FRANCE
Capital: Paris
Population: app. 65 800 000
Language: French
Currency: Euro
Religion: Roman-Catholicism dominates (67%)
Useful information:
Country code: +33
Emergency phone: 112
Police: 17
Ambulance: 15
Electricity:
In France electricity is supplied at 220 to 230V 50Hz. Standard European style outlets are in use.
Payment cards:
Master Card and Visa are widely accepted.
French cuisine:
French cuisine is regarded as one of the best in the world. France has a wide selection of dishes, which will delight all palates. Tasty pastries, breads, rolls and croissants are available at all cafes and bakeries. There are over 400 varieties of cheese, and each region of France has its own specialities. In the north, most popular food ingredient is butter, in the south it is olive, while in the southwest, duck and goose fat is used with nearly everything.
Typical prices:
A bottle of water at a supermarket – from 0,15 euro.
A bottle of water at gas stations – from 1,50 euro.
A baguette sandwich – 3-4 euro
Bar of chocolate – 0,50 euro
Bordeaux red wine, 1 liter bottle – 2 euro
Weather conditions:
The climate in France varies widely, due to influences of the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean and mountain ranges. Southern coast France has a Mediterranean-type climate and is warmer than other parts of the country. In the west, the climate is oceanic with a high level of rainfall, mild winters and cool summers. In the area of Paris, summers are warm, and winters are colder and drier than on the coast. Northeastern France has a continental climate, with harsh winters and hot summers.
Places to see:
Paris – There are so many historical attractions in the capital of France, that it is impossible to present them all in a short text. Among must-see sites are the Louvre, the Versailles, the Eiffel Tower, modern district La Defense, and the Hill of Montmartre. Notre-Dame Cathedral lies at the eastern end of the Île de la Cité. It is a magnificent Gothic church, one of the symbols of Paris, and one of the finest cathedrals of the world. In its vicinity there are several tourist sites, cafes, and restaurants.
Lourdes – is a small market town lying in the foothills of the Pyrenees, 40 kilometers southeast of Pau. It is famous worldwide for the Marian apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes, which occurred in 1858. It is in Lourdes where 14-year old peasant girl Bernadette Soubirous, stated that the Virgin Mary appeared to her as many as 18 times. Currently, Lourdes is one of the most popular Marian shrines in the world. In its center there is the Grotto of Massabielle, with a sacred spring. Pilgrims either drink the Lourdes water, or wash in it.
Lyon – a large city and university center, with several tourist attractions. Lyon is famous for its Cathédrale Saint Jean-Baptiste, with a 14th century astronomical clock. Visitors should also see other sites, such as 19th century basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere, Romanesque Basilica of St-Martin-d’Ainay, the Church of St. Irenaeus, with a 5th century crypt. Lyon also has several ancient sites, such as Roman ruins, the Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls, the Aqueduct of the Gier, and the Ancient Theatre of Fourviere.
Bordeaux – an ancient city, with a historic center listed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Basilica of Saint-Seurin, the most ancient church in Bordeaux, is an architectural treasure. Another beautiful church is gothic Basilica of St. Michael, with panoramic view of the city from its tower. Bordeaux is famous for its great wines, the great local vineyards occupy the area of over 280,000 hectares, allowing for production of 57 kinds of wine.
Nice – located on the south east coast of France (Cote d’Azur), on the Mediterranean Sea, is regarded as the capital of the region. Here, the 18th century traditions merge with a modern resort. Nice has a seven-kilometer long boulevard which stretches along the coast. Several ancient churches can be found here, including the Nice Cathedral (Basilique-Cathédrale Sainte-Marie et Sainte-Réparate de Nice), with its dome, covered with thousands of glazed tiles, and the Church of St. Jacques. While in Nice, one should also visit the castle hill, with the ruins of ancient cathedral and castle. In the district of Cimiez there are ruins of an arena, amphitheatre, and thermal baths.
Cannes – a famous coastal town, with the annual International Film Festival. Its Walk of Fame has hand prints of several film stars, such as Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone, Andrzej Wajda, and others.
Saint-Tropez – an internationally known seaside resort, which for most of its history used to be a small fishing village. Numerous celebrities, European and American millionaires, and artists come here, attracted by the beautiful beaches, coast, and cultural heritage.
Monaco – ruled by the House of Grimaldi since the 13th century, is a world famous tourist center. This city-state has clean streets, fairytale gardens, luxury boutiques, with the renowned district of Monte Carlo, one of Europe’s leading tourist resorts. Monte Carlo is home to Prince’s Palace, the Oceanographic Museum, and the Saint Nicholas Cathedral, where Grace Kelly is buried.
