Be a guest to one of the world's most exclusive tables. France, land of gourmets and culinary arts, offers a bewildering array of food and wines from delicious simple fare to exquisite haute cuisine. With over 340 sorts of cheese and 450 quality wines France will satisfy every palate.
Beyond gastronomy, from North to South France sparkles with an incredibly rich cultural and historical heritage of famous castles, churches, cathedrals and museums carefully preserved and restored which makes it one the most sought afterand enthralling destination for holidaymakers from around the globe.
France takes prides in the rich and diverse tapestry of its magnificent landscapes which have been celebrated throughout the centuries by its many famous writers, poets and artists in words and creations so many of which have become part of the world's cultural heritage and still inspire today's travellers to discover it for themselves. Whether you are looking for a relaxing beach holiday or want to commune with Nature, whether you wish to step back into history or are searching for an active sporting adventure, France will welcome you with open arms, seduce you with its warmth and entertain you with its wide range of attractions enabling you to achieve that perfect holiday.
A word of advice from Lagrange: French roads are excellent, but not free, so keep some euros handy.
Part of the Aquitaine region and located between the Loire Valley and the Hautes Pyrenees, DORDOGNE is unquestionably one of the most beautiful départements in France and the region is named after the Dordogne river which runs through it. The area is divided into four distinct areas: Perigord Blanc, Perigord Vert, Perigord Pourpre and Perigord Noir. Each area dates back to the Gauls and is named according to its individual landscape and local specialities, emphasising the département's diversity - Vert for its verdant valleys, rivers and streams; Blanc for its limestone plateaux and wide meadows; Pourpre for the colour of its wine (Bergerac, its capital, lies in the middle of several large renowned vineyards); Noir for the dense forests of oak and pine trees.
Throughout the centuries, the Hundred Years' War with England, the Wars of Religion (Bergerac was a powerful Huguenot stronghold in the 16th century), the Revolution and the tragic hours of the Resistance during WW2 have all shaped the Dordogne countryside, resulting in both scars and a rich array of historic monuments. These stand as a testimony of the architectural evolution through the ages - from sumptuous Gothic and Renaissance manors, to country houses and chateaux (notably in Sarlat and Perigueux), as well as prehistoric caves and world famous red wines.
CORREZE is located at the foot of Massif Central in the Dordogne valley. The region is well known for its mediaeval heritage and the diversity of its landscape.
