Bus tour through the provinces of France. Inaccessible provinces of France
Regions of France - Provincial Magic of Perfection
Now, when the word “province” evokes only delight and a storm of emotions, eyes run wide from tempting prospects, and seductive opportunities turn your head! If you are experiencing something like this, you will definitely have a tour to France.
Going to visit a European pearl, as if matured in mother-of-pearl shutters neighboring countries, the first thing you need to decide is which of the 27 regions of France to go to, what type of vacation to choose for an unforgettable trip.
Whether you want to spend a week in Paris, ride the Golden Ring of France, listen to the Legends of Provence, take a train tour to Cannes, or visit Prague, Paris and Nice in one trip, "DVM" will help determine the direction and route planning.
Due to the diversity and richness of the tourist infrastructure, diversity climatic zones and landscapes, regardless of the time of year, holidays in France will be excellent at any time of the year, whatever the purpose of your trip.
Sunbathe on the luxurious beaches of the Côte d'Azur or explore the underwater world off the coast of the rocky Brittany, try your luck at the Monte Carlo casino or explore the collections of the Louvre, Versailles and the Mahe Foundation. Arrange a sightseeing tour of the castles of the Loire, the center of Paris or the famous Russian cemetery of Saint Genevieve de Bois? Or maybe a medical tour to Evian with the world-famous mineral water or a trip to the waters in Vichy? But what about the Alpine "Three Valleys" with the ski resorts of Courchevel, Meribel, Saint-Martin?! Yes, and the children should, finally, be taken to Disneyland and arrange a shopping tour of French boutiques ...
Or stop racking your brains and create an individual tour to France with visits to all interesting places, cities and provinces?
So that your visit to France brought maximum joy, impressions and benefits, "DVM" offers you informative overviews on French cities and provinces, thanks to which you will be able to understand in which part of France it would be comfortable for you to spend your vacation, vacation, business trip, family holiday or improve your health.
Regions or provinces of unitary France- these are its administrative-territorial units, subordinate to the unified state system of law, the highest authorities and the constitution. All 27 provinces (22 on the mainland and 5 overseas) receive a share of taxes and have their own budget, which is distributed among departments. So each province is almost small state with its capital, subordinate departments, rich cultural, political and economic life. At the same time, in any part of France, there is uniform legislation, norms and standards that apply to the entire country. So in the country you can safely move from province to province, paying attention only to the climatic features of the region and choosing the types of recreation that are relevant during the season of your trip to France.
The provinces of France, like Paris, are also known for their sights, ancient castles, fortresses, gardens and parks, for which you can go on a trip. France has 34 provinces:
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Wherever you go on a journey through the provinces of France, everywhere you will get acquainted with the unique creations of the best architects and artists. The most favorable for tourists are the following provinces:
French Alsace is of particular interest to travelers. It is located a few hours by car from the borders of Austria, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg and Switzerland. Moreover, almost all these countries are united in a single visa area, which allows the guest of Alsace to visit other regions of Europe. Every turn in the winding roads of Alsace...
The peninsular province of Brittany is located in the northwest of France, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. The ocean has a positive effect on the climate of the region, due to which Brittany has rather mild winters and moderate heat in summer. The coast is considered the "golden belt" of Brittany. Mouths, fjords, bays and bays have been formed over the centuries. Here in the Bay of Mon...
The province of Normandy is located in the northwest of the country, near the English Channel. The province owes its name to the Normans, Viking sailors. Here, on the banks of the English Channel, there are prestigious resort cities of France: Deauville, Trouville, etc. The small town of Deauville is considered by many to be an additional district of the capital. The cozy resort is located very close to...
Province of Champagne
The Champagne region is primarily a wine-producing region and one of the most beautiful areas in northern France. Champagne has been producing wine for over 2000 years. This is the birthplace of real champagne. In the cities and suburbs of Champagne, the most famous varieties of champagne are produced, including Veuve Clicquot, Pommery, ...
Province of Provence
Provence is, first of all, famous area France's Cote d'Azur (Riviera), with such world-famous resort cities as Nice, the famous Cannes, as well as Saint-Tropez and Marseille. The names of these cities are strongly associated with luxurious living. Nice is the capital Azure coast, a magnificent resort located in the Bay of Angels, surrounded by the Seaside...
Province of Languedoc
Province of Languedoc - located in the south of France, on the edge mediterranean sea, it consists of two regions - Lower (plain) and Upper (mountainous). In Languedoc the largest number cities that are known for their monuments of the Gallo-Roman era. Among them is the city of Montpellier, where you can visit wonderful museums, the oldest Botanical Museum in the whole country...
Burgundy is considered the richest province of the country, a picturesque area among forested valleys and waterfalls. The Jura Mountains rise in the east of the region. The province is filled with architectural and religious monuments. The land of Burgundy in ancient times was inhabited by the Celts. Then came the Romans, who were replaced by the Burgundian Germans in the 6th century, who gave the country its name. She attracts...
