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Berlitz Pocket Guide France (Travel Guide eBook)
Berlitz Pocket Guide France (Travel Guide eBook)
Berlitz Pocket Guide France (Travel Guide eBook)
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Berlitz Pocket Guide France (Travel Guide eBook)

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A country for romantics, art enthusiasts, and lovers of culture, France is eternally compelling. Be inspired to visit by the brand new Berlitz Pocket Guide France, a concise, full-colour guide to this iconic country that combines lively text with vivid photography to highlight the best that France has to offer.



Inside Berlitz Pocket Guide France:



· Where To Go details all the key sights in the country, including the iconic Eiffel Tower and world-famous Louvre museum in Paris, to the historic D-day beaches in Normandy and the glittering French Riviera, while handy maps on the cover flaps help you find your way around, and are cross-referenced to the text.



· Top 10 Attractions gives a run-down of the best sights to take in on your trip, including Paris's Notre-Dame.



· Perfect Day provides an itinerary for one day in the country.



· What To Do is a snapshot of ways to spend your spare time in the country, from walking the streets of Paris, to lazing on golden sand beaches.



· Essential information on France's culture, including a brief history of the country.



· Eating Out covers the country's best cuisine.



· Curated listings of the best hotels and restaurants.



· A-Z of all the practical information you'll need.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateDec 1, 2016
ISBN9781780049960
Berlitz Pocket Guide France (Travel Guide eBook)
Author

Berlitz

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    Berlitz Pocket Guide France (Travel Guide eBook) - Berlitz

    How To Use This E-Book

    Getting Around the e-Book

    This Pocket Guide e-book is designed to give you inspiration and planning advice for your visit to France, and is also the perfect on-the-ground companion for your trip.

    The guide begins with our selection of Top 10 Attractions, plus a Perfect Itinerary feature to help you plan unmissable experiences. The Introduction and History chapters paint a vivid cultural portrait of France, and the Where to Go chapter gives a complete guide to all the sights worth visiting. You will find ideas for activities in the What to Do section, while the Eating Out chapter describes the local cuisine and gives listings of the best restaurants. The Travel Tips offer practical information to help you plan your trip. Finally, there are carefully selected hotel listings.

    In the Table of Contents and throughout this e-book you will see hyperlinked references. Just tap a hyperlink once to skip to the section you would like to read. Practical information and listings are also hyperlinked, so as long as you have an external connection to the internet, you can tap a link to go directly to the website for more information.

    Maps

    All key attractions and sights in France are numbered and cross-referenced to high-quality maps. Wherever you see the reference [map], tap once to go straight to the related map. You can also double-tap any map for a zoom view.

    Images

    You’ll find lots of beautiful high-resolution images that capture the essence of France. Simply double-tap an image to see it in full-screen.

    About Berlitz Pocket Guides

    The Berlitz story began in 1877 when Maximilian Berlitz devised his revolutionary method of language learning. More than 130 years later, Berlitz is a household name, famed not only for language schools but also as a provider of best-selling language and travel guides.

    Our wide-ranging travel products – printed travel guides and phrase books, as well as apps and ebooks – offer all the information you need for a perfect trip, and are regularly updated by our team of expert local authors. Their practical emphasis means they are perfect for use on the ground. Wherever you’re going – whether it’s on a short break, the trip of a lifetime, a cruise or a business trip – we offer the ideal guide for your needs.

    Our Berlitz Pocket Guides are the perfect choice if you need reliable, concise information in a handy format. We provide amazing value for money – these guides may be small, but they are packed with information. No wonder they have sold more than 45 million copies worldwide.

