France Attractions

Situated on the Italian and Switzerland borders, the French area of Rhone Alpes is a must visit place in all seasons. France rentals are very popular in the Rhone Alps region. Packed with several entertaining activities to offer to the tourists, the Rhone Alpes is house to an entire wealth of economic, cultural and geographical treasures.

Some of the places that you cannot afford to miss include the mountains and the city of Lyon, apart from the striking Mont Blanc. There are also many rivers, famous vineyards and natural parks in the region that are worth visiting. The first thing people come here to do is skiing and snowboarding. A large number of people head towards the Val d'Isere slopes for skiing and snowboarding especially during the winters.

There are several ski resorts in the area and even if you are not carrying your ski equipments with you, they can be hired from the resorts or stores or even be bought there. Some of the most popular ski areas in Rhone Alpes include Vallee Blanche in Chamonix, Les Arcs in Bourg Saint Maurice, La Tania in Courchevel, Les Allues in Meribel and St Martin de Belleville in Les Menuires

The second thing to do in Rhone Alpes is to enjoy its glorious nightlife. There are several bars, operas, clubs, pubs and cafe bars for the visitors to enjoy. The Place des Terreaux in Lyon is a public square that gets lit up in the night by beautiful 19th century fountains and is always founded crowded after sunset. Opera National de Lyon is an internationally renowned opera in Lyon.

A large number of visitors come here to enjoy the world class opera performed here. Le Hot Club is a premier Jazz club in Lyon which features live performances many times in a week. Le Twenty in Grenoble is one of the trendiest cosmopolitan cafe bars featuring specialties like several cocktails mixed in Chartreuse.

The third thing to do in Rhone Alpes is to enjoy the live performances conduced here from time to time. Theatres Romains de Fourviere in Lyon is a renowned theatre, remnant from the dominant era of Roman Empire. The ruins of the two amphitheatres are more than 2000 years old. Amphitheater of the Three Gauls in Lyon is more than 2000 years old monument of the Roman organization. The Roman Theater in Vienne is a Roman theatre seating around 13000 people. It also serves as an architectural building and an ancient ruin.

The fourth thing you must not forget to do in Rhone Alpes is to explore its history and culture. Standing on the Fourviere Hill, the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere was constructed in late 19th century with grave exterior and ornate interior. The Cathedral Saint Jean Baptiste is a 12th century cathedral made in gothic style with impressive windows of stained glass. Hotel de Ville is the city hall of Lyon with blue domed pavilions and a tall clock tower.

The fifth thing you should not miss in Rhone Alpes is enjoying its wine. The best known wine producing regions of France are situated near Lyon which are Beaujolais in the north and Cotes du Rhone in the south.

The diversity of the Rhone Alps region of France make it very popular for self catering holidays all year round. Renting a holiday home would give the tourist the time and freedom to explore and partake of all that is on offer in this region of France.

Loire-Atlantique was associated with Brittany for long time so the region has its influence on culture as well as atmosphere. Loire-Atlantique is the seaward region in north-east region of France. It has wide range of landscapes, wide sand beaches and ancient forests that attract the tourist to spend their holidays while enjoying water sports and beach walk. One can learn about the history of the region with fine chateau, castles and modern defensive systems. One can investigate about the lost stations while walking on the coastal paths. The Loire-Atlantique is a very popular region of France for holiday rentals with a wide choice of rental properties with places to see and things for all the family to sample and do.

The fine beaches of the region have rocky outcrops and secluded sandy bays that are perfect for water sports. The wide sandy beaches attract both locals and visitors for sailing, windsurfing and kite-boarding. One can see equipment hire stations and schools on the beaches for providing assistance to the tourists. The rich fishing heritage in Loire-Atlantique give great opportunity to the tourists to enjoy both deep sea and fresh water fishing. One can enjoy the Canal Boat Trips in the 'Canal de Nantes' that was constructed by Napoleon during war. One can then stop off at Blain castle and see the art museum there. The adventure loving people will have great fun during these trips. The city offer different activities for the tourists like canoeing in the Vallee du Don and playing golf in any of the department's 9 courses.

