Simply Gites

Eastern France and bordering Germany. The eastern slopes of the Vosges moutains. Although there is heavy industry the countryside and villages are very beautiful. The region also has excellent wines and a renowned traditional cuisine. There is a strong local dialect which is still spoken, a mixture of French and German.

Regional capital : Strasbourg

Vast and varied region, mountains, plains, coast. All types of industry, market, cereal, wine, gas and petrol. Historically important and independant of France.

Regional capital : Bordeaux

Famous for the volcanic landscape, Roquefort blue cheese and spring water. Vercingetorix and the marquis de La Fayette. A region worth exploring and dedicating sometime.

At the very center of France lies the mountainous region of the Massif Central (central mountain mass). At its core lies Auvergne, an historic region and former province of central France, which today makes up of the departments of Allier (03), Cantal (15), Haute-Loire (43), and Puy-de-Dome (63). Its name is derived from the Arverni, a Celtic people whose leader VERCINGETORIX defied and was defeated by Julius Caesar. In fact, this region has been settled by humans probably longer than anywhere else in France.

In 1527 the duchy of Auvergne, created in 1360, was united with the French crown. The northern part of the Allier department comprises an area which was once the ancient province of Bourbonnais, perhaps best known for the long-lived dynasty of Bourbon kings named after its castle. Henry IV, the first Bourbon to become king of France (1589), was the son of Antoine de Bourbon, duke of Vendome and king of Navarre. His direct descendants ruled France (except from 1792 to 1814) until 1830, when Charles X was deposed; the lineage died out in 1883 with Henri, comte de Chambord.

Since the reign of the Bourbons, Auvergnats have not been strangers to positions of power in France: politicians such as Valery Giscard-d'Estaing, Georges Pompidou, and Jacques Chirac all hail from this region. With a reputation for being tough and thrifty, the Auvergnats -- who like to describe France as "the Auvergne with a bit of land around it" -- have often traveled far in search of work. It is commonplace to find many Auvergnat-run cafes in Paris.

Agriculture mainly dairy, some fishing and apple. Coastal tourism. Very low urbanisation and population.

Regional capital : Caen

A region rich in history, culture and geography. Until the late 18th century Burgundy was not part of France, but a Dukedom with the powerful and long reigning Burgundy Dukes. One time allies to the English kings against the French king. The Burgundy frontiers streched across eastern France and into Flanders. The Cistercian influence is als important, with many abbeys and monestaries such as Cluny, Fontennay and Citeaux.

Wine is one of the pillars and pride of Burgundy, with some of the most famous wines in the world coming from the concentrated vinyards. The Romans introduced grapes and the production was mastered by the local monks.

Farming is dominated by cereal crops in the Saone plain and Nivernais plateaux, whilst in the hill areas the is much cattle farming with the traditional white Charolais.

The diverse geography, with the Morvan park and it's cold granite to the calcaire Saone valley. There is much woodland and forest, in the Cote d'Or, Oak whilst in the Morvan there is Red Pine.

The important rivers such as the Saone and Yonne allowing access to the Rhone and Seine have provided the region with important fluvial transport communication via canals and rivers.

The magical coast of Brittany offer a very spectacular landscape. The charm and gentleness of the people, fine regional cuisine, cider, tradional costumes, language and celtic influence makes this a very special region.

The dramatic coast lines, with cliffs, rock lined beaches and emerald waters are ideal for sailors, wind surfers and divers.

The shell fish and other sea food is excellent and abundant.

Regional capital : Rennes

Vast region, with major rivers, giving varied soils. Agriculture, forest, wine. Decentralized industries from Paris. Canal du Centre.

Regional capital : Orleans

The huge forest of Ardenne, intensive farming techniques, Champagne wine. Historically, Reims, roman, celt influence. The French revolution , WWI, war graves.

Regional capital : Reims

Island, mainly granite, giving sharp cliffs and poor farming. Hills with "maquis". Low popluation, low industry, high emmigration. Wine, fruit and dairy. Attached to France in 1768. Still political problems.

Regional capital : Ajaccio

Franche-Comte (the former 'Free County' of Burgundy, as distinct from the neighbouring Duchy) is an administrative region and a traditional province of eastern France. It is composed of the modern departments of Doubs, Jura, Haute-Saone and Territoire de Belfort and has a population (2006) of 1,146,000.

The principal cities are Besancon (the historical and modern capital of the region), Belfort, and Montbeliard (Aire Urbaine Belfort-Montbeliard-Hwricourt-Delle). Other important cities are Dole (capital before the region was conquered by Louis XIV in the late 17th century), Vesoul (capital of Haute-Saone), Arbois (the "wine capital" of the Jura), and Lons-le-Saunier (capital of Jura).

Important beef and dairy cattle production, also cereal crops. High urbanisation. Chemical automobile industries. Good road, rail a,d river networks.

Regional capital : Rouen

The capital region of France, Paris, city of art and romance. The famous monuments such as the Effiel tower, Louvre, Notre Dame and the river Seine. One of the most visited cities in the World.