    © 2017 Apa Digital (CH) AG and Apa Publications (UK) Ltd

    Table of Contents

    France’s Top 10 Attractions

    Top Attraction #1

    Top Attraction #2

    Top Attraction #3

    Top Attraction #4

    Top Attraction #5

    Top Attraction #6

    Top Attraction #7

    Top Attraction #8

    Top Attraction #9

    Top Attraction #10

    A Perfect Tour of Normandy and Brittany

    Introduction

    Geography

    The Northwest

    Border Country

    Wine Country

    Southern Heartland, Côte d’Azur and Corsica

    The Capital

    A Cultural Responsibility

    A Brief History

    From Gaul to France

    The Middle Ages

    The Ancien Régime

    The Sun King

    The Revolution

    Napoleon Bonaparte

    Towards Democracy

    The Third Republic

    War and Peace

    May 1968

    The Presidents

    Into the 21st Century

    Historical Landmarks

    Where To Go

    Paris

    The Islands

    Ile de la Cité

    Ile St-Louis

    The Right Bank

    Etoile to place de la Concorde

    The Louvre

    Palais Royal

    Les Halles

    Centre Pompidou

    The Marais

    The Bastille

    Place Vendôme

    The Opéra and Grands Boulevards

    Place de la Madeleine

    Place d’Iéna and Palais de Chaillot

    Montmartre and Pigalle

    La Villette

    The Left Bank

    The Latin Quarter

    Saint-Germain-des-Prés

    Musée d’Orsay

    Around the Invalides

    The Eiffel Tower

    Montparnasse

    West Paris

    Ile-de-France

    Versailles

    The Palace

    The Gardens

    Chartres

    Fontainebleau

    Parc Astérix and Disneyland Resort Paris

    The Northeast

    Nord-Pas-de-Calais

    Le Touquet and Boulogne-sur-Mer

    Montreuil-sur-Mer

    Hesdin and Les Sept Vallées

    St-Omer

    Lille

    Lens

    Arras

    Picardy

    St-Valéry-sur-Somme and Péronne

    Amiens

    Compiègne

    Senlis

    Chantilly

    Champagne-Ardennes

    Reims

    Epernay

    Troyes

    Lorraine

    Nancy

    Metz

    Alsace

    Strasbourg

    Route du Vin

    Colmar

    Burgundy

    Auxerre

    Vallée du Serein

    Abbaye de Fontenay

    Vézelay

    Autun

    Dijon

    Route des Grands Crus

    Beaune

    Chalon-sur-Saône

    Cluny

    The Jura

    Besançon

    Arc-et-Senans

    Vallée de la Loue

    Les Reculées

    The Northwest

    Normandy

    Dieppe

    Rouen

    Jumièges

    Honfleur

    Deauville

    Côte Fleurie

    Pays d’Auge

    Caen

    Bayeux

    D-Day Beaches

    Mont-St-Michel

    Brittany

    Côte d’Emeraude

    Dinan

    The Parish Close Road

    Huelgoat

    Brest

    Carnac

    La Baule

    Loire Valley

    Orléans

    Blois

    Chambord

    Amboise

    Chenonceau

    Loches

    Azay-le-Rideau

    Saumur

    Angers

    Nantes

    The Southeast

    Savoie

    Chamonix

    Annecy

    Aix-les-Bains

    The Rhône Valley

    Lyon

    Auvergne

    Provence

    Orange

    Vaison-la-Romaine

    Pont du Gard

    Arles

    The Camargue

    Les Baux-de-Provence

    Avignon

    The Lubéron and Vaucluse

    Aix-en-Provence

    The Côte d’Azur

    Marseille

    St-Tropez

    Cannes to Biot

    St-Paul-de-Vence

    Nice

    Les Corniches

    Monaco

    Corsica

    Ajaccio

    Bonifacio

    Porto-Vecchio

    Golfe de Porto

    The Southwest

    Berry-Limousin

    Bourges

    Limoges

    Uzerche

    Périgord

    Vallée de la Vézère

    Dordogne

    Sarlat

    Rocamadour

    The Atlantic Coast

    La Rochelle

    Ile de Ré

    Bordeaux

    St-Emilion

    The Pyrenees

    Biarritz

    Pays Basque

    Pau

    Toulouse

    Albi

    Languedoc-Roussillon

    Carcassonne

    Perpignan

    Béziers and the Golfe du Lion

    Montpellier

    Nîmes

    What To Do

    Sports

    Outdoor Pursuits

    Winter Activities

    Water Sports

    Spectator Sports

    Entertainment

    Classical Music, Opera and Ballet

    Theatre

    Jazz

    Rock

    Clubbing

    Cinema

    Shopping

    Shopping by Area

    Opening Hours

    Market Shopping

    Buying Direct

    Tax

    Festivals and Events

    Eating Out

