Marseille

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Pick up an old-fashioned tin or sachet of Marseille's famous navette biscuits from the Four des Navettes. These boat-shaped biscuits are an essential part of the mysterious Candlemas ceremony.

Inspired by life in Marseille's "Quartiers chauds", rappers Psy 4 de la rime have released their third album Les Cites d'Or. The group amit influence from I AM and the genius wordsmith Akhenaton.

The Rue Sainte is the city's Little Corsica with four restaurants dedicated to Corsican cuisine featuring figtelli (delicious smoked sausages), chunky fig jam and the famous fiadone (cheesecake).

Marseille boasts a thriving cinema industry with more than 400 film productions a year making it the second most filmed city in France, after Paris of course.

Day trip

Skiing. You will find a wide choice of family-friendly ski stations about two hours drive from Marseille in the southern Alps including Val d'Allos, Sauze/Super Sauze, Pra-Loup and Les Orres.

Lille

Lille may not have the glamour of Paris but there is more than enough to pack into a weekend break. Having had a big cash injection as the Euro Capital of Culture in 2004, the city's gorgeous buildings lining the cobbled street have never looked so good. Wander around the Palais des Beaux-Arts and marvel at the Monets and Van Goghs, check out the panthers and rhinos at Parc Zoologique de Lille in the centre of the city, snap up some bargains at L'Usine in Roubaix (which sells discount designer wear) or haggle hard at the Wazemmes market on a Sunday morning. 

Where to lay your head? The luxurious Hotel L'Hermitage Gantois in the heart of Lille has a gourmet restaurant, corridors sparkling with antiques and chandelliers and seriously comfy bedrooms.

Bastia (Corsica)

From the airport

Bus: catch the airport bus next to the Prefecture. The journey takes about 35 minutes.

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Searching for a new decorative piece for your home or a throughout token for your mum? Jour et Nuit has a great selection of homely gifts at reasonable prices.

Corsica has several locally made beers. Pietra, a unusual amber brew made from chestnuts, is the most popular with locals and most cafes will have it on tap.

Toga is home to the Nouveau port and Geant Casino, the largest shopping centre in the area. The nameless square across the street from Geant Casino has the best boules action in town. 

Dsy trip

Castagniccia. Pronounced Casta-neech, this mountainous area is covered by huge chestnut groves and dotted with little villages. The area is traversed by paths perfect for hikig and exploring. Head south from Bastia on the N193 for about an hour then turn right onto the D506 or D330.

Ajaccio (Corsica)

From the airport

Bus: Line 8 takes 20 minutes to get to the city. It runs seven days a week from 5.55am-11.15pm.

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A winery joust outside Ajaccio, in Pisciatella, Clos Capitoro is open every day except Sunday. It is anchored in a familial hamlet charged with history.

Bicycle rental by the hour or day is available at very reasonable prices from Locacycle, right in the middle of town.

The each town of Porticcio is 15 minutes south of Ajaccio. Boasting the Genoan Tower of Capitello, it has a long stretch of beautiful beach with affordable and relaxed restaurants and shops.

Day trip

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage village of Girolata in the Gulf of Porto. Surrounded by rock pinnacles, the town is not accessible by road. You will have to walk seven kilometres, follow the trail from the car park near Osani, or go by boat. Book a day trip with Promenades en Mer, picnic included.

Bordeaux

From the airport

Bus: A bus goes to Gare St Jean station every 45 minutes from 7.45am-10.45pm.

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RKR is full of quirky contemporary interior design shops in the heart of the antiques district of Chartrons. Great for everything from sofas and lighting to cool coffee cups and cushions.
L'Epicerie, by Place des Grands Hommes shopping centre, is perfect for stocking up on delicious goodies from all over the world. Beautifully laid out, choose from sweets to herbal teas.
There is decent fashion on the pedestrianised Rue Sainte Catherine including a Galeries Lafayette, cute back streets full of antiques and galleries in the Chartrons District. There is a market on Sunday on Marche des Quais where locals eat fresh oysters on the spot. 

The first Sunday of every month is Dimanche Sans Voitures, when the city centre is entirely pedestrianised. There are always plenty of things going on to encourage people into the centre, from art exhibition to street music.

The Ecole du Vin offers two-hur wine tasting classes throughout the summer. A great way to get acquainted with what's on offer before heading out to the vineyards.

Jardin Botanique is an urban park located on the Right bank of the Garonne River. It contains some excellent water features, zen-like gardens and unusual walking courses, with plenty of cafes nearby.

