Through history, France has always played a pivotal role in Europe.  From Art to Politics to Architecture, it is a interesting place.  Here is some background info to think about before your trip.

A helicopter View of France for Travelers

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 biggest country in Western Europe, which is about 80 p.c the size of Texas for comparison purposes.  The capital of France is Paris.  Other major cities of note include the port town 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 varied climatic conditions starting from extremely cool in the mountain areas to downright hot in the southern beach locations like Nice.

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

despite the big immigrant in-flow over time, France is a largely uniform non secular society.  Over 90 percent of all French claim the Roman Catholic religion as their religion of choice.  Powerful Muslim population sectors, however, exist and are growing rapidly thru immigration.  The official language of the country is French and it’s also the dominant language employed in daily life.  The literacy rate for France is over 99 p.c, which sounds right given the free, compulsory education system.

As this outline of France demonstrates, it has played a major role in EU history.  This makes it a great travel destination since much of the country has historic worth, which you can experience by just walking down the road.

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Lighthouses on the French coast stand as spectacular testaments to the country’s naval history. Although many are now sadly abandoned, their beautiful style and design and cultural importance make them a must-see for tourists in France. French lighthouses are little-known historical treasures that hark back to a largely forgotten era of Gallic supremacy . Scattered all round the French shoreline, the lighthouses – or phare – have endured the worst that the Channel and the Atlantic Ocean have to offer for many years. These spectacular buildings punctuate the skyline around the coastline, forming a impressive network of beacons originally designed to guard the lives of French seamen and ensure the integrity of the nation’s shipping lanes. Brittany is home to some of the most splendid lighthouses, along with the Île D’Ouessant just off the mainland. A rugged, weather-beaten tranche of land that’s only 5km by 8km long, the island is houses a number of truly impressive historical lighthouses, both onshore and off. Encircled by intense currents and treacherous outcrops of hidden rocks, the island has claimed many lives over the years, making its lighthouses of crucial practical importance for shipping navigating through this dangerous area. The lighthouses on the island are some of the most magnificent to be found anywhere in France. From the compact, square Phare de Kermorvan with its rugged stone facing to the simple yet robust elegance of the Phare du Petit Minou, the Île D’Ouessant showcases some truly amazing feats of engineering and practical architecture. The lighthouses are even more spectacular when one considers that most were built in the early years of the nineteenth century, when building techniques were nowhere near as advanced as they are now. The fact that these structures are still standing in the face of such severe weather conditions is a credit to the skill and tenacity of the men who built them. Reaching the Île D’Ouessant is quick and easy – just catch a Dunkirk channel ferry to France and make your way to Brest in Brittany. There the twice daily ferry will ship you over to the island for a very modest fee. Once there, you can explore the island on foot or by bike, taking in the unique sights of these commanding silent guards.

France is the top tourist destination in the world, which comes as no surprise since it has many spectacular attractions. Indeed, France is home to many historic and interesting sites which are all equally captivating, which is why you might have a hard time knowing where to start. It doesn’t matter where you do, though, as long as you visit these top France attractions during your stay.

Versailles

Versailles is not just one of the most popular France attractions. It is also one of the most important and luxurious palaces in the world, having served as the official residence for the royal family of France from 1682 to 1789, particularly the families of King Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI. With its historic atmosphere, magnificent chambers decorated with ornate furniture and its stunning gardens, Versailles is truly a feast for the senses and a sight you should definitely tour before you leave. It is easy to get to, as well, located only a short drive from Paris.

Louvre Museum

France boasts of some of the best art museums in the world, including the famous Louvre Museum. Aside from being one of the most popular France attractions in Paris, it is a national museum, housing hundreds of thousands of masterpieces from the Egyptians, Greeks, Etruscans and Romans. There are also plenty of excellent examples of Islamic and decorative art. The most popular collection, though, are the paintings, particularly the works of Leonardo da Vinci. Other notable French museums include the Georges Pompidou Centre and the Musee d’Orsay.