With the building cost and restrictions in central Paris, the suburbs have grown in size and density, very quickly over the last few decades. The roads, rail and air transport providing resources for many types of industries.

The Languedoc-Roussillon is one of the most fascinating areas of Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea to the east and the Pyrenees Mountains to the south. It benefits from a typical Mediterranean climate and has an unusually rich wildlife, a spectacular coast, and surprising history. Things to see include mountains, rivers and lakes, ancient cities, towns, villages, thermal springs, abbeys, and cathedrals, chateaux and castles, notably the famous mountain fortresses popularly known as Cathar Castles.

In recent years it has become a popular French holiday destination, with long sunny days, Mediterranean beaches, tourist facilities, thousands of miles of walks, and rides, National Parks and wildlife reserves (such as the Camargue and the Cevennes), thermal springs and spas, grottoes and caves, and vestiges of the Languedoc's long history, including dinosaur bones and eggs, prehistoric human remains, dolmens and megaliths, geology, archaeology and palaeontology, Greek and Roman architecture, and everywhere reminders of the the Cathars, the papal Crusade against them, and the Papal Inquisition that followed the crusade.

This stunningly beautiful region of still lakes, fast flowing streams, gentle rolling valleys and forested mountains has been one of the best kept secrets in France. From the lovely old city of Limoges to the tiny hamlets scattered across the hills and forests, and the pure rivers and lakes, discover the friendliness and old world charm of one of the last remaining havens of the 'real France'.

The birth place of heavy industry, mining and steel works. Important river network, Moselle, Marne Meuse and Meurthe. Western slopes of the Vosges moutains.

Regional capital : Metz

The region's important agricultural tradition (polyculture, sheep faming in the mountains; suffered a large population exodus due to the Industrial revolution.

A very constrasted landscape, with the mountains reaching more than 3000m (providing excellent skiing), whilst further to the north there are fertile plains beside the rivers for agriculture.

During recent years an important electronic, avionic and space industry, has been centered around Toulouse. This has provoked radical changes in the local infrastructure and communications network.

Flat region, with important maritime network, hence heavy industry, mining. High urbanisation, despite fertile soils. Dense road, rail fluvial network, dense labour. Histroical influence with the Flemmish, the two World Wars.

Regional capital : Lille

Main industry is dairy, the valley also produces market, fruit,wine. Chalk soil gives mushrooms, coast fishing. Petrol industry revived the region. Low population and concentrated around main cities.

Regional capital : Nantes

Vast plateau region divided by the rivers Somme and Oise. The high population dropped due to the two wars and industrial changes. Low industry execept Amiens, main is agriculture due to quality soils and ideal climate.

Regional capital : Amiens

Good communications and important maritime facilities helped the region's financial wealth. The important ports such as La Rochelle became gateways to the Americas. Ravaged by the 100 years war and the war of Religions. The region was attached to France in 1417.

Regional capital : Poitiers

Skilled local craftsman throughout the region offer the finest pottery, hand blown glass, colourful provencal fabrics, excuisite little ateliers harbouring a wealth of talent. From the well known french boutiques to the local markets, always vibrant, perfumed and tempting.

WINE TASTING
The area is a wine taster's paradise. Learn a little something extra that makes french wine renowned throughout the world.

DINING
Dine at local restaurants and sample a different type of cuisine every day. There are Michelin stars galore along the coast and in the countryside. So why not try a local bistro serving home cooked delicacies. Cheeses only the French can make, served on a sunny terrace with a glass of local wine, this is living ! Why not join the increasing trend of visitors wanting to take home more from their French 'sejour'?
Enjoy the real flavour of France. Learn a little something extra that makes French food renowned throughout the world.

Skiing in the Alpes, snow information and resorts. Heavy industry along the Rhone, but alos agriculture, wine with Beaujolais and Cote du Rhone. Lyon had important silk production. Coal from Etienne.Important road, rail and fluvial network

Although there have been people in Rhone-Alpes since pre-historic times, the earliest recorded settlers of the region were the Celts. Cities such as Lyon (Lugdunum in Latin after the Celtic God Lugh) were founded by them and the region traded with both northern and southern Europe. Most of the area became part of Roman territory during the invasion of Gaul led by Julius Caesar and was at various times part of the regions of Lugdunensis and Gallia. Lyon itself became a major Roman city.

The region, excepting Savoy, was part of the Merovingian and Carolingian Kingdoms before becoming a royal territory under the Capetians. As it became a royal territory early on in French history, its history has not differed much from France since.

Lyon is noted as a gastronomic center of France and specialities served in its bouchons include Lyon sausage, salami, tripe and quenelles (fish balls). In the east of the region the food has an Alpine flavour with dishes such as fondue and raclette common. The region is also famous for its Bresse poultry and the many varieties of cheese including Tomme de Savoie, Bleu de Bresse, Reblochon and Vacherin. Chartreuse liquor is made in the region.