Americans @ the Tour de France

France is one of the most popular self catering family holiday
destinations in Europe. There is a tremendous selection of holiday
villas with swimming pools, apartments and gites to choose from. France
is such a popular holiday destination because it has such a diverse
range of things to see and do. It is a country of beautiful clean
beaches, spectacular mountain scenery and cities packed full of
culture, good shops and fine wines and cuisine.

Paris is the top tourist destination in France with a superb choice
of self catering holiday apartments available for rental direct from
their owners. Paris is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in
the world and many tourists go there for a romantic break or long
weekend holiday break. It is a city full of fine wines, good cuisine
and friendly people.

The West of France sits on the Atlantic coast and here Normandy and
Brittany are popular with tourists. Many stay in one of the numerous
holiday cottages and farmhouse that are available to rent. They act as
an ideal base for families on holiday to explore the sandy beaches.

To the East lie the regions of Alsace, Lorraine and Burgundy. It is
an area full of beautiful towns and spectacular rolling hills. Tourists
like to visit Nancy and Dijon and many stay in holiday gites and
apartments and explore the famous vineyards of the region.

In the middle of France lies the Loire valley. This is probably one
of the most beautiful regions of France and still remains quite
unspoilt. There are some charming gites and farmhouse cottages
available for rent in this region. It is a popular vacation destination
for family holidays and the tourists like to explore the local castles
and sample the farmers markets in the local towns. The locals boast
that Chartres, with its famous cathedral and Tours are the most
beautiful French cities.

The French Alps are one of Europe’s most popular skiing destinations
and tourists also come to the region in the summer for the hiking.
Albertville, Grenoble and Chamonix are better known amongst winter
sports enthusiasts for the part that they played in the Olympics.
Annecy and Grenoble have chalets and self catering apartments available
for rental.

The South of France is very popular with tourists looking for a
relaxing holiday in the sun. It has great weather, good food and the
famous Riviera. Here there are some luxurious holiday villas with
swimming pools available to rent direct from their owners. To the South
west of France lies the Dordogne. This pretty valley has some charming
holiday cottages and gites available to rent and holiday makers love
the excellent food and wines that are available locally.

In the Languedoc lie the Pyrenees, a mountain range with stunning
scenery that separates France from Spain. Here you can hike and ski.
The towns of Toulouse and Montpellier have numerous self catering
holiday apartments to rent.

Many holiday makers to France now take advantage of the superb range
of self catering accommodation available to rent in this marvellous
country. Tourists on their family vacation to France may book a quaint
Alpine chalet while skiing in the French Alps; Chamonix is an extremely
popular destination. Some families feel that their ideal vacation is a
holiday gite in Normandy. Holiday villas with swimming pools and
farmhouses are used as ideal holiday home bases to explore the Dordogne.

No matter what your taste or budget, France has some of the best
self catering holiday accommodation in Europe. It has great wines,
mouth watering local cuisine, beautiful clean sandy beaches and skiing
suitable for all levels of ability. It is no wonder that France is the
top self catering holiday rental destination in Europe.

The Eurostar is a passenger train that will get you to Paris from
London very quickly but do not get this confused with the EuroTunnel,
which is the train shuttle service that also allows cars and coaches to
travel across the Channel.

If you do not wish to take your car abroad or do not like flying,
the Eurostar is a great alternative with less hassle and no luggage
weight restrictions, plus you arrive in the heart of the city of Paris
from the UK in only around two and half hours.

The Eurostar used to depart from Waterloo station, but it now
departs from the historical Victorian St Pancras International Station
in London and goes through to the just as historical Gare du Nord Train
Station in Paris France.

St Pancras station has been renovated to its former glory, even with
a replica of the original station clock in place and is the starting
point of your holiday to France, so be sure to leave time to experience
this fantastic building with its incredible feature of a glass and
steel train shed that was actually the largest enclosed space in the
world when built and enjoy a drink underneath this structure at the
longest Champagne bar in Europe.

There are also numerous shops and cafes at the St Pancras
International station along with free WiFi connection plus in the
departure lounge there are facilities for recharging electrical items
such as laptops and certain carriages on the Eurostar also have power
sockets for plugging in items such as a mobile phone or games like the
Nintendo DS. However, as of 2008 there is no WiFi access on the train
itself and you are charged for this facility in the Gare du Nord
station in Paris.

