Featured Country: France Viva la Liberté, Egalite, Fraternité! Viva la France! The largest West European nation is and has always been one of the best places to travel – as if you needed to be told that. It's France, after all, home of culture and culinary masterworks, of a microclimate envied the world over (perhaps especially by certain islanders to the north), and of wine, cinema, the French Riviera and those sexually ambiguous Kronenberg 1664 beer ads on the telly. Located in Western Europe, France has plenty of coastline options for the beachmongers – 3,427 km (2,129 miles) worth, in fact – as it borders the Bay of Biscay, the English Channel, and the Mediterranean Sea. Border countries include Andorra, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Spain and Switzerland. The UK is a short train, ferry or plane ride away. A population of over 59 million lives in an area slightly less than twice the size of the state of Colorado. Climate is generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean (what a shame). The terrain in the north and west is mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills; the rest of France is mountainous, and the peakseekers will want to beeline for the Pyrenees in the south, and/or the Alps in the east. The lowest point is closing time, but naturally this is France so that doesn't happen until pretty late – er, rather the lowest elevation point is the Rhone River delta at -2 meters. The highest point is in the French Alps: Mont Blanc, at 4,807 m (15,771 feet). France is also home to plenty of ethnic groups, including Celtic, Latin, Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, and Basque. French – La Français – is the official language, though depending on where you are you might catch regional dialects and languages such as Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque and Flemish. Dosh-wise, the franc is no more. The official currency is the Euro (EUR/€), and there are 100 cents to 1 euro. Current exchange rates (approx.): US$1=€1.12 AU$1=€.60 CA$1=€.71 GB£1=€1.63 Well, those are a few nuts and bolts. Keep reading for more info on France, as well as other travelers' experiences there. What's in this issue? Airfare Deals Featured Content France Hostels Featured Message Board Thread Eurail Passes What Our Insiders Say Links & Resources From the Bookshelf Tell a Friend and/or What Do You Want? AIRFARE DEALS Brought to you by the BootsnAll TripPlanner Plan and book your round-the-world or multi-continental trip! When searching for multi-destination air tickets, the BootsnAll TripPlanner is tops. After using the TripPlanner to get an idea of the itinerary you want, be sure to submit it to us and talk to our counselors. The TripPlanner is great for giving a rough idea of fares and prices, but our counselors will help you fine-tune, finalize everything and answer your questions. They can also suggest tweaks in your itinerary that will help you get the most out of your ticket – and probably save you more money too. Here are some examples we found: $1295 US Chicago - Bangkok - Delhi - Paris - surface - London - Chicago $1595 US New York - London - surface - Paris - Bombay - surface - Delhi - Bangkok - Singapore - Bali - New York $3595 US Los Angeles – Costa Rica – Paris – Cape Town – Overland – Johannesburg – Bali – Brisbane – Fiji – Los Angeles Now, log on to the TripPlanner and put together an itinerary of the places you want to see! More Specials & Deals The only thing better than flying to Europe, is getting a bloody good deal on the ticket. We work with other companies to bring you low, hard-to-beat round-trip fares, to help you fly not only to Europe, but to wherever you want to go: BootsnAll Farebeater Hotwire Cheap Ticket Links Back to top FEATURED CONTENT There's more to be written about France than any one writer could ever scribble out. Here are a few pieces from some of BootsnAll's writers, and if that doesn't do you, here's more stories on France: Paris, France Travel Guide - Chris Card Fuller has been living in Paris for a few years now, and she's been filling other people in on what to see in the City of Light. Jarnac, France Travel Guide - Luisa Ryan spent some time in "Cognac Country with a Twist". Take in the village and the surrounding country, and of course don't forget the tipple! Discovering the French Riviera - Casinos, beaches, royalty, dolphins made of oranges – and no, says Fred Perry, it's not as expensive as you think. If you would