It is difficult to define France. In this beautiful land the chic boulevards of Paris coexist, with the shining ski tracks of the Alps, the bucolic vineyards of Burgundy and Champagne, a majestic castles of the Loire, and the relaxed lifestyle of the Mediterranean coasts. This land of great resistances offers endless possibilities for the tourist. If you want to find out more about tourism in France, click here.

Île de France
Paris is in the Île de France, and with the Chevreuse, Yvette or Essonne valleys, the forests at Rambouillet, Saint-Germain and Fontainebleau, all have been an inspirational region where you walk in the footsteps of famous artists. Paris: the city of lights, capital of style and fashion, cannot be defined. It has monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc of Triumph, the Pantheon...; charming quarters (Montmartre, the Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés); world-wide famous museums (the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Centre Georges Pompidou, the Institut of Arab World). Paris never stops shining, growing with the contact of those who visit this unique land

Picardy
France itself was born in this northern province between Marne and Somme – for it was here that the Franks – ancestors of the French – set up home. . Picardy is the cradle of Gothic art Its cathedrals at Beauvais, Amiens, Senlis, Laon or Noyon illustrate the rise of Gothic art. Magnificent gardens, parks and forests set a nostalgic mood that's enhanced during festivals, shows and games. The gastronomy is another pleasure inherited from the past: picardy bread, lamb, gâteau battu (typical cake) and other products of the generous environment.

Nord Pas-de-Calais
Because the sun appears not so often here than in the south, some people think of Nord-Pas de Calais as a gloomy region. Nevertheless, it's probably one of the jolliest regions in France, always ready to celebrate. Parades, carnivals, fairs and fanfares – good habits endure in this land of memory, bristling with belfries. To get the right feel for the region's spirit, you need to join the crowd during the great collective celebrations, and share their meals based on seafood – the famous moules-frites, the traditional waterzoï (a court-bouillon of fish and chicken) – washed down with some of the local beer. It is a region open to the major capitals cities of Europe such a short distance away!

Champagne-Ardenne
The home of Champagne – the wine synonymous of celebration – could only be welcoming. The baptism of Clovis in Rheims, a key event in the history of Champagne-Ardenne, launched in the city a long-lasting tradition of coronations of the kings of France. Rheims was made famous by its cathedral, included on the UNESCO World Heritage list – as are the Palais de Tau and the Saint-Rémi church and museum, monuments that stand with a large number of Norman buildings and the region's awesome fortified constructions. This architectural heritage is enhanced by natural surroundings that are just perfect for active leisure activities – whether on foot, by bicycle or on the water of the great lakes. What's more, Champagne-Ardenne has a real gift for fine food: Ardennes ham, Rethel white morcilla, Haute-Marne truffles and Langres and Chaource cheeses. If you want to find out more about tourism in Champagne, click here.

Burgundy
Norman abbeys, castles with their glazed roofs, ducal towns and charming villages make Burgundy an historic region with a glorious heritage. Vineyards press together on the small wine-growing area of Côtes de Beaune and Côtes de Nuits. These vineyards are closely linked to the rise of religious orders which tilled the soil and built the masterpieces of Norman art which can be found throughout the region: the abbeys at Cluny, Vézelay, Autun and Tournus, among others. One of the best ways to explore the region and soak up its atmosphere is by boat: criss-crossed by 1200 kilometres of navigable waterways. If you want to find out more about tourism in Burgundy, click here.

Lorraine
Lorraine has a strategic position at the border of Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. Lorraine stands at the crossroads of Europe's major routes, and has suffered invasions and the passage of many armies over the centuries – at places like Verdun, which today is home to the Peace World Center. Lorraine's turbulent history has contributed to a rich cultural heritage that includes the Metz cathedral with its stained glass by Chagall; the Place Stanislas (included on the UNESCO World Heritage list) in Nancy, the birthplace of Art Nouveau, made famous by the artists Gallé, Daum or Majorelle. The region has three nature reserves. Other healthy and replenishing activities take place in the thermal resorts of Vittel, Contrexéville and Bains-les-Bains.

Franco County
Between the Vosges and the Jura Mounts, the Franco County is a land of water, pine and spruce forests and unspoilt wide open spaces – the High Jura and Ballons des Vosges , both regional nature reserves are perfect examples. Here takes place a large number of open-air activities, winter sports, aerial and water sports … The environment is unstinting, and men have accepted its gifts and created remarkable products: Comté cheeses, charcuterie from the traditional farms, Jura wines and more… Franco-County is the historic crossroads of a long list of influences, as seen in the look of its towns and the weight of its cultural heritage: Saline Royale in Arc-et-Senans, a masterpiece of industrial architecture from the Enlightenment, included on the UNESCO World Heritage list; the Chapelle de Ronchamp by Le Corbusier, with its modern architecture; the Vauban's major military constructions at Besançon, Salins or Belfort – to say nothing of the many castles, churches and abbeys…

Alsace
Although the Rhine now separates Alsace (and thereby France) from Germany, the border has moved many times: the region has changed hands 17 times in 20 centuries. A large number of its inhabitants still speak Alsatian, and are notably renowned for their cuisine. Its proud list of culinary excellence includes choucroute, foie gras en croûte and kougelhopf – all best enjoyed with a glass of Alsace wine. Strongly influenced by its industrial activity, it's a dynamic region which has managed to preserve its architectural heritage.

