Self-guided route around France by car. France is the most tourist country in the world All about France for tourists

Elegant and beautiful France is a holiday with charm: a rich excursion, relaxation on the sophisticated Cote d'Azur, famous museums, gastronomic provinces and castles of the Loire. Cuisine, wine and ski resorts - all about France: tours, prices, hotels and attractions.

  • Last minute tours To France

“Nothing has yet been invented better than France” - this impudent, if not harsher, phrase of de Gaulle begs for a stern refutation, at least on a European scale. Surely the neighboring countries will have something to feed the arrogant frogmen! Take, for example, the famous half-timbered houses in Germany. What? Are they the same in Alsace? Um, really. Okay, let's look at neighboring Belgium with its special charm of a well-kept village, authentic French fries and “wine” beer... What? Can all this be found in Nord-Pas-de-Calais? Damn, it really is. Well, okay, but the purely British features - fogs from the Gulf Stream, red telephone booths, climbing roses on the large stone walls of village houses and heather heaths with gigantic pebbles of boulders rolled in by glaciers - are there really nowhere for them to come from in France? And again, by: in Brittany, not as famous as Paris or Nice, but dear to the hearts of many travelers, there is almost more of all this than in England. If we talk about the southern neighbors, then fans of Italy will feel at home in sunny Provence, and fans of Spain - in the Pyrenees mountains and on the dry plains of Languedoc.

And there is no way to remain silent about a thousand other things that make France France. About the roar of the tide at the foot of the “eighth wonder of the world” of Mount Saint-Michel, about the castles of the Loire - elegant, like carved boxes from the Renaissance. About the ingenious bad taste of the Eiffel Tower and the colored highlights of the medieval stained glass windows of the Sainte-Chapelle. About the gargoyles of Notre Dame, piercing a stone gaze into the glass faces of La Défense, about the humpbacked alleys of Montmartre, the vast halls of the Louvre, the crisp air of Mont Blanc and the warm aromas of pastries and coffee from the Parisian boulevards... Charles, you, of course, are an impudent type, but to cover - nothing!

Regions and resorts of France

To fit a description of France into a couple of paragraphs is not only a difficult task, but also quite offensive for the country itself. What kind of “France in general” is this, you ask? A selection from the excursion and gastronomic Ile-de-France with Paris in the center, the skiing French Alps and the beach Cote d'Azur? To say this is bad manners and an unforgivable simplification! If only because if you leave beaches and snowy slopes behind the scenes, then every French town or town will definitely have something to see and what to try. So we will do the following: on the page “Cities and resorts of France” we will publish a short, just a couple of screens, story about the regions of the country, giving some idea about their main tourist “interests”. If you are just starting to get acquainted with the country, be sure to read it.

And here, reluctantly, we will only write that, very conditionally, France can be divided into “excursion” - Ile-de-France almost entirely, the famous Loire Valley and many historical cities in various parts of the country (Orleans, Chartres, Strasbourg, Rouen , Le Havre ... dozens of them!), the “resort” - although the Côte d’Azur, Corsica and the French Atlantic are three not just big, but huge differences, and, finally, the “ski” - first of all, the “Three Valleys” and Port du Soleil.

Time difference from Moscow

− 1 hour in winter −2 hours

  • with Kaliningrad
  • with Samara
  • with Yekaterinburg
  • with Omsk
  • with Krasnoyarsk
  • with Irkutsk
  • with Yakutsk
  • with Vladivostok
  • from Severo-Kurilsk
  • with Kamchatka

Climate

French customs is considered one of the most problem-free in the European Union, but this does not mean that you are completely guaranteed against trouble. A few simple tips will help you save nerves and money.

Import

  • Amounts of money exceeding 10,000 EUR are subject to mandatory declaration (this includes cash, traveler's checks, bills and even nominated securities).
  • You can import up to 1 liter of strong alcohol (stronger than 22%) or up to 2 liters of wine or beer duty free.
  • Smokers can bring in no more than 200 cigarettes per adult traveler.
  • No animal can be imported without a veterinary certificate (the import of fighting breed dogs is prohibited).
  • Since 2009, the import of any products containing meat and/or milk into the EU has been prohibited - from stewed meat to chocolates. You can take with you a bar or two of your favorite chocolate - but only black! The composition of the product on the packaging must be indicated in English; customs will not deal with the Cyrillic alphabet.
  • If you are traveling with a child, you have the right to import dairy products. baby food(no more than 2 kg and only in sealed packaging)
  • The import of medicines into France is permitted, including drugs containing narcotic, psychotropic substances or anabolic steroids (but in this case a prescription and a doctor’s certificate are required). There are quantity restrictions - based on daily consumption for a maximum of 3 months.
  • The import of caviar is allowed up to 250 g, but is not duty-free - the customs officer has the right to force you to pay even for one jar.
  • The import into the country of items made from endangered species of plants and animals is prohibited.

This is a very important point, do not neglect it. Carefully check your luggage and wardrobe, because a handbag or wallet (for example, made of crocodile skin) that is quite harmless in our opinion can cause a large fine, and in the worst case, the cancellation of a visa, and not necessarily a French one - border guards at any point of entry into the EU have the right to cancel any Schengen visa.

