France Trivia: Total area 551 000 square km - about the size of Texas! ... 973km long and 945km wide. Population of France is 60 185 831...Paris alone has 2.2 million people! France has over 400 quality Golf courses, 5500km of coast line & 100 000km of road networks 9% of the country is nature reserve and has 7 national parks France offers the world's largest ski area... A total of 91 resorts in 5 mountain areas ...69 in the Alps alone!. One boasts 650kms of groomed slopes and 200 lifts - the size of 6 of largest American resorts put together and all accessible with one ski pass.

Climate:
France has the benefit of a temperate, rather agreeable climate.
Continental France is divided into four climatic zones:
- Oceanic and humid climate with often cool summers to the west of a line from Bayonne to Lille;
- Semi-continental climate with harsh winters and hot summers in Alsace, Lorraine, along the Rhône corridor and in the mountainous massifs (Alps, Pyrenees and Massif Central);
- Intermediate climate with cold winters and hot summers in the north, and in the Paris and central regions;
- Mediterranean climate with mild winters and very hot summers in the south of France.

The first thing to do is decide on how you plan to travel around France

Car Rental - Car Lease
If you are travelling for under 30 days and starting and ending in France, we recommend car rental. For a choice of 5 companies, click on http://www.drivetravel.com/carrent/france.shtml. If you feel the need for speed - may we suggest the Ferrari M575 Maranello F1 or the Lamborghini Murcielago, perfect for summer driving... If you'd like a bit of style, we strongly recommend the Bentley Continental T440. For details click on http://www.drivetravel.com/carrent/luxury/index.phtml#2

For those longer trips we recommend car leasing. So what's the difference between renting and leasing you now want to know? In a nutshell - car leasing is a tax free scheme initiated by the French government to encourage tourism and it works very well ! You are 'buying' the car and then 'selling' it back - all at a predetermined price and it includes everything - comprehensive insurance with NO excess.

There is no charge for additional drivers and no young drivers surcharge. The longer you take it, the cheaper it becomes. Ideally, pick it up and return it in France. The cars can be delivered to other countries and you pay a set price for this. Incidentally, travelling to Eastern European countries is often a big no-no with car rental companies. With car leasing, you can take the vehicles to a variety of Eastern European countries eg. Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic etc. The downside is that leasing is only available to non EU citizens. For details on car leasing click on http://www.drivetravel.com/carlease/index.shtml
There are 3 companies authorised to sell car leasing and we, exclusively, represent all 3.

Motorhome - RV - Campervan - Camper  Another way of seeing France would be by motorhome and this offers terrific value - especially for families. Points to consider here would be: The luxury of only having to pack and unpack once!! The savings to be had by preparing your own simple breakfasts, packed lunches and dinners. Restaurant meals, 3 times a day over an extended period can become a bit boring and heavy on the wallet! Shopping for your own groceries allows you to experience the true ambience of a country, chatting to locals and sampling local delicacies...not to mention great wines! . Again you have the freedom to choose your own itinerary and timetable and even better, you don't have to worry about finding accommodation. You have it all in one.

Trains - Rail
Trains are also a good way to get around. The most famous would be the Trains a Grande Vitesse, more commonly known as the TGV. They started in 1981 and serve more than 150 cities throughout France through to Italy and Switzerland. The new kid on the block would be the superfast, sleek Eurostar, speeding through the 31 mile long Channel Tunnel at 185 miles an hour & joining Britain and France . If you plan to do quite a bit of European train travel - consider a Eurailpass. Eurailpasses are valid for 10, 15, 21 days or one or two months in France and 16 other countries. You get several categories of Eurailpass. If you only wanted to travel in a limited number of countries, ie 3, 4 or 5 countries, the Eurail Selectpass would be a better idea. If you do buy a Eurailpass, you qualify for other travel related bonuses like free or reduced cost ferry crossings, museum entry, bike rental etc. One tip though - if departing from France... ensure you are using the correct station. Some cities have 2 or more stations.
If you would like a quote for a Eurailpass...just send us an email... sales@drivetravel.com

Canal Boat - Canal Barge - River Cruise
You can also travel in France by boat. As the largest global canal boat wholesaler, we offer you a choice of 8 self skipper companies in France and a choice of 2 companies that provide crewed and catered cruises. Self drive barging or cruising is lots of fun. No license is required and boats are available for 2-12 passengers. It really is a terrific bonding time for families or just a great time for a group of friends. The boats are very comfortable and most boats have en-suites and comfortable cabins. Bbq's , fishing rods and outdoor deck furniture complete the picture. Bicycles can be ordered so you can cycle along the towpath whilst the boat cruises alongside.