Province of Aquitaine
The province of Aquitaine lies in the southwest of France. The region is famous for its vineyards, seaside resorts and ports. The history of the province is rich in eras: Aquitaine was ruled by the Romans, the Visigoths and the English Empire. In the center of Aquitaine is the district of Bordeaux with the capital of the same name. Thanks to Bordeaux, Aquitaine has secured the title of the largest wine-producing...
This northern region, like other historical provinces, lasted until the French Revolution of 1790, and after it all the provinces were dissolved. French territory was divided into departments. The main goal of this change was the need to replace the devotion of the population to the feudal regions with devotion to the central one located in Paris ...
The province of Limousin is located in central France and includes three departments: Corrèze, Creuse and Haute-Vienne. The main fame and attraction of this region and, above all, its main city of Limoges, is the fine production of porcelain, as well as ceramics and enamels. The development of porcelain is associated with Madame Darnay, who discovered such a substance as kaolin in the 18th century. She is...
The province of Anjou is located in the northwestern part of the state, it is located in the lower part of the Loire Valley and entirely includes the Maine-Loire department, as well as some parts of the territories of such departments as Indre, Loire, Maine. The population is about 400 thousand people. The province was named so in part of the oldest Gallic tribe, which was renamed ...
Angoumois is a historical area in the west of France, after the abolition of the provinces, it became part of the department of Charente. The population is 350 thousand people. Angoumua has existed since the 10th century as a county and only in 1308 was annexed to the possessions of the French crown. Then, from 1515, Angoumois was already a duchy and in 1790 became part of the departments of Charente and ...
Flanders is a historical territory that is located on the territory of three modern states, not only France, but also Belgium, as well as the Netherlands. Today, only part of the territory of Flanders is part of France, being part of the Nord department. This department is one of the first departments of France, which were created after the Great French...
Berry is a historical province located in the center of France, once the Duchy of Berry, today it coincides in its territory with two departments - Cher and Indre. The population is over 560 thousand people. The province of Berry is the main breadbasket of France for growing grain, as well as the production of meat, milk and dairy products, and above all cheeses from ...
Guyenne and Gascony is a historical province located directly in the southwestern part of the country in the Garonne river basin. This province, like all the others, ceased to exist after the principle of administrative division countries. Guyenne and Gascony includes 7 departments in full and 6 in part. The population of the province is...
Dauphine is a historical province of France, the territory of which corresponds to the current departments of Isère, Drome, Hautes-Alpes. The province is located in the southeast of France, most of it is in the Alps and the Rhone valley. The province has a population of two million. Dauphin - since the 12th century, the title of the owners of the counties of Auvergne and Vienois (later ...
Corsica is the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, located 170 km in the southeastern part of the Cote d'Azur of France. central city- Ajaccio with a population of more than 260 thousand people, the main people living on the island are the Corsicans. At one time, the island was under the rule of the Moors, but later it came under the control of the Genoese ...
Picardy is a historical province in the north of France, it includes such departments as Aisne, Oise and Somme. The capital of Picardy is the city of two million - Amiens. It is Picardy that is considered the birthplace of Gothic architecture; here you can see six famous cathedrals. The largest of them is located in Amiens. The region began to be called Picardy in ...
Roussillon is a historical province, which is located in the southern part of France, in the middle between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean Sea (now the Pyrenees-Orientales department). The main city is Perpignan. It was here that the county of Roussillon was located in the Middle Ages, and then this area became the Catalan region of Roussillon. During the Roman era, it was part of a province called...
Orleans is a very famous historical province of France until 1790, today on its territory there are, for example, such departments as Loiret, Loire and Cher, as well as some territory of the departments of Eure and Loire and part of Yonne. In the past, this territory was owned by the dukes of the Orleans family. The famous river Loire flows through the province. Loire Valley...
Maine is a former province that is located on the territory of the current departments of Mayenne and Sarthe. Its main city is Le Mans. During the time of the Romans, the Cenomanians lived on this land. This is the reason for the name of the province. At one time it belonged to England - Saint Louis gave it to his brother Charles. Then, upon the termination of the offspring of this kind in the 15th century, she ...
Franche-Comté is a historical province located in the east of the country. It occupies three percent of the entire territory of the country. It includes four departments - Doubs, Upper Saone, Jura and Belfort Territory. This is the smallest and ecologically clean province of France. Franche-Comté means "Free County". This name was first...
Foix - historical province of France until 1790, currently forms the department of Ariège. This territory was annexed to France in 1607 by Henry IV. The main city has the same name: Foix. Foix The capital of the Ariège department is Foix, the smallest French provincial capital. It is beautifully located...
General Description The Île-de-France is one of the 26 administrative regions of France, mostly coterminous with the territory of Paris. Its name literally means "Isle of France", possibly derived from the ancient Frankish expression "little France". At first, in 1961, the province received the name "Paris Region District", but later it was ...
General description CONT-VENESSIN (Comtat-Venaissin), a historical region in the south-east of France, the land around the city of Avignon, a significant part of the department of Vaucluse (administrative region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur). Since 1274 - as part of the Papal States, in 1791 annexed by France. The county is also known for the fact that between 1501 and 1791 it was...