Export

There are practically no problems with exporting goods from France. In Russia, the picture is slightly different: without declaration, no more than 3 liters of any alcohol (no matter cognac or beer) is allowed to be imported, and more than 5 liters is prohibited at all. If more than three identical goods are found in your suitcases, they may be considered a commercial shipment. In this case, a serious fine is the least you face.

Tax free in France

The VAT refund procedure for a tourist seems relatively simple. Unfortunately, it is not without pitfalls:

  • You can't count on Tax free, if you made a purchase in a store that does not participate in the system (look for a special logo at the entrance).
  • Tax free is not possible if your purchase amount is less than 175.01 EUR.
  • The money will not be refunded if, upon purchase, you were not issued an invoice on a special form; a foreign passport will be required for registration (a driver’s license or other documents will not be suitable).
  • Tax free may be denied if customs officers have doubts about your purchases, so do not tear off price tags and labels from goods, leave the store packaging.
  • Tax free may also be denied if you are flying in transit through another EU state (in this case, the stamp must be placed at the customs office of the country through which you are leaving the European Union).

How to get to France

The simplest and most obvious way is by air.

Car enthusiasts can get to France by car, their own or rented. Flights to Barcelona, ​​Milan or Brussels are inexpensive compared to Paris, and the option of flying plus a rental car is often a good deal, plus it gives you the opportunity to see several countries. A road trip from Russia in your own car is also quite feasible: the distance between Moscow and Paris is about 2850 km, a hardy driver can easily cover it in two days. If there is nowhere to rush, a trip to France can be turned into a full-fledged eurotour with all its pros and cons: the opportunity not to depend on flight schedules, excess luggage and inconveniences associated with getting used to an unfamiliar car, as well as wasting valuable vacation days, queues at the Belarusian the Polish border, the wear and tear of your favorite car, the costs of “extra” overnight stays and expensive European gasoline.

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Transport France

The most popular and comfortable view intercity transport - trains. French system railways quite complex, but controlled by just one company - the National Society of Railways (SNCF). This is convenient for tourists because any tickets can be booked on one website.

It makes sense to cover long distances on TGV trains - the average speed of 250 km/h allows them to compete on equal terms with airplanes. Thalys, Eurostar and Lyria use the same rolling stock and connect France with surrounding countries from Belgium to Italy. It is worth purchasing tickets for all TGV trains in advance: for example, a trip from Paris to Lyon, paid for three months in advance, will cost about 29 EUR, and at the station it is already three times more expensive.

If you are lazy looking for information bit by bit, then this site is dedicated exclusively to the French transport system, contains a huge database and can do the lion's share of the work for you.

Taxi

If the thought of jostling on the subway or bus disgusts you, then there is a way out - and more than one.

Firstly, you can use a taxi. Often this option is irreplaceable if you need to get your things to a hotel or airport. This is the most convenient, but also the most expensive way: in addition to the inhumane price per kilometer (from 1.04 to 1.60 EUR depending on the tariff period), you will have to pay the cost of landing (from 3.80 EUR), each additional piece of luggage (as usually equal to the cost of a kilometer) and the passage of an additional passenger if there are four of you (and in this case the taxi driver has the right to refuse the trip). If the car is stuck in a traffic jam, a time tariff is applied (from 0.50 EUR per minute). A couple more troubles: ordering a taxi by phone is paid (so you should ask the hotel receptionist about this service), and the taxi driver will turn on the meter not upon arrival at the place, but at the time of receiving the order.

According to the rules of the Russian language, we “get into” transport. The French “take” the bus, train, metro and taxi. Now you know what language the expression “take a taxi” comes from.

Renting cars, bicycles and electric vehicles

If you have an international driving license, you can rent a car. The intricacies of this process are discussed, so here are only a couple of nuances: in modern France, cars with a diesel engine have fallen into disgrace, there are fewer and fewer of them in rental car fleets, so it is better to book such cars in advance. The same applies to cars with an automatic transmission: they are not popular among the French, require additional tax, and are therefore rare and expensive to rent.

Supporters of a healthy lifestyle should use bicycle rental - for only 1.70 EUR you can get access to the service for a day (you will need data credit card and a security deposit of 150 EUR). Similar services are available in all major cities countries.

South of Brittany stretched for 600 km sandy shores Bay of Biscay. Unlike the Normandy and Breton beaches, the beaches of La Rochelle, Biarritz and Arcachon “look” to the west - even winds from the open ocean beat down the scorching heat and create ideal conditions for windsurfing.

The French themselves consider the Atlantic resorts to be the best, and the subtropical climate of the Cote d'Azur as “too rough.”

If you like the Mediterranean, and fight for sun loungers on Cote d'Azur I don’t want to, your choice is Languedoc - Roussillon. French families with small children have long appreciated the beaches there for their warm, calm water and shallow depths off the coast.

