Provincial cities of France. France - provinces of France

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 summary on 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 vacation, since a cool breeze from the North Sea almost always blows 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 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 a special place - it is the birthplace of many "quiet" 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 listed world heritage UNESCO. 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, triumphal arch, Montmartre district with the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, Notre Dame Cathedral, or in the common people, Notre Dame, and much more.

Normandy is a northwestern region of 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 pate, so tasting this delicacy can also be included in your itineraries. 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 - 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 centuries-old influence of local waters and climatic features turned into huge water-hewn cobblestones 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 summer time of the year - to relax on the vast sandy beaches of Brittany - it`s a must. The water here is not as warm as on the Cote d'Azur of 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 Saint-Nazaire, where the shipping yard operates.

Among other things, the province is also famous for its historical monuments. This is the Nantes Cathedral and the castle of the 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 Dijon as the administrative center. 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 coast is great for a beach holiday, and many kilometers sandy beaches confirmation of this, resort town 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 famous park Auvergne volcanoes. In addition, it is in this region that the western slope of the Alps with the Mont Blanc peak is located. 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 such cities 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 is currently included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

In addition to the most beautiful seaside towns, the province is famous for its high mountain landscapes, including, but not limited to, the Pyrenees National Park, on the territory of which there are about 14 peaks of 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 like 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 the 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 - Paradise Island in the Mediterranean Sea, was not subjected to 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.

It is very popular with tourists north of France— Normandy. Her main city Rouen is known for the fact that it was here that the heroine of the French people Joan of Arc was convicted and executed. From the former city fortress, the only tower was preserved, where the girl was kept in custody. From there she was sent to Old Market(Vieux Marchais), where they were burned alive at the stake. Now this tower is called the Tower of Jeanne, and a high cross has been erected at the place of execution. The Church of St. Jeanne was built next to it.

Soon after the execution, the girl was rehabilitated, and in 1920 Catholic Church ranked her among the saints.

Rouen has many interesting sights. First of all, this is a gigantic cathedral, the majestic Saint-Ouen Abbey, the Saint-Maclou church, built in the “flaming Gothic” style. Lovers of antiquity will surely like the quarters of old half-timbered houses with walls, the supporting structure of which is sloping wooden beams.

The most interesting natural and historical-architectural object of Normandy is the island of Mont Saint-Michel off the coast of the English Channel. There are very strong tides in this place, the water rises by 14-15 meters twice a day. One can imagine how much work and patience the ancient builders needed to build a powerful fortress and a majestic abbey on the island, which is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

Of great interest to the guests of Normandy is the city of Caen, a huge powerful castle built back in the 11th century by Duke William, the future conqueror of England.

Champagne - the birthplace of sparkling drink

The historical province of Champagne is also very popular with tourists. Firstly, because it houses the city of Reims with its main attraction - beautiful cathedral where for many centuries the coronation of many French kings.

Secondly, it is in this province that the best sparkling wines are produced, known throughout the world under the name "Champagne". Near the town of Epernay in the old catacombs are the largest champagne storage galleries.

Tourists are offered various tours in Champagne, including visits to wine cellars and tasting.

Of great interest are other historical provinces of France: Provence, Burgundy, Brittany, Artois. Each of them is good in its own way and attracts guests.

The provinces of France, like Paris, are also known for their sights, ancient castles, fortresses, gardens and parks, for which you can go on a trip. France has 34 provinces:

Show map

Wherever you go on a journey through the provinces of France, everywhere you will get acquainted with the unique creations of the best architects and artists. The most favorable for tourists are the following provinces:

French Alsace is of particular interest to travelers. It is located a few hours by car from the borders of Austria, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg and Switzerland. Moreover, almost all these countries are united in a single visa area, which allows the guest of Alsace to visit other regions of Europe. Every turn in the winding roads of Alsace...

The peninsular province of Brittany is located in the northwest of France, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. The ocean has a positive effect on the climate of the region, due to which Brittany has rather mild winters and moderate heat in summer. The coast is considered the "golden belt" of Brittany. Mouths, fjords, bays and bays have been formed over the centuries. Here in the Bay of Mon...

The province of Normandy is located in the northwest of the country, near the English Channel. The province owes its name to the Normans, Viking sailors. Here, on the banks of the English Channel, there are prestigious resort cities of France: Deauville, Trouville, etc. The small town of Deauville is considered by many to be an additional district of the capital. Cozy resort located very close to...

