Festivals of France

It’s hard to beat the experience of arriving in a small French village, expecting no more than a bed for the night, to discover the streets decked out with flags and streamers, a band playing in the square and the entire population out celebrating the feast of their patron saint. Apart from Bastille Day (July 14) and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (August 15), there are traditional folk festivals still thriving in Brittany and the remote rural regions of the south, as well as a full calendar of festivals devoted to films and to music from jazz and folk to rock and classical.

Catholicism is deeply ingrained in the culture of French rural areas, and as a result religious feast days still bring people out in all their finery, ready to indulge once Mass has been said. Most of these occasions, along with the celebrations around wine and food production, are very genuine affairs. Other festivals, based for example on historical events, folklore or literature, are often obviously money-spinners and shows for municipal prestige - not something to go out of your way for.

One folk festival that is definitely worth attending is the Inter-Celtic event held at Lorient in Brittany every August. Another annual event with deep historical roots is the great gypsy gathering at Les-Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer in the Camargue. Though exploited for every last centime and, in recent years, given a heavy police presence, it is a unique and exhilarating spectacle to be part of.

Bonfires are lit and fireworks set off for Bastille Day , for the Fete de St-Jean on June 24, three days from the summer solstice, and for the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on August 15. Mardi Gras - the last blowout before Lent - is far less of an occasion than in other Catholic countries, although the towns on the Cote d’Azur put on a show at great expense and in questionable taste.

Normandy France

Home to Normandy beach, Normandy France is a distinct region on the northern coast of France. Famous for the D-Day landings of June, 1944, Normandy France is home to a large history of invasions and battles, dating back to the Vikings in the 9th century. Overall, Normandy France is a historic and picturesque region, with stunning architecture, sweeping sea vistas, and rolling green fields dotted with farmhouse and cows.

While on holiday in France start in Rouen, an ancient, inland town with superb medieval buildings and museums. Nineteen-year-old Joan of Arc was burned here in 1431. A church, the Eglise Jeanne d’Arc marks the spot and contains 16th century stained glass windows. Medieval half-timber houses still line certain cobblestone streets. Rouen’s Cathedrale Notre-Dame hosts France’s tallest spire, rising 490 feet in the air. Claude Monet frequently pained the cathedral.

Next, head to Honfleur, a fishing port on the coast, for excellent sea food, and the charming coastal atmosphere. Then continue your holiday in France in Deauville, an elegant resort town, where Hollywood elites like to vacation. If Rouen didn’t make it evident, the expansive flower fields near Deauville should add meaning to Monet’s paintings.

After the coast, poke inland to Bayeux to see the famous Bayeux Tapestry, a 225 foot embroidered scroll, depicting the swash of William the Conqueror as he ascends the throne of England. From Bayeux, Normandy beaches–the D-Day beaches–are a scant 10 miles. Maps of the beaches are available at tobacco and news stands. These are a popular stop during a holiday in France. Port Winston features a fabricated harbor of cement caissons sunk in the bay. The Musee du Debarquement details information about the port. English tours available. Longues-sur-Mer features massive German artillery cannons, designed to hit targets 12 miles away. They are still in place today. Along Omaha Beach a memorial marks the site of an American cemetery. There are more cemeteries to visits, including the American Military Cemetery, Commonwealth Military Cemeteries, Canadian Military Cemetery, and the German Military Cemetery. Pointe du Hoc includes a memorial to the US Army Rangers who secured an artillery point, and fought off the German forces for two days. Many companies offer bus tours of Normandy beaches.

Lastly, don’t miss the beautiful seascape at Mont-St-Michel bay. A granite wall stands 264 feet high, leaving a lasting impression on visitors, as they gaze out into the bay. Normandy is a picturesque portion of France, with vast history, and a solemn atmosphere. There are plenty of quiet, charming towns to explore, historic churches and buildings, artistic stopping points, and of course, the D-Day beaches, all making Normandy France an exciting area for a holiday in France.