The Loire-Atlantique has golf courses on the windswept coastline, in the undulating hills and in the woodland forests of the interior region. The golfers can enjoy and move around the region during the stay in Loire-Atlantique accommodation. There are both 18-hole courses and a 9-hole course that are set amongst chestnut and oak woods. The local markets of the region give the experience of the hustle and bustle of a typical French provincial market. The local producers and artisans of various products sell their wares to both local people and to the inevitable tourist.

The markets at La Roche-Bernard on Thursday, Guerande on Saturday and Penestin on Sunday are more popular. Take your local produce back to the gite or have lovely picnic in beautiful surroundings of this area of France. The children can enjoy different things in the region like children aquariums at Vannes and at Le Croisic with a walkthrough perspex tunnel. One can enjoy the wildlife at Branfere, a lovely park where animals roam freely or at Planete Sauvage which is a safari park. The tourists can enjoy their holiday in Nantes, a friendly capital city on the way to Loire-Atlantique. The glorious parks, magnificent restaurants and fantastic shopping markets can be enjoyed within the city. It is a unique city center that has Art-Nouveau squares, churches, museums and chic bars.

The Historical Nantes can be seen at the Cathedrale St-Pierre et St-Paul where one can see sculpted Gothic portals and Renaissance tomb of Francois II. Clisson is a town with distinctly Italian feel with Neo-Classical villas which was restored after the Vendee Wars. One can also discover the colorful flowerbeds, fountains and California redwoods in botanical gardens at Nantes. So come to Loire-Atlantique where along with sightseeing one can do so many activities like swimming, canoeing, golfing and shopping. Families come to the Loire-Atlantique region of France to rent villas and gites and use it as a base to explore this beautiful diverse region of France.

Skiing and snowboarding holidays have grown in popularity in recent years. This has been made possible by the growth of the low cost airlines and the increase in the availability of holiday home rentals.There are now many ski chalets, self catering apartments, farmhouses and holiday villas to choose from all over Europe and the rest of the world.

France has become a very popular winter sports holiday destination. The explosion in the number of people snowboarding has led to tourists going to France on snowboarding weekends and also long weekend skiing holidays. The snowboarders like to stay in either self catering apartments or if they are in larger groups they rent one of the many fabulous ski chalets available in France. The ski chalets are also in great demand from family skiing holidays. They are close to the ski slopes and make for a great Alpine family skiing holiday in France.

The great thing about skiing holidays in France is that there are holiday home rentals available to suite all budgets. It is possible to have a cheap skiing weekend break staying in a small apartment or have a luxurious skiing holiday in Chamonix, staying in one of the superb holiday chalets in the Alps. Norway is loved by cross country skiers and many families go there on skiing holidays and stay in a traditional chalet. Austria and Switzerland are also popular winter sports destination with people wanting to go snowboarding and on skiing holidays.

For people wanting to travel further afield, there is excellent skiing available in America and Canada. The Rockies is becoming popular with snow boarders and traditional skiing is still growing in numbers. In America there are some luxurious ski villas available to rent and some of them even come with their own swimming pools. A skiing holiday is a great family vacation and families of all ages enjoy to ski. Age is no barrier to skiing as there are ski slopes for all skiing abilities. Most ski resorts have ski schools where skiers can learn to ski. As long as you are fairly fit and like to exert yourself, then a vacation to one of the world top ski resorts will provide you with a great family holiday.

For beginners to skiing or snowboarding, it can be a nervous experience the first time that you hit the ski slopes, but after a few falls, bumps and bruises you usually find yourself hooked on the sport. It is advisable to book lessons the first time that you go on vacation skiing or snow boarding. However don't be put off if you have never been on a skiing vacation before as ski resorts cater for skiers of all abilities. Skiing holidays have become popular in many mountainous countries around the world. Skiing is popular in France and the Alps provide excellent skiing conditions in hundreds of ski resorts across Europe. All now offer excellent self catering accommodation in apartments, chalets and villas.

Chamonix is best known around the world for its spectacular Alpine view of Mont Blanc and there are some luxurious skiing chalets available to rent in this location. Courcheval is a popular skiing destination with many designer shops and superb restaurants. Meribel and Morzine are also popular skiing resorts helping to make the French Alps one of the most popular winter sports destinations in the world. Switzerland is another popular European winter sport destination with picture book wooden ski chalets. The Valais region is known around the world for its excellent skiing facilities and spectacular scenery. The Appenine mountains in Italy has good resorts at Le Marche and Abruzzo.

