Wherever you choose to begin or end a sojourn in Europe's largest country, and however long you spend exploring you'll simply be scratching the surface of this vast and varied land. France's geography stretches from rugged coastline to seemingly infinite beaches, from bustling cities to quaint countryside villages and from a sun-drenched isle to luxury mountain ski resorts.

A civilisation dating back to 50,000 BC and a history spanning Roman and Frankish invasion, wars of power and religion, a wealthy and powerful monarchy ultimately crushed by revolution, the rise of Napoleon and a new battle between monarchy and republic, and two world wars, has left the country brimming with a rich heritage. Cave paintings, castles, cathedrals and battle scars are scattered across the land, yet much of the French countryside remains untouched, and traditional rural life still flourishes.

This is a country that has inspired Monet's reinvention of colour, Toulouse Lautrec's dark underbelly of Paris society, and the haunting harmonies of Debussy. It has tantalised our taste buds with foie gras and frogs' legs, and captured the imagination of the world's jet-set with the resorts of St Tropez and Port Grimaud. Millions discover its wonders each year with a holiday in France, and rediscover the meaning of .

Eiffel Tower

Address: Champ de Mars 7 Paris

Admission: Elevator: 1st and 2nd floor EUR8.20, 3rd floor EUR13.40 (adults). Stairs: EUR4.70 (2nd floor). Concessions available. Daily; 9:30am to 11:45pm (29 August to 16 June), 9am-12:45pm (17 June to 28 August). Last entry is 45 minutes before closing time.

Telephone: (08) 92 70 12 39

Notre-Dame

Address: 6 Place du Parvis de Notre-Dame Paris

Admission: Free. Daily, 8am-6:45pm (closes 7:15pm on Saturday and Sunday).

Telephone: (01) 4234 5610

Louvre

Address: Cour Napoléon, 1. Reception area is under the giant glass pyramid. Paris

Admission: EUR10 full-day pass to permanent exhibitions, EUR11 for temporary exhibitions in the Hall Napoleon. Free admission the first Sunday of every month (not including the Hall Napoleon). Concessions are available and children under 18 are free. Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 9am-6pm. Wednesday and Friday 9am-9:45pm. Closed Tuesdays. Opening hours for temporary exhibitions vary. The museum is closed 25 December, 1 January and 1 May.

Telephone: (01) 4020 5760

Pompidou Centre

Address: Place Georges Pompidou, entrance by the plaza in Rue Saint-Martin Paris

Admission: One-day Centre pass EUR12, exhibitions EUR10; MNAM EUR12 (temporary exhibitions vary). Daily (except Tuesdays), 11am-10pm. MNAM: Wednesday to Monday, 11am-9pm. Closed 1 May.

Telephone: (08) 92 684 694

Musée d'Orsay

Address: Entrances on Rue de la Légion d'Honneur and Rue de Bellechasse Paris

Admission: Permanent collections: EUR8 adults, EUR5.50 concessions, free for under 18s. Full admission to permanent and temporary exhibitions EUR10. Tuesday to Sunday 9:30am-6pm (closes 9:45 on Thursday), closed Mondays and on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.

Telephone: (01) 4049 4814, or 4549 1111 (recorded information)

Musée Rodin

Address: 77 Rue de Varenne Paris

Admission: EUR6 (adult); EUR10 museum and temporary exhibitions. Concessions available. Free the first Sunday of each month. Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5:45pm.

Telephone: (01) 4418 6110

Musée National Picasso

Address: Hôtel Salé, 5 Rue de Thorigny Paris

Admission: EUR8.50; free for under 18s Wednesday to Monday 9:30am-5:30pm.

Telephone: (01) 4271 2521

Versailles

Address: Paris

Admission: The Palace: EUR15, free for under 18s. Concessions and other packages available. 9am-6:30pm (3 April to 31 October); 9am-5:30pm (1 November to 2 April). Closed Mondays. The park stays open later, however last admission to the Palace is 30 minutes before closing.

Telephone: (01) 3083 7800

Fontainebleau

Address: 4 Rue Royale Paris

Admission: Great Apartmets: EUR10, free for under 18s. Combo ticket including Small Apartments, Museum and guided tour: EUR11 Wednesday to Monday 9:30am-6pm (until 5pm from October to May).

Telephone: (0)1 6074 9999

Vieux Bordeaux

Address: Bordeaux

Telephone: Grand Theatre (05) 56 00 85 95

Bordeaux Wine Country

Address: Bordeaux

Telephone: Château Mouton-Rothschild (05) 56 73 2129; Château Lafite-Rothschild (01) 53 89 7800; Château Margaux (01) 44 434 320.

