Although France is not the world’s biggest producer of wine, it produces the most amount of wine by value. Many connoisseurs consider French wines to be superior to all other wines in the world. There are ten wine-making regions that produce French wines — Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Languedoc-Roussillon, the Loire Valley, Provence, Corsica, the South West, and the Cotes du Rhone.

Grapes grown in France, and at any vineyard in fact, are grown under a very specific set of conditions that contribute to its taste. This is called terroir (a French word that is difficult to translate into English), and French wines are famous for their terroir. Some conditions that contribute to taste include grape variety, climate of the area, slope, soil chemistry below the vine, and/or the length of the post-harvesting process to finish the wine. French wines collectively have over 100 different terroirs, which is a huge variety of different conditions where grapes are grown. In turn, this produces numerous different wines, so almost no one bottle of French wine is the same as another.

There are 19 grape varieties which can produce everything from cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and pinot noir (red wines) to chardonnay, chenin blanc, and pinot gris (white wines). French wines and their labels can be difficult to understand if you don’t know French. French wines are labeled by the region they come from. Most other wines are labeled by variety, like “cabernet sauvignon” or “chardonnay.” So knowing which wine to choose takes a little bit of advance knowledge on which regions produce the kind of wine you’re looking for. For example, the Pomerol and St. Emilion regions of France only produce merlots. In Burgundy, merlot and cabernet sauvignon grapes are grown.

Buying wine online can have many advantages, as well as disadvantages for the consumer and seller buying wine online For the true wine connoisseur, buying wine online can be a good way of finding obscure or hard-to-find wines. Many web sites out there allow the mystified shopper to organize wine types according to what they’re looking for or what they prefer. Plus, they usually include wine reviews that can guide the novice to some pretty good wine experiences. However, buying wine online also has some drawbacks.

If while buying wine online, you order a single bottle, shipping costs can get very expensive. This is because the wine plus bottle are typically very heavy. If buying wine online, it is most practical to buy in bulk. This will save you money on shipping costs, since it will cost less per bottle to ship. Some distributors will also give a hefty discount when buying in bulk. Bottles of wine are also extremely vulnerable to major temperature changes during shipping.

Taste can be affected by temperature, humidity, light, and vibration, all of which could impact the shipment during transit. Having your wine shipped during the spring or fall months will most likely minimize temperature changes during shipping. During summer or winter, hot or cold temperatures could ruin your shipment. Quicker shipping options could also minimize temperature changes.

A little less than half of the states in the US also prohibit direct shipment of alcoholic beverages to anyone who lives in that state. Translation — buying wine online doesn’t mean you’ll be able to receive it. Those states that do allow shipment to you from buying wine online have many restrictions that can affect your planned shipment. You should do your homework before ordering that special bottle of chardonnay to be delivered to your doorstep.

Why the Languedoc? Well, we have the most hours of sunshine in the whole of France. Secondly, we are the largest producing wine area in France. We have also the most varied landscapes, huge amounts of beach, mountains, skiing, and much more.

The wine. Here are the main regions. Minervois, Corbieres, St Chinian, Fitou and the Coteaux du Languedoc. They all have their own characteristics, flavours. They do vary in strength too- anything from 12% to 15%. Generally, they are made to drink young. However, they do survive ageing very well and fascinating characteristics can develop. The best way to appreciate this huge variety, is to travel to the area and be prepared to invest time and mileage to view what the Languedoc has to offer.

When tasting- be responsible to your taste buds and liver! Most tastings can involve up to 10 different wines- usually starting with a sparkling wine, followed by the lightest white (sometimes a Muscat-or sweetish wine as well). Then onto the reds-once again starting with the lightest. Remember to spit the wine out between tasting. I know many people find this habit odd- it is- but you will survive the experience much better. Always ask for something to nibble on between tasting. Some wine makers will encourage wine and food pairing during a tasting. Perfect. If not, nibble on French bread, or a dry cheese biscuit- to cleanse the palate. This will then allow the next wine to enter a clean palate.

