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Ice-Driving in Rhône-Alpes
A unique experience awaits you in the region of Rhone-Alpes. Driving is taken to the extreme with ice circuits carved out of glaciers for you to drive on. Alpe d'Huez is the place to be if you want the challenge of controlling a Porsche on ice.
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Natural Skating Rinks in Franche-Comté
The regions large lakes become remarkable skating rinks in winter. The principal sites are the lake Saint-Point in
Doubs, the lake of Russet-red or that of Combe.
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Les Labyrinthus in Alsace
The Maze Leisure Park. Very popular in times gone by, mazes are today enjoying something of a comeback. Designed in 1996, "Les Labyrinthus" are temporary mazes made from corn which are pulled up or harvested at the end of the summer.
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A Unique Mountain Trip in Franche-Comté
Known as the Monkey Bridges, scale the mountains using over hangings and bridges along the rocky route sites of the Via Ferratas in Franche-Comté. These challenges are perfect for all the family adding that bit of fun and sport to the rugged but impressive scenery.
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Cross Country Skiing in Rhône-Alpes
The region’s range of winter sports is further complemented by other resorts in the south of the Jura, the Vercors, the Chartreuse, the Monts du Forez, the Drôme, the Isère and the Ain, which are more adapted to activities such as cross-country skiing and snow-shoes.
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Devil Kart in Franche-Comté
For those who love nothing more than speeding around a track in a go-kart or for those who have always wanted to give it a go, Franche-Comté has a treat for you.
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A Day and Night in the Trees
It’s a day for the family high up in the trees where you will be able to travel through a forest with ease. A guide will bring you safely along the chosen route. It is a place for young and old but a head for heights is needed.
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Skiing in Rhône-Alpes – The Largest Ski Area in the World
The Rhone Alpes, with its 180 ski resorts and 18 linked ski areas, boasts the largest ski area in the world. Every winter millions of holidaymakers are drawn to its slopes, and in the summer its mountains become a magnet for enthusiasts of sports such as mountain climbing, rock climbing, glacier hiking and paragliding.
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Formula 1 Experience in Burgundy
Take the drive of your life in Burgundy where a Formula 1 track is at your disposal with a wide variety of different vehicles. Karting, driving a Porsche and other sports cars or Formula 3 and 1 cars are the options to choose from at Magny-Cours in Burgundy.
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Adventure Parks in Alsace
Located in a forest of 200-year-old oak trees, this treetop adventure park combines a chance to discover nature with the opportunity to enjoy fun and adventure up in the treetops.
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Bobsleigh Run in Rhône-Alpes
One of the most trilling and unique experiences in France awaits you in Rhone-Alpes. Known as the most technical piste in the world, the run is really frightening as you reach speeds of 90km/h to over 100km/h. This isn’t just for adults as families can go in four-man bobsleighs.
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Beach Towns
Nice Surprises at
Saint-Nazaire: A charming port of call. In the shade of the liners, this town is lively and passionate. What to see: the Chantiers de l'Atlantique, the Espadon (the only fleet submarine in
France that is open to visitors), Airbus and Escal'Atlantic – a new kind of museum on board a transatlantic liner – and experience the ambience of the great ships of yesteryear.
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Forest Acrobatic Parks in Rhône-Alpes
Among the numerous forest acrobatic parks scattered almost everywhere since the 90s', there are about a hundred throughout the Rhône-Alpes region, scattered within resorts, mountains, towns and the countryside.Explore via monkey bridges, Texan clamps, and lots of other suspended games for a unique experience!
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Sailing in Loire (Western)
Novice and experienced sailors alike will find ideal conditions in the Pays de la Loire for the full practice of sailing in absolute safety. From La Baule to Sables-d'Olonne, the wide bays, creeks and islands lend themselves wonderfully to the practice of sailing.
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Bullfighting in Languedoc-Roussillon
A Spanish Touch. Bullfighting is predominantly known in Europe as a sport whose home is Spain. Languedoc-Roussillon and other regions in the south of France were independent satates for quite some time which led to a collection of differing traditions. As the region is on the Spanish border it was influenced by Spanish tradition.
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Horse Riding Auvergne
Auvergne is a great region for horses and riding and is a wonderful destination for riding holidays. The layout of the fields, the patterns of crops and woodlands, the layout of the towns and villages and the unique building structures create the perfect horse riding experience.