General description Montbéliard is a historical province of France. The main city is Montbéliard. Actually, sometimes the city is called Sochaux-Montbéliard, since the eastern suburb has long merged with the city, and in some way eclipsed it. Montbéliard is an ancient medieval city, in 1397-1793 it was the center of the German Principality of Württemberg as part of the Holy...
Province of Nice (Fief of Sardinia)
General description Nice is the fifth largest city in France, the second in terms of the number of museums and also the "capital" of the Côte d'Azur in combination. The center of the city is Place Massena, the old quarters of the city are located to the east, the new ones are to the west. Well, the heart of Nice is the central embankment...
Attractions Mulhouse (German: Mülhausen) is the second largest city in Alsace. Mulhouse got its name from the construction of the mill. Here is located a unique airport in Europe, from the building of which you can get to three different countries at once: Germany, France and Switzerland. In the summer, planes also fly here from Russia. Since then, the mill wheel...
General description Auvergne is a region, main city which Clermont-Ferrand. The area of picturesque landscapes is famous among tourists who are tired of the beaten paths. You can get to Auvergne from different provinces of France by train, plane, or car. Health tourism is popular among vacationers. thermal springs and therapeutic mud - the basis of wellness ...
What you should definitely try while visiting these places are, of course, "rillettes" (finely chopped and fried pork or goose in lard), "rillons" (greaves), pâtés and many other dishes typical of this region, made from wild boar and pork. And don't forget some of the best goat cheese in France. As for sweet dishes, they are also on top here: is it necessary to introduce one of the most famous French desserts "Tarre Tarin" - a hot apple pie with caramel. The region also produces numerous wines: red, white, rosé, dry, soft or sparkling, among which the most famous are Chinon (Chinon), Bourgueil (Bourgueil), Vouvray (Vouvray), Sancerre (Sanscerre), Pouilly-Fume (Pouilly-Fumé) or Cheverny (Cheverny).
Poitou Charente
Poitou-Charentes
From Poitiers to the "walled city" of La Rochelle, passing through the town of Cognac, whose name is associated worldwide with the famous spirit, take the opportunity to taste the amazing local cuisine, originating in vineyards and fishing harbors Atlantic Ocean. Only mussels are prepared here according to unique traditional recipes...
Poitou-Charentes is a place that invites travelers to discover a unique union of maritime and terrestrial culture, gastronomy and landscapes. As for cheese, there is not much of it in this region, but the butter here is excellent: this region, the only one in France, produces the highest quality branded butter with a delicate nutty flavor, which passes the strictest control.
North - Pas de Calais
Nord Pas de Calais
The Pas de Calais region reveals to travelers its seaside scenery with dunes and cliffs. The traditional image of the region paints a picture of flat, deep countryside, dotted with large low and square farms where mussel dishes know no bounds and beer flows like water. Of course, there are also ports and beaches in the north, where you can see fans of all sports, such as sailing, and where you can have fun in the many casinos along the coast. And the favorite sweets of children and adults here are waffles, cakes with sugar and mints ("Betises de Cambrais") of local preparation.
Île de France
Ile-de-France
Historically, the Île-de-France region has always supplied Paris with vegetables, fruits, dairy products and meat. But despite the fact that intensive development around the French capital has seriously changed environment, this region has remained agricultural on a massive scale. Every year holidays and fairs of local products are cheerfully celebrated here: wines and cheeses, of which the most famous varieties are Coulommiers and Brie, as well as watercress, strawberries, blueberries, mirabelle, apples, hops, from which beer is made , cider and turkey. Some products used in cooking still bear the name of the city in which they were produced, such as the famous Chantilly cream.
In this region, and not far from Paris, you can quickly find yourself in nature, in a small hotel located next to the forest of Fontainebleau (Fontainebleau) in the charming village of Barbizon (Barbizon) - a wonderful place known for its school of landscape painters, which gave rise to nineteenth century such famous names like Corot, Millet, Rousseau; or visit Auvers-sur-Oise, where Van Gogh spent the last years of his life and painted his most famous paintings, such as the Church at Auvers.
Champagne-Ardennes
The Ardennes: all seasons are good to visit this region, which has managed to preserve its natural beauty with care! In winter it is ideal for skiing, in summer for walks in the forest, in autumn for hunting and contemplation of magnificent landscapes, golden colors of falling leaves... Hikers will be happy to storm the ancient mountain ranges, or hide in the thick of the forests, which gave rise to a lot of all kinds of fantastic legends that have been handed down to this day. The Champagne region, right at the foot of the mountains, already by its name makes it clear where champagne was born, whose producers, from the most famous to the independent, compete in the field of quality and sophistication. Champagne produces wine for special occasions and holidays, presenting it around the world as a unique drink that symbolizes luxury in French.
