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The Ile de France is an island only in the sense that rivers such as the Essonne, the Epte, the Aisne, the Eure and the Ourcq and several canals mark its borders. France was born in this temperate basin, famous for its capital, Paris, but also for its historical sites such as Versailles, Fontainebleau, Notre-Dame de Chartres and Giverny. Despite industrial development, many bucolic pockets remain, including the forests of Rambouillet and Fontainebleau, and the artists' hamlet of Barbizon.
This region includes two former provinces, Touraine and Anjou, which in the past attracted royalty and nobility, who were charmed by its landscapes and mild climate. It is a destination of choice for history lovers, who can visit some of the most beautiful castles in France. Irrigated by the Loire and its many tributaries, the valley produces numerous exceptional wines.
Normandy possesses 599km of coastline and a strong maritime tradition. It is a popular weekend getaway for Parisiens, and many hotels and restaurants thrive here, especially in the elegant town of Deauville. Normandy's major attractions include Rouen Cathedral, Bayeux, the fishing village of Honfleur and the abbey of Mont St-Michel.
Jutting out into the Atlantic, France's most westerly region is renowned for its rocky coastline and verdant countryside, its Celtic roots, and for its language, Breton, similar to the Gaelic languages of Wales and Ireland. Many French people choose to holiday here to benefit from the beautiful coastline, with its sandy beaches, coves and impressive cliffs. Quimper is the cultural capital of Brittany, while Carnac is home to ancient Celtic dolmens.
Every French monarch since 496 has been crowned in Reims, and much of French history is linked to this sacred place. Standing in the way of any invader wishing to occupy Paris, Reims and the Champagne region have seen much bloodshed, notably during the battles of the Somme and the Marne in the First World War. Forests and vineyards cover the steep slopes of the valleys. The 126 km route from Reims to Vertus, one of the Routes du Champagne, will take you through wine regions that produce 80% of the world's sparkling wine.
Burgundy is an enchanting destination, home to splendid cities such as Dijon. In addition to its famous cuisine ( Beef and snails à la bourguignonne), the department has hamlets along its Côte d'Or whose names (Mercurey, Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet, Vougeot, and Nuits-St-Georges) are synonymous with great wine.
In summer, French families arrive in their thousands to visit the seaside resorts of the Channel, such as Le Touquet-Paris-Plage. Notre Dame Cathedral in Amiens, the medieval capital of Picardy, is a treasure trove, with a 42m high nave - the highest in France.
Between Germany and the forests of the Vosges lies the most Germanic of French provinces: Alsace and its capital Strasbourg. Famous for its gastronomy, notably its sauerkraut, this territory is home to charming villages with half-timbered houses and the oldest wine route in France. Lorraine, birthplace of Joan of Arc, has seen many battles during the world wars, but its capital Nancy has kept its charm intact. The Vosges forest provides some great walks.
The resorts in this region rival those of neighbouring Switzerland and boast incredible scenery: snow-capped peaks, glaciers and Alpine lakes. Chamonix is a famous ski resort facing Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe. Courchevel and Megève tend to be more upmarket. In the summer, you can enjoy spas such as Evian and the relaxing 19th century resorts around Lake Geneva.
This fertile region in eastern France follows the contours of the Rhône from the Beaujolais wine region in the north to the borders of Provence in the south. The region is known for its gastronomic and cultural traditions, which have produced some of France's most famous chefs. Don't miss the medieval villages of Pérouges and Vienne, 27 km south of Lyon, France's second largest city.
This region of great culinary traditions is home to a beautiful rose-tinted capital, Toulouse. Don't miss the 'red city' of Albi, birthplace of the painter Toulouse-Lautrec. Carcassonne is a wonderful walled city with fortifications that were first built around 500 AD.
One of France's most popular destinations stretches from the south of the Rhône to the Italian border. Long frequented by artists, the bourgeoisie and the rich and famous, its main cities are Aix-en-Provence, associated with Cézanne; Arles, famous for Van Gogh; Avignon, the 14th-century capital of Christianity; and Marseille, a port city established by the Phoenicians. St-Rémy-de-Provence, Les Baux and Gordes, are villages of great beauty. To the west, the Camargue is the marshy delta formed by two tributaries of the Rhône. Rich in birdlife, it is famous for its grassy plains and fortified medieval sites such as Aigues-Mortes.
The seaside resorts of the legendary Côte d'Azur still evoke glamour: Cannes, St. Tropez, Cap d'Antibes and Juan-les-Pins. July and August are the busiest months, while Spring and Autumn are still sunny but much more relaxed. Nice is the largest city in the region. Dozens of artists and their patrons have scattered the landscape with world-class galleries and art museums.
Since prehistoric times, the steep Pyrenees have formed a natural border between France and Spain. In the 19th century, resorts such as Biarritz and St-Jean-de-Luz attracted the cream of the French aristocracy; Empress Eugenie's palace in Biarritz is now a hotel. Every year, four million Catholics make annual pilgrimages to the town of Lourdes. In the villages and towns of the Pyrenees, ancient folk traditions, soaked in Spanish influences, continue to thrive.
This region includes some of France's most historic cities (Poitiers, Angoulême and La Rochelle), a charming island (Ile de Ré), winemaking and spirits-producing villages (Cognac, St-Emilion, and Sauternes) whose names are celebrated around the world. Bordeaux, the largest city, is famous for its wines and exhibits majestic 18th century architecture.
Today, visitors flock to the valley to marvel at major prehistoric sites, such as the Lascaux caves, and to stroll through charming villages such as Sarlat-la-Canéda and Beynac-et-Cazenac. Home to truffles and foie gras, the Périgord has long been renowned as a gastronomic mecca, while nearby Cahors is celebrated for its red wine.
The rugged heart of south-central France, this region is home to ancient towns and unspoilt landscapes. The largest cities are Clermont-Ferrand and Limoges - the medieval capitals of the Auvergne and Limousin provinces. Bourges, the gateway to the region and once the capital of Aquitaine, features a beautiful Gothic cathedral.
Corsica has 1,000 km of coastline and more than 200 beaches, including some of the most spectacular beaches in the Mediterranean. Corsica is also home to charming towns and villages, age-old traditions and a mountainous hinterland that is popular among hiking enthusiasts.