Loire Valley and Western Loire
There are three regional nature parks – Brenne, Le Perche and Loire-Anjou-Touraine – in the Loire Valley. The kings of France (from Charles VII to François I) knew what they were doing when they set up their homes near its vast forests and majestic river. The region has some of the most famous castles in France. Its boundaries also contain the cathedrals of Bourges and Chartres, both on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The Western Loire is a land of castles, abbeys, Norman churches and vineyards. The 'Pays de la Loire' offers a variety of landscapes with unique atmospheres. But this doesn't prevent the region having several important cities: Angers; Nantes; Saumur, the “Pearl of Anjou”; Le Mans… It's a festive region too and one with a love for fine food. Apples, freshwater fish, fatted chicken, rillettes and veal calves reared with their mothers are just some of the ingredients in the rich and varied local cuisine. If you wants to find out more about tourism in Loire, click here.

Normandy
Made world-famous by the Saint-Michel Mount, the flowery harbour of Honfleur, the wharves of Etretat, the beaches of Deauville or the wild Cotentin coasts.. The atmosphere of the countryside were source of inspiration for painters and writers: Millet, Eugène Boudin, Corot, Pissarro – or Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas. Normandy’s is well known by its cuisine: its butter, its 32 cheeses, its thick cream, Caen tripe, Vire andouille and Calvados apple brandy are just gorgeous.

Poitou-Charentes
The region's reputation is closely linked to cognac. The region is always delighted to share its riches, both natural – the bucolic Marais Poitevin, the coastal edge lined with charming little islands – and cultural. It has a Norman heritage, visible in the churches at Aulnay, Saint-Savin (which contains the finest Norman frescoes in France), Talmont, Chauvigny and Melle, and in the towns of Saintes or Poitiers!

Brittany
The seaward-looking Brittany peninsula with it ragged coastline is a prime marine environment battered by winds and tempests, from fishing harbours to seaside resorts. Inland, Brittany is a land of myths and legends, romantic castles and unique towns, calm navigable rivers and canals. This traditional region has its own language, customs and, above all, festivities: you'll never get a better idea of the Breton soul than during a Pardon (a solemn mass and procession in folk costume), a Celtic festival or a village festival. This is a invigorating region, a paradise of seafood, cider and crêpes!

Rhone-Alps
A region flagged by the peaks of its mountains where hiking and winter sports are kings. The Rhône-Alpes region has both the largest skiing area in the world and the most famous resorts. Take a deep breath of fresh air in the heart of the unspoilt natural surroundings of the Vanoise, Ecrins and Bauges nature reserves. When you have the urge to go to town, you can head for Lyon, Saint-Etienne, Chambéry, Annecy or Grenoble – all so attractive and so welcoming!

Riviera
The French Riviera is unique, a land of beauty and elegance where the living is great all year round. That is why in 19th-century European high society, people would often talk of a magical land where winter never came… In this highly contrasting country, the mountains are never very far from the sea; regional traditions and international cultural events go hand in hand. The Riviera is all this and more: major museums, the Nice carnival, colourful markets awash with heady scents, a few chips staked on the turn of the roulette wheel in a casino, the pleasures of water sports or a game of golf

Provenza
The Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region has always attracted large number of artists, from Van Gogh to Picasso, Marcel Pagnol, Auguste Renoir and Francis Scott Fitzgerald. This historic region was a major crossroads for different civilizations, is worth the journey in themselves: Avignon and its Palais des Papes; Arles and Orange where the spirit of ancient Rome can still be felt; the dazzling 18th-century jewel that is Aix-en-Provence; and the legendary Saint-Tropez… As for the local cuisine, heady notes of garlic and olive oil.

Languedoc – Rosellón
Miles of fine sandy beaches, a hinterland rising up the foothills of the Massif Central and the Pyrenees… Languedoc-Roussillon shares a border with Spain as far as the Rhône delta. Its annual 300 days of sunshine draw large numbers of holidaymakers, who take away unforgettable memories of the beautiful natural surroundings, monuments, villages and towns such as Montpellier, Nîmes, Carcassonne, Uzès and the Pont du Gard (four sites included on the UNESCO World Heritage list) – to say nothing of the cultural circuits with prehistoric, Roman or Cathar themes. This beautiful county also produces fine wines that every year earn the respect of greater numbers of wine lovers…

Auvergne
Clermont-Ferrand is the capital of Auvergne. The region have a wild aspect. This is a land of unspoilt, wide open spaces – a land of volcanoes, lakes filled with the clearest water and some exceptionally steep-sided valleys. The region is the perfect destination for ‘green’ holidays, activity holidays and hot spring therapy – and it has the wild character of a land passed through since time immemorial by Compostelle pilgrims, and one of the places where Norman art flourished.

Midi-Pyrénées
Midi-Pyrénées is the largest region in the country. It's also frequently listed as the region with the finest lifestyle. Toulouse is its capital. You should make a trip to the Gers (the land of Armagnac and the “Jazz in Marciac” festival), enjoy a cruise on the Canal du Midi, a walk along the Saint-Jacques de Compostelle pilgrimage routes or in the footsteps of the Cathars in Ariège, a trip to unique sites like Rocamadour or Saint Bertrand de Comminges, or even a walk through a village or bastide on market day will convince you.

Aquitaine
Aquitaine has an immense line of golden sandy beaches, castles, an abundance of vineyards, mountains and countryside. You may enjoy a few oysters washed down with dry white wine in the Arcachon bay, pipérade and Irouléguy rosé, the wild Basque countryside as a backdrop, scrambled eggs with truffles in Périgord, confit de canard in Lot-et-Garonne or an Armagnac savoured in Chalosse. This is a paradise for surfers; hikers have a huge choice of locations, from the gentle Landes and the Pyrenees; while fans of rafting and canyoning enjoy the thrills of launching into the mountain streams.