Mont Saint-Michel Abbey

Address: 50116 Le Mont-Saint-Michel Normandy

Admission: EUR9 (adult), free for under 18s with family; other concessions available. Daily 9am-7pm (2 May to 31 August), 9:30am-6pm (1 September to 30 April). Closed 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.

Telephone: (02) 3389 8000

Scandola Nature Reserve

Address: Corsica

La Croisette

Address: Cote d Azur

Ile St Honorat & Ile St Marguerite

Address: Cote d Azur

Admission: EUR8 8am to 6pm (summer); 8am to 5pm (winter)

Telephone: (04) 9299 5400 or 9298 7138 (boat trips)

Antibes

Address: Nice

Admission: EUR6 entry to Musée Picasso: concessions available. Musée Picasso open Tuesday to Sunday 10am-6pm (15 June to 15 September); rest of year 10am-12pm and 2pm-6pm. Open Wednesday and Friday nights in summer until 8pm.

Côte d'Azur Beaches

Address: Cote d Azur

St Tropez Surrounds

Address: Cote d Azur

St Tropez Town Centre

Address: Cote d Azur

Musée Matisse

Address: 164 Av. des Arènes de Cimiez Nice

Admission: Entry is free, tours are EUR5 per person. Wednesday to Monday 10am-6pm. Closed Tuesdays and bank holidays.

Telephone: (0)4 9381 0808

The Château de Nice

Address: Montee du Chateau Nice

Phoenix Parc Floral de Nice

Address: 405 Promenade des Anglais Nice

Admission: EUR5.34 (museum); EUR6.10 (park) Museum: 10am-6pm (May to September), 10am-5pm (October to April); closed Tuesdays. Park: 9am-7pm (March to October), 9am-5pm (November to April).

Telephone: (0)4 9229 7700

Musée des Beaux-Arts Jules Chéret

Address: 33 Avenue des Baumettes Nice

Admission: Entry is free, guided tours are EUR5. Tuesday to Sunday 10am-6pm. Closed Mondays and bank holidays.

Telephone: (0)4 9215 2828

Cimiez

Address: Cote d Azur

Château de Chenonceau

Address: Loire Valley

Admission: Castle and museum EUR12.50; concessions and other packages available. Open daily but hours vary month to month, see website for details.

Telephone: (02) 4723 9007

Villandry

Address: Loire Valley

Admission: EUR9.50 (château and gardens), EUR6.50 (gardens only). Concessions available. Château and gardens open daily from 9am but the hours vary monthly, see website for details.

Telephone: (0)2 4750 0209

Château d'Angers

Address: 2 Promenade du Bout-du-Monde Loire Valley

Admission: EUR8 (adult), free for under 18s. Other concessions available. Daily 10am-5:30pm (5 September to 30 April); 9:30am-6:30pm (2 May to 4 September). Last admittance is 45 minutes before closing. Closed 1 January, 1 May, 11 November and 25 December.

Telephone: (02) 4186 4877

Château de Chambord

Address: Loire Valley

Admission: Adults: EUR9.50, concessions available. Free for under 25s. Daily 9am-6:15pm (1 April to 30 September); 9am-5:15pm (1 October to 30 March). Closes at 7:30pm from July to August.

Telephone: (0)2 5450 4000

D-Day Beaches

Address: Normandy

Palais Longchamp

Address: Boulevard Montricher Marseille

Admission: Daily 10am-5pm, and 11pm-6pm on weekends in June to August.

Telephone: (0)4 9114 5930

Massif des Calanques

Address: Marseille

Marseille Beaches

Address: Marseille

Château d'If

Address: Marseille

Admission: Castle and Island: EUR5 (adults), concessions available Daily 9am-5:30pm (21 September to 14 May), 9:30am-6:15pm (15 May to 20 September).

Telephone: (0)4 9159 0230

Cassis

Address: Marseille

Palais des Papes

Address: Place du Palais, 6 Rue Pente Rapide Provence

Admission: Palace and Saint Bénezet Bridge: March to mid-November EUR15; mid-November to February EUR11 Open daily but hours vary month to month, see the website for specific dates.

Telephone: (04) 9027 5000

Petit Palais

Address: Place du Palais Provence

Admission: Free for permanent collection. Tuesday to Sunday 10am-6pm.