The Jardin Public is one of the most romantic walks in the city. Around this pretty park are a number of shops and restaurants along Cours du Verdun and Rue Fondaudege.

Visit the Marche des Capucins on a Saturday morning, the city's most famous food market. This is where the chef's shop and the quality of the ingredients is excellent. Don't miss the seafood stand!

The best time to go in April to October. Try to avoid July and August as this is peak tourist season, temperatures are high and there is less available accommodation.

Day trip

Arcachon. In February, the crowds stay away from this seaside resort so it is the perfect time to visit. Spring always seems to arrive a little earlier here, heralded by the bright yellow blooms of mimosa flowers. Arrive by train from Gare St Jean or it is 40 minutes by car.
Soulac-sur-mer. Right at the northern tip of the Medoc peninsula, this colonial village is a real find. Apart from the artistic village, with its preserved houses and pretty harbour, there are plenty of  beaches, horse-riding and walking trails.
St Emilion. It is a beautiful and romantic small town full of cobbled streets, wine bars and art galleries.

Corsica

Discover ancient chestnut forests, whitewashed villages, stunning landscapes and some of the Med's finest beaches on this idyllic French island. 

Corsica's craggy coastline hides some of the Med's finest beaches. Heavenly Plage de Salleccia near Saint-Florent is a remote, white-sand beach best reached by boat. More accessible are the beaches along the Gulf of Ajaccio and the flour-fine sand of Pinarello beach in the south.

The ancient Greeks called Corsica 'Kalliste' meaning 'the most beautiful' and the island has been fought over ever since. It is the Genoese legacy that is most striking in the beautiful pastel-hued old town of Bastia and the citadels of Ajaccio and Bonifacio. How they must regret selling Corsica to France in 1768.

The island bewitching landscape of herb-scented hills, wild mountains, ancient chestnut forests and whitewashed villages makes it stunning for walkers. The GR20 trail traverses the island but, at 110 miles long, it is not for everyone. The rickety Micheline train from Bastia to Ajaccio offers scenery without the strain.

Corsican cuisine is simple and hearty. Meat dishes like wild boar or smoked prizzutu ham sometimes have a distinctive chestnut flavour. Cheeses such as Brocciu and Fromage Corse are strong and pungent while the island's Italian influences mean delicious pasta and pizza.

The Mistral, Tramontane and Sirocco winds sometimes buffet the island creating ideal conditions for sailing and windsurfing. The warm waters are perfect for diving. Inland there is excellent canyoning and rafting on the Tavignano and Golo rivers.

La Rochelle

From the airport

Bus: buses leave every 15 minutes from 7am-7pm to Place de Verdun bus station

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Try Cosmen for a superb selection of men's cosmetics and toileteries. You can also indulge yourself with skincare treatments and massages.

Wnat to explore the Ile de Re? Buy a combined ticket and take your rented bicycle on the bus. It is available for return journeys from the Place de Verdun.

The three towers of La Rochelle-St Nicolas, La Chaine and La Lanterne are right at the heart of the city and symbolise its historic importance. Take a guided tour or simply stroll through the are and soak up the history.

Day trip

Futuroscope. France's second-largest theme part is just north of Poitiers, about 90 minutes away by car.

Grenoble

From the airport
Bus. A shuttle bus goes to the central bus station next to the train station.

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Fashion-conscious snowboarders should head to ConceptBoardShop for an unusual selection of kit and boards. The extreme-sports outlet is conveniently located in the heart of the city.

If the weather turns wet and grey, then head to the Musee de Grenoble to brighten your day. It boasts one of the best collections of paintings and artefacts in France.

Day trip

Col de Porte. This charming ski station is less than 30 minutes away from Grenoble. You can go skiing or snowshoeing in the forest, or simply relax and take in the spectacular scenery.

Montpellier

From the airport

Bus: take the shuttle bus to Place de l'Europe, from there you can take a tram into the town. The tram runs every few minutes.

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Perlolita is a haven for busy-fingered beady-eyed creative squirrels. Choose your beads and make your own bijoux in the chatty workshop.

Weekly rag La Gazette Montpellier (on sale in news kiosks every Friday) costs  1 euro and contains gossip, news, sports and complte listings for all kinds of events throughout the city. It is a great way to get some local knowledge.

Villeneuve-les-Maguelone beach is a short bus ride from the centre and offers nine kilometres of unspoilt sand and clean water. Closer to the village, the Fete de la Mer offers fun and sporting activities on the sands all month of August.

Day trip

Beziers. This is normally a bustling market town, about 40 minutes away from Montpellier, but from 14-17 of August, the world-famous feria arrives in town. More than a million visitors are expected to throng the town for Spanish music, food and wine.