    Where to Eat

    Menu Choices

    What to Eat

    Regional Cuisine

    What to Drink

    Apéritifs

    Wine, Beer and Water

    Digestifs

    Reading the Menu

    Useful Phrases

    To Help You Order…

    …and Read the Menu

    A–Z Travel Tips

    A

    Accommodation

    Airports (aéroports)

    B

    Bicycle and Moped Hire (location de bicyclettes/mobylettes)

    Budgeting for Your Trip

    C

    Camping

    Car Hire (location de voitures)

    Climate

    Crime and Theft (délit; vol)

    D

    Driving

    E

    Electricity

    Embassies and Consulates (ambassades; consulats)

    Emergencies (urgence)

    G

    Gay and Lesbian Travellers

    Getting There (see also Airports)

    H

    Health and Medical Care

    L

    Language

    M

    Maps

    Media

    Money

    O

    Opening Times

    P

    Police

    Post Offices (bureau de poste)

    Public Holidays

    T

    Telephones (téléphones)

    Time Differences

    Tipping

    Toilets (toilettes)

    Tourist Information

    Transport

    V

    Visas and Entry Requirements

    W

    Websites

    France’s Top 10 Attractions

    Top Attraction #1

    iStock

    The Côte d’Azur

    This glamorous stretch of coast has long been the playground of the rich and famous. For more information, click here.

    Top Attraction #2

    Sylvaine Poitau/Apa Publications

    Bayeux Tapestry

    Normandy’s great treasure and a fascinating glimpse into the past. For more information, click here.

    Top Attraction #3

    Sylvaine Poitau/Apa Publications

    Wine tours

    Exploring the vineyards of Alsace, Burgundy or the Rhône Valley makes for a fabulous driving holiday. For more information, click here, click here andclick here.

    Top Attraction #4

    Ming Tang-Evans/Apa Publications

    The Eiffel Tower

    One of the most evocative images of France. For more information, click here.

    Top Attraction #5

    Shutterstock

    The French Alps

    This spectacular natural border to the east is a magnet for skiers. For more information, click here.

    Top Attraction #6

    iStock

    Provence

    This southern region is packed with historical and cultural gems. For more information, click here.

    Top Attraction #7

    Kevin Cummins/Apa Publications

    Versailles

    A magnificent palace every bit as extravagant as its creator, Louis XIV. For more information, click here.

    Top Attraction #8

    iStock

    The Loire Valley

    The elaborate châteaux are icons of romance. For more information, click here.

    Top Attraction #9

    Ming Tang-Evans/Apa Publications

    The Louvre

    This erstwhile palace is now home to the largest art collection in the world. For more information, click here.

    Top Attraction #10

    Sylvaine Poitau/Apa Publications

    Lascaux

    The 17,000-year-old cave paintings in Périgord are the jewels of an area blessed with many prehistoric remains. For more information, click here.

    A Perfect Tour of Normandy and Brittany

    Day 1

    Discover Normandy

    Whether approaching from Paris or the Channel ports, our tour starts in Rouen, the home of Impressionism. Begin by exploring its spectacular cathedral and its many historic sights before heading north to the coast to the picturesque port of Honfleur or elegant Deauville. Enjoy the catch-of-the-day at a nearby seafood restaurant.

    Day 2

    World War II

    Head west along the D513 to Caen to visit the memorial museum, which places the D-Day beaches in context. Alternatively continue over the Pegasus Bridge directly to the D-Day beaches. After the poignant experience make your way south to Bayeux to spend two nights.

    Day 3

    Bayeux Tapestry

    Given that the queues can be long make an early start to view the wonderful Bayeux Tapestry (9am). There is, however, more to the town than this treasure, so wander the streets of this ancient place that retains its buildings untouched by war and discover some excellent restaurants. If there is time, go back to the coast on the D6 to the attractive fishing village of Port-en-Bessin.

