PA L AC E O F T H E P O P ES , AV I G N O N , FR A N C E
You may well wonder, as did Charles
de Gaulle, how you can govern a
country with 246 varieties of cheese.
The French know a thing or deux about
celebrating joie de vivre, recruiting the
expertise of the nation's vintners and
producers of champagne. You too may
indulge your taste buds with fresh
oysters and truffles, delectable croissants,
and decadent chocolate desserts.
Visit Bordeaux, a "Little Paris" with
beautiful boulevards, stunning
churches, green parks and gardens,
and venture into the lush vineyards of
the famed Médoc and Margaux
wine-growing region.
Explore Avignon's Palace of the Popes.
Marvel at Arles' impressive Roman
ruins, the city's vibrant colours and
striking quality of light that has
inspired artists like Vincent Van Gogh.
Then admire the dreamy lavender and
sunflower fields of Provence.
In Giverny, lose yourself in the
exquisite gardens that inspired Claude
Monet for so many years. Spend time
in the medieval city of Rouen, and
experience history first-hand in
Normandy, the site of the famous
D-Day landings.
As Audrey Hepburn noted, Paris is always
a good idea. Known as the romance
capital of the world, take a stroll down
the famed Champs-Élysées and marvel
at this dazzling city's iconic landmarks,
from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre.
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