| Paris, the city of love and a thousand other | | | | Provided you can steer clear of the boy racers |
| clichés, still holds a certain mystic. But no | | | | who treat the roads as racing tracks, France will |
| matter how many written words this great city | | | | satisfy even the most ardent explorers. |
| has commanded - however familiar this town | | | | When visiting France, the first place on most |
| may appear - Paris will always remain an enigma, | | | | people's itineraries is Paris, and the fabulous |
| a magnet for millions of visitors from around the | | | | Louvre. Whilst Napoleon endeavoured to conquer |
| world. | | | | Europe, his armies busied themselves collecting |
| Paris carries an enchantment that you cannot | | | | the spoils from their defeated hosts. |
| always put your finger on. We perceive Parisians | | | | When the Louvre was built in 1793, these trophies |
| as chic and stylish, forever setting the trend. | | | | were exhibited in the new museum for the whole |
| But there is more to this country than just its | | | | of France to witness. |
| capital. France is home to over 60 million people, | | | | Today the Louvre has been given a modern day |
| including many of North African descent. | | | | makeover. A magnificent glass pyramid embraces |
| One of the things that keeps France great is its | | | | the museum making it instantly recognisable |
| attention to detail: the back street shop that sells | | | | around the world. |
| 30 varieties of croissant, the creaseless | | | | If you can endure the crowds, some of the |
| department store bags to carry home your latest | | | | world's most celebrated art can be witnessed. |
| in fashionable attire, the delightful little chocolates | | | | These include 'Winged Victory' and the 'Mona Lisa' |
| that accompany your coffee on one of the | | | | with her legendary smile. |
| street corner cafes. | | | | For those wanting an escape from the hustle and |
| The French language itself conjures up magic and | | | | bustle of France's busy cities, the town of |
| mystery, adding to the romance of being in an | | | | Chamonix offers the perfect contrast to city life. |
| alien land. | | | | Located in one of the spectacular valleys of the |
| The modern France bears aspects of foreign | | | | French Alps, Chamonix offers picture postcard |
| influence. Alongside the chic boutiques and stylish | | | | views, dominated by centuries old glaciers and the |
| cafes sit far-western heavyweights such as | | | | imposing summit of Mount Blanc. |
| McDonalds. But France will forever remain French. | | | | Just one of the many reasons for France being |
| Chic and panache will always prevail. | | | | the world's number one tourist destination. |