The French affectionately call their beloved homeland "l'Hexagone", because of its distinct six-sided shape. Each corner of France has its own unique character: the rugged and outdoorsy French Alps; sun-drenched and slow-paced Provence; the glamorous and gorgeous Côte d'Azur coastline; and idyllic Alsace, a pastoral region where storybook hamlets are tucked away in the vine-covered rolling hills.
Paris and Versailles are must-see destinations for a first trip to France. Other classic travel itineraries include stops at fashionable seaside resorts, fairy-tale castles, and glorious Gothic cathedrals. More off-the-beaten-path experiences are found in the countryside, such as at farmhouses in Burgundy, fishing villages in Brittany, and quaint towns in the forests of the Pyrenees Mountains.
Top Regions In France
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Top Regions To Visit In France
Air France flies direct from Johannesburg to Paris five times per week. From the end of October, flights will be daily. The evening departure from Johannesburg ensures that passengers can connect to the first wave of departures from Charles de Gaulle to 20 destinations within France and beyond to any of the airline's destinations in Europe, as well as the USA and Canada. Air France flies to 20 destinations within France from Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports. Here are some of our favourite domestic destinations that the airline flies to:Paris
Aaah, Paris. The French capital needs no introduction. It is, after all, the world’s top tourist destination. The food, the art, the fashion, the history – trying to take it all in can make your head spin (and can also make some tourists physically sick when the city doesn’t live up to their impossibly high expectations!) But at the same time, compared to most of the world’s other major cities, Paris boasts an attractively relaxed pace of life, and the locals highly value their work-life balance. Just find your favorite neighborhood café, sit on the terrasse and watch the city go by. Paris is also highly walkable; in fact, one of the best things to do is to just wander around, away from the main tourist attractions, and discover the city’s many hidden gems.
Bordeaux
Beautiful architecture, rolling hills with vineyards, wind-swept Atlantic beaches, the Aquitaine region has it all. In recent years, following the launch of a new high-speed train connection from Paris, Bordeaux has become the destination of choice for Parisians wishing to escape the capital… which has led to local resentment of the increasing real estate prices. With mild weather throughout the year, this is a good year-round destination, but in the summer, the region truly becomes an alternative to the French Riviera, with resorts such as Arcachon and Cap Ferret (the Cape Cod of France) turning into uber-chic beach retreats. If you’re exploring the region, the stunning Île de Ré to the north and the world-famous surf beaches of Biarritz to the south are other highlights of France’s Atlantic coast. The Aquitaine region also boasts Europe’s tallest sand dune, the beautiful Dune du Pilat. Oh, and did we mention the wine?
Lyon
France’s second-largest city, Lyon, proclaims itself the country’s food capital – and once you’ve sampled some of the local delicacies, you might come to agree! After getting lost in the tiny medieval streets of le vieux Lyon, you might be tempted to hit the road and go explore the volcanoes of Auvergne to the West or the Alps to the East, the highest mountain range in western Europe. The region is known for its endless hiking opportunities and countless other activities in the summer (rock climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, you name it, the French Alps have got it). And of course, with its snow-covered peaks, the region is a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts – and if you just want to tag along for the après-ski vibes and enjoy raclette and mulled wine in a cosy chalet, that’s definitely okay, too! In the era of social distancing, the French Alps’ remote valleys and dramatic vistas might just be the perfect place to escape to.
Toulouse
The streets of Toulouse let loose with the soul of France. Down in the southwest, the country’s exquisite elegance merges with rugged passion as the landscape sinks into the Spanish border. Built-in rose brick with blue-gray undertones, La Ville Rose, an architectural exception for a major French city, lights up in fiery reds, oranges, and pinks as the sun sets over the Garonne river. Situated between the Pyrenees mountains, a short distance from the Mediterranean, and a stone’s throw from France’s lush Dordogne, Toulouse is the French El Dorado we’ve all been hoping to find. Quitting the city to ski the slopes, lounge on the beach, dip into thermal baths, dine on Spanish tapas, or witness medieval French history can all be done in the span of an afternoon, depending on the season.
Marseille
It is impossible to visit France without discovering the unmissable places that make the charm of Marseille so special. Among the most famous places, we will of course tell you about the Bonne-Mère, the Corniche and the magnificent archipelagos along the coast. According to your preferences, you can orient your itinerary towards your interests and devote your time to the visits that you want. If you are looking for a city itinerary, we advise you to stroll around the Old Port or around the Place aux huiles, a very pleasant and constantly lively place. Nature lovers can stroll through Parc Borély and its garden, where you can recharge your batteries far from the city's cacophony, or stroll through the streets of the Roucas Blanc district and climb the stairs that lead to the city's heights.
Nice
The French Riviera, the stretch of coast that extends between Marseille and the Italian border, offers Mediterranean living at its best. The locals are incredibly proud of their region and couldn’t possibly imagine living anywhere else. And who can blame them? With stunning natural beauty, colorful local culture and picturesque villages – and the azur of the Mediterranean sea as a backdrop – the region has fulfilled many a traveller’s fantasies for centuries. If somehow you tire of the beaches and calanques, drive a little inland and you’ll find the lavender fields of Provence, as well as rolling vineyards, pine forests and olive groves. Alternatively, you can hop on a ferry to the gorgeous island of Corsica. The only danger of coming to this region is that you’ll never want to leave!
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