Skiing

Skiers are spoiled people. Resorts from a good dozen countries from Russia to Canada are fighting for their favor (and wallets, of course). But even in the conditions of fierce competition, French stations de ski attract most fans of downhill skiing. There are several reasons for this:

  • Highest quality trails. France is lucky: the highest European mountains are located on its territory, and the French are making full use of this competitive advantage. Thanks to the large differences in altitude, it was possible to organize hundreds of tracks - from “green” slopes for beginners to “black” puzzling tracks on which Olympic champions train.
  • Reference level of service. The history of resorts such as Chamonix dates back to before the Napoleonic Wars, and the French take full advantage of the experience gained over centuries of serving tourists. French apres-ski is the best in Europe, and you'll always have something to do after hitting the steep slopes.
  • Truly Gallic rationalism in everything. The French believe that the basis of a ski resort should be the piste, and all related services must adapt to it - not the other way around! Therefore, the terms ski-in and ski-out, dear to the heart of any skier, at most French resorts are not an empty sound, but a norm of life: as a rule, from a hotel or rented chalet to the nearest slope is tens, in extreme cases hundreds of meters.
  • Democratic. Yes, yes, she is the one. The high cost of French ski resorts- it is a myth! Of course, if you are ready to spend an amount with 5-6 zeros, the French in Courchevel will be happy to meet you halfway, but in general, in the mountain stations the general French principle of “everything for everyone” is observed - even in the most fashionable places you can find budget options.
  • A stunning wealth of options. In France, not one, not two, but four mountain range with resorts and ski stations - there is plenty to choose from! And if the Alps (with the exception of some resorts) are more suitable for experienced skiers, then the Pyrenees are always at the service of beginners, and the Massif Central with its gentle slopes extinct volcanoes More suitable for quiet family riding. If you are tired of crowds of noisy foreigners, then pay attention to the Vosges and especially to the resort of La Bresse - it is not for nothing that the French themselves give it a place in the top ten.

The high altitude of resorts such as Les Deux Alpes or Val Thorens is another bonus for skiers. It allows you to indulge in your favorite hobby almost all year round. The only advice: watch your health, not everyone can endure a two-three-kilometer altitude without harm to their health.

And finally, ski France appreciated for being France! Whatever resort you choose, you will definitely have the opportunity to join not only the sports of this wonderful country, but also its culture: Roman amphitheaters and medieval cities, Romanesque monasteries and Gothic cathedrals, quiet nature reserves and noisy amusement parks.

An invaluable advantage of French ski resorts is the opportunity to save on hotels. Travelers have a huge selection of residences, apartments and chalets at their disposal - if you are vacationing with a large group or family, alternative ways overnight accommodations can reduce the cost of living by several times, and the presence of a kitchen will allow you to avoid costly trips to restaurants.

Education in France

If you have more money than time, the luxurious designer boutiques on the Champs Elysees, the famous Printemps and Galeries Lafayette department stores will gladly help you out. Clothes from youth brands are a little cheaper - you should look for them in the Marais quarter and on Rivoli Street.

If you are not ready to overpay for proximity to the Eiffel Tower, it makes sense to carve out a separate day to visit the outlets. They are located outside of Paris, but they compare favorably with the capital's boutiques in both prices and assortment: for example, the most famous French outlet La Vallee Village is a decorative village of 120 elegant pavilion houses located near Disneyland, each of which presents its own brand. Another famous outlet is Usines Center Paris Nord. The word “usines” will tell those who know French that the goods here are sold at factory prices, but the word “Paris” will deceive, since the outlet is located outside the city, near Charles de Gaulle airport.

Cuisine and restaurants

French cuisine, with its ability to exquisitely combine the incongruous and discern gastronomic “material” in the most inappropriate products, definitely deserves close attention. Each region of the country has made a feasible contribution to the overall culinary treasury: the Rhône-Alpes region, for example, is famous for its casserole of thin slices of potatoes called gratin dauphinois, and in the central Alps they prepare fondue like nowhere else. Regain strength after a stressful day ski day A plate of “bouillabaisse” will help - a Marseille “multi-fish” soup that has taken root well in the snowy north.

As a rule, lunch time in restaurants is from 12:00 to 15:00, dinner - from 19:00 to 23:00. The rest of the time they usually offer cold snacks.

France is not only a country of haute cuisine with corresponding numbers on the menu. Numerous brasseries and bistros (approximate analogues of our cafes), creperies (a type of pancake house) and small small Lebanese, Algerian, and Chinese restaurants will make sure that you do not go hungry. In such establishments, the price tag for a full meal starts from 12-15 EUR per person, the further from the center the lower.

In cafes and bars, special boards at the entrance usually indicate two prices: au comptoir (at the counter) and a salle (at the table). The first, of course, is always lower. The cheapest time to eat is around noon - where restaurants and cafes are open at that time. You can also save a lot of money by choosing Menu du jour when ordering - an analogue of our set lunch (with the difference that French establishments offer two or three dish options to choose from.

They number not in hundreds or even thousands - rather in tens and hundreds of thousands (there are 40 thousand castles in the country alone, but France is famous not only and not so much for castles). How not to get lost in this diversity?

