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Official language: French
Time zone: UTC+2
(summer),
UTC+1
(winter)
Currency: Euro (EUR)
When during sightseeing of Marseille you will fancy some small snacks, look for a stand, where chestnuts are roasted. They are sold in paper bags. Attention! Hot.
The oldest district of Marseille looks a lot like a small, Provence town. Go there for the best souvenirs – hand-made jewellery or cheeses that smell of spices.
Sailing to the port, it is impossible not to notice a huge stripped church. The cathedral la Major was built in the 19th century. The elevation is made of Florence green stone, onyx and white marble.
A port city established by Greeks already around 600 year B.C., through centuries has grown to be one of the biggest in the country. As the gate of France, Marseille was hosting travellers incoming on ships from different sides of the world. This multiculturalism can be observed till today – both in everyday life, as in the complicated history of the city.
Your friendship with Marseille start from a visit in the old port, which today serves as harbour for private yachts. In nearby buildings there are located all institutions, that a city of that times needed to efficiently function. Take a walk through port district and try to feel the vibe of old, harbour town. And when you get tired, you can rest in one of the seaside eateries with a view for the harbour.
South from the old port, on a hill, you can visit the basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde. And though from the harbour the road is less than 2 kilometres long, consider if you want to make it on foot. Apart from distance, you also have to take 120 metres of altitude. And in the sizzling sun it can be really an expedition. It is best to travel as citizens of Marseille do – rent a scooter and feel wind in your hair.
What was the best way to efficiently defend a castle? Building it on an island. Potential intruders could be seen from afar. On such an island – named If, a castle was erected, near shores of Marseille. What is unique in it? The fortress from the 16th century, whose job was to defend access to the port, quickly had become a prison, as escape from there was quite impossible. Detained there were count Mirabeau and marquis de Sade. Aleksander Dumas also placed in this prison a fictional character – count Monte Christo.
When you get hungry, in the port district taste bouillabaisse, fish soup. If you like such favours, try also other Provence fish soup, that is mixed before serving. It is served with baguette, that need to be torn into pieces and thrown onto plate.
Official language: French
Time zone: UTC+2
(summer),
UTC+1
(winter)
Currency: Euro (EUR)
In the famous sommelier school, i.e. Ecole du Vin, even wine lovers can take part in a few-hour long or weekend course. The prices are affordable for tourists.
The seaside town of Arcachon has the largest moving dune in Europe, Du Pyla and a lagoon, which is a natural environment of wild oysters.
At the turn of May and June, on the banks of the Garonne, there are two grand festivals taking place: Bordeaux Fête le Fleuve (festival of the river) and Bordeaux Fête le Vin (festival of wine).
Located in the southwest of France, Bordeaux is the capital of the Aquitaine region. Not only lovers of baroque architecture and breath-taking landscapes of the Atlantic coast will spent there perfectly time, but, above all, gourmets. You can taste the best wines of the world and excellent local cuisine there.
Aquitaine is one of the oldest regions in the world where wine is continuously produced. Traces of the first vineyards date back to the first century A.C. Currently, in about 10,000 château are produced almost 800 million bottles of this beverage every year! Being in Bordeaux, you must go on a trip not only to the La Cité du Vin – a wine museum, but also to guided tours and tasting trips to the surrounding vineyards. This type of attractions is organized by all tourist agencies in the city.
Equally climatic and interesting is the city itself, which impresses with its architecture. Among the worth seeing buildings are the medieval St-Seurin church, the Ste-Eulalie church, the St-Michel church or the Gothic St-Andre cathedral with a 15th-century belfry from where you can admire the city’s panorama. A huge attraction are the elegant streets of the Old Town with the best restaurants and boutiques, as well as bridges (for e.g. Pont de Pierre, Pont d'Aquitaine) spread out over the waters of the Garonne. In the city there are also admired museums, for example the Musée des Beaux-Arts with valuable collections of paintings or the Musée d'Aquitaine with exhibitions on the history of the region.
