WONDER OF THE WEST FrANCE
*France, in Western Europe, encompasses medieval and port cities, tranquil villages, mountains and Mediterranean beaches. Paris, its capital, is known worldwide for its couture fashion houses, classical art museums including the Louvre and monuments like the Eiffel Tower. The country is also renowned for its sophisticated cuisine and its wines. Lascaux’s ancient cave drawings, Lyon’s Roman theater and the immense Palace of Versailles are testaments to its long history.
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RENDEZ-VOUS AT THE MONT-SAINT-MICHEL
Whether seen from afar or up-close, the Mont-Saint-Michel is a wonder. A mirage. Its reflection in the bay (of the same name) doubles the illusion.
The Mont-Saint-Michel looms dramatically on the horizon, defying the highest tides in Europe. The rocky island topped by an 11th-century Benedictine abbey appears majestic on a clear day and mystifying through the fog.
One of France’s most visited place
Registered a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, the Mount is one of France’s most visited historical places.
2.5 million tourists from around the world travel to the rocky outcrop every year: sightseers eager to discover the mythical town, and pilgrims on a spiritual journey.
For the Mont-Saint-Michel is, above all, a sacred site.
A vision that came into sight
The Mont-Saint-Michel is named after Archangel Michael. The location’s origins can be traced back to a legend that has the archangel appearing in a series of dreams to Aubert, Bishop of
Avranches.
In 709, following the archangel’s demands, Bishop Aubert built a sanctuary on what was then a barren rock called Mont-Tombe.
In 966, at the Duke of Normandy’s request, Benedictine monks settled on the island where they erected an abbey.
Exceptional medieval architecture
The shrine slowly continued to be extended over the centuries.
The Abbey’s church and conventual buildings were built during the 11th and 12th centuries, followed by
the Merveille cloister and refectory from the 13th to the 16th centuries.
Let’s not forget the military ramparts built during the 14th century. The fortification protected the tidal island during the Hundred Years War.
The Mont-Saint-Michel’s development was in itself a miracle. Boat shipments brought granite from the
Chausey islands quarries. The rocks were then cut into blocks and hauled to the top of the Mount.
A religious landmark
The Mont-Saint-Michel remained an acclaimed pilgrimage site over the centuries. The site, along with
Rome and
the Way of Saint James were the most significant pilgrimages of the Medieval West.
In 2001, the Monastic Communities of Jerusalem restored daily prayer and monastic hospitality.
The Mont-Saint-Michel is labelled, quite understandably, one of France’s 13 Villes Sanctuaires (shrine towns).
@ Summer the Mont-Saint-Michel becomes an island
Over time, high tides and human interference caused silt to build-up around the bay. By 2006, the nearly landlocked Mont-Saint-Michel no longer resembled an island.
A project to restore the Mount to the sea was launched in the same year. A new dam designed to gradually sweep away the silt and sand has begun to operate on the Couesnon River. The old parking lot at the foot of the rock has been demolished and moved to a new area near the bridge, on the mainland.
The causeway will soon share the same fate, marking the end of the construction work and the return of the Mont-Saint-Michel to its true island status.
Once the tidal coefficient reaches over 110, the Mont-Saint-Michel is briefly transformed back into an island. The base of the Mount’s outer ramparts then find themselves underwater. The Mount is cut off from any access for pedestrians. The phenomenon only lasts a few hours at a time, but it is a novelty that had not occurred for over 130 years!
THE MONT-SAINT-MICHEL MUST-SEES
- Enjoy the panoramic view of the Bay and the Mount from the elegant viewing platform of the new bridge (and take advantage of your time there to discover the new dam).
- Climb the steep Grand Rue, the village’s main (and only) street, and the ramparts.
- Wander in souvenir shops and restaurants.
- Visit museums such as the Mont-Saint-Michel historical museum, or the Maritime and Ecology museum.
- Discover the Logis de Tiphaine, the historical house of Sir Bertrand du Guesclin, the 14th century Knight and constable of the King’s army, and his wife, Tiphaine, a famous astrologer.
