A mention of France typically conjures up images of the Eiffel Tower, gastronomic delights, wine country chateaux, high fashion and the French Riviera. France is Western Europe’s largest nation, and is home to over 58 million people. It extends from the wild coast of Brittany to the jutting peaks of the Pyrenees; to the Alps in the southeast, and finally the Mediterranean coast.
 Visitors to France inevitably find an exceptional range of attractions and things to do here. Paris is normally at the top of most itineraries, but Lyon, Nice, Cannes, the villages of Provence and the French Alps also figure prominently.
 From the excitement, sophistication and style of Paris to the grandeur of the chateaux of the Loire Valley and the glamour of the Cote d’Azur, it’s easy to see why France has been a source of enchantment to tourists for generations. The country’s world-renowned cuisine and wines are a significant part of its appeal. The list of gastronomic delights goes on forever, but a few specialties that are not to be missed include escargot, foie gras, fromage, patisserie and truffles.
 The country’s attractions range from small aspects of daily life to famous works of art and architectural masterpieces. You can experience the essence of France in its café culture, at the Cannes film festival or in a walk around the monastery and fortress of Mont Saint Michel. A visit to the windswept beaches of Normandy brings to life images of the troops landing during WWII and a visit to Versailles evokes images of yet another era of French history.
You can experience at first hand the awesome beauty of Mont Blanc in contrast to the glamour and style of Paris. And while you’re in Paris, you can visit the Louvre to see da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’ up close, take in the cabaret show at the Moulin Rouge or enjoy a leisurely boat ride along the Seine River.
No matter what type of accommodation you have in mind, France has an option to meet your needs. There are quaint guest houses, small and affordable family hotels, converted chateaux and five-star deluxe hotels and resorts – all characterised by a uniquely French sense of style. No matter which region of France you choose for your visit, there will be plenty to see, lots of things to do, interesting shops to explore, great food and wine to enjoy.
History
France’s history can be traced to early civilisations dating back to 50,000BC. Plenty of evidence has been found in Périgord from the Stone Age, where the remains of Cro-Magnon man were uncovered at Les Eyzies. Neolithic sites dating from 5000BC were discovered in Brittany.
 Marseille was founded by Greeks in 600BC and called Massalia at the time. Other parts of Gaul (as the country was then called) were mostly rural but archaeologists have found communities such as Autun with well-defined merchants' quarters from as early as 100BC. Evidence to support the theory of trading relations between the Gauls and the Greeks has been found in ancient burial grounds outside of Vix.
 In 52BC, the Gauls were defeated by the Romans when Julius Caesar arrived to seize more lands for his empire. For more than five centuries after this defeat, the country experienced an era of peace and development. The populace was educated in Latin, was taught farming techniques and learned about trade and manufacturing; and a national border was established with Germany at the Rhine River. These developments enabled France to withstand the centuries of conflict that were to begin with the fall of the Roman Empire.
The Franks, led by King Clovis, were the next major presence, bringing with them Christianity, and founding the city of Paris. In 754 the Pope crowned Pepin king and his son, Charlemagne, later continued Frankish rule. By 987, only Paris was still dominated by the Franks.
In 1000 power became more centralised, as French kings began to consolidate land holdings. The marriage of Louis VII to Eleanor of Aquitaine expanded the kingdom and created a more unified France. When they later divorced and Eleanor married the English King Henry II in 1152, the western part of France came under English influence and became a threat to the French king’s rule.
 Since the early years of the 17th century, France’s role in European and world affairs has been pivotal. During the 20th century, the country faced a wide range of crises, including two world wars, internal political upheaval, the loss of its empires in Africa and south-east Asia and massive immigration and social change. It survived these challenges and has emerged from them as a major player in agricultural and industrial production and a major force in the EU.
France was anxious to avoid a repeat of the upheavals and economic disasters it had endured, and directed its efforts toward the founding of a European Union. To this day it continues to be a driver of EU economic programmes and stresses the importance of political harmony. For a number of years, France has asserted itself in the international arena as a counterpoint to US culture and political domination. The country proudly flaunts its position as the top tourist destination in the world: this is a country that entices visitors to come for repeat visits.
Weather
France’s climate is temperate in the northern regions and north-eastern parts of the country tend to experience a more continental climate characterised by cold winters and warm summers. Rainfall can be expected throughout the year and some snowfall is typical during the winter months.
 In the Jura Mountains, the climate is alpine; with much of the terrain above the tree line and it is cold for the majority of the year. In Lorraine, which is sheltered by the hills bordering the province, the climate is relatively mild. The south of France enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with cold, wet winter months and a hot, dry summer season.
The climate of the western coast, from the Basque region to the Loire, is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. The weather is relatively mild and rainfall is expected throughout the year. Summers are mostly sunny and can be very hot, however. The areas inland from the coast are typically mild, and in fact, the foothills of the Pyrenees are known for record numbers of sunny days.
In Auvergne, Burgundy and throughout the Rhône Valley, the climate is continental. Strong, cold, and dry winds known as the ‘Mistral’ blow from the north-west through to the south of France in the winter, and are often accompanied by clear and sunny days.
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