The one thing that renting skiing chalets, apartments or farmhouses from their owners have in common is that they provide the holiday makers with a great deal of freedom. They are able to sample the local way of life and get a true feel of the local culture of the country that they are staying in. It is no wonder that many holiday makers on winter sports vacation return to the same country year after year. Whether it is a skiing weekend break, a snowboarding holiday to the Alps or a family skiing holiday to France, you are sure to have a great vacation.

Dunkerque is the northernmost French ferry port, only six miles from the border of Belgium. The third largest harbour in France, Dunkerque is popular with surfers, windsurfers and kayakers. Less touristy than some of the other French ports, Dunkerque is mostly industrial, producing a substantial portion of France's oil and steel products.

South of Dunkerque is the port of Calais. Calais is one of the oldest and most popular ports for ferries to France via the English Channel. Only one hour and fifteen minutes from the port of Dover, Calais is also the closest port to the U.K. Like most of the towns on France's west coast, partially demolished and restored medieval buildings and permanent reminders of World War II abound. Calais is also a gateway to many small and fascinating French towns.

Another popular and well-established ferry port in France is Boulogne. Also reputed to be the largest fishing seaport in France, Boulogne has a great selection of seafood restaurants to choose from. Preserved and renovated, Boulogne's old walled medieval town contains churches, museums, palaces and restaurants just waiting to be explored. Outside the fortressed town, the Nausicaa Aquariium hosts a wide variety of marine exhibitions and activities to educate and entertain visitors of all ages. For those who prefer to just lounge in the sun, there are miles of long wide sandy beaches.

Once a popular seaside resort, Dieppe is one of the more attractive ports accessible by ferry. Less industrial than some of the other coastal towns in France, Dieppe is known for its delicious scallops and a great Saturday morning market. High chalk cliffs and pebbly beaches enhance the appeal of this small medieval town.

Further south along the coast is the city of Le Havre, which sustained the heaviest damage of any port in Europe during World War II. Reinforced concrete was the primary material used in Le Havre's restoration, which occurred from 1946 to 1964. Architect Auguste Perret single-handedly planned and organized this colossal task, which resulted in a fascinating and visually compelling mixture of medieval architecture and thoroughly modern structural design that is internationally renowned.

Another interesting place to visit if you're traveling by ferry to France is Cherbourg. The largest aquarium in Europe, containing 500,000 liters of seawater, can be found at La Cite de la Mer in Cherbourg. One can also visit Le Redoutable, which is the very first French nuclear submarine and also the largest submarine in the world that can be visited by sightseers. Cherbourg is also the home of a luxury umbrella factory, and those fortunate enough might catch a glimpse of them being wind-tested at nearby beaches.

Popular for both day trips and longer holidays, St. Malo can be found further south. Once legendary for corsair, pirates and privateers, St. Malo is now known for its great beaches and resorts. Those planning to visit St. Malo during the summer must be sure to make hotel reservations way in advance.

If war-struck and restored medieval churches and palaces, World War II relics and memorabilia, and aquariums are a bit overwhelming, then Roscoff might be just the place to go. As the southernmost and quietest ferry port on the French coast, Roscoff is best known for quiet nature walks and relaxation. Most of the harbor traffic consists of boats for fishing and for seaweed harvesting. As with most of the French coastal towns, restaurants in Roscoff are known for their seafood. Roscoff has sometimes been called "The Seaweed Capital of the World". This is because of the massive amount of seaweed harvested in Roscoff and the numerous and diverse uses the inhabitants have discovered for it.

The great selection, availability and affordability of ferries to France ensure that surfers, scientists, beach bums, historians, and seafood gourmets will never lack places to explore and enjoy on the other side of the English Channel.

Everyone who visits France talks about the exquisite beauty of the country. From the charming smaller villages around Alsace and Provence, to the culture and bustle of Paris, France’s aesthetics cannot be called into question. It’s no surprise then that compiling a list of the most beautiful golf courses in France was pretty easy – narrowing it down to the best 10 was the hard part!

