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This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Campsites
- Brittany: One of the log cabins of the 'Camping de Rodaven' is the perfect secluded escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life while also being a great base for cyclists and walkers.
- Ile de Ré: Bordering on a fine sand beach, set in parkland, the 4* Sunêlia Interlude campsite provides numerous high-quality facilities for all irrespective of age and taste.
Luxury
- Club French Heritage & Culture: in the centre of the monastery, the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud offers 52 bedrooms for those who want calm and history
Guesthouses. - Corsica: no better way to stay with the locals in an original ‘gite-corse’ to discover the island’s heritage and tradition.
- Languedoc Roussillon: The newly renovated Pullman Montpellier 'Antigone' welcomes visitors in the centre of this beautiful town.
- Rhône-Alpes: Not far from Lyon's main shopping streets, the 'Péniche Barnum' is a lovely houseboat with two comfortable guest cabins, plus access to a secure car park nearby.
- Riviera: The Hi hotel is a 38 room designer hotel located 200 meters from the sea in Nice and is also the creation of Matali Crasset, one of France's leading young designer.
Guesthouses
- Dordogne Valley: An array of guesthouses overlooking the Dordogne such as Château de Lissac, Château de la Grèze, Les Meyrandiers, Château de La Treyne, Hôtel la Terrasse.
- Midi-Pyrénées: Toulouse is host to many charming guesthouses: Anjali, Loges de Saint-Sernin, Clos d'Arduenna, Garonna...
- Normandy: Les Belles de Maisthouses are quaint guesthouses located in the centre of Pontorson. Their delightful owners offer visitors a warm welcome.
Budget
- Auvergne: The Hotel Bel Horizon gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy the comfort of a 3* hotel with spacious, modern and fully-equipped rooms, complete with delicious and healthy cuisine.
- Burgundy: Ideally located in the heart of the pedestrian quarter, close to the Palais des Ducs, City Loft is a 3* hotel offering spectacular views of Dijon's mosaic like rooftops.
- Marseilles: A unique architectural place, the hotel Le Corbusier opens its doors after ‘La cite Radieuse’, a man’s dream became a reality. Besides a great diversity of services, the hotel is a rare place to stay, charged with sense, magic and calm.
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Local produce
- Burgundy: La Grange is an authentic place to stop for lunch and eat local food made by local farmers with products from their farms. It is held in the medieval village of Flavigny, which was also the site of the movie 'Chocolat'.
- Dordogne Valley: Dordogne and Gastronomy, two words almost redundant! Markets, famers markets, the George Brassens market in Brive la Gaillarde, the vin paillé de Corrèze, wines, chesnuts and nuts liquors, the Louis Roques distillery and so much more…
- Limousin: Top quality producers and the art of fine dining: tradition, quality and good taste can be found in farmers' markets and in inns and Michelin starred restaurants.
- Rhône-Alpes: Wine-growers welcome visitors for a tour of their vineyards and cellars to showcase the wines they lovingly produce! The day is rounded-up by a tasting of the estate wines served with local produce.
- Var: With ‘Pesca Tourisme’, you will share the local fishermen’s passion and experience of the sea as they get you on board their little boats in the morning to discover Mediterranean fishes which are so important in the local cuisine
Restaurants
- Auvergne: Le Grand Café is a unique brasserie restaurant in Moulins. It is a Grade II listed historic monument and has retained its 1899 décor. As a young woman, Coco Chanel would sing there at nights.
- Languedoc Roussillon: The Reserve Rimbaud restaurant in Montpellier is set above the calm and green coloured Lez river where an inventive menu based on traditional products is served.
- Midi-Pyrénées: 'Chez Navarre' is a friendly and confidential guest table located in the antique shops district of Toulouse where sharing a table with others is 'de rigueur'.
- Nord Pas de Calais: Whilst everything in this restaurant is designed for the comfort of guests, it also takes back in time into the atmosphere of an earlier industrial age, being housed in a former 19th century iron foundry.
