Travel to France

With rich history and culture, France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a political and economic leader among European nations. France is also one of the world's favorite travel and vacation destinations.

France is located in Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; and bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain. With total land area about 545,630 sq km, France is slightly less than twice the size of Colorado of the United States.

France climate is generally cool in winter and mild in summer. But southern region along the Mediterranean Sea has mild winters and hot summers.

France has 60,424,213 (July 2004 estimate) population. Ethnic groups include Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, and Basque minorities. French is the official language.

With modern capitalistic economic system, France has advanced railway, electricity, aircraft, and telecommunication industries. France is also the leading agricultural producer in Western Europe. France joined 10 other EU members to launch the euro on 1 January 1999.

France has a highly developed telephone system. Based on 2003 estimate France has 21.9 million Internet users.

Paris, the capital of the French Republic, is probably the world's most elegant city and one of the world's most favorite travel destinations. Paris presents to visitors with its world-class museums, historical attractions, art and culture, luxury Paris hotels, world-famous dining, great shopping and fashion.

The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre and the Champs Elysees are some of the most famous tourist attractions in Paris. In the evening, the splendid illuminations turn Paris into the City of Light.

The magnificent chateau in Fontainebleau, the beaujolais vineyards near Lyon, the seaside resort of Nice, the Film Festival Centre in Cannes, and the famous Monte Carlo casinos are some of the exciting highlights to explore France, the magnificent and romantic nation.