Charles de Gaulle once despaired of uniting a nation that boasts 265 varieties of cheeses. But France's diversity is also a strength. Its treasures are vast - from art, to fashion, to food. French chefs display their finesse on every thing from tarts to truffles, onion soup to oysters, and snails to soufflés. On one hand there's Paris, City of Light, whose cultural landscape has been renewed with the Louvre Pyramid, but beyond the glamour of Paris is the essence of France’s 22 provinces. They offer vivid reminders of centuries past, distinctive customs and architecture, as well as a tradition of fine cuisines.

The Ile-de-France region surrounding the city of Paris has a dozen castles like Vaux-le -Vicomte, Chantilly and Rambouillet, to name a few, in addition to the fabulous Versailles and Fontainebleau palaces.

The Loire Valley is sprinkled with famous chateaux. Among the most distinguished are Chambord, with its 218 rooms, and Chenonceaux, the 16th-century beauty atop arches across the Cher river. Many are sites for dramatic sound-and-light shows.

Brittany has 800 miles of rocky coastline and scores of fishing villages. Bretons offer visitors folklore and hospitality, plus spas with a variety of treatments.

Burgundy is known for its dukes, prestigious wines and distinctive cuisine. Many vineyards and wineries can be visited by tour or by appointment. The countryside and magnificent estates can be savored from a hot-air balloon, while the network of rivers and canals is ideal for barge excursions. Among the towns of interest are Beaune, noted for its wine market and the Three Days of Glory celebration in November; Dijon, of mustard fame; and medieval Vezellay.

Bordeaux is the gateway to the Aquitaine region. It boasts some of the finest 18th-century architecture in Europe and is home to the Musee d'Aquitaine, with its impressive collection of French antiquities. Its wines need no introduction, whether from the celebrated Medoc vineyards or medieval St. Emilion. To the east is the lush Dordogne Valley, famed for its prehistoric caves at Les Eyzies, medieval castles and fortified towns, as well as such gastronomic treasures as truffles and foie gras at Sarlat.

Provence abounds with Roman ruins; hillside villages such as Les Baux and Gordes; and restaurants specializing in garlic, olive, tomato and herb-accented dishes. Marseille, the second largest city, is the oldest of the great French ports. Aix-en-Provence, home of a popular summer festival, has incredible mansions, inviting squares and graceful fountains. Art patrons are drawn to Art where Van Gogh created some 300 paintings and drawingss.

The Riviera's attractions include the many mile-long promenade and flower market Nice and the allure of Cannes and other yachting ports. Fabled beach resorts include St.-Tropez, Antibes and Cap-Ferrat. Known cultural centers include the Pica Museum at Antibes and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nice.

Lyon, where the Saone meets the Rhone is famed for its outstanding restaurants and the celebrated vineyards of Beaujolais. The French Alps soar from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean and boast the highest peak in western Europe, Mont Blanc.

Alsace is a land of great vineyards, fortified villages like Riquewihr and medieval towns like Colmar overflowing with history and folklore. The Parliament of the European Community meets in Strasbourg, also site of one of France's finest cathedrals.

Check our "Rhapsodies" for quick city visits' rates. Rhapsodies are 2 or 3 nights program in major cities with hotel accommodation selected by central location and value. usually, a city tour is also included. Use them as they are for a single city visit or combine them for a more complete program. To check rates, select the date of your stay from the calendar that will appear.