Bayonne (Biarritz)
These twin cities are the heart of France’s Cote Basque. Bayonne is on France’s southwest coast adjacent to Spain. Natives of the region on both sides of the border share more similarities than differences. Bayonne still holds portions of its Roman and medieval walls. Biarritz has been a popular resort since Napoleon’s wife, the Empress Eugenie, attracted by the beautiful beaches and natural mineral springs, founded a personal seaside resort and spa there in the mid-19th century. The ornate building still stands, as the Hotel du Palais.
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Belle Ile
The island measures 17km by 9 km and has an average altitude of 40m. The coasts are a mixture between dangerously sharp cliff edges on the southwest side, the Côte Sauvage (Wild coast), and calm placid beaches (the largest being les Grands Sables (The great sands)) and navigable harbours on the northeast side. The island's climate is oceanic, having less rain and milder winters than on the mainland.
Bordeaux
Think of Bordeaux and the first thing that comes to mind are the legendary vineyards, which blanket the region’s riverbanks and produce mesmerizing vintages. An evening in Bordeaux allows plenty of time to sample these world-renowned wines and study the art of oenophilia at a nearby château. For a more academic approach, you might retrace the history of the local wine trade at the Musée des Chartrons, whose cellars date back to the 1700s. With all the attention paid to wine, it’s easy to dismiss the rest of Bordeaux’s charms. But don’t. Admire the masterful works of Titian, Rubens and Rodin at the Musée des Beaux-Arts. Behold the amazing stone carvings adorning the façade of the gothic Cathédrale St-André. Stroll along the Garonne River, stopping in the boutiques, galleries and cheese shops lining the streets. Or simply people-watch, sitting in a fashionable sidewalk café, sipping, of course, a classic Bordeaux.
Brest
At the end of the English Channel on the west coast of France, you'll find the port city of Brest. Created in the 1600s as a naval base, it has since become a well-traveled port of call. It's the perfect place to enjoy expansive ocean views, not to mention all of the fantastic food and wine that has made France the world's center of exceptional cuisine.
Caen
William (he of the Conquest fame) based his Duchy here, and though heavy World War II bombing destroyed much of the historic old town, such architectural gems as the Conqueror's 11th Century chateau (now housing an excellent art collection) and Abbaye-aux-Hommes, his wife Mathilda's Abbaye-aux-Dames and the mostly gothic Eglise St-Pierre proudly survive. The thriving modern city's broad streets, excellent seafood restaurants and local calvados offer their own temptations - while Bayeux and its famous tapestry and the D-Day beaches are within reach.
Cannes
Cannes is the sister city to Beverly Hills and the chic epicenter of the French Riviera – a world of exclusive boutiques, palm-lined avenues, starlet-studded beaches, and elegant sidewalk cafes. While most famous for its Film Festival in May, when international celebrities gather to screen films and make deals, it glitters every month with swimming and sunning by day, and a club and casino scene by night.
Cassis
It was in the Provencal countryside just beyond this lively fishing port where Claude Berri filmed Manon of the Spring. Here the spine of the mountains rises from the sea in fabulous columns called calanques, a highlight of a dramatic excursion.
Cherbourg
Strategically built on the Channel in the extreme west of Normandy, Cherbourg has survived a tumultuous past! It was sacked by the English in 1295 and captured by the British in 1758 when its port facilities were destroyed. It was also occupied by the Germans in 1940 but recaptured by the Allies in 1944.
Normandy offers a host of visitor themes including impressionism, Norman history and many delightful chateaux, parks and gardens.
Collioure
Collioure is a seaside Mediterranean town and commune a few kilometers north of the Spanish border in the French département of Pyrénées-Orientales, a part of the ancient Roussillon province and the present-day Languedoc-Roussillon région.
Honfleur
The picturesque seaside town of Honfleur is situated at the Seine estuary, opposite Le Havre. Honfleur boasts a long, rich history and seafaring tradition. Back in the 15th and 16th centuries, it was from here that the first voyages left for Canada and the New World.
The whole town is virtually an outdoor museum, full of half-timbered houses and cobbled streets. One of Honfleur’s most characteristic sites is the Old Port with its tall narrow houses, their wooden façades topped by slate roofs. In the 19th century, Honfleur attracted a steady stream of artists, among them many Impressionists who took their inspiration from the town's picturesque setting. Honfleur's native son, Eugène Boudin, an early Impressionist painter, has a museum named in his honor.
With its unique attributes, Honfleur today is one of the most popular vacation spots in northern France. The town is centered on the Old Port, which still emits a seafaring atmosphere. Ste-Catherine’s Church and its freestanding bell tower dominate the harbor’s northern corner. The church was built from wood during the second half of the 15th and the early 16th centuries after its stone predecessor was destroyed in the Hundred Years’ War. The vaulted roof that looks like an overturned ship’s hull emphasizes the fact that the structure was created by local shipwrights.