When it comes to booking your tickets for the Eurostar you can have
these sent to an address in the UK, Belgium or in France, or you can
arrange to collect these from the ticket office just prior to
departure, but by booking early, which you can do up to four months in
advance, you are likely to get a good deal and choose the seats you
want.

Yes, you can actually choose exactly what seats you would like, not
just whether you would like First Class with drink and meal included or
Second Class that is known as Standard.

The way the seats are laid out is also different between the
carriages with some being airline style, whilst others are positioned
so that you can look at each other. Some even have tables, and this is
great if travelling with family or friends, plus is easier if you are
with young children as they have space to play. Also, if you are
travelling with young children, then you may wish to be near to either
the front or rear of the train, as this is where the baby changing
facilities are located and of course you can also choose the option of
a window seat to admire the French countryside prior to your arrival in
Paris.

It is obviously a good idea to look at one of the detailed plans
that are available to choose where you would like to be seated, yet do
bear in mind that if you are not booking through Eurostar and going to
one of the many online firms, then you may not be able to choose
specific seating.

Eurostar runs every day except for the 25th December and because
they run virtually every hour, you can choose the time of day or night
for travel, but some off-peak times are quite a bit cheaper than
others. Also children under the age of four are free providing they do
not take up a seat and there is a discounted price for children up to
the age of eleven.

But instead of going to Paris you can also utilise the Eurostar to
get to Brussels and this journey normally stops at the city of Lille,
which is the capital of the Nord-Pas de Calais region in France. Also,
in the summer on set days Eurostar run a direct service from London to
Avignon in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region and on set days during
the ski season they run a service directly to the French Alps for those
that like skiing in France.

Now we know this is probably a silly point to make, but do not
forget your passport as you do still have to go through passport
control, although check in is a lot quicker than when you are flying
and you do keep your luggage with you at all times, so even though
there are no weight restrictions on a suitcase, you need to make sure
you can lift it!

The Gare du Nord train station in Paris is also a main connection
point for other destinations in Europe such as Germany, so it is an
extremely busy train station, but if you are thinking of staying in
Paris, then upon departing, you can either go through the main
concourse and onto the streets of Paris and take a walk or go to the
taxi stand just outside the station. Alternatively if you go downstairs
you will be at the Metro station ready to take you to another part of
Paris.

So through the wonders of engineering and technology, the journey
between London and Paris is a convenient and comfortable way to travel,
whether it is for business or for pleasure and a memorable holiday in
France.

The Eurostar train is a travel experience. It whisks you in supreme
comfort and near silence from the heart of Paris to the heart of London
in a shade over two and a half hours. In November 2007, it will be even
faster. Read on to discover the pleasures of 21st century European rail
travel.

Following lunch at a little bistro in Paris and a leisurely stroll
along the Seine, we arrived at Gare Du Nord for the late afternoon
train to London. It is advisable to arrive an hour before departure,
even though check in time is usually only 10 minutes. The check in and
departure lounge are on the first floor, and once through customs, you
take your boarding pass and all luggage, to the train. If your carriage
is at the front of the 400 metre train, you may need to take a trolley.

Exactly on time, and without announcement or clamour, Eurostar
glides slowly out of its Gare Du Nord platform and gently gathers speed
for its 495 km journey north to London. The train soon reaches its
maximum 300km/hour as the flat French countryside and Charles de Gaulle
airport flash by. Strangely, there is no real perception of speed. More
a feeling of serenity, quietness and isolation from the outside world.
Vehicles on the high speed motorway alongside the line appear to be
almost motionless.

We asked the conductor whether Eurostar is more popular than the
airlines. “The key reason why people choose Eurostar over the airlines
is that it is quicker city centre to city centre even though flight
time is around 50 minutes. The big problem with airlines is check in
time, traveling time between the airport and the city and waiting at
the carousel for your luggage,” he said.

He was too courteous to mention weather delays for airlines and that
Eurostar carries more passengers between Paris and London than all
airlines combined. Overall airline traveling time from city centre to
city centre is close to 4 hours.

Approaching Lille, it was time for an early dinner. “Would madame
and monsieur care for an aperitif?” We certainly would thank you.
Outside, the sun is still illuminating a mid spring afternoon as the
flat countryside of northern France flashes by. The menus arrive. For
our main course we chose chicken breast in herb salad. It was fresh and
delicious, complemented particularly well with a “fresh, crisp, dry”
chardonnay.