Although everyone in France can easily find places that will fall on their hearts, it is worth highlighting those objects that have no analogues in the world or at least in Europe. There are many more of them than it might seem: in addition to the well-known Louvre, Versailles, Loire castles, the Eiffel Tower and Mount Saint-Michel, there will be dozens of unique, albeit lesser-known, attractions. Here are just a few of them:

The Normandy Bridge is located at the mouth of the Seine near Le Havre. This is the largest and longest cable-stayed bridge in Europe. Don’t skimp on the 5.40 EUR to travel across the bridge - you’ll be able to appreciate the view of the seaside Seine from a height of 215 m (and if there is free time, visit the “Garden of Engineers” - a museum right next to the bridge). IN Western Europe The bridge is so famous that its image even graced the 500 EUR banknote, the highest denomination to date.

The French are not Americans and do not specifically chase records: the enormous size and height of the Normandy Bridge are explained quite utilitarianly - according to the technical specifications, the bridge should have allowed any ship in the world, if necessary, to enter the mouth of the Seine.

The pink granite coast is located in the north-west of Brittany. This whimsical pile of boulders of the most bizarre sizes and shapes is a real workshop of nature! You can spend more than one hour looking at miraculous sculptures and guessing in them the outlines of strange animals and mythical creatures. It is better to do this on a sunny day - thanks to the stones, the seaside landscape will turn into all shades of pink.

In the historical region of Périgord there are unique monuments of the Paleolithic era - the Cro-Magnon caves (it was the cave that “christened” the race of modern people Cro-Magnon), Lascaux and Rouffignac. And if you can’t see the famous Lascaux cave paintings in person, the Rouffignac cave (also known as the “cave of a thousand mammoths”) is open to the public.

In the Languedoc-Roussillon region there is the city of Carcassonne - it is famous for the largest fortress in Europe (the modern Moscow Kremlin is larger, but has never performed military functions). In addition to the size of the structure, it impresses with its venerable age: the fortress stood in Roman times, and you can still see antique masonry near the foundation. The history of Carcassonne also adds authenticity, because it is inextricably linked with purely French events - the Albigensian wars.

Clermont-Ferrand, the capital of the Auvergne region, is home to an amazing cathedral. It is famous not for its architecture (this is a fairly typical example of French Gothic), but for the material from which it is made: black volcanic tuff, common in those places, was used for construction. The combination of sharp Gothic lines and dark stones creates an unforgettable impression - especially at dusk, when the lights come on in the lancet windows. Against the backdrop of a crimson sunset, the cathedral more closely resembles the tower of Sauron from “The Lord of the Rings” than a Christian temple.

To Burgundy Russian tourists They rarely get there - but in vain! In addition to outstanding Romanesque monuments (for example, there are the Benedictine abbeys of Cluny and Vézelay - perhaps the most famous in the world architectural complexes Romanesque era) the region is famous for its special, “Burgundian” style of architecture - even an amateur can easily distinguish it by its “gingerbread” roofs made of elegant multi-colored tiles, forming regular geometric patterns.

Holidays and Events

Few would argue that the most famous holiday in France is Bastille Day. Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to Paris to see with their own eyes the dapper French military, to appreciate the brilliant training of pilots performing aerobatic maneuvers over the Champs de Mars, to feel a sense of unity with the Parisians during the fireworks display Eiffel Tower.

It makes sense to come not for the holiday itself, but a couple of days before it: Parisians traditionally consider July 13 as Freedom of Speech Day, and on the streets you can see crowds of demonstrators gathered for various reasons - from serious to funny. The evening ends with a celebration called the “firemen's ball” - the only people in uniform who enjoy universal respect in France.

But France would not be France if it did not always offer tourists the opportunity to choose. Even within the country, not everyone is happy about Bastille Day: for example, if on this day you prefer Brittany to Paris, you will be able to attend medieval festivals dedicated to the times when Brittany was independent - on this day you will not see a single French tricolor, unless specifically you won’t turn up at the city hall.

Even if July 14 is celebrated differently in France, what can we say about other dates? It is best to spend Christmas and the September harvest festival in Alsace, and Mardi Gras in the north. New Year in France - the time of guests and social parties, it should be celebrated in Paris, and Easter - in the same Brittany, which is still famous for its zealous adherence to Catholicism... But no matter what region you choose, no matter what date you stop at - it’s boring you won't.

Summer is not only a time of lush greenery and flowers, but also, naturally, a time of resorts and vacations. When choosing a country where a holiday will bring an unforgettable experience, more than half of the girls surveyed will undoubtedly choose France.

Oh, Paris, the city of live music, fountains, lights and elegant young ladies... Having made a choice in favor of this amazing country, a girl will definitely not go wrong. Days spent in this magical place with all its attractions, are filled with a living fairy tale of the eternally sleepless Parisian streets. The banks of the Seine River, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower - all these unearthly places flash before your eyes when the time comes to say goodbye to your beloved country of romance and feelings. Gradually we have to come down to earth and solve pressing questions: what should we bring home to our loved ones from such a mind-blowing trip? other tourists to maintain at least a piece of the “Parisian” mood?

This article will present the best, and most importantly, proven options for gifts and souvenirs from wonderful France.

