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    DK France
    DK France
    DK France
    Ebook1,253 pages9 hours

    DK France

    By DK Travel

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    About this ebook

    Whether you want to visit fairytale châteaux, stroll amid rolling fields of blossoming lavender or learn what makes a noble vintage, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that France has to offer. Few countries capture the imagination quite like France. The world-famous cuisine is as rich and varied as the glorious landscapes, the wine as renowned and captivating as the art. From the alpine peaks to the Mediterranean beaches, each region has its own robust history and lively culture to inspire visitors.

    Our newly updated guide brings France to life, transporting you there like no other travel guide does with expert-led insights, trusted travel advice, detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights, photographs on practically every page, and our hand-drawn illustrations which place you inside the country’s iconic buildings and neighborhoods. We’ve also worked hard to make sure our information is as up-to-date as possible following the COVID-19 outbreak. DK Eyewitness France is your ticket to the trip of a lifetime.

    Inside DK Eyewitness France you will find:

    A fully-illustrated top experiences guide: our expert pick France’s must-sees and hidden gems
    Accessible itineraries to make the most out of each and every day
    Expert advice: honest recommendations for getting around safely, when to visit each sight, what to do before you visit, and how to save time and money
    Color-coded chapters to every part of France, from Brittany to the French Alps, Provence to the Pyrénées
    Practical tips: the best places to eat, drink, shop and stay
    Detailed maps and walks to help you navigate the region country easily and confidently
    Covers: Île de la Cité, Marais and Beaubourg, Tuileries and Opéra, Champs-Elysées and Invalides, The Left Bank, Beyond the Centre, Île de France, Le Nord and Picardy, Champagne, Alsace and Lorraine, Normandy, Brittany, The Loire Valley, Franche-Comté, The Massif Central, The Rhône Valley and the French Alps, Poitou and Aquitaine, The Dordogne, The Pyrénées, Languedoc and Roussillon, Provence and the Côte d’Azur, Corsica

    Only visiting Paris? Don’t forget to check out DK Eyewitness Paris.

    About DK Eyewitness:

    At DK Eyewitness, we believe in the power of discovery. We make it easy for you to explore your dream destinations. DK Eyewitness travel guides have been helping travellers to make the most of their breaks since 1993. Filled with expert advice, striking photography and detailed illustrations, our highly visual DK Eyewitness guides will get you closer to your next adventure. We publish guides to more than 200 destinations, from pocket-sized city guides to
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDK Travel
    Release dateSep 24, 2024
    ISBN9780593960578
    DK France

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      Book preview

      DK France - DK Travel

      DK

      FRANCE

      Inspire / Plan / Discover / Experience

      Contents

      g Contents

      key to main icons

      g Contents

      price guide

      Throughout the guide the following price categories have been applied:

      ¡¡¡ On a budget

      ¡¡¡ Mid-range

      ¡¡¡ Splurge

      g Contents

      key to maps

      g Contents

      DISCOVER FRANCE

      alt image

      t The historic town of Dinan in Brittany

      g Discover France g Contents

      Welcome to

      France

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      t Relaxing canal-side in colourful Colmar.

      Fairy-tale châteaux and inspiring landscapes. Superb cuisine and outstanding wines. World-renowned art museums and stunning prehistoric monuments. France has it all, with a dash of that characteristic je ne sais quoi. Whatever your dream trip to France includes, this DK travel guide is the perfect companion.

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      Few countries capture the imagination like France. Synonymous with romance, fine dining and inimitable style, this country also features stunning landscapes. There are the wave-lashed cliffs of Brittany, the deep gorges of the Massif Central and the lavender fields of Provence, as well as Mediterranean beaches, green vineyards and lofty Alpine peaks.

      The cities and villages, too, are not to be missed. For starters there’s gastronomic Lyon, home to one of the world’s hottest foodie scenes, and vibrant Bordeaux, famous for its wines. To the south lies the dazzling coastal city of Nice, and to the north Reims, famed for its sparkling champagne and Gothic cathedral; dotted across the country are picturesque villages like Riquewihr and Vézelay. And that’s all without mentioning the jewel in France’s crown: sublimely beautiful Paris, home to some of the best art galleries the country has to offer.

