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The Route des Vins in Rhône-Alpes
In the Rhône-Alpes there are several “Routes des Vins” winding their way through the different wine areas. Côtes du Rhône, Beaujolais and Savoie wines all have their own itinerary or circuit which will take you through pretty villages, each with their own cellars renowned for a certain vintage. |
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Food and Drink in Corsica
Gastronomy takes a significant part in Corsican living traditions and some gourmet specialities are a part of the island heritage such as vineyard cultivation or oyster farming, a legacy from the Roman times. |
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Food and Drink in Picardy
In Picardy, there is a deep attachment to the land, to sure and certain values dictated by a common sense of joy and sharing. The people of Picardy have a taste for the “good” and the “fine” things in life, always with this notion of a pleasure shared – swapping recipe tips for a special dish or a culinary knack, or good places to eat nearby. |
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Drink in Loire (Western)
As Beautiful to Look at as they are Good to Taste. As you go up the Loire, discover the wines of Anjou and Saumur. This is the most widespread vineyard in Val du Loire, with 20,000 perfectly temperate hectares. This patchwork of lands offers great diversity. |
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Champagne Food and Drink
Truffles are a famous product of the Haute-Marne. ‘Andouillette de Troyes’ is the most famous of the cooked meats made in the region. Pigs trotters in breadcrumbs is a delicacy enjoyed in the Marne. Boudin Blanc de Rethel is a favourite of the Ardennes – a white pudding. |
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Food in Brittany
Combining aspects of “Armor” the landscape of the sea and “Argoat” the landscape of woodlands, Breton gastronomy has benefited from all the riches offered by the natural environment. |
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Haute-Cuisine in Normandy
Normandy is haute-cuisine heaven for food lovers and visitors seeking authentic culinary experiences. Famous for its dairy products, the region is also world renowned for its apples. Most restaurants in Normandy use locally sourced products. |
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Gastronomic Temptations
Celebrated by the legendary writer Rabelais, Loire Valley offers many vegetable gardens, orchards and farms to discover. Enjoy strolling through French food markets, meeting local farmers and doing some shopping, savouring culinary delights in Loire Centre’s elegant local restaurants. |
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Wine in Alsace
Grape Varieties. While other French regions name their wines after their terroirs, Alsatian wines bear the name of the grape varieties used to produce them. There is only one type of red wine (Pinot Noir) in Alsace, as white wine is by far the most common. |
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Fish and Seafood in Brittany
Thanks to its extensive coastline and the multitude of fishing ports, Brittany reaps the harvest of the sea. Shellfish are the flagship of Breton cuisine. Many varieties live on the beach strands, such as razor shells, “palourdes” and “praires” (a type of clam), cockles, whelks, ormers, prawns and shrimps. |
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Essential: Rhône-Alpes Markets
Honey, apples, cheeses, artisan-made dried meats, vegetables... the Rhone Alps region seems to grow markets, both covered and open air. Some are a definite must for visitors. |
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Bordeaux Aquitaine
Bordeaux is famous for it's wine production but that's no the only business to have left it's mark on the city. Nicknamed the 'Port de la Lune' (Port of the Moon) due to the enormous curve of the river in the city centre the port of Bordeaux has always been very active. |
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Food and Wine in Languedoc-Roussillon
The food produced in Languedoc-Roussillon is as diverse as the region’s natural landscape. From the mountains to the sea, there treasures to be found. Cheese from Lozère, mushrooms and chestnuts are found in the mountain heights. Olives are plentiful while other fruits, vegetables and herbs are bountiful in the orchards and valleys. Countless seafood is available along the coast such as tuna, sea bass, oysters, mussels and clams. |
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Food and Drink in Paris / Ile de France
There are lots of well-known cheeses from Ile de France. Two of the most widely recognised cheeses from Ile de France are Brie and Brie de Meax. Brie is a round soft cheese with white mould and is often described as having a somewhat fruity taste with a hint of mushrooms. |
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Food in Loire (Western)
The Delights of the Sea: A whole ocean on a platter
Highlights include traditionally farmed mussels from the pilings in the bay of the Aiguillon, typically coloured “Vendée Atlantique”, Portuguese oysters, found at the port du Bec, anchovies and sardines from Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie and La Turballe and prawns and clams you can catch for yourself on the beach.
