Five Great National Parks: France

Whether you’ve come to admire the view, brave the slopes or simply burn off those extra calories from the wine and cheese, the French countryside boasts some spectacular and challenging landscapes. The country hosts a total of ten national parks, though three of these are found offshore in the country’s overseas departments. We’re going to take a look at five particularly captivating parks within the country itself.

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Big City Transit: Paris, France

Getting around is a pleasure in Paris—especially if you’re into cycling or cruising the River Seine. But in even more practical terms, this is a city that knows how to organize public transport. Between the metro, light rail, tram and bus lines, you’re able to get anywhere in the city center on relatively short notice. And in all honesty, even walking is a pleasure in a city that’s as chock full of attractions as this. 

For transport purposes, the city is divided into six different zones (though you’ll probably be spending most of your time in Zones 1 and 2). Metro tickets can purchased from vending machines in the stations and also provide access to buses and trams. Save money by buying them in bundles of ten (called a carnet), or you can even pick up daily or weekly passes. The Paris Visite pass is intended especially for tourists.

Without further ado, here’s a breakdown of Paris’ public transit options:

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Insider city guide to Paris

Paris. 

Just that one simple word and the images come rushing, pell-mell, of a beautiful, timeless city – the Champs Elysées, the Left Bank, Montmartre, the view from the top of the Eiffel Tower, which never disappoints, however often one has seen it. 

Paris is a magical city to discover, for it has something to offer everyone: superb museums, wonderful shops – though some may just be for window-shopping – restaurants galore, walks along the River Seine, a cup of coffee in a pavement café... it's difficult to avoid the clichés when describing the City of Light.

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Insider Guide to Val d’Isere, France

The glorious mountains around Val d’Isere, in France’s Haute Savoie province are rightly famed for their fabulous winter skiing.  With some of Europe’s best mountains, excellent weather, and great tourist infrastructure, skiers beat a path here in the winter months.  Some of the sexiest events of the 1992 Winter Olympics were held here, so in terms of hotels, dining, and entertainment, everything is beyond top-notch.

But the summer?  A ski resort in July?

Here are six good reasons to grab your hiking boots and head to this corner of France in the summertime.

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