- Contemplate the magnificent Saint-Pierre church and the Maison du Pèlerin (Pilgrim’s House).
- Marvel at the architectural treasure that is the Abbey, and the surrounding gardens.
- Let the singing voices of the monks mesmerise you during daily church services.
- Admire the breathtaking view of the Bay from the top of the Mont-Saint-Michel.
- Cross the Bay at low tide with a tour guide. Crossing the Bay alone is dangerous and prohibited. Shifting sands and turning tides claimed the lives of numerous pilgrims in the past, hence the nickname: Mont-Saint-Michel-au-Péril-de-la-mer (Mont-Saint-Michel at the peril of the sea).
- Delight in the amazing Archeoscope show, a multimedia experience that will take you back to medieval times
RENDEZ-VOUS IN PARIS REGION
THE REGION AROUND PARIS THE "CITY OF LIGHT"
The Ile-de-France region offers a unique and ideal backdrop for any vacation: from the
Eiffel Tower and the
Notre-Dame to the
Moulin Rouge, the emblematic monuments of Paris rival the châteaux, landscapes, forests and valleys of its surrounding areas.
Admire the fantastic view over the rooftops of Paris from the steps of the
Sacré Cœur in
Montmartre, or from the top of the
Arc de triomphe, from the 5th floor of the
Centre Pompidou, or even from the top of the Montparnasse Tower or the roof of the “Grande Arche”. Ile-de-France is filled with destinations that are ideal for visiting with friends or family. Famous sites throughout the region, outside of Paris, include
Disneyland Paris,
France Miniature, the
Musée Grévin waxworks museum, the
City of Science and Industry, and the
Jardin d'Acclimatation. From the
National Museum of Archeology in Saint-Germain-en-Laye to the
Château de Versailles, the region is filled with French history.
FRANCE COMBINES NATURE AND RELAXATION
From the
National Park in Saint-Cloud to the
Forest of Fontainebleau, to the
Jardin du Luxembourg, the
Jardin des Tuileries and the tranquil
Buttes-Chaumont , the Ile-de-France region combines nature and relaxation.
Four regional natural parks offer all the charms and diversity of the Ile-de France countryside.
See Ile-de-France through the eyes of painters: the
Château d'Auvers-sur-Oise or the
Island of the Impressionists will transport you straight into the landscapes that have been immortalized by
Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet, Daubigny and Pissarro. This pictorial discovery will lead you to some of the top museums in the world, such as the
Louvre and the
Musée d'Orsay.
IIE-DE-FRANCE PRODUCESA VAST NUMBER OF GOURMET PRODUCTS
Paris boasts nearly 70 Michelin-starred restaurants and a vast number of prestigious establishments.
Typical brasseries serve French classics such as steak-frites and pommes parisiennes (Parisian potatoes), as well as more elaborate "bistro" style dishes. If you want to grab some food on the go, opt for a traditional simple
baguette sandwich with ham and butter from any boulangerie, and enjoy a picnic on a bench in one of the many parks.
The Ile-de-France region produces a vast number of gourmet products: Houdan poultry, lamb from Ile-de-France, as well as Parisian mushrooms and cress from Méréville. The local cheeses (
Brie from Meaux, Melun or
Coulommiers) rival the fantastic desserts of the region, such as the
Paris-Brest praline pastry,
chouquettes or Cream Puffs
and
colorful macarons. There are also many recipes made with peppermint from Milly or cherries from Montmorency.
The Agricultural Fair in Paris brings together all these specialties, as well as many others from all over France. You can also find these local specialties at the
International Cheese and Wine Fair in Coulommiers, at the
National Ham Fair and Fleamarket or at the
Fair in Corbeil-Essonnes.
A PLETHORA OF DIVERSE EVENTS
Paris- Ile-de-France hosts more than
700 events per year: festivals, concerts, exhibitions, performances, fairs, sporting events and more. The city is constantly showcasing innovate modern and contemporary artworks as well as ancient and classical art within the many cultural institutions, from museums to galleries to the opera house to theatre houses.
