Friday, February 11, 2011

Fall in love with the unexplored France

The country of France does not need any introduction, so let's simply cut to the chase and explore some of the rather unknown, but supremely gratifying, destinations in France.

Corsica: Having the shape of a bunch of vine-ripened grapes, Corsica, also known as Corse, comprises of lavish mountain ranges full of green chestnut and pine forests, sweet smelling maquis scrubland and pastures. With a history of more than 3000 years in grape cultivation, the island has many extraordinary vineyards. There is roughly 1000 kms of coastline, with upbeat towns like Ajaccio, the scintillating beaches and bays of Calvi, and spectacular cliffs at Golfe de Porto. Such magical sights make it hard to believe that until the 19th century, this coastline was considered worthless. The Corscians took shelter in the mountains during those days, and to this date, it is the Centru di Corsica that is the true definition of culture at Corsica. The cuisine is simple yet exotic, owing to the wild herbs used very frequently, paired with cured sausages, lamb and cheese. However, the culture and customs of Corsica can be experienced first hand towards the interiors, which is snow capped for most parts of the year.

Normandy: The essence of Normandy can be summed in just three words Camembert, cider and cows. Stretching between the Channel coastline extending from Brittany towards the north-east part of the country, the soothing French countryside clashes with the rugged waves. The region is famous for the soft cheese and production of churned butter, and is the perfect combination of the old and the new, with fishing boats interspersing designer yachts at the Honfleur harbour, half-timbered houses and Gothic churches co-existing in Rouen with world-class restaurants and boutiques. Even in terms of infrastructure, this amalgamation can be seen, with the reconstructed town centre of Caen being a few minutes' drive away from the cobblestone streets of Bayeux. The region has a rich historical lineage; it was the Anglo-French frontier during the Hundred Years' war, and also became the fountainhead of impressionist art. Even today, one can feel the impact of history in the castles and picturesque cathedrals spread across the region.

Loire: To live the lavish life, one does not have to do anything else but visit the Loire valley, a châteaux county that houses some of the most magnificent fortified castles and country manors in all of France. The region has also been conferred the title of a World Heritage site by UNESCO. In short, it's a relaxed place that can be explored on foot or on a two-wheeler. However, a word of caution here goes out to those who are planning to visit during summers, as the region tends to get a bit overcrowded.

St. Tropez: With its signature pink, orange and red townhouses having a tinge of sunset shade, the town of St. Tropez is often described as being two towns merged into one. In case one decides to visit during summers, there is a big surprise waiting, with the population seemingly increasing exponentially by ten folds, and that is precisely it is advised to travel during spring, autumn or winters. Although the town does not have many conventional 'attractions', so to speak, it's fresh air and bustling culture draws thousands every year to this little-known destination.

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