Plan a perfect two week holiday in France!

Most people need to plan an annual holiday that packs as much as possible into two weeks - while also allowing plenty of time to relax and perhaps spend time as a family, since that's probably the main purpose of the trip!

Luckily there are numerous places in France where a two week visit gives you plenty of opportunities to explore lots of new sights and places, as well taking part in a few entertainments and activities - and also spending time at the beach or around the pool.

You are here: tourism features > Alpes-Maritimes > Roya Valley

Day trip along the Upper Roya Valley

The Roya Valley follows the French-Italian border from Tende and the southern Alps near Tende to the Mediterranean at Ventimiglia (Italy), and a day following its course makes a very enjoyable day trip from Menton or Nice on the French Riviera.

For our visit we are starting at Breil-sur-Roya and following the Upper Roya Valley upstream as far as Tende - south of Breil the river is largely in Italy.

You are here: tourism features > Alpes-Maritimes > riviera by train

Discover the resorts of the French Riviera by train

The French Riviera has many places of great beauty just waiting to be discovered but there is a problem, especially if you visit in the summer months - the roads can be very busy and parking is often a major challenge.

Luckily there is an exceptionally convenient train service that operates along the coast which is cheap to use, has a regular service and stops at all of the most important towns and villages.

You are here: travel ideas > tourist articles > shopping in France

Seven great places for shopping in France

Shopping in France means different things to different people! For some it simply means browsing the gift shops in their favourite village or seaside town, for others a visit to one of the (many) traditional local French markets is the highlight of a visit.

For foreign visitors to simply stroll through a French supermarket to see how it is different from those at home is an event in itself....

You are here: travel ideas > tourist articles > route napoleon

History of the Route Napoleon

In 1814 Napoleon was sent into exile on the Island of Elba. The following year he returned from exile with a handful of followers, a small army of about 1200 soldiers, and a plan to overthrow the newly restored monarchy under King Louis XVIII. Napoleon landed at Golfe Juan on 1st March 1815.

From Golfe Juan he headed north, passing through the southern Alps to reach Grenoble. This route was chosen because of its remoteness, and therefore the chance that Napoleon's small army would avoid hostile royalists - in particular those around Marseille. Napoleon also moved very fast across the countryside in order to reduce the chances of meeting opposition.

You are here: travel ideas > Midi-Pyrenees > Lot Valley

From Figeac to Cahors along the Lot river

The Lower Lot Valley here refers to the picturesque stretch of the Lot River between Figeac and Cahors. Along the course of the river there are numerous small villages to explore, several larger towns, castles and caves to visit.

There is also a great deal of beautiful scenery, with cliffs and wooded slopes rising either side of the broad river valley.The river here is passing through the Natural Regional Parc of the Causses de Quercy.

You are here: travel ideas > Rhone-Alps > lake annecy scenery

The spectacular scenery around Lake Annecy

The eastern part of the Rhone Alpes contains some of the most dramatic scenery in France. This beautiful countryide in the Savoie and Haute Savoie departments includes mountains, lakes and verdant valleys.

This area contains a wealth of alpine towns, lake-side towns and villages and a number of spa towns as well as some really stunning scenery.

You are here: travel ideas > Languedoc > tet valley

Exploring the highlights along the River Tet in Languedoc

The Tet valley is a picturesque valley to the west of Perpignan, running east to west through the Pyrenees-Orientales department to the south of Languedoc-Roussillon.

It contains a great deal of interesting sights and villages and a visit is highly recommended. We travelled from the east towards the west, starting on the main road west from Perpignan.

You are here: travel ideas > tourist articles > first visit

Great areas of France for a first time visitor

First time visiting France and no idea where to start? Our quick guide shows 'at a glance' which areas most visitors - both first-time visitors and others - are drawn to the most often.

As you can see this is hardly a detailed guide to all that France has to offer but should at least get you started with a few ideas and reminders of where to visit! Below the map are the links to the relevant sections of france This Way where you can find more details.

