How many provinces are in France. Historical regions in France and their tourist flavor

Since 2016, there has been an administrative redistribution of regions in France. Instead of the usual 22 regions, there are now only 13 metropolitan regions and 5 metropolitan regions on the map. overseas territories. Administrative reforms affected only the metropolis, overseas regions did not undergo administrative changes.

Regions of France on the map:

Leokand/wikipedia

So, according to the 2016 version of France, the regions of France include: Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardy; Alsace-Champagne-Ardennes-Lorraine; Ile de France; Normandy; Brittany; Lands of the Loire; Centre-Loire Valley; Burgundy-Franche-Comté; Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes; Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes; Languedoc-Roussillon-Sud-Pyrenees; Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur; Corsica, as well as 5 overseas territories.

Today in our article we will offer a short guide to the sights of the united regions of France. Administrative centers, top places, cultural and natural monuments - all this in a brief overview of the updated regions of France.

Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardy

This is the northernmost province of France, formed from 2 pre-existing regions - Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardy. The administrative center is Lille, the largest city in the region. The north of France is, for the most part, industrial areas, many historical sites were destroyed here during the Second World War, this area is considered the most affected, and therefore you will not often meet tourists here.

Nord-Pas-de-Calais is a wonderful example of northern European nature, the province has access to the sea, more precisely, to the famous English Channel, and the shores are sheer cliffs and wild beaches, where you can hardly swim or sunbathe (average temperature air in summer rarely rises above +20C, +22C), but this does not make the nature of the area less attractive.

Preserved in the region, although relatively few, historical sights. To see the beauty of Northern France, it is enough to drive through such towns as Calais, Lille, Dunkirk, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Arras, Cambrai, Merlimont, etc.

Picardy, as part of the newly formed region, in turn, boasts its opal coastline (as opposed to the Cote d'Azur) and the presence of a large number of historical attractions, including the famous palaces in Compiègne and Chantilly. The coasts of both provinces, which are part of the new region, are more suitable for surfing and kiting than for family vacations, as cool breezes from the North Sea almost always blow here.

Alsace-Champagne-Ardennes-Lorraine

Among the newly minted regions of France 2016, this region has undergone some of the biggest changes. Previously, these were 3 northeastern provinces - Alsace, Lorraine and Champagne-Ardenne, now united into one, but having completely different cultural, natural and economic characteristics.

Alsace has long been famous for its culinary, wine-growing and architectural features. The region has been influenced by neighboring German lands for many years, which is why so many border, mixed Franco-German traditions have been preserved here. For example, the basis of Alsatian cuisine is pork and stewed cabbage (largely influenced by German cuisine). In winemaking, Alsace also occupies its own special place- This is the birthplace of many "still" wines, such as Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Sylvaner. The architecture of Alsace is known throughout the world thanks to such preserved cities of Northern France as Strasbourg and Kalmar, where Gothic traditions and typical South German half-timbered buildings are intertwined.

Champagne-Ardenne is the birthplace of the very sparkling wine that we now call by name French province- champagne. There are many wine and gastronomic roads that attract gourmets from all over the world. Troyes, Reims, Langres, Châlons-en-Champagne, Charleville-Mezieres, Verzy and others are among the cities with an excellent gastronomic reputation.

Lorraine also retained some of the German traditions, since more than once during the devastating wars in Europe it joined Germany. The main cities are Metz and Nancy. Many cities and historical buildings were damaged during the Second World War, but the surviving monuments are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. From Lorraine came such famous French figures as Joan of Arc, Henri Poincaré and Emile Durkheim.

Ile-de-France is the central region of France with the capital in Paris, after the reform it remained unchanged. Ile-de-France is one of the most densely populated provinces in France, despite its relatively small size (only 2% of the country's total area). In addition to Paris, Ile-de-France includes its nearest suburbs - Fontainebleau, Rambouillet, Versailles. All these places are considered favorite tourist attractions, because royal palaces, gardens, extensive park areas and even royal forests.

Paris itself is considered one of the most visited capitals in Europe, the tourist flow to this "city of love" is consistently high, largely because a huge number of cultural and historical attractions are concentrated here, including the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Montmartre district with the Sacré-Coeur Basilica , Notre Dame Cathedral, or in the common people, Notre Dame, and much more.

Normandy - north western region France, with access to the sea. Before the reform, it was divided into Upper and Lower Normandy. Provincial capital - historical city Rouen, famous for its late Gothic cathedral, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Normandy is famous for its maritime history, and the rugged cliffs of the Norman coast have long been a tourist attraction for their Nordic beauty and extraordinary natural monuments(as, for example, rock formations-arches in the town of Etretat), as well as thanks to human efforts and efforts (the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel, which can only be reached at low tide).

Normandy is also a “cheesy” region. It is here that the famous varieties of Camembert cheese are produced. Here in Normandy there are many gastronomic "cheese" roads, which are so loved by gourmets all over the world. In addition, Normandy is also considered the birthplace of the famous foie gras pâté, so tasting this delicacy can also be included in your gastronomic tours. And if you consider that the famous mushrooms - truffles - are also grown in Normandy, then the province can be safely called a "gastronomic paradise".