The young woman at the next table has no time for the views. She’s
working on a business report to present to a meeting when she returns
to London. She took time off from her laptop to enjoy the meal and
coffee. We engaged her in polite conversation and discovered that she
makes the London to Paris round trip twice a month. “It is convenient
and easy,” she said. “I have 2 solid hours each way to go through
business plans and within 10 minutes of arrival at Gare Du Nord, I am
in my client’s office. I also don’t have to worry about meals.”

We are impressed with the quality and speed of the service as we
approach Calais and the 50 km Channel Tunnel. Farmhouses are
silhouetted in the late afternoon sun as our wine is replenished and
apricot tartlet arrives. Instant blackness heralds our 20 minute ride
under the English Channel.

The high speed run continues well into England and then the train
slows. Time to appreciate the hedgerows, tiny villages and pretty
rolling countryside of south east England. The head chef points out the
infrastructure for the new high speed line north of the Thames as he
pours our second cup of coffee. “In November 2007, we will have a new
London terminal at St Pancras”, he said. “It will be 300 km/hour all
the way and our journey time will be reduced to 2 hours 15 minutes.”

I asked him how the catering staff will handle the reduced times.
“That will be our biggest challenge, we will just have to speed up
things,” he replied, with a look of resignation.

Our business friend overheard this conversation and as we approached
London in the gathering dusk, summed up the dilemma of the catering
staff. “They’ll be busier than a one legged tap dancer”. she laughed.

I wish them luck!

Leaving the train at Waterloo, we reflected on the journey. My wife
was impressed with how easy, seamless and quick it was. I appreciated
the courtesy and efficiency of the catering staff and how the train
appeared to waft along in near silence without any real impression of
speed. The spacious reclining seats provided a high degree of comfort.
Above all, we loved the hassle free convenience. Within minutes of
arriving at Waterloo, we were on a tube train heading for our
accommodation in Bayswater.

It was no surprise to discover that Eurostar has won the title of
“World’s leading rail service” for the last 8 years at the annual World
Travel Awards.

Booking is essential on Eurostar and to save money, purchase your
ticket before you leave for Europe. A number of ticket options are
available for first and second class passengers. Visit the links below
for the fare structure most suitable to your needs. Premium first class
tickets include a complimentary meal served at your table. A buffet
service is provided for other passengers.

Paris; it’s considered to be one of the most romantic places in the
world and is ever-popular as a tourist destination. A great choice for
a short break or long-weekend, there’s a dizzying array of sights and
places to see and it may seem like there’s never enough time to take it
all in.

While it’s certainly impossible to take advantage of all the
attractions the city has to offer in a short space of time, this
article has come up with a selection of five of the attractions you
have to see if you’re in Paris.

It’s seems virtually impossible to escape the landmark with which
Paris is most commonly associated; every film with a scene in Paris has
it looming in the background, walk anywhere resembling a tourist
destination and there’s people with bunches of models on a key chain
trying to sell you a miniature version of it; I’m talking, of course,
about the Eiffel Tower.

Built for the World Exhibition in 1889, the Eiffel Tower rises 300
metres out of the ground and stands out in the Paris skyline, visible
from all over the city. Seeing the Tower up close reaffirms like no
other attraction that you are in the French capital and demonstrates
just what a feat of engineering it was.

A magnificent iron framework made up of around 12,000 pieces of
prefabricated iron fit together with something like 7 million nails.
For those that don’t suffer vertigo or get easily bored with queues you
can head to the top and get a view of Paris that’s unrivaled.

Another of Paris’ most famous attractions and one of the most
visited museums in the world is the Louvre. Nestled in the heart of
Paris in the 1st arrondissement on the banks of the Seine, the Louvre
displays around 35,000 works of art including some of the most famous
pieces in history with the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Winged Victory
amongst its collection.

While you may well have seen the Louvre on television, postcards or
in magazines, until you’ve seen it in person there’s no way to
appreciate the size of the gallery. Occupying a staggering 60,000
square metres, the Louvre sees around 8.3 million visitors a year
through its equally iconic Pyramid entrance and underground lobby which
also serves as one of the strangest places to find a shopping centre.
Beware, though, if you plan on seeing the Mona Lisa, there’s a bit of a
queue and taking in the entirety of the collection is something that
could set you back a whole day at least.