You are here: travel ideas > tourist articles > historical towns

Discover historical France through the 'secteur sauvegardé' awards

Many of the most important historical town centres in France are now protected from further development with the 'secteur sauvegardé' classification, with the goal of preserving the appearance of the historical centre from any further development.

Any construction or renovation in these areas is closely monitored and controlled to ensure that the whole town centre remains unspoiled by new or inappropriate developments - for example, renovations are required to use the historical materials and techniques.

France travel > heritage sites > Vezere Valley

The Vézère Valley in the Dordogne is the cradle of civilisation in Europe

The River Vézère flows 190 kilometres from its source in the Massif Central to its confluence with the Dordogne River near Le Bugue.

In addition to the world renowned Lascaux caves, the Vézere Valley contains numerous other traces of prehistoric and early settlement - according to UNESCO - who have the valley listed as a UNESCO French world Heritage sites - there are 147 prehistoric sites and 25 painted caves in the valley.

France travel > Picardy > guest article

A personal account of the pleasures of exploring Picardy

Roses are blooming ....... by Terry Burke

The Valley of the lower Somme is beautiful on a bright cold winter’s day when the snow lies deep and crisp and even over the Picardy countryside.

Rolling dark green tree clad hills lift over the black gently flowing streams. The roads on the map corresponded to the terrain, white. Villages hibernate more deeply in the winter snow than they will slumber in the summer sun. Nothing stirs, except a covey of ducks and a few new Eolions lazily turning in the light breeze. The sky above is a delicate light blue with high wispy clouds.

France travel > Languedoc-Roussillon > Aude > cathar castles

Exploring the historically fascinating cathar castles of Languedoc

The cathar period lasted more or less a hundred years, from about 1165 - 1271, deep in the violence of the Dark Ages. A turbulent and oppressive period of crusades and battles for power, the cathar history has left its mark on southern France, perhaps above all in the castles around Carcassonne and Languedoc-Roussillon.

(For the dramatic story of this much abused religion which dared to challenge the power of the catholic church see cathars).

You are here: travel ideas > tourist articles > favourite villages

Discover 10 of our personal favourite villages

Some villages come back to haunt your memories for years after a visit - a scenic location, fine historical architecture, lovely gardens, traditional shops and cafes, all can play their part in creating these 'extra-special' places.

Lots of factors play their part in whether a village stands out as special - not just 'unchanging' features such as the landscape and the architecture but others that change with time:

You are here: travel ideas > Aquitaine > Médoc

Exploring the châteaux, vineyards and beaches of the Medoc region

The Medoc region produces many of the finest wines in the world (Margaux, Pauillac, Chateau Lafite-Rothschild...), has more than 100 kilometres of fine sandy beaches, and is just north of one of the most vibrant cities in France.

It sounds like the perfect destination for wine buffs and beach lovers alike - but I wonder how many visitors to France could point to it on a map?

You are here: travel ideas > tourist articles > the black Prince

History enthusiasts can travel France in the footsteps of the Black Prince

The colourful character of the medieval 'Black Prince' perhaps owes as much to legend as to fact, and many places in France have a legacy to the English Prince who conquered so much of France in the early decades of the Hundred Years War.

In many places in France you are likely to come across mention of the Black Prince, from a quiet town in Gascony to the site of a battlefield in central France, and a little knowledge of the 'life and times' of the Black Prince makes a visit more interesting

You are here: travel ideas > tourist articles > villes fleuries

Discover the garden towns of France

The 'towns and villages in bloom' award (ville fleurie) is given to French places that make a special effort to create a pleasant natural environment for both residents and visitors by focussing on plants, flowers and open areas within the town.

You are here: travel ideas > tourist articles > heritage sites

The prestigious UNESCO listed heritage sites of France

There are 30 sites in France that are of such importance that UNESCO has designated them as World Heritage Sites.

