Culture/ History/ Art

Picardy is the cradle of France and a land of simple and genuine pleasures; of rural common sense rooted in a solid country ancestry. The “Picard spirit” could be summed up in the paradox between its tremendous history and self-effacement.

Set high up on its anticline, Besançon Citadel features a magnificent fortress is one of Vauban's masterpieces, and it is said that its construction was so costly that Louis XIV enquired as to whether the walls had been made out of gold.

Located in the Côtes de Meuse area, Hattonchâtel is one of the most beautiful villages in the region. The reredos in the chapel is said to have been carved by Ligier Richier, one of the most prestigious sculptors of the Renaissance.

A Popular Place of Pilgrimage. Dedicated to Alsace's patron saint, Mont Sainte-Odile is a site visited both by pilgrims who come here to pay their respects and by tourists attracted by the incredible view offered from its peak, situated at an altitude of 763 m.

The Ancient Romans settled here for some considerable time. Bishoprics developed. Some of the Dukes of Lorraine showed a love of art and architecture. One of them, Stanislaw, was even a sovereign in his own right – and there was nobody more interested in buildings.

From monasteries to small rural churches, mural frescoes to sculptures, the region’s Romanesque architecture displays a wide diversity of expression and influence. In the areas of Lyon, the Savoie and the Vivarais, Romanesque art is primarily exhibited within church buildings and rural chapels, with their single nave and minimalist décor.

The cite des sciences and de l'industrie is one of Europe's largest centre for the diffusion of science and technology which is suitable for all: school parties, senior citizens, young people, clubs and societies, etc. They've welcomed more than 3 million visitors in 2007.

Opened in 1941, Struthof was the only camp of its kind on French soil. Some 52,000 prisoners including German detainees and deportees from 20 other countries were subjected to forced labour here in the quarry close to the camp. In total, 22,000 people died here, usually from starvation and exhaustion. Some however perished in the "experimental" gas chamber, making it all the more important to ensure that what happened here is never forgotten.

Notre-Dame-du-Haut, standing atop Bourlémont Hill, is a major example of contemporary religious art, a place of worship conceived of by the imagination of Le Corbusier.

Languedoc began to flourish from the year 1,000 onwards and has handed down an exceptional heritage of sites and Romanesque constructions. With such essential buildings as Saint-Sernin in Toulouse and the small ornate chapels buried deep within the valleys of the Ariège, the enthusiast has an inexhaustible list to choose from. Sometimes quite plain, sometimes lavishly sculpted and sometimes pleasantly combined with Gothic art, Romanesque art in our region is at its best.

Guardians of Provençal or Alpine know-how, many of the craftsmen and women of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur devote their lives to the production of objects according to the oldest methods.

The multitude of artists' studios, or ateliers, in Paris and the Ile-de-France region provide fertile ground for artistic creation. From the bohemian to the internationally renowned, artists take you behind the scenes to reveal the home of their inspiration and imagination.

Franche-Comté is awash with cultural riches, which give it its special soul. Roman, Gaulish, Spanish and finally French, the region has been fashioned by an impressive history. The architectural diversity and the talent of its creators alone are enough to make a visit worthwhile.

 
"Le Linge" was one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War. Between 20^th July and 15^th October 1915, the Germans organised their defence here in order to prevent French troops advancing on Colmar.

You have to leave the towns and their treasures, if you want to discover another more rural but equally diverse side to Lorraine.

The bloody crusades that were waged against the Cathars during the 12th Century swept through the ancient civilisation of the Langue d'oc: a civilisation of troubadours, courtly love, tolerance and democracy before its time, leaving behind them only ruin.

The clash of battles and cries of the wounded is replaced by the silence of remembrance. The memory of the wars of the 20th Century is one of the principal elements of the region’s identity. Although there are places where you are simply left to your imagination, others are intrinsically devoted to commemoration.

The splendour of ancient sites in Lyon, Vienne, Saint-Romain-en-Gal and Alba-la-Romaine proves that the region played an important commercial and artistic role during the Roman period. The Gallic-roman people have left a multitude of architectural and ornamental masterpieces.

