| 1. Go up the Eiffel Tower |
One of the most iconic buildings in the world and a contender for Seven Wonders of the Modern World, the Eiffel Tower was despised when first constructed. Iron, instead of the beautiful stone that made Paris, it was seen as an eyesore, now over a hundred years later it symbolises romance and the spirit that is France, Take a trip to the top on the lift or eat in the restaurant, you must experience this massive work of art.
|
|
| 2. Visit Versailles |
For the sumptuous France of old, pre-revolution, a visit to the Palace of Versailles is a must. Planned and built by Louis XIV in the 17th century, the building changed from a small hunting lodge in the country to the largest palace in France which is now in a suburb of Paris. It was the seat of the Royal Court until the start of the French Revolution when it was sealed up. The gardens of the Palace are almost as spectacular as the palace itself and are considered the best example of French formal gardens in the country.
|
| 3. Canoe the Lot and Garonne Waterways |
For an adventure, book either a day trip or a whole holiday canoeing the Lot or Garonne Rivers. Along the route you’ll traverse shallow waters flowing between limestone cliffs, see trout swimming in the clear waters but rarely see another person all day. The trips have a degree of challenge in physicality but the reward at the end of the day having canoed through some of France’s most peaceful and beautiful scenery is immeasurable.
|
| 4. Eat Snails and Frog’s Legs! |
It’s one of those things you’ve just got to try! Even if only once! I’ve tried both once and whilst not disliking them I would rave about either. The snails were fried in garlic butter and after mincing it with my ‘picker’ I was disappointed that it was like a garlic flavoured piece of gristle. Frog’s legs are not unlike chicken in texture and colour but are slightly more rubbery and tasteless. Mine were in a cream sauce in a vol-au-vent case. Try it and you can then tell your friends how gastronomically brave you are!
|
| 5. Visit Notre Dame |
Whether it’s to see the architecture of the magnificent cathedral or to walk in the footsteps of the fictional hunchback, Notre Dame is worth a visit. The view of it as you approach, standing looking majestically over the Seine is a sight you’ll always remember and there’s still an atmosphere, a sense of mystery about the place as you enter. It’s a beautiful, peaceful place inside and with the haunting notes of the choir you’ll be lifted to a higher spiritual place.
|
| 6. Watch the wild horses of the Camargue |
I once watched a TV programme about the wild horses and was entranced. Partly that these beautiful creatures roam wild in the Camargue Region of South western France but also at the rough and wild beauty of the Camargue itself. A wetland area formed where the two arms of the Rhone split at its delta. It’s the largest river delta in Western Europe and home to countless species of wetland bird including the Greater Flamingo. Take a boat trip out with binoculars to see the birds in their natural habitat or wear waders or wellies to get into the marshy areas to observe the birds.
|
| 7. Surf the Atlantic rollers at Biarritz |
Right in the South West corner of France lays the elite holiday resort of Biarritz. With its exclusive shops, casinos and decadent hotels it’s the stamping ground for the more understated of Europe’s rich and famous. But we’re not here for the glamour. Biarritz is internationally renowned for the quality of its surfing. The geography of the coast is perfect, when combined with the Atlantic Ocean to provide high, crisp rollers perfect for surfing. Exponents come here from all over the world to experience the waves or to take part in the annual surfing competition.
|
| 8. Visit the D-day landing beaches |
Even those of us who are too young to recall World War Two will have learned at school of the incredible planning that made the D-Day landings possible. The first assault on the mighty German army began from the beaches of Normandy. Now, one can’t help being moved as you look out across the sands, now home to holiday makers but decades ago the place where the brave fell in the line of German machine gun fire. Follow up the visit to the beaches with one to the graveyards where countless thousands of crosses mark the fallen.
|
| 9. Eat a Crepe |
The French equivalent of our doughnut sweet take away, crepes are a very thin pancake made on a large hot plate and spread deftly with a large palette knife. The batter cooks quickly and is then topped with chocolate and cream or cherry compote or a multitude of other sweet fillings before being rolled up like a cone, wrapped and given, piping hot for you to enjoy. I have to steer my wife away from the many crepe stands or creperie snack bars that abound in the cities but then sometimes I’m tempted too!!
|
| 10. Visit Monet’s Garden |
You’ve seen the beauty of Monet’s garden in his ‘Water lilies’ pictures but you can walk through the actual gardens of Monet’s home at Giverny where his house displays many of his works whilst the gardens have been kept looking exactly the same as they were when Monet was inspired by them a century ago. Nothing will beat a photograph of you stood on THAT bridge, looking down at the water lilies that were to be such an inspiration to him.
|