Paris is probably the first name which springs to mind when considering great cities to visit in France. The capital is packed with well-known, historical and cultural sights which are visited by around 30 million people a year, but there are many other great cities to visit in this huge country, all offering something different and exciting.
The city of Reims is about an hour’s drive east of Paris and easily accessible by train. It’s in the middle of the Champagne region and a visit to this part of the country wouldn’t be complete without a tour of at least one Champagne House. The cellars or caves here have around 300 million bottles stored which are turned patiently and methodically until they are ready for sale around the world. All the famous brands have a presence in Reims including Krug, Taittinger, Lanson, Piper-Heidsieck and Veuve Clicquot. They are all proud to demonstrate the complicated processes involved in producing their delicious beverage. The Notre Dame Cathedral is also a must-see in this city. It was built in the 13th century and is so magnificent Claude Monet, the impressionist artist, painted 30 versions of the building at various times of the year showing how the light and colours changed the appearance of the façade.
In the west of France, about midway down the Atlantic coast, is the harbour city of La Rochelle. This place is all about the sea and there are fisherman, boat trips, ferries and sailing yachts as far as the eye can see. There are lots of bustling cafes and bars along the water’s edge which are perfect for whiling away a summer evening. Shoppers can enjoy local crafts, boutique stores and fresh, rustic produce. There’s a long bridge connecting La Rochelle to Il de Re, which is an idyllic beach island where Parisians love to spend August. This little place gets very crowded during this month, but everyone is in a holiday mood and are happy to wait in line and enjoy the atmosphere.
Bordeaux is a little further south, alongside the Atlantic Ocean and about 2 hours away from the Spanish border. This area produces some of the world’s finest vintage wines and has a few interesting museums devoted to it. There are even some spa treatments on offer using wine during the session. Of course the opportunity to stock up on personal supplies shouldn’t be missed either. The city has other delights to offer its visitors, like a shopping area with all the high-end retail brands represented such as Cartier and Louis Vuitton plus local, small stores for those with tighter budgets. The café is scene is best prices on lively here with plenty of al-fresco places to stop for a bite to eat while watching the world go by.
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