- Ile de Ré: On the harbour of Ars-en-Ré, the V Bistrot Wine Bar offers everything from a full breakfast, fines de claires oysters, large charcuterie platters, plate of 4 assorted cheeses served with jams, all accompanied with the owner's favourite wines by the glass.
- Club French Heritage & Culture: as you’ll visit the Loire valley, enjoy a lunch at the gastronomy restaurant "l'Orangerie" in the charming Château of Chenonceau, also known as the ‘Ladies’ Chateau’.
- Nantes 2012: after some wine tasting at the Loire Valley Wine Centre, head to La Civelle, a restaurant in the heart of the quaint village of Trentemoult.
- Marseilles: Le Perroquet bleu used to be an illicit cabaret in the 19th century and the scene of many extravaganza nights in the 90s… Today, this wine-bar, cafe & restaurant offers simple yet generous lunches. Some nights, the animated ambiance in the wine cellar only is worth a trip!
Cookery schools
- Brittany: An unforgettable Brittany experience including Macaroon-making with the Master Craftsman himself are available at 'Alain Chartier's Ecole des Desserts' (desserts school).
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Museums
- Riviera: The Oceanographic Museum in Monaco is a bastion of biodiversity and temple to the sea over five floors of astounding displays.
- Languedoc Roussillon: The Musée Fabre in Montpellier shows off its impressive collection of paintings - from the 17th through to 20th century including Old masters and Modern movements.
- Midi-Pyrenées: The Natural history Museum of Toulouse is the second in France. Its collections contain approximately two and a half million pieces spread over
3000 m2 of exhibition rooms. - Nord pas de Calais: The new Louvre Museum extension in Lens gets ready to open its doors and promises 900 works for its inauguration in 2012.
- Rhône-Alpes: The 'Cité du Design' in Saint Etienne is a centre for design, business and economics, a unique concept in France, held in three restored 19th century factory buildings alongside two modern constructions.
Heritage
- Auvergne: Le Puy-en-Velay is one of the four starting points for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. UNESCO has put some stretches of the marked trail, as well as the cathedral and Hôtel Dieu in Le Puy-en-Velay, on the World Heritage List.
- Brittany: The fishing port of Pont-Aven is as pretty as a picture which is no doubt why it provided the inspiration for many of painter Gauguin's works.
- Burgundy: The Fontenay Abbey is one of the oldest Cistercian monasteries in Europe. A UNESCO site, the magnificent Romanesque style has been perfectly preserved.
- Dordogne Valley: An array of Dordogne villages officially designated as the 'most beautiful villages' in France: Collonges-la-Rouge, Turenne, Curemonte, Autoire , Loubressac, Carennac.
- Clos Luce: The Château du Clos Lucé presents 3D animations in the model exhibition halls. They enable visitors to understand how Leonardo’s inventions worked, and to see them in action.
- Club French Heritage & Culture: Thanks to ‘Le Centre des monuments nationaux’, over 100 chateaux, abbeys, grottos & other French historical monuments welcome 200 concerts, shows and exhibitions every year
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Region discovery
- Auvergne: Among its many treasures, Romanesque art is particularly well represented here, with more than 250 buildings forming the backbone of Auvergne's Romanesque heritage.
- Brittany: Some locals are volunteering to become greeters and take visitors under their wings to give them the lowdown on where to go and what to do.
- Languedoc Roussillon: The spectacular Abbey Saint Martin du Canigou now welcomes tourists for either daily visits or for longer spiritual retreats, lasting between 2 and 6 days.
- Midi-Pyrénées: One of the three pilgrimage routes to St James of Compostella takes visitors to Lourdes, the most important pilgrimage site in France, before exploring the mysteries of the Cathars in Ariège and the Templars in Aveyron.
- Clos Luce: Discovery of the Renaissance splendor and the Leonardo’s mysteries on a visit of the site with a narrated tour (July - August).
- Club French Heritage & Culture: an historical circuit along the medieval part of the city of Avignon as it was the Popes’ capital.