If you’re still in the mood for art then it’s worth taking a stroll
to the Musee d’Orsay (that’s Orsay Museum) on the left banks of the
Seine and it’s collection of French art dating from 1848 to 1915. Built
in the Gare d’Orsay, the railway station architecture allows the museum
a unique layout with a long, high, ceilinged ground floor gallery
perfectly suited for the sculptures it contains. This author suggests a
bit of time should be spent taking in the model of the Opera House
interior and the miniature Paris through the glass floor in front of it.

The Orsay Museum is home to a breathtaking collection of
impressionist masterpieces including works by Vincent Van Gogh (Self
Portrait, Starry Night Over the Rhone, The Siesta), Manet (The Luncheon
on the Grass), Cezanne, Monet, Whistler (including the famous
Whistler’s Mother) and many more with sculptures by Paul Gauguin and
Degas’ famous studies of ballet dancers’ movement.

If you make it up the stairs to the collection of impressionist art,
be sure to take a look through the large clock and enjoy another great
view of the city, on a clear day you can see straight across to the
Sacre-Coeur Basilica - another of those sights you should see.

Set in the Montmarte district known for its many artists, the
Sacre-Coeur Basilica (which translates as Basilica of the Sacred Heart)
was completed in 1914 after a pledge to build a church if Paris emerged
unscathed from the Purssian war and as a moral condemnation of the sins
of Paris with a basilica true to Christian traditions. The architecture
stands as a contrast to the more Romanesque stylings of the city and
looks more like an Eastern temple.

The outside of the Sacre-Coeur Basilica is an example of excellence
in architecture and the, free to enter, interior is no exception. When
you emerge, though, be warned that on a summers day the sudden hit of
daylight may leave you squinting for while across yet another jaw
dropping view of the city below as the basilica sits atop a hill. The
highest point in the city, the butte Montmarte is no small climb even
for those in prime health. Give more than a thought to the lift service
and save your legs.

Another and perhaps more famous of Paris’ religious buildings is the
Notre-Dame Cathedral. The religious heart of the city, the Celts had a
sacred ground here, the Romans used the site to build a temple to
worship Jupiter and a Christian basilica was built in the 6th century
with work on the Cathedral beginning in 1163 and finally completed in
1345.

The first cathedral to be built to such a scale, the Notre Dame
Cathedral is a huge testament to faith at 128 metres long with two 69
metre tall towers and a 90 metre spire which was added in the 19th
century. While many of the cathedral’s famous sculptures and gargoyles
were destroyed during the French Revolution many remain and the
Cathedral was restored between 1991 and 2001.

As imposing as the Cathedral’s frontage is, there’s no way to
prepare for the size of the interior. Walking into the Notre Dame is
like walking into an aircraft hangar. The impact of which is something
you can’t experience from a postcard.

There’s plenty to see and do in Paris and, when your feet have tired
from walking the streets there’s plenty of coffee shops and cafes to
rest and take stock in over a crepe and coffee.

Disneyland is the ultimate place to take your children for fun,
fantasy and an exciting time they will never forget and with the
Disneyland Resort Paris being accessible to over 300 million people
that can fly there in under two hours and around 60 million people that
can get there with not more than a 4 hour drive, it is the perfect
destination for anyone living in Europe.

Plans to build a Disney park in Europe were first discussed in the
1970’s, yet construction did not begin until the 1980’s at the location
just outside of Paris and it was first opened in 1992.

It did not have that instant success the owners hoped for, but many
years down the road, Disneyland Paris Resort has become one of the most
popular holiday destinations throughout Europe and with the complex
expanding to include the Disneyland Park with its five themed areas and
the Walt Disney Studios Park that opened in 2002, it does not take much
imagination to know why it is so popular now!

When it comes to the themed areas, we found the Fantasy Land with
the Disney characters such as Snow White and Mickey Mouse was a
highlight for the young children especially the girls, but the boys
loved Frontier Land, which has a Wild West theme and it even brought
back childhood memories of playing Cowboys and Indians for the adults
that never seem to grow up!

Disneyland Paris is open every single day of the year without
exception and has a completely different feel in winter compared to
summer, but whatever time of year you visit, you are sure to have a
lasting memory of the fantasy castle that is the centrepiece of the
whole park.

