The France Tourism industry is one of the thriving industries of the nation. The France Tourism industry generates 6 percent of the revenue of the country. The visitors from abroad account for 4 percent, while the locals account for only 2 percent of the revenue generated out of tourism. The huge influx of foreigners brings a considerable amount of foreign exchange to the country.
The country is home to beautiful hills and mountain ranges. The climate is on the moderate side. This ensures that the visitors have a nice time touring the country. Each year, tourists from different countries of the world flock to France to enjoy a nice time holidaying.
The pristine coastlines along the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea offer ideal hangouts for picnic and other exciting activities. Toulouse, Corsica, Chamonix, Cannes, Biarritz, Arles, Nice and other such cities of France are a tourist's delight. Paris, the beautiful world city and capital of the country, is a heaven for sightseeing. World-renowned architectural wonders, like the Eiffel Tower, Chateau d'If, Arc de Triomphe, Cathedral of Notre dam etc. are a treat to the eyes of the onlookers.
History of France
France is one of the tourist hotspots of the world. The country owes its historical richness to the past several thousand years. The History of France is considered to be one of most ancient histories in the world. This independent nation of Western Europe enables us to take a look at the bygone days. The History of France is a great saga of revolutions, wars and stories of aristocrats. All these have played their own part in making France one of the most powerful nations of the world today. France Travel Guide offers you a deeper insight of the France history.
During the 1st century BC, Roman emperor Julius Caesar captured the land of France, which was at that time a part of the Celtic region. The land was known as Gaul. By the next century, Christianity emerged as the most commonly practiced religion. In around 400 AD, the eastern part of Gaul which extended along the banks of River Rhine was conquered by the tribe of Franks. The Franks captured the entire land by the seventh century. In the 9th century, the entire land of France emerged as a separate nation.
Aristocracy and monarchy has ruled the most parts of the History of France. During the rulings of King Louis XIV in the 17th century, the nation witnessed the monarchy touch its apex. France excelled in the fields of art and culture. It became one of the premier hubs of business and commerce. The country emerged as one of the most powerful nations. But in the year 1789, the French Revolution brought an end to the monarchy.
Royal dynasties, such as the Bourbon, Valois, and Capetians have ruled the country. Within 10 years of the French Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte ascended the throne of France. In the year 1815, the defeat of Napoleon in the Battle of Waterloo restored monarchy in the country. Even today, tourists and visitors are enthralled by the remains and footprints of history in France.
Culture of France
France connotes different meanings to different people. While some associate France with romanticism and aesthetic beauty; others link arts and culture with the country. France in fact is a citadel of the Western culture. French Revolution taught the world the concepts of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. The writings of noted French writers like Charles Baudelaire and philosophers like Voltaire and others have left indelible marks on the thinking of not just their contemporaries but to the new age people as well. Thanks to the genius of the French writers, world literature has been enriched with immortal writings like "The Count of Monte Cristo", "Don Quixote", "Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea" and many more. Arts and crafts of France has further been enriched by the contribution of famous film directors like Jean Luc Godard, Alan Resnais. Read on France travel guide to get a view in a nutshell of the culture of France.
French architecture is actually an offshoot of the Gothic architecture. The architectural style evolved dynamically, with the previous Baroque style being replaced by the Gothic style. Even Gothic style of architecture was later phased out and the avant-garde style took its place. Notable examples of the architecture of France are Eifel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame de Chartres and many more. These important architectural examples have contributed in forming a vibrant culture of France.
Cuisine of France is as varied as the country itself. Different regions specialize in different cuisines. Though ingredients differ, with northwest France uses more of butter, cream and apples and southwest France makes more use of pork fat, duck fat, mushrooms and gizzards; the taste too differs considerably.
Though there is no official state religion in France, Christianity is mostly practiced. Music and dance of France equally catches attention of other people. All these factors have enriched culture of France.
France Popular Destinations
France Travel Guide can guide tourists to learn more about the different places of the country like never before. It tells us about Popular France Destinations that you must check out.
Paris Travel Guide in France introduces us to the lovely city of Paris. People come here from different parts of the world and are becharmed by its grandeur. It is a cultural, economic and political hub of France. Not just that, it is also a fashion and culinary capital of the world. Tourist attractions abound in Paris, be it the Eiffel Tower or Moulin Rouge Show or even the Wines of the Loire Valley. Restaurants, bars and entertainments spots also thrive here. Besides all of the above, the infrastructure here is also striking. Paris is certainly one of the Popular France Destinations that you cannot afford to miss out.