Province of Champagne

Champagne is primarily a wine region and one of the the most beautiful places news of northern France. Champagne has been producing wine for over 2000 years. This is the birthplace of real champagne. In the cities and suburbs of Champagne, the most famous varieties of champagne are produced, including Veuve Clicquot, Pommery,...

Province of Provence

Provence is, first of all, the famous region of France Cote d'Azur(Riviera), with such world-famous resort cities as Nice, the famous Cannes, as well as Saint-Tropez and Marseille. The names of these cities are strongly associated with luxurious living. Nice is the capital of the Côte d'Azur, a magnificent resort located in the Bay of the Angels, surrounded by the Seaside...

Province of Languedoc

Province of Languedoc - located in the south of France, on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, it consists of two regions - Lower (flat) and Upper (mountainous). Languedoc has the largest number of cities that are known for their monuments of the Gallo-Roman era. Among them is the city of Montpellier, where you can visit wonderful museums, the oldest Botanical Museum in the whole country...

Burgundy is considered the richest province of the country, a picturesque area among forested valleys and waterfalls. The Jura Mountains rise in the east of the region. The province is filled with architectural and religious monuments. The land of Burgundy in ancient times was inhabited by the Celts. Then came the Romans, who were replaced by the Burgundian Germans in the 6th century, who gave the country its name. She attracts...

Province of Aquitaine

The province of Aquitaine lies in the southwest of France. The region is famous for its vineyards, seaside resorts and ports. The history of the province is rich in eras: Aquitaine was ruled by the Romans, the Visigoths and the English Empire. In the center of Aquitaine is the district of Bordeaux with the capital of the same name. Thanks to Bordeaux, Aquitaine has secured the title of the largest wine-producing...

This northern region, like other historical provinces, lasted until the French Revolution of 1790, and after it all the provinces were dissolved. French territory was divided into departments. The main goal of this change was the need to replace the devotion of the population to the feudal regions with devotion to the central one located in Paris ...

The province of Limousin is located in central France and includes three departments: Corrèze, Creuse and Haute-Vienne. The main fame and attraction of this region and, above all, its main city of Limoges, is the fine production of porcelain, as well as ceramics and enamels. The development of porcelain is associated with Madame Darnay, who discovered such a substance as kaolin in the 18th century. She...

The province of Anjou is located in the northwestern part of the state, it is located in the lower part of the Loire Valley and entirely includes the department of Maine-Loire, as well as some parts of the territories of such departments as Indre, Loire, Maine. The population is about 400 thousand people. The province was named so in part of the oldest Gallic tribe, which was renamed ...

Angoumois is a historical area in the west of France, after the abolition of the provinces, it became part of the department of Charente. The population is 350 thousand people. Angoumua has existed since the 10th century as a county and only in 1308 was annexed to the possessions of the French crown. Then, from 1515, Angoumois was already a duchy and in 1790 became part of the departments of Charente and ...

Flanders is a historical territory that is located on the territory of three modern states, not only France, but also Belgium, as well as the Netherlands. Today, only part of the territory of Flanders is part of France, being part of the Nord department. This department is one of the first departments of France, which were created after the Great French...

Berry is a historical province located in the center of France, once the Duchy of Berry, today it coincides in its territory with two departments - Cher and Indre. The population is over 560 thousand people. The province of Berry is the main breadbasket of France for growing grain, as well as the production of meat, milk and dairy products, and above all cheeses from ...

Guyenne and Gascony is a historical province located directly in the southwestern part of the country in the Garonne river basin. This province, like all the others, ceased to exist after the principle of administrative division countries. Guyenne and Gascony includes 7 departments in full and 6 in part. The population of the province is...

Dauphine is a historical province of France, the territory of which corresponds to the current departments of Isère, Drome, Hautes-Alpes. The province is located in the southeast of France most of located in the Alps and the Rhone valley. The province has a population of two million. Dauphin - since the 12th century, the title of the owners of the counties of Auvergne and Vienois (later ...

Corsica is the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, located 170 km in the southeastern part of the Cote d'Azur of France. The central city is Ajaccio with a population of over 260 thousand people, the main people living on the island are the Corsicans. At one time, the island was under the rule of the Moors, but later it came under the control of the Genoese ...