      Elsewhere, France’s rich history is evident in its prehistoric monuments, Roman ruins, châteaux and abbeys. Yet, not content to rest on its historic laurels, France continues to innovate. An explosion of contemporary architecture includes cutting-edge public buildings in Paris, Marseille, Metz and Nîmes.

      With so much to offer, France can seem overwhelming. We’ve broken the country down into easily navigable chapters, with detailed itineraries, expert local knowledge and colourful, comprehensive maps to help you plan the perfect visit. However long you plan to stay, this DK travel guide will ensure that you see the very best that la belle France has to offer. Enjoy the book, and enjoy France.

      1 Rustic al fresco dining in Auvergne.

      2 Wandering the streets of Paris.

      3 The glorious Château de Sully-sur-Loire.

      g Discover France g Contents

      Reasons To Love

      France

      Its cuisine is delightful. It’s steeped in culture. Its history pops up round every corner. Ask anyone from France and you’ll hear a different reason why they love their country. Here, we pick a few of our favourites.

      1 Fairy-Tale Towns

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      t France is dotted with pretty towns and villages – such as Colmar and Montrésor – that could have popped straight out of a story book.

      Discover Reasons to Love France

      2 Mont Blanc

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      t At 4,808 m (15,774 ft), Mont Blanc is France’s (and the Alps’) highest mountain, and a magnet for mountaineers, skiers and anyone who enjoys winter sports.

      Discover Reasons to Love France

      3 French history

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      t The French countryside is littered with the debris of its extraordinary past, from battlefields and cathedrals to prehistoric cave paintings and ancient amphitheatres.

      Discover Reasons to Love France

      4 Meandering around Markets

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      t Rain or shine, the markets of France spring to life each day. Bustling farmers’ markets fill village squares, while vintage treasures wait to be uncovered in city flea markets.

      Discover Reasons to Love France

      5 Château de Chambord

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      t Built to wow the world, France’s opulent châteaux and gardens are the stuff of fairy tales, none more so than the beguilingly lavish Château de Chambord.

      Discover Reasons to Love France

      6 Classic French cuisine

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      t The timeless rituals of French cuisine are unrivalled – dining in a restaurant is an immersive experience, where service is an art and every dish is perfectly paired with its ideal wine.

      Discover Reasons to Love France

      7 Lavender fields

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      t Come summer, the rolling fields of Provence transform into a bee-buzzing purple haze of blossoming lavender, the blue gold that makes its way into soaps, honey and sorbets.

      Discover Reasons to Love France

      8 World-class art

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      t From tiny specialist galleries to the incomparable Musée du Louvre, France is home to some of the best art in the world. It’s easy to lose hours admiring your favourites.

      Discover Reasons to Love France

      9 City of Light

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      t Millions of lights set Paris aglow after dark, but that’s not all that makes it dazzle. Monumental landmarks and glorious galleries complement laid-back boule-vards and cosy café-terrasses.

      Discover Reasons to Love France

      10 The Côte d’Azur

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      t The spectacular landscapes and clear, soft light of the south coast have inspired a myriad of artists. Its pretty hill villages and harbours remain hotbeds of glamour and creativity.

      Discover Reasons to Love France

      11 Wine tasting in Bordeaux

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      t Bordeaux is a wine-lover’s paradise. The vineyards surrounding the city (see Bordeaux) are the perfect place to meet master winemakers and learn what makes a noble vintage.

      Discover Reasons to Love France

      12 PÂtisseries and boulangeries

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      t The tempting scent of freshly baked croissants and baguettes wafting up the street is quintessential to French living – and so is nibbling at your treats as soon as you leave the shop.

      g Discover France g Contents

      Explore

      France

      This guide divides France into 17 colour-coded sightseeing areas, as shown on this map. Find out more about each area on the following pages.

      n Double-tap image to read the labels

      DISCOVER Getting to Know France

      Paris

      A patchwork of neighbourhoods, Paris is known for its utterly irresistible charm. The historic heart of the City of Lights lies on the banks of the Seine, where its medieval core, the Île de la Cité, still pulses with life. Further westwards, the cafés and bars of the Left Bank and world-class art galleries of Tuileries rub shoulders with iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. Beyond the centre, hilly Montmartre is a fashionable destination for diners and boutique shoppers, while leafy Cimetière du Père Lachaise is an oasis of calm.