Food in the Languedoc. This region is not known as the gastronomic capital of France. However, there are a huge amount of locally grown produce that gets used, seasonally, in most restaurants. The most famous dish from the region in Cassoulet. This is a slow cooked dish, with sausages from Toulouse, confit de Canard, white beans, goose fat and other “secret” ingredients.

Cassoulet, a thick casserole of beans and meat, is a hearty peasant dish that originated in the Midi-Pyrenées and Laguedoc regions. The name comes from cassole which is name for the earthenware pot used in making cassoulet.

A gastronomic council decreed in the 1966 that a true cassoulet must consist of 70% beans. The bean of preference is the haricot lingot du Lauragais. This white navy bean is grown in the region and stands up to the long cooking cassolets require. Various meats make up the remaining 30% and it is the meats that determine which region of Languedoc the cassoulet is from.

There are many types of cassoulets from various regions, cities and villages but the three most well known form what Prosper Montagné dubbed the “Trinity”.

We have many very good Michelin starred restaurants in the region- using locally caught fish, influences from northern Spain, and back in history, the Occitane days. There are many pleasure awaiting the explorer. One very good way to experience the Languedoc, is to take an organized tour of the region that will show you the delights of the wine, the epicurean experiences of the food, and maybe even go on a Snail trail picnic.

France is not yet internationally recognised as a golf haven. This is a very good thing. To see what I mean, you only have to glance at the crowded fairways of the Algarve and the Costa del Sol/Brava/Almeria etc. This fact, coupled with close proximity to the UK, a huge number of travel options and fantastic cuisine make France a great place to take a golf holiday.

Still need more reasons? OK. Well here we go:

France has more golf courses than the rest of continental Europe put together. 25 of which are rated in Europe’s top 100. Green Fees in France are, on average, much cheaper than in the UK. This allows you more rounds or a better class of golf course.

France is a charming country with many interesting traditions. Where else in the world would you experience this other than France?

No doubt you learnt a bit of French at school. Even the dumbest of you will have picked up ‘Bonjour’ and ‘Merci’. No? Well no need to worry about that, the ratio of English speakers to non English speakers in France is much higher than that of French speakers in England. You will find almost everyone employed at a golf course which is frequented by Brits can speak enough of the Language to get you on the first tee and a beer in your belly at the 19th hole.

The climate in the southern regions of France means that, in this region at least, it is golfing weather all year round. No need to carry an umbrella, waterproofs, gloves and 4 pairs of socks.

The wine is very, very good, but don’t drink too much or you could completely forget all about the golf.

France is renowned throughout Europe and the world for its cuisine, and rightly so – French cuisine is generally considered one of the most refined and elegant in the world.

In French cuisine, there are some dishes which are considered national dishes, eaten throughout France, and others with specific regional origins. One common factor in all French dishes is an emphasis on good quality ingredients (especially local produce), and careful preparation.

Here are some popular French dishes:

- Bouillabaisse – A fish stew, originally from Marseille. Usually a variety of different fish and shellfish are used to prepare the soup, as well as celery, leeks, onions and tomatoes. The stew and the fish are usually served in separate bowls, with the stew poured over French bread seasoned with bread crumbs, olive oil and chili peppers (“rouille”).

- French onion soup – A soup made from onions and beef broth, topped with cheese and croutons. According to legend the soup was invented by King Louis XV of France.

- Coq au vin – Chicken fricasseed with wine, lardons, mushrooms, and garlic. Traditionally, older roosters are used in the dish, as they contain more connective tissue resulting in a richer broth.

- Beef Bourguignon (French: Boeuf bourguignon) – Beef stew cooked in red wine, flavored with garlic and herbs, carrots, onions and lardons (bacon from the back fat of a pig), and then garnished with onions and mushrooms.

- Escargot – Land snails cooked with parsley butter – often served as an appetizer.

