France is not only Paris!

Let’s move from Italy for a while and discuss another beautiful country - France!

The only time I have visited France was in 2013, when we went to Paris, the capital. I was quite little and I don’t remember much except for the Disneyland (more about it later :D) and a big cosmetic shop where we spent like 3 hours just on makeup things and perfume. Also I can remember that there always were a lot of people on the streets and among them there always were bums. And there were like tons of rubbish on the streets, and metro was very small. All in all, amazing sights and tasty croissants were often spoiled by the severe reality.

But I’m sure that people are usually disappointed in Paris only because of TV Show’s and movies which show France in the definitely other way and that’s why we have high expectation. Honestly speaking, it’s a usual touristic country with all its benefits and drawbacks. 

But France is not as bad as people usually say. The point is that we don’t really pay attention on other cities except Paris and it’s our huge mistake. As I’m really interested in this topic, I have found some information about other French towns which are surely worth visiting.

Stratsbourg

When President Barack Obama visited Strasbourg, France to attend a NATO Summit in 2009, he spoke at a town hall meeting on the eve of the Summit. On that occasion, he remarked:

“Strasbourg has been known throughout history as a city at the crossroads. Over thousands of years, you straddled many kingdoms and many cultures. Two rivers are joined here. Two religions have flourished in your churches. Three languages comprise an ancient oath that bears the city’s name 

WHY STRATSBOURG?

*It’s Simply Beautiful!

*Because its a UNESCO World Heritage Site

*Have you tasted a tarte flambée? Than do it!

*To visit amazing Strasbourg Cathedral, Palais Rohan, Parc de l'Orangerie and other places of interest

*Breathtaking museums - Museum Œuvre Notre-Dame, Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and Historical Museum of the City of Strasbourg. 

*And the most important - have a walk on the La Petite France - the nicest street in the town (and whole France, I think!)

Avignon

Avignon has considered itself a centre of the world since exiled popes set up the papacy there in the 14th century. This July, as every year, it can consider itself a centre of the arts, with the eruption of continental Europe’s greatest drama festival: hundreds of shows held daily in 133 different venues – theatre, music, art and absurdity.

WHY AVIGNON?

*To visit le Off show - a major springboard for designer creativity!

*Because of its castles, of course- Avignon Cathedral, Palais des Papes, Pont d'Avignon

*To go shopping to Halles d'Avignon, amazing giant shopping center

*To reach Durance river for leisure and visit Jardin des doms to find inspiration

*Museams are always a good idea - Musée lapidaire d'Avignon, Musée Requien, Musée Calvet, Musée Du Petit Palais

Dijon

Dijon is perhaps best known for its mustard (named after the town), which is no longer produced locally, but it is still one of the most beautiful cities in France, and its historic buildings and byways were not heavily damaged by bombing in World War Two and are largely intact. The surroundings is also an important wine production region, and Dijon has historically been the centre for regulatory bodies for wine production (some wine classification systems were invented here) and therefore the historical centre of Dijon forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage site "Climats, terroirs of Burgundy".

WHY DIJON?

*To try its famous mustard, of course!

*To go for a walk to the Promenade de l'Ouche - a walking and cycling trail (amazing!)

*Visit Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, Church of Notre-Dame of Dijon and other popular historical places

*To join International and Gastronomic Fair which is held every autumn 

*Because of amazing gardens - Jardin botanique de l'Arquebuse, Colombière Park, Darcy Garden.

*To get luck from the magic The Owl Dijon (it works!)

Marseille

Grit and grandeur coexist seamlessly in Marseille, an exuberantly multicultural port city with a pedigree stretching back to classical Greece and a fair claim to the mantle of France's second city. Once seen as somewhat dirty and dangerous, and lacking the glamour of Cannes or St-Tropez, this black sheep of the Provençal coastline has blossomed in cultural confidence since its 2013 stint as the European Capital of Culture. The addition of a brace of swanky new museums is just the outward sign of an optimism and self-belief that's almost palpable

WHY MARSEILLE?

*To swim in yhe Verdon Gorge (be careful, though)

*To try famous eat bouillabaisse and fell in love with it!

*To visit all the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, Château d'If, Cathédrale La Major and the other attractions 

*Visit the lavander fields and take one bouquets home

*To jump (just kidding!) from the breathtaking Massif des Calanques, where you will definitely find dragons!

*To find the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations, cause it is so. cool. 

And it is not the end! France is full of fabulous towns so before criticizing it just google all the places I told about, and make sure that you have a companion for a long trip! 

Love ya!