Nantes

From the airport

Bus: the Tan Air shuttle bus picks up from outside Hall 2 and runs to Nantes south SNCF, Cite des Congres and the town centre.

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A great spectacle, Marche de Talensac is a traditional market selling fresh produce from local farmers. Open daily except Monday.
Place Viarme is where artits and craftspeople have their workshops. The Nantes Flea Market is held every Saturday morning.

Take advantage of a Nantes Pass, available from the tourist office. A one-day pass gives entry to many attractions, plus free access to the public transport network.

Have a great day out at Les Machines de l'ile, a museum in the former shipyard at Boulevard Leon Bureau, with fabulous machines on display.

Rue Crebilon is the city's smartest street and this is where you will find all the big names and boutiques. Right in the centre, it links the Place Royal with Place Graslin.

February is not the warmest month of the year. so you may prefer to stay indoors. The Chateau des ducs de Bretagne is a large fortified castle and includes the new Nantes History Museum. Take a morning tour then settle in for a long lunch somewhere warm. 

Place Fernand Soil is a quiet, secluded square just a few metres from the main shopping streets. Shaded by a massive central tree and with a selection of cafes, this is a great place to relax.

Nantes has been a Tour de France stage town 30 times, including the very first race back in 1903. 

Day trip

Le Croisic. Pretty seaside pot with plenty of attractive beaches and fish restaurants, a great seafood market, not to mention the fantastic Ocearium, with sharks, turtles, penguins and many more sea creatures from around the world. Just an hour away from Nantes.
Angers. Take a voyage of discovery and learn the secrets of distilling oranges to make liqueur and how to mix great cocktails at the Cointreau Distellery. Angers is 90 kilometres from Nantes by car.

Toulouse

From the airport

Bus: the Toulouse-Blagnac Navette connects the airport to the city station, leaving every 20 minutes from 5am-12.15am

For unique literary gifts, Ombres Blanches is a spacious bookshop that hosts live contemporary writers and posthumous dossiers on writers.

La Maison de la Violette is on a barge in the Canal du Midi, moored opposite Gare Matabiau. It sells everything and anything made from violets, from sweets to tea and candles.

Want to rub elbows with the students, artists and intellectuals of Toulouse? Cafe des Artistes is funky, brainy and easygoing.

In February it is the International Violet Festival: unique gifts are for the taking at this celebration of the delicate purple blossom, an official emblem of the city.

Located between the Boulevards and the Garonne River, Toulouse's historic nucleus is the Capitole. I houses popular daytime eateries and breathtaking architecture. It is equally animated by night with popular pubs and discos.

Day trip

Montauban. Founded in 1144 by Count Jourdain, Montauban (Willow Trees from Alba in Occitan) was a Hugenot stronghold during the 16th-century religious war. Today, arcaded brick buildings overlook semi-pedestrianised lanes and trendy shops.
Auch. On the Gers River, about 65 kilometres west of Toulouse, the historic market town of Auch has impressive outsdoor stairways and breathtaking views of the Pyrenees. Climb the 232-step Escalier Monumental then visit the handsome gothic Cathedrale Sainte-Marie. BTy car, take the N124 west or go by SNCF trains and buses.

Perpignan

See: caves de Byrrh in Thuir. The Catalan drink Byrrh was invented in 1873 in Thuir, not far from Perpignan. The caves de Byrrh offer a fascinating tour of the drink's bottling facility. Built by Gustave Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame, it contains the world's largest wooden vat.

Nice

From the airport
Bus: central Nice is a 15-minute journey.

Eat: Socca. Not a restaurant but a local speciality available in many brasseries and from market stalls around Nice, these chickpea flour-based baked flat cakes come out of the oven looking like crepes and are eaten piping hot. 

Stay: Le Grimaldi. For accomodation that offers a taste of La Belle Epoque, le Grimaldi boasts individually designed rooms, stylish decor, right down to the coffee cups and cutlery, and a central location.

See: Hotel Negresco. Yes, it is an hotel, but in a sense it is also a museum, being one of the last remaining privately owned palaces in the world. The Negresco is decked out in the most opulent furnishings imaginable and acts as a showcase for French art from the Renaissance to the present day. Guests should dress to impress.

Shop: Fancy a spot of pampering? Come to Sephora, a well-designed shop stocking loads of brand-name perfumes, cosmetics and other beauty products. 
For dazzling maracoons (lavender, violet, rose, chocolate) in shades to make your head spin, visit the sweet surrounds of Patisserie Canet. 

