Limousin

Limousin is found in the southern centre of France, around the town of Limoges. The landscape is varied with forested hills, open moorlands and traditional farms being the main features - it is essentially a rural region. Much of the region is at an altitude of more than 350 metres, so it can be rather cold or wet.

In part because of the climate the Limousin region is not yet highly placed on the tourist circuit, but it has a great deal to offer and is perhaps perfect for those wishing to explore somewhere off the beaten track. There are three departments in Limousin - Creuse, Haute-Vienne and Correze.

Languedoc-Roussillon

Languedoc-Roussillon is found in southern-central France, along the Mediterranean coast and stretching inland. It reaches Spain at its southern border and Provence on its eastern border.

The region falls into three distinct areas with different characteristics:

the Pyreneean region to the south, stretching along the border with Spain and into the eastern Pyrenees
the central part of the Languedoc (Aude and Herault departments) around the medieval architecture of Carcassonne and the cathar castles and traversed by the Canal du Midi. Several well known wines are also produced in this region.
the northern part of the region (departments of Gard and Lozère), including a large part of the wild National Parc des Cevennes.

Cote d'Azur

The Cote d'Azur is the region of south-east France that runs along the coast from Bandol, west of Toulon, to Menton and the Italian border in the east. Cote d'Azur therefore includes part of the coastal Bouches-du-Rhone department and the southern edges of the Var and Alpes-Maritimes departments. Often the section of coast closest to Italy is also known as the French Riviera.

The Mediterranean coast (Cote d'Azur / Riviera) of south-east France includes such renowned resorts as Nice, Antibes, Saint-Tropez and Cannes. Rich, exclusive, sophisticated...and often rather crowded. There are also many smaller villages and towns along the coast and in the hills slightly inland which you can explore when the beaches, shopping, crowds and glamour all becomes a bit tiring.

Aquitaine

Found in the south-west corner of France, Aquitaine reaches Spain at its southern frontier while the Atlantic Ocean runs along its western coast. For visitors the region falls into three distinct regions:

~the forest backed Atlantic coast of western Aquitaine, best known for the beaches, surfing, and summer fun

~the countryside of the Dordogne / Lot-et-Garonne departments further inland, and the history reflected in the castles and medieval villages set among the verdant countryside

~the foothills of the western Pyrenees, and the numerous typical Basque villages that they contain

Midi-Pyrenees

The Midi-Pyrenees region covers the mountainous section of the Pyrenees along the border between France and Spain, and a large swathe running northwards into areas that are remote from the Pyrenees mountains - through Gers (Gascony) and into the Lot Department (just east of the Dordogne).

Typically visitors either come for the mountains of the south, the beautiful countryside and history of the north, or the calm attractions of the Gers (Gascony) region in the centre of the region.

Brittany

Brittany has an exceptional coastline with many beaches, fishing villages and islands; a remarkable historical architecture to be seen in some of the towns; and some of the finest prehistoric landmarks in the world - just a few of the reasons why so many people visit Brittany year after year!

Is found in the north-west of France with the English channel to the north and the Bay of Biscay to the south

Picardy

Northern Picardy is largely a flat or gently undulating area of open fields (including the Somme department, best known for the WWI Battle of the Somme), while the south of Picardy is a scenic region of hills and forests. There are three departments within the Picardy region: Aisne, Oise and Somme.

Among the highlights to discover in Picardy:

- The cathedrals at Amiens (see also Amiens cathedral) and Laon are perhaps two of the best to be found in France, with other cathedrals at Soissons, Noyon and Senlis.

-The town of Amiens also has some interesting highlights, as do the historical centre and art-deco buildings of Saint-Quentin.