Great Cities for Easy Train Trips From Paris France

These nine easy train trips from Paris showcase some of my favorite places in France. All trips depart from one of the following stations depending on the Region destination: Gare du Nord (travelling north), Gare du Lyon (travelling southeast) and Gare Montparnasse (travelling southwest).

The first stop will be Amiens north of Paris. This is a must see stop because of the Cathedral. It is the tallest Gothic church and the largest cathedral in France. Along with the cathedrals in Chartres and Reims, this cathedral is one of the first three Gothic cathedrals built in France of the High Gothic style.
The next stop will be Rouen which is also north of Paris. Rouen is located on the Seine and is France's fifth largest port. The Rouen Cathedral boasts the highest spire in France; St Maclou, across the street from the Cathedral, is Gothic in style and is best known for its 16th century carved wooden doors; and St-Ouen, also Gothic in style, and larger than the Cathedral was once a Benedictine Abbey. Joan of Arc was sentenced to death here in the 1400s.
Reims is another must see. The Cathedral here is one of the trio of Gothic churches built in the 14th century. The Cathedral was formerly the coronation church of French monarchs, dating back to Clovis. It is a very pedestrian friendly town with lots of champagne shops! You should also see St Rmi Basilica which is the largest Romanesque pilgrimage church in France. If you are short on time, be sure to take the little tram ride around the city to take in major sites. If time permits, be sure to make the climb to the top of the Cathedral to get splendid views of the city and breathtaking upclose views of the Cathedral architecture.
Going east of Paris you will also find the city of Metz. Metz is located on the Mozelle River. There is a delightful covered market on the cathedral square, and of course, the Cathedral is not to be missed! The Cathedral has amazing stained glass, including some designed by Chagall and is nicknamed 'God's Lantern' because the cathedral is flooded with light due to having the second highest nave in France. Be sure to see Porte des Allemands which is one of the original city gates; the architecture is amazing. Finally, don't miss Graoully, the legendary monster that Rabelais describes in Gargantua and Pantagruel.
Strasbourg, in far eastern France will give you a taste of the "German" side of France. This section of France was handed back and forth between Germany and France for years before finally becoming part of France in WWI. Strasbourg's historic center was classified as a World Heritage Site in 1988 by Unesco - a unique honor in that it was the first time this designation was given to a whole city. Besides visiting the enormous Cathedral (built on the site of a Roman temple) you will want to see the Astronomical Clock where the 'Parade of the Apostles' takes place at noon every day.
Dijon is known for its famous mustard and beautiful tile roofs. Dijon has an enormous covered marked that is great fun, in addition to a weekly out-door market. The shopping is great and it is a wonderfully pedestrian friendly city with lots of parks. You can see centuries of architectural styles in the three churches of St Bngigne, St Michel and Notre Dame. St Bngigne is a huge Romanesque church, St Michel is a good example of Renaissance architecture and Notre Dame is 13th century Gothic.
From Dijon, travel on to Beaune for more amazing tiled roofs! Beaune is in the heart of the vineyards so it is a great place for wine-tasting and excursions to the vineyards. The Hospices de Beaune is a historical monument dating from the 15th century that is now a museum. It is definitely a must see location. My favorite thing to do, however, is to simply walk the cobbled streets and enjoy the timbered buildings and tiled roofs. Beaune is a beautiful town.
Chartres is only an hour trip from Paris by train and the Cathedral will be the highlight of your visit. It is one of the three original Gothic cathedrals in France and is built on the remains of a Druid worship site. While you are there, be sure to visit the crypt and see the original churches that were built on this site. You will also not want to miss Chartres en Lumieres, the light show between April and September of all the historic buildings. I love Chartres for the cathedral, antique stores, and general shopping. After a day trip, you will want to return and spend several days exploring the city.
Finally, Tours can be your gateway to the Loire Valley and all of the Chateaux. The Cathedral of St.Gatien has amazing 13th century stained glass. The Cathedral is a combination of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. You will find the atmosphere of the Cathedral permeating some of Honor de Balzacs novels. Tours is renowned for the French language; it is said to be the purest form of French spoken in the hexagon. Tours' Central park is a beautifully serene place to visit and the HUGE trees are breathtaking.

Vannes France

In France you will find the city of Vannes. This city is located in the Morbihan department of Bretagne in the north west of France. Vannes came into existence over 2000 years ago. The city of Vannes can be found on the Gulf of Morbihan which is situated near the mouth of the Vannes River. As the town is closely linked to the sea you will often see this market town having a good trade being carried out with the river and the nearby sea.

For the people who choose to visit Vannes you will see there are many interesting places you can visit. These will include attractions like the medieval village in Vannes. Here you will see there are several pedestrian and vehicle entrances for people enter and leave the village without any problem. To find good parking space you will need to follow the posted signs on the roads which indicate the way to the port parking area where you will find ample parking.