So here they are: the top 10 most beautiful golf courses in France:

Belle Dune, Northern France

One of the most beautiful golf courses in Europe, let alone France, you can tell that Belle Dune has been designed as much for its visual appeal as for the good game of golf the course provides. During your game, the course requires you to stroll thorough one of the largest nature reserves in Europe, and despite the longish walks between holes and the sometimes unforgiving holes that make bogeys common when the coastal winds strike, it’s impossible not to wander the fairways and greens with a big smile on your face.

Champ de Bataille, Normandy

The stunning ancient forests surrounding Champ de Bataille temporarily blind you to the fact that this course plays a damn fine game of golf. Amid the fauna and flora to admire, there is a mix of 18 varied and entertaining holes with lush fairways and protected greens. When taking a golf break in France, this is an absolute must for the player with an eye for beauty, or just an eye for a tremendous course!

Val Andre, Brittany

When you arrive to tee off at Val Andre for the first time, it is easy to find yourself distracted by the beauty of the surroundings. Set against amazing land and seascapes, and with beaches and cliffs in the distance, it’s important to keep one eye on your game, because the winds and tricky greens can get the better of even the most seasoned golfer.

Les Bordes, Loire

Les Bordes needs no introduction. It’s consistently ranked among the best in Europe and will provide a challenge to any golfer who chooses to visit (the record for the course is a single stroke under par) as well as provide a tranquil setting to get away from it all. The surroundings of the course are idyllic countryside and provide some splendid woodland walks and exploration once the golf shoes are off – if you can pull yourself away from the greens and fairways! A must for any golf break in France.

Fontainebleau, South of Paris

This is an immaculately-kept golf course, probably due in no small part to its private, exclusive membership (but our clients are welcomed with open arms). The raised tees offer incredible views of the surrounding forest, which is the largest in France. For me, the highlight has to be on the 9th fairway, where everything is how the perfect golf course should look – velvet greens, ancient woodland and deep bunkers lining carpet-like fairways…All combining to present a real challenge.

Seignosse, South West France

Very much the pick of the South Western France golf courses, the hilly terrains and raised tees offer some amazing views – and not just of the delightfully contoured fairways. With the course just a couple of miles inland off the Atlantic you can be sure of some mesmerising sights – take your camera for the Tiger Tee on the 11th hole.

Evian, Alps

Everything about this golf course screams beauty; from the delightful layout to the well-kept fairways and greens and log-cabin clubhouse. If you can tear yourself away from the delights of the Par 72 course, there are some splendid views of Lake Leman. Host to the world’s richest tournament for ladies, it is no surprise that the Evian Masters course attracts keen golfers as well as well-to-do holiday golfers from the neighbouring Royal Evian Hotel.

Correncon, Alps

Set 1200 feet up in the Vercors Massif and bordering Europe’s largest nature reserve, it’s little wonder this is one of the most beautiful golf courses in France! Simply put, mountain scenery does not come more spectacular than this and, although the course may prove a little easy for scratch golfers, a stroll along a course carved into such impressive mountain forest surroundings is treat enough in itself.

Gassin, Provence

It’s fitting that one of the most attractive areas of France now has a golf course to match. Golf du Gassin opened in 2005 and has already established itself as one of the better golf courses France has to offer. Set in a listed and protected environment, the natural aesthetics surrounding the course are simply stunning. Designed by Gary Player and Robert Trent Jones, they have made a great golf course in very picturesque surroundings.

Taulane, Provence

This is my personal pick of the bunch – the most beautiful golf course in France. The mountain backdrop provides an unrivalled sense of seclusion and even a bad swing day is a great golf day! The course is excellent too – another Gary Player design – quite easy to walk, a real pleasure and testing challenge to play and a lovely lunch with a glass or two of Rose on the terrace rounds off the perfect golfing experience. With so many beautiful courses, it’s no wonder that golf breaks in France are still our No. 1. In fact, just reading over my list has got me digging out my suitcase!

