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.

When you go to the grocery store or to the liquor store looking for wine, you will find that there seems to be an endless selection of different Types Of Wine. For most people, this leads to you simply grabbing the least expensive libation that doesn’t come in a box and heading home to unwind from your busy day. The thing is, you may not be buying the perfect type of wine. What’s more, you may be missing out on something by choosing a cheap type made from only grapes. That is because there are some that come with a variety of different ingredients to enhance your wine drinking experience.

When vinters add something to different Types of Wine to change the flavor it is called adding a fining. Finings are used for a variety of reasons. One reason could be that the the resultant drink came out more bitter than expected or if the smell or color is not what is expected. There are finings for essentially any different situation to help correct a problem with wine.

In addition to finings, other fruits and spices can be added to create beautiful combinations of flavors. One common fruit used in wine are figs. Some vinters that create their own wines will add figs and spices such as cloves to create a truly unique flavor. In essence, there are unlimited flavors that you can find when you are researching different Types of Wine because a person or company that creates wine are only limited by their imagination and creativity.

The thing is, when you understand about the different Types Of Wine then you can make an educated purchase when you need wine for dinner, a party and so on. With red, white, dry, full body wines and others, you need to understand what it is that you are buying,

You can find books on buying wine or you can use the Internet to learn what you need to know. In any case, your friends will be impressed about the libation choices you make and you may even become the go to person when someone wants to know what type of wine to buy.

Cyclists of all abilities can look forward to some fantastic scenery whilst on a cycling holiday in France, along with experiencing traditional French cuisine in the many hotels you stop at on your travels through the scenic countryside.

France is a country that is extremely enthusiastic about cycling, as we are all no doubt well aware with the Tour de France, and they have made it ever so easy to explore the countryside and cities on two wheels, with dedicated cycle paths and routes all around.

Cycling holidays will give you peace and tranquility with awesome views of countryside, chateaux, medieval towns, hilltops, valleys and gorges and these are just some of things that you would easily miss out on if you were driving through France, and with the rich heritage, extraordinary landscapes and the gastronomic delights can all be appreciated more whilst cycling, especially because of the extensive national network of veloroutes.

These veloroutes will take you along canal towpaths, quiet country lanes and converted railway lines as well as getting you into the heart of the countryside by using voies vertes, also known as green ways, which are specially designated tracks that are completely shut to motorised traffic, you can even hire your cycle en route from one of many locations-velos that line the major cycling routes.

You can still find areas in France that are so peaceful, it is rare to see a car, yet you may be passed by a few very passionate cyclists! Stopping for lunch and experiencing the local cuisine and of course the local wine is must and you can often find fortified villages scattered along the hill-tops and valleys for the most pleasant of stops.

Or if you prefer to have your trip organised then why not let the hoteliers transport your luggage by finding establishments that offer an “accueil velo” which are hotels and bed and breakfasts that cater specifically for cycling holidays throughout France.

With a French Alps cycling holiday you cannot go wrong, as you will be able to discover some of the Worlds most spectacular cycling routes, with climbs like the world famous Col de la Croix der Fer and Alpe d’Huez around Grenoble. But as well as the Alps, cycling in the Pyrenees with its mountain climbs such as the Col de Portet d’Aspet and the Col d’Aspin will provide you with the opportunity to see some of Europe’s most beautiful locations. Although these are not for the feint hearted! If you have ever watched the Tour de France, you will have seen some of those mean mountainous routes and the suffering these cyclists go through, yet perhaps this could be just the type of holiday you are looking for!

Also, the Midi-Pyrenees offers a wealth of art and history from prehistoric cave paintings to Renaissance mansions and is also famous throughout France for its cuisine which is rich with foies gras, Roquefort cheese, Gaillac wines, and Armagnac brandy, but to make the most of this region, it is often advisable to plan your cycling holiday very carefully, so that you can enjoy the many different places en route.

Yet if mountain biking and going on strenuous cycling routes through the mountains is not you, then do not worry, there are plenty of other areas in France that will cater for the novice or the family cycling holiday, just like Brittany, this area is ideal for a family cycling holiday, as the coastal routes along the bays are reasonably flat, making the trip easier, whereas the Loire is more undulating, yet fabulous chateaux and riverside towns will enthral you and the family on your travels.