      Best for Culture, fashion, nightlife, literature, romance

      Home to Musée du Louvre, Notre-Dame, Centre Pompidou, Ste-Chapelle, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, Cimetière du Père Lachaise, Musée d’Orsay

      Experience Ambling across the Pont des Arts at sunset

      Go To: Paris i

      Discover Getting to Know France

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      t The Paris cityscape from atop Notre-Dame

      Discover Getting to Know France

      Île-de-France

      Spreading out from Paris and its densely packed suburbs, the Île-de-France is a peaceful region of tranquil towns, forests and fields which once inspired artists like Corot and Cézanne. Royals and aristocrats came here to escape the city hubbub, and it’s still home to fairy-tale châteaux, such as Versailles and Fontainebleau. You’ll find more princesses – including Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty – at Disneyland®, Europe’s most popular theme park.

      Best for Châteaux, churches and abbeys

      Home to The Palace and Garden of Versailles, Disneyland®, Château de Fontainebleau

      Experience Strolling through the breathtaking ornamental gardens at Fontainebleau

      Go To: Île-de-France i

      Discover Getting to Know France

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      t Flowers and birds decorating Delft tiles at Château de Rambouille

      Discover Getting to Know France

      Le Nord and Picardy

      Gabled houses and delicious beer bear testament to the Flemish influence on northern France. It’s a region of contrasts, with cool, urban Lille, full of independent boutiques and superb modern art museums, nestled against belle époque seaside resorts, such as fashionable Le Touquet, with their bathing huts and pretty villas. Calais remains France’s most bustling sea port, while further south, superb Gothic cathedrals soar skywards in Amiens and Beauvais. Across the Somme Valley rise haunting memorials to the World Wars.

      Best for Beer, Gothic cathedrals, glamorous seaside towns

      Home to Amiens Cathedral

      Experience Touring the World War battlefields

      Go To: Le Nord and Picardy i

      Discover Getting to Know France

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      t Amiens Cathedral behind the bustling streets bordering the canal

      Discover Getting to Know France

      Champagne

      Everyone knows what the Champagne region is famous for: its eponymous and delectable sparkling wine, which conjures images of celebration around the world. Pop a cork or two in Épernay, Châlons-en-Champagne and Reims, known as the sacred triangle of Champagne. Reims also has one of the finest Gothic cathedrals in all France. Champagne’s rolling hills are covered with snaking vines, historic towns, and serene lakes and rivers that invite leisurely exploration. To the east, the mysterious, ancient forests, valleys and ravines of the Ardennes beckon.

      Best for Champagne, historic towns

      Home to Reims Cathedral

      Experience Sipping champagne after a day hiking trails in the Ardennes forest

      Go To: Champagne i

      Discover Getting to Know France

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      t The vineyards of Champagne on a misty morning

      Discover Getting to Know France

      Alsace and Lorraine

      Nudged up against the German border, Alsace and Lorraine straddle French and German culture and cuisine. Strasbourg, elegant and cosmopolitan, is its biggest city, but much of the region is dotted with medieval villages set amid verdant hills. Alsace is famous for its wines, best tried in a cosy winstub (wine cellar), but also produces more than half of the beer made in France. Neighbouring Lorraine feels more traditionally French, and is sleepier but just as enticing. Its historic capital, Metz, is known as the Green City, because of its expansive green spaces.

      Best for Wine cellars, medieval villages, unspoiled countryside

      Home to Strasbourg

      Experience Sampling local vintages at a buzzing wine harvest festival

      Go To: Alsace and Lorraine i

      Discover Getting to Know France

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      t One of the colourful streets found in Colmar, Alsace

      Discover Getting to Know France

      Normandy

      Normandy conjures up a bucolic idyll, with its gentle hills, villages full of half-timbered houses, and apple orchards. Monet painted his famous Water Lilies series in the garden at Giverny, still one of the most alluring attractions in the region. Off its dramatic coastline rises the ethereal island of Mont-St-Michel, an ancient fortification accessed by a tidal causeway. Bicycle is the best way to explore the picture-postcard harbour towns and seaside resorts that line the pretty Côte Fleurie, where the menus are filled with delicious local treats like Camembert and calvados.