Alsace-Lorraine
Alsace-Lorraine
Called "the garden of France" by Voltaire, Alsace-Lorraine is a land of prosperity, and this prosperity is very contagious here. Mountainous and flat terrain impartially divide the territory of the region between them, spreading out to the Rhine, the natural border with Germany, and towering over the mountains of the Vosges and Jura. On this land, nature has not suffered from industrial expansion. The local gastronomy here is very diverse and skillfully combines French and German cuisines. Those with a sweet tooth will greatly enjoy the many local delicacies, such as "Kugelhopf" (Kügelhopf) - something resembling a bun with raisins and almonds. When you know that this region is rich in apples, pears, cherries, mirabelles, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, blackthorns, lingonberries and much more, it becomes much clearer why the Alsatians give such preference to confectionery with a particularly high reputation. Almost every single city has its own special treat, such as Bergamotes de Nancy (bergamot-flavored chocolates from Nancy), Madeleines de Commercy (Madeleine biscuits from Commerce) or the famous Sauciases de Straubourg. (Stpacburg sausages).
franche-comté
Franche Comte
The best time to visit this region, from April to October, will allow you to fully enjoy the sun, gently warming over herbs and flowers, enveloping the air with thousands of delicate aromas. Franche-Comté invites you to explore the mountains and taste the special local gastronomy, in which cheese is the main ingredient, for example in dishes such as "raclette" or "fondue" based on hot cheese. There is even a variety bearing the name of the region - "Comte", which is produced in the mountains and has a special sweetish aftertaste. In Franche-Comté you will also try the traditional ham with the divine taste (and name) "Jesus de Morteau" ("Jesus of Morteau"), made from pork shoulder. It should be noted that the city of Morto is famous for its sausages of all kinds and varieties, thereby conquering gastronomes.
Cheeses: local cheese "Morbier" ("Morbier"), easily recognizable by a strip of grayish color in the middle. Another variety, "Beaufort" ("Beaufort"), is produced in the summer in wooden houses on high pastures with cows. And then he is placed in a damp cellar, where he "reaches" for another two years. The structure of the tissue of this cheese variety is quite grainy, and the taste is flowery-sweet. It has a mild taste of hazelnut and is saturated with the rich aromas of the mountains.
Burgundy
Bourgogne
Burgundy is a region whose name speaks volumes to wine lovers. The natural beauty of this region is diverse: on the one hand, it is spread by carefully manicured vineyards, protected by forged iron gratings - the pride of happy owners, and on the other hand, it is bordered by dense oak forests. Burgundy is a country of farmsteads, fairy tales, delicious wines and a blackcurrant cream liqueur that gave rise to the world-famous and widely consumed aperitif "Kir", named after one of the mayors of the city of Dijon, who served this drink at every official reception in the city hall . But above all, Burgundy is a land where you will feel at home thanks to the exceptional hospitality and friendliness of the locals.
Must-try cheeses during your visit: Epoisses ("Epuas"), Langres ("Langre") and Charolais ("Charolais"); as for cheeses made from cow's milk, as well as from spring to late autumn, fresh goat cheese Chevre frais ("Chevre Frais") and Montrachet ("Montrachet") for goat cheese lovers. It is also impossible to forget that Burgundy is extraordinarily rich in high quality wines such as Nuits-Saint-Georges, Chablis, Meursault, Montrachet, Pommard, Beaune, Bourgogne-Aligote, Volnay and Vosnes-Romanee. Of the local products, it is worth noting sausages and, of course, the famous mustard from Dijon, which has become famous throughout the world.
Auvergne et Center
The center of France remains for the most part a sparsely populated area, due to the difficult conditions of internal communication for many centuries and the harsh climate. This land will reveal to you all its breadth and beauty of volcanic landscapes, verdant hollows, turbulent streams, clean lakes and warm springs with healing water. The chain of mountain ranges has 8 volcanoes, "sleeping" for eight millennia, and is the largest volcanic ensemble in Europe.
The region has a huge civil and military heritage dating back to the Middle Ages, and castles and Romanesque churches towering on mountain ledges testify to a rich past, being considered masterpieces of French architectural art.
Akiten and the Atlantic Pyrenees
Aquitaine and Pyrenees-Atlantiques
Traveling through this region, you will make a real journey through time! This is where the center of the prehistoric world truly concentrated, in periods from 300 thousand years to 10 thousand years BC. Many thousands of deposits and about half of the caves of all France have been preserved here, including the famous cave "de Lascaux" (grotte de Lascaux), classified as a world heritage of mankind.
Land of sun, fishing and mountain scenery, this area of marvelous beauty stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. Here it is nice to sunbathe on the white sandy beaches or hide in the shade of pine forests.
Southern Pyrenees and Languedoc-Roussillon
Midi-Pyrenees and Languedoc-Roussillon
This region of France, rich in rivers, lakes and ponds, will conquer lovers of fishing, light clothing and the sun! Mosaic paintings of vegetable gardens, orchards and vineyards give a complete picture of the local nature, which from time immemorial has been conducive to the development of the region, which at the same time explains the richness of culture - the cradle of Romanesque-French art.
The wines of the southwestern part, less known than those of Bordeaux, are strong and generous in taste: among them you will find Bergerac, Montbazillac, Pecharmant, Jurancon, Cahors and Bearn... The Roussillon region is more specialized in soft and sweet wines, such as Muscat de Rivesaltes and Banyuls.
