Where does one start in order to best enjoy the Alsatian culture in Strasbourg? The Strasbourg Cathedral is the jewel of the city, a stunning display of medieval splendor that looks over the main shopping district and downtown area. Here alongside Place Kléber and Place Gutenberg, you can find luxury shops, shoe stores, chocolatiers and endless restaurants. Another favorite spot is “La Petite France” the old part of the city that got its name from switching back and forth between German and French rule for hundreds of years. The Ill river, a tributary of the Rhine, winds right through La Petite France and sets a perfect backdrop for pictures and sightseeing. This part of the city will bring you back in time, and you really might wonder if you are in France or Germany.

In the warmer months, the entire city is in bloom with colorful flowers, lively café terraces, and zooming bicycles. One of the best places for outdoor seating can be found along the bar boats at Quai de Pechêurs, which is a short walk from the downtown area. Here you can order local drinks, appetizers, or even a meal while enjoying the view of Alsatian life. Le Rafiot is great for a younger crowd, since the boat opens up as a dance club in the evenings. Live funk and jazz music drifts from Café Atlantico, and Café Cubana sets a fun, tropical scene.

For the winter months when Strasbourg vistors find themselves bundling up inside, the famous Maison Kammerzell offers authentic, award-winning Alsatian and French cuisine. For a more low-key vibe, the equally authentic Au Brasseur serves up homemade beer and tarte flambées; the large, flat Alsatian “pizza” sprinkled with ham, onions, and cheese. For English speakers who want a break from trying their French skills against the harsh Alsatian accent, any of the Irish pubs in the downtown area will provide a comforting atmosphere. The Dubliners has live music and endless rounds of traditional irish beers such as Guiness and Kilkenny on tap.

Many art and historical museums also exist in Strasbourg, along with a lively theatre scene. A local university offers French classes to exchange students from around the world, so don’t be suprised to encounter German, English, Dutch, and even Spanish while in this lively city. Whether you decide to focus on shopping, dining, or sight-seeing in Alsace, Strasboug is a city that offers a little bit of everything in all of the right doses. Contact us for more information about traveling to Strasbourg.

For a trip off the beaten path, we recommend a France Food Tour to Southwestern France: the Midi-Pyrenees. The Pyrenees Mountains form the border between France and Spain, and it is a region known for beautiful scenery and beautiful food. Let the city of Toulouse be your home base as you explore the many delights of this region!

In the Midi-Pyrenees, you will find magnificent architecture, medieval villages, river valleys, rolling farmlands, and fabulous food. Stay the night at the Hotel des Beaux-Arts and visit the Marche Victor Huge, a huge outdoor market in Toulouse, before heading deep into the countryside.

Farmers in the Pyrenees mountains cultivate herds of sheep, pigs, and cattle, so a wide variety of meats and cheeses are available. Cassoulet, a traditional French dish, takes a local flavor with pork sausage or duck confit. Enjoy this hearty meat-and bean stew with a glass (or two) of local red wine. This is the famed Bordeaux wine region, famous for its dark burgundies.

There are many Michelin star restaurants in Toulouse, which is accessible by air, rail, and car. The viamichelin website offers lists of restaurants to help you narrow your search. Other locally produced ingredients include: truffles and walnut oil, red peppers and tomatoes, and a specialty called aligot. Aligot is a a blend of Aveyron cheese and potato puree. The sweet specialty of the region is crustade aux pommes, a type of apple (or plum) tart.

Some other highlights in the French Pyrenees include bike races (the Tour de France races various courses through these mountains) and the spiritual mystique of Lourdes. Many Catholics make pilgrimage to Lourdes, where the Lady of Lourdes is supposed to have appeared to Bernadette Soubirous. As a tourist destination, Lourdes boasts many fine hotels and restaurants.

French-born chef Aurelie Brown offers tours of the region called “A Foodie’s Trip to France.”  You’ll experience the culture and the cuisine, interacting with local merchants and residents. These week-long tours include culinary classes and lots of time spent exploring.

We can help serious foodies set up a memorable trip to the beautiful French mountains, so contact us today to schedule your trip to the Midi-Pyrenees!

This new 90 minute walking tour through the Pletzl will give you a glimpse into this extraordinary community and its rocky history. As you make your way through small cobblestone streets dating back to the Middle Ages, you’ll hear about the remaining shops and families that still call the Pletzl their home. You’ll get a chance to see the Synagogue designed by Hector Guimard, the creator of Paris’ Metro iconic Art Nouveau marquees, and to have a typical Jewish pastry at one of the local delis.

The Paris Jewish Tour runs everyday at 2:30 PM. Don’t go to Paris without booking this tour!

La Deux Chevaux, la Deuche, la Dedeuche – all different names for the 2CV, the iconic French car which was designed to replace the horse and cart for farmers and at the same time, revolutionized the French motor industry.  The 2CV became a symbol for France and its charm has never gone out of style.