Telephone: (0)1 5343 4000

Pont d'Avignon

Address: Rhone River, Avignon Provence

Orange

Address: Ten miles (16km) north of Avignon. Provence

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Address: The village is 11 miles (18km) north-east of Avignon. Provence

Cap Corse

Address: Corsica

Balagne

Address: Corsica

Palais des Beaux-Arts

Address: Place de la République Lille

Admission: EUR5.50 (adults), EUR3.80 (concessions). Free on the first Sunday of each month. Monday 2pm-6pm; Wednesday to Sunday 10am-6pm. Closed Tuesdays.

Telephone: (0)3 2006 7800

Filitosa

Address: The site lies 11 miles (17km) north of Propriano, and about 25 miles (40km) south of Ajaccio Corsica

Admission: Daily 8am to sunset, April to October.

Telephone: (04) 9574 0091

Cours Saleya Food and Flower Market

Address: Between Place Massena and the Old Town Nice

Admission: Tuesday to Sunday from 6am

Epernay

Address: 40 miles (64km) east of Paris Champagne Country

Admission: Moët et Chandon EUR8; Mercier EUR7.50; Castellane EUR7

Telephone: Moët et Chandon (03) 26 51 2020; Mercier (03) 26 51 2222; Castellane (03) 326 51 1911

Iles Sanguinaires

Address: Corsica

Les Calanques

Address: Corsica

Reims

Address: Reims is situated 90 miles (145km) east of Paris Champagne Country

Admission: Maison de Pommery EUR11; Mumm EUR10; Taittinger EUR7; Veuve Clicquot EUR10

Telephone: Maison de Pommery (03) 26 61 6255; Mumm (03) 26 49 5970; Taittinger (03) 26 85 4535; Veuve Clicquot (03) 26 89 5390

Château-Thierry

Address: Champagne Country

Amiens

Address: Champagne Country

Troyes

Address: Champagne Country

Cahors

Address: Dordogne and Lot

Montauban

Address: Dordogne and Lot

Conques

Address: Dordogne and Lot

Rocamadour

Address: Dordogne and Lot

Les Eyzies

Address: Dordogne and Lot

Grenoble

Address: French Alps

Bayeaux

Address: Normandy

Honfleur

Address: Normandy

Lyon National Opera House

Address: 1 Place de la Comédie Lyon

Telephone: 0826 305 325

Historical Museum of Lyon and International Puppet Museum

Address: 1 Place du Petit College Lyon

Admission: EUR6 (adult), children under 18 free. Combo ticket for both museums EUR8. Wednesday to Sunday 11am-6:30pm.

Telephone: (0)4 7842 0361

Musée des Beaux-Arts

Address: 20 cours d'Albret, Jardin du Palais-Rohan Bordeaux

Admission: EUR6 Adults, concessions available Wednesday to Monday 11am-6pm.

Telephone: 05 56 10 20 56

Musée des Moulins

Address: Rue Albert Samain, Villeneuve d'Ascq Lille

Admission: Full site: EUR6 adults, EUR4.60 children age 4-13 Monday to Friday 9am-12pm and 2pm-5pm. Closed Saturdays, bank holidays, during August and from 15 December to 15 January. Open Sundays for groups by appointment.

Telephone: (0)3 2005 4934

Natural History Museum

Address: 19 Rue de Bruxelles Lille

Admission: EUR2.70 adults; free for children and the first Sunday of each month. 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm, closed Tuesday and Saturday.

Telephone: (0)3 28 55 30 80

Open Air Museum

Address: 143 Rue Colbert, Villeneuve d'Ascq Lille

Admission: EUR5; concessions available. Free with the Lille City Pass. Wednesday to Sunday 11am-7pm (May to October) and 10am-6pm (November to April)

Telephone: (0)3 20 05 59 41

Notre-Dame de la Treille Cathedral

Address: 12 Rue Jean Moulin, off rue de la Monnaie Lille

Admission: Free 10am-12pm and 2pm-7pm.

Hospice Comtesse Museum

Address: 32 Rue de la Monnaie Lille

Admission: EUR3 adults over 12; free on the first Sunday of every month Monday 2pm-6pm, Wednesday to Sunday 10am-12:30pm and 2pm-6pm. Closed Tuesdays.

Telephone: (0)3 20 49 5090

Arc de Triomphe

Address: Centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle Paris

Admission: EUR7, concessions EUR4.50

Telephone: (01) 55 37 7377

Les Invalides

Address: 35 Rue du Chevaler-de-la-Barre Paris

Admission: EUR9, free for under 18s; other concessions available. 10am-5pm (October to March), 10am-6pm and until 9pm on Tuesdays (April to September). Open an extra half hour on Sundays. Closed first Monday of every month and public holidays.