What about the Poitou-Charentes area, which is an excellent choice for those who love wildlife and bird watching, as the area is still extremely rural, even compared to some of the other areas in France and Burgundy is a great place to cycle along the many canal paths.

Then there is the Dordogne which is extremely picturesque, and from the rivers and gorges through to forests and vineyards, this area provides such a diversity you will enjoy the whole experience from the start to finish of your holiday.

Mind you, with a cycling holiday organised for you, there is no need to worry about where you will stop for a break or lunch or where you will be staying, which means you do not have to have your panniers full to the brim, as all your belongings are transported on for you, ready and waiting for when you arrive at your next stop, plus if you decide to add in other activities, such as canoeing and horse riding as well, then your bikes will be transported to your next stop and you will be picked up at a specified location.

So whether you are a cycling enthusiast or a novice with a family, France is a fantastic destination to explore on your bike.

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.

While living in France, my family learned to love some recipes that we really miss now that we’re back home. After some experimentation and a few boo-boos, success is mine!

Our first favorite is pain au chocolat. Roughly translated, it is chocolate bread, and it is a favorite breakfast food in France. It is also extraordinarily popular as an after school snack. This food is so popular, they sell them in plastic wrappers in packs of 8 or 10, just like our hot dog buns! Now, keep in mind that the French version uses a type of croissant dough that takes hours to make by hand. I found the following two methods give me a reasonable substitute that my family likes.

First and probably easiest is the crescent roll version. I open a can of crescent rolls, but separate the pastry into rectangles by keeping two of the triangles together. I press the seams with a moist finger to seal them together. One can makes 8 crescent rolls, so it makes 4 French pastries. I have a big family, so I need 4 cans. If you have a small family, you can make do with two cans. Next, take your favorite plain chocolate bars ( like you would use to make S’mores) and cut the bars into strips parallel to the short side, about 1/4″ wide. Lay out one rectangle of dough, and put two strips of chocolate on top, set in from each short end enough so that you can take each end and fold it over the chocolate. The edges of the two folds should touch in the middle of the pastry. Once you have folded the dough, turn it seam side down and go on to the next one. Once you have them completed, bake the dough as directed on the package. When they are done, pop them out of the oven and serve them warm. You can use dark or milk chocolate, but traditionally the French use darker chocolates than we do.

The second method is to buy frozen puff pastry squares and follow the rest of the instructions above. These are a little closer to the true texture of the bread dough used in France, but a little more costly to make.

With either method, you could substitute a line of chocolate chips for the strips of chocolate if you don’t have bars of chocolate on hand. Since it all melts in the end, it really doesn’t matter.

Another favorite food from France is raclette. Now, raclette is a cheese, but it is also a method of cooking, coming from basically the same region of Europe as fondue. Raclette is a semi-firm cheese, with the Swiss version being a little firmer (and tastier, in my opinion) than the French variety. Either will work in a pinch. You can find raclette cheese in many supermarkets now, as well as gourmet food stores and some natural food stores. Raclette uses a special grill that has a flat top and an area below with small trays. The cheese is put into the trays and placed inside the grill to melt. Raclette grills can be purchased at specialty stores for a really “special” price, but T-Fal makes an electric version that I bought for about $40. It is a tabletop appliance.

Raclette is traditionally done like this:

Choose your favorite cold cuts, such as salami, priscuitto ham, olive loaf, etc. Arrange them on a plate in rows or columns that appeal to your eye. Slice (or get the market to) the cheese into 1/3 to 1/2″ thick slices that will fit into your cheese trays. Arrange these slices on the meat tray as well.

Next, bake or boil some potatoes whole. I bake them here in the USA, but they were often boiled in Europe. While they are cooking, make a little salad of mixed greens, or shred some carrots into a pile on each plate, or cucumber slices, whatever you have and like. Open a jar of cornichons (these are little dill style pickles the French love). You can buy them at almost any supermarket now, but if you don’t have them, substitute your own pickles. This method of cooking is all about the fun, not whether or not it is mechanically correct.

When your potatoes are done, put one on each plate with some of your veggie or salad and pickles for edible garnish. Turn your grill on and let it heat for a few minutes while you get the drinks ready. Every person uses their own tray to melt the cheese, which is then poured over their potato. My kids like to grill their meats on the top, but I prefer mine still cold. It is up to you!. Eat and laugh and talk while enjoying the meats, potatoes and cheese. You can’t mess this up! Cold cuts, cheese, baked potatoes- simple and wonderful.