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Food and Drink Auvergne
It is impossible to talk about Auvergne without mentioning the local products for which it is famous: the five AOC cheeses (Saint-Nectaire, Cantal, Salers, Fourme d’Ambert and Bleu d’Auvergne). Salt pork products (Oh! That delicious Auvergne ham and all those sausages!), washed down, in moderation, by good wines: Saint-Pourçain, Châteaugay, Madargues, Boudes or Corent. |
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Food and Drink in Nord-Pas de Calais
The old saying “you are what you eat” certainly applies to the Nord-pas de Calais region which has developed a warm and welcoming comforting style of food, doubtlessly influenced by their Flemish, British and Picard neighbours. |
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Your Choice of Specialities in Rhône-Alpes
Rosette, Jésus, Saucisson de Lyon and Sec d’Ardèche, hams and sausages from Savoie, the range of “charcuteries” are often the main ingredient in traditional recipes like the onion-flavoured “boudin”, the Cervelas Lyonnais cooked in a brioche pastry or the Sabodet cooked with apples in oil. |
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Discover the “Liquor of the Gods” in Poitou-Charentes
For over four centuries, Cognac has constituted one of the "fleurons" of Poitou-Charentes. So as to allow one to uncover all the secrets if this 'liqueur of the gods' as Victor Hugo termed it, the large trade houses propose guided visits and 'les étapes du cognac' will allow you to discover the vineyards of cognac. |
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Drink in Normandy
The abundance of apples which flavour both savoury and sweet dishes also means that Normandy boasts a wide range of apple bi-products, most notably cider, poiré or Pear liquor, pommeau and calvados. |
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Breton Beverages
After picking, the apples are stored in canvas bags, sorted and piled up according to the variety, sweet or bitter. Cider can be sparkling, dry or sweet. The cider of Cornouaille was the first product from Brittany to be awarded “Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée” status, taking into account criteria such as the number of hours of sunshine, the rainfall, the altitude etc. |
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Food and Drink in Franche-Comté
The restaurants of the region will extend to you the warmest of welcomes, ensuring the time spent here is unforgettable. Relaxing over a great meal, discover the wonderful local wines and give your holiday glasses an inimitable ruby red colour.
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Food and Wine in Alsace
All year long, traditional Alsatian festivals and events present opportunities to get together and enjoy culinary specialities and customs. Christmas in Alsace would simply not be the same without the famous bredele, the Christmas cakes with countless shapes and flavours.
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Limousin’s Specialities
Most regions in France have a reputation for fine cuisine, and Limousin is no exception. It specialises heavily in cattle and sheep, has thousands of acres of fruit trees, fish from the mountain streams, and enormous forests of chestnuts, which are also home to a fabulous choice of mushrooms and other edible fungi. |
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Typical Dishes in Brittany
Typical Breton specialities, crepes and galettes come in a wide variety of tastes and textures, dependant on the region. The main difference resides in the composition of the batter. |
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Cooking in Rhône-Alpes
There are increasing numbers of “Sunday lunch cooks” who want to learn how to carve, emulsify or seize just like professional chefs. There are many cookery courses springing up throughout the region, involving weekend or short break stays in “chambres d’hôtes” or pretty little hotels. |
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Food and Drink in Normandy
Meat Eaters’ Paradise Normandy’s main courses are often meat-based. Poultry is common on regional menus, including the tasty Canard à la Rouennaise using local duck from the Seine Valley but other types of meat such as veal or pork feature too, frequently cooked in cream or cider. |
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Food and Wine in Midi-Pyrénées
Whether you choose to eat at a table d'hôtes, or sitting outside a small restaurant, a restaurant that has stars in the Michelin guide or simply within the country atmosphere of a farmhouse inn, you'll enjoy deliciously local culinary specialities in which the local produce and the natural warmth of the Midi-Pyrenees find their expression.
