France, with a capital that's synonymous with romance, a culture richer than the Sultan of Oman, a gene pool of philosophers, revolutionaries, artists, designers and self-confessed lovers, it's little wonder than France exudes status. Fantastic ski slopes, glamorous beach resorts and rural villages complete the landscape, while the food and wine provide a gastronomic delight. Passionately patriotic, the French strongly believe that their country is the best place on earth and since they invented joie de vivre and crème brulee, they might just be right.

Best time to visit

April and May (spring) or September and October (autumn).

Essential experiences

Paris sightseeing, boat trips down the Seine and marvelling at the Parisian architecture; checking out the glitz and glamour of Le Mans 24-Hour Race; paying your respects at the D-Day landing beaches in Normandy; enjoying on-piste action and après-ski at Val d'Isere; sipping a couple of glasses of Dom Perignon in Champagne; visiting imposing chateaux's on the Loire.

In a few words, France is

Ooh la la!, cafe society, stinky cheese, the Eiffel Tower, garlic, boules, stripy T-shirts and black berets, Cartier, red wine, Chanel, the Mona Lisa, churches, Moulin Rouge and vive la France.

Did you know

Most bars close at 7pm in rural French market towns and the French think mainly about two things; food and food!