      Best for Cider and cheese, half-timbered houses, sweeping beaches

      Home to Mont-St-Michel, Caen, Rouen

      Experience Strolling through Monet’s garden at Giverny

      Go To: Normandy i

      Discover Getting to Know France

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      t The dramatic cliffs of Étretat, found along the coast of Normandy

      Discover Getting to Know France

      Brittany

      Wild and beautiful, Brittany’s wave-whipped cliffs jut into the Atlantic, while wolves still roam its remote primeval forests. In this untamed region, Brittany’s ancient Celtic heritage is celebrated in song, in the Breton language and, of course, in regional specialities from crêpes to cider. Head to the perfectly preserved harbour towns of St-Malo and Roscoff to uncover Brittany’s long seafaring tradition and tasty fish dishes. Inland, the capital, Rennes, has a beautifully maintained medieval centre, while the prehistoric megaliths of Carnac and the Golfe du Morbihan lure visitors to discover their secrets.

      Best for Stunning coastline and islands, Celtic culture, prehistoric megaliths

      Home to St-Malo, Côte de Granit Rose

      Experience Exploring the towering cliffs and wild beaches of the Côte de Granit Rose

      Go To: Brittany i

      Discover Getting to Know France

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      t A spiralling staircase inside Eckmühl’s lighthouse

      Discover Getting to Know France

      The Loire Valley

      Glorious châteaux straight from a fairy tale are scattered across the lush, green Loire Valley, which has long been the playground of French aristocracy. Many of them have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Chambord, constructed for François I to designs by Leonardo da Vinci, is the most famous, but Azay-le-Rideau is perhaps the most romantic. For many, the gorgeous gardens will be just as much of a draw. Beyond the châteaux, beautifully preserved historic towns and villages produce the region’s celebrated wines.

      Best for Wine, châteaux, gardens

      Home to Tours, Château de Chenonceau, Château de Chambord, Chartres Cathedral

      Experience A night visit to the illuminated gardens of the lovely Château de Chenonceau

      Go To: The Loire Valley i

      Discover Getting to Know France

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      t Boating in the waters surrounding the Châteaux Chenonceau

      Discover Getting to Know France

      Burgundy and Franche-Comté

      All the things that France does best – world-class wines, delicious food, dreamy countryside and exquisite historic towns – are found in Burgundy. Magnificent towns, such as Beaune and Dijon, and the remarkable Romanesque architecture at Vézelay, Fontenay and Cluny, all attest to Burgundy’s historic importance. Franche-Comté provides a contrast, with forests, waterfalls and alpine peaks that offer countless opportunities for hiking, canoeing and other outdoor sports.

      Best for Superb food and wines, Romanesque architecture, gorgeous countryside

      Home to Abbaye de Fontenay, Basilique Ste-Madeleine, Dijon

      Experience Swimming in natural pools and waterfalls in Franche-Comté

      Go To: Burgundy and Franche-Comté i

      Discover Getting to Know France

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      t The Roche de Solutré towering above the vineyards of Mâcon

      Discover Getting to Know France

      The Massif Central

      The Massif Central, the huge central plateau in the heart of France, is surprisingly little visited. This beautiful region rewards adventurous travellers with medieval castles, Romanesque churches and volcanic landscapes. Explore some of France’s most secret corners, like the untouched Auvergne, or the wild uplands of the Cévennes. It’s a stunning hiking destination, with ancient pilgrim paths and one of France’s deepest gorges.

      Best for Outdoor activities, remote and dramatic landscapes, hearty regional food and wine

      Home to Le Puy-en-Velay, Abbaye de Ste-Foy, gorges du Tarn

      Experience Hiking down into the gorges du Tarn

      Go To: The Massif Central i

      Discover Getting to Know France

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      t Le Puy-en-Velay’s unusual skyline at sunset

      Discover Getting to Know France

      The Rhône Valley and French Alps

      The mighty River Rhône makes its majestic descent from the snowcapped peaks of the Alps through the fertile plains and farmland of eastern France. The river has long been a vital artery between north and south, and along its banks you’ll find the vineyards of the renowned Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhone, and the ravishing, art-filled city of Lyon, which is France’s undisputed gastronomic capital. Chic resorts in the French Alps offer a dazzling array of winter sports, or you could take the waters in one of the charming and historic spa towns.

