Thursday, July 21, 2011

Tourist Attractions in France

France has some of the most beautiful and lively cities and tourist attractions in the world. These sites not only play host to descending tourists and curious travelers, they also shield the raw beauty of unexplored regions and unique fests from the rest of the world. With TSI Holidays outbound tourist packages, you can explore the famous with the lesser known attractions and events on your tour to France and its cities.


Tourist Attractions


The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Church, museums and galleries, walks along the canals, houseboat cruises, beach sports, water sports, island tours, winter sports in the Alps and Pyrenees, a game of boules on the street, walks through the Paris streets are just some of the attractions that draw people to France. The rolling slopes and vineyards of Champagne, the farmlands of Normandy, the historic sites at Lorraine and Strasbourg, the Celtic heritage of Brittany (a coastal town), the Gothic Cathedrals and green pastures in the medieval town of Burgundy, the châteaux and churches in the volcanic city of Auvergne, the French Alps of Rhone and the grand palaces and gorge in the Loire Valley are some other places that you may visit with TSI Holidays outbound packages for France.

Eiffel Tower in Paris



The Eiffel Tower in Paris is the most famous tourist attraction in France. The amazing Eiffel Tower was designed and built by an intelligent French engineer Gustave Eiffel for the world exhibition of 1889, commemorating the centenary of the French Revolution. One of the greatest engineering masterpieces in the world, the Eiffel Tower rises to 300 m /984 ft (320/1,052 ft. including the FM and TV antenna) above the ground, weighing about 7,000 tons. At the time of its construction it was the tallest structure in the world.

The Eiffel Tower has three platforms: the first at a height of 57 meters, the second at 115 meters, and the third at 276 m, all of them providing stunning views of Paris and the surrounding Ile de France region. The pre-sunset view of Paris from its third floor is truly a breathtaking one, indeed an unforgettable experience for tourists.

The Eiffel Tower also has two well-maintained restaurants- Altitude 95 on the first platform, and the extremely expensive Jules Verne with a private elevator on the second floor. The top platform of the Eiffel Tower has a bar, a souvenir shop, and the erstwhile office of Gustave Eiffel. To reach the Tower's summit, one needs to cover a staggering 1,665 steps.


French Alps in Rhone

Located in the eastern France, the French Alps in Rhone is one of most enchanting and picturesque moutain landscapes in the world. The French one Rhone Alps are known for their diverse landscapes, consisiting of scenic mountains, lush valleys, lively rivers, and enchnaitng waterfalls and lakes. Lyon, the third largest city of France, is the capital of the French Alps region. Home to the highest mountain of Western Europe- Mount Blanc (4,807meters), the French Alps offer excellent conditions for skiing and hiking, using Chamonix and other skiing resorts in the area as a base.

The French Rhone-Alps region has some of the largest and most famous skiing resorts of the world, including Chamonix, Megève, Avoriaz, La Clusaz and Courchevel. Besides world-class skiing resorts, the French Alps also has many important historical regions and nature reserves of France, including Ain, Drome, Savoie, Haute-Savoie, and the famous Vanoise Nature Reserve. Visit the French Alps in Rhone to explore the diverse attractions of this strikingly beautiful region of France with TSI Holidays. Take a refreshing breath in the pristine and breathtaking surroundings of the French Alps. Drive deep in the Ardeche or Drome gorges; visit the fascinating cities of Lyon, Chambéry and Annecy; or explore the fascinating countryside of Haute-Savoie region. Discover the great museums, roman ruins and some of the finest restaurants at Lyon, or explore the rich and diverse flora and fauna of the Vanoise National Park- the first and one of the only seven national parks in France.

The real charm of the French Alps in Rhone lies in its 180 skiing resorts in 15 mountain ranges. Thousands of skiers from all over the world throng to internationaly renowned resorts of Alpe d'Huez, Chamonix, Courchevel and the Trois Vallées. Besides skiing, you can also enjoy other thrilling activities like hiking, mountain biking, horse safari, white- water rafting, angling, summer skiing, mountain climbing, caving, bungee jumping, and many more. 

Annual Film Festival in Cannes

world, held annually at the fascinating beach resort of Cannes in France. Started in 1939, in response to the leading Venice Film Festival, which was apparently being run by Fascist Italy, the Cannes Film Festival could screen only one movie in 1939 due to starting of the World War II. The first complete Cannes Film Festival was organized in 1946 at Cannes, and since then, the Festival is held annually in May every year.

The Cannes Film Festival is a non-public festival, primarily attended by people from the world of movies. The Festival draws hundreds of movie stars from all corners of the world and provides a good platform for movie producers to launch their new films and sell them to the eager distributors. The Cannes Festival is also popular for its starlets on the beach, on yachts, and fractious bunfights over controversial screenings. Most of the events are organized at the enchanting Palais des Festivals and are strictly by invitation only, there are film screenings open to the public, all over the town.

The Golden Palm (Palme d'Or) is the most prestigious award given out at Cannes for the best film. Other awards, including the Grand Jury Prize (the second most prestigious award) are decided by the jury of the festival, comprising of a group of internationally renowned movie professionals. Visit Cannes during the famous Cannes Film Festival and see the starlets on beach and enjoy screening of some of the most beautiful movies of the year from all over the world, with TSI Holidays. 

