Welcome to France

Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Welcome to France, one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. The largest country in Western Europe and home to 65.8 million people.

Journey from the Pont du Gard to the Eiffel Tower, Scale the heights of the French Alps or visit some of the greatest beaches in Europe.

Choose from grand opera, spectacular cabarets complete with can-can, fashionable nightclubs, and any kind of music from the classics to the latest world music from Mali or Morocco. France never ceases to amaze.

No trip is complete without sampling its world-famous cuisine there is a cornucopia of regional dishes to choose from. For starters try a rosette sausage from Lyon or rillettes, a soft paté from Dijon. French wine is world famous, but try the regional spirits as well; Cognac, Armagnac or Calvados, an apple brandy from Lower Normandy.

Try sole or turbot with sauce hollandaise, the bean and meat Castelnaudary Cassoulet, while in the south of France don’t miss the bouillabaisse, the legendary fish stew.

Paris is every shopaholic’s dream. Discover the vast choice of small boutiques on cobble stoned streets or simply browse through huge department stores and popular markets. During festive seasons the Christmas markets stretch from the Champs-Elysées to the Place de la Concorde.

Delve into Northern France when on a clear day you can see the White Cliffs of Dover, discover prehistoric cave art in the Dordogne or simply get lost in the Garden of France as you walk along the banks of the river spanning the Loire Valley.

Travel Tips: Popular French Phrases

Posted on Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Okay, I’ll admit I had a little trouble learning Spanish in high school (and college) but I got through it. Since that time I’ve developed an interest in new languages. I’ve left Spanish behind for now and started digging into Latin. No one really speaks Latin anymore but it’s useful when you deal with words all day.

Before your next trip try learning a few words fromthe local language. You’ll be amazed what a difference it makes. All of the sudden you are able to communicate with someone from the other side of the world. And it at least shows you are trying!

Picking up a few French phrases for example, is also a great way to keep your mind active and healthy before your trip.

Common French terms

• Good Morning – Bonjour (bohn-ZHOOR”)
• Good Afternoon – Bonsoir (phonetics)
• Hello, my name is…- Salut, Je m’appell (zhuh muh-PELL)
• How are you? – Ça va? (sah vah)
• Goodbye – Au revoir (oh ruh-VWAR)
• Do you speak English – Parlez-vous anglais? (PAHR-lay voo zahn-GLAY)
• How much? – combien? (co-by)
• Where is the hotel? – Où se trouve l’Hôtel? (oo eh low tel)
• Thank you – merci (mair-see)

Pont Du Gard, France

Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Located in the beautiful region of Provence, the Pont du Gard, which means bridge over the River Gard, is part of an ancient Roman aqueduct built nearly 2,000 years ago to transport water to the Roman city of Nemausus, now called Nimes.  There is a mysterious engraving on the Pont du Gard, which appears to represent a rabbit or some type of animal.  It is a symbol Romans often etched on their constructions in the belief that it would ward off evil spirits.  The engravings and its location on the aqueduct are impossible for even some locals to find.  

Tour Director:  Giovanna Agrawal, Trafalgar Tours

France Travel Tips and Information

Posted on Wednesday, June 24, 2009

From the beautiful Dordogne to the Chateaux of the Loire, or the romance of Paris to the grandeur of the Alps, France is one of the worlds truly must-see-destinations. A country steeped in history, you will experience medieval castles, incredible food and wine and some of the best mountain scenery in Europe. A visit to France will fill amaze and delight in equal measure, and provide memories for a lifetime.

Weather:

Northern France enjoys a temperate summertime climate. In the Northeast, the Auvergne, Burgundy and Rhone Valley the climate is more ‘continental’, with warm summers and colder winters. The southern half of the country enjoys a Mediterranean climate all year round, with hot to very hot summers and mild winters. Very strong winds (such as the Mistral) can occur throughout the entire region. The Atlantic influences the climate of the western coastal areas from the Loire to the Basque region; the weather is temperate and relatively mild with rainfall distributed throughout the year. The French slopes of the Pyrenees are warm and sunny in the height of spring to late summer.

Best Time to Travel:

France is at its best time in spring and autumn, weather-wise. Peak season is July and August, when many French citizens go on holidays to beach resorts in France and the rest of Europe, businesses close, including museums and restaurants during this period. 

Additional Tips:

An adaptor is recommended...plus with 2 round pins are the most common @ 220 volts.

You can get around in France by taxi, bicycle, train, and it is a great city for walking.

Email is easily found in Paris in various internet cafes and shops. In smaller towns throughout France, each post office has a terminal available to the public.

Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle is located 14 miles northest of Paris. Because of traffic, a taxi to the ity center will take around 45 minutes, and will cost approximately 32 Euro.

Bordeaux Airport is located 7.5 miles from Bordeaux. Over 50 taxis are always available at the airport. The airport can also be reached via shuttle bus. Jet Bus operates a service from Bordeaux city center to the airport (about 40 minutes with stops).

The International dialing code for France is +33