France

France at a Glance If you'll move your mouse over the French regions to the left, you will find towns and villages. French attractions can be found on these individual towns and villages pages. Map courtesy of Tourizm Maps   Disneyland Paris - book your tickets online

Colmar - This city is an industrial port on the Rhine with tourism, metallurgy, and textile activities.

Mulhouse - Mulhouse is a river port industrial center, and the 2nd largest city in the Alsace region of France.

Obernai - Situated on France's "wine route", Obernai also has the Kronenbourg brewery and entices the traveler with fine Alsace gustatory experiences that feature foie gras, tarts, sauerkrauts, and asparagus dishes.

Saverne - Saverne's old town offers a view of half-timbered homes dating from the 16th and 17th centuries.

St-Jean-de-Braye - St-Jean-de-Brave is a bucolic retreat near The Orleans Forest outside the city of Orleans.

Strasbourg - An important industrial and political city, Strasbourg is the second largest port on the Rhine River after Duisburg, Germany.

Aquitaine

Agen - In France, Agen is famous as the "capital of the prune," a local produce, you can find either as a sweet (stuffed with purée) or after-dinner fare (prunes soaked in Armagnac, a type of Brandy).

Arcachon - Arcachon is a water sport community also known for its thermal baths and plentiful gardens and parks.

Bayonne - Bayonne is famous for its chocolate, the Bonnat Museum of art, the summer festival (the Fetes de Bayonne) and for the invention of the bayonet (lovely thought there).

Bordeaux - Referred to as the fine wines capital of the world, Bordeaux is a major metropolitan area (approaching 1 million wine lovers) with a diverse array of industries.

Dax - Dax is a busy market center in southwestern France.

Pau - In southwestern France, Pau is perched on a high bluff that parallels the Pyrenees mountains and, of historical note, is the birthplace of France's 1st Protestant king, Henri IV.

Perigueux  - Located on the Isle River, Perigueux is attractive mainly for its medieval structures and Roman artifacts.

Saint Jean de Luz  - Saint Jean de Luz fascinates its visitors with charm as exemplified by its homey red and white residences set on narrow streets.

Sarlat - Sarlat is a gem from the middle ages that draws more than a million visitors annually.

Auvergne

Aurillac - Formerly the umbrella capital of France, the frosty town of Aurillac is generally considered one of the coldest cities in the country.

Clermont-Ferrand - Place de Jaude, Puy-de-Dome volcano and an annual international short film festival.

La Bourboule - This tiny commune in the Auvergne region is a "get away" spa destination located in a scenic narrow valley.

Montlucon - In central France on the Cher River, Montlucon is an industrial commune specialising in metallurgy, textiles, rubber products, wax products, and chemical products.

Saint Flour - This ancient, fortified city actually sits on solidified lava effluvia. An iron viaduct south of Saint-Flour was built by Gustave Eiffel before he constructed his masterpiece in Paris.

Thiers - Of Celtic origin, Thiers is best known for giving birth to one of the most desirable cooking knives (Sabatier) in the world.

Vichy - Renown for its therapeutic waters since Roma's founding of the city circa 52 B. C., contemporary Vichy continues the therapeutic tradition with increasing attention to beauty products and health aids in general.

Brittany

Brest - Yachting, windsurfing, and fishing are popular activities here. Interesting culinary offerings include Traou Mad ( butter biscuit), Breton crepe, and Breton cider.

Carnac - Close to the sea resort of Carnac-Plage, this small town is also well known for it camping activities and lakes.

Dinan - A restored medieval town in northeast France, Dinan contains well-preserved ramparts, towers, and a castle complete with entrancing art and buildings.

Dinard - Dinard can be found on an inlet of the English Channel on the Cote d'Emeraude. What was once a nondescript fishing commune is currently a popular resort.

Fougeres - Fougeres has one of only 3 belfries in France and is also a designated Art and History commune.

Guingamp - This small market town is best known for its eponymously-named cloth that translates into English as gingham.

Lorient - Lorient is a seaport that welcomes the rivers Scorff and Blavet. Both empty into the Atlantic Ocean there. During WW II it was the German's preeminent submarine base on the Atlantic.

Plancoet - Plancoet is a small village in Brittany known for its mineral water. Tranquility might be its number one attraction.