Cannes is a city better known for the international film festival that takes place each year. Apart from that, trade fairs, innumerable shows and exhibitions also feature here at Cannes. Accommodation avenues are great here. Transportation convenience can be attained, thanks to a good transportation network and infrastructure in this city. Thanks to Cannes Travel Guide in France, you will know the city to the hilt.
Much to the merit of Bordeaux Travel Guide in France, we know that Bordeaux is famous for its wines. The Victory Arch - a mark of Roman architecture, the Aquitaine Bridge, the Girondins memorial and Public Garden are a few of the tourist attractions here.
Some of the other Popular Destinations in France are:
- Marseille Travel Guide in France
- Strasbourg Travel Guide in France
- Toulouse Travel Guide in France
- Aix-en-Provence Travel Guide in France
- Lille Travel Guide in France
- Corsica Travel Guide in France
- Avignon Travel Guide in France
- Lourdes Travel Guide in France
- Lyon Travel Guide in France
- Montpellier Travel Guide in France
- Reims Travel Guide in France
- Arles Travel Guide in France
- Rouen Travel Guide in France
- Versailles Travel Guide in France
- Grenoble Travel Guide in France
- La Rochelle Travel Guide in France
- Dijon Travel Guide in France
- St Malo Travel Guide in France
- Annecy Travel Guide in France
- Troyes Travel Guide in France
It just goes to show that that you can never run out of Popular France Destinations. Each city of this country is unique and is ideal for tourists.
France Festivals & Events
France has always been the cynosure of Europe, be it art and architecture, or food and fashion. The country is always bustling with one hot activity, festival or event after another. It is a hard task to narrow down the innumerable activities down to one page. A few of the festivals and events in France have with time become a part of the culture of France. If you are a leisure tourist looking forward to a great time in the country, it is advisable to note beforehand the France festivals and events, forming a part of France travel guide. Here is a brief summary to some of the notable France festivals and events.
Christened the most delectable competition in the world, Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie or World Pastry Cup in France brings together 66 of the world's top pastry chefs from 22 countries in a display guaranteed to provide ample excitement to your taste buds. Each country is represented by a pastry-cook, a chocolate maker and an ice-cream maker, who have nine hours to prepare chocolate dessert, a fruit and ice-cream dessert presented on an ice sculpture base, and a typical plate dessert from their. The pieces are then be marked for their taste and artistic quality by a panel of international judges.
Launch of the Beaujolais Nouveau in France is another of the famous France festivals and events, which celebrates the official release of the Beaujolais Nouveau wine on the third Thursday in November of every year, a significant date among wine tasters all over the world.
For one night only the numerous museums and attractions of the country participate in Museums by Night in France, which means they remain open long past usual hours and offer admission for free. You can spend the days sightseeing and the nights visiting the museums at no charge.
Armistice Day in France or Jour de l'Armistice de 1918 is a public holiday to commemorate the end of World War I. It is also a day of remembrance for the many people who have lay down their lives in the many wars since.
The main France festivals and events are
- Armistice Day in France
- Music Festival in France
- Semaine du Gout (Week of the Taste) in France
- The Fete du Nautisme in France
- Museums by Night in France
- Launch of the Beaujolais Nouveau in France
- World Pastry Cup in France
If you are lucky enough to visit the country during some exciting event like the Fete du Nautisme or Semaine du Gout (Week of the Taste), you are in for a magnificent treat.
Getting There
France is considered to be one of the most cultured countries of the world. Getting to France is truly an enriching experience. Often referred to as the queen of Europe, one can visit the country by train, air and by sea.
Train Travel in France
The Super TGV system is the basis of the Bullet trains which travel at a speed of 170 to 220 mph. If you are coming from London, then Getting to France can be excellent because the Eurostar, running under the English Channel, links London to Paris. You can also travel from Paris to Brussels by availing the Thalys bullet train. The SNCF or the French National Railroads are also excellent for Transportation in France. You can travel in first class or second class during the day and in sleeper during the night.
Air Travel in France
From London to Paris, the flights depart after every 1 hour and from New York, it takes 7 hours. The Air France Coaches run to Etoile through the Porte Maillot to Montprarnasse via Gare de Lyon to Orly Airport. One can also easily access the airport by train or by car. Some of the airlines that travel to France from the US are Air France, American Airlines, British Airways, Continental, Delta, TWA, United Airlines and the US Air. From U.K. you can avail Caledonian Airways and the Bluebird Express apart from the above mentioned ones.
Getting by Sea :
Getting Around France by water is also a good choice. From the Atlantic port you can come in the La Rochelle whereas, from the North Sea, Boulogne offers you cross channel services. The Le Havre links national and international destinations and the Calais also provides you with a comfortable journey for Getting to France.
Hotels in France