Provence and Cote d'Azur
Provence et Cote d'Azur
The Côte d'Azur, which is a place of resort life of stars and popularity, is famous all over the world for the splendor of hotels, luxury yachts, the Cannes Film Festival... We urge you to get out for at least a couple of days and go a little further from the coast, making unforgettable walks and obeying the beauty of harsh and barren landscapes, where the ocher colors of the earth echo the bright blue of the sky and the sea, and the greens of pine and oak forests echo the whiteness of limestones. The Cote d'Azur is full of whole carpets of lavender and fluffy mimosa, enveloping villages and villages in a multi-colored fog.
Each individual Provence market has its own characteristics and its own unique character. Here, delicate roses of local gardeners coexist with fresh fish caught overnight, and vegetables and fruits of local gardeners, decorating the stalls, are generously soaked in the sun. All this bouquet of the freshest products makes up wonderful salads, for example, the famous "nice salad" with anchovies or "mes-clun" (a mixture of different types of lettuce and aromatic herbs), so refreshing in the summer.
And the Mediterranean Sea, in turn, endows with "stone" fish, which is an excellent part of dishes such as "bouillabaisse" (fish stew with garlic and spices) and "bourride" (burrida - a type of fish soup with garlic sauce), so typical for Marseille and the Côte d'Azur... The local cuisine is in perfect harmony with the surrounding sunny landscapes and warmth: high quality olive oil, honey and nougat, fruit jams and goat cheese speaks for itself.
Cheeses, as noted above, are mainly prepared from goat's milk: Banon de Provence, Picodon and Pelardon.
The best wines of the region include: Gigondas, Beaume-de-Venise, Bandol and Cassis.
Rhone Alpes
From the hollow of the Rhone to the Swiss border, an area of Grenoble walnut trees and vineyards flaunts, growing in a staircase above the river flowing below. For most French people, today's Lyon bears a strong resemblance to the Paris of the 1930s. Indeed, a passing tourist, finding himself in the second largest city in France, can get acquainted with the past and the present, from traditional, unshakable cuisine to the gastronomy of tomorrow, thus crossing several decades in just one day. It should be noted that in terms of gastronomy, Lyon and its region occupy one of the most privileged places, largely due to the huge number of bistros called bouchons ("bouchon", that is, cork), which comes from the usual corks that close bottles from - for wine. Authentic homemade dishes are prepared here according to local recipes that do not have analogues: "poulets de Bresse", "gratin dauphinois", sausages and local sausages of all kinds and stripes, and all this is served with young Beaujolais wine. The region also knows how to please lovers of sweets. In Lyon, for example, one of the best chocolate manufacturers in the world is "Bernachon", which perfectly prepares both confectionery products, like the "President" cake, specially released in honor of Francois Mitterrand, and chocolates. And Bresse waffles with cream and sugar are so tasty and popular that they are sold in all bakeries and pastry shops in the region.
Cheeses: "Arome de Gene" refers to cheeses typical of the Lyon region, which are usually soaked in vodka made from grape pomace. And here is another kind of cheese, "Saint-Marcelin", made from cow's milk and looking like a small, flat spool in the shape of a washer. In Savoie, there are dozens of different varieties of "Tommes de Savoie" (special Savoyard cheese), some of which have spicy or peppery flavors.
As for wines, Beaujolais, Vin de Savoie, Vin de Paille, Vin Jaune, Hermitage and Cote-Rotie are worth trying.
"Privilege", No. 2, 1997
Another Paris
This was my first trip to France. Gray and miserable - that's it, my impression of Paris! Either my friend stabbed me and brought me not to Paris, or the emigrants changed the city beyond recognition. Although how do I know what it was before my arrival?! I know Paris from the stories of Hugo and from the film "Amelie". The French women also turned out to be not the same as from the movies. Ordinary, not Catherine Deneuve.
provincials
I didn’t see Paris normally, I didn’t go to the famous Moulin Rouge. We were taken to the province, the French track is boring and not brutal. There is no mystery in it, as we have, when you don’t know what awaits you. You go too smoothly, you do not feel the steering wheel. The idea came to do "Dakar" with us. Let them feel what real off-road is like! The French are spoiled for good roads, quality wine and social benefits. We have developed immunity even to the apocalypse, so I looked maliciously at my escorts.
We pass French villages. Our guide says that the French themselves love the provinces, they are attached to their homes and neighbors. Oddly enough, he speaks casually of Paris, as of a bustling and dirty city. I agree with him. But I am silent, the escort is already looking askance in my direction. My impeccable English and godless pronunciation merci, excusez moi infuriates him.
After a 7 hour flight and disappointment in Paris, I feel like sending a friend. He deprived me of Thai massage and all inclusive hotel. Mark saves him. He is the owner of a winery with bottomless barrels of red and white wine. Red wine with a lightly fried steak was a great end to the evening.
