2. France is an independent nation in Western Europe and the center of a large overseas administration. It is the third-largest European nation (after Russia and Ukraine). Today, the term metropolitan France refers to the mainland departments and CORSICA, a large island located in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Italy that has been a part of France since 1768.

3. " A small, interieur sea", open to the Atlantic, and backed by the pine forest. A wide, triangular slash, hemmed by picturesque villages, and poncuated by the incessant come-and-go of the tides, the Bay of Arcachon is an uncomparable site that you discover each time for the first time. Arcachon

4. Mulhouse, an important town with a population of 230 000, benefits from a privileged geographical situation at the southern end of Alsace, which is the meeting place of three countries: France, Germany and Switzerland. Mulhouse is at the middle of a region with more than two million inhabitants who have a large purchasing power. Its close neighbours which make up this region are Freiburg, Basel, Belfort-Montbéliard and Colmar Mulhouse

5. Avignon, situated in the heart of the Vaucluse region in the south of France, is famed for two celebrated attractions – Le Palais des Papes (Pope’s Palace) and Pont St Bénezet (the bridge made famous in the ditty ‘Sur le pont d’Avignon, on y danse, on y danse…’). But the city has much more to offer. The Palas des Papes marks the skyline with its graceful and ornate spires, an exterior more awe-inspiring than anything inside. Fire destroyed many of the rooms and only one single bedroom remains fully furnished to impress visitors. The famous bridge, erected in the 12th century, to carry St Bénezet over to the neighbouring village of Villeneuve, nowadays retains only four of its original 22 arches. Avignon

6. This ancient village is near the French/German border, therefore has a more German look to it. As with many other old European villages, it is now surrounded by a big, bustling city; but, when you get to the old part, you're in another world. This village is like being in a fairy tale. European Theme Amusement parks try to copy this, the "real thing". The hotel, the pink roof on the right, is located on one of the canals in old Colmar. There are other hotels in the old town, but nothing can touch this as far as a Room With a View goes. Colmar

7. Metz Metz, a city open to urban ecology, a policy it has been implementing without respite now for some thirty years, in order to build a city for People to live in,its heritage, which it is constantly and tirelessly maintaining and restoring, offering its inhabitants and visitors architectural surroundings of the finest quality which also represent a voyage through the ages its economic environment, encouraging the setting up of new activities, a source of new jobs for all and particularly the young,

8. Lyon Lyon, the natural crossroads between northern Europe and the Mediterranean coast, is located in the heart of the Rhône-Alpes region, an area of greatly contrasted topography with the Alps to the east, the Massif Central plateau to the west, and the Saône-Rhône valley sweeping down the middle. The city of Lyon has developed a network of international transport communications in this quality setting.