France Travel Information
France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean From northeast to southwest, France shares borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain and Andorra. It is one of only three countries (with Morocco and Spain) to have both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. By area, France is the largest country in Western Europe and the third-largest in Europe. It hosts the world's fourth largest number of cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a total of 39 and receives more foreign tourists than any other country in the world.
Some say France in many ways is not just a country but a way of life. This could well be true. It has given the world its culture, cuisine, fashions and much more. It has produced many influential artists, thinkers and scientists, and remains a prominent global cultural centre. It possesses world-class art galleries and outstanding museums; it offers everything architecturally from ancient Roman sites to Renaissance Chateaux. Its cuisine is legendary as are its wines and liqueurs.
Paris is its capital. The centre of the city has been described as an “open-air museum” with its ornate traditional-styled buildings and attractive wide avenues. Everyone knows its main avenue, the Champs Elysees which is essentially the epicentre of the city. It is close to the Eiffel Tower, the tallest structure in Paris and has the Arc de Triomphe at one end and the Place de la Concorde at the other. Paris has several major art galleries which include the Louvre, which is the most visited art museum in the world, and the Musée d'Orsay, a converted railway station mostly devoted to Impressionism and the Beaubourg, dedicated to Contemporary art. Nothing compares to joining the Parisians in their pastime of sitting at a typical Parisian sidewalk café and watching the city pass by. For lovers of both architecture and history, one can not do better than visit outside the city, the beautiful and impressive palaces of Versailles and Fontainebleau.
There are many other important tourist regions in France. The French Riviera (or Cote d’Azure) with its almost year-round sunshine is the second most visited after Paris. This region is close to the beautiful and provocative Provence and the historic towns of Avignon, Arles and Nimes (the latter two being made famous by both the Romans and the painter Van Gogh). The Loire Valley with its historic towns and especially its castles known as chateaux are in close proximity to Paris. The wine-producing areas of the country offer more than just vineyards; they also offer quaint towns and cities as well as the pleasant countryside. The major regions are Burgundy in central France, medieval Bordeaux in the southwest, the Loire Valley and the Champagne region in the northeast. Rustic Brittany with its scenic coastline and maritime Normandy with its coastal resorts also offers many attractions for the visitor. Skiing in France is excellent with many world-class centres being situated in the French Alps.
France Travel Information
At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy-to-navigate travel information section dedicated to France.
Learn about the history and culture of France, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about France's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information, will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering France for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our France tours today!
Get a Trip Quote Order a Brochure