- Corsica: Excursions all over the Island: Wine route, craft road, authentic road of the senses, boat excursions, touristic trains, botanical paths…
Gastronomy discovery
- Burgundy: Tours in the vineyards via hiking trails are available to discover legendary wineyards passing through some lovely villages allowing visitors to meet local producers.
- Ile de Ré: 100% natural beers such as La Blanche de Ré, l'Ecume de Ré, la Blanche Amb'Ré, la Déferlante are produced at 'Bières de Ré', the only brewery on Ile de Ré.
- Rhône-Alpes: 'Excelys Tour offers upmarket tours such as a luxury wine tour with a private driver, stays in luxury hotels or charming B&Bs and varied activities like hot air balloon trips, wine harvest, classical music concerts, and gourmet dinners.
- Riviera: Travellers can discover the superb landscapes of olive groves, as well as the artisan industry based on the culture of the olive tree, the different methods to obtain the subtle grades of olive oil and spend the night in an authentic genuine 18th century olive oil Mill.
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Products
- Auvergne: Auvergne is the richest mineral water area in Europe and many world famous resorts provide visitors with all the benefits of thermal springs.
- Riviera: 'Eveil Essences' in Grasse allows travellers to learn how to realize their own custom-made care products. A playful pleasure and an ecological approach for a pure moment of relaxation!
Thalassotherapy and Spas
- Brittany: The paradise island of Belle-Ile is host to the Castel Clara thalassotherapy and spa and its intensive, holistic revitalisation 'back to nature' programme.
- Burgundy: Halotherapy, or 'salt therapy' treatments are available in the salt cave of 'Relaxsel', located very close to the beautiful town of Pouilly.
- Languedoc Roussillon: La Chaldette is a thermal resort set in the heart of the Aubrac area in Lozère at 1000 metres high.
- Rhône-Alpes: Overlooking lavender fields and Madame de Sévigné's famous castle, the 'Clair de la Plume' hotel cultivates well-being in Grignan, in the heart of the Provençal Drôme, with a natural pool in its grounds.
- Nantes 2012: In the Lieu Unique, the hammam is open every day from 11am to 9pm.
- Vendée: Thalasso by bike: the Atlantic by bike from spa to spa links Norway in the far north to Portugal in the south through France! The Vendée leg of the road, is one of the main spot in France at the Sables d’Olonne.
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Eco tourism
- Languedoc Roussillon: Pilgrims and hikers still walk some ancient pilgrimage routes such as Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert which is part of the Causses area, a UNESCO world Heritage Site.
- Nord Pas de Calais: Local enthusiasts who genuinely love their region so much volunteer to show it to visitors, like friends would do - a great way of meeting the locals.
- Normandy: Eco-tourism trails are available by going on a horse-drawn cart tour to discover the beautiful surrounding countryside, where visitors will learn about the environment and sustainable ways to protect it.
- Riviera: Between the Mediterranean and the village of Eze, Friedrich Nietzsche found philosophical inspiration strolling along this beautiful but demanding trail.
- Clos Luce: Leonardo’s garden is an open-air museum on the subject of Nature, bringing to life the Master’s botanical drawings, geological studies and landscapes.
- Corsica: From the 2,300m of the Monte Cinto covered of snow in winter to the sunny seashore in summer, a stunning protected nature with forests, rivers, gorges….The Scandola Marine Park, close to the extraordinary Calanques de Piana, has been labeled World heritage by the UNESCO.
Outdoor activities
- Burgundy: 5-day hikes on pilgrims roads are available between the towns of Tonnerre and Clamecy to discover some beautiful médiéval villages and buildings.
- Dordogne Valley: Unforgettable days discovering the Dordogne region can be spent on canoe or kayak from Argentat towards Souillac, or in a hot air balloon or simply by hiking.
- Midi-Pyrénées: The plateaux of Larzac, Sauveterre and Causse Noir straddle the depths of many gorges and cover a rich heritage such as the Templar and Hospitaller villages. Various sports activities are also available.