Sunny winter days afford the clearest views over the Cote d'Azur's coastline. From the Gare Routiere, take bus 14 to Mont Boron's peak. Hike for 15 minutes to reach 16th century Fort du Mont Alban, complete with panoramic seascapes.

The Carnival in February is Nice's biggest annual event. Two weeks of parades, floats and flowers. Along the coast, Menton hosts its annual Fete du citron.

Day trip
Bormes-les-Mimosas. This 12th-century village is  considered one of the most beautiful spots in the region, with its unspoilt beaches, creeks and coves, plenty of water sports and host of lovely walks. Nearby is the impressive Fort de Bregancon, the French Presidents' summer residence.
Biot. The newly renovated Musee Fernand Leger houses vibrant paintings by the master of Cubism. Take the 20-minute train to Biot then Envibus 10 to the museum.

Everyone flying into Nice wants to get their square inch of ultra-glamourous St Tropez. Join the savvy few who know the area well and choose to take the ferry to St Tropez. Not only it is a more stylish way to travel, you will avoid the inevetible traffic jam to St Maxim.

Poets, artists, film stars, notable celebreties and mere morals too have been seduced by picturresque Villefranche-sur-Mer. Lunch in one of the quayside restaurants before setting off to explore the medieval village and fantastic flea market.

Biarritz

In less than half an hour you can see Biarritz's highlights and learn the history of the city. Le petit train leaves every 30 minutes from the Grande Plage and Rocher de la Vierge.

If you head towards Anglet from the lighthouse, the coastal road takes you to the Chambre d'Amour, a buzzing area that is great for surfing, shopping, eating and drinking.

Locals shop at Biarritz's foremost marketplace, Les Halles. First opened in 1885, it now houses vendors of fresh produce, meats, fish and flowers. Shops, bars and restaurants surround the market.

Soak
Les thermes marins. Biarritz is famed for its thalasso centre, which has been drawing in visitors since 1970. Feel the tension melt away as you relax in the therapeutic hot pools, or try one of the treatments that uses water, minerals and mud to curative effect in relaxing, tranquil surroundings.

Gamble
Municipal Casino Barriere de Biarritz. The iconic building of Biarritz is undoubtedly the casino, which has tried the luck of kings and celebs. 

Shop
Paries sells divine cakes, chocolates and pastries. Just peeking through the window makes your mouth water. Established in 1895, Paries sells the famed, self-created almond pastry muxu, which means kiss in Basque.
 and its lovely teashop looks out to sea. It specialises in flavoured teas, pastries, speciality cakes, hand-crafted caramel and chocolates.The elegant Patisserie Miremont was founded in 

Day trip
Fuenterrabia. Just over the border into Spain, this quaint little historical town boasts a citadel and rows of pretty little houses, mot to mention lively tapas and good restaurants, many found around the harbour area.
Saint Jean de Luz. Just 15 kilometres south of Biarritz is the charming seaside town of Saint Jean de Luz, an historic spot on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela and, earlier, a whaling port. From here, the coastal road winds south to Abbadia, famed for its chateau and natural reserve.

general information

Republic
capital: Paris
area: 675 000 km2
currency: euro

population: 66 millions
population density/km2: 98
EU member since 1952
National holiday: 14 July
national anthem: La Mareseilaise

language: french

• 9 is the number of tons of metal eaten by famous French omnivore Michel Lotito, aka Monsieur Mangetout.

• At 1568 working hours per annum in 2003, the French are the least industrious people in Europe.

• France is the largest country in the EU in terms of surface area but not the most densely populated, partly because of the Napoleonic wars.

• French men are on average 1.72 cm tall. The average height for French women is 1.65 cm. Compared with one century ago, men are 7 cm taller and women 5 cm.

• France has 4 overseas departments (which are part of the EU), 4 overseas territories and 2 autonomous regions.

Vive la France! Discover this beautiful country by walking around the streets of Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Avignon, St Tropez, Strasbourg, Rennes and Bordeaux. Versailles, Mont St Michel and Aix en Provence are rich in history while the adventurous can go skiing and hiking in the Alps. Relax afterwards on a Mediterranean beach or sipping a glass of vino in the many wishes wineries. Sailing around the islands of Brittany is also not to be missed.

Paris

From Orly airport
Train: The RER B4 (OrlyVal) travels between Orly and Chatelet (central Paris) in half an hour.. Trains run every eight minutes from 6am-11pm. Trains Line C2 between Orly and Invalides departs from 6am-11pm. 
Bus. The efficient OrlyBus stops at Place Denfert-Rochefeau every 12 minutes from 5.45am-11.30pm

From Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport
Train. Take the RER B3 on a half-hour journey to central Paris (Gare du Nord). Trains leave every 15 minutes from 5.24am-11.58pm
Bus. The Roissy Bus leaves from the airport and stops at the Opera every 15 minutes from 5.45am-11pm

Stroll hand in hand along the Seine, climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower and exchange loving looks in a street cafe.