Quimper - Unlike its almost namesake, Quimperle, Quimper is more populous and has a renown pottery industry featuring traditional Breton blue and yellow designs.

Quimperle - Beaches, sailing school, mountain biking, nearby Pont-Aven, casinos, health spas, golf, surcease from the hurly-burly.

Rennes - Situated on a small hill at the twining of the rivers Ille and Vilaine in the Province of Bretagne, Rennes is yet another French city with ancient Roman heritage.

Roscoff - This lovely little, sea-side community features many granite homes and other structures built in the 16th century.

Saint Brieuc - In northwest France on the Gouet and Gouedic Rivers, Saint-Brieuc is an industrial town specializing in textiles and metallurgy that was named after St. Briomach (Briocus), a Welsh missionary circa the 5th century A.D.

Saint Malo - Saint Malo's swashbuckling past includes a period of time in the 16th century when it was under the control of an aggressive band of buccaneers.

Tregastel - In the north of Brittany, this quaint costal hamlet is striking for its homes built from pink granite from a local quarry.

Vannes - Considered the gateway to the recreational activities of the gulf, Vannes is an attractive commune with a well-maintained medieval town centre with even a small yacht basin.

Burgundy

Auxerre - This lovely town in Burgundy has an active commercial life and is located on two hills northwest of Dijon, above the left bank of the Yonne River.

Beaune - Beaune is a noted center for Burgundy wines, with a wine school and wine research facilities. Historically, Beaune flourished as a residence of the dukes of Burgundy.

Chalon Sur Saone - This town, located on the Saone River, was once a wine distribution port and is credited as having given birth to the art of photography.

Dijon - Dijon is now an important, multi-industrial city in one of the most esteemed provinces of France.

Macon - North of Lyon and situated on the Saone River, Macon offers wine production and other industries specialising in motorcycles, electrical equipment, and clothing.

Nevers - Nevers features narrow, winding byways through many vintage homes dating from the 14th through 17th centuries and is home to a thriving community of porcelain and pottery artisans.

Nuits Saint-Georges - Nuits Saint-Georges, a small village in Burgundy, lends its name to a wine varietal and group that are heralded as the Cote de Nuits.

Centre

Amboise - Amboise is located on the Loire's left bank and was formerly home of the French royal court.

Blois - A commercial and industrial hub in central France on the Loire River, home in the 10th century to some of the most forceful feudal lords, such as Thibaut the Cheat.

Bourges - Bourges sits at the convergence of the Yevre and Aveyron Rivers, and hosts a university and major industries devoted to armaments, tyres, and engineering.

Chartres - Chartres is considered the commercial focal point of the plains of Beauce, known as the “granary of France.”

Chateauroux - An exceptional variety of natural flora, a selection of interesting goat cheeses and wines.

Chinon - On the banks of the Vienne River, Chinon is noted for its fine Cabernet Franc red wine.

Nogent-le-Rotrou -Located on the Huisne River just west of Paris, the small hamlet of Nogent-le-Rotrou, with cobbled streets and historic structures, is the birthplace of Gustave Le Bon, who traded in psychology, sociology, and physics.

Orléans - Somewhat less than a 100 miles southwest of Paris on the Loire River, Orleans was established by an influential Celtic tribe and later became a Roman outpost.

Tours - Tours is referred to as the “garden of France” because of its plentiful city public gardens. Its industries include tourism, wine marketing, metallurgy, clothing and printing.

Vierzon - In the south of France at the confluence of the Cher and Yevre Rivers lies Vierzon the starting point for exploring the Sologne, one of the largest forests in France.

Champagne-Ardenne

Chalons-en-Champagne -Capital of the Champagne-Ardenne region, Chalons-en-Champagne sits along the right bank of the Marne River.

Epernay - This is now the 2nd largest manufacturer of champagne, after Reims though it is only 1/6th as populous as its more acclaimed competitor.

Reims - Reims is one of the most historically significant cities in France as it was the coronation site for French kings from 988 to 1825.

Troyes - Troyes claims as a native son, Hughes de Payens, a Knight of the First Crusade and co-founder of the Knights Templar.

Corsica

Corsica's extensive coastline, balmy climate and exceptionally, picaresque landscape captivate tourists, who contribute substantially to Corsica's economic base.