Next to the Old Town you will see the port which can be accessed via the port side gate which part of the fortified ramparts of the Old Town. Just outside the walls of the Old Town you will find there are several cafes on the port-side. At these cafes you can refresh yourself and quench your thirst and hunger. Inside the Old Town walls, you will find many boutiques and Creperies to explore and shop in.

In addition to seeing these sights of Vannes you might be interested in visiting other places like the Chateau Gaillard which is an archaeological museum, Tour du Connetable which is part of the old city walls, the Musee de la Cohue which is the city of Vannes's cultural museum and Hotel de Ville to name but a few interesting places you can visit.

Once you have taken the time to absorb these delights you may wish to head over to the Eglise which can be found in the old village at the top of the hill. As with many parts of Vannes you will see the square in the Eglise is often the site where local musicians come and entertain passing visitors. The cobblestone streets are used for costumed parades which have been part of Vannes's culture for many centuries now. Among these various festivals you will find the Bastille Day in Vannes is celebrated on a grand scale.

Here you will see a fabulous spectacle where there are many colorful horse-drawn carriages and where the men, women and children are clad in lively and interesting costumes. And as part of the parade you will see a small zoo of live animals being taken along the procession route.

With so many interesting and lively events happening here in Vannes you will see why this city is so popular with the many visitors who come here. To make your dreams of seeing this city come alive don't wait any longer, just pack your bags and head over to Vannes in France.

The Best Theme Parks For a Family Holiday in France

So, you're taking a family holiday in France, but have no idea where to take the kids? You can't go wrong with theme parks, and thankfully France has got a fair few of them. Here's the pick of the biggest ones, guaranteed to keep the kids quiet (or screaming loudly depending on the ride!) on your family holiday in France.

Any of these makes for a great excursion for all ages - just make sure you leave your hotel in France early, as they get busy quite quickly!

Puy du Fou

Puy du Fou is a bit of a curveball to begin the list - it has no slides, roller coasters or mini trains. Instead you get elaborate shows charting the history of the area, stunning scenery and a fun, educational day out. If the word "educational" is likely to make your kids run for the hills, perhaps you should sell them on the main event: a huge outdoor stage behind the castle-ruins recalls 700 years of the local history on the world's largest stage with thousands of actors, hundreds of horses and around 400 fireworks per performance! Understandably this is quite costly, so is only on in high season - check it's on in advance, but if it is don't hesitate in making this a central part of your family holiday in France.

Parc Asterix

Parc Asterix is a theme park based around the comic book (and subsequent film) adventures of Asterix the Gaul. Despite the licensing deal limiting its scope, it's actually an excellent theme park and a great alternative to Disneyland Paris (which is just 20 miles away). It has a wide range of rollercoasters, themed around characters and places from the books (the log flume takes the form of 'Menhir Express', for example.) Not only is it a great choice for fans of the comic books, but a terrific theme park in its own right for those who love big rollercoasters and thrills while in France. A hotel is on site for those who think they'll spend more than a day there - easily done considering the park's size!

Futuroscope

One of the most famous theme parks in France, and once again breaking the traditional grounds of rollercoasters and waterslides, Futuroscope is a theme park worked entirely around film. With many 3d cinemas and other attractions and shows (some of which are the only examples in the world), the park is an excellent choice for those looking to holiday further south of Paris. Although the films are in French, headsets with translations are available, but to be honest it's more about the experience than the dialogue. The real pick of the attractions is the motion sensitive chairs, which react to the action on screen - just as thrilling as your average rollercoaster!

Disneyland Paris

The Disneyland Park needs no introduction. With an impressive array of rides and all your kids' favourite Disney franchises represented, it's no wonder it's such a popular part of family holidays in France. The pick of the rides has to be Space Mountain - not for the weak of heart, with double corkscrews and 360 degree loop-the-loops in near darkness really testing your mettle! With shows, rides and an incomparable atmosphere, Disneyland is deservedly one of the most famous attractions in France. A hotel is on site, too so you can be within easy reach if you're planning multiple visits.

You're not short of reasons to leave your hotel in France, but there are few attractions as effective as theme parks at keeping the kids happy! Bon voyage!

Analysis and Commentary - "Our Lady's Juggler" (Anatole France)

Let us analyze the work of Anatole France in regard to the defense mechanisms in Psychology:

Background of Author. Anatole France is a son of a Parisian bookseller. His life was one of incessant controversy. His attitude against the church and state was ironic and bitter, though he was educated at a religious school. And while his novels attacked conventional Christian institutions at the depths of his heart, as in the core of every person's being - France had faith in the Almighty and innate goodness of man.