Famous French patisseries

When it comes to France, most associations are associated with traditional French croissants, which are still warm and served in cozy restaurants early in the morning. Of course, it would be possible to bring this creation of confectionery art, but during the many-hour journey the delicate dough may become stale... But you can’t leave the country without its traditional sweets?

One of the best gift options for family and friends can be a bar of high-quality French chocolate. How is it different from any other chocolate product? It's simple: it contains the most delicate milk and a large amount of spices, which the French know how to use so well. Indeed, ordinary chocolate is lost against the background of one that literally melts in your mouth, leaving behind a delicate aftertaste of cinnamon...

Another win-win sweet that is usually brought from France is the widely known Macaron - here, in its historical homeland, this sweetness is cheaper and made of better quality than in other places.

Alcohol products

Since we are talking about edibles, how can we miss such an important topic as the famous French medium-alcohol drinks, which will drive you crazy with their taste even without an extra few degrees.

Of course, we are talking about luxury French wines and an assortment of elegant and simple gifts in the form of a bottle of good wine, which will delight both friends and family, and will be an excellent example of what is brought from France. The most amazing thing is that in this country, especially in its heart, in Paris, good alcohol can be bought almost everywhere. And the point here is not at all in the statistics of alcohol intoxication among French residents: it’s just that Paris is always crowded with tourists from other countries who can’t wait to take a couple of bottles of the popular Bordeaux with them, and it just so happens that the French are a people who love to live beautifully and elegantly , and therefore there are simply no cheap counterfeits of alcohol here.

Thus, French wines or champagne will be an excellent souvenir option for loved ones. Moreover, the list of quality alcoholic beverages does not stop at wine - cognac is also one of the prides of French producers, but it high quality corresponds equally high price, because cognac is not often chosen as a gift.

French cheeses

Continuing the theme of alcoholic drinks, we cannot help but mention the ideal ensemble, which has long become a kind of classic. We are talking about wine and cheese - a pair that cannot be separated.

When thinking about what to bring from France as a gift, you can stop at a wheel of good-quality cheese. This delicacy will be appreciated anywhere, because French cheese is imbued with the atmosphere of this country, like any other national delicacy.

And don’t forget that France became the birthplace of world-famous blue cheeses. Naturally, not everyone will like such a product, but if a gourmet friend is waiting at home, then why not please him with the original blue cheese, which is significantly different from what can be purchased in any supermarket?

Herbs and spices

One more business card France can be considered a giant market called Richard Lenoir. Why has this market become something of a tourist attraction? It’s very simple - this place is entirely specialized in trading a wide variety of spices. Just think: there are thousands of types of spices here - from traditional coriander and saffron to the collection of Provençal herbs.

A box filled with a whole bouquet of a wide variety of spices is something that can be brought from France as a gift to people who often prepare gourmet dishes. Such a souvenir will be appreciated, and therefore spices will be an ideal option straight from the French market.

Designer clothing

This gift option is more suitable for girls, because who, if not a woman, knows a lot about stylish clothes? So, in France there will be no problems with this souvenir, since Paris, along with Milan, is one of the current fashion capitals in the world. There is a huge number of designer boutiques where you can buy exclusive items.

Of course, the prices for ready-made luxury will correspond to its quality, but if you want to give a worthy gift from the heart, then you can’t skimp on it! Options for souvenirs from Parisian designers can be high-quality gloves, sunglasses, elegant wide-brimmed hats or berets in the rhythm of French fashion, and in no case should one ignore the personification of French style - chiffon airy scarves.

Receiving such a gift, any girl will be able to feel like that same French woman who comes into the bakery every morning for a cup of strong coffee with spices and a fragrant croissant to go with it. So designer clothes are one of the best answers to the question of what to bring from France as a souvenir.

Cosmetical tools

The global authority that many French cosmetics companies have is undeniable, so why not buy a couple of products for someone as souvenirs? But first, it’s worth figuring out: what cosmetics to bring from France? To answer this question, you need to know the preferences of the person to whom you plan to give the gift: perhaps it will be a long-lasting classic lipstick, branded mascara or a set of face care creams. A wonderful option could be a set of aromatic oils for body skin care.

Perfume

Not far from cosmetics, it’s worth paying close attention to the dizzying French perfume. One thing is for sure - it is impossible to find a better perfume in the world! This is probably why French perfumes are what are most often brought from France.

The atmosphere in which French perfumers come up with and combine their unique scents leads to the fact that any bottle coming out of expensive and branded stores or simple and medium-priced stores breathes its own life. France is also a country of scents, each of which tells its own story. So it’s not for nothing that French perfume has become a household name, denoting the degree of luxury of a perfume.

Coffee

Another amazing gift you can think of is real French coffee. You won't be able to try this drink anywhere else! The tart taste and aroma, the feeling of cheerfulness that it gives - all this together makes you dizzy at the first sip. One of best brands Ricore is considered to be a drink in which coffee and chicory are mixed in special proportions - perhaps that is why it has such a unique taste. If it is preferable to buy the best French sweets as a gift for girls and women, then coffee is the best gift for serious men who will be able to appreciate it.