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Food and Drink in Provence/Cote D'Azur
As simple as they are exciting, the culinary traditions of Provence and the Southern Alps entice lovers of sunny, colourful cuisine and seduce the most demanding palates. The flavours and aromas reveal worlds that are echoed by the lively market stalls. |
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Savour the Gastronomic Legacy of Rhône-Alpes
The Rhône-Alpes region is literally bursting with fresh, natural produce. Its gastronomic flair is based not only on the solid foundations of regional cooking, whether from the Savoie, Ardèche or Forez, but also on the skills of the region’s great chefs and the quality of its local products. |
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Alsatian Restaurants
From win stubs to star-rated restaurants, and not forgetting the region's farm-inns, an impressive range of establishments welcome visitors and Alsatians alike to enjoy authentic regional dishes.
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The Savours of Poitou-Charentes
Poitou-Charentes has quite a range of choice of local food produce for you to try like: oysters of Marennes-Oléron, Chabichou cheese, cognac & its routes 'les étapes du cognac', Pineau des Charentes, butter, goat cheese, lamb, mojhettes, snails and the list continues. |
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Food and Drink in Lorraine
Did you know that the Quiche is the most popular dish in France? But there’s a lot more to Lorraine's cuisine than quiche. And that means more than just Lorraine’s hotpot or “Potée”, even if that alone is a delight, especially in winter. |
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Normandy Cider Route
To the East of Caen, the Cider Route is a signed tourist route which weaves its way through countryside typical of the area, linking the villages of Beuvron en Auge (classified village), Bonnebosq and Beaufour Druval via picturesque little roads. |
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Wines and Vineyards in Burgundy
You can't think about Burgundy without thinking about its famous wines. Today the vineyards of Burgundy cover an area of some 27,000 hectares divided into 5 main growing areas. |
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Rhône-Alpes - a Land of Wine
A wine producing region “par excellence”, the Rhône-Alpes boasts one of France’s best wine charts, comprising 36 “appellations d’origine contrôlée” and vintages, which guarantee its worldwide renown. |
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Burgundy Gastronomy
Burgundy is one of the leading gastronomic regions in the world so why not build your holiday in Burgundy around the local food. |
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The Loire Valley Vineyards
Loire Valley produces an excellent range of red, rosé and white wines, as well as sparkling and sweet wines. Connected by a majestic river, the vineyards stretch from Sancerre to the Touraine. |
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Wine Tours
Bourges is an ideal point of departure to explore the vineyards. The medieval town of Sancerre, with its stone tower, perched atop its ancient flint hill and cloaked all around with vineyards, will really impress you. |
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Vineyard Tourist Trail in Loire (Western)
40,000 hectares of ‘dégustation’: The skills of the vine were introduced by the Romans, and are now one of the main assets of the Pays de la Loire. |
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Lyon’s "Mothers" in Rhône-Alpes
Every one of the Rhône’s great chefs works in the shadow of his/her mother or grandmother who has passed on the secrets of carefully prepared dishes. For about a century all the best restaurants in Lyon were owned by women who subsequently became known as “the mothers”. |
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Saines Saveurs Bourgogne, Naturally Good
In November 2005, Burgundy made an innovative move by launching 'Saines Saveurs, Naturally good in Burgundy'. This new label is a commitment from Burgundy's catering professionals to provide healthy natural foods wherever possible. |
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Drink in Aquitaine
In Aquitaine, the vine has always taken pride of place. Chateaux have been built, hills and forest cleared, and thousands of techniques and instruments invented, all in the name of wine. The sun and the quality of the land have done the rest. From the Bordeaux region to the slopes leading down to the Baise River, from Bergerac to the hills of Irouléguy, those who love wine, enjoy meeting people and admiring beautiful landscapes will be in their element! |
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A gastronomic quest in Limousin
A gastronomic quest in Limousin, a bewitching trip through the magical recipe books of an area that never accepts less than the best when it comes to pleasing the most discerning of gourmets. |
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Gastronomic delights...in Aquitaine
A brief ABC to Aquitaine specialities : Agen Melon, Agen prune, Asparagus, Bayonne ham, Bazas beef, Cannelé, Foie Gras, Truffle...etc |
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A world of water - Aquitaine
From the flat, sandy plains and pine forests of the Landes to the beautiful lagoon of the Bassin d’Arcachon... Aquitaine is immensely diverse. The valley of the Dordogne provides a sharp contrast...ideal for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, horse riding and cycling.