Alex Ranaldi/flickr

Brittany is the western region of France, which also has access to the sea and is washed on one side by the English Channel, and on the other by the Bay of Biscay. The administrative center is the city of Rennes. Brittany is rightfully considered the oyster-farming capital of the world, there are entire oyster parks and farms, so when you arrive in Brittany, first of all go to local markets, where every morning fishermen bring a huge amount of fresh seafood, just caught from the sea.

There are probably no bright historical sights in Brittany, but there are more than enough natural ones, and they are all connected with the sea. For example, going to the coast near the town of Plumanak, you can observe an amazing phenomenon - the coast of pink stone. These are the so-called calanques, which, under the influence of centuries-old local waters and climatic features, have turned into huge cobblestones, hewn with water, of amazing pale pink or powdery color. From natural unique phenomena Also standing apart are the Karnak megaliths, which have been stored near the village of Karnak for 3 millennia. They were carved and processed by the pre-Celtic peoples of Brittany, about whom little is known.

To enjoy the local flavor, head to such top places in Brittany as the towns of Saint-Malo, Dinant and Dinard - the largest number of historical and cultural attractions have been preserved here. And of course, in the summer, relaxing on the vast sandy beaches of Brittany is a must. The water here is not as warm as on Cote d'Azur Middle-earth, but the water temperature is quite comfortable. And after low tides, which happen here quite often, shells remain on the sand, which both adults and children love to collect.

Jean-Luc Bailleul/flickr

Lands of the Loire

The Pays de Loire region is located in the west of France, has access to the sea, the coast overlooks the Bay of Biscay. The administrative center is the city of Nantes. The region is known for its salt production (salt plantations on the coast), as well as for its seaport of Saint-Nazaire, where a shipping yard operates.

Among other things, the province is also famous for its historical monuments. This is the Nantes Cathedral and the castle Breton dukes in Nantes, and the medieval castle in Angers, and the city cathedral and the ruins of the ancient walls of the fortress in Le Mans. Well, the Vendée is a historical museum at all. open sky. A certain attraction in the region is also beach holiday, the coast along the Bay of Biscay stretches for more than 150 km, the beaches here are sandy, and the entrance to the water is gentle, there are frequent high and low tides, in summer the climate and water temperature are quite comfortable for swimming. Unlike the neighboring region with a similar name - the Center-Loire Valley, the Loire Lands do not have such a large number of ancient castles and palaces on their territory, but there are also "little masterpieces" here, for example, Chaumont-sur-Loire castle, Saumur castle Brissac Palace.

Arnaud Fraioli/flickr

Center-Loire Valley

Center-Loire Valley is a region that has not undergone administrative changes during the reform and has remained within its former borders. The region is known all over the world thanks to the castles of the Loire Valley, the most visited of which are Amboise, Chambord, Chenonceau, Cheverny, Blois, Chartres, Chinon and others. In total, about 300 large and small palaces and castles are located on the territory of the province. The region has no access to the sea, but it runs along, perhaps, the main river artery of France - the Loire River. The administrative center of the region is the city of Orleans.

Cathedrals and castles are the main attractions for which tourists flock to the Loire Valley, and this is not surprising, because most of them are so unique that they are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main starting points are the towns of Blois and Tours, from which it is most convenient to go on a tour of the castles and palaces of the Loire Valley.

Campus France/flickr

Burgundy-Franche-Comté

The states of Burgundy and Franche-Comté merged in 2016 as part of an administrative reform, with administrative center became Dijon. The region is located in the north-east of the country and borders Switzerland, has no access to the sea, the climate is continental.

Burgundy gained its fame thanks to Burgundy wines, it is here that vineyards are grown, and then the famous wine is created. The wineries of Burgundy are considered the top wineries in the world, and there is also a "wine road", popular among wine connoisseurs. These routes include, for example, the Grand Cru, which passes through 33 of the most famous distilleries in Burgundy. In addition to wine production, Burgundy is also famous for its architectural monuments. Many Romanesque and Gothic buildings have been preserved here. There are a large number of castles and fortresses in these styles in Burgundy.

Franche-Comté is a region that has developed relatively autonomously throughout its history and has therefore retained its inherent identity in such cases. The nature of the region, its historical sights and gastronomic delights - all this, to a certain extent, is authentic in Franche-Comte. Of the must-see sights, one can name the top of the Vosges, natural Park The Upper Jura, Lake Vouglans, the royal saltworks, the fortress of Besançon and much more, while gastronomic must-eats include Comte cheeses, yellow wine, Montbéliard sausages, morel pie, Jura fondue.

Olivier Duquesne/flickr

Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes

This region has undergone the most changes since the 2016 reform. In one region, 3 provinces were united at once - Aquitaine, Limousin and Poitou-Charentes. The region is located in the southwest of the country and has access to the sea, the coast overlooks the Bay of Biscay. The administrative center is the city of Bordeaux in Aquitaine. The region is considered the largest after the unification of the provinces.

It is here that the so-called "Silver Coast" (as opposed to the Cote d'Azur) is located, stretching for 300 km along the Bay of Biscay. The climate here is quite changeable, ebbs and flows often occur, but in calm summer days the coast is great for a beach holiday, and many kilometers of sandy beaches are proof of this, and the resort town of Biarritz has already gained its steady popularity.