The Sleeping Beauty’s Castle or in French called Le Chateau de la
Belle au Bois Dormant, is a truly magical sight that was inspired by
classic fairytale illustrations rather than being based purely on a
true chateau like the castle at Disneyland Florida and everyone loved
going down to the dungeons, but for us it was the terrific view from
the castle balcony where we could see some of the other things we
wanted to explore that made us realise we should have arranged to be
there longer!

Something you will find when at Disneyland Paris is the amount of
different types of restaurants and snack places offering a wide choice
of cuisine and catering for every budget, plus they are all designed
around the theme for whatever area of the park you are at. So from
hotdogs to pizza and Mexican to French cuisine, plus sandwiches, cakes,
pastries and ice cream, there is always going to be something that
everyone will enjoy, but our favourite place to eat was the Cowboy
Cookout, which is in a barn and they had a country music band playing
at the time, while we were eating our BBQ chicken!

But Disneyland Paris has expanded so much since being open a day is
not really enough time to enjoy everything, so staying at one of the
themed hotels can be a great experience in itself and with 7 hotels to
choose from like one with rustic charm to one that makes you feel like
you are in a desert, they cater for all budgets and some will not break
the bank.

Yet thinking about the costs, there are some great deals available
at all different times of the year including deals such as children
under 7 going free, an extra night for the same cost, etc, so you do
not really need to have large pockets, although do make sure you have
enough spending money for all of those gifts, souvenirs, food and
extras that you know the children keep begging for, especially with the
large amount of fantastic shops on site!

And you cannot forget about the Walt Disney Studios Park either,
which is another reason why we feel you need more than a day here, as
here you can even have a tour of a recording studio and view rock
memorabilia including signed guitars on display.

The whole park has a great amount of different attractions that will
cater for every age group, so apart from the fabulous roller coaster
rides, if you would rather keep your feet firmly on the ground then
there are some terrific shows featuring the well-known Disney
characters, plus there is a very good 18-hole golf course and the
Disney Village has lots of restaurants and shops, which are open after
the park closes, so you will never run out of places to go and things
to see and do.

There are thousands of different Paris restaurants and cafes and
these will range from the small a bistro to haute cuisine, but the
quality of food will be a delight to all, no matter how big or small
your budget is.

Choosing a restaurant in Paris can give you a real headache, as
there are so many different types of cuisine to choose from, and you
will be really spoilt for choice deciding where to eat.

But there is something to suit everyones palate, so why not try
something a little different, like Japanese food in France, or you
could opt for numerous other International varieties of cuisine from
Mexican, American, Turkish, Italian, Brazilian like the very popular
Brasil Tropical that also has a cabaret show, Spanish, Indian, and many
more to excite your taste buds!

The finest way of eating in Paris is at a Haute Cuisine restaurant,
but you need a good bank balance, as this type of meal has elaborate
preparations and presentations of the delicacies in small portions and
can be found at some of the best hotels and plush restaurants.

However, most Paris restaurants have a ‘Menu du Jour’ and this
normally means the most reasonably priced meals or set meals, with the
food prepared from what is available locally and always changing
through the seasons, it is the freshest produce available.

The French loves their sauces and there are many different sorts,
and some are regarded as specialities at certain restaurants where they
will accompany most food, so if you get a chance, consider trying some
of these.

Having breakfast out is more than likely to be at a Patisserie or
cafe in Paris where you can get croissants, bread, numerous varieties
of cheese and cold meats, plus pastries that are usually accompanied by
a cup of strong black coffee, but if you prefer white coffee, then ask
for café au lait, so that you get milk with it.

Whilst experiencing this fabulous city, you will come across
numerous cafes and bistros in Paris that have indoor and outdoor
dining, but if you decide to eat on the terrace, there is often an
additional charge added to your bill.

Most of the shops in France close for at least two hours of a lunch
time, which is when most of the French have their main meal, but there
are now lots of restaurants providing a Brunch type service, so it is
great time to re-fuel before continuing your sightseeing.

If you need to have a snack in the afternoon prior to an evening
meal, where most restaurants only start serving from 7.30pm onwards,
you would need to go to a Brasserie as they are usually open all day
and serve the same food, whatever the time.

Having a glass of wine with your meal is like a French tradition and
is almost expected in most places, but bear in mind that a table wine
in France is not normally a cheap and hopefully cheerful option, like
it is in the UK, and you can often purchase more reasonably priced
wines from the menu, yet there are also always vintage wines available,
so if you know what you like then go for it, ad we are sure that you
will experience quality, whatever your wine choice.

