HIGHLIGHTS

• marvel at the flora and fauna to be discovered high in the Rhone Alpes
• wonder at the walker's paradise on the many marked routes through the Pyrenees
• smell the aroma from the lavender and fields of herbs in Provence
• tour the vineyards of Champagne
• cruise past the lavish chateaux of the Loire valley
• surf the Atlantic rollers on the beaches of Aquitaine
• discover the brilliance of Roman Architecture at the Pont du Gard in Languedoc

French Regions

France is a country divided into different regions mainly by natural boundaries. In the north, the English Channel and the Ardennes hills; in the east the Jura, Vosges mountains and the Rhine river; the Rhone Alpes in the south east; the Mediterranean and Pyrenees in the south and the Atlantic Ocean in the west. Add to this the natural features of the Massif Central where extinct volcanoes dominate the landscape of Auvergne and you will see the enormous variation of the French regions.

The diversity of France can also be found in its range of cities at the heart of many of its regions. These include the capital, Paris, with Disneyland Resort Paris close by, Strasbourg, Grenoble, Lyons, Marseille, Nice, Biarritz, Limoges and Nantes to name but a few well worth a visit or a short city break holiday.

Water sports such as canoeing and kayaking abound on the meandering rivers of the Loire, Seine, Rhone, Saone and Garonne. For the more energetic the gorges cut by the Ardeche, Verdon and the Tarn offer superb white water rafting. Another significant regional difference is the local wine and cuisine, from the quiche in Lorraine to the bouillabaisse in Provence.

In France eating and drinking is a national pastime and wine varies considerably from the sparkling whites of Champagne to the ruby reds of Bordeaux. The beauty of a family holiday in France is, in a country boasting such a vast range of climates, geography, historic treasures and culture, there is certainly something to keep everyone happy. You can relax cruising past the sophisticated chateaux of the Loire Valley, surf and water ski at the long sandy beaches in Aquitaine, walk, mountain bike or hike through the Pyrenees, people watch and sun worship in Provence, marvel at the Medieval and Roman wonders in Languedoc Roussillon or ski and snowboard down the Rhone Alpes in the winter months.

Click on the region of your choice for a brief description and points of interest in the area.