The region of Aquitaine, in addition to its extensive coastline, is also famous for its Bordeaux wines, which have exceptional properties due to the local climate. And the eponymous city of Bordeaux has excellent architectural traditions, many objects have been included in the list of protected by UNESCO. In addition to Bordeaux, Arcachon, Bayonne, Pau, Mérignac are considered cities with a rich heritage. The Poitou-Charentes region is famous for its cognac and oyster farming, while the Limousin region is famous for its goat cheeses.

dynamosquito/flickr

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes

The southeastern region of France was transformed from two provinces - Auvergne and Rhone-Alpes. This is a mountainous province where ecological tourism, since it is here that several regional and national natural parks of France are located, including the famous Auvergne volcano park. Moreover, it is in this region that western slope Alps with Mont Blanc peak. The provincial capital is the city of Lyon.

The historical part of Lyon is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main attractions of the city can be considered the Cathedral of Saint-Jean, the Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-Fourviere, Bellecour Square, as well as 27 bridges, which are also architectural monuments of the city. In addition to Lyon, Grenoble, Saint-Etienne, Chambéry, Annecy are considered to be major cities in the region that store cultural attractions. Each of them has medieval castles, cathedrals, basilicas, which annually attract a large number of tourists.

Ghislain Mary/flickr

Languedoc-Roussillon-Sud-Pyrenees

This region is considered the southernmost in France with a Mediterranean mild climate on the coast and a cool highland in the Pyrenees. The province was recreated from two administrative entities - Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrenees. The administrative center is the large French city of Toulouse. In addition to Toulouse, the province includes cities such as Montpellier, Nimes, Beziers, Perpignan and others, but the medieval city of Carcassonne is considered to be the pearl, which has been preserved for many centuries in an almost untouched state and on this moment included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

In addition to the beautiful seaside towns, the province is famous for its high mountain landscapes, including but not limited to the Pyrenees National Park, which contains about 14 peaks. different heights(more than 200 meters). The most visited places in the park are the picturesque valleys of Luz, d'Or and Neuviel, Cotret, Osso, Azun, Asp. In addition, there are more than 200 lakes in the park.

Renaud Camus/flickr

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

The most resort of all regions of France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur was not affected by administrative changes and remained in its former composition. The administrative center is the maritime port city of Marseille.

The region became famous due to its natural and climatic conditions. Located on the Mediterranean coast, the region has such world-famous resorts as Cannes, Nice, Antibes, Menton, Saint-Tropez, which are proudly called the French Riviera. Besides, lavender fields Provence and the buffy canyons of the Alps are also a powerful incentive to visit these places. Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Avignon, Toulon and other Provencal cities have preserved a lot of historical and cultural heritage, and the natural attractions of the Verdon Gorge, national park Mercantour and french alps are unique and one of a kind. The region is also home to such traditional French gastronomic delights as Bouillabaisse, Ratatouille and the Tropisien cake. The region is located in the southeast of the country, and on average from Paris you can get to the administrative center - Marseille - in just over 3 hours.

Corsica is a paradise island in the Mediterranean Sea, which has not undergone administrative changes due to the isolation of the territory. It is famous for its sea and mountain landscapes, and is also the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. The main cities of the island are Bonifacio, Corte and Calvi. The coast of the island is framed by beautiful azure waters on the one hand, and coniferous forests and small mountains on the other. The main attractions of the island are natural - bays, bays, forests, mountains and calanques scattered along the coast. Dilapidated historical sights have also been preserved in the city. Since the region is underdeveloped compared to other French provinces, the restoration of cultural and historical buildings and construction here is weak, but the exceptional beach holiday on the island pays for the absence of other attractions.

Historical provinces (historical regions) are 39 territories into which the Kingdom of France was divided until March 1790. After the French Revolution, the state was divided into departments in order to strengthen the power of Paris and reduce the role of provincial centers.

The historical names of the provinces of France are currently used by geographers, historians, archaeologists and ordinary French people.

A province in France is also called a country, since the same laws apply on its territory. If a common set of laws existed for several provinces, then one of them was part of the other. For example, the province of Bresse was part of Burgundy.

Historical provinces of France with their capitals

1. Ile-de-France with the administrative center of Paris;

2. Languedoc (Toulouse);

3. Poitou (Poitiers);

4. Dauphine (Grenoble);

5. Normandy (Rouen);

6. Provence with the center - Aix-en-Provence;

7. Angoumua (Angoulême);

8. Bourbonnet (Moulin);

9. Lyonne (Lyon);

10. Mulhouse, free city;

11. Burgundy (Dijon);

12. Anjou (Angers);

13. Champagne (Troyes);

14. Auvergne (Clermont-Ferrand);

15. March (Here);

16. Artois (Arras);

18. Berry (Bourges);

19. Fua (Fua);

22. Maine (Le Mans);

23. Picardy (Amiens);

24. Hainaut and Flanders with the administrative center - Lille;

25. Lorraine (Nancy);

26. Limousin (Limoges);

27. Franche-Comté with its center in Besançon;

28. Roussillon (Perpignan);

29. Nivernais (Nevers);

30. Corsica (Ajaccio);

31. Comte-Venessen fief of the Papal States;

32. Savoy (fief of Sardinia);

33. Alsace (Strasbourg);

34. Touraine (Tour);

35. Nice (fief of Sardinia);

36. Bearn (Poe);

38. Montbéliard fief of Württemberg;

39. Brittany (Rennes).

The most famous of them are Ile-de-France, Bordeaux, Alsace, Provence, Champagne, Burgundy, Corsica, Normandy, Nice.

