France Travel Information

For the best accommodation deals in Paris right here!

Area : 640,053 SQ KM
Population : 61,538,330
Capital city : Paris
Time : GMT + 1
Currency : Franc
Electricity : 230V

To the east of Bordeaux lies an area of France where you can step back in time to the type of environment with which Victorian naturalists would have been familiar in England: unspoilt, orchid-rich woods and meadows full of flowers, butterflies and bird song. Of course Aquitaine was in fact English during the Hundred Years War, a period reflected by the sprinkling of castles and ‘bastides’.

Traversed by three great rivers - the Garonne, the Dordogne and the Lot – the area is rich not only in butterflies, birds and orchids but also in history and pre-history, the Vezere valley with its fascinating cave paintings being a UNESCO world heritage site. Take in the many diverse habitats from Atlantic oak and pine forests, heath and meadow, arable plain and river wetland to hot Mediterranean-type garrigue – dry, scrubby grassland full of flowers and butterflies.

Visit the beautiful village of Beynac in a fine riverside hotel nestled beneath the impressive castle fortress. From there, you can enjoy sun-baked hills in search of butterflies like Scarce Swallowtail and rare orchids including the Yellow Bee Orchid. In the shady oak woods and meadows, go on the lookout for Hoopoe and butterflies including Pearl-bordered Fritillary. Take a boat trip on the Dordogne in a traditional ‘gabarre’ watching for Black Kites and Kingfishers.

The beautiful and luxurious Chateau les Merles is a venue that is set amongst the sunny vineyards, orchards and forest near Bergerac. You can visit pine forest, heaths and lakes where European Terrapin and Crested Tit are found. Go out onto the arable plateau where Rock Sparrow is just one speciality. The local wildlife association is involved with nest protection work here.

Countries
and States

Antigua
Antarctica
Alaska
Arizona
Arctic
Atlantic
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Barbados
Bermuda
Belize
Bulgaria
Canada
Cayman Islands
Cuba
Costa rica
Colorado
Cook Islands
Dominican Republic
English Channel Islands
England
Finland
France
Florida
Galapagos Islands
Germany
Great Britain
Greece
Hong Kong
Iceland
Indonesia
Indian Ocean Islands
Ireland
Italy
Jamaica
Mediterranean Islands
Mexico
Portugal
Poland
Puerto Rico
Romania
San Francisco
Spain
Suriname
South Central Idaho
South Africa
Smoky Mountains
Sri Lanka
Texas
Thailand
Tunisia
United Kingdom
Vanuatu
Zimbabwe
Zanzibar
Spring Break Vacations
Travel Advice
Travel in Disaster Prone Areas
Book online advice