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower has many distinctions. It is the tallest building in Paris at a height of 324 metres, and was the tallest in the world from 1889 to 1930. It is the most visited paid monument in the world, as well, receiving nearly 7 million visitors annually. It is also the most recognizable structure in the world. Indeed, the Eiffel Tower easily symbolizes the romantic City of Lights and all of France, which is why you should take some time to visit it instead of merely bringing home one of its miniatures. The lines may be long, especially in the peak season, but the views from the top are sure to be worth the wait.

Notre Dame de Paris

The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has a rich history. First constructed in 1163, it is the site of many historical events, including the coronation of King Henry VI, the wedding of Mary, Queen of Scotland, the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte and the canonization of Joan of Arc. What draws millions of visitors year after year, though, is its remarkable Gothic architecture and its collection of artistic religious pieces. Its rose windows are stunning to behold on sunny days, while the gargoyles and chimera perched around its tower are fascinating. You can also catch a glimpse of its bells, particularly the 13-ton Emmanuel Bell, which is sure to transport you into the pages of Victor Hugo’s ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’.

Chambord Castle

Just as the Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the best examples of Gothic architecture, the Castle of Chambord is an excellent example of French renaissance architecture. On the outside, it has over 800 sculpted columns and an elaborate roofscape lined with various types of towers and chimneys, all meant for decorative and not defensive purposes, while on the inside, it consists of 440 rooms, four vast hallways and 84 staircases. It is particulary popular for its unique double-helix staircase which runs up three floors and serves as its centerpiece.

The Loire Valley

During your vacation in France, don’t just linger in Paris. Rather, make it a point to discover the beauty of the French countryside, like the Loire Valley. Aside from the Chombard Castle, the Loire Valley offers many other enchanting castles, as well as charming towns and historic cities like Bourges and Orleans. It is also known for its excellent wine and breathtakingly romantic natural scenery, earning it the title of the Garden of France, which is why it is one of the best France attractions in itself.

If you still have some time left, you can also visit other France attractions, such as the Futuroscope, the Fontainebleau Forest and the beautiful beaches of the French Riviera. While you won’t be able to visit them all, you might as well try to see as many of the scenic spots in France as you can, so you can truly say that you have experienced France instead of merely visiting it – an experience sure to be on the top of your list for a lifetime.

Isabella Olsen is a travel writer who has toured major destinations worldwide, including France, by car. Zencarhire.com offer car hire from many locations throughout France, including, car hire Rodez. To book a car hire France, or learn more about car hire worldwide, visit www.zencarhire.com

For some years now a group of the so-called “budget airlines” in Europe have been taking part in a fares war attempting to offer the lowest air fares to a host of European cities. It’s quite normal to read that one of the leading budget carriers such as Easyjet or Ryanair is offering return flights from Britain to Germany, France or Spain for £1 (approx $1.45). There might be airport landing fees and taxes to be added to that, but it remains an absolute bargain if you’re keen to see a variety of cities throughout Europe. One of the biggest drawbacks of these flights is that they frequently make use of to the smaller local airports instead of the more well known majorinternational ones. This sometimes means that a flight that is supposed to be flying to a big European city actually lands anything up to 50 miles away. There can be some advantages with this arrangement, the regional airports often offer a much quicker service on luggage and check-in since they are servicing a lot less flights. The downside is that transportation to and from these airports can be patchy at best and an extremely popular alternative is hiring a car from the airport. The following are a variety of the great cities that we have visited using cheap flights. We are sure that you’d enjoy a visit to any of these great, they certainly have a lot to offer the visitor to their shores.

Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow was once a particularly ugly industrial monster but it has seen a Renaissance and has become a wonderful, architecturally divine city attracting a huge number of visitors throughout the year. The trendy West part of the city is the home of one of the oldest universities in the U.K.. Perched on a hill in the middle of the Medieval part of Glasgow, its students bring a cosmopolitan, fun loving atmosphere to the surrounding area. The low cost airlines use Prestwick Airport some 51 km (35 miles) to the north east of the city centre and there is an excellent road between the airport and the city centre. It’s a popular sightseeing area, so you are advised to rent a car in Glasgow in advance of your journey. A congestion free 30 minute journey from the airport along the M77 motorway takes you to the city centre. Glasgow is an ideal base for a journey to the Trossachs National Park. A mere 13 mile (20 km) drive out of the city and you could find yourself enjoying sensational countryside on the back of a pony, whereas a 50 km (30 mile) drive eastwards along another excellent motorway will take you to Edinburgh , the city of festivals complete with Princes Street shopping, castle, palace and the seaside.