There are currently no divisions into provinces in France. Modern - these are 96 departments with a population of 500 thousand to 1 million people. By the way, the names of the historical provinces of France have been preserved and are actively used both in scientific literature and at the household level.

Historical areas in France, the most attractive for tourism development

All French provinces have their own flavor, each of them is attractive for tourists.

Those who are interested should definitely visit (the historical province has the same name), where everyone can satisfy their curiosity and replenish historical knowledge.

Fans of culinary tourism should visit the historical regions of Provence and Champagne in France. In these areas you can taste the most delicious French cuisine, the famous French cheese and wines.

For active sea recreation visit the French regions of Aquitaine, Brittany, Nice. These are typical resort historical areas in France, which provide all the services for a comfortable stay on the Mediterranean coast.

History lovers should visit the provinces of Burgundy, Normandy, Bordeaux, Paris.

For lovers ski holidays- Pyrenees and Alpine provinces.

Provinces in southern France

All southern historical provinces (regions) of France belong to the resort regions: Nice, Corsica, Provence, Toulouse, Avignon. In these areas, you can combine a pleasant holiday by the sea with exquisite French cuisine.

There is a well-developed service and tourism infrastructure. These historical regions of France are the most attractive for most tourists.

Northern Historic Regions of France

The northern territories of France are famous ski resorts and historical tourism to the places of the main historical battles. The northern province of Lorraine is known for many military battles. There are a huge number of memorials and monuments in honor of historical events.

The northern regions in France, Dauphine and Savoy, are the Alps, where world-famous ski resorts are located.

Central provinces of France

The central territories of the country are attractive for lovers of quiet types of recreation.

Auvergne is a historical region in France, which is famous for its picturesque landscapes and health tourism at thermal springs.

The province of Limousin and the city of Limoges are known for the production of porcelain, ceramics and enamel. Limousin is also called the center of green or rural tourism.

Berry Province is a center for rural and culinary tourism. In addition, a huge number of monuments of medieval art have been preserved in Berry. This place is very popular among the French: people often come here for weekends and holidays.

Province of Île-de-France

The historical region of France, coinciding for the most part with the territory of Paris. Ile-de-France means "Isle of France". In 1961, the province bore the name of the region", but in 1976 it was renamed in honor of the historical province - Ile-de-France. 90% of the region's territory is occupied by Paris. - 12 million inhabitants, this historical region is the most densely populated in France. Most of population of Ile-de-France - Parisians.

This is one of the most interesting regions France. Despite its "north-western" location, there are many resorts and places of interest for tourists. The French themselves love to relax here, and they already have a good choice ...

Long coastline, with varied terrain, including sandy beaches. Windy, but mild, without frost and strong temperature fluctuations. Natural conditions conducive not only to relaxation, but also to treatment. Ancient history preserved in the form of wonderful cities - Dinan (Dinan), Vannes (Vannes), Vitre (Vitre), Josselin (Josselin), Brest (Brest), Quimper (Quimper), Auray (Auray) ...

Here you can just relax by the sea, and sometimes swim; commit sea travel to the islands to fish; ride a bike and surf, walk along beautiful hiking trails... The most famous resort places: Dinard, Cancale, La Baule, Perros-Guirec, Erquy...

Provence

Provence amazingly combines romantic traditions and amazing, rapidly changing modernity.

Hilltop villages, colorful towns, chateaus and fishermen's houses, lavender fields and, it seems, calanques are not repeated anywhere else in nature... Rosé wine and bouillabaisse soup... Cezanne and Van Gogh...
Summer festivals of theaters and classical music... The oldest city in France, Marseille, contrasting like the whole province as a whole ...

Franche-Comte

The Franche-Comté region is the ideal place for those who want to spend their holidays, or part of them, enjoying the beauty of unspoiled nature and all its gifts.
Valleys covered with forests, mountains, rivers that cannot be counted, waterfalls together create unique landscapes of amazing beauty.

The province includes the departments of Doubs, Jura, Haute-Saône and the Territory of Belfort. More than half of the territory of Franche-Comté is covered with forests. The Jura region is home to famous ski and nature resorts...

Southern Pyrenees (Midi-Pyrenees)

This french region we also call Midi-Pyrenees and Midi-Pyrenees (and its real name is Midi-Pyrenees). It is the largest of the provinces of France. It is located between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. In France, and not only there, it is often referred to under the magical name "province where they live well."

Tourism is very developed here. This is facilitated by amazing natural conditions - mountains, caves, lakes... There is a large national park and ski resorts...

Rocamadour in the Lot department is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the French Republic...

Alsace

All the roads of Europe meet in Alsace.

