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France Travel Guide

France occupies a mythic place in the eurocentric consciousness. No country is more grand, opulent, dramatic, or tragic. It’s the idea of France and the French way of life that is ever enticing; life is full of adventure, passion, and love. The French appetite for living and living well is what enchants the rest of the world.

With diverse landscapes, medieval towns and abbeys, stunning architecture, high mountain ranges, dramatic coastlines, and never-ending lavender fields, France is perhaps the most majestic country in Europe.

Many hikers flock to Chamonix each summer to hike the famous Tour du Mont Blanc, a 170 km (105 miles) long distance hiking trail, which circuits the Mont Blanc mountain range.

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Grand Balcon sud, Tour du Mont Blanc, France

France Basics

Official Name: République française (French Republic)

Capital: Paris

Government: Unitary Semi-presidential Republic

Regions: Mainland France is divided into 13 administrative regions. France also has 5 overseas regions. Until December 31, 2015,  the country was divided into 22 administrative regions.

  • Metropolitan Regions: (1) Grand Est, (2) New Aquitaine, (3) Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, (4) Burgundy-Franche-Comté, (5) Brittany, (6) Centre-Val de Loire, (7) Île-de-France, (8) Occitania, (9) Hauts-de-France, (10) Normandy, (11) Pays de la Loire, (12) Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA), and (13) Corsica
  • Overseas Regions: (1) French Guiana, (2) Guadeloupe, (3) Martinique, (4) Mayotte, and (5) Réunion

Population: 67 Million

Official Language: French

Currency: Euro

Tipping Etiquette: Tipping isn’t obligatory in France. In a fine restaurant, you can tip up to 5% for exceptional service. In a casual dining setting, €1 to €3 is sufficient.

Water Quality: Tap water is safe to drink throughout France.

Something Interesting: You can legally marry a dead person in France. If there is sufficient proof that the deceased had the intention of wedding their partner while alive, a French person can receive permission from the French president to marry posthumously.

 
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On ne fait pas d’omelette sans casser des œufs.

 

 

 

 

 

French Proverb

You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs.

Where to Go in France

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Destinations
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  • Photo dump from last weekend’s hike above Lake Achensee in Tyrol. Starting Point: Achenkirch (Bus Stop: Achenkirch Abzw Achensee) Ending Point: Pertisau (Bus Stop: Pertisau Bootshaus) Distance: 12.4 km point-to point Time Needed: 6:30 hours Elevation Gain/ Loss: 1300 meters Difficulty: Difficult 📍Tyrol, Austria 🇦🇹 #achensee #tirol #tyrol #austrianalps #karwendel #visitaustria #austriatrip #austriatravel #austriahiking #lakeachensee #seekarspitze #seebergspitze #hikingblog
  • The unmistakable Kreuzberg pinnacles towering above Saxer Lücke pass. The complete trail description is on the blog. 📍Alpstein, Appenzell Alps, Switzerland #alpstein #appenzell #appenzellerland🇨🇭 #appenzellinnerrhoden #appenzellalps #visitappenzell #inlovewithswitzerland #swissalps #hikingtrails #swisstravel #swissmountains @myswitzerland #feelthealps #alpsmountains #swisshiking #kreuzberg #saxerlücke #saxerluecke
  • Berggasthaus Aescher Wildkirchli is a wooden guesthouse built into the rock wall of Ebenalp in the Alpstein. It has existed in its current form since 1884, making it one of the oldest mountain guesthouses in Switzerland. The fastest and easiest way to get to Berggasthaus Aescher is from the Ebenalp plateau, accessible by cable car from Wasserauen. From Ebenalp, it only takes 25 minutes to hike down to Aescher via the Wildkirchli caves. Alternatively, you can skip the cable car ascent and hike from Wasserauen to Aescher via the stunning Lake Seealpsee. 📍Alpstein, Appenzell Alps #alpstein #appenzell #appenzellerland🇨🇭 #appenzellinnerrhoden #appenzellalps #visitappenzell #marwees #inlovewithswitzerland #swissalps #hikingtrails #swisstravel #swissmountains @myswitzerland #feelthealps #alpsmountains #swisshiking #berggasthausaescher #berggasthausaescherwildkirchli #aescher #äscher #ebenalp
  • Secret hike in the Alpstein massif in Appenzell, Switzerland 👇 Marwees Ridge Trail Trailhead: Wasserauen Distance: 14.5 km circuit Time Needed: 6:45 hours Difficulty: Difficult Elevation Gain/Loss: 1225 meters Trail guide on the blog. 📍@appenzellerland #alpstein #appenzell #appenzellerland🇨🇭 #appenzellinnerrhoden #appenzellalps #visitappenzell #marwees #inlovewithswitzerland #swissalps #hikingtrails #swisstravel #swissmountains @myswitzerland #feelthealps #alpsmountains #swisshiking
  • If you’re visiting the Alps this month, you may be able to experience a traditional alpine cattle drive (Almabtrieb, Alpabzug, Alpabtrieb, Viehscheid, Désalpe, etc…). Across the Alps, cattle, goats, and sheep graze in the mountain pastures during the summer months. At the end of the grazing season, farmers herd their animals back down to their winter stables in the valley. In many places, this cattle drive descent is a festive occasion, where locals celebrate the safe return of the animals with a homecoming parade, music, food, and general merriment. The best places to see traditional cattle drives are Austria (Tyrol, Salzburg, Vorarlberg), Germany (Upper Bavaria), Switzerland, and Italy (South Tyrol). More info on the blog: https://www.moonhoneytravel.com/almabtrieb-alpabzug-cattle-drive-alps/ 📍Mayrhofen, Tyrol, Austria #almabtrieb #alpabzug #alpabtrieb #viehscheid #désalpe #cattledrive #cowscominghome #tyrol #visittirol #mayrhofen #zillertal #visitaustria #austriatravel #austriantradition #austrianculture #alps #austrianalps #austriatrip #lovetirol #cowsofinstagram #happycows
  • We’re so happy it’s September - the month of clear skies, no thunderstorms (hopefully / it’s been a crazy year), and cooler temperatures. 📍 @fuerstentumliechtenstein #visitliechtenstein #liechtenstein #liechtenstein🇱🇮 #alpsmountains #feelthealps #septembertravel #malbun #europedestinations #europetravel #hikingadventures #alps #liechtensteinpanoramaweg #princelymoments
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