- Rhône-Alpes: It is now possible to explore the mysterious beauty of the region's glaciers in the company of a high mountain guide, an experience unique in France.
- Savoie Mont Blanc: The Maurienne valley is one of the world's largest cycling area, with 1,600km of trails with ascents and famous Tour de France alpine passes among them.
- Var: hikking in the ‘Provence Verte’, through the most beautiful gardens, hilltops, forests, on signed trails, accessible to everyone or on the Golden Islands – Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Levant, located off the coast of Hyères.
- Vendée: “Green Venice” is a nickname given to an enchanting corner of the Marais Poitevin, a maze of duckweed-covered waterways. In tiny inland ports boats or bikes can be rented to explore tree-lined canals and quiet towpaths.
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Rivers
- Auvergne: Whether it is from the club house with a terrace overlooking the lake, with a boat and guide, or whether it is solo, there are a variety of fishing possibilities in Auvergne.
- Burgundy: Quietly canoeing on the Loire in Burgundy is also a perfect way to discover the region. A guide will explain all about the fauna and flora, before finishing the day with a meal cooked on a camp fire and sleeping in a tent.
- Midi-Pyrénées: Discovering the Tarn valley and the village of Peyre in a kayak or a canoe is an exceptional experience, as is paddling under the world's biggest viaduct.
Seaside
- Languedoc Roussillon: In addition to its internationally renowned nautical activities, Port-Camargue, one of Europe's greatest marinas, has a wide range of activities for everyone.
- Nord Pas de Calais: Sea-fishing excursions are available both in Etaples and Boulogne.
- Normandy: 'Le Longe Côte' is a sport practiced along the inclined beaches of the West coast of Normandy. Participants walk waist-deep through the waves with the aid of paddles to propel themselves forward.
- Ile de Ré: Since 1966, CNPA, the multi nautical activity centre (catamaran, windsurfing, boat license, swimming, beach club, land yachting) has been welcoming visitors for guided or self-guided activities.
- Corsica: the paradise of blue, clear sea water, white sandy beaches, hidden creeks for swimming, snorkeling, diving, sailing clubs, Sea Kayak, waterskiing, Jet ski, fishing…as the rivers allow canyoning and white water rafting.
- Var: The coast trail crosses 20 towns from the Saint-Tropez Gulf to the Estérel, offering an exceptional opportunity to discover the Mediterranean landscapes, fauna and flora. 72km have been laid out, 50 more km will follow soon from Six-Fours to Saint-Raphael.
- Marseilles: Scuba diving in Marseilles started with Captain Cousteau. Today you can discover the underwater world of fauna and flora under the supervision of qualified instructors. The area also has the Calanques ship wreck for the more intrepid scuba divers.
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Cultural
- Auvergne: Having lain dormant for a century, this beautiful NAME Moulins residence has finally opened its doors to the public. It is an example of 19th-century 'bourgeois' living.
- Burgundy: The Burgundy OenoPass allows visitors to taste the best of Burgundy, its wines, its gastronomy, its culture on the 'Route des Grands Vins de Bourgogne'.
- Dordogne Valley: 'La Voie de Rocamadour' on the Chemin de Compostelle is a new official pilgrimage route to Rocamadour from the north.
- Languedoc Roussillon: The restaurant 'La Maison du Terroir' is located in Maury, between sea and mountains and offers exceptional settings, close to Cathar castles and to the Galamus gorges.
- Midi-Pyrenées: The new Airbus Heritage guided tour is dedicated to the aeronautical heritage of three of Toulouse's most emblematic planes: the Caravelle, the Concorde, the A300B.
- Rhône-Alpes: The New Stendhal Museum in Grenoble will open its doors in September 2012 and will be dedicated to one of the most famous French writers, born in Grenoble.
- Nantes 2012: Memorial to the abolition of slavery in March 2012 with 2000 commemorative plaques noting ships leaving Nantes on slave trade expeditions, La Fabrique, HAB art gallery & the Radisson Blu Hotel in dec 2012.