Florence, Italy

Undoubtedly one of Europe’s most impressively beautiful locations, Florence is served by the airport at Pisa, which is 84 km (50 miles) west of the city. Hire a car at Pisa airport and you’ll be perfectly positioned to explore the leaning tower at Pisa, the wonders of historic Florence and a selection of Europe’s most picturesque countryside, that of the majestically beautiful Tuscany. It therefore will not come as a huge surprise that Florence is one of the leading historic cities in the whole of Europe. Once you arrive at the city of Florence you will discover that a large proportion of the city centre is pedestrianized protecting its many ancient statues and architectural treasures from the pollution and vibrations caused by busy roads. The traffic free status brings a feeling of peace and quiet as you wander from one monument to the next. You don’t have to stray too far before experiencing the ghastly, ear splitting roar from Florence’s legion of scooter riders. Apart from the Ponte Vecchio all of the bridges leading to centre of the city are polluted, noisy places, thus giving us an added incentive to keep to the ancient alleyways and tranquil sanctuaries of Florence’s wonderful piazzas.

Tours, France

Tours is the ideal centre for exploring France’s wonderful Loire valley and its magnificent chateaux The ideal centre for exploring the Loire Valley renowned for its wonderful array of palatial residences, the city boasts quite a few of its own charms. Although the little airport is but a couple of miles from town, you really need to rent a car at Tours airport in order to explore a selection of the most picturesque towns and villages to be found anywhere in France. Along the banks of the River Loire between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes, a number of cultural treasures are presented for the tourist to feast their eyes on. A UNESCO site, the Loire Valley offers beautiful countryside, historic villages and lots of flamboyant castles. Formerly the “Retreat of Kings” back in the days of the Renaissance and the middle ages, the Loire Valley was a firm savourite of the French monarchy. Former working fortified castles were converted into palatial and elegant trophy residences and these are now the region’s main tourist attractions. Tourists from around the world are attracted to the historic towns that are situated along the banks of the Loire. Towns such as Blois, Tours, Orleans and Chinon have so much to see and do whilst the most popular of all the chateaux is maybe that on the Chambord Estate. Throughout the area you will discover small, family owned vineyards offering a variety of wonderful wines at very low prices. Look out for the word “degustation”, which means sampling I guess, and provided that ‘Le Patron’ is not in the middle of a long leisurely lunch you will be made very welcome and he will be delighted to offer you a tasting of his complete selection of wines. Of course, it is vital that you take a tee-totaller as your driver, some of these tasting sessions can get very serious!.

For some years now several of the airlines labelled “low-cost airlines in Europe have been taking part in a fares war attempting to offer the lowest air fares to a host of cities throughout Europe. It’s quite normal to see that one of the major low cost airlines for example Ryanair or Easyjet has an offer of return flights from Britain to Germany, Spain or France for £1 (approx $1.45). There might be airport landing fees and taxes to be added to that, but it’s still an absolute bargain if you’re looking to visit a variety of cities throughout Europe. One of the major drawbacks of flying with the budget airlines is that they frequently make use of to the smaller municipal airports instead of the more well known majorinternational ones. This can mean that a flight that is advertised to a big European city actually lands some 50 miles away. There can be some plus-points with this arrangement, the municipal airports will always offer a much quicker service on luggage and check-in because they’re catering for far fewer flights. The downside is that public transport serving these airfields can be scrappy at best and an extremely popular option is hiring a car from the airport. The following are a variety of the great cities that we’ve visited with flights from the budget airlines. We’re confident that you’ll enjoy visiting any of these scenic, they certainly have a lot to offer to visitors to their shores.

Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow, once known for its hard, unforgiving living conditions has undergone a Renaissance and has become a fascinating, architecturally diverse city attracting a vast number of tourists throughout the year. The chic West part of Glasgow is the home of the fourth oldest university in the United Kingdom. Perched on a hill in the middle of the Medieval region of Glasgow, the students bring a cosmopolitan, fun loving atmosphere to the area. The low cost carriers use Prestwick Airport which is approximately 35 miles (51 km) to the north east of the centre of Glasgow and there is an excellent road between the airport and the city centre. This is a popular sightseeing area, so you are advised to hire a car at Glasgow Airport in advance of your journey. A congestion free 30 minute journey from the airport on the M77 motorway brings you to the city centre. Glasgow is an ideal base for a journey to the Trossachs National Park. A mere 13 mile (20 km) drive out of the city and you could find yourself enjoying sensational countryside seated upon a pony, whereas a 50 km (30 mile) drive east using another excellent motorway will take you to Edinburgh , the city of festivals complete with Princes Street shopping, Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh Castle and the seaside.

Florence, Italy

Undoubtedly one of the most hauntingly beautiful locations in Europe, Florence is served by the airport at Pisa, which is 84 km (50 miles) west of the city. Hire a car at Pisa airport and you’ll be in position to explore the leaning tower at Pisa, majestic Florence and some of Europe’s most picturesque countryside, that of the majestically beautiful Tuscany. Thus it is hardly surprising that Florence is one of the leading historic cities in the whole of Europe. When you arrive in Florence you will find that a large proportion of the city centre is traffic free thus preserving its many ancient statues and architectural treasures from the vibrations and pollution caused by hectic traffic. As a result you are overtaken by a feeling of tranquility as you wander from one fragment of history to the next. You do not need to walk too far before being hit by the evil, ear splitting roar of Florence’s legion of scooter riders. Other than the Ponte Vecchio the remainder of the bridges into the centre of the city are noisy, polluted places, thus providing an added incentive to keep to the ancient alleyways and tranquil sanctuaries of Florence’s wonderful piazzas.

Tours, France

Tours, set amongst the famed Loire Valley chateaux but without a solitary chateau to its name! The ideal centre for discovering the Loire Valley renowned for its amazing selection of palatial residences, the city boasts quite a number of its own charms. Although the small airport is only a couple of miles out of town, you really need to rent a car in the Loire Valley to fully explore a selection of the most picturesque towns and villages to be found anywhere in France. A large number of cultural treasures will be found along the banks of the Loire. A UNESCO site, the Loire Valley offers scenic countryside, lots of flamboyant castles plus a good scattering of historic villages. Originally the “Retreat of Kings” back in the days of the Renaissance and the middle ages, the Loire Valley was a firm savourite of the French monarchy. Former working fortified castles were converted into elegant palatial trophy residences and these are now the region’s main tourist attractions. The historic towns that line the river banks are a magnet to tourists from all over the world. Towns such as Tours, Blois and Chinon have lots to see and do whilst the most popular of all the chateaux is possibly that on the Chambord Estate. Throughout the area you will discover little, family owned vineyards offering a variety of great wines at budget prices. Keep your eyes skinned for the word “degustation”, which means sampling I guess, and provided that ‘Le Patron’ is not enjoying a long leisurely lunch you will be made very welcome and he will be delighted to offer you a tasting of his complete selection of wines. Of course, it is strongly advised that you take a non-drinker as your driver, some of these tasting sessions can get very serious!.

This article was provided by: Tours of Glasgow.

What makes France an ideal spot for a spring break destination? You may be wondering as to why your travel agents keep on insisting that you consider France as one of your travel’s stopovers. Do not be pissed off. They know the perfect places where you like you may totally enjoy a truly deserved of break.

A long time of studying deserves a good and enjoyable break. Why not spend it to the most romantic place in the world? After all, spring break comes only once a year, why not make the most out of it? This is your chance of supplying the much deserved getaway trip. Take the deal without second thoughts. France is worth your visit!