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Reach the Top in Paris / Ile de France
Climb..whether it is up the famous cliffs at Fontainebleau or the artificial climbing walls in Paris and its surrounding area, defy the laws of gravity and experience the joys of climbing.
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Paintball in Franche-Comté
A flag of true importance! Paintball is a painfully great experience at the best of times but given this location it just gets better. Bookings are essential but well worth it. Take a stroll in a forest full of people with paintball guns, safe in the knowledge that you’re locked and loaded.
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To the Air
The Loire Valley is extremely large. Exploring it all would take quite some time by conventional means. For a more original and unique vantage point of this remarkable land, hot air balloon rides are available to transport you over the valley.
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Night life in Paris / Ile de France
Whether it is on a terrace beneath sweet summer skies, at flashy venues, operas, theatres, concerts or the latest discos, Parisian nights are always synonymous with celebrations and gatherings. All you have to do is let your desires lead the way.
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Sailing in Brittany
Whether for competitions, regattas or simple sailing trips, Brittany is an ideal location for water sports and activities, thanks to its 3500 kilometres of coastline together with its many rivers and lakes. Today there are 120 sailing schools and 230 water sports centres.
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Hot Air Ballooning - Lubersac
View the Correze region from a hot air balloon! Journeys take 30 minutes or 1 hour and each flight can take a maximum of 4 passengers.
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Boating in Poitou-Charentes
From Angoulême to the ocean, the Charente winds its way through the ancient provinces of Angoumois and Saintonge. Boats equipped for river cruises perpetuate the traditions of the gabares, who used to transport paper and Cognac. You will be immersed amidst the zone known for its eau de vie (water of life).
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Le Labyrinthe - Gueret
This giant maze (the largest in the world) covers two hectares and borders a 3000 hectare forest. There are 14 questions in the maze which, if answered correctly, enable you to exit more easily. There are also picnic areas in the park and giant games, including a giant chess board with pieces.
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Short Breaks in Nord-Pas de Calais
Enticing sandy beaches run for an astonishing 120 kilometres from Dunkerque to Berck-sur-Mer, lined with dunes and majestic cliffs. On the most glorious headlands, Les Deux Caps, in the national regional park of outstanding natural beauty, hikers are excellently catered for.
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The Futuroscope Park in Poitou-Charentes
A gigantic sphere set against a sloping sheet of glass, a translucent cube jutting up from the ground, reflective organ pipes or crystals dividing up the sky with their mirrors are only some of the futuristic sights to see at Futuroscope. It is a futuristic universe, like a backdrop to a science fiction novel.
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Theme Parks in Picardy
Each time you visit you will see a different Picardy depending on the time, light and season. Each place is different and extraordinary, just like each encounter. Picardy’s theme parks will thrill you with shows and rides for the whole family.
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Wine Tours
Bourges is an ideal point of departure to explore the vineyards. The medieval town of Sancerre, with its stone tower, perched atop its ancient flint hill and cloaked all around with vineyards, will really impress you.
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A Taste of Adventure
Here people like to live in groups and give themselves room all around to express themselves. Rambling is an important part of this large rural region with its 1,600 bell-towers.
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Water Sports in Loire (Western)
A
Whole
Range of Sports. All of your nautical desires can be satisfied on our coast: Sea-Kayaking near the rocky creeks of Piriac and Pornic, wave skiing at Sables-d'Olonne, kite surfing at La Baule, diving off the Île d'Yeu, waterskiing at Noirmoutier, jet skiing at Pornichet. With such a wide choice, there's no excuse for inactivity.
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Hydrotherapy in Auvergne
Auvergne is the most important region for hydrotherapy treatment in France. Every year its 10 resorts welcome nearly 70,000 curists making Auvergne a major European health centre. The spa centres of Vichy, Le Mont-Dore, Saint-Nectaire, Châteauneuf-les-Bains, Châtel-Guyon, La Bourboule, Royat-Chamalières, Chaudes-Aigues, Néris-les-Bains and Bourbon-l’Archambault, together make up a unique group.
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Steam Train Journeys - Limoges
With a variety of routes from Limoges to Eyemoutiers and Ussel this is a great day out travelling back in time to the days of real trains! Weave your way through the gorges of the Haute Vienne with some spectacular viaducts.