- Blanquette de veau – Veal, mushrooms and onions cooked in a thick cream sauce.

- Pot-au-feu – A spiced beef and vegetable stew. Typically carrots, celery, leeks, onions and turnips are used in the dish.

- Quiche Lorraine – A baked dish made with heavy cream, eggs and bacon (but traditionally no cheese) in a pastry crust. If onions are added, the dish is known as quiche Alsacienne.

- Andouillette – A traditional French sausage, from Lyon, Troyes or Cambrai. It may be eaten hot or cold, and has a very strong odor that some people consider very unpleasant, and is very much an acquired taste. Please note: The prepared version of andouillette sold in the United States is not the same!

- Crêpes – Thin pancakes made from wheat flour. Originally from Brittany (French: Bretagne), they come in both savory (crêpes salées) and sweet (crêpes sucrées) varieties.

- Chocolate mousse – A creamy dessert made from eggs and cream, and flavored with chocolate.

- Crème brûlée – A custard base, usually flavored with just vanilla, and topped with a hard layer of caramel made by burning sugar under a grill or other intense heat source.

- Éclair – A hollow baked pastry, allowed to cool, and then filled with pastry cream (crème pâtissière), custard or whipped cream, and then topped with chocolate or icing.

- Profiteroles – Small baked pastries filled with pastry cream (crème pâtissière) or whipped cream. Often served with chocolate sauce.

Geography
Vienne represents the north eastern quarter of Poitou Charentes, bordering the Deux Sevres to the west, the Charente to the south and Haute Vienne (Limousin) to the south east. Indre (Centre) is situated to the east, and to the north is Indre et Loire (Pays de la Loire). The department consists of three administrative boroughs (Arondissements), Poitiers in the centre, Montmorillon in the south and Chatellerault in the north. The terrain is considered a patchwork of influences from surrounding areas, Angevin to the north, Berrichon to the east, Limousin to the south and Gatinois to the west.

Transport
All of the main arterial routes pass by the capital Poitiers. The A10 motorway [toll road] that runs from Paris to Bordeaux links Poitiers to the major towns of Niort and Saintes towards the south, and with Chatellerault and Tours to the north. The N10 (part motorway) follows a similar path northwards from Poitiers, but to the south it connects to Bordeaux via Angouleme. The N147 connects Poitiers with Lussac les Chateaux in the south and with Loudun in the north, and the N149 connects Poitiers with Parthenay in the west. The main route eastwards is the N151 towards Chauvigny.

The TGV stops at three destinations in Vienne. Poitiers has access to routes between La Rochelle and Paris (Montparnasse), as well as the services between Lille (Europe), Paris (Charles de Gaulle), and Bordeaux (St Jean). Futuroscope has its own TGV station, as does the sub-prefecture of Chatellerault, and both of these stations link with Paris (Montparnasse).
Vienne has an airport at Poitiers Biard, and this offers a limited choice of services to the UK, with reduced services in winter. The airport also hosts holiday charter flights during the summer.

Climate
The central belt of the department is within a zone that receives between 2000 and 2250 hours of sunshine per year, with northern and south eastern areas receiving between 1750 and 2000 hours. As with other inland areas of the region, the climate is temperate with clearly defined seasons, with traditionally warm (occasionally hot) summers and cool (but not excessively cold) winters. Vienne is probably the driest part of the Poitou Charentes region, with the northern plains receiving the least rainfall and the south west receiving the most.

Key Info
Vienne has not traditionally been geared up for tourism, but the local administration recognised the importance of tourism to the economy with the launch of Futuroscope in 1987. The high-tech theme park on the outskirts of Poitiers has since received 30m visitors, and continues to be the flagship attraction for the department (and the region). It would be wrong however, to assume that Futuroscope is the only thing that Vienne has to offer.

