Remember, being polite in any situation will take you a long way. Not knowing some basic French etiquette means that you might not be perceived as being polite! The following tips will help you avoid the culture shock that can occur when traveling.

The Basics

• When you greet people say ‘Bonjour, madame/mademoiselle’ or ‘Bonjour monsieur’. This basic premise of French etiquette is drilled into French children from day 1. You should add madame, mademoiselle, or monsieur after all greetings.
• When entering a shop, be sure to greet the shop keeper! To not do so is considered rude. Do not forget to say ‘au revoir’ when you leave.
• When paying at a counter there will be a small dish or rubber mat on which to place your money. Do not place your cash in the cashier’s hand. This is to ensure that there is no error in what is being given or received.
• If asking for travel advice such as directions, etc, it is polite to start your request with ‘pardon’ (excuse me) and end it with ‘s’il vous plat’ (please). When a response is given do not forget to say ‘merci’! (thank you!).
• Keep your voice low whether in a public area, shop, church or restaurant. Americans are known for being loud!

Meals/Restaurant etiquette also varies in France from the US.

• If the restaurant menu is in English or if you can get an English menu you are likely to pay more because they cater to tourists.
• To avoid pricey bottled water with your meal, request ‘une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plat’ (a carafe of water, please). If you want bottled water be sure to specify ‘san gaz’ if you want still water instead of carbonated.
• If ordering a steak, you will be asked how you would like it cooked: ‘saignant’ (just sealed on each side and thus very rare), ‘ point’ (pink inside) or ‘bien cuit’ (well cooked, no pink). Of course, I would love to see your vocabulary increase but my best travel tip is to remember the specific word for the way YOU like your steak to begin with!
• Bread is eaten by breaking off small bites with your fingers, not by biting from the whole piece. Refrain from nibbling on the bread before the meal starts.
• There are no side plates for bread. Do not worry! The server will brush the tablecloth before the next course.
• Keep your hands visible on the table but do not place your elbows on the table. This piece of French etiquette has its origins in history when people kept both hands visible on the table so that everyone would know what they were up to!
• If you are a guest at someone’s house it is customary to bring a box of chocolates for the hostess or flowers. Do not bring chrysanthemums as they are associated with funerals! Do not bring a bottle of wine! The implication is that you would not be happy with your host’s choice of wine or that you do not feel they are capable of choosing an appropriate wine for the meal.
• Tip etiquette requires that you place the tip on the table, if you leave one. Do not hand it to the server. Tipping etiquette – to tip or not to tip. In France, the tip is built in to the price of your meal. However, if the server has been particularly helpful (maybe he gave you directions to that museum you have been trying to locate) then you might want to leave a bit of your extra change on the table for him.
• It is so nice to sit on the squares and have a drink or a meal as part of your France travels. Be aware, though, that it may be a bit pricier than at an establishment on a side street away from the square.
• The experience is part of the trip! Build your budget to accommodate a bit extra for meals as you will want to sit and enjoy the two hour lunches like the French do!! With all the little details you still want your best travel advice to be “enjoy the ride”.

I hope this will help prepare you for the differences between your country and France so that your trip to France will be enjoyable and you will want to return time after time. Bonne vacance!

Debbie – Admin for http://www.france-travel-info.com

Author: Debbie Cochener
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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This place in Marseille is the best place to visit if you are from a foreign country and just a few miles away from Marseille. It is a small piece of Mediterranean landscape: turquoise, translucent water lapping the sheer cliffs of the indented coast, interrupted every now and then by a small idyllic beach. Very soon, the Calanques will be turned into a national park by this yea and you can enjoy the beauty of the hidden secrets of the beaches. You can take a boat trip from a small village near Cassis and enjoy the lunch from the port-side restaurants.

Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde

This basilica was built somewhere between 1853 to 1864 and it has colored marbles, complicated gold-laid mosaics and murals. Its bell tower is crowned by a 9.7m tall glided statue of Virgin Mary, which is on a 12 meters high pedestal. Bullet marks and many scars on the cathedral’s northern faade mark the brutal fighting that would have taken place here during Marseille’s Battle of Liberation, which is believed to be between 15-25 August 1944).