Seine River: France

The Seine River flows 480 miles through France, from Dijon in the alps, northwest to Le Havre, cutting Paris in half on its journey. The division in Paris gives the city distinct, geographic division, with monuments and quarters being designated in relation to the Seine River. The Eiffel Tour, Hotel des Invalides, and the Musee d’Orsay are on the south bank. While the Louvre, Grand Palais, and Concorde can be found on the north bank. Notre Dame Cathedral, the place du Parvis Notre Dame, and the Ste-Chapelle are found in the center of Paris on the Ile de la Cite (Island of the City) in the middle of the Seine River.

A Seine cruise is an excellent way to experience the river, view the banks of Paris, or relax in the countryside of France. Several monuments in France are viewable from the waterway winding through the city. Many outfits in Paris offer a Seine cruise, and outside of Paris, the Seine flows 480 miles through France, there are opportunities for France cruises. A travel agent can help you book a Seine cruise as part of your France holiday, or you can search the internet for “France cruises,” or “Seine Cruise.”

Other noteworthy stops on a France vacation include Marseille, south of Paris, with its charming street markets, old port, and historic sections. Stout supporters of the revolution, Louis the XIV built two fortresses on the port, with guns facing the city. In addition, France’s national anthem is called La Marseilles, named from the soldiers chanting the tune as the marched to Paris. Normandy is an historic area of France. Home to the D-Day beaches, as well as many charming and picturesque towns. Joan of Arch was burned in Rouen, an ancient, inland town with superb medieval buildings and museums. Mont-St-Michael bay contains a beautiful seascape, with a 264 feet granite wall. The French Rivera is a great stop on a France vacation.

It has a plethora of jet set towns including Nice, Cannes, and Saint Tropez. With an abundant yacht culture, many France cruises head out from ports in the French Riviera. Of course, the most famous of French towns is Paris. Paris is a center for museums, restaurants, monuments, and shopping. The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre museum, and Notre Dame cathedral all reside in Paris. Bordeaux is home to amazing French wine and Lyon is a historic and well located metropolis, perfect for blitzing into Switzerland, Italy, and the Alps. Plenty of cities make a great France vacation.

Places to see in France

Paris can be visited by metro and on foot, and visitors will find an abundance of points of interest. Notable museums include the Centre Pompidou, the Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay. Notre Dame Cathedral is well worth visiting. There are a number of ways to experience the river Seine, the lifeline that runs through France’s capital and has defined its character for centuries. There is enough in Paris to spend an entire vacation in that city alone… but it would be a shame not to see more of France!

The Mont Saint Michel-an island abbey on the border between Normandy and Brittany-is a spectacular sight. It is basically a tiny city built upwards on an island capped by the spire of a beautiful abbey. As the tide ebbs and flows, everything around the island (except the roadway leading to it) is periodically submerged. In Normandy one can visit the D-day beaches where allied troops began their liberation of France and defeat of the Nazis. Brittany, France’s north-westernmost region is greatly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel. One point of interest there is Saint Malo, a fortified port-city. Although most of it was destroyed by and reconstructed after WWII, it retains the charm of a proud city from long ago.

Anyone who’s ever enjoyed a glass of champagne will want to visit the city of Epernay in the Champagne region, where Dom Perignon perfected the beverage into the one we prize today.

The Loire Valley is an excellent destination to see many of the castles for which France is famous-from the fortresses of the middle Ages to the palaces of the Renaissance. The vibrant city of Lyon has outstanding museums, an active cultural life and is one of France’s gastronomic capitals.

The French Alps offer world-class skiing in winter and hiking and warm weather sports in summer. (more…)

Getting around in France

By car

France has a well-developed system of highways. Most of the freeway (autoroute) links are toll roads. Some have toll station giving you access to a section, others have entrance and exit toll stations. Don’t lose your entrance ticket or you will be charged for the longest distance. All toll stations accept major credit cards but you can use the automatic booth only if your card is equipped with a chip.