The greatest thing about raclette (other than the quality fun time) is the clean up. In my house, there is rarely any food left, so I usually don’t even have to wrap the left overs. There are plates, forks, a few cheese trays, and your glasses. No hot pans with sticky messes, no oven pans to wash, and most everything can pop in the dishwasher.

Now, this is not the cheapest meal you can make, but we treasure it so much that we do this every other month or so. If you like fondue, you are sure to love it. If you have never had fondue, give this a try. I bet you’ll fall in love with it, too.

A favorite adult drink of ours is the Kir. It is an aperitif, or before dinner drink. This is easy as pie and absolutely delicious, even if you are not a wine drinker. Here’s the recipe:

Chardonnay wine (traditionally French Aligote, but you can’t usually get that here)
Creme de Cassis

Chill the wine. In a wine glass, put one part creme de cassis to 3 or 4 parts wine. I say 3 or 4 because it depends on the quality of the creme de cassis as to how much of it you need to make the drink right. When it is done right, the wine will have a slightly sweeter taste than normal.

Variations:

Use: Creme de Framboise

Creme de Mure

Creme de Myrtille
instead of the Creme de Cassis.

OR:

Use champaigne instead of chardonnay for a Royal Kir.

My favorite is Framboise, but I like them all! The cremes can be added to red wines, too, but that is not really traditional.

These are just a few of the things we found that we didn’t want to do without just because we came home, so we have incorporated them into our lives here in the USA. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Born on November 30, 1825 in La Rochelle, France, Adolphe William Bougureau, William Adolphe Bouguereau or Adolphe Bouguereau, was a highly acclaimed ‘Realist’ artist of his times. He was born in a wealthy family of wine and olive oil merchants.

His uncle Eugene, played a crucial role in his education by introducing him to Latin, Greek myths, and stories from the Old and New Testaments. Eugene also arranged for Adolphe’s High School in Pons, where he took his first drawing lessons. Impressed by Adolphe’s artistic potential, his father sent him to Ecole des Beaux Arts in Bordeaux. Here, this budding talent won a prize in figurative painting of Saint Roch, which catalyzed his career in fine arts. He then went to study the ‘Academic’ style painting at the studio of Francois-Edouard Picot. In the year 1850, Bougureau won the coveted scholarship, Prix de Rome, Italy for his work, “Zenobia Found by Shepherds on the Banks of the Axes.” In Italy, he got exposure to ‘Renaissance Art.’

Adolphe William’s perseverance and discipline resulted in extraordinarily productive artistic endeavors, such that his determination to paint never waned even in the phases of extreme financial difficulties. Arguably the greatest painter of the human figures, especially females, in the history he was capable of infusing lifelike tenderness and the subtle nuances of personality and mood in his works. Bougureau painted only what pleased him, thereby refusing to be dictated into a particular subject matter. A natural instinct, coupled with the knowledge of contours, and passion for ‘Classics’ became the hallmarks of his exquisite paintings, usually themed on mythologies. His finesse with hand, feet, and skin, with occasional subtlety of ‘Symbolism,’ was especially awed.

In 1856, he married Marie-Nelly Monchablon, and was blessed with five children. Throughout his working life, he exhibited his works at the annual Paris Salon exhibitions, where several people flocked each year to admire the pictures that were often reproduced on the front pages of magazines. By 1860, Adolphe touched the international scene, with his popularity climaxing in England, where he eventually bought a property. Belgium, Holland, Spain, and in the United States were the other cross-border arenas, Adolphe captivated with his art. His were the most expensive of the paintings, and his clients were among the wealthiest of the society, who waited for years to buy that one exclusive piece of the artist. Bougureau’s major ‘Photo-Realistic’ league works included, “Dante and Virgil in Hell (1850),” portraying the imagined horrors of the underworld, and “Cupidon (1875),” representing a beautiful imagery of Cupid and Eros in a modest pose, with Cupid’s famous bow lying at his feet.

Adolphe William Bougureau won several accolades and honors through his works. In 1875, he joined Academie Julian, as a drawing teacher, managing to reach the position of its Life Member in 1876. In 1877, Adolphe William lost his wife and youngest son. In the year 1885, he was honored with the prestigious title, ‘Commander of the Legion of Honor’ and was awarded the ‘Grand Medal of Honor.’