What is worth eating there? Certain dishes based on fish and seafood, such as brandade (cod puree), sole à la dieppoise (salt and seafood in wine) and moules à la marinière (mussels in white wine with garlic and parsley). When it comes to meat dishes we recommend Agneau de Pouillac (lamb), as well as world-famous goose liver patties (foie gras). To accompany a dinner, of course, take excellent local wine, and after the meal, winiak armagnac. Where to eat? Local cuisine is served, among others, in Le Pressoir D'Argent, La Brasserie Bordelaise and La Tupina.
Official language: French
Time zone: UTC+2
(summer),
UTC+1
(winter)
Currency: Euro (EUR)
In October and November at Boulevard de la Croix-Rousse you can buy freshly roasted chestnuts served as back in the day – in tubes made of newspaper.
Only the best Lyon restaurants get a title of „Authentique bouchon lyonnais”. How to recognize such place? Look up in the Internet on the updated list or before entrance look for metal sign with such name.
Parc de la Tête d’Or is the biggest urban park in France. On a land of 100 hectares you can find, among others, a botanical garden, zoo, a lake with boats or even merry-go-rounds.
Lyon is one of the biggest contemporary cities of France. Apart from modern buildings in the district Confluence, you will also find there remains evidencing its ancient and modern times history. What’s more there to admire?
First notes about the city come from the year 43 B.C., when on one of the hills ancient Romans founded the borough Lugdunum. In short time, the town had become one of the most important centre of Gaul. Through centuries, it had been passed from hand to hand until it finally landed under French reign in the 14th century. Nowadays, Lyon is huge, industrial city, in which textile business is blossoming. If you expect to see typical industrial view, you will be disappointed. Greenery of numerous parks, richly decorated facades of historical buildings and beautiful landscape will make you fascinated with that place.
A must see place in Lyon in built on a hill basilica of Virgin Mary (La basilique de Notre-Dame de Fourvière) from the 19th century. Not only building itself is interesting, but also a view for the city that can be admired from there. Make sure to take your camera with you! Move forward to the western bank of the river Saône, where you will find remains of ancient buildings such as an amphitheatre, an aqueduct, and then to the historical district Vieux Lyon, which is on the UNESCO world heritage list, where dominant is gothic and Renaissance architecture. If you prefer modern architecture, you will most probably like Le Orange Cube, the building designed by Jacob+MacFarlane studio, which is looking like a cheese full of holes. You will find it by Quai Rambaud.
Where to eat in Lyon? Best in traditional restaurants called bouchons, that has existed in the city since the end of the 19th century. In such places you can expect many traditional dishes from the region – tasty, homely, based on easy-to-find ingredients and cheap. What to order? Lyon salad (salade lyonnaise) with bacon, croutons and egg, saucisson chaud, which is cooked sausage with potatoes, quenelle de brochet, dumpling with pike filling and shrimps sauce (Nantua), as well as gratin dauphinois – gratin made of potatoes and cream.
Official language: French
Time zone: UTC+2
(summer),
UTC+1
(winter)
Currency: Euro (EUR)
The tower of Notre Dame Cathedral for almost four hundred years was the highest building in Europe. It was defeated only in 1889 by erected on the occasion of World exhibition, French Eiffel Tower.
It is best to sightsee Strasbourg in autumn. The weather is especially pleasant in that period, there is less tourists, and Alsace seems to be almost asking to be visited, best via route of its exquisite wines.
Twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, in Strasbourg takes place a flea market. If you want to feel the vibe of ancient Alsace and perhaps buy some original souvenir, make sure to go there.
Strasbourg – a city in northeast part of France, by the border with Germany, the capital of Alsace. The most important European Union bodies have their premises in that city. The heart of Europe, that needs no introduction, though certainly it is wort to look at it from less popular, that this political, perspective.
The history of the city goes back to dim and distant ancient times, and it used to be quite turbulent, since the city has always been an important spot on the world’s map. Thanks to this today you can admire its lovely architecture. The heart of Strasbourg is an island – Grand Ile, in the middle of which stands the tower high for one hundred and forty two metres that belongs to a huge cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg). Its construction started in the 12th century, and it lasted for several next centuries. This and other buildings caused that in the 80’s the old part of the city was put on UNESCO World Heritage List.