Vieux-Port

For over 26 centuries, sea ships have been docking at Marseille’s colorful Vieux Port. It is still overflows with fishing craft, yachts and local ferries. On the Vieux Port’s southern side, you will find many late night restaurants and the food available there is very good.

Arc de Triomphe de la Porte d’Aix

This monument was constructed in 1823 by Penchaud in the memory of the victories of the French Revolution and it is very famous all over the world. This is a must to see place in Marseille.

Galerie Jouvne

It is very old (approx150 years) and you can find the beautiful apparel of old and classical paintings, which are the representations of Provence from the 17the Century. It displays the work of Briata, Monticelli and Ambriogiani. You will simply love this place.

Fontaine Castellane

This is an amazing fountain, which is situated in the centre of the square and it is monumental fountain. The shape of this monumental fountain is given by a Marseillaise sculptor Allar in the year 1911 to describe the journey of the River Rhone from its source to the Mediterranean beautifully shown like the Rhone.

Musee de L’OM

People in Marseille say that Football is a way of their life, hence, not surprisingly, the city’s Olympique de Marseille team, which is over 100 years old, often unleashes real passion and entertainment. In the Vlodrome Stadium, this small museum tell you the history of Marseilles’ legendary team, which starts with their early successes in the French Cup to their competitors in the European Cup.

If you are planning to travel to Europe, you must include Marseille Attractions as one of your travel itinerary.

(C) Copyright – Ruan Moita. All rights reserved worldwide.

Author: Ruan Moita
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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On the other hand, if you are experienced when it comes to sailing a vessel then you may find the slow pace of the French region is just what you need to relax during your holiday. Brittany is home to more than 600 km of canals and rivers so you are certain to find somewhere that suits you.

But with so many places to choose from, you may need some help in narrowing down your boating holiday itinerary. One town that you should certainly take the time to visit is Redon. Boasting history, culture and of course the food for which the region is famous, it is a great place to kick back and relax for a few days. Redon has been described as the little Venice of Brittany because so many canals and waterways flow through the town. It is located where two rivers – the Oust and Vilaine – converge with the Nantes-Brest canal. Like its Italian namesake, Redon is home to a number of historic attractions which you should be sure to explore during your boating holiday. And because it is located in Brittany, you will find that there is lots on offer in the way of food.

Sampling the local cuisine is an integral part of any trip to France and when you are staying on a boat, you have the opportunity to rustle up your own delicious dishes. Redon hosts a market every Monday and you will be able to browse among stalls filled with local goods and produce – the ideal place to stock up before you take to the water again.

If you want some inspiration when it comes to typical Breton food, you may want to visit one of the many restaurants to taste the local cuisine before trying your hand at making your own. Due to its coastal location, seafood features prominently on most menus in Brittany, with oysters and scallops among the fresh catch you can expect to find.

Another signature dish from this part of France is the crepe, while for a more hearty pudding, you may want to try a Breton Far – a dessert similar to flan and topped with plums and custard. While France is renowned for its wine production, the local tipple in Brittany is cider, so be sure to pick up a bottle to accompany your meal. In order to work up an appetite, you might want to head into Redon for some sightseeing and you will find plenty of beautiful buildings right on the waterfront.

The Old Harbour district of the town dates back centuries and you will be able to admire the 18th century houses that line the streets and were once home to wealthy ship builders. All of the footbridges, locks and gangways make the area particularly pretty and in the summer, you will see an added splash of colour in the form of flowers. The town is known as a Ville fleurie and every year, it decorates its streets with bright displays and hanging baskets.

If you decide to travel a little further afield then you will find the Chateau du Mail and Richelieu Tower just a short walk along the banks of the River Vilaine. Meanwhile, the Ancient Abbey of Saint Sauveur is the perfect place to head if you want to discover the history of the area. Founded in 832, the monastery has long been an important landmark within Redon.

And if you want to delve deeper in to Redon’s past then a trip to the Western Waterways Museum could be in order. The museum features exhibits about the development of the waterways in Brittany, as well as information about the boatmen who worked on the canals and the communities that lived on their shores.