The department has a rich history, with a number of archaeological sites such as the Grotte de la Marche (Lussac les Chateaux), Roc aux Sorciers (Angles sur l’Anglin) and the Gue de Sciaux archaeological dig ongoing at Antigny. There are many medieval churches and buildings, with the Eglise St Hilaire le Grand (Poitiers) and the Abbey of Saint Savin on the coveted UNESCO World Heritage list, and there are many examples of medieval fortresses (some ruins), such as that at Angles sur l’Anglin.

Where the Vienne excels is in providing outdoor activities. There are lakes, rivers, forests and gardens all to be explored, offering a variety of activities such as bungee jumping, canoeing, climbing, fishing, 4×4 off-road driving, swimming and more. There are many beautiful gardens, such as the Parc de Blossac (Poitiers), the Promenade de Blossac (Lusignan) and the Parc de la Belle at Civray.

The department has a number of animal parks such as La Vallee des Singes (monkey park), L’Isle aux Serpents (snakes island), the free Parc Bois de St Pierre (St Benoit), and the newly opened Planete des Crocodiles at Civaux, as well as Deer Valley at Availles Limouzine.

Culinary Heritage
Two Vienne specialities are Farci Poitevin (cabbage leaves stuffed with spinach, bacon, eggs, green garlic and fresh cream), and Le Gateau Broye (a galette type of biscuit made with charente butter). Another perhaps lesser known recipe is for Mijet, a kind of soup. Small pieces of bread are added to a bowl of red wine, a small amount of sugar, and some ice and a little water. This dish is a popular as an afternoon thirst-quencher on a hot day. The town of Montmorillon is also famous for its macaroon biscuits.

Economy
Vienne has no real industrial traditions, and the main hub of the department Poitiers hosts diverse industries, with big players such as SAFT (batteries), SAT (telecoms), Schlumberger (meters), Michelin (tyres), Fralib (instant soups), Gorcy (frozen foods) and Dassault Aviation. The former arms manufacturing centre of Chatellerault has been rejuvenated by firms from car and aeronautical sectors, with the key players such as Thales (Avionics), Valeo Systems (windscreen wipers) and Magret Marelli (Jaeger speedometers). Montmorillon in the south is more an agricultural landscape, although the biggest firms are SUVIGA (Hyper U supermarket) and COVIMMO (abbatoir). The nuclear power plant at Civaux has brought important benefits for the borough, as have the influx of British residents, particularly around the Civray area.

Keys Stats
Population: 419,000(INSEE06)
Department No: 86
Capital: Poitiers
President (Conseil Generale): Claude Bertaud (Right Wing UMP)
Arrondissements: 3
Cantons: 38
Communes: 281
Area: 6990 km2
Unemployment Rate: 6.8% (INSEE 2006)
Crime: 44.7 per 1000 (57th in 96 depts)
Key Attractions: Futuroscope (theme park)
Economy: Varied, Agriculture, Commerce, Manufacturing
Avg Property Price: 2012 Euro per m2

Burgundy, one of the most famous wine regions in France is also one of the most confusing and complex, even for the most experienced wine drinker.

Why such a small region that basically only makes two types of wine can be so complex is deeply rooted in the history of the region itself. Most Americans (myself included) think of a vineyard as one piece of property, owned by one individual or one family. In Burgundy especially, this isn’t the case. Centuries ago monks mapped the entire region in an attempt to create parcels of specific geography or terrior. In an average American vineyard the monks may have seen any number of different unique vineyards. For example, in the Audelssa mountain terraces vineyard they have three separate types of soil. In Burgundy these three separate areas of the vineyard would have been split into three vineyards in their entirety.

This unique ownership acts more as a condominium then a single family house. As you might imagine this leads to an incredible amount of arguments and interesting interactions between families and neighbors as many people own solely a row or two of vines. Many people need to agree on whom to hire as winemaker and whether or not to blend their grapes or not.

So what types of wine are we talking about when we talk about Burgundy? As I previously mentioned, two types of grapes: the red grape Pinot Noir and the white grape Chardonnay.