But thinking about this, normally wine is paired with your meal, so
when dining at a plush restaurant it is customary to order a different
wine to accompany each different dish served, so as to truly enjoy the
cuisine and not take away from any of the exquisite tastes.

There are so many different options for a Paris restaurant and a
couple of these even have museums such as the Musee du Vin. Here you
learn about wine making, its history and different wines, plus do some
wine tasting, then you can even enjoy a fabulous meal with the wine and
come away feeling a little more knowledgeable.

But if you are still not sure about where to go for your next
evening eating out in Paris, then it may be an idea to pick up Le
Carnet Gourmand, which is a free guide to restaurants in Paris that are
registered with the Tourism office and has a list of around 200 with
the type of cuisine, average costs, and other information such as
access for the disabled. To obtain a copy you would need to go to the
Office de Tourisme, but this restaurant guide can also be found in
numerous Paris hotels and at the restaurants that are listed.

Yet there is one last point we would like to make and that is the
fact that Parisians tend to dress up for an evening meal and many
restaurants require a jacket or even dinner attire, so we would
recommend that you check what the dress code is when booking, or you
may be refused entry!

Paris, the city of love and a thousand other clichés, still holds a
certain mystic. But no matter how many written words this great city
has commanded - however familiar this town may appear - Paris will
always remain an enigma, a magnet for millions of visitors from around
the world.

Paris carries an enchantment that you cannot always put your
finger on. We perceive Parisians as chic and stylish, forever setting
the trend.

But there is more to this country than just its capital. France
is home to over 60 million people, including many of North African
descent.

One of the things that keeps France great is its attention to
detail: the back street shop that sells 30 varieties of croissant, the
creaseless department store bags to carry home your latest in
fashionable attire, the delightful little chocolates that accompany
your coffee on one of the street corner cafes.

The French language itself conjures up magic and mystery, adding to the romance of being in an alien land.

The modern France bears aspects of foreign influence. Alongside
the chic boutiques and stylish cafes sit far-western heavyweights such
as McDonalds. But France will forever remain French. Chic and panache
will always prevail.

Provided you can steer clear of the boy racers who treat the
roads as racing tracks, France will satisfy even the most ardent
explorers.

When visiting France, the first place on most people’s
itineraries is Paris, and the fabulous Louvre. Whilst Napoleon
endeavoured to conquer Europe, his armies busied themselves collecting
the spoils from their defeated hosts.

When the Louvre was built in 1793, these trophies were exhibited in the new museum for the whole of France to witness.

Today the Louvre has been given a modern day makeover. A
magnificent glass pyramid embraces the museum making it instantly
recognisable around the world.

If you can endure the crowds, some of the world’s most
celebrated art can be witnessed. These include ‘Winged Victory’ and the
‘Mona Lisa’ with her legendary smile.

For those wanting an escape from the hustle and bustle of
France’s busy cities, the town of Chamonix offers the perfect contrast
to city life. Located in one of the spectacular valleys of the French
Alps, Chamonix offers picture postcard views, dominated by centuries
old glaciers and the imposing summit of Mount Blanc.

Just one of the many reasons for France being the world’s number one tourist destination.

For those looking for evidence that the
worldwide credit crunch is not quite so worldwide as some might think,
the best place to look, it appears, may be across the channel, which,
as a major hotspot for Britons looking at buying investment property,
is just as well.

As Assetz made clear this week, the country has survived the
liquidity crisis fairly unscathed. This is thanks partly to French
Banks suffering far less from the subprime crisis due to lower levels
of investment in affected companies and also because the reaction has
been to stimulate the market by offering more enticing deals, in stark
contrast with lenders in Britain.

These explanations were offered by Matthew Weston, overseas French
mortgages manager for Blevin Franks, who stated: “So far this year the
subprime crisis has had little to no impact on the non-resident France
property investment market in France.”

However, wider evidence seems to suggest that this avoidance of the
financial problems that have blighted many other economies - and
consequently housing markets - is not just a phenomenon seen in the
French property mortgage-lending sector. In the commercial property
sector, for instance, UK commercial property firm Hammerson’s released
its half-yearly results earlier this week. They showed that overall its
assets had lost 5.5 per cent in value in the second half of 2007, but
the company was bolstered by a 16.5 per cent rise in the value of its
French assets last year.