France boating holidays could be a great way of seeing the country and enjoying new experiences on water. And with canal boat holidays widely available you’re sure to find something to cater for your needs. Check out Le Boat for a wide selection of Brittany boat trips and boat holidays to other destinations.

Author: Dipika Patel
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Since November 2007, Eurostar’s network has undergone several modifications aiming at increasing the speed of trips. Thanks to these works, who have tremendously boosted tourism on the European scale, it now only takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to go from central London to central Paris, faster and cheaper than air travel, with an average speed of 186.4 miles per hour.

Assuming your destination is the sunny city of Nice, the Eurostar service will take you to Lille in 1 hour and 20 minutes, and you can take a high-speed train (TGV) nonstop from Lille to Nice, with a trip of about 7 hours and 22 minutes. Therefore, within less than 9 hours you can go from London to Nice with only one stop at Lille and for less than 160. For seasoned travellers, who aren’t afraid of changing stations, it is possible to go from London to Nice within 8 hours and 50 minutes with a railway station in Paris, Lyon or Marseille.

According to route-planning site Mappy.com, it takes about 13 hours and a half to drive from central London to central Nice, with costs reaching up to 240. Is it really necessary to point out how exhausting and expensive undertaking such a journey might be?

As for air travel, prices can be matched if the booking is done weeks in advance, but the trip is shorter and more convenient with Eurostar, as trains take you directly in city centres, whereas travelling through busy airports often requires long check-ins and commuting to finally reach the final destination. For example, it takes 50 minutes to go from central Paris to Charles de Gaulle airport, and 75 minutes to go from Stansted airport to Victoria station in London. Here’s another example: a flight to Nice from London’s Luton airport takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. If you take commuting and then checking-in into account, with almost 50 minutes on the bus on your way to Luton, 120 minutes waiting to checking, 2 hours and 30 minutes flying, and then 20 minutes to go from Nice airport to the city centre, you can spend about 5 hours and 40 minutes sitting around, or walking from one platform to another.

Let’s not also forget one crucial upside when taking Eurostar trains, which is unlimited luggage. Indeed, although your belongings on Eurostar services are searched, you can take as many suitcases as you like with you, which is rather convenient for long holidays abroad. Families and couples won’t have the trouble of counting how many clothes everybody’s allowed to bring, and how many times it is necessary to hop on and off trains, buses and planes. Eurostar is therefore a fast, comfortable and convenient way to travel, which will take you to Paris for a planned holiday or on a whim, for a day or two.

Sextant French property is a network of more than 100 estate agents in France offering a selection of 6000 French property for sale.

Author: Matthieu Cany
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Starting from the Perpignan railway station, you can soon reach Collioure within 45 minutes. I bet you will be shocked before reaching this town, because the sky is so blue, which looks like the vast sea without any flaw. Slowly, various colors will come into your sight, including yellow, pink, green and purple. You can hardly imagine that there is a place which can blend so many different colors. These colors are so harmonious and perfect. The wall of each house is painted with fresh and vivid colors.

Collioure used to be a fishing village. Many painters portrayed these houses with bright colors. In fact, fishermen were so poor that they could only use the remaining paint which was used for coloring boats to color their houses. As fishermen had to paint their boats with bright colors so that boats could be distinguished in the vast sea, there are so many lovely dollhouses nowadays. Then, these unique houses attracted a lot of artists and tourists.

From the balcony of local residents’ houses, you can see the typical characteristics of the Mediterranean city. By accident or design, a variety of flowers and green climbing plants match with houses there to compose a wonderful scene full of art atmosphere.

It is really good that you can wander in this town without a map. You do not need to look for these famous scenic spots by holding a map. As long as you wander with confidence, you can gradually know everything around you. If you encounter impressive scenery, take a photo immediately without considering the angle or light. Remember that what you are doing is memorizing the moving moments.

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Author: Wang Xiang
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My own humble (but authentic) experience confirms whatever the appropriate numbers are. Virtually every third person I meet, (especially during “The Season”) is a non- Froggie.