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Not to be missed in Ile-de-France
Around Paris, Ile-de-France offers the joys of discovering both nature and culture. With 9 royal towns, 400 listed gardens and châteaux including 24 masterpieces of landscape art, medieval villages or Cistercian abbeys, the Ile-de-France region boasts a unique and fascinating heritage. |
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Not to be missed in Alsace
Very long and narrow and backing onto the Rhine, Alsace has seen its borders moved on many occasions. The ups and downs of history have caused it to hang on to a very strong regional tradition. This can be seen in its language, its folk traditions and its cuisine. Its countryside beckons the walker, with its hillsides streaked with vineyards in the Munster valley and the flower-decked valleys of the Florival.
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Not to be missed in Aquitaine
If you had to define this land by one word, il would be 'generous'. A generosity that can be seen in its variety of landscapes with hills, valleys, sandy moors and a coast that is almost wild. The Bordeaux vineyards, the Basque Country, the plateaux of Périgord... |
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Not to be missed in Rhône-Alpes
A great river and a chain of mountains give the region its name and create the pattern of life here. The Alps crowned by Mont Blanc provide a skiing area that is unique in the world. Hiking enthusiasts are becoming increasingly numerous in the summertime, walking the waymarked trails through the region's nature parks (La Vanoise, Les Ecrins, Les Bauges), and around the lakes (Lake Geneva, Annecy, Le Bourget). Nearer the Rhône, the Ardèche gorges are a paradise for canoeing. |
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Not to be missed in the Loire (western)
A land of water traversed by the Loire, the region is bathed in the north by the spray of the Atlantic Ocean. While Saint-Nazaire is an important merchant navy port, Nantes is the regional capital, and Saumur, Le Mans and Angers offer visitors a cultural heritage dominated by Gothic art and the Renaissance. |
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Not to be missed in Corsica
Mountains in the sea, pierced with torrents, Corsica, an island of rare beauty, has the full spectrum of landscapes. Dry in the south, it makes up for it with long beaches of white sand, where lazing around can be enhanced by sightseeing tours. |
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Not to be missed in Picardy
With its exceptionally rich architectural heritage, this province is a preserve of Gothic art. Famous for its cathedrals, it offers the discerning an opportunity to explore its towns and their medieval wonders. |
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Not to be missed in Champagne-Ardenne
The fruit of its vineyards is so famous that the first thing you think of in this region is a glass of champagne. You can of course begin the journey underground and visit the wine cellars. Reims, its magnificient cathedral or its museum of fine arts, should not make you forget the 'vine-growers' villages spread around the region. There is also the Ardennes with its wild forests, populated by roe deer and hares. |
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Not to be missed in Languedoc-Roussillon
The Mediterranean on one side, the eastern Pyrenees to the south and Lozère to the north, Languedoc-Roussillon takes pleasure in the contrats if its stepped relief. |
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Not to be missed in Paris
Some cities call to mind lovers, others architecture, yet others an intellectual, cultural or appealing popular atmosphere. Paris has all these faces, plus lots more to discover depending on your particular interest. |
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Not to be missed in Franche-Comté
This is a region with distinct faces. In the north, the valleys of the Haute-Saône which, from the Grays region to the Saône Vosges, passing through Vesoul, back onto the region of Belfort. Châteaux and churches give added attraction to its towns and villages, and a great many museums house specimens showing the traditional craftmanship related to wood, but also to clock making. |
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Not to be missed in Poitou-Charentes
The dispute between Ancient and Modern is not on the agenda in this region where the vestiges of the past are keyed neatly into an openness to the future. |