France - the country of forgotten vintage

After staying in this amazing country Many people wonder: what is the first thing people bring from France as souvenirs? The answer to this question can be found in the windows of many small shops that sell the most outlandish and rare things. Once you enter such a shop, it will be impossible to leave empty-handed.

These tiny shops with antique trinkets embody the spirit of France, and therefore will be a wonderful gift when traveling home. Souvenirs can be beautiful vintage postcards with dried lavender flowers and exuding an incredible aroma, these can be vinyl records from the 30s or 40s, and what can we say about worn photographs depicting beautiful views old Paris? An equally original gift can be an aged carved music box, from which flow motifs of national French music.

Classic souvenirs

If none of the above options appealed to your heart, then no one canceled the classic small souvenirs that can be found in any country.

Then you don’t have to think about what souvenirs to bring from France: keychains with the Eiffel Tower or the Arc de Triomphe, magnets with views of the Champs Elysees or the Louvre, gift lighters again in the shape of the Eiffel Tower, small gift figurines, kitchen sets, jars for storing spices with views of Paris at night... There are so many of them! But the main thing is that anyone will be happy with such gifts, regardless of a person’s taste, and plus, these souvenirs will never lose their popularity!

If you still have questions on the topic “Souvenirs from France: what to bring and how to please everyone,” then you can always ask the person himself, who will tell you exactly about his tastes and preferences. And yet, no matter how wonderful a souvenir may be in itself, nothing compares to a live stay in this land of wish fulfillment and night romance. So the best option receiving vivid impressions will not be a desired gift, but your own presence in this amazing country.

In Vladivostok we met French tourists who, in 50 days, traveled by bus from the Atlantic to Pacific Ocean With main goal- see as many Russian cities as possible, get acquainted with the culture and traditions of their inhabitants.

Vladivostok greeted tourists with foggy and cool weather. However, for many of them this is a familiar climate. They came from Brest - a small French town, which is also located on the ocean, only the Atlantic, reports.

“I live on the seashore. But here the sea smells stronger of iodine. Here in France it doesn’t smell like that,” said tourist Jacques Poisson.

27 Frenchmen left their business at home and went on the “Journey of the Century” - a bus tour from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. And most of the route is in Russia.

“Since childhood, my husband dreamed of getting to the Pacific Ocean. We thought for a long time how to do it. He wanted to go by car with friends, but it didn’t work out. And now, the dream has come true. We are very happy,” said tourist Manik Shotae.

16 thousand 300 kilometers of road - for Jean-Pierre Laban this is the most long journey throughout his 35-year driving career. This is the second time he has decided to undertake such a tour. In 2014, he also took a group from Brest, France to Russia. He says that in two years the roads have become much better.

“After this trip, I realized that 50 days behind the wheel is the maximum for me. Well, in general, I’m very glad that everything ended well,” said bus driver Jean-Pierre Laban.

This is a unique opportunity for Europeans to see not only Moscow and St. Petersburg. Tourists visited more than 26 Russian cities. In Novosibirsk, the French were told how to brew tea in a samovar, had a picnic on the shore of Lake Baikal and were treated to local hot-smoked omul. In Vladivostok, tourists were greeted with a sailors' dance and a loaf of bread.

“I tried a lot of Russian cuisine and even gained weight. I liked your soups and how you prepare meat,” noted tourist Zhonik Shoseru.

Michel Salin has been to Russia 98 times. But, I only got to Ulan-Ude, and then by train. Connecting two oceans and seeing all of Russia is his idea.

“You could make such a trip by plane, but you can’t see anything from the plane, by train, but you won’t see much either, the best option is by bus to see your wonderful country,” said Michel Salen.

The Ministry of Culture declared this year the year of cross-tourism between Russia and France. The “Journey of the Century” route is also scheduled for 2017. The French are already making reservations. It is planned that the bus will not leave Russia empty, but with a group of our tourists.

Vladivostok is the final point on the “Journey of the Century” route. Here tourists will be introduced to the eastern culture of Russia. They will not go home by bus, but by plane.

Olga Skripnikova, Sergey Drobyshev. Far Eastern Bureau of TV Center. Vladivostok.

The most attractive country for tourists around the world is France. In 2012, it received 83 million guests, and if we consider that in 2011 the number of tourists was 81.4 million, then there is a clear upward trend in this figure.

This attractiveness can be explained by a large number of historical and architectural monuments, a wide variety of museums and exhibitions, a mild climate, beautiful natural landscapes, excellent tourism infrastructure, designed for clients of different financial capabilities. The capital of France, Paris, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and most visited cities in the world. Therefore it is not surprising that tours to France are organized all year round.

Nature

The country is located in temperate climatic zone However, due to the fact that the coast is washed by the warm Gulf Stream, the climate is very mild, with a small difference between winter and summer temperatures. For example, in Nice the average winter temperature is 8 degrees, and the summer temperature is 23 degrees. The eastern part of the country is characterized by mountainous terrain terrain, for the western - flat.

The country has many lakes and rivers, the clear water of which reflects beautiful forests. However, there are few of them left, since almost all the land suitable for cultivation is used in agriculture. The vegetation along the Mediterranean coast is very diverse.

