Say Bonjour to France For Free

France almost needs no introduction. It is a country overflowing with history and culture. While many of us have either heard, read, or watched about it, there is simply no substitute in being there and experiencing it yourself.

A few days, or even a week is hardly enough to completely enjoy France. With its numerous destinations, one should think about staying there for at least a month in order to be enlivened by just a fraction of what the country has to offer. Some of the best places to go to France are as follows:

Avignon - Located on the left bank of the Rhone, this city is popularly known as the palias des papes (Palace of the Popes), seeing that popes from the 14th to the early 15th century called it home. There are dozens of religious venues in Avignon, each done in magnificent detail. But the two that tops them all are the Notre Dame des Doms cathedral, which is a Romanesque building erected during the 12th century, and the Palais des Papes, a palace that dwarfs Notre Dame and was the place where popes used to be housed. Other points of interests include museums such as the Musee de Petit Palais. It has an exceptional collection of renaissance artwork and is just a stone's throw away from the Palace of the Popes.

Bordeaux - The capital of Gironde department, it is dubbed as the City of Art and History. It is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage List as "an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble." Bordeaux is one of France's prime destinations, as it is favored by tourists and cinema production crews alike. Among the notable edifices are: the Place de la Bourse, an 18th century palace designed by the Royal architect, Jaqcues Ange Gabriel, and La Grosse Cloche , which is the second remaining gate of the Medieval walls still standing today. There are only a few cities in the world that can hold a candle to the number of historical, and albeit beautiful structures as Bordeaux.

Cannes - Situated in the South of France, in the Riviera area, the city is commonly known as the home to the distinguished Cannes Film Festival, a yearly festival which features some of the best films made from around the globe. But it's more than just France's Hollywood counterpart. Cannes also has fantastic beaches at St. Honorat Island, and at St. Marguerite Island, which is also the infamous island where the legendary "Man in the Iron Mask" was held captive. Over the years, parts of the city has completely retained its 19th century atmosphere in the form of villas built to show their owners wealth and anachronistic taste, as some the villas resemble medieval castles and Roman villas.

Nice- You'll forgive me when I say that this city is a Nice place to visit. The capital city of Cote d'Azur, Nice is home to the beautiful beaches in all of France. It's no mystery that its shores, overlooking the Mediterranean, are more than just fine sand and clear blue waters. Artists and Philosophers with the like of Nietzsche, Apollinaire, Flaubert, Hugo, Sand, Stendhal, Chateaubriand, Picasso, and Mistral all have been lured and inspired by Nice's indescribable ambiance.

Paris- The city of lights, the city of love, the city of pleasure and amusement, the epicenter of taste and culture, call it what you want and you will still run out of things to say about how wonderful Paris is. Situated on the river Seine in the north of France, Paris is one of the most well known places in world. Museums are a dime a dozen in Paris, but the crème de la crème is surely the Musee du Louvre. Here you can take guided tours, or be brave enough to venture around its seemingly endless halls by yourself, and see firsthand the most seminal pieces of art (by the thousands) ever produced by Western culture. Of course, there's also one of the Seven Wonders of the World, a little thing called the Eiffel Tower. Engineered by Gustave Eiffel, it is the tallest building in all of Paris.

Getting around France shouldn't be difficult. There are numerous modes of transportation you could avail of. You can take the plane, the train, or you can rent a car to drive around at your own pace. While in the cities, it's advised that you walk and see the sights to get the most out of your trip, but if you suddenly feel tired, or see no use for exercise, there plenty of cabs to take you around.

Finding a place to stay is just as easy. These cities are well developed, and are no strangers to tourists. Surely you'll be able to find a hotel that's right for your budget, from the affordable to the ritzy.

As for travel tips, all you need is a good sense of adventure and a taste for anything that is beautiful. Other than that, you should be fine.





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