by David Seymour

There is a very good reason why France has always held the top spot as the world's most visited country - it has everything anyone would need in a vacation. Irrespective of the type of holiday you enjoy, from culture to risque, from active to beach lounger, from self-catering and camping to expensive luxury, from winter skiing to "sun, sand and sea", from romantic Paris to the wilds of Brittany, France will supply it in abundance.

Once you land in Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, a hugely diverse choice of vacation options are open to you. The French autoroutes branch out from Paris like the spokes of a wheel, allowing you to drive in comfort to all parts of the country on their super-efficient, well serviced Autoroutes. Remember the Autoroutes are toll roads, and should you decide to drive from Paris to the Cote d'Azur on the A6 or A7 Rhone valley route, you will pay as much in tolls as you will in gas. If you prefer a more leisurely drive, pottering through little towns and villages, you can chose the N designated roads which are toll free.

The French railway system is one of the best in the world, with high speed, clean trains running to all parts of the country. The TGV rail system provides the super-fast trains to carry you to all urban centers of France, while Paris itself has the Metro underground system.

If you consider trains and roads too much hassle, it can be much quicker and cheaper to fly to your chosen destination. Cheap airlines such as Ryanair, Flybe and Easyjet fly to many regional airports in areas such as Provence, Normandy, Brittany, the French Riviera and the South West. All of these airlines have online booking facilities.

If caravanning and camping is your style of vacation, then France is the place to be. It has a brilliant network of caravan and camping sites throughout both the country and the major cities, with showers, electricity and toilets provided. They are easily accessible and very cheap.

Whether you like to experience the 'Glory that was France' exemplified in the grandeur of Versailles and the gothic cathedrals of Bordeaux and Paris, or you prefer the quiet tranquility of Normandy and Picardy, with their links to the generations lost in two world wars, or you wish to experience the trendy and jet-setting nightlife of Paris and the south of France, you will get much more out of your vacation in France if you try using the language. Although English is now a virtual second language in all parts of France, the French are very proud of both their history and their language. If they see you making an effort to use their language, they will go out of their way to help you.

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Real estate for sale in France - promoting a selection of quality properties for sale in South West France. In particular, properties in Gironde, Lot-et-Garonne, Les Landes, Lot, Gers & Dordogne.