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Not to be missed in Auvergne
If it were possible, the best way to travel in this region would be on the back of a donkey, just as the writer Stevenson did. It is indeed probably the pleasantest way to see this land of volcanoes, fashioned by their eruptions. Inactive for centuries, they gave birth to a strange and majestic landscape. |
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Not to be missed in Brittany
A land of seafaring people, and the aspect that makes Brittany the daughter of Neptune. Its thousands of kilometres of coastline, from Cancale to Saint-Nazaire, give it a prodigiously varied relief, with the strange rocks of the Pink Granite coast and the idyllic beaches of the Morbihan following on from one another. |
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Lille in Nord-Pas-de-Calais
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Not to be missed in the French Riviera
It is the blue of the south that defines this land. Its climate is so mild, its nature so filled with flowers that thousands of years after the Romans, English aristocrats, fed up with the greyness, fell in love with it. Since then, the Côte d'Azur has been entirely given over to summer pleasures. |
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Not to be missed in Nord-Pas-de-Calais
Traditionally an industrial region, it has now turned to tourism, a natural choice in a landscape where forests predominate, and where the Opal Coast has a host of beaches dedicated to surfing, wind-surfing, water-skiing, and more. |
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Not to be missed in Lorraine
Bordered by the three countries, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, Lorraine is a strategic region which today exudes a peaceful charm. There is no shortage of reasons to explore it. For lovers of architecture and the arts, Mirecourt, Bar-le-Duc and Epinal possess many wonders. Enthusiasts for footpaths, will find routes dotted with lakes, forests and green valleys in the Lorraine Regional Park. Another excellent reason to come is for its springs and to stay in one of the well-known spa establishments in Contrexéville or Vittel, where the gastronomy is not to be outdone. |
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Not to be missed in Midi-Pyrénées
Few regions offer such a variety of landscapes, climates and architecture. This is because the region is huge, it runs from Aveyron to Gers and from Ariège to the edges of the Dordogne. |
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Not to be missed in Burgundy
From the vineyards of Chablis to those of the Mâconnais passing through the Côte de Beaune and Côtes de Nuits, from the luminous Loire Valley to the opulent Bresse region passing through the mysterious forests of the Morvan, Burgundy is beautiful in its natural state and in every season. |
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Not to be missed in the Loire (centre)
It is western Europe's last wild river, over 1,000 km long, that shapes the region : The Loire. On its banks the aristocracy built châteaux that are among the jewels of French architecture. Amboise, Chambord, Blois, Azay-le-Rideau are all extraordinary. |
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Not to be missed in Limousin
Nature lovers who like to punctuate their walks with seeing the old craft traditions develop an immediate attachment to this region. Green woods and forests, it is also criss-crossed by water, the Creuse, Vienne and Dordogne rivers... |
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Not to be missed in Normandy
Combining in the same land the pleasures of an extraordinary coastline and those of a green and blossoming countryside, Normandy is a very fortunate region. |
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Not to be missed in Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur
Everything in this region sings, even the wind, when it is called the Mistral or the Tramontana. The great poets were able to convey its music, and painters from Cézanne to Picasso, captured its light. Provence is magical, it smells wonderfully of olive oil, lavender and thyme. |
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Hot Air Ballooning
Floating through the air in a hot air balloon is the perfect way to take in the scenery of the region. If you have a head for heights there is no more relaxing way to see the Burgundian countryside. |
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