This province is located on the west bank of the Rhine between two mountain ranges. This is the "German" region of France, which affects its cultural differences, historical sights and modern look. It even has its own holidays that are not celebrated in the rest of France.

There are a lot of sights that a tourist should see here. First of all, it is worth visiting the cities of Strasbourg, Reims ...

Auvergne

Auvergne - a province of mountains and hills; forests, rivers and valleys, sometimes called the secret treasure of France.
With the exception of the capitals of the Clermont-Ferrand region, they hardly know what the bustle of the city is. And it seems that time here flows more slowly, if not completely stopped its run. In Auvergne you can get acquainted with the good old and friendly France...

The Auvergne Mountains form the base of the entire French Massif Central. Here is the largest ancient volcanic area in Europe. Scientists say volcanoes sleep while they sleep... But underground volcanic activity continues, which is manifested in in large numbers hot springs. Volcanoes National Park is among the top tourist attractions...

Provinces of France

Normandy

Normandy- a wonderful seaside resort in the north-west of France, the English Channel coast is just 2-3 hours from Paris. The region is famous for its cheeses (Camembert, Livaro), Calvados apple spirit, cider (apple kvass) and horses (75% of thoroughbred French horses are raised in Normandy). Claude Monet at Giverny(70 km from Paris), Rouen- the city of Joan of Arc and 100 bells (125 km from Paris) and Caen - the city of Guillaume the Conqueror with a castle of the X century (240 km from Paris). For entertainment: golf, horseback riding, swimming (on the Atlantic coast - sandy beaches , private beaches are extremely rare), good kitchen, visiting horse farms and small farms producing cheese and Calvados. In June, an international holiday is held for 3 days balloons in the castle of Balrois of the 15th century. It also houses a balloon museum. Lower Normandy consists of three departments: Calvados, Manche, Orne. Regional center - Kan.
Upper Normandy consists of two departments: Eure, Seine-Maritime. The regional center is Rouen.

Deauville became famous resort as early as the end of the 19th century. It is the closest seaside resort to Paris (200 km - 2 hours by car) and hosts the American Film Festival, the World Polo Championship and the largest horse auction in France. Deauville has everything for a wonderful holiday: limitless sandy beaches, casino, hippodrome, thalassotherapy center, gastronomic restaurants, luxury hotels and villas. Trouville- an old fishing village that has existed since the time of the Vikings. Resort in the continuation of Deauville. It has a casino and a thalassotherapy center. Honfleur- a small, picturesque port town with an ancient wooden architecture, which inspired many impressionist artists, 220 km from Paris, 10 km from Deauville. Mont Saint Michel- an abbey built between the 11th and 16th centuries on a granite, impregnable rock protruding from the sea, and rightfully considered the eighth wonder of the world. The Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is located 450 km from Paris.

Rouen - Dieppe - Le Havre -

Loire

Loire located in the center of France and world famous for its castles and wines. In addition to the "Road of castles and wines", with its historical museums, locks French kings and wine fairs, you can visit snail farms and wine cellars, take a helicopter ride over the entire region, go golf or horseback riding.

Loire entertainment calendar:

July - Festival in Tours dedicated to the Loire, theatrical and musical performances on the banks of the Loire;
mid-July - late August - costumed historical performance with fireworks;
on Fridays - gastronomic market in Tours 16.00-22.00.

Tour- the city, founded in the 1st century BC, has retained its medieval face: houses, churches, Saint-Gasien Cathedral (founded in the 4th century AD) and Saint-Julien of the 13th century. Visit: museum fine arts 17th century wine museum of the Loire Valley, the ruins of the Cathedral of Saint-Martin, Place Gragoire de Tours and Place Plumereau, surrounded by houses of the 15th and 16th centuries. The city of Tours is located 240 km from Paris, 1 hour by direct train. Amboise. The city of Amboise was founded in the III century AD, belonged to different royal dynasties. Famous for its castle, built by François I, in which Leonardo da Vinci spent the last years of his life, and on the territory of which he was buried in the church of Saint-Hubert. The historic center of Amboise can be visited either on a small train or in a harnessed carriage. It is also worth seeing the Collagiale Saint-Denis Cathedral (wonderful stained-glass windows) and Clos-Lucq Castle - Leonardo da Vinci Museum.

Brittany

Brittany- a huge peninsula in the north-west of France, between the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel. Thanks to the ocean, the climate here is mild, maritime, without large temperature fluctuations. There is practically no snow in winter, and in summer even the heat is accompanied by a light refreshing breeze.

History of Brittany. People inhabited Brittany as early as the 8th millennium BC. Many monuments of the megalith era have been preserved here - parking lots, burial mounds ... In the 5th century. BC. the peninsula was conquered by the Celts, who left a noticeable mark on the history of Brittany (the international Celtic festival, held annually in the city of Lorient, is the largest in the world). During the heyday of the Roman Empire, Brittany was one of the Roman provinces. After the collapse of the empire, the Bretons settled the peninsula, driven out by the Saxons from british isles. From the 9th to the 16th centuries, Brittany was independent, and only in 1532 did the region become a French province.