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Vulcania in Auvergne -The European Volcano Park
Thousands of years of volcanism have forged the landscape of Auvergne giving it the special strength and character that make it a unique place in Europe.
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Watersports Auvergne
Auvergne, being known as the "land of lakes and volcanoes" is rich with numerous water sports. Natural and artificial lakes are in use all year round for sporting activities. From fishing and swimming to water skiing and kayaking, there is no limit to what can be done.
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Saines Saveurs Bourgogne, Naturally Good
In November 2005, Burgundy made an innovative move by launching 'Saines Saveurs, Naturally good in Burgundy'. This new label is a commitment from Burgundy's catering professionals to provide healthy natural foods wherever possible.
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An Authentic Open Air Village Museum
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.
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Puy du Fou®: Get ready for a journey through time!
Escape to the Grand Parc of the Puy du Fou® for an unforgettable trip with family or friends. Puy du Fou® is a whirlwind of extraordinary shows and a real breath of fresh air far from everyday hustle and bustle. Make the most of an exceptional entertainment program during the day, breath-taking shows at night, as well as 17 restaurants, a themed hotel and 45 hectares of pure green bliss. Days at Puy du Fou® are adventure and action-packed. Get ready for a journey through time!
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The Morvan Natural Park
Burgundy's green spaces are ideal for a range of leisure pursuits and getting close to nature. The beautiful landscape is ideally suited for hiking, horse riding, golf cycling and even hot air balooning for those looking for a bit of adventure.
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Visit Chateau de Chenonceau
Chenonceau is, after Versailles, the most visited French castle. Aside from the visit to the castle, the chateau de Chenonceau provides a large range of activities and services like: a gastronomic restaurant l'Orangerie, a buffet restaurant, a tea room, the Ladies Galery (wax museum) and sailing in small boats during summer months. You can also discovery the vegetable garden, the 16th century farm and the flower workshop where incredible flower displays are created and displayed in the castle.
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Outdoor activities in Aquitaine
Aquitaine is a paradise for those in search of excitement. If sheer rock faces are what you are looking for, there are many magnificient climbing routes to be discovered. If it is whitewater you thirst for, head for the Pyrenean streams with their ideal spots for rafting, canyoning and kayak. If it is a sensation of freedom you are after, then there are always hang-gliding and kite surfing.
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Montpellier in Languedoc-Roussillon
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Not to be missed in Corsica
Mountains in the sea, pierced with torrents, Corsica, an island of rare beauty, has the full spectrum of landscapes. Dry in the south, it makes up for it with long beaches of white sand, where lazing around can be enhanced by sightseeing tours.
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Not to be missed in Picardy
With its exceptionally rich architectural heritage, this province is a preserve of Gothic art. Famous for its cathedrals, it offers the discerning an opportunity to explore its towns and their medieval wonders.
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Not to be missed in Champagne-Ardenne
The fruit of its vineyards is so famous that the first thing you think of in this region is a glass of champagne. You can of course begin the journey underground and visit the wine cellars. Reims, its magnificient cathedral or its museum of fine arts, should not make you forget the 'vine-growers' villages spread around the region. There is also the Ardennes with its wild forests, populated by roe deer and hares.
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Nantes in Pays-de-la-Loire
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Not to be missed in Languedoc-Roussillon
The Mediterranean on one side, the eastern Pyrenees to the south and Lozère to the north, Languedoc-Roussillon takes pleasure in the contrats if its stepped relief.
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Saint-Etienne in Rhône-Alpes
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Not to be missed in Paris
Some cities call to mind lovers, others architecture, yet others an intellectual, cultural or appealing popular atmosphere. Paris has all these faces, plus lots more to discover depending on your particular interest.
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Not to be missed in Franche-Comté
This is a region with distinct faces. In the north, the valleys of the Haute-Saône which, from the Grays region to the Saône Vosges, passing through Vesoul, back onto the region of Belfort. Châteaux and churches give added attraction to its towns and villages, and a great many museums house specimens showing the traditional craftmanship related to wood, but also to clock making.
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Not to be missed in Poitou-Charentes
The dispute between Ancient and Modern is not on the agenda in this region where the vestiges of the past are keyed neatly into an openness to the future.
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Not to be missed in Auvergne
If it were possible, the best way to travel in this region would be on the back of a donkey, just as the writer Stevenson did. It is indeed probably the pleasantest way to see this land of volcanoes, fashioned by their eruptions. Inactive for centuries, they gave birth to a strange and majestic landscape.
