National Geographic Traveler France

Beginning in Paris and delving into the farthest reaches of the provinces, the National Geographic Traveler: France guides you to the country's best sights, and lesser known ones as well. Veteran travel writer Rosemary Bailey provides the ins and outs of oldtime favorites, including the Loire Valley, Mont Saint-Michel, and Normandy's battlefields, but she also makes sure you won't miss picturesque Saint-Cirq-Lapopie tucked away in the Dordogne Valley, the charming, vine-striped Var region of Provence, and tiny Mirepoix in the Pyrennes, celebrated for the beautiful half-timbered arcading of its main square, to name a few. Among the many special features of the travel guide are mapped walking and driving tours--including a walk in Paris's Latin Quarter, a drive along the magnificent Gorges du Tarn, and a drive along the enchanting Indre River; and two-page write-ups that take an in-depth look at cafe life, while other write-ups explore monasteries and Breton customs.
 
The guide also includes the popular and beautiful three-dimensional artworks that depict the architectural details of the Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Chambord castle as well as a hefty chapter on France's history and culture. And the new experiential sidebars will provide information on choosing from a range of opportunities from bird-watching by bike to spending the night star watching from the summit of Pic du Midi or enjoying a quiet flea market or trying your hand at driving the Le Mans circuit yourself.
 
The guide includes essential background information and the author's pick of hotels and restaurants.