Around a year ago, I went on a skiing vacation to France and had a great time by all accounts. The best part was that I went with all my friends, all of which had varied abilities, but were all eager to give it a go. Some of my friends compete in competitions and the like, whilst others have only been on the slopes a few times in their life. The fact is that we were all really looking forward to it, and we were all sure to enjoy ourselves whilst we were away. Unfortunately, we don't spend much time together, as we all go to different colleges, whilst others are trying to make it through the rat race.

When we decided to book the holiday I was delighted to hear that everybody was able to make it, and that everyone had promised to save up enough money to really enjoy themselves while we were away. The cost of booking the holiday worked out at around $300 for accommodation for the week as we were going to be staying at a backpacker's location, and it was only going to cost $150 for return flights. We really felt like we had struck a bargain, and we were even more delighted when we heard that the cost of living would be really cheap when we got there. We had decided to save up $1000 each, which meant that we would have more than enough spending money for when we arrived.

I have to say, I never quite expected Europe to be such an excellent skiing destination for people like us with mixed abilities. Sure, there are the Alps, but I thought these were only the playground of the expert skiers. How wrong I was! There are simply loads of different places in Europe you can go, regardless of your skiing ability, and you're almost guaranteed to have a great time. Also, the facilities right on the resorts are out of this world. It really is a great place to go skiing.

We arrived in France, and we were firstly shocked at how laid-back it all seemed. It was some surrealist painting, except in motion, with strange, stereotypically French characters passing by. Regardless of this initial culture shock, we soon got our skis on and experienced the awesome slopes for ourselves. Trust me - France is a great place to go skiing with your friends, and a great place to go on a vacation if you're looking to have a good time.

We chose France for our vacation, but there are loads of great European ski resorts, and in fact, some people even say that Europe is the home of the sport, and it is easy to see why. If you're looking for a great time, go for Europe, to experience a wholly different way of life, and skiing that is simply second to none. Check out your travel agent for good deals, and remember that the more flexible you are, the cheaper your holiday. By booking up the flights at the last minute, you can end up saving loads with some of the budget airlines, and by being totally flexible, you can avoid peak times, which means you can avoid peak prices. Your vacation in Europe doesn't have to cost the earth, but it can be a once in a lifetime experience that you will never forget.

So you're going to France for your next vacation. You have picked a location, organised your travel, and booked your accommodation. That is the easy part of the "where" and the "how." The trickiest part of planning and enjoying your holiday comes next when you need to tackle the "what" issue. That is what are you going to see and what are you going to do. Please do not even think the word "everything".

Tourists often mistakenly schedule every hour of every day in advance to ensure they see every French chateau, abbey and vineyard. If this is your inclination our advice is don't go. You will be as stressed as if you never left work so you might as well stay there and earn more money.

If you go with a to-do list of "famous sights," you will come home with a lot of beautiful pictures but with no real emotional connection to where you have been. You will look photos of various chateaux and not be able to distinguish which one was which. Your holiday will be one chateau blur. You'll have spent your entire time hurtling from one famous chateau or abbey or rather than soaking up the significance of that chateau, abbey you toured in a nanosecond.

Please do not be a speed tourist forever intent and acting possessed determined to get yet another tick in a box on their must see list. Never see more than two chateaux in a day and do not do more than three days of your vacation (ideally spaced out) chateaux hopping.

You probably selected France as your destination in order to escape the hurried pace of your normal live. So what you need to do is to slow down a bit and enjoy life at another pace. This way you can return home feeling rested and rejuvenated. Remember you are on holiday and you are not trying to set any records. Leisurely drink in the scenery and the culture and sample some of the acclaimed local wine whilst enjoying a picnic.

If you are renting a chateau or a villa, set aside some time to just hang out there and relax. Often you see groups of families who rent a chateau or a villa together busy traipsing all over the countryside ticking all of the boxes on someone's overly optimised list of must see sites and must do activities. Some poor person got the task and wanted to make sure no one could later complain that they missed something.

Always remember most people travel to France for the experience that is unique and totally different from their everyday American English, or Antipodean existence. Find yourself a little cafe, bistro, or a pub. Sit down. Order something. Listen to the locals chatting. Talk to a stranger even if it is in Franglais. Smell that freshly baked bread. Savour that glass of wine. Relax you are on holiday. And if you miss something important - no problem. It is the perfect excuse to come back again for another relaxing holiday another time.

