Nord-Pas de Calais names are a roll call of European as well as British and French history, from Julius Caesar to William the Conqueror, Edward III and Napoleon. Agincourt’s museum echoes to Kenneth Branagh declaiming Shakespeare and Guines commemorates Henry VIII meeting Francois I at the Field of the Cloth of Gold. World Wars I and II have left scars, trenches, cemeteries and war museums including the fascinating La Coupole, Hitler's intended V2 launch site. In 1916 Arras 10th century limestone tunnels sheltered 10,000 British soldiers. The 1920's Flemish and Art Deco town centres - Lille, Béthune and Arras - were renovations of devastated areas. The arts scene is thriving. Lille was the European City of Culture in 2004, where the Fine Arts Museum exhibits Goya, Rubens and Donatello. Watteau and Carpeaux were from Valenciennes and some of Henri Matisse may be viewed at the museum in his birthplace, Le Cateau-Cambresis, whilst Van Dyck, Delacroix, Pissaro, Renoir and Sisley hang out in the Chartreuse in Douai. In Roubaix the Art Deco former municipal swimming pool is now a wonderful gallery.
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| News |
What's happening in Loire (Western)? |
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| 09/04/2010 ABTOF Conference delegate list |
A regularly updated lisiting on delegates booked for the Lille conference, 23rd-25th April
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| 09/04/2010 ABTOF Conference 2010 Programme |
The definitive programme for the Lille Conference, 23rd-25th April
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| 03/10/2008 Grasse's International Perfume museum reopens its doors |
After a four-year renovation project, Grasse's international perfume museum will reopen its door for business on 18 October.
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| 26/08/2008 Go Grand For a Massif French Ski Holiday |
Overlooked in the past in favour of more popular holiday spots such as Provence and Brittany, the rugged interior of France’s Grand Massif holds much appeal for tourists, whatever time of year you visit.
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| 22/12/2008 Portrayal of France in the travel sections of this weekend's national newspapers |
Ski, ski and more ski. Huge snowfalls in the Alps and Pyrenees mean ski conditions in France are the best for many, many years
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| Le Mans 24 Hour Race |
| June (Annual) |
Le Mans
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| The Le Mans 24 Hour Race (24 Heures du Mans) was borne out of the Grand Prix series as an exciting addition to the world's racing calendar. When the green flag drops, competitors begin an exhilarating 24-hour race at the famous Le Mans circuit.
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| Vendée Globe |
| November |
Les Sables d'Olonne
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| Adventurous souls and adrenalin junkies will be hoisting their sails during the Vendée Globe. This round the world sailing race attracts only the bravest seafarers, since it's for solo sailors only with no stopovers. |
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| La Nuit des Chimères |
| July through to September |
Le Mans
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| On summer evenings in the cobbled streets of the illuminated old quarter of Le Mans, visitors are treated to a parade of characters from the pages of history as the town organises musical and theatrical nocturnal walks. |
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| La Folle Journée |
| January - February |
Nantes, Loire - Atlantique
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| In fact lasting five days, this mad musical marathon sees some 2,000 artists descend on the city to perform in more than 250 concerts. |
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| Tour de France |
| July (Annual) |
Throughout France
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| The Tour de France is the world's main cycle race. Started in 1903, it is a 23-day, 21-stage bicycle road race usually run over more than 3,500 kilometres (2,200 mi). The route, which varies from year to year, traces a circuit around most areas of France, and often passes into neighbouring countries. |
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Newsletter
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Sign up to our newsletter for latest news, offers and deals
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| Offers |
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Latest Special Offers on Villas and apartments
See our latest special offers on villas, apartments, holiday villages in many regions of France
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Special Offers on Luxury Hotel Barge Holidays!
European Waterways have some amazing special offers on their luxury hotel barges throughout France.
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More Offers on French Holidays
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| Holiday Options |
Accommodation
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Loire accommodation.
Widest range of accommodation for Loire with PV-Holidays
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Hotel du Golf International La Baule from £155 for 3 nights' B&B and 2 rounds of golf
Superb onsite golf from £155 per person for 3 nights' B&B and 2 rounds of golf. Save £75
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Top quality villas and holiday homes in the Vendee
Just France offer a fantastic range of coastal and inland self-catering properties, many with pools.
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Vendee holiday homes
Modern holiday village with swimming and paddling pool and kids club only 650m to beach, shops, bars
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Kelair Campotel
KelAir Campotel operates a popular Family Holiday Programme to France, Italy & Spain. Only KelAir Campotel you will not pay for the extras. We provide decking, large gas BBB's, air conditioning where applicable as standard.
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Western Loire villas
Beautiful beach front villas and villas with private pools in the western Loire.
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More Holiday Options ... |
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