Just imagine... picnics under the trees, wandering alongside the canals, fishing, exploring the picturesque countryside, visiting chateaux, farms and the world famous vineyards, sipping that glass of wonderful French wine as the sun sets.... You are completely free to choose where you wish to spend the night.. tie up to a tree anywhere along the canal, river or in a marina. Cook your own dinner from produce you buy at local markets or dine out at one of the hotels recommended in our handbook. You set the pace - take is slowly or be active and adventurous ...walking, biking, sunning yourself. A lot of fun and a social time is had when going through the locks. Chat to the lockkeeper and the locals and compare notes with fellow cruisers.
A holiday that will be fondly remembered for years.... Click here to see details: http://www.canalboatholidays.com/canalboat/europe.shtml .

You will also see our current boating specials on http://www.canalboatholidays.com/special/index.shtml#CANALBOATS

If you would prefer to relax completely and have everything done for you, consider our hotel barges. Your floating barge hotel is furnished with every modern comfort. The finest gourmet cuisine is prepared by your on-board master chef, complemented by a wide array of fine regional wines and an open bar. And, of course the experienced and knowledgeable crew is there to attend to your slightest need. A European Waterways Voyage includes accommodation, all gourmet meals aboard and ashore, Champagne welcome, open bar, excursions and admittance fees, use of bicycles and other facilities such as sauna, spa pool/jacuzzi and fitness room. Far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life, our all-inclusive hotel barge vacations offer a unique opportunity to travel in comfort without the strains of unpacking and packing, whilst enjoying a balanced blend of daily excursions and fascinating cruising. For details click here http://www.canalboatholidays.com/canalboat/european/index.shtml or email your address details and we will mail you a brochure.

Accommodation
Now that you know how you will travel ... you need a place to stay. We offer an open dated voucher programme. Choose from over 350 quality hotels located in all scenic regions of France offering excellent cuisine and comfortable rooms with en suite. Continental breakfast is also included. The hotels are principally of 2 or 3 star standard most are family owned and have distinctive charm and character.

If you would prefer something more relaxed without the formality of a hotel - consider our Bed and Breakfast programme. All 300+ B&B properties have been selected for their quality. The welcoming hosts are eager to share their homes and local knowledge with international visitors. The B&B's are located in the provincial areas and in the heart of the French countryside. These are offered on a Go As you Please basis and can be pre-booked online although a full colour illustrated accommodation directory is provided when the passes are purchased. Currently we are offering a 10% discount on these vouchers when purchased with another product from our website. Ask for details.

Sightseeing
Now that you have your transport and accommodation organised...
here are some sightseeing suggestions: Museums and Monuments
The towns and regions of France have all sorts of museums and monuments for the visitor.
Museum opening times vary, but please note that municipal museums are closed on Mondays, and national museums are closed on Tuesdays (except the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, which is closed on Mondays).
Usually they are open from 10.00am to 7.00pm. Some large museums have late-night opening on Wednesdays or Thursdays.
You can also consult the website of the centre for national monuments to find out about 200 monuments to French heritage…
www.monum.fr or go to www.rmn.fr to find out about the 33 national museums across France.
In Paris the Musées Monuments card will help you gain entry to a number of sites: valid for 1, 3 or 5 days, it gives you free access, direct and unlimited to 70 museums in Paris and Ile-de-France.
They are available from the Paris Tourist Office, metro stations and from the sites themselves.

Another great resource is http://www.chateaux-france.com where you can search for chateaux, castles, manors, abbeys, fortresses and luxury private mansions throughout France by name or region.

If you have a particular area of interest, France will be sure to have the answer! If you are interested in history you will be particularly thrilled. Over 20 historic routes criss cross France from end to end and are thematically titled. No less than 27 natural and cultural French sites are classified as "World Heritage Sites" by UNESCO. ...You can also find routes dedicated to famous people, monuments or artists. There are also Tourist routes, Military routes, Industrial Heritage, Historical chateaux and residences etc. There are also 'Tourist Routes' devised by the tourism committees of particular regions. The Route of 1000 Lakes sounds particularly delightful.

Tips, Tricks and Links:
Are you under 25? Get an International Student Identity Card and you qualify for reductions more or less everywhere - cinemas, theatres, museums and student restaurants. If you are not a student, but still under 25 - get the Go 25 card from the Federation of International Youth Travel and you can get a wide range of discounts. The tourist info office on the Camps Elysees particularly caters for travellers under 25.

There is usually a toll for motorways. To find out everything about toll charges, service stations, rest areas, restaurants, filling stations, and hotels along your route, and for details of your journey click on http://www.autoroutes.fr/index.php?lng=2

To get info on driving directions, traffic conditions, aerial photos, campsites etc click on http://www.mappy.fr