Brittany cuisine. basis national cuisine are seafood - lobsters, langoustines, crabs, various types of mollusks and fish. Among flour products, a special place is occupied by pancakes (crepes), which differ from our pancakes in the absence of yeast. The most popular alcoholic drink in Brittany is cider. Like grape wines, cider has its own bouquet and color scheme depending on the year and place of production.

Brittany- a historical region in the extreme north-west of France, located on the Brittany peninsula. The area of the province is 35.3 thousand km2, the population is 3.3 million people. (1968). Main city, capital of Brittany - Rennes. The territory of Brittany is part of the departments of Ile and Vilaine, Côtes-du-Nor, Finistère, Morbihan, Loire-Atlantique. The first 4 departments form the official economic region of Brétignes. The basis of the economy is agriculture, employing over 30% of the economically active population, while industry employs about 25% (1962 census). Animal husbandry (cattle and pigs) plays the main role. Significant crops of cereals and potatoes; herbage. Horticulture, which is associated with the traditional production of cider. Early vegetables are grown in the coastal zone. Fishing. Industry (mainly shipbuilding, fish processing and industries related to the processing of agricultural products) is concentrated mainly in coastal port cities - Nantes, Saint-Nazaire, Lorient, Brest, Concarneau, Saint-Brieuc; in Rennes - automotive industry. Tourism is developing.

Brittany got its name from those who settled it in the 5th-6th centuries. Britons who fled Britain from the Anglo-Saxons. At the end of the 8th century the Bretons recognized Charlemagne as their overlord, but by the middle of the 9th century. freed from vassalage from the Franks. In 845-849, an independent Breton duchy (or kingdom) was formed. After the devastating Norman occupation in 919-937, Brittany was reborn as a duchy (from the end of the 10th century, the capital of Brittany was Rennes). In the XI century. the feudal fragmentation of Brittany intensified; in 1040-1223 there were devastating "baronial wars". From the 2nd half of the XII century. until the end of the thirteenth century. Brittany is a vassal of the English kings, then a vassal of the French kings. In 1491 a personal union was established between Brittany and France, in 1532 Brittany was finally annexed to France and became one of its provinces. The province of Brittany retained its provincial states until the French Revolution. In 1675, a major peasant uprising broke out in Brittany, caused by a heavy tax burden. During the French Revolution, Brittany was divided into departments.

Aquitaine

Aquitaine - one of the four Roman provinces of Gaul, later attached to the Frankish kingdom and famous for centuries for its wines. Bordeaux- the fifth largest city in France, the capital of wine, founded by the Romans next to the vineyards. Bordeaux is a city with well-preserved architecture: the Cathedral of St. Andrew of the 11th century, the Roan Palace, the ancient theater, the wine museum. Biarritz- founded in the XII century, one of the most fashionable world resorts, a vacation spot for many celebrities and royal families. Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie were fascinated by this place on the seashore in the Basque country and built their residence here. Bayonne- medieval city near Biarritz, soul and heart French country Basques. In Bayonne you can see wonderful tall half-timbered houses, you can visit the famous St. Mary's Cathedral, Roman arenas, a botanical garden...

Alsace

Located in the very center of Europe, Alsace occupies a unique geographical position. Just a few hours by car along magnificent highways separate you from Germany, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg - countries that have signed the Schengen agreements on a single visa area, as well as from Switzerland and Austria.

Justifying the name Strasbourg- crossroads Alsace became a trading crossroads and one of the leading centers of business life in France and Europe. It ranks first among the regions of France in terms of exports. There are more than 30 thousand small and medium-sized enterprises in Alsace, many of which have started fruitful cooperation with Russian colleagues. Alsace is also attractive for foreign investors. More than 800 foreign companies are already based here. Twice a year, in spring and autumn, Strasbourg there are trade and industrial fairs of European scale, as well as numerous exhibitions and salons, which are also of interest to business tourism from Russia.

Strasbourg. Over the centuries, the capital of Alsace changed its homeland several times. Strasbourg has belonged to France since 1918 (except for the period 1941-1944). The well-preserved old town is the Gothic cathedral of the 11th century, the Protestant cathedral of Saint Pierre le Jeune, the Museum of Fine Arts with a rich collection of the 15th century.

One of the sights of France ran through the picturesque valleys and mountains of Alsace - the famous Wine Road, 170 kilometers long, especially famous for its selected white wines Gewurztramminer, Sylvaner and Muscat.

Close to wine road the city is located Sulz, where the family castle of the barons Dantes is located. By visiting the local museum, you will turn over the pages of Pushkin's history one by one. After all, it was from here that young Dantes left in search of a happy fortune, and here, after a duel in 1837, he returned, but not alone, but with his wife, Ekaterina Goncharova, sister of the brilliant Natalie Pushkina.

As you continue your journey, you will discover Alsace as a land that keeps centuries-old historical traditions. Here, on the famous hill of St. Odile, the patroness of Alsace, you can see with your own eyes the preserved grottoes of the mysterious priests of the forest - the Druids and buildings of the Celtic era. This is one of sacred places Alsace, which keeps the memory of the miraculous healing of the blind daughter of the Duke of Etignon (VII century) Odile, who founded a monastery here and later became the patroness of Alsace. This monastery is still a place of pilgrimage, and in the picturesque foothills there is still a spring with water, which, according to legend, heals eyesight.