Both of these types of grapes struggle to reach ripeness in the northern, cooler climate of Burgundy. Also, it is very common to have rain the early fall, when the same grapes in California are able to ripen without any problem. This rain means winemakers in France must decide if they would rather pick early and chance having less ripe fruit (thus making stale, uninteresting wine) or pick late and risk rot and a myriad of other problems brought on by a late rain.

Since making substandard, uninteresting wine in France is a cardinal offense, almost all growers opt to chance the rain and pick as late as possible.

Lastly growers in France face additional difficulty, especially in Pinot Noir because the wine cannot be filtered because it loses much of its flavor.

So how do you pick a wine from Burgundy? The most famous vineyards in Burgundy are most typically the ones which experience the highest average sun (allowing for the most ripeness), so when choosing a wine-you need to be aware of vintage. In years where Burgundy is especially sunny, there will be plenty of truly outstanding wine at all price points. In less sunny years it pays to choose more carefully, down to even choosing the vineyards that face south (as southern faces have the longest sun exposure). As you might guess, a bad year for sun in Burgundy, can be a very bad year for wine from the region.

All in all, best of luck but there is hardly anything better then a truly great Burgundy….ask your local wine store for a recommendation. It pays to be careful though!

Champagne is often the celebratory drink of choice for special occasions ranging from weddings to victories to boat launchings to New Year’s Eve. As we charge towards the New Year, knowing your champagne is important.

What is Champagne? Is it sparkling wine, right? Well, yes and know. Champagne is actually a very restricted label. It can only be used by producers in the Champagne region of northern France. Sparkling wines that you will see at the store are a variety of what you know as Champagne, but from other regions in the world. These sparkling wines are usually not required to meet the specific production requirements of Champagne as well.

So, how exactly is Champagne made? Wine involves a single fermentation process. Champagne has two. It works very similar to what you find with a white wine. The primary difference has to do with the fundamental question of how do we get bubbles in the bottle? The trick is to create a secondary fermentation process. To do this, Champagne is created by continuing a small amount of the fermentation in the bottle. As the fermentation process continues, it produces carbon dioxide. This builds up in the bottle until some lucky soul pops the top. The sudden opening results in a release of pressure and we get people covered in Champagne. The stinging eyes they all complain of comes from the alcohol in the liquid.

There are, of course, other types of sparkling wines. Many are good, but an area where real differences occur are in the second fermentation process. Many producers will try to short cut the process. One way to do this is to use a tank process where the second fermentation process is begun in a large vat and then bottled while fermenting. This is a sign of slightly less quality than a basic Champagne.

For those producers just kicking out whatever they can, there is an even quicker process. They will essentially just bottle white wine and then inject it with carbon dioxide. The end result is definitely a bubbly liquid, but it hardly matches up to a quality Champagne or even an average one for that matter.

Champagne is a unique drink because of an inherent inconsistency noted with it. Nearly everyone will purchase it for a special event, but not that many people actually like to drink it. As long as there are New Year’s Eve celebrations, weddings and the like, I guess it really doesn’t matter.

Behind the scenes of the wine phenom nick-named in a Internet chat room raged an epic battle over the value of brand, and California’s quintessential spirit exclaimed by its own state motto: Eureka!

Down to our DNA we Californians hold triumphal belief in Gold Rush riches from supernatural pluck: A guy comes to LA with two Jefferson’s in his pocket and immortalizes his name on dream machine Disney studios. A billionaire-in-training collects bottles to eat, and starts Apple computers in a garage. California’s governor was an immigrant weight-builder turned Hollywood action hero. Even the sporting event of the 20th century happened right here when ‘milk-cart pony’ Seabiscuit obliterated every record and left Eastern aristocratic champ, War Admiral, in his dust.