      Best for Outstanding food and wine, unspoiled landscapes, historic spa towns, winter sports

      Home to Lyon, Grenoble

      Experience The local flavours and foodie flights of fantasy of Lyon’s thriving restaurant scene

      Go To: The Rhône Valley and French Alps i

      Discover Getting to Know France

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      t The pretty city of Grenoble, nestled among the French Alps

      Discover Getting to Know France

      Poitou and Aquitaine

      Sublime beaches, the world’s finest brandy, pilgrim paths and timeless villages are all found in this beautiful region. Dramatic cliffs, islands and vast sandy beaches dot the magnificent Atlantic coastline, a paradise for sailors and watersports enthusiasts. Bordeaux, home to world-renowned wine châteaux, has a pulsing restaurant scene. Inland is a different story, with medieval villages and forests providing a tranquil escape.

      Best for Glorious beaches, world-class wine, lush countryside, traditional villages

      Home to Poitiers, Bordeaux

      Experience Touring the celebrated wine châteaux of Bordeaux

      Go To: Poitou and Aquitaine i

      Discover Getting to Know France

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      t Signs leading the way to the Atlantic coast in Aquitaine

      Discover Getting to Know France

      The Dordogne

      These verdant valleys have been inhabited for tens of thousands of years, as the many prehistoric cave sites here attest. The hunting scenes painted some 20,000 years ago at Lascaux seem to leap from the walls, while the Venuses, prehistoric statutes of women, have been found in caves all around Les Eyzies. The Dordogne river makes its sinuous progress through gorges and farmland, overlooked by ancient towns like lofty Rocamadour, which have barely changed in centuries. Earthy local specialities such as magret de canard are delicious paired with the robust wines from Cahors.

      Best for Regional cuisine, beautiful valleys and rivers, prehistoric cave paintings

      Home to Sarlat, Rocamadour, Abbaye du St-Pierre, Toulouse

      Experience Spelunking to discover extraordinary prehistoric art

      Go To: The Dordogne i

      Discover Getting to Know France

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      t Rocamadour’s abbey, clinging to the cliff face

      Discover Getting to Know France

      The PyrÉnÉes

      Stretching all the way from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, the Pyrénées present a formidable natural border between France and Spain. The craggy peaks and snaking valleys are home to rare flora and fauna, and fantastic hiking trails where walkers can try to spot these rarities. Castles and fortresses such as those of Foix and Montségur are reminders of the region’s strategic importance and centuries of siege. The Basques, the most ancient inhabitants of these mountains, display their unique language and culture in towns like Bayonne and St-Jean-de-Luz.

      Best for Mountain scenery, wildlife, historic citadels, regional food and wine

      Home to Parc National des Pyrénées

      Experience Soaking up the Basque culture and food in Bayonne

      Go To: The Pyrénées i

      Discover Getting to Know France

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      t The sun setting over the snowy Pyrénées

      Discover Getting to Know France

      Languedoc and Roussillon

      Sun-kissed Languedoc and Roussillon feature miles of heavenly sandy beaches along the Mediterranean coast, while fields of sunflowers and vineyards stretch over inland hills. There are plenty of enticing sights to explore. Pocket-sized Montpellier is one of the most beguiling cities in France, while the perfectly preserved citadel of Carcassonne and a string of vertiginous Cathar castles vie with remarkable Roman monuments – including the astonishing Pont du Gard.

      Best for Arty beach towns, Cathar castles, Roman ruins

      Home to Carcassonne, Montpellier, Nîmes

      Experience Climbing the craggy peaks and venturing into the forested valleys of stunning Cathar country

      Go To: Languedoc and Roussillon i

      Discover Getting to Know France

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      t The magnificent Pont du Gard crossing the Gardon river

      Discover Getting to Know France

      Provence and the Côte d’Azur

      Provence conjures up images of endless lavender fields and villages of honey-coloured stone. Ancient cities such as Orange and Avignon burst with Roman monuments and medieval palaces. Along the Mediterranean coast, stunning coves of white sand and turquoise-coloured sea are synonymous with glamour, and chic resorts like Cannes and St-Tropez are a magnet for celebrities and the ultra-rich. The intense light has drawn artists for centuries, and their legacy lives on in magnificent art museums in places like Nice.