Some of the top events that enliven the streets of Paris annually include the
Tropical Carnival,
Techno Parade,
Gay Pride parade, and
Nuit Blanche festivities. Other festivals, such as
Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés Festival and the
Foire Saint-Germain showcase the city’s village-feel, which the capital has retained over the years. Numerous events and music festivals give Ile-de-France its rhythm:
Banlieues Bleues Festival, Solidays, Rock en Seine, and more.
Ile-de-France invites you to share in the thrills of many great sporting events: the
Hermès Show Jumping at the
Grand Palais, the
Roland-Garros tennis tournament, the finish line of the
Tour de France on the
Champs-Elysées and the final of the
Top 14 rugby at the
Stade de France.
MODERNITY IS EVERYWHERE
Alongside the existing iconic monuments, many new sites have emerged: the Arab World Institute, the ‘First Arts’ Museum of Quai Branly, the film library, the City of Music, the Great Arch of Defense, the Opera at the Bastille, the François Mittrand Library (at the heart of a new district), “Docks en Seine”: the Cube at Issy-les-Moulineaux, the Cathedral of the Resurrection at Evry, the Grand Stadium of France at St. Denis, and the Museum Mac/Val at Ivry-sur-Seine.
Rendez-vous in Provence
In the South of France, between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, sits a region of light and vibrant color.
Just three hours by TGV from Paris, the sky here is azure and the sun shines. In
Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur, the sea is at your feet and the Alpine peaks are just a few hours away by car.
The Mediterranean will gently rock you in its sapphire waters
From the
Calanques of Marseille to the port of
Saint-Tropez, via the harbor in
Toulon, the islands of Hyères and the Port-Cros National Park,
the Mediterranean will gently rock you in its sapphire waters.
The Ecrins National Park, the
Queyras Natural Regional Park, the
Maures mountain range, and the Lubéron reveal a maze of paths and tracks ideal for hiking and walking. Head for the
Gorges du Verdon or the waters of
Durance for canoeing, rafting and other white-water sports. In wintertime, the ski resorts of the Alps in the High Provence area – including Orcières, Serre-Chevalier, Sauze/ Super Sauze, Le Dévoluy, La Grave, and la Meije – offer all kinds of snow sports, from snowboarding to luge, to skiing, snow kiting and snowshoeing. In summer, the mountain lends itself to hiking, climbing, and via ferrata.
Explore the history of the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur region
In the shadow of the
Palais des Papes, discover
Avignon. In Marseille, the
Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la Garde watches over your visit. From the
Roman Arena in Arles to the
Vauban City in Briançon, to the
château des Baux in Provence, explore the history of the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur region. At the
Granet Museum (which has a marvelous view of the Mountain of St. Victor), follow Picasso, Matisse, Cézanne or Van Gogh and share their fascination with the light and the landscapes of the region.
PROVENCAL CUISINE
As for the cuisine, the contrast is striking between the hearty mountain dishes (including
gratins dauphinois,
ravioles,
rissoles, and
creuzets d’Ecrins) and the light, perfumed dishes of Provençal and Mediterranean cuisine (
ratatouille,
aioli,
pesto,
bouillabaisse,
bourride) that put a healthy dose of sunshine onto your plate. On the sweet side, try the honey, calissons (candy made from almonds and melon), chocolate mendiants and quince paste. The aperitif is a big part of local culture in Provence. Try a pastis or a cold glass of one of the local wines (
Châteauneuf-du-Pape,
Côtes-de-provence,
Rasteau,
Bandol). You will find these products, as well as olive oil, in the markets of Provence.
cOLOURFULL TRADITION'S
The
Corso in
Cavaillon, the
Easter Feria in
Arles and the "Pilgrimage of the
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer are events that proudly highlight the colorful traditions of
Provence and
Camargue. The
Chorégies d'Orange classical music festival,
the Avignon Festival, the
International Lyric Art Festival of Aix in Provence, and the
Festival in Ramatuelle attract culture vultures and art lovers from all over the world
