a couple of hundred metres from the National Prehistory museum is Abri Pataud, a cro-magnon shelter dating back almost 40,000 years. The cave-lined Vzre valley has been classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO

Chateaux

In the Dordogne region there are reputed to be 1001 chateaux. Many of the most magnificent are open to the public. Start perhaps with the Chateau de Commarque, Chateau de Castelnaud, or (my personal favourite) Chateau de Beynac, set high above the Dordogne river and the attractive village of Beynac.

Each has its own impressive tale to tell of centuries of conflict, often between the French and the English during the Hundred Years War, and each has its own magnificent views over the surrounding countryside.

Most beautiful villages

There are several villages in the Dordogne region that have received the prestigious Most Beautiful Villages of France award. These include Monpazier, a perfectly preserved medieval bastide town to the south of the region; La Roque-Gageac, a picture postcard village spread out along the Dordogne river, with troglodyte dwellings and a tropical garden spreading up the cliff behind; and Beynac, mentioned above for its castle but equally attractive as a village in its own right

Several other villages in the immediate vicinity also have the award.

The Dordogne region provides a glimpse into a world virtually unchanged as the centuries have unfolded, and a visit is always an unforgettable experience.

The author lives in France to the south of the Dordogne region. To learn more about the Dordogne region please visit www.northofthedordogne.com, and to discover other regions of France visit www.francethisway.com

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France Travel Guides

France Travel Guide - Travel to France

The best France travel tips, reviews and photos, posted by real travelers. Research, plan and book your France vacation

France travel guide, with best places to visit in France, gites and villas, and holidays in France.