============================== FRANCE ============================== France is the largest country in western Europe and has a coastline on the English Channel, the Mediterranean Sea and on the Atlantic Ocean. The lowest parts of the country are the great basins of the north and southwest from which it rises to the Massif Central and the higher Alps, Jura and Pyrenees. Climate ranges from moderate maritime in the northwest to Mediterranean in the south. Farming is possible in all parts of France. Its vineyards produce some of the world's best wines. The main industrial area of France is in the north and east. Area (Sq. Km): 572,923 Population: 56,236,000 Capital: Paris Language: French Religion: Roman Catholic Government Type: Republic Currency: Franc Embassy: 58 Knightsbridge London SW1X 7JT 0171-235-8080 Travel to France is especially easy for the UK traveller or holidaymaker with ample sea, air and tunnel connections. France for the holidaymaker holds many attractive areas and increasingly the UK traveller is ranging further and further afield. In the 1930's and post war, the only place visited by most British visitors was the Riviera (south of France - the Cote D'Azur) and although this still remains an attractive if not somewhat expensive destination, increasingly it is to Normandy, Brittany, the Loire and other coastal and country areas that the British are flocking to. The gite holiday usually coupled with a motoring arrangement is very popular at the moment. Gites are good value for money especially if they are occupied by a large family grouping. Gites are to be found throughout France and range from Chateaux and converted farmhouses to purpose built gites. CAMPING and CARAVANNING are also a holiday alternative for those on a more limited budget and French camp sites have a fairly high standard of amenities and conveniences. CITY BREAKS to Paris are an all the year round possibility, and although Paris can be expensive, the actual cost of a weekend break there, especially by coach or rail is often quite reasonable. Other towns well worth a visit to include: Tours Lourdes Nice Rheims Strasbourg Orleans Rouen and Bordeaux. CLIMATE: Long, dry summers followed by wet winters, especially in the South. The east can be very cold in winter. There can be quite a temperature difference between the south and the north of France. In winter the French Alps are major ski areas with classic resorts such as Les Arcs, Courcheval and Valmorel attracting the cream of the European ski community. National Airline: Air France. UK Tour Operators: Thomson (Cities) Travelscene. Brittany Ferries Gites de France Paris Travel service. Time Off Cosmos Coach French Life SKI: Neilson Enterprise Falcon Thomson Crystal Ferry Operators: Sealink Dover-Calais P&O Dover-Calais Sally Ramsgate-Dunkirk Brittany Portsmouth- Le Havre/Caen «»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«» Foreign Office Advice: From March 1 1995 the British Excursion Document for short trips to France is being abolished. For more information ring: Foreign Office Travel Unit 0171-270-4129