Retrace the footsteps of the twenty-five French kings who were crowned in the magnificent Gothic cathedral of Reims. Castles not to be missed.

Built at the entrance to the "Pontarlier Gap", with the Swiss border on the horizon, this proud imposing castle is hard to miss. The Château de Joux stands around three hundred feet above the international commercial route which, as early as under Roman occupation, linked the Jura, Burgundy, Flanders and Champagne to Italy.

More than 250 museums and collections throughout Alsace look forward to welcoming visitors keen to discover their rich heritage, ranging from prehistory through to contemporary art.

Paris was first founded around 52BC and has had a very turbulent history throughout the centuries. Paris first started as an island in the river Seine and its structure developed through many rulers, not least Napoleon who struggled to capture the city because of its narrow streets which made life difficult for his troops and horse drawn artillery.

Gothic architecture blossomed in St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Metz which, with its richly decorated West Front, Bishops’ Chapel and cloister, is considered as one of the most beautiful buildings of its kind in France.

For history lovers Normandy truly satisfies in every way. Soak in the atmosphere created by an abundance of timbered houses and huge châteaux, set in the circuit of a glorious medieval past, follow the steps of William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy and King of England, or relive the emotional journey to the D Day landing beaches and more.

Lorraine has been subjected to attack by Julius Caesar, Charles the Bold, Charles V and Louis XIII. As a result, its historic buildings boast a wide range of architectural styles. The architecture also reflects the many different types of building and a succession of periods of history.

During the 17th and 18th Century, the Counter Reformation brought about new ways of expressing one’s faith, both colourful and theatrical in style. The Savoyard valleys boast about 60 Baroque churches, brimming with golden cherubs and multi-coloured painted saints, with their massive shining reredos.

It is within the calling of The Historial de la Grande Guerre to situate the specific nature of the bloodiest battle of the First World War in the overall context of the conflict. By way of comparison, the Battle of Verdun caused the lost (dead, wounded, missing) of 337,000 Germans and 362,000 Frenchmen. The losses at the Battle of the Somme totalled 400,000 for the British, 335,000 for the Germans and 200,000 for the French. The idea of creating a museum devoted to the 1914-1918 war originated with the Somme County Council in 1986. The project was envisioned in the context of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, which involved combatants from more than twenty nations of the world at that time.

500 years ago, the woad fields between Toulouse, Albi and Castelnaudary, made their owners foryunes from their deep Cockaigne dye, which was sought after throughout the whole of Europe. The masters of woad in the southern area of Toulouse outdid each other with daring projects and lavish buildings.

Classicism began to gain a foothold in Alsace around the 18th Century, at a time when new churches were being built. It was inspired by ancient art and characterised by a preference for sober and symmetrical designs.

Historic museums of all differing types: comic books in Angoulême, automobile and motors in Châtellerault, marine in Rochefort, furniture and regional objects in Saintes or Niort, Beaux-Arts (fine arts) in Poitiers, La Rochelle, Niort, Saintes, Cognac, Angoulême., peasant traditions in Ranton , silver mines in Melle and more.

Amongst Normandy’s famous sons and daughters, the intrepid adventures of William the Conqueror are uppermost. From his birthplace in Falaise to the legendary Bayeux Tapestry which recounts one of his greatest exploits, the presence of William and far reaching influences are fascinating.

The history of Poitou-Charentes has been shaped by many notorious people: Charles Martel, Eleanor of Aquitaine, François I, Richelieu, Rabelais and Vauban. Each of these illustrious figures left his or her imprint on the region's history.

UNESCO has inscribed the routes to Santiago de Compostela on the World Heritage List. The region boasts three of the main routes leading to Compostela, the routes of Puy-en-Velay, Arles and the foothills of the Pyrenees, all of which are dotted with comfortable self-catering cottages and friendly hostels.

Created in 1984, the Ecomusée d'Alsace comprises almost 70 authentic rural homes, dismantled in their original village where they were due for demolition, and rebuilt it here brick by brick.