like to submit an article on your travel experiences, check out our Writer's Guidelines, then send it along. Back to top FRANCE HOSTELS Hostels are a great way to stay when you're traveling France. Staying in hostels when you travel not only helps your budget, it is a unique way to enhance your trip. Meet new people, have new experiences; with our Hostels section you can learn about hostels and book your bed online. France Hostels Paris Hostels Visit the Hostel Section Back to top FEATURED MESSAGE BOARD THREAD Tips from a France Insider On the Europe Discussions board, Chris Card Fuller sent us so many Insider tips for France and Paris that we decided to put them on our boards. Log in or register your handle, then jump into the discussion and throw down your two cents on Tips from a France Insider. Be sure to check out the other discussions on our boards as well: http://boards.BootsnAll.com/ Back to top EURAIL PASSES Brought to you by the BootsnAll RailSaver Plan and book European rail passes! Whenever you go to France and anywhere else in Europe, one of the best ways to get around is to take the train, and one of the best ways to take the train is by getting a rail pass. You'll get to hang out with both locals and travelers, and will be able to sit back, relax and enjoy the countryside. The train is easily one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to see the whole of France, or just a few places. Here's more about Eurail passes and why they're a good way to go. If you're ready to book rail passes for France and/or Europe, buy your passes online with the BootsnAll Railsaver, and have a great trip! Back to top WHAT OUR INSIDERS SAY BootsnAll Insiders are a great source of information, and they can tell you what the guidebooks can't. We asked some of our Insiders for their take on France, and here's what they had to say: Engels Jean-Michel Saint-Guilhem-Le-Desert, 33km west of Montpellier (Languedoc) You should go by car to the exceptional site of Saint-Guilhem-Le-Desert, and stop on the way in Gignac, Aniane, the Pont du Diable (Devil's Bridge)built on the rock, and Clamouses' Cave. After these wonderful landscapes in Herault Gorge, you arrive in St. Guilhem. It is typically southern France village. With its narrow streets around the Gellone Abbey founded in year 804 by Guillaume, Count of Toulouse. See the Church, the Crypt and the Cloister. Walk on the road of the End of the World. Link: www.st.guilhem-le-desert.com. Jen West Lyon, France: Lyon Nightlife When the sun sets behind the majestic cathedral of Fourvière, young and old flock to the Rue St. Catherine. This dark and narrow alley is lined on either side by some of the best bars and dance clubs in the city. Rue St. Catherine's infamous reputation has been well-earned by the packs of men who delight in harassing the women who pass through this "gauntlet." Women should never walk alone in this part of town. Best Bars to Visit: Ayers Rock (Australian pub) Cosmopolitan (New York pub) Café Sevilla (Spanish pub) Shamrock (Irish pub) Trois Rivières (Latin dance club) Shannon Dreval Paris, France: Free Museum Entrance First Sunday of the Month Entrance to national museums, including the Louvre, is free the first Sunday of each month. For more information, see www.museums-of-paris.com. Paris, France: Beware Pickpockets in the Métro When taking the métro in Paris, stay aware of your surroundings at all times, in stations and on the métro itself. Pickpockets target distracted tourists who are loaded down with bags, traveling in groups, or speaking in languages other than French. Especially important to note: the pickpockets are often young kids between the ages of 7 and 15 whom you would probably never suspect of stealing. Before you travel, jot down the address of your country's consulate in Paris so that you can go there if your passport is lost or stolen during the trip. Things to Do in Paris: See a Movie on les Champs Elysées One of my favorite things to do in Paris is to see a movie on les Champs Elysées. You'll find a number of theaters on each side of this majestic avenue stretching out from l'Arc de Triomphe. Many of them play movies in "VO", or vérsion originale, the original English version, and some of them have gigantic screens. They may be a little more expensive (8 or 9 euros) than other movie theaters in Paris, but they more than make up for it in atmosphere! Fred Perry Paris: Avoid school breaks! Paris is a popular destination for weekend "cultural" excursions during European school breaks. We were once caught in a hotel there which suddenly filled up with screaming, boozing students from Italy, who partied all night and slept all day (shades of Ft Lauderdale). The hotel management said the French government sponsors these trips, and they are not allowed to refuse them. Have your travel agent check the dates, and be sure you avoid them if you want to enjoy Paris in the Springtime. Buy/Sell back auto plans in France For stays of three weeks or more with the greatest flexibility of movement and the least worry, buy a new car and sell it back when you leave. It's cheaper than renting, and full insurance (a MUST) for everything except personal contents (an available option) is included. So are documentation and maps. Pick it up at the arrival airport and turn it in at the departure one. Renault and Peugeot (and maybe others) offer this service, but you must make the arrangements through your travel agent IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY about six weeks in advance. Nadine Vanoost French Riviera: Shopping for local stuff Souvenirs, edible or not. The best places to go: Cours saleya in Nice, they have a flower and fruit and vegetable market every morning except for Monday morning, it is a flea market. In the street coming up to Cours Saleya they have a wonderful chocolate and glazed fruit shop called Auer, the best in town. The chocolate-covered almonds are absolutely delicious (take it from a Belgian!) Close by are some lovely shops for olive oil, olives, olive soap (savon de marseille) In Tourettes sur Loup, which is above Vence, they have the best olive wood shop around. Biggest choice (anything from a cheese board to a salad bowl to furniture), best prices. It is in the old town, just walk down the street, in the beginning on your right. In Vence in the old town right next to the fountain is a nice shop with provençal style hand-painted faience (ceramics)Great choice, good prices. Across from the town hall are some shops with provençal style tablecloths, and lots of goodies like soaps, bath oils, candles, all kinds of flavoured oils. In Vence the prices are a lot more interesting than the famous but charming St Paul de Vence. Melanie Dooley Food: Eating On The Cheap One of France's greatest attractions is its food and culinary heritage. Some people go to France just to eat at a particular restaurant or try the wines from one of the many famous vineyards. Alas, we can't all afford to spend a week's wages on a meal. So what are the options for the average person on a budget? Le Supermarche, of course! For me, French supermarkets are the best in the world. It's not simply the fact that you will usually find at least 2 aisles dedicated just to wine, but also the fact that you can have a wide choice of so many quality foods - cheeses, meats, pates and terrines, breads, pastries and fruit & veg. Prepared meals bought in the supermarket are also of the highest quality so don't be afraid to try one of those 'heat and serve' meals. Grab yourself a baguette, some pate, cheese, ham and glorious French butter and eat al fresco in a local park or by the river. In Paris you can take your meal to the top of the Eiffel Tower or sit among famous monuments. And imagine how much you would have paid to sit in a restaurant overlooking the Champs Elysees! Back to top LINKS & RESOURCES Use the following sites to learn more about France, what it offers to travelers, and how to plan your trip. French Government Tourist Office The official tourist and travel website has good nuts-and-bolts info, as well as headlines and suggestions for activities. Paris Hotels Your trip will most likely have you spending time in Paris, the capital and main city. The above link can help you learn about and arrange hotel accommodation before you get there. French Culture From French history to architecture to social customs/etiquette and politics, brush up on the ol' knowledge. Official Site of Bordeaux Wines If you want to know about wine and the region most reknown for producing it, here you go – it's the next best thing to a free tasting. Back to top FROM THE BOOKSHELF | France by Jennifer Leo, www.JenLeo.com Whether your trip to France is next week or still in dream mode, here is a list of books that will enhance your knowledge of the country. Below you'll find practical guidebooks packed with valuable information on where to stay and what to do, books dedicated to the history and