Morning in the village
Mornings in the French countryside are not like ours. There are no screaming roosters and, in principle, living creatures. It pleases, nobody intrusively wakes up. But I found it uncomfortable to lie in bed when the owners were already working. They get up early. Mark travels on a horse 56 hectares of the farm - Domain Saint-Anne. Driving through a vineyard can ruin it. I join Mark, get on the wagon, his son talks about the family business.
Red, white and rosé, still, semi-sparkling and sparkling wines are made under 60 different appellations, ranging in appearance from very dry to very sweet. Four completely different types of wines are produced from Chenet blanc grapes: dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling. These are the traditions that have arisen under the influence of the whims of the local climate. This grape variety has an excessive natural acidity and, if it gets enough sunlight, a high sugar content. But, in terms of viticulture, the Loire Valley is considered a northern region, wine producers must take into account late frosts, cold winds and changeable weather in summer. During sunny years, winemakers strive to produce the most intense wines from sweet and savory grapes, but in other cases they manage to produce only semi-sweet or dry wines. Variety of species is at the heart of the Loire vintners' woes, as you can't build a reputation on volatility. With the exception of wines such as the best Savenniere, dry Chenet blanc wines are all too often bland, coarse, and sour. They do nothing to enhance the reputation of the Loire, but they are similar in character to Champagne wines. And if still wines with such characteristics are disappointing, sparkling wines are a delight. It is not surprising that during the period of rapid development of the champagne trade in the XIX century. in Saumur began the production of sparkling wines. Today, the Loire enjoys the fame of the largest market for sparkling wines, with the exception of Champagne itself.
Ludovic's spirit hunter
My friend clearly enjoyed France. What makes free wine and pretty French women! I was still thinking about Thai massages and ocean relaxation until Mark suggested we go to Chambord Castle. This is the hunting house of the kings, where I suspect they took their girlfriends. Previously, tokalkas also bought houses with servants, arranging dinner parties in castles, while the legal spouse decided the fate of the people in Versailles. I was more interested in legends about local ghosts. I do not believe in them, but the French are sure that they are found here. Actually, that's why I went to the hunting house of Louis. Now these same hunting lodges are being bought up by our oligarchs.
I lagged behind the guide and turned on the headphones for the Russian-speaking tourists. If you omit the long introduction, then the history of Chambord is interesting.
Chambord Castle is a citadel of medieval architecture. It was built by order of King Francis I in 1519 and served as a hunting lodge. King Francis did not spare money for the construction of the castle, he was not embarrassed by his debt to Spain. He threw all the forces of engineers and workers to build his "house". Moreover, he raised the tax of the church and forced the subjects to melt silver. The building was designed by the Italian architect Domenico da Cortona, but it is also said that Leonardo da Vinci put his hand into the work. It was he who suggested the elements for finishing the building. Leonardo da Vinci also designed the staircase in the castle. The central staircase is made with a double helical winding. There are 77 stairs in the castle. It is said that Francis specifically ordered the construction of many staircases so that his favorites would not collide with each other. Beautiful Constantinople with numerous columns served as inspiration for the creation of Chambord Castle.
Stinky cheese or french fries
After a long excursion, a zhor attacked me. In finding a cafe, I was helped by French women who were leaving the castle. They turned out to be atypical Europeans, they knew where Kazakhstan and Astana were. The feeling of pride was replaced by momentary anger after the mention of Borat. They apparently expected me to wash my hands in the toilet, but I decided to disappoint them and acted like an English dandy. We ordered oysters in a cafe, I read somewhere that they have a positive effect on potency. I don't know about health benefits, but it tastes like a nightmare! Nothing compares to horsemeat, oysters and frog legs! Send brie cheese that smells like bachelor socks there.
The genre of "Great Walks" arose in the late 60s of the XX century and today has become one of the most popular species holidays in France and Europe.
Active tours in the provinces of France 5 to 8 days consist of "Large walks" light between villages, castles, landmarks, in rural landscapes or in the wild.
On foot or by bike for 2-3 hours before lunch and the same amount after, with overnight stays in rural hotels, guest houses, camp sites. A real journey - after all, every night in a new place!
A separate, more sporty genre is a sea kayak trip along the coast of Corsica or a canoe along the rivers of French reserves.
"ProjectFrance"- information bureau in Russia, designed to popularize active tours in the provinces of France from the French tour operators of the group
On your own or with a guide
On your own, with tour guide and GPS
A guide is not always necessary if there is a quality guide and GPS track. The navigator will not let you get lost. The guide will describe the sights. And the assistance service will help in case of difficulties.
The absence of a guide will save the budget and give the trip through the province an unforgettable taste of adventure.
Small and cozy rural hotels with half board, located in old, often historical buildings, booked. Luggage transfers between hotels are reserved.
You can go from a group of 2 people and on any dates.
The flexible formula and the well-developed tourist infrastructure in the provinces of France since the 70s have provided the Great Walks travel genre with extraordinary popularity, without destroying the wild nature and the provincial atmosphere of towns, villages and farms.
With a guide
If you do not want to worry about where to turn on a rural path, leave it to the guide.