Thorens Glières' Castle
Located near fascinating medieval town of Annecy, Thorens Glières' Castle is one of the major tourist attractions in France. Built on an 11th century AD fortress, the beautiful Thorens Glières' Castle is made of hypogeum and secret dungeons. The invincible Thorens Glières' Castle commands the entrance of the famous plateau des Glières region- a key stronghold for the resistance and a World War II battle site. The Castle is a must visit attraction for those who want to get an insight into the rich and fascinating history of France.

The Thorens Glières' Castle is known for its valuable Salésian treasure, consisting of the 12th-17th centuries ornaments, ministerial furniture, Episcopalian documents, and amazing tapestry work related to Tobie. Thorens was also the country estate of Camille de Cavour, the founder of the Italian unity, and houses many interesting art collections and souvenirs related to him. The Castle also houses the beautiful chalet of Saint François de Sales, a renowned 17th century Saint, who was Bishop of Geneva and Annecy, and the author of "L'introduction a la vie dévôte," considered the most read book after the bible. A visit to the Thorens Glières' Castle promises to take you through a thousand of years of history of the region.

Thorens Glieres is also known for its enchanting mountain scenery, and the place also provides excellent conditions for hiking the Alps Mountain, sailing on the lake, skiing, wakeboarding, paragliding, mountain biking, cycling, and nature walking. Visit the beautiful Thorens Glières' Castle on your France Tour with TSI Holidays and get enchanted with the fascinating charm of the place that never fails to impress its visitors. 

Wine Tours in Burgundy
Located in the eastern France, Burgundy is world-famous for its red wines, and is the second largest wine producing regions in the country, after Bordeaux. Burgundy has some of the finest vineyards in France on its picturesque slopes of the Cotes de Nuits and the Cotes de Beaune, producing excellent red wines. Burgundy wines are among the most sought-after wines in the world, and the most expensive, including those of Domaine de la Romanée Conti. Besides its wines, Burgundy is also known for its enchanting scenic beauty and fascinating cultural charm, which never fails to impress its visitors.

TSI Holidays brings to you exciting and unforgettable Burgundy Wine Tours. Visit this wine lover's paradise, going from one vineyard to another, passing lush and picturesque grape farming villages and tasting their best wines along the way. Besides wine tasting, you'll also discover the natural and architectural beauty of the region, including the world-famous Côte d'Or. Stay in the finest luxury hotels with their breathtaking views of the vineyards in Champagne. Meet the world-class winemakers and discuss about the process of wine making on your Burgundy Wine Tours with TSI Holidays. 

 Paris Museum Tour

Paris, the capital city of France, is not only known for its towering Eiffel Tower packed, but the city also houses some of the most renowned museums in the world, including the Louvre Museum, known for its world's largest collection of art. Paris houses more than 80 museums and over 200 art galleries, and a visit to Paris for the museums alone is well worth it. Visitors can also purchase a La Carte pass, providing free admission to 60 national and municipal museums in Paris. Visit and explore these world-famous Paris Museums with TSI and discover the amazing collections of arts and artifacts, including dome of the finest paintings and sculptures in the world. 


The Louvre Museum, the biggest museum in the world, is the most famous museum in Paris. The museum displays the art from Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities, and the western art from the Middle ages to 1848, consisting of some of the finest paintings, drawings, and sculptures in the world, including the world-famous painting of Mona Lisa (La Joconde). Other famous museums, which you can visit on your Paris Museum Tour, include the Rodin Museum- famous for its bronze and marble sculptures by Auguste Rodin (1840-1917); the Maillol Museum- known for its amazing collections of modern art; the Cluny Museum with some of the finest medieval European tapestries, and the Orsay Museum with a superb collection of the 19th and the early 20th century art.

Other worth visiting museums in Paris include the famous Advertising Museum, Picasso Museum, Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie, Institut du Monde Arabe, Musée National des Arts et Métiers, Musée National d'Art Moderne and the Musée National d'Histoire Naturelle. 

Events

Events in France showcase its diversity in terms of geography, culture and cuisine, beyond the three major cities of Paris, Lyon and Marseilles.

Sports Events
Monaco Grand Prix, Tour de France, Paris Marathon and Kandahar-Alpine Skiing World Cup bring out the sporty side of the French, otherwise considered to be eternal romantics.
 

Carnivals and Popular Festivals
Dunkerque and Nice Carnivals, Nativity at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, the Cannes International Film Festival and the Bastille Day Celebrations are some of the popular events that reflect the cosmopolite character of the French.

Art and Culture Fests
The International Film Festival, Jazz Under the Apple Trees (Normandy), Summer Solstice and Musical Festivals (nationwide), and International Festival of Theatre, Music and literature (Limosin) reflect the average Frenchman's partially for music and art. 


1 comment:

  1. Excellent post! The list of tourist attractions that you shared in your blog nudged me to get a France Visa. I will be adding these travel destinations to my itinerary once I get my visa.

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