Discover France.
ALSACE :
Regional Capital: Strasbourg (Home of the European Parliament)
Geography: North East France
It stretches on the left bank of the Rhine River. Alsace links France to Germany.
Alsace is known for his famous wines, regional cuisine like choucroute garnie,
The architecture of its towns and villages, (Gothic cathedral ofStrasbourg…).
AQUITAINE :
Regional Capital: Bordeaux
Geography: South West France
It stretches along the Atlantic Ocean. Home to the famous vineyards of the
Bordeaux country as well as Atlantic beaches and pine forests of the Landes.
It includes the Basque country, and borders Spain via the Pyrenees Mountain.
Famous coastline other cities are Biarritz, St. Jean de Luz, Arcachon.
AUVERGNE :
Regional Capital: Clermond-Ferrand
Geography: Center France
In the very heart of France, with the mountains of the Massif Central. It always
has been in relative isolation. Main activity is agriculture, beef cattle and
production of cheese as well as Spa tourism around towns like Vichy.
The Michelin tire factory is located in Clermond-Ferrand.
BRITTANY :
Regional Capital: Rennes
Geography: Western most region of France
This is France western most region, the part close to the Atlantic Is rocky and
can remind people to Maine in the United-States.
Brittany has a strong Celtic Heritage, presence of menhirs and dolmens are seen
In the interior of the region. It inspired the famous Asterix & Obelix comics serie.
Today Brittany is France’s main agricultural area, with a significant role in the
Fishing industry and Tourism.
BURGUNDY :
Regional Capital: Dijon
Geography: Center-East of France
Burgundy is renowned for its Burgundy wines as well as its architecture with
The 15th and 16th century half-timbered houses in the old town of Dijon.
The region has been likened to a thoroughfare on the European North-South
Axis. Dijon was once the siege of the Dukes of Burgundy who ruled over
Belgium, Flanders and Holland.
CENTRE-VAL-DE-LOIRE :
Regional Capital: Orleans
Geography: South of Paris
Located south of Paris, it includes part of the Loire Valley with its famous
Chateaux and their gardens (Chambord, Chenonceau, Cheverny, Blois…)
Also the historic heritage Chartres Cathedral.
South of the Loire, La Sologne area is renowned for its forests and game dishes
In hunting season.
The region is also France’s most important in terms of cereal production.
CHAMPAGNE-ARDENNE :
Regional Capital: Chalons-sur-Marne
Geography: East of Paris
Located East of Paris, it is rich in agricultural resources but mostly renowned for
Its famous vineyards that produce the Champagne.
It is the siege of the prestigious Reims Gothic Cathedral where 25 Kings of
France were coroneted.
You can also visit the Champagne houses of Reims and Epernay.
CORSICA :
Regional Capital: Ajaccio
Geography: Island in Mediterranean sea
Known in French as the Ile de Beaute (beautiful island), it is a mountainous
Mediterranean island south of the French Riviera and west of Italy.
It is where Napoleon Bonaparte was born in the city of Ajaccio in 1769.
It is smaller than Sardinia and Sicily but the most elevated of all the
Mediterranean islands. The central mountains are surrounded by forests
and the maquis, it includes a beautiful coastline. It’s industry is mostly tourism.
FRANCHE-COMTE :
Regional Capital: Besancon
Geography: East of France
Sitting next to Switzerland, this region has many forests, lakes and waterways.
Besancon is the capital of France’s watch and clock-making.
There is also cheese and wine making.
ILE-DE-FRANCE :
Regional Capital: Paris
Geography: Center North
It includes Paris, Capital of France. This region includes 18% of the population
Of France and has the highest concentration of economic activities.
It’s a major tourist destination, with Paris, Chateaux of Versailles,Chantilly…
as well as famous cathedrals. Also other attractions include Parc Asterix and Disneyland.
LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON :
Regional Capital: Montpellier
Geography: South
It is famous for its vineyards, the beautiful amphitheater of Nimes, the Pont
du Gard aqueduct from the Roman period.
Other cities include Perpignan and Carcassonne the land of the Cathars.