culture of France, and experiential guides that will give you an intimate look at the adventures of those who've traveled before you. I encourage you to support your local independent bookstore searchable by city, zip code, and country on Bookweb.org. For your convenience, the books are also available right here on BootsnAll through Amazon.com. Recommendations: James O'Reilly, Editor, Travelers' Tales France, and Travelers' Tales Paris, recommends the following three books: Fragile Glory: A Portrait of France and the French by Richard Bernstein. "This book is a great introduction to a complex country and people. But even if you've been to France a lot, you'll be rewarded by the read." The Road from the Past: Traveling through History in France by Ina Caro "Ina Caro not only brings the history of Gaul and then France into focus, she's so good you actually remember it! A must-read for Francophiles of all ages and levels…" BIG CAVEAT: The above two books are excellent reading, but on the intellectual side. If you, the reader, want to read ONE BOOK that will help you grasp the essence of France in a visceral, emotional way, read: French Dirt: The Story of a Garden in the South of France by Richard Goodman "This book is delightful from beginning to end: simple and sly, it conveys a love of France and the French." Traditional Guidebooks: Lonely Planet France, 4th Edition, 2000, by Jeremy Gray, et al. The Rough Guide to France, by Rough Guides (Editor), Kate Baillie, Jan Dodd, Ruth Blackmore Rick Steves' France, Belgium, and the Netherlands 2002, by Rick Steves, Steve Smith The National Geographic Traveler: France, by Rosemary Bailey Eyewitness Travel Guide to France, Edited by Rosemary Bailey, John Ardagh Let's Go France 2002, Edited by Sarah E. Eno and Sarah Y. Resnick Rick Steves' Paris 2002, by Rick Steves, Steve Smith, Gene Openshaw Frommers Irreverent Guide to Paris, 4th Edition, 2002, by Alec Lobrano Travel Literature/Non-Traditional Guidebooks: Travelers' Tales France: True Stories, Edited by James O'Reilly, Larry Habegger, Sean O'Reilly Travelers' Tales Paris: True Stories, Edited by James O'Reilly, Larry Habegger, Sean O'Reilly Food Lover's Guide to Paris, 4th edition, by Patricia Wells Walking Paris: Thirty Original Walks in and Around Paris, by Gilles Desmons Paris: The Collected Traveler: An Inspired Anthology & Travel Resource, compiled by Barrie Kerper Rick Steves' French Phrase Book & Dictionary, by Rick Steves Paris for Free (Or Extremely Cheap): Hundreds of Free & Inexpensive Things to Do in Paris, by Mark Beffart A Year in Provence, by Peter Mayle Hotel Pastis: A Novel of Provence, by Peter Mayle French Lessons: Adventures With Knife, Fork, and Corkscrew, by Peter Mayle The Historic Restaurants of Paris: A Guide to Century-Old Cafes, Bistros, and Gourmet Food Shop, by Ellen Williams The Flaneur: A Stroll Through the Paradoxes of Paris, by Edmund White A Moveable Feast, by Ernest Hemingway Permanent Parisians: An Illustrated Guide to the Cemeteries of Paris, by Judi Culbertson, Tom Randall For additional reading lists on France, visit: Longitude/iExplore France: Reading and Travel Guide More than 30 books that include overviews of the country as well as regions of focus and specific themes such as culture, history, and art Books About France, French People, Language This is a reading list by DiscoverFrance.net. At first glance it's confusing as to where their list is, but that's because it's huge. Use the left nav bar to research books by specific subject or region. Jennifer Leo has co-edited and written for books published by Travelers' Tales, Lonely Planet, and Globe-Pequot. Her full list of works, services, and speaking venues can be found at www.JenLeo.com Back to top WRITE AN ARTICLE If you have a story of your own that you would like to submit on France, have a look at BootsnAll's Writer's Guidelines: http://writers.BootsnAll.com And then send it along. We're always looking for new content and new perspectives, and we hope to get yours soon. TELL A FRIEND If you feel that BootsnAll.com is a valuable resource, or that others might think so, please tell your friends about us. As many of you know, we respond personally to every email we receive in an ongoing effort to build a true traveller's community. Many have responded positively. If you have comments both positive and constructive, we would love to hear them. Tell us what we have done well and how we can improve. We would appreciate it greatly. Back to top