The attractions are the same ones the locals enjoy. Achingly beautiful nature. Food. Wine. Art. History. And culture with a capital “C.” The reasons the majority of the French holiday in their own country. They really do have it all! As they will inform you, without hesitation. And, since the classic “all-the-French-on-holiday”month is August, this is, bien sur, the perfect time to NOT be travelling in Europe’s premier playground.

How do you travel? – Let us count the ways:

1. Car

Mr. Ford’s great little invention is great for getting from point A to point B, with a maximum of comfort and a minimum of inconvenience. Not withstanding occasional Summer maladies such as overheating, no garage open, and the number of other travellers who have decided (without consulting you!) to travel the same road to adventure.

2. Country Roads (work)

Another potential grain of sand in your gears, is roadwork. For reasons that defy North American logic, all seeing/all knowing French bureaucracy has decreed that Summer is the best time to make those highway “improvements.” Nationwide. In cities. Towns. And, sigh, yes, that perfect little village you’re trying to head to.

3. Something Hairy This Way Comes

But wait – there’s more! There’s something that could put a “crimp” in both holiday and car at the same time! It’s a uniquely French “speed bump.” Unique because – it’s alive!

“Sanglier” (-pro -”sang-glee-yah) is the French wild boar. (Think large hairy pig with dinosaur tusks) They sleep during the day. And hunt for grub at night. And, in hunting for said grub, cross roads running through the woods. You’re getting my drift, are you not, dear reader?

4. Camping Car

More comfort than the car. And, because of that, more”challenges.” The principal one being finding a place to hunker down for the night. With precious few exceptions, if you’re not in a designated/dedicated/definitive area – you’re up the creek without a paddle. Ok – you might, in this totally unfamiliar countryside, find a secluded spot. But, as “Dirty Harry” might say in this situation: “The question you gotta ask yourself is….Do you feel lucky tonight?…….Camper!!!?

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Then there’s stove gas, water, sewage disposal, lack ‘o privacy/seclusion, plus all the same “blue meanies” that apply to cars.

Although (To use my Mother’s favourite phrase) in your “secret heart” you know this, anyone even remotely considering trying to enter a major French city in “The Season” in any type of four wheeled motor vehicle, is not just a sick puppy, but a sick puppy with a death wish!

5. Train

After football, the greatest source of French National pride is it’s rail system. Particularly the train known as the “TGV.” (“Tres Grande Vitesse” – very great speed) Clocking in on some routes at 500 plus kms per hour. This is the premier national service of SNCF, the French rail authority. And, bien sur, you pay accordingly. Basically 20% more than the regional trains.(TER)

Christopher Strong is the Creator/Director/Host of the Lifestyle/Adventure TV Series – “Bicycle Gourmet’s Treasures of France”, and author of “Gliding to the Bonheur.” His behind the scenes story of the “Bicycle Gourmet experience.”

Share more of his adventures at – http://www.bicyclegourmet.com

Author: Christopher Strong
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Dress code is that you don’t sit in shorts for dinner. Regular hygiene is also expected of all people. That is not respected by many tourists – and sadly the lack of respect for French traditions has been the reason for many wrongly accusing Frenchmen of being arrogant.

They are no such thing. In fact, a Frenchman will help you more than in many other nations if you will do them the simple courtesy of holding the door, behaving well and shoring respect for others in traffic.

These simple rules are difficult to handle for some tourists with a tendency to behave so badly that others have prejudice against these very nations as a result of it. Asking for ketchup with every type of meal is disrespect towards the kitchen that has prepared a lovely dish for you. If you can’t handle the truth stick with McDonalds…

Likewise, when you bring kids to a restaurant, pay respect to others who also want to enjoy their meals. Shouting kids should be taught how to sit appropriately if you go to restaurants. You will get superior service when you respect such little things – and there is nothing unnatural in expecting that people can behave themselves when they are around other people.

When you go to a buffet, you are welcome to eat as much as you like. But do eat what you take. Leaving leftovers is bad behavior, and causes personnel to feel somewhat sad of having to throw out lovely raw materials. Frenchmen season their food with love, and you should pay respect towards the love and attention that goes into all this.

So Why Are We Even Discussing Etiquette?