Analysis: Anatole France identifies with his main character Barnabas (Our lady's Juggler) using the following defense mechanisms:

1. Repression. His subconscious compelled him to write against religious norms as a result of his repressed anger on the church and conventional Christian institutions. The story pointed it plainly that Barnabas suffered in silence.

2. Compensation - Barnabas lamented about his ignorance. To make-up, he settled for something less. He could not compose writings in Latin and hymns, instead he juggled and performed tricks as offering in which he got the attention of the Virgin. In real life, France felt a deep sense of insecurity with the Church/State leaders and that is why he chose to write.

3. Rituals. Barnabas' life was not complete without rituals. In fact, he always prayed so hard. Like the rest, he had his own faith though he was a simple man. France wanted everybody to know that faith and belief in God is a gift to both the rich and the poor, the educated and the ignorant.

4. Escapism. Barnabas loses himself in juggling. In the story, the monks thought that he was losing his wits. I understood that he was happy while doing the activity. He felt complete in his juggling. Perhaps in reality, he escapes going to a different world to feel that he is the best.

Restaurants in France

Whether you are looking for French hotels, thinking of buying a holiday home or even renting a watermill for the week it is always a good idea to check out the local restaurants. And it seems that France is certainly not lacking in decent places to get some grub after it was revealed that the country has yet again won awards for the world's best restaurants, taking 12 of the top 50 venues.

The UK on the other hand had seven restaurants in the top 50 while eight were in the US.

Fine French food

More than 20 judges had selected the winners of the prestigious awards which were announced at London's Science Museum this week.

Paris' Pierre Gagnaire restaurant was named best in France while the romantic city also appeared to be the best place for food enthusiasts, with nine restaurants in the top 50.

Joe Warwick, editor of Restaurant Magazine which organises the awards, said: "There's a consensus among people who know about restaurants that France is definitely the strongest country and probably deserves to be top of the list."

Eating in or out in France

Whether you decided to head to an expensive restaurant or choose to eat in the comfort of your own home, when it comes to mealtimes there are certain differences between the French and the Brits.

The French tend to eat a smaller breakfast than their English counterparts and tend to have dinner a little later.

They are also big fans of bottled water despite tap water usually being fine to drink and although France is a wine-growing country, local people rarely drink it all the time.

All regions of Francehave a version of their own special dish, cheese and wine, making every place you visit that little more exciting.

Southwest Property in France, Worth a Closer Look

Property for sale in South West France is witnessing increasing demand for several reasons. Southwest France is rich in agriculture. The countryside topography is having wide variations and the diversity of the area presents not only several construction and project opportunities but the scenic beauty of the area also draws people like a magnet. More than anything else, the climate is the chief attraction of property in southwest France. The weather is the second best in entire France, next to Cote d'Azur. Summer temperatures are mild in the range of 28 to 33 degrees and summer lasts for more days than United Kingdom or other countries in the northern part of Europe. Winter days are cool but sunny, except brief bouts of cold from November to February. Naturally, many British investors and others from the Norwegian countries are on the lookout for properties in Gascony, Landes, Tarn-et-Garonne, Lot-et-Garonne and Gers.

Rich in Agriculture, Property in Southwest France is in High demand

The Bordeaux-Toulouse districts that form the southwest France area are famous all over the world as the wine region, along with Gascony. The grapes from the vineyards vary in quality and taste, thus providing the opportunity for wine, brandy and champagne of rare varieties. Along with the lush vineyards spread throughout this area, the walnut plantations, the duck farms, the plum orchards and the strawberry fields produce a rich variety of agricultural output. This opulence is enhanced by the truffle, lovingly called as 'black diamond' by the master chefs of the world. The limestone plateaus above the river of Lot had become fertile grounds for the growth of truffle. With all these natural resources, it is no surprise that the houses for sale in south west France are hot properties in the real estate market.

Property for Sale in Southwest France:

Land, farms, farmhouses, chateaux, barns, villas, holiday homes, holiday complexes, apartments, gites, gite complexes, golf properties, etc. are available in plenty at reasonable prices and terms. The peculiar French word gite really means a self catering holiday accommodation. Buying a gite is considered a sound business investment nowadays. According to statistics available with real estate agents in this area, a decade ago, majority of buyers were purchasing property in southwest France as holiday property. However, the trend had changed and many of them are moving in here permanently, attracted by the serene atmosphere and leisurely living.

In the departments of southwest France, the property values are much less than the other departments of France, as well as the other countries of Europe. This fact makes investments in south west France an attractive proposal. We have a wide choice of properties for sale in this area. With our experience in the real estate market for several years and our extensive contacts with property owners and estate agents in south west France, we are able to offer our clients unique buying and selling opportunities.

Guide in Purchasing Properties in Southwest France

In the process of purchasing properties in France, all the fees are paid by you as the buyer.