The Great Stables of Chantilly, viewed as the world’s finest, are home to the Living Museum of the Horse. Far removed from dusty, immobile museums, this Museum is perpetually developing in order to offer ever more original shows, put on by the thirty employees of the Living Museum of the Horse.

With 13 painted caves, the Ardèche gorges are the most visited in France. Inside you can admire engraved or painted masterpieces together with various tools. For a better understanding of this exceptional legacy it is worth paying a visit to the Musée Régional de Préhistoire, close to the Aven d’Orgnac.

Escape into the enchanting countryside and enjoy cycle tours, bird-watching, golf, hot-air ballooning, canoeing and kayaking.

If you are a food lover then the Loire Valley is the place for you from fresh fish to goat’s cheese, delicious wines and more delicious local specialities.

An hour's drive South of Paris, the Loire Valley offers holiday experiences to suit everyone. Experience its astonishing châteaux open to the public, many with extensive, lush gardens. Be seduced by 740 religious monuments such as the impressive Chartres and Bourges cathedrals. The Loire Valley boasts a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Just an hour south of Paris, here you are in the land of canals and vineyards, fertile hills and huge forests. A land, named after a river, that features a seldom-seen natural diversity.

Walking, hiking, snowshoeing, sledging or dog-sledding, all our areas have come up with inventive ideas to ensure you don't have to be a fanatical skier to have an invigorating but relaxing winter holiday. In Savoie Mont Blanc, there are many fun and healthy ways to explore and enjoy the countryside.

Aude is known for its wine, castles and abbeys. Often referred to as 'the land of the Cathars' it is here that you'll find the unconquerable mountain sites of Rennes-le-Chateau and Peyrepertuse. The coast provides a sharp contrast with miles of sandy beaches for family holidays and isolated inlets for those looking to escape the crowds.

Bordering Belgium, the rural Ardennes departement/county is a nature lovers paradise. Largely covered by ancient deciduous forests it provides a fantastic playground for outdoor types. The emblem of the departement is the wild boar (Sanglier) which also features heavily in local dishes. The capital, Charleville-Mézières, has a very attractive main square modelled on the Place des Vosges in Paris (pictured).

Le Havre is multi-facetted, as important a commercial port as it is a popular yachting destination. Its 2 km of beach open onto the Seine estuary, once the backdrop for Impressionist artists who loved the effect of light and painted many famous paintings, including Monet’s “Sunrise at Le Havre”.

The Marne is quite simply ‘Champagne Central’! The departement contains both Reims and Epernay, which between them are home to almost all of the well known Champagne houses. As you might imagine, the landscape is dominated by vines although part of the lac du Der-Chantecoq sneaks into the bottom south west corner. The Marne is also home to the administrative capital of the region, Chalons.

The Vendée throws open its protected natural sites. Between rocky escarpments and beaches of divinely fine sand. Both along the coast and inland, a living heritage awaits your exploration – castles, humbler dwellings, tourist sites. Thanks to its position between land and sea the Vendée offers a comprehensive range of traditional flavours. A comprehensive network of walking and riding trails and of cycle paths covers the length of the coast and the hinterland.

The Haute-Marne département/ county, is an intensely rural department, which has approximately 3 acres of forest per inhabitant, this area was the birthplace of the philosopher Diderot and is the final resting place of Charles de Gaulle. In the north west of the departement is the lac du Der-Chantecoq, which claims to be the largest man made lake in Europe and is a magnet for bird watchers, fishermen and watersports enthusiasts. The town of Langres also gives us one of France’s most distinctive cheeses, which tastes better than it looks!

The Lozère department covers the southern part of the Massif Central, including the mountainous regions of Aubrac, la Margeride, le Gevaudan and the Cevennes.

Rouen is the Capital of Normandy and the Seine-Maritime department. The city, also known as the ‘Ville aux cent clochers’ has preserved much of it’s historical centre which is now largely composed of pedestrian streets.