Speaking to Reuters, chief executive John Richards said: “Having nearly
30 per cent of the business in France has been extremely advantageous,”
adding: “France will not be entirely insulated from economic slowdown
seen across Europe, but any downturn is likely to be more muted than in
London. Values are stable not falling.”

So if the economic and property situation in France, both commercial
and residential, is looking up, where might the investor go? Much of
this depends on the market they wish to serve. Some Britons, either
wanting a weekend retreat or simply a holiday home, may let out
somewhere far from the crowds - and their countrymen.

Other places, however, have developed sizeable expat communities.
Recently, for example, the Daily Mail reported on the region of
Dordogne, a name famous for wine but where the treading of grapes may
be no more common a feature of a summer’s day in some places than the
sound of leather on willow.

The paper noted that in towns such as Eymet, the British ex-pat
presence was due considerably to the ambience of a place like an
England of many years ago, an elysian which some ex-pats are so keen to
keep as it is they have even caused a local stir by standing for
election to the local council. Any investors looking in places like
this for buy-to-let must of course be sure there is demand for a taste
of old England amid the vineyards.

In today’s world Property investment is an excellent investment option especially investment in UK

The Seine-Maritime (department number 76) is
located in the region of Haute-Normandie and has an estimated
population of 1,245,457 (approximate in 2004). The department was
originally known as Seine-Inférieure (Lower Seine) until 1955 when it
changed to its current name Seine-Maritime (Coastal-Seine) because
Inférieure was regarded as derogatory by the inhabitants of the
department.

The capital of the department is the city of Rouen, with the
coastal towns of Dieppe and Le Hâvre also featuring within the
immediate area.

The landscape of the department is typically coastal as you would
expect with historic ruins and Norman castles dotting the landscape.
Along the coastline is stunning cliff scenery and half-timbered
villages.

In addition to the gastronomy offerings you would expect in
Normandy, namely the cider, fish, meat and cheeses other delectable
delights specific of the department include Bénédictine liqueur and
apple sugars from Rouen.

Why you should visit Seine-Maritime for your next holiday in France
If you enjoy sightseeing and places with an interesting historic past
then you need go no further than Seine-Maritime. Teamed with its
magnificent beaches, divine gastronomy and its close proximity to the
UK, this department is a perfect destination for a long holiday or
short break.

The department enjoys a similar climate to the UK but its location
means it is slightly milder year round. As with England, summers are
warm with temperatures in the mid 20C and in the height of the season,
temperatures can reach into the 30’s.

What to see in the Seine-Maritime:

Rouen

Rouen is brimming with monuments, medieval streets and churches.
The city is particularly famed for the Place du Vieux Marché, where
Joan of Arc was martyred. The town’s gothic cathedral was a favourite
of Claude Monet and he famously painted the cathedral’s facade at
almost every moment of the day.

One of these priceless pieces of art is on show today at the Musée des Beaux Arts.

The main routes through the city may be less picturesque but they
do keep traffic away from the prettier, medieval pedestrianised centre.

Places of particular interest include:

The Rue Gros Horloge with its big clock.

St Ouen is in some people’s opinion more impressive than the
cathedral as its interior is often empty leaving the sun to cast
colored images from the stained glass across its flagstone floor.

Place St Marc on Sunday mornings is the setting for the giant flea market with the majority of the shops open until lunchtime.

The Rive Gauche near the Eglise St Sever hosts a bric-a-brac market on Thursday mornings.

Dieppe

The major cross-Channel port is the main feature of this seaside
town but Dieppe has in some ways benefited from the arrival of the
tunnel. The seafront has been given a face-lift and the streets are now
lined with welcoming cafés and restaurants.

The château-musée is situated high on the hill top and boasts
panoramic views across the long pebble beach which is host to an annual
kite festival. Dieppe continues to be a bustling port and a large
Saturday market draws big crowds from the villages around.

Le Havre

Le Hâvre is still a major western ferry port and dominates the
mouth of the Seine. The port is a popular choice for holiday makers who
would rather spend longer on the crossing than the drive.