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What are supposed to be your activities when you get yourself to France? Frankly speaking, being alone on a tour in this awesome country will never make you feel bored. There are numerous places to visit, clubs and bars to while the night away, activities to engage in, people to meet, and food to enjoy. Take a peak at the following list for a guided travel to France.

The French Cuisine Galore

Food tripping is fun especially with the array of choices that you have when it comes to French cuisine. The French dishes are mostly rich in protein. The soup is definitely delicious. Both of the local and regional recipes are great because the settlers have their own way of mixing and matching the ingredients. For all of you to know, the French dishes are hailed to be the finest cuisines in the entire world.

A Guide for the Shop-a-holics

Certainly, you can never complete your travel without shopping. A bit of souvenirs from the places that you have set your foot on matters. Splurging into a shopping spree is never a hindrance because of the line of shopping centers that you may go to. The designer clothes, bags, shoes, perfume, and a lot others are perfectly available. Take note, France is the trendsetter when it comes to the latest fashion!

If you want to save money so you can buy more, then go to the cheaper boutiques. Fashion can never be compromised although the prices are lower. Make your way to Calais and Lille where bargain shopping is the deal.

A List of Sports Activities

You will never run out of activity in France. Just take a quick survey of the activities written below to create your own idea of what to get busy with.

Cycling. Cycling lanes are fun in France. You may even rent bikes to tour around the city.

Hiking and mountain climbing. The trails for hiking are clearly marked so you can never go wrong. Likewise, you may hire a guide if you wish to have a companion.

Camping. Try out the campsites in the holiday parks of the cities.

Caving. The limestone caves are among the frequented places in France.

Skiing. Downhill and uphill skiing is common. But since the ice caps are melting, you might save this during winter.

Golfing. Around 500 golf courses are accessible in the country.

Hand gliding and paragliding. For an extreme sport experience, try out the spots at Corsica, Pyrenees, and Hautes-Alpes.

Swimming, canoeing, diving, kitesurfing, and fishing. All of these activities are clearly possible in France.

What are you waiting for? Explore Europe and have the best spring break of a lifetime.

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This text was written by: Book Your Budapest Holiday.

If you decide to go on a luxury European tour to France, don’t forget to drop by Cannes. Cannes is situated in the southern portion of France particularly in the Riviera region. The city of Cannes is much known for the renowned celebration of the Cannes Movie Festival which more or less attracts several tripists to flock into the place.

Cannes ranks second to Paris as among the gems that France boasts of and is a neighbor to the latter, Nice, and Marseille. When it comes to the tourism industry, Cannes can never be left out. With the coasts as part of its pride, more and more people are driven to spend some time in the city.

What to Marvel at as You trip Cannes

For the beach, sand, and sunshine lovers, here are some of the nice destinations that you can consider.

The Boulevard de la Croisette is one of the frequented coasts of Cannes because it provides the best avenue for the folks who love the sand, the beach, and the sun more than anything else in the whole wide world. Being a waterfront region, the Boulevard de la Croisette envelops a twelve kilometer phase which keeps a line of first rated cafes, shops, hotel, and diners to make the travelers at ease and very much entertained.

The scenery is all the more enhanced by the palm trees surrounding the place. Moreover, another topnotch resort in the place is Iles de Lerins where the tripists may opt to enjoy some of their favorite watersports.

For the art enthusiasts, here are some of the perfect venues for you pay a visit to.

The Musee de la Castre is a place that safe keeps the impressionistic art crafts and samples. Included in the collections are the paintings, sculptures, and other decorative and stylish art works as made by the well known impressionistic artisans.

Meanwhile, for the shopping addict individuals, here is what Cannes has at stake for you. Additionally, you should ask for whole life insurance quotes.

Walking around the city of Cannes brings you to the numerous entertainment portals. Besides the satiating experience of feeling the breeze of Cannes, you can likewise splurge into some shopping galore at the famous boutiques, dine in at the popular restaurants, and enjoy club hopping at nighttime.