Policemen sometimes read your ticket at the toll station to see how long you took since joining the autoroute: (as of 2005) they are not allowed to use that info to give you a speeding ticket. On the other hand, be aware that there is a new automatic photo-radar system that is being implemented throughout France. For the moment, this system is most commonly found along major highways, and near major cities, but it expands quickly. Large brown rectangular signs warn when you are entering an automatic photo-radar area.

A few tips about photo-radar area:

If you find that the average speed of other (french) cars is surprisingly lower than five minute before, then you must have entered such an area.
Policemen may install mobile photo-radar system. You’ll be warned but the sign is much smaller than for permanent area.
Your speed may also be controlled virtually anywhere, without warning. In such a case, you’ll be directly intercepted and fined if you committed a speeding offense. Very often, these controls are less strict than photo-radar: for example, if the speed limit is 110 km/h, you will be intercepted only if you exceed, say, 120 km/h. Note that this is just a common tolerance and NOT a general rule. Do not rely too much on it!

When not otherwise specified, the speed limit is 130 km/h on turnpikes (motorways), 110 on divided highways, 90 km/h otherwise and 50 km/h in city areas. In wet conditions, these limits are reduced to, respectively, 110 km/h, 100 km/h, 80 km/h and 50 km/h. In case of snowy/icy conditions, or under heavy fog, the speed is limited to 50 km/h on all roads.

As of october 2005, the typical fines for speeding are:
<20 km/h above limit: 68Pound Sterling (90Pound Sterling in city area), 1 demerit point ;
20 to 50km/h above limit: 90Pound Sterling to 250€, 2 to 4 demerit points ;
>50km/h above limit: 1500€, minimum 6 demerit points.

Drink driving is a very serious offense. The tolerated limit is 0.50g/L in blood, being above this limit is thus illegal and can entitle you a fine up to 750Pound Sterling and 6 demerit points. If you are found above 0.80g/L, or if you refuse to pass the test, the fine may reach 4500Pound Sterling followed by an immediate withdrawal of your driving licence.

All passengers are required to wear their seat belt and children under 10 must use the back seat (fine 135Pound Sterling per persons not wearing a seat belt, 1 demerit point if the offender is the conductor)

Unless clearly posted on the road you are using, you are supposed to yield to any vehicle coming from your right from another public thoroughfare. (more…)

Getting in France

Passport and Visa

France is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Agreement. European visa policy will be covered in the article about the EU. In brief, a visa to any other signatory state of the Schengen Agreement is valid in France too. No visa is required for citizens of other EU member states, and those of some selected nations with whom the European Union or France have special treaties. Inquire at your travel agent or call the local consulate or embassy of France.

Also, there are hardly any border controls between France and other Schengen Agreement nations, making travel less complicated. However, sometimes cars and buses are stopped at borders or at the first toll-booth after entering the country.

Malaysian or Indonesian citizens visiting France for holiday will not need a Visa.

By plane

The main international airport, Roissy - Charles de Gaulle (CDG) near Paris, is likely to be your port of entry if you fly into France. CDG is the home of Air France (AF), the national company, for practically all international flights. AF and the companies forming the Skyteam Alliance (Dutch KLM, AeroMexico, Alitalia, US Continental, NorthWest and Delta Airlines, Korean Air use Terminal 2 while most other foreign airlines use Terminal 1. A third terminal is used for charter flights.

Tranfers to another flight in France : AF operates a few national flights from CDG, but mostly out of Orly, the second Paris airport. For transfers within CDG you can use the free bus shuttle linking all terminals, train station, parking lots and hotels on the platform. For transfers to Orly there is a (free for AF passengers) bus link operated by AF. The two airports are also linked by a local train (RER) which is slightly less expensive, runs faster but is much more cumbersome to use with heavy luggage. AF has agreements with the SNCF, the national rail company, which operates TGV’s (see below) out of CDG airports (some trains carry flight numbers). The TGV station is located in Terminal 2 and is on the route of the free shuttle. For tranfer to Paris see Paris. (more…)