    Day 4

    Mont St-Michel

    Head out early southwest on the D57 bypassing St-Lô and on to the D999 south to Villedieu-les-Poêles, then take the more scenic D924 to Granville and hug the coast road to Mont-St-Michel. Here you can explore the Benedictine abbey with its spectacular views of the bay. Do not cross by any other route than the causeway as the tides and quicksands are dangerous. Continue along the coast road and stay the night at the walled city of St-Malo.

    Day 5

    Explore Brittany

    Spend the day in St Malo, stroll its attractive streets or take a bracing walk with views of the Emerald Coast. Or relax at the elegant resort of Dinard. Then check out the pretty town of Dinan just inland. If it happens to be a Thursday there is a colourful local market.

    Days 6-7

    Back to nature

    Take the faster route via the E50 165km (103 miles) to Morlaix and then the D769 south to Huelgoat and spend a couple of days walking or cycling in the enchanting Parc Régional d’Armorique, staying in a B & B in the pretty little town.

    Day 8

    Ancient Carnac

    Continue (approx. 130km/81 miles) south cross-country on the D769 and finally follow the coast road to Carnac with its fascinating megaliths. Learn more about the ancient stones at the Musée de la Préhistoire. There are plenty of places to spend the night and you can round off the day with a seafood meal.

    Day 9

    Beachside

    Head south to relax on the beach at sophisticated La Baule or, to wind down, visit the fishing port of Le Croisic on the peninsula. If you need to stretch your legs there are some great hiking trails along the rugged coastline.

    Introduction

    For many years France was a nation of internal contrasts – between the more urban and industrial north and the rural south, between the intellectual élite and the largely agricultural workforce, between chic Paris and the less sophisticated provincial cities – and a nation that saw itself as standing alone, distinct from all others. Much has changed in recent times. Paris is no longer the exclusive Mecca for ambitious young French from the provinces; cities around the country are attracting young professionals who want to escape the more frenetic life in the Ile de France; the number of agricultural workers has shrunk dramatically; industrial and high-tech centres have sprung up around the country; provincial cities are developing their own international reputations; and immigration and increasing migration of populations within a ‘border-free’ European Union are blurring the edges of the French identity.

    Quality of life remains a paramount preoccupation. It is no accident that the French are best known for their food and wine, their clothes and perfumes, their art and monumental architecture. Their love of perfection serves them well.

    Geography

    France is blessed with an astonishing variety of landscapes: long, high dunes on the Atlantic Coast; craggy coves in Brittany; vineyards in Burgundy; steep gorges in the Tarn Valley; volcanic landscapes in the Auvergne, olive trees, umbrella pines and cypresses in Provence and beautiful beaches in the Côte d’Azur. At around 550,980 sq km (212,735 sq miles), France is the 48th largest country in the world. It escaped the gouging glaciers of the Ice Age, so on the whole its landscape is mellow and pastoral, characterised by gentle hills and plateaux, carved by deep river valleys. Imposing mountains lie only along the eastern and southern frontiers. Outside the major urban industrial areas, the rural population is spread thinly over huge areas.

    Later geophysical development in the southeastern Garonne region left profound impressions between younger and older hills, providing perfect conditions for the formation of valuable minerals as well as oil and natural gas. To add to France’s fortune, an extensive network of rivers, such as the Garonne, provides much fertile agricultural land. Some 34 percent of the land is farmed, and although the economic importance of the agricultural sector is declining, there has been a substantial increase in the number of small organic farms in recent years.

    Looking out to the Mont-St-Michel

    Sylvaine Poitau/Apa Publications

    Lie of the Land

    France is by far the largest country in Western Europe, a hexagon measuring some 1,000km (620 miles) from north to south and east to west. It is bounded by three seas (the English Channel, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean) and three mountain ranges (the Pyrénées, the Alps and the Jura). The country’s four main rivers are: the Loire, running west to the Atlantic from the plateau of the Massif Central; the Seine, flowing northwest from Burgundy through Paris to the Channel; the Garonne, which comes down from the Pyrénées past Toulouse and Bordeaux to the Atlantic; and the Rhône, which starts in the Swiss Alps, then turns south at Lyon and flows down to the Mediterranean.