And even though California is a relatively new entrant to the 8,000 year old craft of winemaking in just the last 31-years California vintners have caused the three most spectacular upsets in all of wine’s illustrious, long history:

At the legendary 1976 Judgment of Paris blind taste-testing then upstart Napa winemakers challenged the presumed superior–and slightly amused–French vintners. Noble France was handed its head on a plate and Napa was elevated as le monde de vin’s shimmering Camelot. Then in 2006, on the 30-year anniversary of France’s stunning rout, the Gauls expected to slap-down the Americans in a rematch to select the Big Ten Wines. They received a second beret-twirling shock when Napa won 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 10th places which cemented California vintners’ collective derriere firmly to the world’s wine throne.

But in July 2007 it was the Napa winemakers who felt a stinging blow when $1.99 a bottle bargain vintage, Charles Shaw Chardonnay, affectionately or derisively known as Two-Buck Chuck depending on your point of view, won the double Gold Medal at the prestigious California State Fair Commercial Wine competition. Two-Buck bested 350 labels many from Napa’s premier wineries.

Ouch.

A bit of extra sea-salt in the wounds was that Fred Franzia, Two-Buck’s Dad, and owner of Bronco Wines headquartered in Ceres, in California’s Central Valley, spent not a dime marketing his value-priced brew. It sold itself in the Internet firestorm ignited by its nickname. Seems the Millennial Generation bite on snappy wine labels. And though it sells only through one vendor, California’s Trader Joe’s stores, it is the fastest growing wine brand in U.S. history and the hottest seller ever out of Napa.

Oh, and there’s the rub. “Out of Napa.”

Franzia’s Bronco Wines’ empire stretches over 35,000 acres from Sacramento to an hour above LA along the Tehachapi range. He owns more of those pristinely neat, green running rows than anyone in California. But the catch is that he trucks the juice from his grape crush and processing operations in Ceres to be bottled and distributed, also by his own companies, in Napa. Portly Franzia says he is a Robin Hood Crusader bringing good cheap wine to the overeducated, underpaid Gen Xs and their aging Yuppie folks, and to the aforementioned Millennials, too.

The Princes of Napa have sued him for being a pirating knave.

Here in California, the inborn archetype of fables like Zoro and the Lone Ranger emotionally resonate. They’re our life-blood and we crave the fix of a fresh infusion. So when a strategic renegade snickers as he cleverly defeats his foes to benefit the oppressed people–we get a little misty in the eye.

But the Napa winemakers say, hold the phone, kiddies, let’s review Ethics 102.

It was we who built this dream, and made Napa into that glistening Eden that’s California’s second tourist destination after Disneyland. And by slapping the Napa appellation on his cheap grapes carted in from Ceres, Franzia is like Time’s Square street hawkers peddling knock-off bags. He’s diminishing our world-class brand.

Hmm. Oh, yeah. There’s that, too.

After a six-year legal battle that went all the way to the Supreme Court corks popped in Napa’s palatial showcases. The Napanistas finally beat the guy who they regard as a philistine at their verdant, glammy chateaux gates. But hey, my only horse in this race is California wines. I send spiritual bouquets to them all.

By herself, California is the 4th largest wine producer in the world. Bottom line is that winemaking is civilizing, it’s ancient, it’s hip, it’s cool, it changes culture and it heightens life and the spirit and the romance of California. And for that we owe all vintners a debt of thanks for adding luster to California’s fame.

Franzia, a third-generation Italian-American from an illustrious winemaking family, sits in his Ceres shack of a trailer office at the center of his 30-label domain. He’s no frills kind of guy, who drives a dusty jeep, eats at low-end diners, is a hell of a businessman and philosophical about his court loss.

But just remember, folks. Ceres was the Goddess of agriculture and fertility. And Horace, the greatest of Latin poets from the Augustan times who wrote phrases like carpe diem-seize the day–said that he would not abide sailing in this fragile skiff of life with any man who’d divulge the secrets of Ceres. Whatever next surprise is coming from Fred Franzia, is bound to have ‘Eureka!’ at the end and the blood’s rushing to my head right now imagining it.

