by Anne Penny

Created on: April 19, 2009

There is a wonderful world beyond Paris! Of course, Paris is unique among cities with its magnificent cathedral of Notre Dame and the tranquil flowing river Seine with beautiful bridges joining the two halves of the city. There's the Louvre, one of the world's greatest museums, the Marais district steeped in history and, of course, the universally recognised symbol of Paris the Eiffel tower.

Not too far from Paris, a day trip by train, is the ever-fascinating palace of Versailles although one day would be enough for only a taste of this vast edifice with its 700 rooms. The sun king, Louis XIV had it constructed in the late 1600's in order to remove his court from Paris. Lavish furnishings are there to be admired, and in the famed Salle des Glaces, the Hall of Mirrors, the superb chandeliers are as riveting to the gaze as the huge mirrors. Hundreds of acres of formal gardens, lakes and fountains can easily absorb the visitor for a whole day. Through the summer, at weekends there is the unforgettable spectacle of Les Grandes Eaux, when the fountains properly display their jets of water to visitors.

The garden of France, the Loire valley, as well as being a naturally lovely area of the country is also the setting for the famous castles. There are hundreds of them, some small and quaint, others huge and government operated as tourist sites. Who could forget seeing the delightful Chenonceau for the first time? It is memorable for the way in which it spans the river Cher. The biggest castle of the Loire region is Chambord which Francois 1 had constructed from 1519 and completed in 20 years. The sheer size of this Renaissance castle is almost overwhelming with its 400 rooms and centerpiece of a double helix staircase which some claim that Leonardo da Vinci designed. You could easily spend a week in the Loire valley, exploring the fascinating and unique chateaux and learning something of their history.

Go further south till you reach Provence. There is no area officially called that, but you will sense when you are there! It is the picturesque area between the Alps and the blue Mediterranean, with vineyards on the hillsides, olive groves and great fields of lavender. The pace of life is slower here and the climate milder. You can explore the quaint villages in the hills or enjoy being part of the international tourist scene in Nice or Cannes. Away from the glamorous beaches there are great forests and lakes where you can hike, or canoe. Don't forget to visit the historic town of Avignon, home to 7 Popes in the 13th century, or the medieval walled town of Aigues Mortes. Try to include a visit to Aix-en-Provence, one of the most charming towns in France with its markets, terrace cafes and lovely fountains.

Every corner of France offers the visitor wonderful attractions and two things are certain: you will never have enough time to explore and enjoy the whole of this delightful country and you will never, ever tire of it.

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