The French leaseback scheme was introduced in 1967 by the French Government because they felt that they needed to improve the accommodation for tourists at hot spots around the country, this in turn may also encourage more people to visit France. All the properties based in France that are under the leaseback scheme are considered tourism residences and are offered on a weekly basis to tourists that visit the area. These properties come with a lot of different extras that are also offered by hotels in the region. These may include a games room, jacuzzi, swimming pool and reception room, which adds to the total package, offered to the people staying at the property.

The leaseback scheme enables the buyer of the property to have full ownership of the property within a certain time period which normally runs from 9 months to 12 months. After this period of time is over the buyer has a choice of giving the property back to the business or renew the lease to continue the ownership over the next year. There are many different advantages to owning a property through leaseback. The main advantage is that investors in the property receive some rental income from the business. This can range from 2.5% to a larger 5% that allows the investor to receive some money back. Another advantage is the fact that buyers are allowed to retain VAT tax from the purchase of the property this is around 19% rather than the 17.5% from the UK and allows some money to be retained.

The management team will perform any maintenance that needs to be done on the property either due to damage or wear and tear whether it is inside or outside. This means that you do not pay for anything while you have leased the property during the year. The furnishings in the house will also depend on whether the buyer has bought the property with furnishings already installed. However, the buyer can offer a furniture package from the management that allows you to be able to stay in the property without any hassle. The last main advantage is that the property is not exposed to French capital gains tax after it has been under your ownership for 15 years.

At the moment, the French leaseback scheme is being mostly used by the French population, and many of the French population that buy the properties use it as an investment for their retirement plans in order to gain extra income. Increasingly, more and more people outside the country are becoming interested in buying through this method.

Some people from the UK have already taken advantage of the scheme and bought a property through French leaseback. Some people use the property for their own holidays but this has an affect on their rental income during the year as the weeks the owner spends in the property is a rental loss. The French properties that are under the scheme are usually situated in the coastal and mountainous regions across France such as Marseille and Nice.

Overall, the French leaseback market is getting more popular and is likely to see an influx of foreign buyers in the near future to add to their investment plans and this can only mean that the market is going to get bigger maybe with other countries introducing similar schemes to try and make tourism more popular in certain areas.

If you have never holidayed in a French castle before, here are some reasons why you should consider one for your next luxury holiday.

Size

By their nature, chateaux are large pieces of architecture. However the reception rooms on the ground floor are typically huge and wonderful rooms to relax in and soak up the ambience. French chateaux lend themselves perfectly for wedding venues. Sometimes a reception room may house a Michelin-starred restaurant. If it does not then usually there is one not too far away.

The premium bedrooms or suites are normally located on the first floor and are usually palatial built for the original creators of these architectural gems. Do not be surprised if the ensuite is bigger than a whole floor of your own home. The upper floors which usually have a lower ceiling height were reserved for the incredible number of full-time staff required to keep a chateau running like clockwork even at the beginning of the last century.

Chateaux normally lord over a domaine which historically necessitated wood-cutters, and ground staff on top of house staff. Remember these gems were built before the invention of lawn mowers and chain-saws. Ten gardeners used to do the work of a gardener today with all of his modern equipment. This ratio is pretty typical of the historical staff numbers required in the kitchen and the laundry too.

Big is not necessarily better. Huge castle hotels often house their guests in converted outbuildings, with the coach-house being a favourite. Some castle owners reduce the number of rooms available so that they can increase the size of the rooms and the public spaces and provide a better service. How many rooms a castleoffers affects the ambience and the service. Do your homework or you could be sharing your lovely intimate chateau experience with 60 other couples all of them as eager as you to experience the grandeur of life living like royalty in a French castle.

Location

French chateaux were usually constructed in enviable locations, with beautiful vistas over rural France. You can take in the countryside from your room in a castle on top of a hill. Historically chateaux were usually built atop hills for obvious strategic defence. They provide a retreat where you can wind down, rest your weary feet and take advantage of the host's outstanding local knowledge. The chateau styles vary depending upon the era in which they were built and the location in France.

Service

Service is all-important in French chateaux. Hosts ensure that guests want for nothing, and yet the service is discreet, so guests don't feel hassled or intimidated. The lower number of guests at a French castle means that the service can be impeccable, and it usually is.

