France Travel Guide

Posts Tagged ‘reception’

Once you’ve gotten your cheap airfare to Paris, France or gotten that fantastic Paris, France travel or vacation or hotel deal, you can take a deep sigh of relief. Now’s the time to have fun, focus and explore. You’ll soon see why France is the world’s top tourist destination. Dijon, a short trip from Paris, is one such gem in France’s tourism crown.

Most people are familiar with the funny Grey Poupon mustard commercials. When it comes to Dijon mustard, Grey Poupon is probably the most recognizable brand out there. However, there’s a lot about where this mustard comes from that people just don’t know . Beyond the influences of catchy condiment advertising is a region of refined culture and history.

Situated between France’s border with Switzerland and Paris , is the charming town of Dijon. It was here that combinations of white wine and grape juice produced the uniquely flavored mustard now know around the world as Dijon mustard. Of course, you can’t leave without getting an original jar of Dijon mustard to take home with you. But what else can be seen in Dijon?

Architecture of Dijon

Just like many neighboring regions of France, Dijon claims some inspiring architecture as expressed through its churches. Often referred to as the “town of a hundred spires,” this quaint locale is home to an amazing collection of churches and other religious buildings. Among these beautiful buildings is the La Chapelle de Elus, or Chapel of the Elected Representatives. Construction on the Chapelle began in 1738. A walking tour of the inside present a visual feast of compelling designs. The intricately sculptured walls provide an air of refinement as you make your way through the lightly colored halls.

Shopping in Dijon

Dijon offers exciting shopping choices, a wonderful place to find gifts to give to your friends and family after returning from your France vacation. In Dijon , visitors can find one of the famous Galeries Lafayette department stores. Located at 41, rue Liberté, this massive retailer offers a variety of items. A second option for shoppers is La Toison d’Or. There are also cafes , fashionable boutiques and tempting chocolate shops. Dijon, like so many other charming French towns and villages, only adds to the incentive to find cheap flights to Paris so you can spend more of your holiday money on great food and shopping treats!

Tour Philippe le Bon

The Tour Philippe le Bon, or “Good Philip’s Tower” stands at 46 meters and encircles the Dukes of Burgundy. The most ancient sections of this tower date back to the fourteenth century. A trip to the top of the tower provides visitors with a breathtaking photo opportunity. All around, the town of Dijon lay before you. Buildings range from the charmingly ordinary to the sharply pointed spires and finely rounded domes of churches. Taken together it creates a lovely skyline. The ancient palace was demolished then later rebuilt in the 17th century, and currently is Dijon’s town hall. Many of the palace’s significant rooms, such as the vast reception halls and grand kitchens, were transformed into fine art museums.

A Bit of Wine with your Dijon?

Dijon, the capital of Burgundy is close to the famous vineyards of Burgundy. Wine lovers must visit the Cote de Nuits and the Chateau du Clos de Vougeot. The wine cellars here date back to the 12th century, and when it is warm outside, these wine cellars provide a lovely, cool tour after roaming outside, taking in the beautifully vibrant vineyards. It goes without saying, no tour to Dijon would be complete without the obligatory wine tasting as you explore the cellars.

The Route des Grand Curs, or “Road of the Great Wines” is aptly named. It runs through this area. Most famous of the wine produced are high quality red wines. Of course, getting your Paris hotel and your cheap flight to France is just the start, Dijon and all of France await you!

France touring is more noteworthy because of its sharp cultural roots. The French have forever been known as the connoisseurs of the arts be it music, literature as well as theater.

Literature played a principal part in the French cultural picture right from the 18th century when the miracle and morality plays attracted large audiences around the church of Notre dame. France travel is certain to bring up some names.

Some of the foremost names in the theatrical record of the world like Victor Hugo, Alexander Dumas and Samuel Becket have been instrumental in both popularizing theatre in Paris as well as providing a concrete influence to the art form as a whole. Therefore, it is imperative for those who enjoy traveling France to witness the scenes where some of the foremost works of the chronicle of theatre have been staged. On your journey to France, Paris can certainly argue to be the spirit of the theatrical and intellectual activities of the world. Experiencing a theatrical performance in Paris can be an experience of a lifetime!

The fact that the city pays great attention to its theatrical heritage is evident from the point of view that theatre is not just an isolated activity in Paris but a major attraction of France travel. It is surrounded by a number of other activities, which revolve around the theatre as well. These comprise periodicals and newspapers, which are dedicated exclusively to the theatre.

Targeted largely at the tourists of Paris, many of these magazines like the Pariscope: Une Semaine de Paris and the Figaroscope are published at frequent intervals and regularly enclose a unique segment in English for the non-French speaking tourists who want a flavor of the theatre of Paris. Contributing to the boost of France travel, these periodicals present a listing of all the plays that take place in and around Paris.

For more information, the Saison de Paris can be obtained. It is a booklet offered at the tourism office located in Paris which can give the tourist essential information on the plays to view and the means of reaching the theatres. The tickets can be purchased at the theatre itself. However, it is best to get them at an early date.

However, for silent admirers of France a hassle free experience at the theatre is possible. One can ask the hotel reception or contact the nearest agent. Theatres in Paris cater to a broad range of tastes and intellectual sensibilities. Some of these comprise major productions, historical reconstructions and musicals besides a number of other genres.

Starting with Greek tragedies to more contemporary productions like light comedies, opera and one-man shows, Paris has them all. Cafe theatre, one of the most popular forms of entertainment and an attraction of France travel, available in Paris provides political satire and an reason for getting out of the tourist mode, which can be quite welcomed after long stretches of traveling through mundane modes of city watching.

Of the theatres in Paris, the best known is possibly the Moulin rouge, which has a number of other theaters in the world modeled after it. Other important venues comprise the Odeon, which is renowned all over Europe for its post war production of the plays of Ionesco, Edward Albee, and Samuel Beckett, who have been instrumental in giving theatre a more concrete form not just in France but all around the world! So, what are you waiting for? Include theatre in your France travel journeys for a lifetime experience.