Ajaccio - This is the Capital of Corse and birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, it has beautiful beaches and mild weather.

Franche-Comté

Besancon - Located in exceptionally beautiful environs, Besancon is encircled by the Doubs River.

Dole - Another of France's eye-stretching, gorgeous communes, located on the Doubs River, Dole was the birthplace of Louis Pasteur and a popular barge tour destination.

Montbeliard - In eastern France near the Swiss border, Montbeliard lies secure between the Vosges and Jura mountains and Allaine and Luzine rivers.

Ile-de-France

Chaumont - All that Paris and surroundings have to offer.

Fontainebleau - This city lies 35 miles southeast of Paris in the largest state forest in France (50,000 acres) and is a favorite weekend get away for Parisians.

Montigny-le-Roi - A small hamlet, at best, Montigny-le-roi is a highly ruralized area located near a densely. forested area, approximately equidistant from Dijon and Nancy.

Paris - See Paris above

Provins - Provins offers an interesting enterprise, the production of rose foods, including rose honey, candy, and jam from rose petals.

Languedoc-Roussillon

Aigues Mortes- Attrations here include the Tower of Constance (infamous prison dating from 13^th Century) and a number of Medieval fortifications.

Albi - Albi is also home to numerous music (classical, jazz) and fringe festivals from dawn to dusk during spring and summer months.

Ales - Previously, the center of a mining area, Ales is home to La Tour Vieille, a botanical garden and playground.

Beziers - An industrial city in southern France, Beziers was formerly a Gallic fortress; currently has an important wine trading industry.

Carcassonne - The enclosed section of this town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that presents itself as a walled, Medieval city.

La Grande Motte - This is an excellent travel venue for families with small children due to the wide beaches and shallow water.

Montpellier - Modern Montpellier is a mult-national city with only about 20 percent of its populace being native. This is a rare circumstance in France.

Narbonne - Located about 10 miles from the Mediterrean in southwest France, Narbonne's old town offers ancient buildings and rambling cobblestone lanes, characteristic of the Roman period displaying many blind curves and dead ends.

Nimes - Attractively situated at the base of the Cevennes mountains, Nimes sports an active textile industry, especially silk. Its name "de Nimes" gave birth to the synonym, denim, for jeans.

Perpignan - Another city with Roman roots dating to the 10th century A.D., Perpignan lies on the Tet River in southern France with easy access to Spain and the Mediterranean.

Saint Paul de Vence - Saint Paul de Vence encompasses a village-fortress-on a narrow ridge between two deep valleys-and outlying residences.

Sete - An important commercial and fishing port, Sete lies at the foot of Mont St-Clair and is crossed by an elaborate canal system with 14 bridges.

Limousin

Brive - Brive still retains its medieval center, though it is now commercialised with retail shops and cafes.

Limoges - Limoges piece de resistance may be its porcelain which emerged during the 18th century with roots in medieval enamel fashioning.

Lorraine

Epinal - Cloaked with extensive forests on both banks of the Moselle River, this city is famed for its colored prints (images d'Epinal).

Metz - Of no little historical import, Charles II (Charles the Bald) was crowned in Metz in the 9th century A.D.

Nancy - While Nancy's motto is "No one touches me with impunity," Scotland's royal motto is "No one provokes me with impunity," both refer to the thistle plant, a symbol of both Lorraine and Scotland.

Midi-Pyrénées

Cahors - Cahors, on the River Lot, can be discovered in southwest France along with some interesting, yet little known wines.

Castres - Located in southwest France on the Agout River, Castres is world renown for its machine tools.

Figeac - Primarily a market town, Figeac can be found on the Cele River and claims as native sons: Jean-Francois Champollion, first translator of the hieroglyphics, and the actor, Charles Boyer.

Lourdes - Lourdes' place in the sun in Christiandom was assured as a result of a series of apparitions featuring "Our Lady of Lourdes" in 1858 to 14-year-old, Bernadette Soubirous.

Moissac - The town is known for its foie gras and an extremely, tasty gold grape, the Chasselas de Moissac AOC.

Montauban - The second oldest bastide (a medieval fortress or town), after Mont-de-Marsan, Montauban dates from 1144 A.D., though its fortifications were destroyed in the 17th century.