The fees of the property deed registration and solicitor's fees (notaire's fees) will be about 10% of the property price.

If you are buying the property through estate agents, then their fees will have to be paid over and above this.

At the time of bidding for a south west France property for sale, you will have to sign an agreement known as promise de vente, which is between you and the property seller.

You will be able to state the reasons for cancellation of the agreement in this document and you can include all the reasons that come to your mind, without any restrictions, including failure to obtain mortgage on the property.

You will have to deposit 10% of the property value and you will lose that amount if you cancel the agreement for any reason that is not specified in it.

If the seller cancels the agreement, you will get 10% from the seller.

Southern France, also called as Le Midi, includes Aquitaine, Corsica, Midi-Pyrenees, Languedoc-Roussillon, Rhone-Alps, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Limousin, and Auvergne. Excellent properties are available in plenty at highly attractive prices in all these regions. Property in Gascony and property in Landes are considered as very good real estate investments throughout Europe. We will be able to obtain them for you without any kind of hassles on your part. Call us now for further information and detailed discussions.

Famous Places in France - Top Ten

There are so many famous places in France, that it would be impossible to see them all in one trip. If this is your first visit to France, the options can seem overwhelming...where do you go? Which are the best places to see?

Here is a snapshot of some of the most famous places in France that you, or your family and friends might like to visit - depending on your interests, whether this is historical sites, museums, areas of natural beauty or food and wine.

If you are spending a couple of weeks here you could easily visit most of the places listed below. It will be a whirlwind trip, but is certainly doable and you will have many wonderful memories.

Some of the most famous places in France are in Paris!

1. La Tour Eiffel
The Eiffel Tower, built in 1889 by Gustave Eiffel for the Universal Exposition, is without a doubt one of the most popular tourist attractions in France.

It's amazing to think that the Eiffel Tower was, for a time, seen as an eyesore and even ugly; it was almost knocked down in 1909.

2. Musée du Louvre
The Louvre museum, once a royal palace, is now one of the most well known art museums in the world, featuring paintings such as the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, as well as spectacular artworks by Michelangelo, Raphael and, Botticelli.

3. Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris
Next in line is the beautiful Gothic cathedral, Notre Dame, built from the around 1163 to 1345, visited by more than 12 million people a year, and one of the most famous french monuments.

4. Arc du Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe and magnificent Ave des Champs-Elysées, are spectacular to see. The Arc was commissioned by Napoloeon to commemorate the victories of his armies; the tomb of France's Unknown Soldier lies here, and every evening a memorial flame is lit.

5. Versailles
If you can, try and visit the Palace of Versailles, built during the reign of Louis XIV - known as the Sun King (Roi Soleil) to display his wealth and power of the monarchy at that time. Versailles can be easily reached as a day trip from Paris. It is without question, absolutely spectacular, and one of the most dazzling things you will probably every see.

6. Mont St Michel
Mont St Michel is one of the most recognisable landmarks in France, located just off the coast of Normandy. In fact, it is the next most visited site after Paris!

Its hard not to be awed by the sight of Mont St Michel, with its Gothic-style Benedictine Abbey perched high above a rocky outcrop.

7. Mont Blanc
Mont Blanc (meaning white mountain in French) is the highest mountain in the Alps, lying between Italy and France. Chamonix is here, the site of the first Winter Olympics, and one of the most popular places to visit in France for skiing.

Even if you're not planning to ski, it's well worth a visit.

You can take the Aiguille de Midi cable car for spectacular views of the mountains. Definitely one of the highest (and probably one of the most exhilarating - or scary, depending on which way you look at it) - cablecar rides you'll take!

8. Chateaux de la Loire
The Loire Valley, playground to royalty from the 15th through to the 18th centuries, boasts many beautiful renaissance chateaux.

There are several hundred castles in the Loire; some of the most popular are Château d´Amboise, Chambord, Chenonceau, Blois and Cheverny.

The Loire is also known for its fine wines too, and you can sample Muscadet, Sauvignon and many more.

Heading south, there are even more famous places in France.

9. Carcassonne
Carcassonne, in the Languedoc region, is Europe's largest walled city and one of the finest examples of medieval architecture.

Carcassonne's towers and pointed turrets look like they have come straight out of a fairy tale or Walt Disney movie. But there is no make believe here - it's all for real. Carcassonne is also one of the most most popular french monuments.

10. Lascaux
Some of the finest prehistoric art collections can be found in southwest france.

The ancient cave paintings, drawings and carvings that you can see here are truly awe inspiring, some dating as far back as 35,000 years.

The Lascaux sites (now a replica) are very popular tourist attractions in france, and there are many others too that are worth visiting.

And last but not least: french food and wine. Wherever you go, you will be able to try local specialties, whether this is bouillabaisse in Marseille, camembert in Normandy, or foie gras in the Perigord.