Guided tours of the province are designed both for the picturesque countryside, full of historical sights, and for those who are interested in the wild nature of France. There are combinations of the first and second.
The duration is the same 6 to 8 days.
A private guided tour requires a minimum 4-6 people in a group and up to 12 people maximum (limited by the concept itself, as well as the small capacity of rural hotels).
If you speak French, it is possible to join a French group for fixed dates.
By default, the guide is French and Anglophone. Since the genre of active tours in the provinces of France is only coming to the Russian market today, there are no Russian-speaking guides in this travel package, with rare exceptions.
Optionally, you can order support by a Russian-speaking translator.
SPA-tours "Relaxation and form"
It can be both independent walks with a guidebook and GPS, and walks with a guide.
For all 7 days tour You are accommodated in a SPA-resort in the mountains or on the seashore.
First half of the day You dedicate to invigorating, refreshing walks along scenic routes that bring together local attractions.
In the second Relaxation awaits you: SPA-procedures, thermal baths, balneo-, thalassotherapy.
The combination of balanced physical activity, fresh air and relaxing treatments have an effective regenerating effect on the body, weakened by the urban lifestyle.
How tedious are the "Big Walks"?
Each active tour in the province is assigned from 1 to 3 stars.
"One Star": 2 hours of leisurely walks before and after lunch on flat terrain, for example, on the sea coast.
"Three stars": 3 hours of walks before and after lunch along the paths in the highlands. Such walks can already be called light trekking.
The undoubted advantage of the "Big Walks": accessibility to everyone.
If you haven't had enough activity since your last vacation, then fresh air and a uniform load from walking for 7 days will bring you into a good tone.
- Learn more about exercise while traveling
Total travel time
Regardless of which individual tours in the provinces of France you choose, in total you get a classic two weeks of vacation.
It takes 1-2 days to get to the town "A", where the route of travel around the province begins.
The same number - from the town "B", where the tour ends, to Paris, for example, from where you fly home from France. Round up to 4.
In total, we get 7 + 4 = 11 days.
You will probably want to spend a couple more days in Paris or the regional capital (Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Lyon), go see the nearby classic sights (Carcassonne, Pont du Gard, etc.) or lie on the beach.
It's 3-5 more days.
In total, 11 + 5 = 16 classic vacation days.
Optional booking of hotels and railway tickets in France
Everything before the aforementioned town "A" and after the town "B" is not included in the price of the provincial catalog tour.
You have the right to purchase either only the catalog package, or add options to it:
- Railway tickets,
- hotels in regional capitals and small towns,
- necessary transfers, meetings.
Travel example in France
in 14-16 days
Let's say you're flying into Paris.
You can immediately transfer to a domestic flight to the regional capital of France (Lyon, Toulouse, ...), or you can book a night in Paris and on one of the following days a train network to the regional capital. On high speed TGV (from 2 to 6 hours) or on a night sleeper train.
You fly directly to the regional capital
Usually after having made a transplant in Europe. You immediately fly to Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Marseille, Perpignan, etc.
In the French outback
You book a night in a regional capital and explore it.
On one of the following days, you take a regional train and get to a certain town. It can be like the aforementioned town "A", from where your program of long walks around the province of France begins, or you may also have to use the regular by regional bus or registered transfer.
In Town A, you may also want to reserve a day to explore the sights. Grass is a great example!
Return trip
The return journey, at the end of the provincial catalog tour route, follows the same logic.
In details
Baggage
Walks unfold lightly. Luggage is transported by car between hotels.
In addition to your large bag, take a light city bag with you on your trip to France. backpack for 30-40 liters for personal things, such as, for example: a windbreaker from the rain, a jumper if it gets cool or windy, sunblock, a personal first aid kit, a bottle of mineral water, sometimes a picnic.
- Recommendations for a personal first aid kit on the Health page
There are a number of routes around the province with a pack donkey! In this case, your luggage travels, or rather, goes next to you during the walk. This happens either in the case of hiking trails in the wild, where you spend the night in a tent, or the owners of rural hotels take care of the donkeys (included in the price).
Nutrition
Lunches on walks are organized in village cafes or as a picnic, and then they are taken with them. Breakfasts and dinners - at the owners or in a restaurant near the place of residence.
- The self-guided tour defaults to half board,
- Private tour with a guide - full board.
You can choose options for each day. For example, in a large village or town where there are restaurants and cafes, you can not book dinner and breakfast at the hotel or guest house. And in small villages and farms, on the contrary, there may simply be no alternative.
moving
Active tours in the provinces of France are full of sights, natural and / or cultural, which makes it possible to realize the concept of the "Great Walk" in itself.
Where the density of attractions drops, a transfer is usually scheduled by a chartered car or local bus depending on the program.
Get there on your own / estimate the total budget
Whether you decide to book train tickets in France on your own, book hotels on your way to and from your tour destination, or just want to estimate your overall travel budget, here is a list of some reliable companies with easy online booking systems to get you started with confidence.
- Get on your own
Included in the price of the catalog package
The cost of an individual tour in the province is calculated by the formula "From Town A to Town B".