Montbard - In the 1700's Montbard was at the seat of France's industrial revolution but today is precariously supported by only one industry, steel tube manufacturing.

Rocamadour - Known as one of seven most famous pilgrimage sites during the 10th through 12th centuries, Rocamadour borrows its name from Saint Amadour, whose well preserved body was uncovered there in 1166.

Rodez - Snugly embracing a hill above the Aveyron River, Rodez proudly displays its historical architecture that includes a fortress-like cathedral.

Tarbes - Another offspring of the Roman Empire, modern Tarbes is an industrial and commercial center located in southern France.

Toulouse - The community is a major center of the Occitan language and culture. This language is still alive in Monaco and parts of Spain and Italy, and has connections with the Catalan dialect, the Italian of Dante's period, and earlier Latin usages.

Nord Pas-de-Calais

Arras - A former capital of the country of Artois, Arras is located on the right bank of the Scarpe River.

Berck Sur Mer - A seaside resort in northern France that hosts giant kite festivals.

Calais - Old Calais is encircled by canals and harbors and rests on a man-made island. It is considered the most English of French communes.

Cambrai - A textile town since the 14th century, Cambrai is noted for fine linen. Its surroundings are fertile fields used for growing cereals and beets.

Douai - Douai is a community in northern France on the Scarpe River that produced English translations of the Bible in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Dunkerque - This city is another French seaport with ferry activities to ports in England.

Le Touquet - This town is a forested, seaside resort with numerous luxury hotels on the north coast of France, and enjoys a reputation as a playground for uber wealthy Parisians.

Lens - Lens is a coal mining hub that has been the focus of many historical struggles for this "black gold". It sponsors a top level soccer team, the Racing Club of Lens.

Lille - Now the hub of France's 4th largest metropolitan area and its 3rd largest river port after Paris and Strasbourg, Lille enjoys diverse economical endeavors.

Maubeuge - Straddling both banks of the Sambre River in northern France near Belgium, Maubeuge has primarily a manufacturing economy delivering machine tools, glassware, china, and railroad equipment.

Montreuil-sur-Mer - Encircled by mediaeval ramparts, Montreuil-sur-Mer was the staging ground for the early action in Victor Hugo's Les Miserables.

Saint Omer - On a hill slope by the marshes of the River Aa is Saint Omer, yet another French city founded by monks circa the 7th century A.D.

Lower Normandy

Alencon - Formerly, a highly industrialized city, Alencon is now a place where many veterans visit.

Bagnoles-de-l'Orne - Bagnoles-de-I'Orne is a commune famous for its hydrotherapy baths, reputed to have healing powers for rheumatic, gynecologic and circulatory problems.

Bayeux - A town in northern France best known for the Bayeux Tapestry one of the few remaining artifacts recording the defeat of King Harold and the subsequent conquest of England by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, in 1066.

Cabourg - Reputedly Marcel Proust's favorite vacation spot in early 1800's, Cabourg is a popular Normandy seaside resort.

Caen - Caen is located 5 miles from the English Channel, has historical structures that date to the reign of William the Conquerer (11th century A.D.).

Cherbourg - One of two seaports in Normandy, Cherbourg is also teeming with gardens and exotic plants.

Coutances - Coutances is a venerable city located on a long hill above extensive plains in Basse-Normandy.

Deauville - Trouville - In reality, these are almost two distinct communities, the duality of Deauville-Trouville is found in what could be considered the Riviera of Normandy.

Honfleur - Situated on what is known as the "Flower Coast" of France Honfleur is a small port city that shares a common geography with the British Channel and the Seine estuary.

Lisieux - St. Therese, canonized in 1925, is buried in Lisieux and spent much of her childhood there. Pilgrimages are still made to her final resting site in the Basilica of St. Therese.

Mont St Michel - A member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities, Mont St Michel is the attraction in France most attended after the Eiffel Tower and Versailles castle.

Upper Normandy

Dieppe - Dieppe is a pacific, seaside resort on the Atlantic and provides important ferry and maritime industries.

Eu and Le Treport - Generally considered two separate resort communities in Normandy, Eu is located near the edge of a forest, while Le Treport is noted for its seaport.