Thought the city of light and romance was out of your league budget-wise? Well Generator (generatorhostels.com) opens a haute hostel this month, with beds from £19 in a shared room to £38 for a private room. Based in the cool 10th arrondissement by Canal Saint-Martin, this is no dingy baclpacker joint, we're talking roof terrace with sunset views of the Sacre-Coeur, en suites, and a buzzy bar and restaurant. With Eurostar return tickets from £69, Paris is now totally affordable. 

The Eiffel Tower or 300-metre tower (today it measures 324 m with the TV antenna) was erected according to the drawings of the engineer Gustave Eiffel, between 28 January 1887 and 31 March 1889 for the World Fair of Paris in 1889.

The National Centre of Art and Culture George Pompidou, commonly referred to as the Beaubourg Centre, is one of the most controversial architectural experiments ever to be carried out in Paris. Each colour of the Beaubourg Centre has its own special meaning: red stands for transport, blue for air conditioning, yellow for electricity and green for gas.

The Arc de Triomphe stands in the middle of the Place Charles de Gaulle. Napoleon had the 50m high triumphal arch built in 1806 to glorify the Empire. It was finished in 1835. It boasts superb relief sculptures, including Rude's "The departure of the volunteers" known as "La Marseillaise", Etex "The resistance of 1814" and The peace" and Cortot's "The triumph of 1810. Cast an eye over the 600 names of generals and the 150 names of campaigns and victories engraved one by one in the monumental stone. 

Due to its beautiful situation on top of the Montmartre hill, the Sacre-coeur is a favourite of both the Parisians and the many tourists. On a clear day, you can see 50 km away from this basilica. In 1875, after the Franco-prussian war, a start was made on the construction of this church, which was only completed in 1914, on the eve of a new war. 

The imposing Eglise de la Madeleine gives bustling Madeleine Square its name, but most Parisians know it for the gourmet food boutiques such as Hediard, Fauchon and Maille. There are also many up-market fashion clothing boutiques, particularly catering to the well-dressed gentleman. 

Before the Paris metro was built in 1900, a train known as the Petite Ceinture (Small Belt) transported Parisians in a circular route through the city, connecting the major rail stations. It became obsolete by 1934 but the tracks remain in place as a reminder.

Shop. Jump on the eco-friendly bandwagon with a fashionable accessory from Reversible. Bags, lamps and even chairs are made from colourful recycled PVC advertising posters from a factory in Lyon.

Prices for the Paris metro went up again. Save money with a Mobilis day pass offering unlimited travel on metro, bus and trams.

Jussieu (5th) is the eastern corner of the Latin Quarter, dominated by the ugly modern university. But thre is also the peaceful Jardin des Plantes with its Museum of Natural History, the hightech Institut du Monde Arabe and the exotic Mosquee de Paris and its mosaic-tiled tea room and hamman.

If it is your first time in Paris, a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower, a stroll by the River Seine and a visit to the Louvre are all must-dos. If you've been there and done that, it is time to discover new places such as the flower-filled Jardin du Luxembourg, Rodin Museum, the spooky catacombs (a network of underground tunnels beneath the city) or drinking and dining in the cool Marais district.

Avenue Montaigne and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore for all the chic shops like Prada, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and the ever-hip Colette. Not far away in Rue Clement Marot theere is Fashion Vintage, a tiny gem of a store where you can rummaged through vintage clothes from YSL, Chanel and Dior. A short metro ride and you are in department stores Printemps and Les Galeries Lafayette on Boulevard Haussman.

Day trip
Chantilly. Into golfing, horse racing or polo? Head to the genteel town of Chantilly, a historic forested location, just 45 minutes north of Paris. There are several resort hotels offering scenic golfing year-round, as well as the famous Chantilly Hippodrome and Polo Club, which host prestigious events throughout the year.

Drink: Willi's wine bar. Best for regional wines. This popular venue, with art-deco frontage and polished oak bar, is as renowned for its bottle art (specially commissioned posters from different contemporary artists) as it is for its wines. There are about 250 to choose from, in particular wines from Rhone. Regions like Bandol and Languedoc are also well represented. A few New World wines are available too, as is a selection of sherries. 13 rue des petits champs, www.williswinebar.com