The town’s narrow, cobbled streets have to be explored on foot. Museums, shops, cafés and restaurants add to the attractions.
Juan Les Pins
Juan-les-Pins is a town in the commune of Antibes, in the Alpes-Maritimes, in southeastern France, on the Côte d'Azur, which is part of the Ligurian Sea.
It is famous for its annual jazz festival in July.
La Croix-Valmer
A wide azure bay, a picture-postcard beach. It's no wonder this place attracts the most knowledgeable French vacationers. Now that you're in on the secret, join them from your anchored ship.
La Pallice
La Pallice is the industrial harbour of the city of La Rochelle, France. It is a commercial harbour in deep water, named after the French philosopher La Pallice. The large submarine bunker built during World War II still stands there, although it is not being used.
La Rochelle
Brandy and bordeaux wines come from the region surrounding La Rochelle. Taste these products of locals vineyards; learn about the brandy distillation process, where the top and bottom layers are discarded; discover the secret of barrel toasting that affects the palate of an aged red wine. If you don't already know what VSOP and XO stand for, you will soon.
Le Havre (Paris)
Le Havre is your gateway to Paris, Normandy, Honfleur, Deauville, Fécamp, Etretat and Rouen. Tours to these cities offer something for everyone -- WWII artifacts for history aficionados and French culture for the romantics. You also won't want to miss the many museums, outdoor cafés, famous landmarks and tours of this French region.
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Le Lavandou
Near this lovely port named for its lavender fields, tour the ancient Provencal village of Bormes les Mimosas, an artist's retreat on a flower-filled hillside.
Le Verdon
At the mouth of the Gironde Estuary, the port of Le Verdon, through pastoral settings of charming chateaux, fertile vineyards and the Medoc region's low rising hills, is your gateway to the bustling city of Bordeaux and its fine winemaking industry.
Lorient
As you can see from the prediliction for Breton national costume herem Lorient is an important centre of Celtic and Breton culture. Once the gateway for trade to the Indies (hence the name) the old harbour is full of nautical treasures. The Museum of the Sea and the Museum of the Indies will fascinate.
Marseille
Located on the southeastern coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea, Marseille is the oldest city in the country and second largest after Paris. Thanks to its long and unique past - Greek sailors originally settled the city back in 600 B.C. - this bustling port is filled with history and amazing architecture. It's also one of the most picturesque ports in the country, with fantastic views and scenic backdrops.
Menton
Menton is located on the Franco-Italian border, within the confines of the Côte d'Azur and the Ligurian Alps. It boasts a warm micro-climate favorable to lemon, tangerine, and orange groves.
Mont Saint Michel
Discover the towering citadel of Mont-St.-Michel, rising from the tidal flats like a castle in a dream. Ascend its winding streets to enter the abbey and see the halls and chambers where the monks lived out their lives, bounded by the rising tides that cut them off from France twice a day.
Nantes
The gateway to the Atlantic Ocean and the country’s seventh largest city, Nantes is located on the north bank of the Loire River. Although officially no longer the capital of Brittany since Nantes was included in the Pays de Loire administrative region, many of the city’s inhabitants regard themselves still an integral part of Brittany.
During medieval times, much of the city’s prosperity resulted from colonial expeditions and the slave trade.Today Nantes is the most important commercial and industrial center in west-central France, and appears as a particularly well-managed city with fine museums and carefully tended parks and gardens. One of the museums is dedicated to Jules Verne, born here in 1828. The Loire, foundation of Nantes’ riches, has dwindled from the city center. As recently as the 1930s the river crossed the city in seven separate channels. However, they were filled in after World War II but, fortunately, left the area’s 18th century mansions in tact. They once were the trademark of rich merchants who made their fortunes from the slave trade.
French influence was brought to Nantes by the Loire and its trade from the end of the 18th century when the city became known as “Little Paris.” The Place Royale and the Place Graslin were first laid out during that time. One of the most impressive landmarks is the Chateau des Ducs, most of which is preserved in its original form built by the last two rulers of independent Brittany, Francois II, and his daughter Duchess
Nice
Nice, often referred to as the Queen of the Riviera, is a delightful city that is fashionable, yet relaxed and fun, with a wonderful blend of old and new.
The Old Town is a must to be explored. Its look has changed little since the 1700s. Narrow streets and winding alleys are lined with faded 17th- and 18th-century buildings. The famous flower market never ceases to delight visitors as well as residents. The Italian façades of modern Nice and early 20th-century residences, which made the city one of Europe’s most fashionable winter retreats, remain largely intact. Although not blessed with excellent beaches, its pebbled sands continue to attract scores of sun worshippers every year.