Evreux - An important commercial and market city in northern France, near the Iton River, whose name derives from a Gallic tribe (Eburovices), literally meaning "those who were overcome by the yew."

Giverny - Giverny is generally known for Monet's House.

Le Havre - This town reputedly was the most heavily damaged port during War World II resulting in a paucity of post-war buildings.

Pont Audemer - Because it is surrounded by canals and the Risle River, Pont-Audemer has been referred to as the "Venice of Normandy."

Rouen - Rouen is France's largest river port and one of its largest seaports thus offering insight concerning a major part of its economic base. It also has a significant cotton industry and ranks as a premier tourist site for this part of France.

Pays de la Loire

Angers - In the 9th century, Angers was occupied by Normans who were eventually driven out by Charles the Bald.

Cholet - Cholet sits on the right bank of the Moine River and is noted for its linen products.

La Baule - A commune that was rebuilt further inland after being buried under sand by a vicious storm in 1779, La Baule has the longest beach in France at 8 kilometres (5 miles) in length.

La Roche Sur Yon - This government developed community in western France is primarily an agricultural center but does have tanning, hardware, and household appliances industries.

Laval - Modern Laval is an industrial community in northwestern France situated on the west bank of the Mayenne River.

Le Mans - Located on the Sarthe River Le Mans beckons to auto racing enthusiasts everywhere and is also known as the birthplace of Henry II of England in 1133.

Les Sables d'Olonne - An Atlantic fishing harbor, resort town and birthplace of the pirate, Francois I'Ollonais, Les Sables d'Olonne features the internationally renown Vendee Globe yacht race every four years.

Nantes - A city in western France on the Loire River, Nantes traces its lineage to a Celtic tribe (Namneti) about 70 B.C.

Saumur - Another former Roman outpost and occupying a bank of the Loire River, Saumur has a highly-regarded religious medal industry that originated in the 17th century.

Picardy

Amiens - Sited on the left bank of the Somme River and famed for its linen, wool, and cotton ware, Amiens was previously, a chief town of the Ambiani, a Celtic tribe conquered by Caesar.

Beauvais - Part of the megalopolis of Paris, Chantilly's industry is almost exclusively based upon tourism.

Chantilly - Chateau de Chantilly, Hippodrome de Chantilly (racetrack), Horse Museum, the surrounding forests, Musee Conde and Chantilly cream.

Chateau-Thierry - This small town, located on the Marne River, was a prominent location of the last German offensive of World War I.

Compiegne - The town was previously used a a summer haunt by French royalty from the17th to 19th centuries.

Poitou-Charentes

Angouleme - At one time this was a Roman settlement and was often ruined during the 16^th Century Religious Wars.

Cognac - A highly attractive town with narrow, medieval cobbled streets and Renaissance structures.

Ile de Re - A popular island resort off the west coast of France, Ile de Re is accessible by motorcars by a 3 kilometer(2 mile) long bridge.

La Rochelle - Though located at the same latitude as Montreal, Canada, this city is remarkably warm during the winter as a result of the gulf stream and certain geographical features.

Le Vigeant - This small community is located in a beautiful river valley fed by the Vienne River and contains a motor racing circuit.

Niort - Discover Niort in western France on the Sevre Niortaise River where it is famed for its angelica herb cultivations.

Noirmoutier - The island can be reached by boat, bridge, and a paved sand bar (Passage du Gois) that is submerged twice daily at high tides.

Poitiers - Home to the 2nd oldest university in France, with Francis Bacon, Francois Rabelais, and and Rene Decartes as former students, Poiters also offers an economy based upon agriculture, communication services, and other industries.

Saintes - Reportedly founded before the birth of Christ, Saintes, on the Charente River, is in an area replete with archeological artifacts, many probably still uncovered.

Provence-Alpes-Côte d´Azur

Aix-en-Provence - Site of thermal baths developed circa 15 B.C. from local mineral springs. Aix-en-Provence is home of art schools and several universities and features many fountains, museums, and historical architecture.

Antibes Juan Les Pins - Antibes is a French Riviera (Cote d'Azur) community located on the western edge of the Bay of Angels.

Arles - Arles is an extremely ancient town located where the River Rhone forks.

Aubagne - Home to the French Foreign Legion Museum.