      Best for Glamorous resorts, beautiful beaches, art museums, Mediterranean landscapes

      Home to Arles, the Carmargue, St-Paul-de-Vence, Nice, Monaco, Palais des Papes

      Experience Horse riding and flamingo-spotting in the Camargue

      Go To: Provence and the Côte d’Azur i

      Discover Getting to Know France

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      t Hotel Negresco overlooking the bay of Nice

      Discover Getting to Know France

      Corsica

      Corsica feels like nowhere else in France. It’s a wild, beautiful island, bisected north to south by a dramatic mountain chain, with forests giving way to vineyards and citrus groves on the lower slopes. The beaches are breathtaking, whether you want secret coves tucked into cliffs or endless golden sands. Ajaccio and Bastia are lively harbour towns, while Bonifacio is in a sublime setting on the island’s southern tip.

      Best for Stunning beaches, outdoor sports and activities

      Home to Bonifacio

      Experience A boat trip to the remote Réserve Naturelle de Scandola

      Go To: Corsica i

      DISCOVER Getting to Know France

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      t Bonifacio illuminated on the cliff edge at night

      g Contents

      DISCOVER FRANCE ITINERARIES

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      t Notre-Dame with the old spire before the fire in 2019.

      g Discover France Itineraries g Contents

      Discover France Itineraries

      2 Weeks

      Tour de France

      France is a treasure trove of things to see and do. Travelling the length of the country and taking in vibrant cities and beautiful natural spaces, these itineraries will help you make the most of your trip.

      Discover France Itineraries

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      t The gardens at Versailles.

      g Discover France Itineraries g Contents

      Discover France Itineraries

      8 DAYS

      in the Wine Country

      Discover France Itineraries

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      t The garden at Château de Villandry.

      g Discover France Itineraries g Contents

      Discover France Itineraries

      7 DAYS

      Coast to Coast

      Discover France Itineraries

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      t The old city streets of Toulouse.

      g Discover France Itineraries g Contents

      Discover France Itineraries

      4 DAYS

      on the Rhône

      Day 1

      Day 2

      Day 3

      Day 4

      Discover France Itineraries

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      t Palais des Papes, Avignon.

      g Discover France g Contents

      France for

      Foodies

      The scent of freshly baked baguettes wafting down cobbled streets; the cheerful pop of bubbles in a champagne flute; the salty tang of just-caught oysters – in France, foodie dreams are made. Get ready to discover delicious regional dishes, mouthwatering markets and cook-it-yourself courses.

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      t A stall selling local meats and cheese in Ajaccio, Corsica

      Wander Through Neighbourhood Markets

      Local markets are a staple of every town and village across France, and a visit to the market is a social occasion – even major cities have regular markets in almost every neighbourhood. There’s nowhere better to sample regional specialities, from pungent blue cheeses in Auvegne and toothsome canistrelli in Corsica, to the lavender-studded biscuits, honeys and liqueurs that make their way onto Provençal market stalls during summer.

      Take a Cookery Course

      Learn how to make macarons in Paris, try your hand at haute cuisine in Lyon or give traditional home cooking a go at a local farm. Often, courses include a visit to local markets with the chef, who will then show you how to use the ingre-dients to make iconic French dishes, such as in a hands-on class at La Cuisine in Paris (www.lacuisineparis.com).

      Follow Michelin’s Stars

      Great food can be found across France, but some of the best restaurants are those that earn the Michelin star. A total of 638 French establishments were awarded Michelin stars in 2021, with the highest concentrated in Paris, though gastronomic Lyon has its fair share too. The city has a foodie heritage that has garnered an international reputation for excellence (See Lyon for Foodies), and the Michelin judges agree. From five-star feasts to delicately plated masterpieces, in Lyon you’re never far from a Michelin-starred delight.

      A Dish for Every Region

      Everywhere you go in France you’ll find distinctive local cuisines which have developed over many centuries. In Normandy, fabulously fresh seafood dishes – such as moules marinières (mussels in white wine sauce) – are de rigueur, while in the east, tarte flambée is found in every tavern. In the Alps, carbs rule: join locals in a warming pot-au-feu, a hearty stew where the meat, vegetables and broth are served separately.