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Avignon in Provence-Alpes-Côte-D’azur
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Not to be missed in Brittany
A land of seafaring people, and the aspect that makes Brittany the daughter of Neptune. Its thousands of kilometres of coastline, from Cancale to Saint-Nazaire, give it a prodigiously varied relief, with the strange rocks of the Pink Granite coast and the idyllic beaches of the Morbihan following on from one another.
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Lille in Nord-Pas-de-Calais
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Not to be missed in Nord-Pas-de-Calais
Traditionally an industrial region, it has now turned to tourism, a natural choice in a landscape where forests predominate, and where the Opal Coast has a host of beaches dedicated to surfing, wind-surfing, water-skiing, and more.
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Not to be missed in Lorraine
Bordered by the three countries, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, Lorraine is a strategic region which today exudes a peaceful charm. There is no shortage of reasons to explore it. For lovers of architecture and the arts, Mirecourt, Bar-le-Duc and Epinal possess many wonders. Enthusiasts for footpaths, will find routes dotted with lakes, forests and green valleys in the Lorraine Regional Park. Another excellent reason to come is for its springs and to stay in one of the well-known spa establishments in Contrexéville or Vittel, where the gastronomy is not to be outdone.
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Not to be missed in Midi-Pyrénées
Few regions offer such a variety of landscapes, climates and architecture. This is because the region is huge, it runs from Aveyron to Gers and from Ariège to the edges of the Dordogne.
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Not to be missed in Burgundy
From the vineyards of Chablis to those of the Mâconnais passing through the Côte de Beaune and Côtes de Nuits, from the luminous Loire Valley to the opulent Bresse region passing through the mysterious forests of the Morvan, Burgundy is beautiful in its natural state and in every season.
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Not to be missed in the Loire (centre)
It is western Europe's last wild river, over 1,000 km long, that shapes the region : The Loire. On its banks the aristocracy built châteaux that are among the jewels of French architecture. Amboise, Chambord, Blois, Azay-le-Rideau are all extraordinary.
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Not to be missed in Limousin
Nature lovers who like to punctuate their walks with seeing the old craft traditions develop an immediate attachment to this region. Green woods and forests, it is also criss-crossed by water, the Creuse, Vienne and Dordogne rivers...
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Not to be missed in Normandy
Combining in the same land the pleasures of an extraordinary coastline and those of a green and blossoming countryside, Normandy is a very fortunate region.
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Angers in Pays de la Loire
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Not to be missed in Ile-de-France
Around Paris, Ile-de-France offers the joys of discovering both nature and culture. With 9 royal towns, 400 listed gardens and châteaux including 24 masterpieces of landscape art, medieval villages or Cistercian abbeys, the Ile-de-France region boasts a unique and fascinating heritage.
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Not to be missed in Alsace
Very long and narrow and backing onto the Rhine, Alsace has seen its borders moved on many occasions. The ups and downs of history have caused it to hang on to a very strong regional tradition. This can be seen in its language, its folk traditions and its cuisine. Its countryside beckons the walker, with its hillsides streaked with vineyards in the Munster valley and the flower-decked valleys of the Florival.
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Not to be missed in Aquitaine
If you had to define this land by one word, il would be 'generous'. A generosity that can be seen in its variety of landscapes with hills, valleys, sandy moors and a coast that is almost wild. The Bordeaux vineyards, the Basque Country, the plateaux of Périgord...
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Not to be missed in Rhône-Alpes
A great river and a chain of mountains give the region its name and create the pattern of life here. The Alps crowned by Mont Blanc provide a skiing area that is unique in the world. Hiking enthusiasts are becoming increasingly numerous in the summertime, walking the waymarked trails through the region's nature parks (La Vanoise, Les Ecrins, Les Bauges), and around the lakes (Lake Geneva, Annecy, Le Bourget). Nearer the Rhône, the Ardèche gorges are a paradise for canoeing.
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Nîmes in Languedoc-Roussillon
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Not to be missed in the Loire (western)
A land of water traversed by the Loire, the region is bathed in the north by the spray of the Atlantic Ocean. While Saint-Nazaire is an important merchant navy port, Nantes is the regional capital, and Saumur, Le Mans and Angers offer visitors a cultural heritage dominated by Gothic art and the Renaissance.