    The Northwest

    To the northwest of the country are Brittany and Normandy, each with independent peoples and traditions dating back millennia. The thatched cottages, bent apple trees and locally produced cheeses and ciders of Normandy contribute to the region’s popularity as a place to visit. Many painters, understandably, have been drawn to the gentle green countryside, dotted with fields of black-and-white cows under a dramatic and often stormy sky, as well as to the picturesque, colourful fishing ports along the coast.

    Further to the west, the craggy coastline and harsh landscape of Brittany continue to evoke the druidical presence of the region’s original Celtic roots. Particularly intriguing are the mysterious fields of megaliths and the pink granite rocks of the Corniche Bretonne. Fishing is a major industry in this area.

    The subdued Loire Valley, dug out by France’s longest river (980km/609 miles), remains one of the country’s chief tourist attractions. The splendid châteaux and gardens of Touraine are still redolent of the glory of the Ancien Régime and its aristocratic pleasures.

    Border Country

    To the northeast are the old provinces of Alsace and Lorraine. The Rhineland is the least well defined of the six borders of the hexagon, and the result has been an unending series of nasty territorial disputes between France and Germany over the past few centuries. Alsace was especially valuable because its mines turned France into an important producer of iron ore. The city of Strasbourg, which houses the European Parliament and the Council of Europe, has a German feel in its architecture and its culinary specialities but it remains nonetheless defiantly French. Indeed, that paragon of French patriotism, Joan of Arc, hailed from neighbouring Lorraine, although she was martyred by the English in Rouen.

    Located not far south from Strasbourg are the gentle Jura mountains and below them the French Alps, which stretch all the way down to the Alpes Maritimes and Côte d’Azur in the far south of the country. The imposing icy white peak of Mont Blanc, at an impressive 4,810m (15,780ft), is the highest mountain in Europe, and its broad-shouldered shape, once seen, is never forgotten.

    Wine Country

    A large number of French towns and provinces are most famous for the high-quality wines that bear their name. Bubbly, for example, is the Champagne region’s best-known offering, but the entire northeast is also a major industrial and agricultural region. Similarly, the long river valley running parallel to the eastern frontier and connecting the Saône with the Rhône River not only cradles the vineyards of the regions of Burgundy, Beaujolais and the Rhône, it also aids communication between the north of the country and the south.

    The world-renowned vineyards of Burgundy

    Sylvaine Poitau/Apa Publications

    Southern Heartland, Côte d’Azur and Corsica

    Directly south of the Loire Valley is the enormous Massif Central, which lies in the heart of the country and supplies France with much of its grain. The strange puys of Auvergne (steep conical hills, caused by volcanic eruption during the earth’s formation) contrast pleasantly with the rolling hills, plateaux and deep river valleys of neighbouring Périgord and Limousin, located just over to its west.

    That the lush Dordogne river valley, in Périgord, has been the site of human settlements for thousands upon thousands of years is evidenced by the prehistoric cave paintings found in its grottoes, particularly the enigmatic depictions of horses, elk and bison surrounded by arrows and strange symbols in the Lascaux cave complex, discovered in 1940 by two boys out walking their dog.

    Further south still, basking under blue skies, is the sunny Midi. The landscape here, with its reds, yellows and browns, is very different again, with sun-baked clay buildings and a slower pace of life. That said, not even the south is visually uniform: the wide, yellow fields that seem to stretch forever, the even rows of plane trees and delightful red towns of Languedoc meld into the impossibly verdant Pyrenean mountain range towards the Spanish border, or the Cévennes and Ardèche national parks away to the east.

    Many of the old southern cities, such as Toulouse, Montpellier and Nîmes have been quick to embrace the modern age, although there is still an indefinable languor about all of them. Montpellier is perhaps the most dynamic, with its many new buildings, a thriving university and medical school and TGV link to Paris, while Toulouse is famous for its aerospace industry and Nîmes has

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