Attractions

Almost every old City in this country it can be called a museum, since France has many architectural monuments, probably more than in any other country. As for the museums themselves, history lovers in France are simply spoiled for choice, as here they can see the sites of ancient people, Roman and Gallic settlements, the arenas of ancient amphitheatres, castles whose history dates back to the times of the Roman Empire, and the palaces of the French kings.

Ski resorts

Thanks to the presence of mountains on its territory, France is popular place fans' rest alpine skiing. In French Alps there are about 400 ski resorts, which are aimed at athletes of different levels of training and, importantly, people with different income levels. Hotels at resorts are designed for both family vacation, and for relaxation with a company.

Entertainment

If the tourist is not a skier and is not particularly interested in ancient artifacts and ruins of fortresses, then he can visit the Futuroscope film park near the city of Poitiers, which houses the largest collection in the world telling about the history of cinema, as well as a magnificent amusement park. Entertainment is distributed according to age categories, which makes this place especially attractive for both adults and children.

32 kilometers from Paris is the town of Marc-la-Vallée, where EuroDisneyland is located, which also offers entertainment for tourists of different ages and financial status. Just wander through the beautiful streets of Paris, visit the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees- also great pleasure.

Travel around the country

Those who travel around Europe by private car need to know what it's like to travel by car. highways France needs to pay. When entering the next section of the highway, there will be a sign indicating the amount of toll. Experienced Travelers know what for independent trip around the country will be very helpful map of France in Russian language.

At all, transport system This country is considered one of the best in the world. France is a world leader in the implementation of high-speed railway transport. More than 50 cities in the state are connected by high-speed railways.

Buses are an auxiliary mode of transport. Long-distance routes No. For those wishing to travel around the country by car, there are car rental companies in the country. Highway service stations are located every 25 miles. However, it is difficult to find a parking space in the capital, and most of the parking lots are paid.

In France, communications are good. Pay phones can be found even in remote villages. If you intend to use this type of communication, then stock up on a card in advance, for example, with a face value of 10 euros at any kiosk or store.

If you use mobile communications, you should choose an operator mobile communications SFR because it is considered the best in coverage area. You will be provided with communication even while in the mountains, which is very important for skiers. A SIM card will cost approximately 30 euros. The average cost of a call to Russia is 1.5 euros per minute.

Most likely you will decide to use mobile internet, including for calls. Therefore, it will be more profitable to immediately purchase a SIM card for 10 euros, pay 30 euros for unlimited Internet and use all the possibilities - communications, the Internet, and applications on your phone, for example, Google maps.

Free Wi-Fi in France is also quite good. It is provided in many public places: hotels, bars, restaurants, museums, parks, and of course, McDonald's.

Language and communication

All French people are united by an incredible love not only for their country, but also for their language. Therefore, even the one who knows English language a Frenchman may refuse to speak it. Since speaking English does not always help communication here, knowing at least the basic phrases necessary for communication in French just a must!

Features of the French mentality

The French are crazy patriots in everything! They prefer French food and drinks, want to communicate only in French, drive cars from the French automobile industry, listen to songs performed by French singers, and despite everything, they idolize Napoleon Bonaparte!

For the most part, the French are very smiling, polite and sociable, which is a little unusual for us. The norms of behavior and morality are the words “please” and “I beg your pardon.” If they look at you, it is not customary to look away. You need to smile back, otherwise you will be considered rude. French kisses are sacred: even if you don’t know someone well, be prepared to be kissed on both cheeks twice: when you meet and when you say goodbye.


Shopping in France

It is profitable to go to France for shopping during the sales season. But even at this time amateurs low prices will be disappointed. After all, you need to come here not for discounts, but for originality, quality and genuine brands. Basically, tourists buy French cosmetics and perfumes, branded clothing and accessories, world-famous delicacies, especially cheese and wine.


You can easily find Paris's high-end boutiques as they are concentrated in the city center. If you are interested in more affordable clothing brands, it is worth visiting Haussmann Boulevard and Rivoli Street, where Naf-Naf, Zara, Marks & Spencer's and others are located. They, of course, have retail chains in Russia, but their assortment differs radically.

In France great amount outlets where you can shop all year round with discounts of up to 70%; their addresses can be easily found on the Internet.


Worth visiting at least once swap meet. Here you will find original items made of antique silver, paintings, decorative items, dishes or even furniture.

Important! In Paris, some goods are much more expensive than in the provinces. You usually cannot exchange or return an item purchased on sale. On purchases (at least 175 euros in one check), you can return VAT (TVA) equal to 12% of the cost, for which you must issue a tax-free check before payment.

Kitchen. Where and what to eat in France?

Food in France is a real cult. The French love it very much, and most importantly, they know how to cook. They know how to combine foods and tastes that are completely incompatible for us, for example, meat with berries, cheese with chocolate, spicy with sweet. In the preparation of many dishes, regardless of whether it is the first course, the main course or dessert, chefs use alcohol, which, in their opinion, gives the dishes a special taste.

Baguette&croissant. Traditional French food. You will be captivated by French baguettes and croissants, even if you thought that you were absolutely indifferent to baking.