- Marseilles: Silo is a former grain silo built in 1930. Today, the building is a place for concerts and events with an auditorium of 2000 seats and is located in the heart of the new district Euroméditerranée.
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Food
- Dordogne Valley: Beaulieu on Dordogne has been staging a strawberry fair every May since 1990. Beaulieu strawberries are rightly famous for their flavour, the 'guariguette' variety being the star!
- Burgundy: 'Fleurs de Vigne' is a wine and local produces festival, taking place every May. More than 100 wine-producers showcase their production with free tastings and animations.
Arts and crafts
- Clos Luce: Between May 5 and May 29, THE WORLD OF CREATION shows the best Master Artists including the new Master Artists designated in 2011.
- Club Patrimoine et Cultures : Lille 3000, FANTASTIC, from 6 October 2012 to 13 January 2013.
- Nantes 2012: A Journey to Nantes 2012 from 15 June to 19 August, Rendez-Vous de l'Erdre, Scopitone festival.
- Dordogne Valley: Every summer, the 'Brive-Plage Festiv'all' , the 'Orchestrades Universelles of Brive' and the 'Mime Festival of Souillac', are not to be missed.
- Nord Pas De Calais: 14 artworks of the Paris Pompidou Centre will be on display under a marquee in Cambrai and Boulogne-sur-Mer, free of charge, Feb-May 2012.
Sports
- Auvergne: On the 3rd weekend of September each year, the joyous 'Roi de l'Oiseau' festival transports Le Puy-en-Velay back to the Renaissance period in search of the town's finest archer.
- Brittany: Sand-yachting aficionados can either get their fix at the World Championship held in Cherrieux, 8-15 July or by trying it out safely in the hands of a qualified instructor along the coast of Brittany.
Music
- Rhône-Alpes: The annual Vienne Jazz festival, held June 28th-July 13th, hosts all the great names in jazz in the wonderful setting of the Roman amphitheatre. Fringe jazz events take place all over the town.
- Midi-Pyrenées: Saturday, March 24, 2012 marks the 12th anniversary of Night of the Dance, which was recognised in 2010 with the French Open Professional's label.
- Languedoc Roussillon: The Carcassonne Festival is one of the major cultural events in the South of France, with nearly 110 shows on offer, more than 75 of which are free.
- Marseilles: At the end of October, Fiesta des Suds is the great appointment musical and festive fall and it lasts for 20 years! The program includes concerts, exhibitions, meetings and good humour.
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Sports
- Auvergne: 2012 will see the launch of a new website http://www.nordic-walking-france.com and the edition of a guide book that maps the stunning walks in the mountains of the Massif du Sancy.
- Languedoc Roussillon: Kite surf courses are available at the Kite Surf's school created by Sylvain Hoceini, speed vice-World champion.
- Nord Pas de Calais: An up to four-day hike with donkeys from the countryside down to the sea can be a way to escape from it all.
- Riviera: The French Riviera is the “Hot Spot” of world mountain biking, thanks to a favourable landscape and good facilities: Roubion and Auron ski resorts have made special efforts to develop and mark out the runs open to the general public.
Cultural
- Burgundy: The Temple of a 1000 Buddhas was the first Tibetan Buddhist monastery built in Europe and now welcomes visitors for a day visit or for a longer spiritual retreat.
- Corsica: The Island Sanctuary: five stunning nature reserves on the Island which contain sites of specific interest for scientists.
- Midi-Pyrenées: Visitors can now spend the night at the magical Observatory of the Pic du Midi (2872m) to study the galaxy with an astronomer, enjoy a gastronomic meal and watch the sunrise over the Pyrenean chain.
- Nantes 2012: The ‘Machines de l'Ile’: get on board the Great Elephant, visit the new Gallery, walk along the prototype branch from the future Heron Tree, admire the creator’s work in progress and from July 15th 2012 discover the merry-go-round of the Marines worlds.
- Rhône-Alpes: Firminy now has an Interpretation Centre about Le Corbusier. It is the perfect place to gain an oversight into the architect's urban planning for the town, including the avant-garde “living unit”.