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Aix-en-Provence in Provence-Alpes-Côte-D’azur
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Not to be missed in the French Riviera
It is the blue of the south that defines this land. Its climate is so mild, its nature so filled with flowers that thousands of years after the Romans, English aristocrats, fed up with the greyness, fell in love with it. Since then, the Côte d'Azur has been entirely given over to summer pleasures.
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Nice in Provence-Alpes-Côte-D’azur
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Marseille in Provence-Alpes-Côte-D’azur
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Not to be missed in Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur
Everything in this region sings, even the wind, when it is called the Mistral or the Tramontana. The great poets were able to convey its music, and painters from Cézanne to Picasso, captured its light. Provence is magical, it smells wonderfully of olive oil, lavender and thyme.
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Loire Valley (Centre) / Centre Val-de-Loire
The Loire Valley is made up of six départements (counties): Eure-et-Loir, Loiret, Loir-et-Cher, Cher, Indre, Indre-et-Loire.
Explore over 800 magnificent chateaux. Discover charming towns of art and history. Take a stroll through the lush gardens. And don’t miss a chance to visit one of the numerous museums and cathedrals. 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.
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Bouches-du-Rhône
This departement (county) is one of vast contrasts, It ranges from mountains (the Alpilles to the north, the Saint Baume and the Saint Victoire to the east) to plains and flat country (Camargue). The city of Marseille is a busy urban center but the creeks, beaches and ports have a more restful rhythme on this changing coastline.
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Hauts-de-Seine in Ile-de-France
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Var in Provence Alpes Côte-d’Azur
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Yonne
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.
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Vienne in Poitou-Charentes
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Charente-Maritime in Poitou-Charentes
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Yvelines in Ile-de-France
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Tarn-et-Garonne in Midi-Pyrénées
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Mayenne
If you are after unspoilt countryside, rich cultural heritage or outdoor adventure, the Mayenne departement/county is the place to be.
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Seine-Saint-Denis in Ile-de-France
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Hautes-Alpes in Provence Alpes Côte-d’Azur
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Hautes-Pyrénées in Midi-Pyrénées
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Deux-Sèvres in Poitou-Charentes
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Val d'Oise in Ile-de-France
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Savoie - Mont Blanc
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.
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Pas de Calais in Nord-pas-de-Calais
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Eure-et-Loir in Loire (Centre)
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Charente in Poitou-Charentes
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Alpes de Hautes Provence in Provence Alpes Côte-d’Azur
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Haute-Saône in Franche-Comté
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Seine-et-Marne in Ile-de-France
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Haute-Garonne in Midi-Pyrénées
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Nièvre
An area of outstanding natural beauty. The Nièvre boasts a rich cultural & architectural heritage with the Morvan offering a variety of activities such as canoeing, skiing, horse riding, cycling, climbing & fishing.
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Nord in Nord-pas-de-Calais
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Loir-et-Cher in Loire (Centre)
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Val-de-Marne in Ile-de-France
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Alpes Maritimes in Provence Alpes Côte-d’Azur
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Meurthe-et-Moselle in Lorraine
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Territoire de Belfort in Franche-Comté
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Vaucluse in Provence Alpes Côte-d’Azur
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Aude
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.
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City of Cherbourg
Ideally situated as a port for both leisure craft and military ships, Cherbourg has long been a centre for the French navy as well as a popular destination with local and international yachtsmen who enjoy the choppy seas and challenging winds. The town was once also the centre for transatlantic liners and in its heyday saw many a famous celebrity arrive or depart from the Gare Maritime. Now transformed into the Cité de la Mer, an impressive museum dedicated to the world undersea and exhibiting the world’s largest submarine open to the public; this building is an architectural reminder of the town’s glamorous past.
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Ardennes
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).
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Manche
The Manche département/county forms the western coastline of Normandy. From the Landing Beach of Utah Beach, via the Cherbourg peninsula to the Bay of Mont St Michel, the sea has had a major influence on this part of the region.
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Hérault
The Hérault departement/county coastline is one of the most unpsoiled and protected on the Mediterranean but offers a large range of activities for all ages. An attractive alternative to the more ritzy and expensive Provence and Cote d'Azur, the Herault department is a real gem.
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City of Le Havre
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”.
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Marne
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.