In 1896, the artist married his student artist, Elizabeth Jane Gardner Bouguereau. The powerful painter helped women artist gain access to formal art education at various institutions, a trend previously prohibited. 1920 marked the beginning of Bouguereau’s declining fame. Due to the changing tastes of the society, and the staunch opposition of the ‘Impressionists,’ who were gaining acceptance, the artist’s reputation took a beating. His name underwent not only a libelous, dishonest, relentless, and systematic assault of immense proportions, but was also struck off from history texts.

Adolphe William Bougureau died at the age of 80, on August 19, 1905, leaving behind his name to be remembered as the most admired, and listened-to artist of the nineteenth century. Some of his most celebrated works were “La Danse (1850),” “Alone in the World (Latest 1867),” “The Knitting Girl (1869),” “Nymphs and Satyr (1873),” “Cupidon (1875),” “The Birth of Venus (1879),” “Evening Mood (1882),” “The Nut Gatherers (1882),” “The Young Shepherdess (1885),” “Le Printemps (The Return of Spring) (1886),” “The Shepherdess (1889),” “L’Amour et Psyché, enfants (1890),” and “The Bohemian (1890).”

Bordeaux is one of Europe’s finest cities to live and work in. It is unarguably the wine capital of the world and rests gracefully as a cultural centre dominating South West France.

It is of little surprise that one will find some wonderful property for sale in this corner of France; with good opportunities alike for property developers and investors.

Located less than an hour from the Atlantic coast and the chic resort of Arcachon with it well-known marina, a little over two hours from the Spanish border and about the same from the mountain ski resorts in the Pyrenees, Bordeaux offers an attractive place to live and a vibrant life style. Bordeaux can say with some pride that it is a city that works but also one that is a pleasure to live in.

Bordeaux has not lost its splendor in the modern age, displaying a fine number of historically recognized monuments and highly ornate gothic cathedrals with their towering spires. Many of which are lit up at night, displaying their beauty and creating a desirable ambience across the city. Three of the monuments in Bordeaux are also honored and justly so, as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

With magnificent 18th century buildings distinguished by their classical facades and grand squares (one of them is perhaps the largest in Western Europe), Bordeaux is very much a living city, offering a modern infrastructure and transport system to its inhabitants – it has been unafraid of change. As such, Bordeaux remains in renaissance with major investments recently made in a new tram system, high speed internet, cycle ways and a complete renovation of the docks and quaysides along the river Garonne. The city now buzzes with bars, restaurants, cafes, chic boutiques and a highly recommendable nightlife. And as a result, the rejuvenation has produced an attractive market for investors with double-digit gains in bordeaux property the last 5 years.

With a far-sighted program of redevelopment, the River Garonne is once again incorporated into the heart of the city. It no longer acts as an economic barrier between the right and left banks of the river. The quays on both sides of the river have become the setting for such noteworthy events as the Fête du Fleuve (River Festival) and Fête le Vin (Wine Festival). Furthermore, major cruise liners with eager tourists regularly dock at the Port de la Lune, right in the heart of Bordeaux.

Bordeaux is twinned with ten large cities, notably; Munich, Bristol, Madrid and Porto. The city has taken its place on the international stage and has become a major venue for conferences and trade fairs. Moreover, Bordeaux has become a place of interest for property developers and those wishing to live in this vibrant city; a city that is a credit to its inhabitants who can be rightly proud of it. You only have to see the property in Bordeaux to see the huge changes which have taken place.

Buying a property in France is a dream for many people. If you have just started looking for a French property for sale, then read on. You might want to consider the south west of France. Whether you are looking for a grand house in Bordeaux, or an immaculate chateau in Gironde & Charente, or perhaps a watermill in Lot-et-Garonne, or even a magnificent country house nestled into the rolling hills of the Gers, the south west region has it all. The south west region of France attracts home buyers from all over the world, and offers a multitude of choice both in types of properties, and in locations.