The Festivities for the Cannes Film Celebration

Sure enough, you are overly familiar with the Cannes Film Festival celebration, isn’t it? The festivities when it comes to the time of honoring the Films and the Film makers can never be surpassed as it is done in Cannes.

Cannes Film Festival Described

Cannes Movie Festival is one of the exceptional Movie galas which particularly invites everyone to partake in the celebration. In the year 1946, the festival began in September 20 and halted in October 5. Ever since, the merriment in line with Film making has been continuously celebrated. The festival aims to honor the great masterpieces of the Hollywood stars and of those from all over the globe.

With this really highlighted celebration, several directors, actors, actresses, and media people gather to witness the parade of exceptional movie collections. The “Palma de Oro” award is the most awaited. Cannes Film Festival is more so regarded as the contemporaries of the Festivals held in Berlin, San Sebastian, Mar del Plata, and Venecia.

You see, you can almost enjoy your luxury European vacation to the fullest. Goodluck to your getaway endeavor!

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This text was written by: Brussels Tour.

How do you feel about going for a travel as a way of relieving yourself of all of life’s pressure? Where do you plan to go? Have you taken Europe as an itinerary? When you delve on the topic of going on a European tour vacation, there is always the plan that arises to visit France, particularly, Avignon, France.

Avignon, France is also termed as the second Rome basically because of some history concerning the reign of the popes in the 14th century. When Babylon was placed under siege, several popes were dethroned. This place in France has served as an abode to the myriad of antipopes within the period of 1378 down to 1408.

More so, UNESCO has granted Avignon, France with the commendation of being one of the world’s top rated heritage sites. “The Avenio” is a term which the Celt inhabitants use to refer to Avignon, France. It thus means “the town of the violent winds”.

Hence, if you wish to join the religious tours which are arranged by your church organizations or you plainly want to enjoy a long break, then might as well get the chance to visit Avignon, France in France.

Religious Tours Destination

A tour that is bound for France can be made more interesting if you consider dropping by Avignon, France. Religious tours are usually held therein since the place is a known home for the popes since time immemorial. Some of the renowned popes of the Catholic Church who had found the homey comfort in Avignon, France include Pope Innocent VI, Pope Benedict XII, Pope Clement V, Pope Clement VI, Pope John XXII, Pope Gregory XI, and Pope Urban V.

The era of Papacy in Avignon is otherwise referred in history as Babylon’s Captivity or simply the Babylonian Captivity. Such notable reign of the popes provided a clear signal for the conquerors to enslave the Israelites. This remarkable event marked the beginning of Avignon, France’s being an interesting city of France.

The Pope’s Palace is a common destination of the religious tours. Packs of tourists flock to the aged Catholic churches. Other spots which they commonly visit are the churches of St. Peter, St. Agricola, and St. Didier.

These church towers were once ruined during the time of the chaotic French Revolution but the cardinals, popes, and their subordinates concerted their efforts to bring back the glories of the churches.

Avignon, France’s other Highlights

Towards the end of the French Revolution, Avignon, France formally became a part of France and is now regarded as the nation’s commercial core. The progressive industries in the city include the silk trade, madder root and trail transport trades, as well as it is known to be a supplier of fresh market products.

Aside from these trades, the city’s cultural and economic aspects also gained their unsurpassed reputation.  It is with this reason that Avignon has been pronounced as year 2000’s Europe’s City of Culture.

It is somehow refreshing and exciting to partake in tours such as those religiously affiliated ones. Through this activity, you can somehow take a glimpse of the historical context of the church as well as its struggles.

However, you may also pay homage to the churches in the city which may redefine the Catholic spirit in you. A visit to Avignon, France, France for a European tour holiday can provide you with a really refreshing feeling.

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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. Lyon is considered teh gastronomic center of France with the highest concntration of Michelin three star restaurants in the world. Many of the young cooks at these great restaurants leave to open their own restaurants, serving great food at modest prices. You are sure to find exceptional food at reasonable prices in Lyon.

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.