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
Youll 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 Insight Guides
Insight Guides have more than 40 years experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides. We produce 400 full-colour titles, in both print and digital form, covering more than 200 destinations across the globe, in a variety of formats to meet your different needs.
Insight Guides are written by local authors, whose expertise is evident in the extensive historical and cultural background features. Each destination is carefully researched by regional experts to ensure our guides provide the very latest information. All the reviews in Insight Guides are independent; we strive to maintain an impartial view. Our reviews are carefully selected to guide you to the best places to eat, go out and shop, so you can be confident that when we say a place is special, we really mean it.
2017 Apa Digital (CH) AG and Apa Publications (UK) Ltd
Table of Contents
Frances Top 10 Attractions
Top Attraction #1
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The Cte dAzur
This glamorous stretch of coast has long been the playground of the rich and famous. For more information, .
Top Attraction #2
Sylvaine Poitau/Apa Publications
Bayeux Tapestry
Normandys great treasure and a fascinating glimpse into the past. For more information, .
Top Attraction #3
Sylvaine Poitau/Apa Publications
Wine tours
Exploring the vineyards of Alsace, Burgundy or the Rhne Valley makes for a fabulous driving holiday. For more information, .
Top Attraction #4
Ming Tang-Evans/Apa Publications
The Eiffel Tower
One of the most evocative images of France. For more information, .
Top Attraction #5
Shutterstock
The French Alps
This spectacular natural border to the east is a magnet for skiers. For more information, .
Top Attraction #6
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Provence
This southern region is packed with historical and cultural gems. For more information, .
Top Attraction #7
Kevin Cummins/Apa Publications
Versailles
A magnificent palace every bit as extravagant as its creator, Louis XIV. For more information, .
Top Attraction #8
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The Loire Valley
The elaborate chteaux are icons of romance. For more information, .
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, .
Top Attraction #10
Sylvaine Poitau/Apa Publications
Lascaux
The 17,000-year-old cave paintings in Prigord are the jewels of an area blessed with many prehistoric remains. For more information, .
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-L and on to the D999 south to Villedieu-les-Poles, 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.