Price

The term "chateau" may give the impression that they are incredibly expensive, but that's not the case. In fact, you may be surprised by how affordable many of them are. For the same price or maybe just a little more than you might pay for a very ordinary chain hotel, you could be staying somewhere with real atmosphere and real service.

Design

French chateaux have design running through their core and it is a pleasure to stay somewhere that's been designed and decorated with an eye for detail and finish. From the fine architectural details, like stunning plaster work, sweeping stone staircases, parquet floors, gorgeous tiling, wrought iron balustrades, beautiful marble and stone fireplaces, trumeau mirrors, trompe l'oeil paintings, magnificent french chandeliers and sconces. Everything in a French castle is typically design-led.

French chateaux were built with a fastidious eye for fine detail. Remember that the French under Louis XIV set the standards of sophistication, style, and glamour that still rule our lives today. Remember that before his reign commenced, his nation had no particular association with elegance, yet by its end the French had become accepted all over the world as the arbiters in matters of taste and style and that France had established a dominance in the luxury trade that still continues today.

Lorraine is a region in France where there are numerous places to visit and to enjoy adventurous activities. France rentals are very popular in this region. The place is popular for two major reasons, its De Gaulle's double barred cross (the symbol of Lorraine selected by the struggling fighters in the World War ll) and its quiche.

Lorraine in France offers various exciting things to do, including discovering the attractions, rejuvenating in the fully equipped spas, participating in the cultural events, golfing and tasting the local cuisines, which will certainly make your tour to this amazing region a lifetime memory.

Lorraine is an esoteric but growing tourist region in France, particularly treasured for its scenery and architectural beauty. The towns in the area offer the most stunning views of the countryside. Besides, it is perfect for exploring museums and monuments that depicts the France history. Lorraine is the site where the World War ll happened.

Visit the battlefields and experience that how much it was cruel and hard to fight in the areas gorgeous meadows. It is known as the greatest combat ever took place that lasted for several months with about 900,000 causalities. Renting a holiday home in the Lorraine region would give the tourist the opportunity and freedom to visit these sites at their own leisure.

Another best thing to do is to make a small tour to the Bar-le-Duc. It will allow you to explore the best Currant Jam (the region's delicious specialties), where the pips are taken out by the feathers of Goose. Dedicating one full day to Verdun, is worth while, where you can delight yourselves via its popular Dragees made in 1220 by a regional apothecary.

While in Lorraine, a small starvation can be quickly fixed through a generous quiche's share, popular tart garnished with a combination of beaten eggs, plugs and fresh cream. It is also called as the fatherland of Mirabelle plum, a delicious plum especially used for making Brandy. The produce off the Lorraine region make a self catering holiday a delight, the quality and variety of the foods and wines is amazing.

The various cultural events and festivities certainly must not be overlooked while on holiday here.Numerous cultural events, such as the International Geography day, Nancy Jazz Pulsations, Lorraine Pate festival and the Nancy Saint Nicolas festival are organized every year in which hundreds and thousands of local residents and tourists participate.

At the time of events several markets, including Nancy Christmas market, Met'z Christmas market must be visited as well, since they give an opportunity for stocking up goodies and late minute gifts.

You can take pleasure in walks too in the unspoiled countryside or simply relax at Lorraine's fully equipped spas. The spas of Vittel and Contrexeville provide exclusive and excellent services to you. A scale, which nature exhibits at its finest with largely unharmed countryside, prime rivers of Meurthe, Meuse and Moselle and rolling farmlands, all set upon the luxuriously forested stage of Lorraine plateau.

Apart, golfers of all the levels can find a stimulating selection of playing condition as well as landscaping on the Lorraine's golf courses. It sports a collection of up to 16 quality golf grounds, which are well maintained constantly. A number of golf tuition courses varying from the beginner's lessons to the lessons made to enhance your gaming are accessible as well.

The diversity of the Lorraine region make it a very popular choice when renting holiday accommodation as it gives the tourist the time and freedom to explore everything this area of France has to offer. Whatever you prefer while traveling in the beautiful region of France, you will surely adore your trip throughout your life so, make the most of it.