Get cultured and entertained in Paris

On top of the Eiffel Tower you will enjoy a panoramic view over Paris and its monuments like Sacré Coeur, Champ de Mars, Invalides. Cathedral of Notre-Dame will dazzle you with its stained-glass windows (South Rose Window) and if you climb on its tower, you will then have another view over Paris. The Louvre Museum will get you through its collections from Antiquity to nowadays, but don't forget to admire Mona Lisa. Of course, you can enjoy in many ways: the youngest will have fun at Disneyland while adults will go to a cabaret spectacle at the Moulin Rouge. A bit outside the capital, the Château de Versailles is really worth it and if you are lucky enough to be there between June and September, admire the fountain show of the Grandes Eaux Musicales.

Discover the vinyards and landscapes of Alsace

By car, foot or bike, criss-cross the wine trail and stop to taste the local productions and take a picture of traditional half-timbered houses. At Kintzheim, the whole family will be struck with wonder while visiting the town and its three wildlife parks: la volerie des aigles, a park dedicated to birds of prey, la montagne des singes, a monkey park and le parc aux cigognes, a stork park. Near Ribeauvillé, a butterfly garden, le jardin des papillons, will be a delight. A bit further, the Haut-Koenigsbourg castle will show you its rich colection of weapons and furniture dating back to 15th-17th centuries. Stroll in The little France at Strasbourg, then visit Palais Rohan and its museums (Museum of Decorative Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Archaeological Museum). You may even see one of the MEPs at the European Parliament.

Follow in the Kings of France's footsteps in the Loire valley

No less than 19 castles are waiting for you along the Loire river to make you feel the splendor of the court of France: Amboise, Azay le Rideau, Blois, Chambord, Chenonceau, Cheverny, Villandry, ...

Party on the French Riviera

Near Cassis, the calanques will get you wonderful strolls along the cliffs. You can go to Saint-Paul-de-Vence where Marc Chagall lived or to Grasse which will remind you of Patrick Süskind's novel with its well known perfumeries. But it is at Cannes during its famous Film Festival that you will meet your favorite stars and at Saint-Tropez that you will party with them.

Food and drink

Each region has its specialties and it's hard to choose between cassoulet (in the South West), bouillabaisse (Marseille), choucroute (Alsace), tripe (Caen), snails (Bourgogne), quiche lorraine, andouillette (Troyes)... And more than 300 varieties are waiting for you to taste! And you will have a lot of choice for pastries. Some of the best known are: religieuses, éclairs,opéras, paris-brest, madeleines, cannelés, kouign-amanns, ...

French pleasures can be indulged in any time, although many French people swear spring is best. In the hot south sun-worshippers tan from June to early September (summer) while winter-sports enthusiasts soar down snow-covered mountains mid-December to late March (winter). Festivals and gastronomic temptations around which to plan a trip abound all year long.

Theft

The problems you're most likely to encounter are thefts (which can be aggressive), mainly pick-pocketing/bag snatching, especially in dense crowds and public places. A common ploy is for one person to distract you while another steals your wallet, camera or bag.

Travelling by car

Car thefts and break-ins to parked cars are a frequent problem. Gangs cruise seemingly tranquil tourist areas for unattended vehicles. Foreign or out-of-town plates and rental stickers are a dead giveaway and will be targeted. Never, ever leave anything valuable (or otherwise) inside your car. Aggressive theft from cars stopped at red lights is occasionally a problem in cities.

Il n'y a pas de problèmes particuliers. Cependant, une trousse de secours peut toujours se révéler utile.