During the 1930s, the innovative French automaker Citroën conducted market research and discovered that the farmers and rural residents of France were in need of a small, utilitarian car.  As a result, Citroën’s Pierre-Joules Boulanger ordered the development of a car with the following features:

1. Economical to buy and operate
2. Easy to maintain and repair
3. Comfortably seats four adults
4. Can transport a barrel of wine or a large sack of potatoes
5. Can transport eggs safely over rough terrain

The 2CV was designed and ready to launch in 1939, however its release was abandoned due to the impending war.  It was finally released in 1948 at the Paris car show.  While the media was unimpressed, the public fell in love with the odd-looking little car with the economical price, so much so that Citroën could not keep up with the demand.  Shortly after it was introduced, there was a three-year waiting list, which soon increased to five years.

Everything about the Citroen 2CV was unique and fun.  The front doors opened the wrong way.  There was no room in the door panel for a window, so the bottom half of the front windows folded up outward and attached to the top of the door.  The gearshift was a stick that extended out from the dashboard.  It was economical on fuel, easy to repair with a sturdy air-cooled engine and a soft suspension.  The top was made of a canvas fabric that could be rolled back to accommodate extra-large cargo or if the occasion called for a convertible.  This roof style earned the 2CV the nickname of “an umbrella on wheels.”

From 1948 to 1990, the last year of production, the Citroën 2CV became a French icon. People liked its quirky looks, and it was also valued for its role in helping France recover from World War II.  Although some changes were made to the 2CVs over the years, such as larger engines and improved suspension, its basic design remained unchanged.

The 2CV became a cult car in the 1970′s, similar to the Volkswagen Beetle in the US at that time.  It was a car that belonged to all of France, as fitting in Paris as it was in the country.  Unfortunately, throughout the 1980s, it finally succumbed to customer demands for more speed and modern safety features.

For fans of the 2CV, there are fleets of the quirkly little cars in Paris that offer a variety of sightseeing trips.  And the next Tour de la France for 2CVs takes place on July 7, 2013.

The Deux Chevaux or 2CV is the epitome of French charm.   It is a symbol of France, just like the Eiffel Tower, or a beret, or a French baguette.

And you can  discover Paris in a 2CV guided tour or for information on renting a 2CV to take your own tour of France, contact us today.

You’ll board at the foot of the Eiffel Tower where your hotel yacht will be moored. Imagine check in your cabin and then walk outside, right under the majestic Eiffel Tower.

Dinner will be served as the yacht cruises down the Seine, revealing some of Paris’ most famous and impressive monuments.

If you have only one night in Paris, make sure you consider this amazing package. As always, we’re here to answer your questions about this, and any of our 500+ other tours.

The European Capital of Culture title was invented in 1985 and aims to bring people closer together by celebrating the city’s culture. This celebration offers a wealth of activities with something for everyone.

The scope of European Capital of Culture programs extend well beyond the artistic field. In Marseille, you will also find ancient architecture, contemporary art, music, dance, theatre, heritage, science and technology, sport, fabulous cuisine, and pop culture – nearly 500 exhibits and events.

Marseille, a port city, is nestled between the sea and the hills. It was established by the ancient Greeks and later settled by the Romans, the Visigoths, and finally the French.

The oldest city in France combines the richness of unique heritage, a wildly, multi-cultural life, and a beautiful geographic location. And the weather? Marseille reports 300 sunny days each year.

Enjoy fabulous food in the streets. Festive and affordable, street food is prepared by chefs who use their imaginations to create movable kitchens throughout Marseille. Try exciting new flavors such as herb panisses, mallow tagines, mint tea or Turkish coffee. And the bouillabaisse, which originated here, is the best that can be had. If you prefer to eat indoors, restaurants abound with a wide variety of choices from French cuisine to Spanish, Italian, North African, and beyond.

If history and architecture are of interest, the area is full of monuments, museums, castles, and cathedrals to visit, some dating back to the 12th century.

If art is what you fancy, visit the Grand Atelier du Midi‘ at festival and its related exhibitions. The south of France has always been a source of inspiration for painters. This art exhibition will be a chronological presentation from 1880 to 1960, including impressionism, post-impressionism, fauvism, cubism, surrealism and abstraction featuring 200 pieces.

And don’t miss the special exhibit, Picasso, Ceramist and the Mediterranean, which will feature 25 pieces that have never been shown together, and some that have never been shown at all.

Absorb the sounds of music from street musicians to performances in the courtyard of the Château de l’Emperi, where most of the soloists hail from such renowned orchestras as the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Opéra de Paris.

Watch sporting events such as football, board sports, hiking, and BMX. If sports participation is what you desire, cycle your way through Marseille with a bike tour. Swim at the Pointe Rouge beach or go climbing the Calanques.

And if you decide to go to Marseille and are looking for guided tours of Marseille, we have plenty of them, including this overnight tour of Provence with a Bouillabaisse cooking class!

Whether it is food, sport, art, music, history, or culture that you crave, for your perfect trip to France to experience all of the excitement that Marseille has to offer during its celebration as the European Capital of Culture for 2013, contact us today.

You’ll walk from Dijon to Meursault on this 6 days/ 5 nights walking tour that gives you total freedom and 24 hour support. Our support staff will be there to help you with luggage transfer and tips and advice and a local helpline in case you need assistance.