Avignon - Situated on the left bank of the Rhone River, it boasts many parks, jardins, and cathedrals.

Bandol - A port and holiday spot between Toulon and Marseilles, Bandol has two beaches of fine sand and one with coarse sand and pebbles.

Cannes - Home of the internationally famous Cannes Film Festival (held annually in May), this city enjoys its place in the sun on the French Riviera.

Cavaillon - Situated smartly on the right bank of the river Durance, Cavaillon has thriving canning and melon-growing industries.

Draguignan - Primarily an agricultural haven in southeast France, Draguignan is the self-proclaimed City of Artillery.

Gap - Gap is located in an alpine setting on the Luye River near its confluence with the Durance River.

Hyeres - Boat to Les illes d'Hyeres: Ile de Porquerolles, Ile de Port-Cros, Ile de Levant and enjoy their idyllic beaches and profusion of myrtle, pine, and eucalyptus growth.

Les Baux-de-Provence - The community is said to have inspired Dante in his place renderings in "Purgatory", and many artists, including Van Gogh.

Mandelieu-La-Napoule - A restored 14th century castle, San Peyre footpath with gardens and Roman ruins, the Tanneron woodlands, San Peyre volcano.

Marseille - Marseille offers visitors the 2nd largest city and 3rd largest courbanation area in France with an envious location on the Cote d'Azur.

Martigues - About 20 miles northwest of Marseille, one can discover the ancient town of Martigues located on the Canal de Caronte.

Menton - The city, thus, enjoys a Mediterranean climate that is quite supportive of its renown gardens and citrus industry.

Nice - Can anything not nice be said about Nice,a stellar resort on the Cote d'Azur and France's 2nd largest city.

Orange - Recognized for its Roman architecture and as having one of the best kept Roman theaters in Europe, you can find this Orange in southeastern France.

Salon-de-Provence - One of the most ancient Provence communes, Salon offers beautiful views of countryside where the olive tree is venerated.

Saint Raphael - Saint Raphael is a Cote d'Azur resort that is especially noted for its winding streets, tree-lined promenade, excellent beaches, and period villas of Palladian and Belle Epoque styles.

Saint Remy de Provence - Celebrated as the birthplace of Nostradamus (Michel de Nostredame), Saint Remy de Provence is also considered a hermitage for celebrities seeking privacy on the Cote d'Azur.

Saint Tropez - A post-War World II summer refuge for French existentialists, Saint Tropez first achieved its exalted status in the 1950's due to its selection as a site for several movies.

Toulon - Harboring a large French naval base Toulon is also fortunately situated on the Cote d'Azur with all of its amazing beauty and.

Rhône-Alpes

Aix-les-Bains - A spa resort in eastern France whose sulfur springs and hot baths are popular with tourists.

Annecy - This is a Picturesque town on Lake Annecy with an iron industry that includes the foundry that forged the bell for the Sacre-Coeur in Paris.

Chambery - This city can be found in southeast France, between the massifs of Beauges and La Grande Chartreuse. Its industry includes metallurgy, confectionary and shoe factories.

Evian-les-Bains - The famous spa and a casino.

Geneve Region - The region of France that borders Lake Geneva and is part of the Geneva, Switzerland metropolitan area of approximately 750,000 population.

Grenoble - A former site of the Winter Olympics, Grenoble is also an industrial hub located on the Isere River amidst three ranges of the Alps.

Lyons - Credited with having made major historical cinematic contributions, Lyons is also touted as the culinary arts capital of France and has earned a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.

Montelimar - Montelimar's site in southern France, close by the convergence of the Roubion and Rhone rivers, has been occupied since the Celtic era and was re-built during the period of Roman domination.

Roanne - Located on the Loire River Roanne's chief products are cotton and metal goods with secondary industries of automobile manufacturing, tanning, and artificial silk spinning.

Saint-Etienne - Saint-Etienne is now noteworthy for its major bicycle manufacturing activities and has often played host to a stage of the Tour de France.

Valence - Valence is a terraced city on the Rhone River in southeast France with roots dating to the 4th century A.D.

Villefranche-Sur-Saone - On the Saone River, Villefranche-Sur-Saone is a port and trade center for Beaujolais wine produced in the area.