On the way to Strasbourg, stop for a while and in a small but very colorful town called Saverne. Saverne is immersed in greenery, shading the strict beauty episcopal palace, not far from which a real miracle awaits you: a rose garden. Here you will see about 7,000 roses of more than 450 varieties of this elegant creation of nature.

Lorraine

The history of this small province is filled with events that mattered to the whole of France. Lorraine is a field of numerous battles that has seen the victories and defeats of the French people. There was not a single century in the history of France that there was no war here in Lorraine. During its history, this territory many times passed from the hands of France to Germany.The ancient capital of the Dukes of Lorraine and main city the current French province - Nancy. For 5 centuries, from the 13th to the 18th century, it was the residence of the Dukes of Lorraine. Nancy one of the most elegant and beautiful cities France. Many beautiful monuments have been preserved here. One of the main and calling card The city is a peculiar ensemble of Quarry squares, Royal and Stanislav square, surrounded by a magnificent forged lattice by Jean Lamour. Stanislav Square is the heart of the city. Today Nancy is a large administrative, legal, university, commercial and industrial center.

And here small town Domremy can only be found on a detailed map of Lorraine. But it was he who was honored with the glory of becoming the birthplace of the national heroine of France at the beginning of the 15th century - Joan of Arc, which is also called the Maid of Orleans. During the Hundred Years War, she, a 16-year-old girl, led the struggle of the French people against the British. The town even preserved the house where the D "Arc family lived. Now it is the house-museum of Jeanne. There has not been a century that no military operations took place in Lorraine. One of the peculiar echoes of the war is the famous Maginot line, which still does not saved the French from a German invasion in World War II.

Long industrial glory Lorraine were coal and non-ferrous metallurgy. However, after World War II, a qualitative modernization of the entire economy took place, and today such giants as Citroen and Renault work here. Lorraine, or rather the coal capital of the province of the city Forbach is the birthplace of the famous Patricia Kaas. A star of international magnitude is the daughter of a miner. Countrymen idolize her and consider her theirs. But the biggest jewel in the crown of Lorraine is, of course, the center of the world-famous crystal products in the city. Baccarat.

The historical traditions of glassblowers and crystal craftsmen have retained their characteristics to this day. The local soil is the most saturated with lead, which makes it possible to make excellent crystal - No. 1 in the whole world. Finished products are carefully screened. The smallest grains of sand, cracks, color - everything matters. Only the most perfect are selected. Crystal engraving is a special art. In the skillful hands of an engraver, a crystal product becomes unique, because the master breathes his soul into it. The city has a crystal museum: chandeliers, vases, bottles, goblets are an extraordinary performance. For example, a chandelier with candlesticks - a participant in the world exhibition of 1855, has a height of 5 meters. Unique crystal products cost a lot of money and are a welcome and happy acquisition for any collector.

Cote d'Azur

French Riviera extends from Toulon to the Italian border through Cannes, Nice, Monaco and Menton. The Cote d'Azur covers an area of 4300 km2 with drops from 0 to 3143 m above sea level.

The Azure Coast is:

120 kilometers of coastline with 40 kilometers of beaches;
4 peninsulas and 2 islands in the bay of Cannes;
80% of the territory is a mountain range with 175,000 hectares of forests and 1,000 km of turbulent rivers.

The resorts of the Cote d'Azur are flooded with sun for more than 300 days a year. You will always find a corner to your liking - both for walking in the pedestrian and shopping districts of traditional ancient cities, and for enjoying unique landscapes exotic French Riviera in its gardens and parks.

Tourist infrastructure

Cote d'Azur has everything you need to organize a good rest:

well-developed network of motorways, automobile and railways connects it with all major cities of France and Europe;
Nice International Airport. Côte d'Azur ranks first among the province's airports (even ahead of Marseille) in terms of the number of destinations served and the number of passengers (7 million per year);
the hotel industry mainly consists of luxury hotels (among them 77 4 * hotels) and hotel residences (providing 44,000 beds).

Cote d'Azur- a tourist destination that is open all year round due to the attraction of world-famous cultural events:

Cannes International Film Festival (May)
Carnival in Nice (February),
Lemon Festival in Menton (February).

Sun-drenched beaches, ancient towns on steep cliffs - the Cote d'Azur gives you a wide palette of landscapes, the most beautiful places for walks and entertainment.

The regions of France are subdivided according to cultural identities that have developed over the centuries. The modern regional division is based on the provinces of the French crown.

Central regions of France

Loire Valley

The center of France, the Loire Valley is a living history book. It was here that the main historical events of the country took place, and all the major castles of the region, such as Chambord and Langeais, keep the stories of their inhabitants. The major cities of the Loire Valley, Orleans, Nantes and others are also famous for their role on the battlefield of history. And the Loire Valley itself is on the lists of cultural heritage of UNESCO.

Burgundy

The lands of Burgundy are traditionally referred to as the wine regions of France. Here everything is built around wine and winemaking, and it is for this reason that tourists come here. And in Burgundy there are many ancient castles. Although they are privately owned, most of them are open to tourists. The capital of the region is Dijon, where the food industry is actively developed, especially the production of mustard.

