Discovering the Natural Regional Parc of Loire-Anjou-Touraine
The Loire-Anjou-Touraine regional natural park is an extensive region covering approximately 100 kilometres east to west, centred around Montsoreau in the Maine-et-Loire department (with Chinon to the east and Saumur to the west). Angers represents the western border of the natural park, and Tours the eastern frontier.
The parc approximately follows the course of the Loire River between Angers and Langeais, and also the Vienne river between L'Ile Bouchard and Montsoreau (where it joins with the Loire).
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!
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 
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 
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.
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.
The Tet valley is a picturesque valley to the west of 
The town of Biarritz and the surrounding region are ideal for a short break, with the town itself a pleasure to explore, the chance to stroll along the beach, and lots of interesting places nearby to visit.
The French riviera, with Nice and the surrounding coastal towns, is of course best known as a summer holiday destination and the region attracts many millions of visitors each year.
There are cheap flights to Bergerac airport all year around, making it the perfect destination for an escape from the winter blues (or autum, summer and spring blues!)
With the arrival of cheap flights to Carcassonne from the UK it is now very practical to visit for a long weekend and a have a great time at a very reasonable cost.
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.
The River Vézère flows 190 kilometres from its source in the Massif Central to its confluence with the Dordogne River near 
Roses are blooming ....... by Terry Burke
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.
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.
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.
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.
There are 30 sites in France that are of such importance that UNESCO has designated them as World Heritage Sites.
Across France there are almost 20 aquariums open to the public and nearly 50 zoos, nature reserves and animal parks.
One of the most popular ways to discover the vineyards and villages of southern Burgundy is to follow the 'route des Grands Crus'.
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).
By Antonia Anderson
by Peter Saborowsky
There are numerous attractive villages to be found in the 
A holiday in the Lot Valley offers some fabulous scenery, beautiful medieval villages, historic monuments and a superb gastronomical experience.
The Dropt River runs from Capdrot, east of Monpazier, to La Reole near Langon where it meets the Garonne River.
Did you know that just an hour and a half inland from the 
Where do you think of when asked to name the most famous sights in France? Here we have prepared a list of what we believe are the most famous places. We have selected just 10 places.
The Cider Route is found in Normandy, and makes for a pleasant day or two exploring some of the Normandy villages, and discovering how and where in Normandy cider is made. Cider tasting is of course obligatory!
Note: travel idea suggested by 
Introduction to the medieval towns and villages in France
The Alsace wine route is one of the most popular and attractive ways to explore the traditional villages of the Alsace region, and to learn more about the wines that are produced. The route covers more than 170 km as it traces a line from north to south broadly following the eastern edge of the Vosges mountains.
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