France Attractions

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.

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.

France is amongst the chief world power regarding politics. Besides, France has the exact picture of excellent meals of French food and wine at exceptional prices. This is the reason why France is a must visit while planning a tour to Europe.

France is the mother land of Western culture where illustrious musicians, writers, painters, artists are furnished. The pride of France relies on “The Eiffel Tower”. Other than the pride of France, preferred locals like Paris, a favorite tourist destination add glory to the place. Exceptional beaches, added monuments compared to other countries, exquisite natural beauty and far-fetched mountain panorama are the supplementary appeal of this renowned situate.

Paris, the capital of France known as the “city of lights” is the most visited one. It is in fact the most gorgeous place in the globe.

Atlantic coast recline on the West of France. Along the north of France, there stretches out Normandy and Brittany that encompass undulating hills, filthy and rocky beaches, and few havens residential areas. A distinctive atmosphere separates the place from rest of the country which includes the sense of a Celtic foundation of their populace.

Alsace, Lorraine, Franche Comté and the Burgundy regions lounges along the eastern provinces of France consisting of the most eminent metropolises such as Metz, Strasburg, Nancy and Dijon. Mainly illustrious wines taking account of Pinot noirs and Chardonnays significant of the whole world as well as the most reputed “Yellow Wine” from the Jura mountain winery are the possessions of this expanse.

Central France is the most settled down area of France embracing the precious county, the Loire Valley encompassing superlative citadels and the most striking towns. Chartres is amongst them with its favorite minster that leads to the superior appealing tempo among visitors.

Lyon, the chief donor in financial system of France subsequent to Paris is the capital of Rhone-Alps district positioned connecting two mountains - the Fourvière and Croix-Rousse and the two rivers – Rhone and Saone .Lyon is measured to be the cuisine’s ecstasy since world’s well famed chef, Paul Bocuse has his restaurant over here. The city is as well beautified in the midst of architectural revitalization and shrines.

Prior to the innovation of railways and roadways, River Rhone was the business itinerary from Mediterranean and eastern Gaul during the eras of Greeks and Romans. Steering was quite tuff as the river beard violent currents, trivial, floods throughout early springs and at the time of ice melting. The Rhone is categorized as class V channel on or after the entrance of Saone River on the way to the sea.

Within the south-eastern provinces of Rhone- Alps reclines Ardeche which is not so well famed but involves scenic features which characterizes a must place to visit for tourists. Vallon Pont d’Arc is the ‘base town’ meant for journeying alongside the Ardeche canyons. In the entrance of Ardeche lies Pont d’ Arc amid exquisite river coasts. The two paramount cave systems within France are the Aven d’ Orgnac and the Chauvet caves which is supposed to boast with the primitive paintings of Europe.

So, visiting France is a must while planning a tour to Europe.