Covering a wide range of sites and places, they all share one common feature: they offer something beyond the ordinary.

Most of the French heritage sites are covered in more detail this guide, see the list and map below to see if there are any to visit near your planned destination in France

You are here: travel ideas > Burgundy > Burgundy wine route

Enjoy the picturesque vineyard and villages of the Burgundy Route des Grand Crus

One of the most popular ways to discover the vineyards and villages of southern Burgundy is to follow the 'route des Grands Crus'.

This route follows a quiet road (the D122), largely between Beaune and Dijon but also continuing south to Santenay, that passes many of the most famous wine chateaux of the region.

You are here: travel ideas > tourist articles > western Brittany

Undiscovered destinations in the western part of Brittany

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, it’s less expensive than the usual touristy gathering spots (where you end up seeing your old neighbours from New Jersey anyway).

Many Americans are familiar with northern Brittany, which includes Dinard, and St. Malo. It’s 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 you’ll see the ones from Nantucket and the Hamptons.

You are here: travel ideas > Burgundy > the Cote d'Or

A personal account of a visit to the lovely Cote d'Or region of Burgundy

By Antonia Anderson

Burgundy is a French Mecca for seekers of gourmet cuisine and devotees of wine.

The richness of the culture, history and visual splendor deserves leisurely exploration. Don't rush through the towns and vineyards with a checklist and camera. Instead, take the time to delve into one remarkable and distinctive department of Burgundy: the Cote d'Or.

Stretching from Dijon to Beaune with a blend of grand tradition and intimate features, the Cote d'Or unfolds one new surprise after another.

You are here: travel ideas > tourist articles > Haute-Loire

Little visited and very scenic, an account of the Haute-Loire highlights

There is a deep 600 foot drop from the cliff tops in Le Thord, commune of St Haon, to the river. The Gorges are only occasionally accessible by road. They are heavily wooded with deciduous and conifer trees, and in autumn very colourful. The woods abound with wildlife and many happy hours have been passed watching soaring buzzards and hovering birds of prey; rabbits and small cats beware!

Bird watchers frequently descend the paths below the cliffs, complete with binoculars, notebooks and cameras, ...... and twitch for an hour or so and leave as silently as they arrive.

Here on the 1000 metre contour, towards the southern edge of the Massif Central, the air is clear, the wind is fresh, the temperatures range from very hot, in excess of 40 degrees without any humidity, to minus 15; crisp, dry and exceedingly beautiful. There are few people about.

You are here: travel ideas > tourist articles > cycle training

Spectacular French scenery inspires cyclists training at all levels

by Peter Saborowsky

I have been a serious cyclist most of my life. Almost 30 years ago I started cycling in South Western France. It's an idyllic region beginning on Atlantic beaches, winding through the Basque country, and climbing into the Pyrenees.

The area's lovely weather, famous sights, and varied terrains make cycling an inspirational affair. It was when I saw professional cyclists and national teams vacationing and training in this same area that I realized just how much magnificent scenery and enjoyable roads can improve one's competitive advantage.

You are here: travel ideas > tourist articles > villages of character

Discover the craggy Ardeche region through its beautiful villages

There are numerous attractive villages to be found in the Ardeche department of the Rhone-Alpes, and exploring them adds to the pleasure of a visit to this scenic part of southern France.

Seventeen of these Ardeche villages have also been classified as 'villages of character', and these provide good examples of the villages across the department as a whole.

You are here: travel ideas > tourist articles > Lot Valley

Our favourite highlights in the Upper Lot Valley

A holiday in the Lot Valley offers some fabulous scenery, beautiful medieval villages, historic monuments and a superb gastronomical experience.

The Lot river flows for 500km starting at Mont Lozere and flowing into the Garonne River before reaching the Atlantic Ocean.

As it flows it passes through the fertile farming lands of Aquitaine, the high plateaux of the Aubrac and the beautiful wooded valleys of the Lozere.