Accommodations are in charming 2 and 3 *** bed and breakfasts and the price makes this one of the healthiest, if not one of the least expensive way to explore the wines of Burgundy.

In the Bordeaux region, your tours will include visits of Medoc, Pomerol and Saint-Emilion. wine tastings in the three appelations will have you discover the subtlety , smoothness and richness of these impressive wines.

Next, you’ll go to Sarlat where the tour will turn into a gastronomic feat, a visit of some of the most amazing hillside villages you’ll ever see, including Rocamadour and the Padirac Chasm. Finally, you’ll come face-to-face with one of the earliest of your ancestors at Les Eyzies, and the National Prehistoric Museum, one of the most complete in the world.

See the detailed itineray, and we’re here to answer any question you may have about this tour.

Based on average temperatures in Paris, boat tours are generally best taken between May and mid-September. During these months the skies are more clear and the temperatures more pleasant than a tour at other times during the year. Cruises are available year-round, but keep in mind that wind off the river is often cold and rain can prevent on-deck activities.

For first-time visitors to Paris, a cruise on the Seine can be a great way to see many of the city’s main sights all at once. It is also a great option for anyone who might find the cobblestone streets and public transportation quite challenging. For couples seeking a deeply romantic Paris experience, a night cruise shows you the city sparkling with beautiful light!

A Seine River cruise will allow you to see many famous Parisian landmarks, including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, as well as the Louvre and d’Ouray museums and the city’s oldest bridge, Pont Neuf. Cruise specifics are determined by the company providing the trip, and there are several reputable companies in operation.

Probably Paris’ most well-known boat tour company, Bateaux Mouches can be easily recognized by its enormous decks and bright orange seats. Nine boats are in the Bateaux Mouches fleet, and some of them offer lunch and dinner service.

Another well-known company is Bateaux Parisiens. They offer narrated tours and fine dining on their tours. Additionally, Les Vedettes du Pont Neuf, Vedettes de Paris, Batobus (no commentary or dining), and Paris Eiffel Tower Dinner and Seine River Cruise offer cruises on the Seine.

If this sounds like your kind of adventure, contact us today to begin planning your trip to France!

France.com knows the best Paris Seine Cruise and can help you navigate the Internet information overflow to get you the best cruise for your budget and your taste. Whether you’ll be visiting for the first time or the fifth time, you can be sure of a great experience. Your perfect trip to France starts here!

For those taking a France vacation in Paris specifically, it would be an error to avoid the Axe Historique. This “historical axis” of Paris is bookmarked by two modern marvels, and should easily be on every visitor’s “To See” list.

Start on the east end at The Louvre Museum.  Easily the most famous art museum in the world, the Louvre is home to 35,000 works in their permanent collections.  Wonder what exactly the missing arms of the Venus de Milo are doing, and watch for Robert Langdon in the massive crowd around the Mona Lisa.

The modern bookmark for the Axe Historique, though, is not the Louvre itself, but rather the Louvre Pyramid, the massive glass construction built in the 80s and designed by I.M. Pei.  It serves as the main entrance for the Louvre; be sure to look up as you pass underneath.

Heading west, you’ll find yourself in the Tuileries Gardens, one-time home of the Palace of the Tuileries, which was destroyed during the French Revolution.  Now it is a place of great arborial beauty for the common man, with breathtaking green panaromas to be enjoyed in the spring.  And while the Eiffel Tower isn’t on the Axe Historique, you can see it from the Gardens (and along much of the Axe itself).

The next stop on the Axe Historique is the Place de la Concorde, one of the largest public squares in Paris, and site of the famed Obelisk.  The Place de la Concorde holds a lot of history, not the least of which being the infamous location of a very busy guillotine during the Reign of Terror.  This is where Marie Antoinette met her end; her final words were those of apology to the executioner, when she accidentally stepped on his foot on the way up the stairs.

West of there is the Champs-Elysees, filled with cinemas, cafes, specialty shops, and the famed horse-chestnut trees that line the way.  Plus, there you will find the famed Arc de Triomphe, monument to the heroes of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, and holding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I.

Specifically it is “Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile,” the Arc of Triumph of the Star; located in the Place de Charles De Gaulle, “the Star” comes from the eleven major thoroughfares that radiate off of the monument.

The Axe Historique is big on arcs; the main Arc de Triomphe shares its name with the Arc de Triomphe du Carousel, also on the Axe Historique but closer to the Louvre.  And then there is the Grande Arche, the western bookmark to the historic axis.  Just outside of Paris in the suburb of Puteaux, the Grande Arche de la Defense is a massive office building and monument, part of the “Grand Projets” of French president Francois Mitterand (which includes the Louvre Pyramid).

The Grande Arche looks rather like a hypercube, the three-dimensional representation of a tesseract, a massive cube about 120 yards to a side.  Within it is a computer museum and a restaurant, and it is the center of “La Defense,” the major business district of Paris.  Indeed, at this end of the Axe Historique, you see the modern Paris from which the historic Paris grew.  If you can, try to take in the Grande Arche at night, when it is lit up, for an amazing view.

This is just one of the many great areas to experience in the City of Light.  For this and much more, please do not hesitate to contact us.