      World Intangible Heritage

      Back in 2010, le repas gastronomique (the gastronomic meal of the French) was awarded World Intangible Heritage status by UNESCO. This social custom of gathering friends and family over a splendid meal to celebrate special occasions reveals just how deeply the French identify with their cuisines. Starting with the apéritif, this gastronomic gathering usually features four courses, accompanied with wine and culminating with liqueurs. The ritual is as important as the cuisine.

      DISCOVER France Your Way

      Top5Things-icon

      France's best cheeses

      Maroilles

      This stinky orange-skinned cheese is eaten at breakfast.

      Comté

      Steeped in alpine air, this fruity hard cheese is ideal for tired hikers.

      Époisses

      An intense soft cheese best paired with Burgundy wine.

      Roquefort

      This iconic blue cheese is matured in the caves of the Larzac Plateau.

      Camembert

      A gloriously mellow cheese of Normandy.

      g Discover France g Contents

      France for

      Chansons

      French chansons – poignant, lyrical, passionate songs – are the country’s most beloved musical tradition. This distinctive style emerged in the early 20th century to become the soundtrack to French life. From concert venues and festivals to tiny cafés, the air is filled with the moving sound of chansons.

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      t A performer on stage at the Francofolies de La Rochelle festival in 2016

      Festivals of Song

      Perhaps the best time of year to soak up chansons is the summer. A host of festivals spring up across the country, showcasing new talent and celebrating the songs of the past. Whatever your tastes, you're more than likely to find something right for you. Throughout July, join chanson enthusiasts at the Pause Guitare in Albi and Barjac M’en Chante in Barjac. Also taking place in the same month is the Festival de Montjoux in Thonon-les-Bains, which provides an open, vibrant and family-friendly space for people to enjoy French music. Les Francofolies de La Rochelle, meanwhile, sees almost 150,000 music fans in La Rochelle for a few days of nonstop chansons, from familiar faces and emerging artists alike. Stages dotted throughout the city play host to almost 100 concerts during the festival.

      Catch Dreamy Gigs

      Cafés and bars are hot spots for chansons, and even non-French speakers love to hear the voice of a chanteur or chanteuse rise above the crowd. In Paris, Montmartre, Pigalle and Édith Piaf’s old haunt Belleville have the best bars for chansons. Beyond the City of Lights, melancholy crooning and artistic cabaret can be found everywhere from Tulle, self-proclaimed City of the Accordion, to Narbonne, home of Charles Trenet, who penned the dreamy ode La mer.

      Discover Origin Stories

      In Paris, fans of Serge Gainsbourg can pay homage at his former home (5 bis rue de Verneuil), which is part of the Museum Gainsbourg. It includes a museum, a bookstore and Le Gainsbarre, a café that turns into a piano bar in the evening (www.maisongainsbourg.fr). Near Cimetière du Père Lachaise, Édith Piaf is remembered in Musée Édith Piaf (5 rue Crespin du Gast); it is opened by appointment only. Further south, explore the home-town of chanteuse Mireille Mathieu, who still lives in Avignon, while the nearby village of Sète is filled with the sounds of the legendary singer Georges Brassens, who made his home there.

      Preserving the heritage: Le Hall de la Chanson

      Le Hall de la Chanson, or Le Hall, is the first cultural institution dedicated to preserving the heritage of France’s most cherished musical style. Located in the middle of the Parc de la Villette in Paris, it is an ideal spot to seek out concerts, talks, seminars and other events in its 140-seat auditorium (www.lehalldelachanson.com).

      DISCOVER France Your Way

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      Greatest Chansons

      La mer (1946)

      Charles Trenet

      La vie en rose (1946)

      Édith Piaf

      Tous les garcons et les filles (1962)

      Françoise Hardy

      Je t’aime… moi non plus (1968)

      Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin

      Les Champs-Élysées (1970)

      Joe Dassin

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      France for

      History Buffs

      France is home to magnificent prehistoric cave paintings, mysterious megalithic sites, spectacular Roman theatres, lavish Renaissance châteaux and haunting memorials to those killed in both world wars. Everywhere you turn, thought-provoking sights attest to the country’s long and colourful history.

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