Imagine waking up every morning and seeing the ocean from your bedroom window, or the biggest beach in Europe. Maybe you prefer the larger cities? Both Paris and Nice are very popular places to live permanently, despite the extra cost associated with living there. The French capital is of course known mainly because of its romantic atmosphere. The bistros along the Seine river, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre museum, the Sacre Coeur and the artistic neighbourhood of Montmartre are just a few of the many fascinating things this elegant city has to offer.

Nice on the other hand has a totally different atmosphere to it, one of a perpetual holiday. Located on the French Cote d’Azur, this trend-setting city is chosen by many of the rich and famous for its perfect location between the mountains and the sea, giving Nice its own micro-climate with mild winters and warm summers. The presence of Monaco nearby gives Nice an extra attraction.

If you always wanted to own a large plot of land to keep animals or grow wine grapes, France is a country where you can find the perfect opportunity for a reasonable price. Conditions in many parts of the south west are excellent for farming. And the south west is one of the best areas in the country town a vineyard.

Fancy owning your own castle? In France, you don’t have to be a millionaire or royalty to live in a chateau. Dozens of chateaus all over the country are currently on the market, some of the best in Gironde. For what a decent home in the London area would cost you, in France you can own a medieval chateau with land. Often these are built on top of a hill, offering astounding panoramic views over the surrounding valley.

The French life is a very special one, where the emphasis is on relaxation and enjoyment. Stress and haste are not part of the vocabulary here and believe it or not, it doesn’t take long to get used to it, even if you used to have a hectic life in London. Imagine yourself sitting with a glass of fine French wine and a delicious baguette and watching people stroll along the promenade from your balcony, or looking at a beautiful sunset over the hills from your chateau’s terrace. Make your dream come true: explore the possibilities open to you and examine French property for sale. Offering a fabulous lifestyle and accommodation to suit everyone’s taste, the south west of France is the next big thing.

Europe has a great history and lots of different museums, and France is no exception where they are dotted all over the country, but there are an incredible amount of museums in Paris itself that you can visit.

Probably one of the most well known French Museums in Paris is The Louvre, which is famous for the Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo da Vinci and this place can take at least a day or more to get round to see all the exhibits and you need a pair of walking shoes for this one! But the popular Musee d’Orsay situated in the former Paris railway station on the left bank of the River Seine picks up where The Louvre leaves off and features mainly French art.

The Palais de Tokyo is another popular museum especially with the younger generation and situated in an art-deco palace holding only temporary exhibitions, it is open until midnight and has become known as the most creative and fun museum in Paris.

But you can also get to visit a traditional home of one of the famous artists or authors, like the home of Victor Hugo who wrote The Hunchback of Notre dame, or seeing Honor Balzac’s house where he made it a place of refuge and it even had an escape hatch to get away from the debtors that he owed money to, which is now part of the Musee du Vin wine museum.

Or for a completely different scene, why not visit the Musée Cernuschi with its collection of Asian art, or the more modern Fondation Le Corbusier who became a pioneer in modern design and dedicated time to plans for providing better living conditions for people living in crowded cities.

There are lots of museums that are dedicated to famous artists and sculptors such as Musee Rodin and the Picasso Museum, but to step back in time and get a feel for how some of them lived and worked a visit to the Musee Bourdelle or the Gustave Moureau museum is well worth the time.

However, just in the city of Paris there are lots of museums dedicated to specific topics, such as the Musée des Egouts or Paris Sewers Museum, where you go beneath the city to discover their history and how they work, or you have the catacombs, which are again underground.

But keeping above ground, there are other museums in Paris dedicated to specific themes like the Musée de la Musique, dedicated to music and musical instruments that even has a Stradivarius violin and the Musee de la Poste, dedicated to the French Postal Service. Or perhaps you have an interest in dolls, as the Musée de la Poupée is all about dolls and their history, plus they even do valuations and repairs to antique dolls and teddy bears. The Musee du Vin is dedicated to the French past-time of wine and wine making and here you can even have wine tasting sessions and enjoy a meal in their restaurant.

Paris has such a wide variety of museums for all the family to enjoy like going inside a decommissioned submarine, visiting the air and space museum and going inside a Boeing 747 or Concorde or going up the tower at the Notre Dame Cathedral to see the gargoyles.

There is so much more on offer than just the traditional art scene and you could spend months just visiting museums, without even contemplating any other monuments and landmarks in Paris, which is another major part of the French History that this incredible city is so proud of.