Not included in listing price
- Dossier fee 15 euros (for self-guided tours);
- Your journey to town "A" and after town "B";
- Air tickets;
- Insurance and visa;
Individual tours, what are they
Independent travel
You know English or French, you are traveling Europe / France more than once, you want to look beyond the classic tours, or you have already visited more than once. The French province and its outback intrigue you.
You love an active lifestyle and enjoy the opportunity to get out into the fresh air, preferring the freedom of decision to following a guide.
Then Independent travel is your choice. To help you:
- a detailed guide designed for each individual tour,
- in advance booked hotels on the itinerary with or without half board, at your discretion,
- transportation of luggage between hotels,
- transfers when needed.
The cost of an independent individual tour in France does not depend on the number of people in your company, but only on whether it is even or odd (due to the accommodation formula and the availability of custom transfers).
- To learn more
- View catalog
Active premium tours
Combine the refined comforts of original guesthouses, French castles and historic residences with outdoor activities - refreshing walks or bike rides through the landscapes of the French province between historic towns, villages and sights. On your own, with a detailed guide and GPS-navigator, or with a guide.
Travel as a couple, with family, with friends or colleagues - we provide memorable overnight stays, gourmet cuisine, transport of your luggage and necessary transfers.
An individual premium tour is designed for a group of 2 to 8 people.
- To learn more
- View catalog
Individual tours for families with children
Walks are waiting for you fresh air, on foot or by bike, which combine the historical sights of the provinces of France, meetings with local residents eg with artisans, farmers, shepherds and foresters of the Natural Parks, game plot, the basics of sports activities (cycling, canyoning, acrobranch, etc.) and getting to know nature.
The Big Adventure style program is organized by professional children's guides.
An individual family tour is usually designed for a group of 6 to 12 people, including children.
An active and educational holiday that will bring the whole family into a good tone!
- To learn more
- View catalog
Private tours with a guide
Walks in the French countryside - among the picturesque countryside or wild nature, paths in the mountains or rolling plains among vineyards, on the Atlantic or Mediterranean coast, between colorful ancient towns and hamlets.
A professional guide, a native of the region, who speaks English and French, will take you through the natural beauties and attractions.
Individual tours in the provinces of France with a guide are designed for a group of 4 to 12 people.
- To learn more
- View catalog
Tailor-made travel
If you have your own idea, or you would like to transform the catalog tour to your requirements, then you can do this either directly with the French tour operator (negotiations in English or French), or by sending your request through us.
- To learn more
Find your individual tour
by French provinces
You can choose an individual tour in the catalog:
- by region
- by duration
- according to the preferred season for this trip
- by comfort level
- by activity (walking, cycling, canoeing, sea kayak…)
- subject (for example, wine tours, castles, thermal springs…)
- by terrain (for example, seashore, mountains ...)
The label "Comfort", for example, means accommodation in rural hotels or guest houses with shower and toilet in the room throughout the tour, probably with the exception of one or two nights, which is specified in the program description.
Additionally, in the "tag cloud" at the bottom of the page, a selection of popular and interesting topics has been compiled, such as, for example:
- Holidays on the coast of France
- Historical tours
- Traveling by bike…
Summarizing
The concept of individual tours
- Active lifestyle, travel in motion, outdoors;
- big walks in the province of France: on foot, by bicycle, by sea kayak, canoe - in mini-groups up to 12 people;
- Always light– transportation of luggage from overnight stay to overnight stay;
- Real Journey- Overnight stays each time in a new place. Or stationary accommodation in a hotel / chalet with trips for walks;
- Comfort from simplicity to sophistication. Wherever possible - in old houses, interesting from the point of view of history and cultural heritage: small original hotels in the city, cozy village hotels or in private houses in the countryside, and in the wild - in camp sites, mountain shelters or even in tents;
- Discoveries– a live acquaintance with the people and nature of the French province beyond the classic routes. Meetings with residents who are remarkable for their life, profession, creativity;
- Safety and thoughtfulness routes. Both in the countryside and in the wild;
- Escort professional guide (spoken English and French) or independent travel with a detailed guide and GPS-navigator;
- For families with children– active and educational travel-adventure;
- "Relaxation and Form". A separate direction of tours aimed at rest and tranquility: a combination of walks in the mountain or sea air with thermal baths, spa treatments, balneo or thalassotherapy.
Do not confuse outdoor activities with hiking
All individual trips offered in the catalog refer to outdoor activities. However, they should not be confused with sports or hiking tourism.
Photo of France landmarks
France is more than we imagine. Provinces, all different from each other: nature, architecture, mentality ... You draw in your imagination: castles, lavender fields, vineyards on the hills, Paris, Cote d'Azur, skiing in the Alps, something else ... But you don't immediately imagine how much this "much more!
For inspiration on how to design your own tours of the provinces of France, you can take a look at the selection of Google Panoramio photos taken along the routes of individual tours on the "Photos of France" page.
Or just open Google " Planet Earth"! A file is attached on the page of each individual tour kmz(Google Earth format). Click on the file and the program will take you to the scene of the trip with lots of photos!