Picardy is a historical province in the north of France, it includes such departments as Aisne, Oise and Somme. The capital of Picardy is the city of two million - Amiens. It is Picardy that is considered the birthplace of Gothic architecture; here you can see six famous cathedrals. The largest of them is located in Amiens. The region began to be called Picardy in ...

Roussillon is a historical province, which is located in the southern part of France, in the middle between the Pyrenees and mediterranean sea(now the department of the Pyrenees-Orientales). The main city is Perpignan. It was here that the county of Roussillon was located in the Middle Ages, and then this area became the Catalan region of Roussillon. During the Roman era, it was part of a province called...

Orleans is a very famous historical province of France until 1790, but today, for example, such departments as the Loire, Loire and Cher, as well as some territory of the departments of Eure and Loire and part of Yonne are located on its territory. In the past, this territory was owned by the dukes of the Orleans family. The famous river Loire flows through the province. Loire Valley...

Maine is a former province that is located on the territory of the current departments of Mayenne and Sarthe. Its main city is Le Mans. During the time of the Romans, the Cenomanians lived on this land. This is the reason for the name of the province. At one time it belonged to England - Saint Louis gave it to his brother Charles. Then, upon the termination of the offspring of this kind in the 15th century, she ...

Franche-Comté is a historical province located in the east of the country. It occupies three percent of the entire territory of the country. It includes four departments - Doubs, Upper Saone, Jura and Belfort Territory. This is the smallest and ecologically clean province of France. Franche-Comté means "Free County". This name was first...

Foix - historical province of France until 1790, currently forms the department of Ariège. This territory was annexed to France in 1607 by Henry IV. The main city has the same name: Foix. Foix The capital of the Ariège department is Foix, the smallest French provincial capital. It is beautifully located...

general description Ile de France is one of 26 administrative regions France, mostly coinciding with the territory of Paris. Its name literally means "Isle of France", possibly derived from the ancient Frankish expression "little France". At first, in 1961, the province received the name "Paris Region District", but later it was ...

General description CONT-VENESSIN (Comtat-Venaissin), a historical region in the south-east of France, the land around the city of Avignon, a significant part of the department of Vaucluse ( administrative region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur). Since 1274 - as part of the Papal States, in 1791 annexed by France. The county is also known for the fact that between 1501 and 1791 it was...

General description Montbéliard is a historical province of France. The main city is Montbéliard. Actually, sometimes the city is called Sochaux-Montbéliard, since the eastern suburb has long merged with the city, and in some way eclipsed it. Montbéliard is an ancient medieval city, in 1397-1793 it was the center of the German Principality of Württemberg as part of the Holy...

Province of Nice (Fief of Sardinia)

General description Nice is the fifth largest city in France, the second in terms of the number of museums and also the "capital" of the Côte d'Azur in combination. The center of the city is Place Massena, the old quarters of the city are located to the east, the new ones are to the west. Well, the heart of Nice is the central embankment...

Attractions Mulhouse (German: Mülhausen) is the second largest city in Alsace. Mulhouse got its name from the construction of the mill. Here is located a unique airport in Europe, from the building of which you can get to three different countries: Germany, France and Switzerland. In the summer, planes also fly here from Russia. Since then, the mill wheel...

General description Auvergne is a region whose main city is Clermont-Ferrand. The area of ​​picturesque landscapes is famous among tourists who are tired of the beaten paths. You can get to Auvergne from different provinces of France by train, plane, or car. Health tourism is popular among vacationers. thermal springs and therapeutic mud - the basis of wellness ...

Provinces of France

Normandy

Normandy- wonderful seaside resort in the north-west of France, the English Channel coast is only 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 food, visits to horse farms and small farms for the production of cheese and Calvados In June, for 3 days, there is an international holiday 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 it all have a great 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, castles of 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 he spent last years the life of Leonardo da Vinci, and on whose territory he was buried in the church of Saint-Hubert. Historical Center 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. IN coastal zone grow early vegetables. 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). well preserved Old city- Gothic cathedral of the 11th century, Protestant cathedral Saint Pierre le Jeune, 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.