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City of Caen
Today Caen is a thriving commercial and university centre; with historical roots dating back even before William of Normandy in the 11th Cwntury. He commissioned the Abbaye aux Hommes as well as the Abbaye aux Dames, built for his wife Mathilde and now her final resting place. Both buildings survived the destruction of bombardments in 1944. The city was rebuilt after the War, and present day Caen offers an appealing mix of old and new with plenty of well-maintained green spaces. Various markets are held daily.
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Aube-en-Champagne
The Aube-en-Champagne departement/county is just a hop from London via the tunnel or the Ferry , one and a half hours from Paris and an hour south of Reims, you will find a tiny paradise with everything charming and relaxing about the French way of life.
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Vendée
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.
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Seine Maritime
The Seine Maritime département/county fills the area between the Seine Valley and the Channel Coast. Dramatic cliff lines, rolling open countryside and the twists and turns of the River Seine are the main geographic features while the town of Rouen is the jewel in the crown.
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Pyrénées Orientales
The Pyrénées Orientales is a region in the southern most part of France, bordering with Spain. The department of Pyrénées Orientales, which includes the Languedoc, conceals many treasures: varied landscapes of rich beauty, an important architectural heritage, and traditions and a culture that have lasted for centuries.
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Loire-Atlantique
The Loire Atlantique departement/county boasts a magnificient coast and offers many additional interests to its visitors such as : picturesque fishing ports, canals and thatched cottages, forests, parks...
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Maine-et-Loire / Anjou
The landscapes of the Anjou département/county are ideal for every kind of outing. Walk the GR 3 footpath along the Loire Valley (a UNESCO heritage site), bike through the vineyards, ride on horseback through the forests, or float along the streams and rivers on longboats, canoes and kayaks. The highways and byways of Anjou will take you to delighful views over the countryside.
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Eure
The River Eure gives its name to the county/département which lies south of the Seine and between the Auge Valley and the western outskirts of Paris.
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City of Alençon
Situated on the crossroads between the routes from Brittany to Paris and from Belgium to the Loire Valley, Alençon is an ideal stopover point for visitors travelling further afield, yet also offers much worth spending time to visit. Once known as the “Cité des Ducs”, the town boasts a fine old town hall, 15th Century church as well as the Dukes’ Palace dating from the 14th and 15th Centuries.
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Gard
The departement/county of the Gard is bordered to the east by the Rhone Valley and to the north, the Cevenne mountains.To the south the Petite Camargue is nowadays a series of lakes and marshes. The short coastline has a superb beach at Espiguette and Le Grau-du-Roi is an important fishing port. The centre of the department is a world of dry limestone, the garrigue, of vines and olive trees and the perfumes of the Mediterranean.
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City of Dieppe
Dieppe is a seaside resort where the seafront has been developed with a promenade, grassy lawns and children’s play areas. Dieppe’s streets are busy with shops and restaurants, and the weekly market brings colour and tradition to the central square. The fishing port reaches right into the town itself, explaining its reputation for seafood, in particular the marmite dieppoise, a creamy fish stew. Visitors will be spoilt for choice with the range of cafés and restaurants.
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Haute-Marne
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!
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City of Bayeux
Essentially a medieval town, whose cathedral was dedicated in 1077 by William the Conqueror, Bayeux is also home to the famous tapestry depicting William’s epic journey to England and the Battle of Hastings. Intrinsically linked with the events of June 1944, the town provided headquarters for General de Gaulle after D-Day, now a museum.
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Sarthe
Sarthe offers a lot of open-air activities. The towns and villages bring together in one site a powerful historic and architectural heritage, while the many museums provide us with the keys necessary for understanding. Gourmets and connoisseurs of the good things in life will also, in one mouthful, be able to savour the wealth of the terroir and gastronomy of Sarthe.
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Orne
The Orne département/county lies in the south of the region and is Normandy in its most natural state. Green fields, deep river valleys and forests abound, punctuated by fine manor houses and estates. Some of these are home to well known stud farms for this is also the land of the horse.
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Lozère
The Lozère department covers the southern part of the Massif Central, including the mountainous regions of Aubrac, la Margeride, le Gevaudan and the Cevennes.
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City of Rouen
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.
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Calvados
The Calvados département/county bears the name of its most famous spirit. The county covers much of the coastline of the D Day Landing Beaches and historic towns such as Caen, Bayeux, Honfleur and resorts of Deauville and Trouville.
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