Wine&cheese. The choice is incredible! More than 400 types of cheeses for every taste are officially registered in France alone. It is believed that the stronger the cheese smells, the better it is! In every good restaurant You will be offered both a wine list and a cheese list. In France, you definitely won’t be served bad wine; in addition, in different regions of the country you will have the opportunity to taste wines characteristic of that particular area and find your own taste and aroma.

Frog legs, oysters, foie gras, snails. These delicacies are relatively expensive. But this is haute French cuisine, and it's worth trying. By the way, the opinion that frog legs can be ordered in any restaurant is wrong! They are not prepared everywhere, and, by the way, not every Frenchman can boast that he knows what they taste like.

Dessert. France has simply luxurious desserts. Fruit cakes, pies, creme brulee, soufflé, waffles, gingerbread, pastries, cookies and, of course, macaroons and profiteroles! Forget about dieting during your trip and enjoy!


Each of the 20 regions has its own gastronomic characteristics. So, in Champagne- tasting real champagne, Burgundy- Burgundy wines, Dijon mustard, snails and cassis - blackcurrant liqueur. Alsace cuisine has largely absorbed German culinary traditions. The main dishes here are warm sauerkraut with pork knuckle, a variety of sausages, Munster cheese, Kugelhopf cake, and white wines. The culinary mecca of France - Aquitaine region. Here are the famous Bordeaux wines, Périgord truffles, oysters from Arcachon, and foie gras. To Normandy we go for Calvados and cheeses, the most famous of them are Camembert, Livarot, Pont-l’Evêque, Neuchatel. Well and to Brittany— for the freshest seafood, buckwheat pancakes and cider.


And most importantly: try to eat where the locals eat!

Holidays and Events

Cannes International Film Festival

The festival is a prestigious and widely publicized event in the artistic world. For 10 days, stars, film professionals and big screen lovers from all over the world gather in Cannes: 10,000 accredited professionals, about 4,000 journalists. It was the Cannes Festival that made Cannes what it is - not just a fashionable resort, but also a center of social life for the whole world. The city attracts megastars for just two weeks in mid-May, but the famous festival's trail of glitter stretches throughout the year.

Bastille Day

The French call this day the National Holiday. Celebrations are held on a grand scale throughout the country, but it is celebrated especially enchantingly in Carcassonne.

Every year on July 14 at 22:30 an unforgettable show takes place here - a grand fireworks display that annually attracts up to 1 million spectators. 25 minutes of a wonderful pyrotechnic show over the castle, a real storm of blooming colorful fiery flowers!


Carnival in Nice

The Nice Carnival is the most beautiful and noisy festival on the French Riviera and one of the three largest in the world. This is two weeks of concerts, night and day processions of giant dolls, flower battles, when millions of roses, cyclamen, mimosas, violets and carnations, as well as confetti, fall from huge baskets onto the heads of spectators.

The procession of dolls is always led by the King of the Carnival, as tall as a six-story building. He is carried on a large platform, on which smaller dolls dance and make faces. And behind the platform the whole royal army smoothly floats - “four-story” mermaids and “three-story” knights, “five-story” Harry Potter and “two-story” Snow White. Dragons the size of a locomotive, swans, fish, bats crawl.

Third Thursday of November. Bojo and all of France

"Beaujolais nouveau" celebration of new wine

Wine lovers from all over the world look forward to this holiday and even call it the Wine New Year. Once finished, hundreds of thousands of bottles must be immediately sent to different parts of the world, because Beaujolais has a shelf life of 4 to 5 months! This wine is produced exclusively in Burgundy, and it is distinguished by tart cherry and currant notes in its taste.


First weekend of September. Lille

Annual flea market

Every year for two days, Lille turns into a huge colorful bazaar - the streets are literally teeming with merchants of all stripes, selling both really cute little things and completely unbelievable rubbish. The Lille flea market is the largest in Europe. It has more than 100 km of stands! Every year, about 10,000 sellers take part in it, among whom there are professionals and more than 2 million buyers both from France itself and from other countries.

Safety

In France, like others European countries, pickpockets operate: at airports, train stations, in the subway, on the streets, especially in popular tourist areas.

You need to be careful about motorcyclists who can snatch your bag and instantly disappear in an unknown direction.

You should be careful when visiting some of the districts of Paris and the so-called ethnic quarters (areas located near the Western and Northern stations). Not only a robbery can occur there, but also fraud, which can result in getting caught by the police. Of course, it's better not to appear here. Especially in the evening and at night, and especially alone.

5 tips that you will definitely need when traveling around the country

1. Perhaps the main advice is to be friendly, polite and smiling. Learn from the French to enjoy life and not rush anywhere!

2. In France, you must say hello to the staff in a hotel, store, restaurant - everywhere! Etiquette is a sacred thing for native French people, and those who do not observe it will not receive decent service.

3. Save entry tickets in the metro throughout the entire trip, since the French metro has inspectors. The fine for traveling without a ticket is 50 euros.

4. The fine for smoking in the wrong place in France is 450 euros! Usually the police limit themselves to warnings and explanations, but is it worth the risk?!

5. Do not take large bills of 200, and especially 500 euros. They are extremely difficult to exchange due to the lack of change.

 

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