Southern regions France

Aquitaine

Aquitaine is a land where there is truly everything. A long sandy coast, once called the Silver Coast, man-made, but no less beautiful Landes Forest and many historical monuments preserved from the turbulent past eras. Bordeaux with its wines and coastal cities with its seafood, ancient castles and many museums, souvenir shops and farms where you can buy famous cheeses. The border with Spain brought here a part of the culture of the Basque Country, which gave Aquitaine a very special flavor.

Corsica

A hot and colorful island, independent and original, which gave the world one of the greatest dictators. Three quarters of the island is occupied by wild, untouched nature. Here you will find forests, waterfalls, poppy fields and ponds of all colors of the rainbow. And also - about 300 kilometers of beaches. The city of Bastia is the sea gate of Corsica, and in Calvi, according to legend, Christopher Columbus himself was born. Now the city, which once did not surrender to Admiral Nelson himself, is a famous resort.

Cote d'Azur

The French Mediterranean coast is the famous Riviera, with its magnificent seaside resorts, beloved by celebrities from all over the world. Festival, annually gathering cinema stars. - worldwide famous resort, which gathers many tourists on its beaches. Romance and sophistication, the flair of the sea coast - all this is the Cote d'Azur. And here is the city of Grasse with its perfume factories, where Coco Chanel once created her perfume.

Languedoc-Roussillon

Languedoc has retained its special way of life ever since its opposition to the French crown. And now the region has a great wine industry, cheaper, but no less quality than in Burgundy and Bordeaux. The local beaches are no less good than on the Cote d'Azur, but much cheaper. They are popular with hitchhikers and tent rest. For example, the resorts of Argelet-Plage or Saint-Séprien-Plage, surrounded by a campsite. In addition to beaches, Languedoc is famous for its mountain slopes, which tourists love to walk on.

Auvergne and Limousin.

These regions are famous for their natural park of volcanoes. Here, frozen lava was mined for facing churches. There are also thermal springs in the region, for example, those that provide the work of the world famous balneological resort.

In the Auvergne, art lovers are attracted by the world's largest short film festival in Clermont-Ferrand and the unique street theater festival in Aurillac.

Limousin is dominated by local production. Porcelain and enamel from Limoges, tapestries from Aubusson, lace from Brioude and cutlery from Thiers are known throughout Europe.

Provence

Provence is one of the most beautiful places in France. There are rocks, and an incredibly turquoise sea, and the famous lavender fields, and tiny pastoral villages. It’s good to just walk here, peering at the landscapes for a long time and discovering more and more new places. And the city with its harbors is well known to everyone who has read or watched The Count of Monte Cristo.

Poitou - Charente

This region on the Atlantic coast is famous for its ancient fortresses and monuments of the French military history. There is a fortress here, the siege of which is described in The Three Musketeers. Close to the fortress is Maritime Museum open air. And on the islands of Aix and Re there are other military monuments and lighthouses. Nearby is the famous Fort Bayar.

Coastal cuisine is renowned for its sophistication. In Poitou - Charente you can try snails, mussels roasted on pine needles and a variety of goat cheeses. Well, the name of the city Cognac speaks for itself. The capital of the region, the city of Poitiers, is famous for its parks and architectural monuments.

Rhone - Alps

First of all, the region is known for its Alpine resorts. Fashionable and coexist here with the more popular with the general public and. And in summer, skiing and snowboarding are replaced by mountain biking, paragliding and hiking.

The local thermal resorts are also known: Aix-les-Bains, Evian-les-Bains, Thonon-les-Bains. The region is famous for its rivers and lakes.

South - Pyrenees

The region is famous for its mountains and caves, which create a unique relief and amazing beauty edge shape. There are thermal springs that have been operating since the time of the Romans. For example, in Luchon. And the capital of the region is the famous Toulouse.

Northern regions of France

Brittany

The most picturesque seaside region, covered with legends, is worthy of a separate trip. Almost all along the coast Atlantic Ocean here are seaside resorts. A set ancient ports recalls the historical events that took place in Brittany. historical center region is the city of Brest.

Île de France

This name hides the region adjacent to. All museums and galleries of the capital and its environs are open to its guests.

Normandy

Normandy is famous for its architecture. Many churches of amazing beauty have been built here, preserved for centuries. The region is simply designed for a meditative relaxing holiday. After all, it is here that the famous Alabaster Coast is located.

Picardy

There are many Gothic cathedrals in Picardy, for example, in the city of Lane. The region is famous for its chalk plateaus and a considerable number of original open-air museums.

Champagne - Ardennes

It is the most sparsely populated region in France. And it is also the birthplace of champagne, the best varieties of which you can taste right on the trip. Among the sights of the region are the Sedan fortress, the Charles de Gaulle memorial and natural parks Ardennes and Eastern Forest. The coronation city of Reims is also located here.

Alsace and Lorraine

These territories have been a stumbling block in Europe for a long time. Lorraine is bordered by three European states- Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. There are many architectural monuments, and in the Cathedral of Metz stained glass was created by Marc Chagall himself.