Adding to the city’s attractions are relics of its ancient past. Greek seafarers founded Nice around 350 BC. The Romans took control 196 years later, settling farther uphill in the area that is now Cimiez. Nice’s Italian flair results from its former association with the House of Savoy before Napoleon III assured French possession in 1860. Nice’s popularity grew considerably during the Victorian period when the English aristocracy made it their winter retreat for the mild climate.
The celebrated, palm-lined Promenade des Anglais follows the curved beachfront; it is a favorite place for strolling. Expensive shops, hotels, restaurants and art galleries line this popular promenade, among them the palatial Hotel Negresco.
Paris
Contrast Rouen's gothic cathedral Notre Dame with its famous namesake in Paris. An extended call in this medieval city offers an opportunity to experience the "City of Lights" from the Eiffel Tower to the Champs Elysees. Perhaps you'll also venture out to Giverny where Monet's home and gardens await.
Paulliac (Bordeaux)
Paulliac is your gateway to Bordeaux. Combining a lively cultural scene with elegant 18th-century architecture, this delightful city is the starting point for tours to famous French chateaux and vineyards.
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Porquerolles
One of the islands off the French coast known as the “Golden Isles” for the way sunlight shimmers on its mica rock, Porquerolles is uncrowded and serene. Small coves separated by rugged cliffs boast excellent swimming. Porquerolles is beloved by filmmakers, who use it as a South Sea island stand-in, and for sophisticated travelers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Port Vendres (Collioure)
Discover the gem of the Vermilion Coast. With its 13th century castle, nestled between the mountains and the sea, Collioure's striking setting has attracted many artists, including Matisse, Picasso, Braque, Dufy and Derain. Explore the old town, the beach and the galleries with an array of optional tours.
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Rouen
Contrast Rouen's gothic cathedral Notre Dame with its famous namesake in Paris. An extended call in this medieval city offers an opportunity to experience the "City of Lights" from the Eiffel Tower to the Champs Elysees. Perhaps you'll also venture out to Giverny where Monet's home and gardens await.
Sanary Sur Mer
A pretty town along the Provencal coast, Sanary Sur Mer offers a charming seafront ambience, and interesting streets to wander. Stop off in a café and enjoy excellent rosé from the nearby region of Bandol. Or join us on a discovery trip to Marseille, Aix en Provence and Cassis.
Sete
Sete is a port on the Mediterranean Sea.
The charm of Sete is in the effortless energy that exumes from the canal, the sea, the streets, the restaurants. You can walk and discover fishing boats, busy with their cargo, walk and find a restaurant to eat and watch, even in the relative cool of deepest winter. It seems there is a warmth here, perhaps because of its cosmopolitan feeling of ships from ports far away or from the young coming from the neary university city of Montpellier.
St Jean de Luz
St.-Jean-de-Luz has been an important fishing port since the middle ages and is located on the Cote des Basques (Basque Coast), which stretches from San Sebastian in Spain to Bayonne, the chief town of the French Basque country. In the 13th and 14th century ships sailed from the coast to points as far afield as Newfoundland, Greenland and Spitzbergen. The coast was also well-known for piracy -- the Basque corsairs sailed under the authority of the French king. Today, the town of St.-Jean-de-Luz is one of the two principal bathing resorts of the region.
St Raphael
St Raphael is one of the hidden gems of the Cote D'Azur. It's also ideally situated for trips to either St Tropez or Cannes. Wherever you go you'll feel as if you've joined the jet set.
St Tropez
It is said that the most spectacular way to approach the exquisite harbor of St Tropez is by sea. St. Tropez is a people-watcher’s paradise, so you will also want to explore her famous beaches, bistros and bars. The appropriately named Tahiti Plage is where topless sun tanning started, and whether you prefer to take it off or take it all in, there’s always plenty to see in St. Tropez.
Toulon
Better known as France's main naval base than as a cruise port, Toulon has unexpected charm and is all the better for not being a major tourist destination as you can wander through the cobbled streets of its delightful old town untroubled by crowds.
Look out for the superb maritime and art museums, the magnificent Romanesque cathedral and Le Marche, where fresh flowers, fruit and vegetables are bought to market every day. Ship buffs also have the bonus of watching the comings and goings of the French warships around the harbour. The best view of the old town and the harbour is from Mont Faron which overlooks both - take the funicular up from Boulevard L'Amiral Vence.
There are some excellent beaches a short drive along the coast or head for the beautiful and often dramatic Provencal countryside or to the French Riviera resorts.
Villefranche
In a miracle of nature, the Cote d'Azur was blessed with superb natural beauty, as it lies sandwiched between the coastal mountains and the sea. The Maritime Alps tumble down to the ocean, preventing cold northern winds from reaching the sun-drenched slope that stretches some 60 miles westward from the border with the fairy-tale Kingdom of Monaco.
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