Telephone: (33) 0810 11 33 99

Jardin des Plantes

Address: Blvd Henri IV, Quartier Montpellier Centre Montpellier 34967 Paris

Admission: Free. Daily 7:30am-8pm

Telephone: (0)1 4079 5601

Disneyland Paris

Address: Paris

Admission: General admission: £51 (adults); £45 (children). Concessions and packages available. Open daily from 10am, closing time varies according to season. Check the website for specific dates.

Musée National d'Histoire Naturelle

Address: 57 rue Cuvier Paris

Admission: EUR8 (adults); EUR6 (children) Wednesday to Monday 10am-6pm

Telephone: (01) 40 79 39 80

Le Jardin d' Acclimatation

Address: Bois de Boulonge Paris

Admission: EUR2.90, concessions available. April to September 7am-10pm, October to March 10am-6pm.

Telephone: 01 40 67 90 82

Parc Asterix

Address: Paris

Admission: One day pass: EUR40 (adults) EUR30 (children under 12). Parking is EUR8 per day. Open daily from 10am-7pm during peak season; 10am-6pm during off-peak season. Open until 11pm on selected summer weekends.

Telephone: 0826 30 10 40

France Miniature

Address: Boulevard André Malraux Paris

Admission: Peak season: EUR20 (adults); EUR14 (children). Off-season: EUR19 (adults); EUR13 (children). 10am-7pm July and August, 10am-6pm rest of the year; closed November to February, and selected weeks in March, April, September and October.

Telephone: 01 30 16 16 30

Basilique St-Michel

Address: Place St-Michel Bordeaux

Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux

Address: Bordeaux

Admission: Guided tours: EUR6 (adults) EUR5 (children)

Telephone: (05) 56 00 8595

Grasse Perfumeries

Address: Cote d Azur

Biot

Address: Cote d Azur

Èze

Address: Cote d Azur

Aquaboulevard

Address: 4 to 6 Rue Louis Armand Paris

Admission: EUR25 Monday to Thursday 9am-11pm; Friday 9am-midnight; Saturday 8am-midnight; Sunday 8am-11pm

Telephone: 1 40 60 10 00

Fontevraud Abbey

Address: Loire Valley

Admission: EUR9; concessions available November to March 10am-5:30pm; April to June and September to October 9:30am-6:30pm; June to July 9:30am-7:30pm.

Telephone: 02 41 51 73 52

Saumur

Address: Loire Valley

Château d'Ussé

Address: Loire Valley

Admission: EUR13; concessions available February to March, September to November 10am-6pm; April to August 10am-7pm.

Telephone: 02 47 95 54 05

Ancient Theatre of Fourvière

Address: 6 rue de l'Antiquaille, Montée de Fourvière Lyon

Admission: Free Daily 7am-7pm

Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine

Address: 17 rue Cléberg Lyon

Admission: EUR4, concessions available. Free on Thursdays. Tuesday to Sunday 10am-6pm.

Telephone: (0)4 7238 49 30

Corte

Address: Corsica

Aix-les-Bains

Address: French Alps

Amboise

Address: Loire Valley

Angers

Address: Loire Valley

Annecy

Address: French Alps

Bastia

Address: Corsica

Bayonne

Address: Basque Country

Blois

Address: Loire Valley

Bonifacio

Address: Corsica

Carnac

Address: Brittany

Dinard

Address: Brittany

Evian-les-Bains

Address: French Alps

La Baule

Address: Brittany

Lourdes

Address: Basque Country

Nantes

Address: Brittany

Orléans

Address: Loire Valley

Pau

Address: Basque Country

Porto

Address: Corsica

Quimper

Address: Brittany

Rouen

Address: Normandy

Tours

Address: Loire Valley

Briançon

Address: French Alps

Puy du Fou

Address: Les Herbiers 85 590 Les Epesses Loire Valley

Admission: EUR30; children EUR20; concessions available; 10% discount for advance bookings.

Telephone: +33 2 51 64 11 11

Cite De L'espace

Address: Avenue Jean Gonord Toulouse

Admission: High season: EUR27 adults, EUR20.50 children. Low season: EUR24.50 adults, EUR19 children. 9:30am-5pm, extended hours weekends and holidays. Check the website for specific dates.

