Rich in flavor (and calories!), French food is among the finest cuisine in the world. No matter where you go, it is impossible not to find some sort of food that has been influenced by French recipes. Even popular fast food chains around the globe have some sort of food that reflects the French culture – think French fries and parfaits. It’s great that you no longer have to travel across the ocean if you want to enjoy the fabulous fare the French provide. We’ve brought to you a list of some of our favorite French food, and hope that you’ll enjoy them as much as we have! Bon Appetit!

The Cheese

One of the most popular aspects of French food is the wide variety of cheeses they have to offer. From Brie to Munster, cheese is such an integral part of French culture, that over 200 varieties are protected under the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union. Regardless of whether you prefer soft, spreadable cheeses, or you prefer the more robust, hard aged cheeses; the French have something that you will love.

There are entirely too many cheeses used in French food to list them all here. Our favorites include Camembert, Brie, Munster, Roquefort, and Bousin. No matter which one is your favorite, one thing is for certain – when you’re looking for authentic French flavor, the cheese just can’t be beat!

The Wine

When planning a menu of French food, the wine is one of the most important parts of the meal. France is home to some of the most popular wines in the world, and offer so many varieties of this savory beverage that you would be hard pressed to stump a French chef as to which wine serves with each type of food. Two of the most popular French wines are the Bordeaux and Champagne. One of the most important things to remember when shopping for wine to go with French food is that, although there are many versions of sparkling wine, true Champagne is made in Champagne, France.

The Desserts

Last but not least in our search for the perfect French food comes the dessert. French pastries are some of the sweetest, most delicate desserts in the world. Be prepared to stay awhile, when you first sink your teeth into a delicious baguette, smothered in confectioners sugar. Your mouth will water as you savor the rich, velvety flavor of chocolate silk pie. If you’ve got yourself a sweet tooth, French food definitely aims to please!

You don’t have to leave home to be able to enjoy the comforts of French food. Pick up any mainstream cookbook, and you’ll be sure to find many wonderful French food recipes your whole family will enjoy.

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France is the top tourist destination in the world, which comes as no surprise since it has many spectacular attractions. Indeed, France is home to many historic and interesting sites which are all equally captivating, which is why you might have a hard time knowing where to start. It doesn’t matter where you do, though, as long as you visit these top France attractions during your stay.

Chateau de Versailles

Versailles is one of the most popular France attractions for its historical significance and outstanding beauty. Located just a few miles outside of Paris, the palace still exudes the grandeur of a royal residence - which it was from 1682 to 1789. It has 700 rooms, the most popular of which are the royal bedchambers, the Hall of Mirrors and the Salon of Hercules, all decorated with ornate furniture and beautiful artworks. Its subsidiary buildings, the Trianon and the Lanterne Pavilion, are also magnificent, and its gardens are among the most stunning in the world.

Grand Louvre

Some of the best France attractions are excellent museums such as the famous Louvre. The Louvre Museum houses more than 400,000 pieces distributed into three wings, including over 6,000 masterpieces from French, Spanish, Italian and other European painters. It is particularly known as the home of the ‘Mona Lisa’ by Leonardo da Vinci, which is one of the most controversial works of art ever produced. Aside from being a world-renowned museum, the Louvre is also one of the central landmarks in Paris, with its distinct pyramid situated on the right bank of the River Seine. The equally interesting Georges Pompidou Centre and the Musee d’Orsay are only a short drive away.

Eiffel Tower

It goes without saying that a trip to France is not complete without climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower, where the views of the city are spectacular, or at least having your photo taken against its magnificent structure. After all, the Eiffel Tower remains the most distinct symbol of France, although it no longer holds the distinction of being the tallest building in the world. It is especially amazing at night when it is illuminated, truly contributing to the romantic ambience of the City of Lights.

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

‘Notre Dame’ means ‘Our Lady’ in French, which is why there are many Catholic churches in France bearing the name. The one that readily comes to mind, though, is the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, best known for being featured in Victor Hugo’s masterpiece ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’. Even if it were not, though, it would still surely draw visitors for its rich history dating back from the 12th century and more notably, for its remarkable Gothic architecture. In fact, the Notre Dame de Paris is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the world. Other impressive cathedrals in France include those in Rodez, Reims and Strasbourg.

Chambord Castle

France is overflowing with romantic attractions, including fairy tale castles such as the Chateau de Chambord. This castle, which was built under the reign of King Francois I, is one of the most popular in France and all over the world, distinct for its impressive French renaissance architecture. Its unsymmetrical yet elaborate roofscape is particularly astonishing, with eleven kinds of towers and three different types of chimneys. Its most famous architectural feature, though, is its double staircase which ascends three floors, reportedly the work of Leonardo da Vinci.

The Loire Valley

During your vacation in France, don’t just linger in Paris. Rather, make it a point to discover the beauty of the French countryside, like the Loire Valley. Aside from the Chombard Castle, the Loire Valley offers many other enchanting castles, as well as charming towns and historic cities like Bourges and Orleans. It is also known for its excellent wine and breathtakingly romantic natural scenery, earning it the title of the Garden of France, which is why it is one of the best France attractions in itself.

If you still have some time left, you can also visit other France attractions, such as the Futuroscope, the Fontainebleau Forest and the beautiful beaches of the French Riviera. While you won’t be able to visit them all, you might as well try to see as many of the scenic spots in France as you can, so you can truly say that you have experienced France instead of merely visiting it - an experience sure to be on the top of your list for a lifetime.

Isabella Olsen is a travel writer who has toured major destinations worldwide, including France, by car. Zencarhire.com offer car hire from many locations throughout France, including, car hire Toulouse airport. To book a France car rental, or learn more about car hire worldwide, visit www.zencarhire.com

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Most people think of wine when asked about French drinks. But, cider has been produced in the country for centuries. Enjoy the Brittany cider route, through some of France’s most idyllic countryside.

Brittany is possibly the most attractive French territories, and it makes a splendid province for a tranquil break.

A excursion to Brittany should involve touring the Cider route, through various esteemed cider estates. You will be able to sample many different ciders during the tour.

Cider has been made in Brittany for over 800 years, and each departments is associated with a particular type of apple - meaning there are many varieties of cider to taste.

What’s more, to Brittany couldn’t be easier. channel ferries from Ireland and the UK regularly travel to Roscoff. Is there a better way to start your vacation than strolling along the sandy dunes in Roscoff, or paying a visit to the town’s beautiful botanical gardens?

Now, returning to the cider route. Meandering through Brittany, it gives you a unique opportunity to see the time-honoured techniques used to make each farm’s speciality cider.

The Musée du Cidre de Bretagne (Brittany Cider Museum) shows how cider preparation has developed over the centuries, and how agriculture in Brittany is tied to this deliciously refreshing drink.

In Bordeaux, the lifestlye is defined by wine - in Brittany it is cider.

Cider is served in ceramic mugs. These distinctive cups , essentially oversized tea cups, boost the character of your cider.

Brittany cider goes with galettes - thin pancakes that can be sweet or savoury - or fish. Its long shoreline means that Brittany has access to an mouth-watering assortment of fish, mussels and oysters.

Brittany is the enterance to the rest of France if you are planning a driving holiday. Just remember, that means you won’t be able to drink the cider on the cider route.

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