Montpellier is an important university center.
LIMOUSIN :
Regional Capital: Limoges
Geography: South
It is famous for its fields, rivers, forests and green pastures. The industry is
mostly agricultural as well as the production of leather.
It’s the location of famous luxury ware “Porcelaine de Limoges”
LORRAINE :
Regional Capital: Metz
Geography: North East
Like Alsace to the East, bordering also Belgium and Germany, it has changed
appurtenance between France and Germany many times. It is where during
World war one took place the devastating battle of Verdun.
It’s industry has been centered around steel and iron as well as coal mines.
MIDI-PYRENEES :
Regional Capital: Toulouse
Geography: South West
This is the largest of metropolitan France’s regions. It borders the Pyrenees
Mountains and Spain.
Its main city Toulouse is the main center of France aerospace industry, as well
as an important center for advanced technological activities.
Toulouse is renowned for its pink brick look and violette candy specialty.
The countryside is filled with castles and small villages and towns like Lautrec,
Cahors and Albi.
NORD PAS-DE-CALAIS :
Regional Capital: Lille
Geography: North
At the northern tip of France, bordering the English Channel. It was France’s
major industrial region in the 19th century (coal and textile industries) and the
most heavily populated. This industry has been fading but it is developing
new modern industries. Boulogne-sur-meris a major commercial fishing port.
Lille is still an important industry city with its famous “Braderie” taking place
in September, when the city transforms itself for a few days in a spectacular
open flea market.
NORDMANDY (Lower and Upper) :
Regional Capital: Caen for Lower & Rouen for Upper
Geography: North
Facing the English Channel with access to the sea as well as its proximity
to Paris make this region very dynamic in agriculture, tourism, and other
industries. It counts major ports like Le Havre,Rouen,Cherbourg, providing
regular services to the United Kingdom.
It includes popular touristy beach towns like Deauville and its film festival,
Small port of Honfleur, and majestic tidal island of Mont Saint-Michel.
Its cuisine counts well know cheese like Camembert and Pont l’Eveque.
PAYS DE LA LOIRE :
Regional Capital: Nantes
Geography: North Ouest
This region counts a vast Atlantic coastline with seaside resorts such as:
La Baule, Les Sables d’Olonne. The high speed train (TGV) links Paris to Nantes
in two hours further developing tourism to the Atlantic beaches.
Saint Nazaire is an important port and ship building center. The city of Angers is
well known for its wines and Cointreau liquor.
PICARDY :
Regional Capital: Amiens
Geography: North
North of Paris, this is a very rich agriculture area. The main city Amiens
has the largest Gothic Cathedral in France. Also in Picardy is found the
Majestic Chateau de Chantilly.
POITOU-CHARENTES :
Regional Capital: Poitiers
Geography: Ouest
It’s mainly a rural region with farmland used for cattle and vineyards used to
produce renowned Cognac.
It counts the historic port of La Rochelle, guarded by fortified medieval towers.
It was conquered by Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu in the 17th Century.
The city Angouleme became a major attraction with its annual festival of
Comic Strip Art.
PROVENCE-ALPES-COTE D’AZUR :
Regional Capital: MARSEILLE
Geography: South East
Provence is probably the best know region ofFrance after Paris. The region
owes its wealth to its Mediterranean coastline, its excellent climate and its
natural beauty. It borders also Italy and the Alps mountains.
Marseille is France’s largest port and the second in Europe after Rotterdam.
Vineyards and lavender fields grow inland. The Riviera from Cannes to
Menton on the coastline. The city of Nice, Marseille, Arles, Saint-Tropez, port
of Antibes are all interesting and captivating destinations.
RHONE-ALPES :
Regional Capital: Lyon
Geography: South East
Second most important region of France in population and economic
Development. The Lyon metropolitan area constitutes France’s second most
important manufacturing and services center.
The region borders Switzerland and Italy and is home to the Mont Blanc,
the highest mountain peak of the Alps with miles of ski runs host to three
Olympic winter games in Chamonix, Grenoble and Albertville.