© 2008-2012 Suzanne de Cornelia-All copyrights apply. This article may be reprinted on websites as long as the entire article, including the website link and resource box below are included and unchanged.

Bonjour! Looking for some interesting and little known facts about France? You may be intrigued by what you find. France is a remarkable country with a fascinating history. A close friend of mine traveled there searching for her French heritage. What she found was a beautiful countryside, rich culture, and a French family connection dating back for centuries.

Alsace is one of the least known tourist regions of France, yet offers some of the best vacation spots. Alsace borders Germany, evident in the cultural influence of both countries in the food, wine and customs.

Historical facts about France tell a story of a country divided. My friend traced her ancestry to Alsace Lorraine. She discovered that sometimes her ancestors were French and other times they were considered German, depending on who was winning the war! Their last name even changed from Gerber to Sherber, with each power struggle. An unforgettable experience was meeting living relatives, and a visit to the family’s inn and vineyard. Among her found treasures – a copy of her great-great Grandfather’s original birth certificate!

It is impossible to stand on the shores of Normandy and not feel the presence of the historical D-Day invasion. Early on that fateful morning, three airborne divisions dropped down in the quiet of the night and parachutes silently landed over the German’s defenses. Allies from Great Britain, France, Canada, and the United States followed over the next several weeks. The bloodiest battle took place at Omaha Beach.

At Colleville-Saint-Laurent, the American Cemetery is a standing memorial to those who risked and lost their lives. The French government gifted this land to the US in honor of our military heroes. The dead are buried on ‘American soil’ where they fell, not forgotten in a far away land. As the mist rolls off the sea, the vision of Normandy remains long after your journey back home.

Brittany is a spectacular coastal region located in the scenic northwest of France. Plan a stop in the village of Saint Michel to capture a glimpse of the villagers as they harvest seaweed. On the bronze beaches of Greve Blanche, from the view of Europe’s tallest lighthouse, watch a golden sunset.

Brittany is steeped in mystery and can claim some of the more fascinating facts about France: the region is rumored to have once been the location of the legendary Holy Grail. The history of this rural part of France recently came to light though the novel, The Da Vinci Code. Castle ruins stand testament today atop mountainous displays of glorious times past.

Provence is one of the most interesting regions in France, with its own customs and language. In the 19th century, Provence’s light and landscape attracted famed artists like Vincent van Gogh. The Greeks were the first to introduce vines to the region. The Romans contributed architecture of forums, villas, amphitheaters, and aqueducts.

Steep stairs and alleyways lead up to its feudal castle, which crowns the medieval town of Roquebrune. The 10th century castle, the oldest in France, resides by houses dated from the Middle Ages. Dignitaries such as Winston Churchill slept here.

One of France’s most popular activities is cycling with thousands of people visiting the country to enjoy it’s cycle tracks or watch the Tour de France. At weekends you will also see amateur enthusiasts decked out in their colourful lycra rushing down the French lanes.

But it seems that the world famous race is not the only one worth heading across the water for, with the annual International Tour of Poitou Charentes also attracting the crowds. The area offers one of the best climates in France.

So it is particularly convenient for those who have bought French property in the area, the event is a major part of the French cycling calendar and sees 15 teams compete for the coveted prize.

Travel through France on a bike

Following a 113 kilometre track from Vivonne to Poitiers, this year the participants will be battling to get ahead of 2006′s champion, Sylvain Chavanel.

Teams from France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal all compete in the event which makes for a good day out for anyone enjoying a break in the region.

Guides to cycling in France

For those who prefer to get involved rather than watch there are plenty of cycling events and tours which are available throughout France.

The stunning countryside and picturesque villages of the wine region make for a particularly enjoyable cycling trip, which can include the whole family.

Many French hotels have information on the best places to hire bikes, while for those who want something a little more challenging, and there are cycle clubs dotted across the country taking part in races and competitions.