For many tourists, France is associated with high fashion and its capital Paris, where romantics, lovers and shopaholics prefer to spend their holidays or vacations. But there are many other interesting places in the country, and various regions of France offer their own attractions and features to curious travelers. The territory of the state occupies the forty-eighth place in the world in terms of area and is divided into 27 regions: five of which are overseas possessions, "acquired" by back-breaking labor during the colonial conquests.
Repeating the alphabet
The regions of France, called regions, are divided into departments, which, in turn, into districts, then cantons, and the basis of the French administrative-territorial system is made up of more than 35 thousand communes.
The first in the alphabetical list of regions is Aquitaine, with the capital of Bordeaux, and at the bottom of the list is the Pyrenees Mountains with Toulouse at the head. For fans of gastronomic tourism, significant regions of France are Burgundy with the capital Dijon and Upper Normandy with Rouen, and lovers of tastings will be more suited to Lorraine with Moselle wines and Champagne-Ardenne.
Overseas regions include Guadeloupe with Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte and Reunion, located in South America and off the eastern shores of the African continent.
Tourist trails
The most visited regions of France are several regions with the most cultural and historical attractions, opportunities for beach or outdoor activities:
- The region with the complicated name Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur combines many opportunities for a vacation. The main beach resort of this region of France is magnificent Nice with its luxury hotels and pristine beaches. The mountain system of the Alps is famous for its ski resorts, and Provence, charming in its lavender splendor, is the home of many French cuisine.
- The Rhone-Alpes is another skiers' domain. The most famous resort of Courchevel is located here, along with which, in the ski area Three Valleys, there are trails and more democratic at prices Meribel.
- The area of France called Center and Places of the Loire is a real paradise for fans of medieval architecture. It was here that the kings and the French nobility built magnificent castles in the river valley, the excursion to which is one of the most popular among travelers. Part of this historical heritage is included in the UNESCO lists.
