France:
France is the number one tourist destination in the world, with 70 million foreigners visiting this cultural and gastronomic mecca every year. The food is so good in France that it's worth going there just to eat. Even in train stations you can find bakeries that sell exquisite-tasting fresh bread and croissants, and cafeterias where the dinners are first class.
Throughout France there are old buildings and castles of historical significance. The scenery in the countryside is aesthetically pleasing, and the French always look stylish and put together. There is a price for all this pleasure, and that is the cost of travelling through France; it's high, so you'll need a lot of francs. Also, the French are known to be rather racist against non-whites, with 14 per cent of them supporting the racist FN party (which ushered in some stiff immigration laws). However, the reputation of Parisiennes to be rude and obnoxious is unfair. All you have to do is try to speak a few words of French, and people will be nice to you. The good news for budget travellers is that the youth hostel system can help you save money on bed and breakfast. Buying groceries instead of eating in restaurants will also help conserve your cash.
In December 1999, France suffered some of the worst wind storms in its history, and consequently, some of the tourist sites were shut down until they could be repaired.
This page last updated December 29, 1999.
Bohemian Paris Walking Tours: Paris in the 1920s will come alive as you walk in the footsteps of the writers, artists, models and muses who populated the bohemian Left Bank.