Not far from the Wine Road is the city 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 the 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 austere beauty of the 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 the main city of 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 detailed map 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 coastline with 40 km of beaches;
• 4 peninsulas and 2 islands in the bay of Cannes;
• 80% of the territory - mountain range with 175,000 hectares of forests and 1,000 km of wild 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 walks in the pedestrian and shopping districts of the traditional ancient cities, and to enjoy the unique landscapes of the 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 - tourist destination, which 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, beautiful places for walking and entertainment.

Provinces of France

Normandy

Normandy - a land immersed in the greenery of meadows and washed from the north by the waters of the English Channel, is located in the north-west of France, between Picardy and Brittany. For every Frenchman, this province is associated with the sea, idyllic countryside and rich history. This is perhaps the only province in the country of wine gourmets where the grapes do not ripen, because. lacks sunny days. But 400 varieties of apples grow here, which make it a country of cider and calvados. Such a landmark of Normandy attracts as the road of Normandy cheeses, famous all over the world - Camembert, Livaro, Pont-Leveque - all these names can be easily found on the map, because these are the names small villages and cities in which these cheeses are produced.

The famous abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is the most visited attraction in Normandy. The magical charm of this place will embrace everyone who can see the rising tide against the island against the backdrop of sunset. Every six hours seascape here it changes unrecognizably, in the boiling waves from the bottom, the islands “emerge”, the bottom, decorated with jewels, is exposed, starfish, shells and algae. You can safely forget the clock at home: the rhythm of life in Normandy is set by nature.

Champagne

Champagne is a modest province in northeastern France. An amazing land of small ancient towns and picturesque villages. Champagne is a name known to almost everyone and everyone associates it with fun, celebration, lightness and good mood. The main wealth of this region is vineyards, which occupy about 30,000 hectares. Sometimes it seems that time has stopped here, the inhabitants of the Champagne province revere traditions so sacredly, because any changes in environment can affect the taste or yield of grapes, their main pride and breadwinner. About 262 million bottles of champagne are produced here annually, including not only the world-famous houses of Moet and Chandon, Ruinart and Veuve Clicquot, but also small producers.

The main city of Champagne - Reims, has a very rich history. In 496, the first Christian king of Gaul, Clovis, whom the French call "the father of the nation", was baptized here. In the future, most of the kings of France were crowned here.

In the small towns of Champagne, such as Epernay, one never ceases to be amazed at the size of the marketplaces and the abundance of the freshest vegetables and fruits. In the Ardennes, in the north of Champagne, there is a unique reserve where wild boars, deer, bison, and elks live in natural conditions. The center of the Ardennes - Charleville, is famous for the festival of puppet theaters held here every three years, when for 10 days the whole city turns into an endless performance, in which everyone takes part - visiting artists, locals and, of course, numerous tourists. In the numerous restaurants of this region there is always a large selection of the best champagne, and it is quite inexpensive here.

Brittany

The province of Brittany is a peninsular part of the north-west of France, located between the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel. The geographical location favorably affects the climatic situation, which in summer is with sea notes, and in winter with almost complete absence of snow. Arriving in Brittany, you can stay in a small cozy hotel, walk along the ocean, watching the ebb and flow, bask in the pool with sea water, drink light wine, eat oysters and flirt with the waiters (if you are, of course, the fairer sex).

Since Brittany is close to the water, seafood is in high esteem here. A variety of crabs, lobsters, shellfish, fish of all nationalities abound in local markets, and in a restaurant, you will be asked to point to that tentacle, which after a while will be cooked for you in the best sauce. If Champagne, by definition, is famous for champagne, then Brittany is traditionally cider, and copes with it very successfully. Once upon a time, cider stood on the tables of the Norman rulers, and today sparkling wine collectors always have a separate place in their cellar for this wonderful drink. And all because such apples as in Brittany are not grown anywhere else in the world. They say it's all about the sea breeze...

And in Brittany, the most delicious pancakes in France. They are made from millet flour and are usually served with sweets, jams, chocolate and powdered sugar. Fillings traditional for French cuisine are placed in buckwheat flour pancakes: fragrant leek with sour cream, maasdam cheese and ham.

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 of Strasbourg - "crossroads", Alsace has become a commercial 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, trade and industrial fairs of European scale are held in Strasbourg, as well as numerous exhibitions and salons, which are also of interest to business tourism from Russia.