Yet we would like to point out that all the museums are closed for at least one day of the week and this is usually on a Monday or Tuesday, for instance The Louvre is closed on a Tuesday and therefore other popular museums get exceedingly busy on this day.

Also at certain state run museums you can gain free entry on the first Sunday of every month, however, if you do decide to choose this option, be prepared for the large crowds and long queues, especially at some of the more well known and famous museums! But one option for jumping the queues is to purchase a Paris Pass that gains you entry into more than sixty different museums and attractions.

But we have found that you really do need to plan in advance exactly where you wish to go, otherwise you will definitely run out of time, mind you, this could be a good excuse for returning to Paris on another holiday in France!

With stunning surroundings and wonderful gastronomy really makes France a top destination for golfers and from Biarritz to Brittany, France can offer a great variety of uncrowded golf courses, which range from the novice to the more experienced golfer. In fact some of the very top rated courses in Europe can be found in France!

In the South there is a terrific variety of golf courses plus the cuisine and temperate climate make this a great destination for all year round golfing holidays.

Also, France is ideal for a golf break at any time of year, with courses in all regions of France and with around a hundred new golf courses having been built over the past few years, and over 500 in total, you certainly have plenty of choice!

And although golf is a very popular past time in many countries, the game does not have the same popularity in France as it does in places like the United Kingdom, as they are more into sports such as cycling, and this is probably why you can still get to experience golf in peace and tranquillity at your own pace and not like being on a conveyor belt or being rushed when you least need it!

Now the main golfing areas most people think of in France are centred around places near to Le Touquet and Biarritz, but there are numerous other excellent golf courses dotted all over the country and some are still virtually undiscovered, which can mean some inexpensive quality time for the golfer when travelling through France.

One popular area is Provence and the Cote d’Azur which have golf courses from Monte Carlo to the Pyrenees and one of these would make an ideal destination for a longer golfing holiday especially with the weather. But in the Rhone Alpes region are private hotels with their own golf courses set amidst the stunning mountain scenery.

The fairways within the Loire and Burgundy regions are either a short flight to France or easy drive for most people and are in the ideal location for those that want other things to occupy them when not on the golf course.

If you are looking for a golf weekend or golf holiday, there is so much choice, but if you prefer a slightly cooler climate than the South of France, then the regions of Brittany, Normandy and Pas de Calais are good options, plus with well over 130 golf courses that are suitable for most handicaps along with very reasonable green fees, the short trip across the channel by ferry or short flight can make for a very reasonable weekend break with your golfing friends.

And in the Ile de France region, which hosts the capital of France, Paris, you have over 60 different golf courses to choose from, so it is very easy to slip away from the city and have a day of peace and tranquillity on the golf course with your work colleagues. Or if you are on holiday with your family you could combine some sight seeing in Paris with a half-day of golf while your family could enjoy some delicious French food at the clubhouse in settings of absolute beauty.

We all realise that the Loire valley is famous for its chateaux, but there are also numerous golf courses amongst the splendour of this region and what better place to play a round of golf, then enjoy the fine wine over a nice lunch before heading back to your accommodation.

Looking at the South West of France, which has a varied landscape and culture is an ideal place to enjoy the French food, wine, maybe even visiting some chateaux, glorious beaches, vineyards, distilleries and museums, so this area has so much to offer besides the golf, of which there are around 90 courses, which means that no one in your holiday party will become bored.

However, if you love sight seeing, being able to see snow capped mountains all year round or glorious beaches, then the South East of France is definitely the place for you, and with well over 100 golf courses to choose from, you will be spoilt for choice in this region, although you may find that your budget dictates a little, as some of the green fees can be far more expensive than the courses in the North of France.

Another region is Sologne, which is situated just south of Orleans and is famous for its lakes and its excellent hunting and fishing, yet has now also become a popular destination for golfers, who like experiencing the fine French food and wine in this area, and you will find delights such as pheasant, partridge, venison, wild boar, carp, eel and trout on the menu.

Yet the area around Bordeaux has now emerged as a great golfing area where one can not only enjoy the courses amid vineyards, but also get to experience the wine, which is another ideal place to enjoy the best of both pleasures!

So whether you decide to arrange the golf holiday to France yourself or go for a complete package holiday, you can discover fairways that rank some of the best in Europe, plus some virtually undiscovered gems.

Just Enjoy!