Strasbourg is a perfect choice for you, if you are an amateur of perfect cuisine. It is considered a gastronomic capital of Alsace, famous for its fantastic dishes, which speaks for itself – going there, be prepared for real fast. Among numerous splendid dishes, it is worth to mention, for instance baeckeoffe, composed of three types of meat, most often pork, lamb and beef, marinated in wine, served with potatoes and vegetables. You will also find there many dishes based on sour cabbage, for instance choucroute aux poissons, which is sour cabbage with different types of fishes, cooked in (what else!) white wine. Perhaps it doesn’t sound good, but you have to believe us – it surely tastes good.
The city looks great as admired from water perspective, and is not lacking channels. Very often trips by water trams are organized, during which you can admire architecture of Strasbourg while comfortable seated. Especially beautifully looks the district Petite France, whose traditional, decorated with thousands flower houses surrounded of weeping willows makes huge impression.
Official language: French
Time zone: UTC+2
(summer),
UTC+1
(winter)
Currency: Euro (EUR)
On Corsica the sun shines 230 days per year, and summer is hot and dry with the average temperature of air of around 30 Celsius degrees and of water at about 26-28 Celsius degrees. Even in winter it is warm – 12-15 Celsius degrees.
Where can you make the best picture of the sunset on Corsica? On Pointe de la Parata, which is granitic cape located around 12 kilometers from the town.
In June in Ajaccio takes place a few days-long feast Saint Erasme – “I Pescadori In Festa”. It starts with highly spectacular evening procession of ships on the sea.
Ajaccio is the French city located on the western shore of Corsica. It is known for perfect weather for the most time of the year, well-developed touristic infrastructure, and fact, that Napoleon was born there. That buzzy and sunny capital of Corsica attracts also with beautiful beaches, rich cultural offer and tasty local cuisine.
Ajaccio was established in the 15th century by Genoese. To this day build by them in 1492 citadel is one of the touristic attractions (it can be watched from the outside), but also a base for the French army. Among local monuments, we can name also the Cathedral of Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Cathédrale de l'Assomption de Sainte-Marie) and the church of Saint-Erasme. In the city there can found many traces of Napoleon, for instance, the museum opened in his family house, which is Musee National de la Maison Bonaparte or a park Jardins du Casone with his statue. Lovers of art won’t regret the time spend in the Museum Fesch, that boasts of masterpieces of, among others, Titian, Raphael or Botticelli, but also a rich collecting of Italian primitive paintings.
Corsica is famous for lovely beaches and sunny weather. It is worth to spend the holidays not only on sightseeing but also resting in the area of Ajaccio. The most interesting beaches in the region are
St-Francçois and Trottel, that starts next to the citadel and goes to the west of the town. Very popular is also Plage de Ricanto (called Tahiti), that is situated to the East from the town, a few kilometers behind it. The sot eagerly visited is the beach in Porticcio, that lies several dozens of kilometers from Ajaccio and drive by bus or car is necessary to reach it.
What to eat in Corsica? Local cuisine is based mainly on goat and lamb meat. The first type of meat is served as, for instance, dish piverunata, which is stew from goat meat with an addition of pulenda, puree from the flour of chestnuts. Often eaten there are goat and ovine cheeses, for e.g. brocciu type. Also, seafood and fishes are not lacking, it is worth to try for instance sipu aziminu. Where to eat? We recommend looking for places with live music and those serving fresh fishes, like A Nepita,
L'Altru Versu (with a view for the sea) or Le Trou Dans le Mur.
Official language: French
Time zone: UTC+2
(summer),
UTC+1
(winter)
Currency: Euro (EUR)
In the city, every four years, the Fête Maritimes de Brest takes place, during which the world's largest ships dock at the port. The next edition is on 10-16 July 2020.
In the city's botanical garden you can admire nature and rest among greenery. Interestingly, you will find there, among others, titan arum – the most smelly flower in the world.
