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France & Belgium
Northern & Eastern FranceThe Loire Valley'The garden of France', the Loire is a fascinating region of great châteaux and renowned vineyards in a landscape of meandering rivers and rolling countryside. Châteaux & Vineyards | walk
| AlsaceDiscover this fascinating and beautiful area, rich in culture, gastronomy and heritage. Villages & Vineyards of Alsace | cycle | BrittanyBrittany is France's Celtic corner, wild, untamed and distinctive in terms of language and culture. The coast is spectacular, with craggy bays, fishing villages and calm, wooded estuaries. Granite Coast of Brittany | walk
| NormandyApple orchards, half-timbered farms, creamy cuisine, famous cheeses - Normandy is a truly evocative region, and is especially popular in spring and autumn. Normandy Country Hotels (including Honfleur)
| short breaks | PicardyPicardy is perfect short-break country, with an attractive coast, interesting market towns and rolling countryside. Picardy & Flanders Country Hotels | short breaks | Cities of northern France & BelgiumStroll through historic streets, admire handsome monuments, visit fascinating museums, and sample some excellent cuisine. Paris | short breaks | South-West FranceThe DordogneThe Dordogne conjures up images of warmth, with dramatic riverside cliffs topped by castles and rich cuisine of goose and duck with an aroma of truffles. Paths to Rocamadour | walk
| AquitaineBetween the Garonne and Lot rivers, Aquitaine's countryside is soft and attractive, its villages tucked into the warm folds and valleys. The Farmstead | self-catering | family holidays | GasconyBeneath the foothills of the Pyrenees, Gascony is a timeless region, where fields of corn, sunflowers and vines thrive in the warm sunshine. Sunflowers & Abbeys | walk | The Tarn & AveyronThe landscape of the Tarn is Mediterranean in character, where the pink city of Albi nestles along the river's banks. To the east, you pass mellow-stone villages, vineyards and rugged hills. The Lot ValleyThe River Lot rises in the foothills of the Massif Central and meanders west, the landscapes softening as it does so. Beyond the historic town of Cahors, the river loops lazily past sleepy hamlets, ancient woodland and rows of vines. Meanders of the Lot | walk | CorbièresThe alluring landscape of the rugged Corbières hills is dominated by extraordinary fortresses, perched on rocky outcrops. Below, in the sunny valleys, vineyards produce delicious, robust red wines. The Castles of the Cathars | walk | The Côte VermeilleBathed in warm Mediterranean sunshine, and with the final peaks of the Pyrenees providing a dramatic backdrop, the coast either side of the Franco-Spanish border invites exploration. Orange trees, mimosas and vines coat the slopes above a coastline of rocky coves, craggy headlands and rugged cliffs. Massif CentralAuvergneThe Auvergne - the very heart of France - is one of its most unspoiled, traditional regions, a unique landscape of rounded, ancient volcanoes rising above old stone hamlets, vivid green pastures and dense woodland. Mountains of the Auvergne | walk | The CévennesAbove the wild, wooded hills of the Cévennes, eagles soar in the warm skies. This National Park protects one of France's loveliest regions. Beneath Mont Lozère | walk |
The South - Provence& the AlpsProvenceProvence conjures up images of cicadas and cork oaks, fields of lavender and dishes featuring local olive oil, fresh rosemary, plump red tomatoes and creamy goat's cheese. Whether you want to explore the timeless, evocative countryside and the picturesque hill-top villages, or visit the many Roman monuments and towns, this is a region that invites leisurely discovery. Hill-Top Villages of the Luberon | walk
| The Alpes-MaritimesThe final, southernmost Alps plunge dramatically into the Mediterranean at the border with Italy. Inland, unspoiled villages cling to wooded hillsides. Alps to the Mediterranean | walk | The AlpsNot far from the sparkling wates of Lake Geneva are the spectacular heights of the Chablais massif that extend south to the Giffre valley. The Chablais Alps | walk | The JuraThis is the northern region of the Alps, where sparkling rivers cut through the rolling, wooded hills. The Swiss border runs along the broad ridge. Lake Geneva to Lake Neuchâtel | walk |
The PyreneesThe Mediterranean PyreneesStraddling the border of France and Spain, this is an enthralling region, warm in climate and hospitality, steeped
in history and with rare wildlife. The Atlantic PyreneesThe Basque Country is one of Europe's most traditional regions, where peaceful villages shelter in verdant valleys against a backdrop of rugged peaks. Pyrenees to the Atlantic | walk
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