All of the above rules should be common behavior among all people. We know this – and yet the very people who behave the worst probably will never even read an article such as this. They simply don’t care for other people enough to respect the fact that we need to be civil towards one another to achieve peaceful surroundings. People shout and scream as though they were the only people in a bus or in a restaurant at times when they destroy other people’s experience of eating at that place. Isn’t that a real shame?

And, even worse, isn’t it a shame that people afterwards claim Frenchmen are “odd” just because they never learned how to behave well around others?

Thanks for reading this article. Hope you enjoyed the information.
You can see my overview of blogs over at http://blunckmeister.googlepages.com

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Feel free to leave feedback if you were helped by this article. I am always happy to hear what YOU think.

Author: Henrik Blunck
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The first step to enjoying the perfect family holiday in Provence is to plan for the special needs of the various members of the family. This then translates into finding accommodation that will suit the needs of your family. Often, families prefer to stay in holiday rental apartments rather than hotels, since it allows them a lot more flexibility and privacy. When choosing a rental apartment, it is important to choose one with all the amenities that the various members of the family will need. It also helps to choose an apartment in a complex that has a number of facilities like a playground and/or swimming pool so that the children are ensured of having a good time. It is also important to choose accommodation that is located close to the kind of attractions that the family would like to visit in order to save on a lot of travel time.

One of the many activities in Provence that is best suited to families is a trip to the region’s villages. There are a number of old villages in the area that will give you an understanding of the life of the people of the region. If you are constrained for time, you could visit a number of villages here; however when travelling with small children, the better approach would be to acquaint oneself with one or maybe two villages and enjoy all the attractions in each.

One of the most popular villages in Provence is of course Les Baux de Provence, which is one of the most picturesque as well. It offers some stunning views of the surroundings, including Les Alpilles Mountains. This village is also home to the famous Citadel and Castle of Les Baux.

Another great idea for people travelling with families is to go on a nature trail. There are a number of good nature trails located all around Provence and even some guided tours available. It is a good way to show your children the beauty of nature and help them appreciate it better.

James Burrows writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing listings for apartments, short term rental Provence, hotels and Luxury apartments in Provence.

Author: James Burrows
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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There are so many reasons to visit this enchanting city that you cannot decide which one you are truly abiding by. Come here to attend the world class fashion shows, cheer on the cyclists in the Tour De France tournament, give your taste buds a delightful treat with the authentic French wine and cuisine, go about visiting the various buildings of architectural interest or if nothing else, then sit by the river and watch the people walk by in the early evenings.

For those who are perpetually on a shopping spree, Paris is a heaven as you get the best deals on branded clothes and accessories here. Elsewhere in the world, they are sold at colossal rates, under the tag “Made in Paris”. But in Paris, you can buy them at really affordable rates from the ships in Saint Ouen Flea Market and other flea markets. It’s a myth that the best is what you get in the boutiques and high street stores.

Food connoisseurs can experience the finest dining and restaurants in the country which offer delectable French delicacies like souffle, ratatouille, eclairs and do not under any circumstances forget to order the wines: Red, White or sparkling. And if you are really into fine drinking, then visit the towns of Champagne and Normandy and check out the world class wine cellars there.

To the lover of art, Paris as well the rest of the France have a good number of monuments, chapels, Museums and other architectural buildings that are reminiscent of the art of the era gone by, beginning the renaissance. It is here that you will get to see The Louvre, the abode of various renaissance paintings including The Mona Lisa and The Madonna of the Rocks. Even before entering the museum, you will be appalled by its pyramid shaped structure, glittering in a thousand lights. Then there is the Eiffel Tower, Cleopatra’s Needle, the Flame of liberty and much more.

Excelling shopping and dining, the luscious gardens and groves are an added incentive and add to the status of France being the most romantic destination of the world. It is said that in Paris “even the quarrels strengthen the love”. So visit this city to celebrate your love and savor the fine mood of the city.

Paul spends a lot of time travelling and often writes about Paris travel rentals and Champs Elysees attractions in addition to roaming the French countryside for new wines to sample.

Author: Paul Symonds
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