France and Channel Islands

Sightseeing

From the Pont du Gard to the Eiffel Tower, France never ceases to amaze. Scale the heights of the French Alps or rub shoulders with the jet-set on the Cote D’Azur. Seek out the masterpieces of the Louvre, follow the impressionist’s trail to Monet’s house at Giverny or witness the splendours of Versailles.

Shopping

France is renowned for fashionable clothes, accessories and luggage, as evidenced by such labels as Hermès, Chanel, Cartier, Dior, plus a host of others. Visit Paris’s Rue du Fauborg St Honoré for haute couture or head for the famous department stores along Boulevard Haussmann. Perfume can be purchased straight from the parfumeur on the Côte D’Azur, and for the gourmet shopper there is pate de foie gras, cheeses and other specialities.

Entertainment

Choose from grand opera, spectacular cabarets complete with can-can, fashionable nightclubs, and any kind of music from the classics to the latest world music from Mali or Morocco.

Specialties

France has a cornucopia of regional dishes to choose from. Try a rosette sausage from Lyon or rillettes, asoftpatéfrom Dijon. Enjoy sole or turbot with sauce hollandaise, the bean and meat Castelnaudary Cassoulet, while in the south of France don’t miss the bouillabaisse, the legendary fish stew. Tarte Tatin is the classic dessert of hot, caramelised apples. Frenchwine isworld famous, but try the regional spirits as well; Cognac, Armagnac or Calvados.

Channel Islands

Guernsey and Jersey feature a host of interesting sights, tastes and traditions. See reminders of the occupation during WWII, enjoy inspiring walks along cliff paths or lazy days on the beautiful beaches. Sample Jersey’s unique ‘Black Butter’ or dine on Guernsey's abundance of natural ingredients from sea and land.

5 Fun Things To Do

1. Get in the swing! Join the locals in southern France who gather beneath plane trees, glass of pastis in hand, to toss heavy metal balls (boules) in the dirt.

2. Paris isn’t called the ‘City of Light’ for nothing! Step out in the evening when the cafés are buzzing, and all the famous landmarks are lit up in their glory.

3. Rummage through the old books, drawings and prints of ‘les bouquinistes’ who have lined the Seine for over 300 years.

4. July 14th is Bastille Day - celebrated with fireworks, parades and much flag waving across the whole country. Join in the fun.

5. French poet and novelist Victor Hugo was exiled in Guernsey for 15 years. Seek out Hauteville House where he wrote some of his most famous works.