Beautiful by name, beautiful by nature, France is one of the most charming lands on earth

 
Whether it's gastronomic greatness, artistic endeavour or cultural cachet you're looking for, there's no doubt that France has it all. France is the country for which the word chic was invented - seductive and aloof, old-fashioned and forward-looking, but always characterised by a certain je ne sais quoi.

The country that gave the world champagne, casseroles and Camembert is justly famous for its cooking, and you'll find there are plenty of places to indulge yourself. But while France is undoubtedly a place to eat and drink to your heart's content, there's much more to this fascinating country than cutting-edge cuisine. It is also a land where a deep cultural heritage and a rich history go hand-in-hand with the art of living life passionately, and to its fullest. For the French this joie de vivre includes ample time for romance, exploring their countryside, eating well and simply stopping to relax and enjoy the pleasures of life, such as a leisurely game of boules on a warm Provençal afternoon, or a chamber music concert on the ramparts of a medieval village in the cool of the evening.