Places to visit include:

Eglise St Joseph

Musée Malraux (also known as the Musée des Beaux Arts) houses a fine
collection of canvasses by the Impressionists, who painted extensively
in Normandy.
Caudebec-en-Caux and Lillebonne

These lovely towns offer several attractions, some still undiscovered
to a certain degree. These include the abbey at St Wandrille near
Caudebec-en-Caux where the monks sing the Gregorian chant every day,
the surprisingly well preserved Roman amphitheatre in the centre of
Lillebonne, and the gorgeous cheese from Neufchâtel-en-Bray whose
heart-shaped form dates from the Hundred Years’ War.

Etretat

Etretat is located along the Alabaster Coast (Côte d’Albâtre) and is
famous for its chalk cliffs and needles which were popular subjects by
the Impressionists. The town is looking a little weathered but is still
worth visiting for its breath-taking scenery and selection of
restaurants.

Fécamp

The town is known for its infamous Bénédictine liqueur and guided tours
in the palace in the centre of town offers visitors a chance to sample
this tipple. Fishing boats still land their catches at Fécamp,
guaranteeing fresh seafood in the harbour-front restaurants.

Gournay en Bray

A small town, Gournay en Bray has a lovely little romanesque church.

Le Tréport

Le Tréport is located in the north east of the Seine-Maritime and was
popular as a beach resort with Parisians in the late 19th century
thanks to a rail link. Surrounded by white cliffs, the quayside houses
many hotels and restaurants that enjoy views of the fishing boats and
yachts.

Saint Valéry en Caux

St Valéry en Caux is situated west of Dieppe. The towns centre and
marina was entirely rebuilt after WWII and the nearby nuclear power
station has brought prosperity. A little further west of the town,
little rock pools can be found, which are always popular with kiddies
of all ages.

Yvetot

The capital of Pays de Caux, Yvetot, is an important market town
completely rebuilt after WWII. The Wednesday and Saturday markets take
over the central streets and it’s still possible to hear the ancient
dialect Cauchois being spoken. The circular pink church dating from the
1950s may seem an eyesore from outside but the stained glass inside
almost makes up for it.

How to get there

Holiday accommodation in the Seine Maritime is easily accessible.

By Air

Skysouth are the only direct airline and they fly six times a week
direct from Shoreham (ESH) to Caen (CFR). Prices start at around £70
for a single trip.

By Car

Driving would be the common mode of transport to get to the
department as Seine-Maritime is just a quick hop across the channel to
either Le Hâvre or Dieppe, both conveniently located within the
department.

By Train

Go by Eurostar from the UK to Calais and then take the TGV to Le Havre or Rouen.

Indoor ski areas have become popular for both novice and advanced
skiers to be able to learn and practice on without the challenges of
severe weather conditions.
Have you ever wondered what the popular indoor ski areas around the
world are? These areas tend to be in countries that already have
outdoor skiing facilities, and are more common in Europe that in other
areas. But that isn’t always the case. These can be found in Germany,
Switzerland, England, Netherlands, Japan, China and Australia. In one
unusual location - Ras Al-Khaimah, a part of the United Arab Emirates,
construction has begun on a 2,000 meter indoor ski area.

So here are some places you might want to make part of your travel plans:

United Arab Emirates

* Dubai is truly a ski facility in the desert. It has 5 different
runs that are designed for beginning to advanced skiers and
snowboarders. There is a full 3000 square meters contained in this
indoor snow park. All equipment needed is available on site. Numerous
restaurants, gift shops and other venues provide visitors with lots to
do and see.

United Kingdom

* The Snowdome in Tamworth is one of the post popular indoor ski
areas. It has a 170-meter slope with year round real snow. The Snowdome
provides lessons at all levels for both skiers and snowboarders.
Snowmobiling and cross-country skiing is also available at the facility.
* Xscape, located in Castleford, features skiing, snowboarding as well
as tobogganing and ice walls. These ice walls are built by hand to
simulate conditions of rock climbing, only on ice.

Australia and New Zealand

* Mt. Thebarton in Adelaide, Australia was the first built and is
still a popular indoor ski area. The facility includes skating rinks,
restaraunts and bars, video arcades and other attractions.
* Snowplanet in Auckland, New Zealand offers a full compliment of
snowsport activities 365 days a year. It features three lifts and a
separate terrain area for snowboarders. A chalet style restaruant opens
overlooking the snow park allowing a relaxing atmosphere.

Germany

* Germany feature several popular indoor ski areas. The Alpincenter,
Jever Skihalle and Snowtropolis all offer great indoor skiing
opportunities among other features. Apres ski activities are given
special detail at these locations.