Telephone: 0 820 377 233

St Sernin Basilica

Address: Place Saint-Sernin Toulouse

Admission: Free. July to September: Monday to Saturday 8:30am-4:15pm, Sunday 8:30am-7:30pm (Nave and Transept); Monday to Friday 10am-6pm, Sunday 11:30am-6pm (Apse and Crypt). October to June: Monday to Saturday 8:30am-11:30am and 2pm-5:45pm, Sunday 2:30pm-5pm (Nave and Transept); Monday to Friday 10am-11:30am and 2:30pm-6pm, Sunday 2:30pm-5pm (Apse and Crypt)

Telephone: (05) 61 21 7018

Strasbourg

Address: Alsace Lorraine

Colmar

Address: Alsace Lorraine

Marc Chagall Museum

Address: Avenue du Docteur Ménard Nice

Admission: EUR7.50, concessions available. Wednesday to Monday 10am-6pm (closes 5pm November to April). Closed 1 January, 1 May, and 25 December.

Telephone: +33 (0)4 93 53 87 20

St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral

Address: Avenue Nicolas II Nice

Admission: May to September: 9am-12pm and 2:30-6pm; closes 5pm October to April.

Telephone: +33 (0)4 9396 8802

Talloires

Address: Brittany

Albi

Address: Toulouse

Saint Rémy de Provence

Address: Provence

St Rémy de Provence

Address: Provence

Walking in the Pyrénées

Hiking

Diving

Wine tasting

L'Ardoise

Address: 28 Rue du Mont Thabor (Beaubourg/Les Halles) Paris

Food Type: French

La Tour d'Argent

Address: 15-17 Quai de la Tournelle (Latin Quarter) Paris

Food Type: French

Guy Savoy

Address: 18 Rue de Troyon (Charles-de-Gaulle-Etoile) Paris

Food Type: French

Buddha Bar

Address: 8 Rue Boissy d'Anglais (Champs-Élysées) Paris

Food Type: Fusion

Goumard

Address: 9 Rue Duphot (Madeleine) Paris

Food Type: Seafood

Le Grand Véfour

Address: 17 Rue de Beaujolais (Louvre/Tuileries) Paris

Food Type: French

Au Pied de Cochon

Address: 6 rue Coquillière Paris

Food Type: French

L'Alcazar

Address: 62 Rue Mazarine (Odéon) Paris

Food Type: Modern Eclectic

Le Jules Verne

Address: Eiffel Tower, second floor (the restaurant has its own private elevator access at the south pillar) Paris

Food Type: French

Le Bouillon Racine

Address: 3 Rue Racine (St-Germain-des-Prés) Paris

Food Type: International

Chez Emile

Address: 13 pl St Georges, Wilson Toulouse

Food Type: French

Kong Restaurant and Bar

Address: 1 Rue du Pont Neuf Paris

Food Type: International

Michel SARRAN

Address: 21 boulevard Armand Duportal Toulouse

Food Type: French

Le Mably

Address: 12 Rue Mably Bordeaux

Food Type: French

Philippe Chez Dubern

Address: 42-44 allées de Tourny Bordeaux

Food Type: Seafood

La Tupina

Address: 6 rue de la Porte de la Monnaie Bordeaux

Food Type: International

La Vieux Bordeaux

Address: 27 rue Buhan Bordeaux

Food Type: French

Le Chapon Fin

Address: 5 rue Montesquieu Bordeaux

Food Type: French

Café de Flore

Address: 6th Arrondissement Paris

Food Type: Café

Le Relais de l'Isle

Address: 37 rue Saint Louis en l'ile Paris

Food Type: French

La Reserve de Nice

Address: 60 boulevard Franck Pilatte Nice

Food Type: French

Une Table au Sud

Address: 2 Quai du Port Marseille

Food Type: Fusion

Le Ruhl

Address: 269 Corniche Président-J.-F.-Kennedy Marseille

Food Type: French

La Kahena

Address: 2 rue de la République Marseille

Food Type: African

Chez Mounier

Address: 3 rue des Marronniers Lyon

Food Type: French

Brasserie Georges

Address: 30 cours de Verdun Lyon

Food Type: French

L'Auberge de l'Ile

Address: Place Notre Dame, Île Barbe Lyon

Food Type: French

La Faim des Haricots

Address: 3 rue du Puits Vert, Saint Rome Toulouse

Food Type: Vegetarian

Fou de Fafa

Address: 17 rue des trois faucons, Avignon Provence

Food Type: French

Au Tout Petit

Address: 4 Rue d'Amphoux, Avignon Provence

Food Type: French