France

France is the largest countries in Western Europe, covering a total area of 547,030 km2. The English Channel lies to the northwest and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.

Spain lies across the Pyrenees to the south, the Mediterranean (including Corsica) is to the southeast, and over the eastern Alps and Jura ranges lie Switzerland and Italy.

France's relatively flat northeastern borders abut Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium. France has a population of 60,400,000 (2000) of which 2,150,000 million are located in Paris, the country's capital. The highest mountain is Mont Blanc at 4,807 metres.

The world's number one tourist destination, France is a country of contrasts with a multitude of landscapes, offering holidays to suit all tastes and budgets.

Whether you fancy a spot of shopping on the chic boulevards of Paris or a winter sport break on the sparkling ski slopes of the Alps, a relaxing beach weekend on the sun-baked Riviera or a holiday exploring  the fairy tale castles of the Loire Valley on a bike, the choice is vast.

Indeed it's the many attractions of this compelling country that draw millions of visitors back year after year.

Perenially popular Provence, with its lavender fields and warm climate, and Paris, arguably the most romantic city in the world, top the list in terms of visitor numbers, but other less well-known regions are also well worth exploring.

Delightful Franche-Comté, Gascony or Berry, deep in the green heart of France, are firmly rooted in the land, with sleepy villages typical of provincial France, while unspoilt and rugged Corsica, also known as ‘l'île de beauté' ('the island of beauty'), offers all the charm of the Mediterranean without the crowds.