| Page Views: 3,434 Last Visit to France: June, 2004 | FRANCE by dutch_anna - last update: Apr 5, 2005 |
In France I hear the heartbeat of Europe's history. The Romans built here their fortresses, the famous French kings their castles. History was written in the French revolution in the streets of Paris and during the first world war in the trenches near Verdun. I think, that the French, more than the Dutch, are aware of the importance of knowing about the history of your own country. And keep the memories living. Every French village has its monument for the soldiers, fallen in the World Wars. WW1 is still called "The Big War". And the 14th July, the day of the fall of the Bastille in Paris in 1789 is still celebrated everywhere.
For me the best way for a holiday in France is to wander around. Stay, where you like it, where the sun shines and the scenery is beautiful. Never hurrying, but enjoying the place where you are. Visit old churches and castles, walk around on a marketplace, sit on a terrace with a drink and watch people. Usually I am camping, so there is no worry about a place to stay at night, campgrounds enough. And I leave when it is raining, for you know that the sun will shine elsewhere.
I like Paris very much and I have been there many times. But in these pages I give you some impressions of the other part of France, the countryside. With its touristic attractions, though, and "sights to see". But don't expect addresses of restaurants or shops, maybe an exception for bookshops!
France has 22 "regions" and it is divided in 96 "départements", departments. In 1789 the country was divided in provinces. Well known names are Auvergne, Bourgogne, Languedoc,Provence, Bretagne, Normandie. Those "old" names are still used, but the geographic borders are not very important any more.
The name of a town is often followed by the name of the department. E.g. Moulins, dept. Allier, lies in the Auvergne. Its not so difficult, a good guide and a good map will help. Click here for websites about WW1, 1914-1918. Please follow me to my travelogues and I show you some of my favourite places. |
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 Comments for dutch_anna about France | | | | |
Jasen71 Fri Dec 23, 2005 19:16 UTC
I love to drive around france.. but i would probably put a GPS in my packing list...... Regards Jasen | kenHuocj Mon Apr 4, 2005 15:26 UTC
French wine- mhmmm , my uninitiated palate prefers the chaeper more fuity flavours of the Southern hemisphere ;-))). | thinking Wed Sep 22, 2004 19:07 UTC
I loved your France page, and I am still reading about WW1 from the links you suggested. It was a pleasure to have stopped by once again. All the best. | tessy Tue Jun 8, 2004 21:00 UTC
Michelin maps are just the best! beautiful travelogues, especially the one with the castles! |
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