In the city centre you can admire a giant drawbridge over the Penfeld river. Le pont de Recouvrance from 1954 for many years was the largest construction of this type in Europe.
Brest is the westernmost town in north western France. Although it is not a typical tourist destination with interesting monuments or museums, it captivates with its vibe and delights with the proximity of the spectacular cliff coast of the Atlantic Ocean and local, Breton cuisine.
Brest is the largest city of Lower Brittany. Formerly, it was the most important French port, today it is a typically university city. After the ancient maritime history, there are remains of eighteenth-century fortifications (still partly used by the navy), as well as the Maritime Museum (Musée National de la Marine du Château de Brest) and the Océanopolis aquarium in the Moulin Blanc port. Among the 20th century buildings is standing out a medieval castle Château de Brest, from where there is an interesting panorama of the city and a view of the sea.
The biggest attraction, however, are landscapes outside the city. Brittany is famous for the beautiful cliff coast of the Atlantic, which is visited not only in summer, but also in autumn and winter, when spectacular storms can be admired. Just a few kilometres from the city you can also find beautiful sandy beaches. It is worth going on a hiking trip to at least one of the many touristic routes (les sentiers côtiers), remembering that there are several really interesting windsurfing and sunbathing spots along the way, as well as the Breton towns with equally interesting local cuisine.
What is worth eating there? Of course, pancakes, or crêpes, which Brittany is famous for. In some restaurants you can come across their dry version of buckwheat flour, or galettes. You also need to taste seafood and fish, for e.g. scallops (noix Saint-Jacques), oysters or cotriade fish soup. For dessert, choose a pancake with salted caramel (caramel au beurre salé), and to drink local liquor, or cider in a brut or doux version. The best seafood dishes are served by the beachfront restaurants or at the bay. It is worth going, for example, to La Maison de l'Océan, Le crabe-marteau or Aux Vieux Greements.
Official language: French
Time zone: UTC+2
(summer),
UTC+1
(winter)
Currency: Euro (EUR)
20 km to the south from Figari, on the shore, there is a fortress, which you can sightsee. Walk around old streets to the direction of a picturesque lighthouse.
The old town and the tiny port will magnetize anyone who sees them. Local eateries served delicious dinners and supers prepared entirely from local products.
In the neighbourhood of Figari there ae a few lovely public beaches. On the east the most eagerly visited by tourists is Santa Giulia and Palombaggia. On the south – more calmer bays.
A tiny town situated on the southern shore of French Corsica. It is composed of small estates of houses spread around the whole municipality. Around 1.5 thousand citizens live there. The life of town is concentrated around the street Tivarello, where is situated a town hall, a church, a vineyard, a pharmacy and a few shops, bars and restaurants. Calm, French village located in lovely surroundings of mountains and sea attract tourists longing for relax and marvellous views.
First traces of settlement on this area are dated back to around 3000 years B.C. The town was developing in ancient times, mainly thanks to roads' construction, which highly facilitated transport from the vineyard to the port. But civilization progress proved out to be calamitous for Figari. Shallowing of rivers and siltation of ports made Figari cut off from the seaside trading once again, at the dawn of the ancient times.
Walking around the town, you can admire the charming architecture – French houses from stone. The oldest monument in the municipality is a Roman chapel dedicated to San Quilico. Covered with shale roof chapel was built in 12th century. It is tiny – is barely 7.5 metres long and 3 metres wide. It is composed of one nave and apse.
If you are interested in Figari, then you are surely the lover of wine as well. You won't get disappointed. A local vineyard is one of the oldest on the island. Produced there wines are highly on demand. If you are looking for a gift for relatives or souvenirs form that charming corner of the world we recommend a bottle of Clos de Sarcone, Domaine de Tanella or The Clos Canarelli.
If you are just planning your trip, make sure to visit the town in August. On the whole island, including Figari, there is organized a festival of village, during which you can try traditional products of Corsica and party with locals. On 10th August, the day of Saint Laurent, visit Naseu, where farmers pastured animals. From the upland located around 600 metres above the sea level there is a magnificent view for the mountains and the sea.