The largest country in Europe after Russia, France consists of a mainland and an island, Corsica. French territory is characterized by its compact hexagonal shape with three sides lapped by the sea: the Mediterranean Sea to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the English Channel to the north. In addition, two mountain ranges, the Alps and the Pyrenees, separate the country respectively from Italy and Spain. 

France is characterized by an enormous variety of tourist resources: from the coastline which offers all possible types of shores, to the variety of settlements ranging from major historical cities, such as Paris and Dijon, to small villages in the Loire Valley and Brittany, from the exclusive places of the French Riviera to the alpine resorts created for winter sports. 

The wealth of historical and artistic heritage is visible in both the greatest cities and every province of France, together with the human heritage, rich in traditions still alive and authentic. In everyday's way of life and cuisine you can identify the traditional French lifestyle which is one of the main attractions of a trip to France. 

The diversity of France is also found in the multitude of landscapes which contribute to make it the most visited country in Europe. From the Ile de France, the Paris basin where the capital lies, the Loire Valley, famous for its 120 castles built along the banks of the river and known as the garden of France, to Acquitaine, the basin of the Garonne as well as the cradle of Bordeaux wine.

Among the coastal areas of France, the Mediterranean coast, which, in addition to the French Riviera, is home to the regions of  Camargue and Languedoc-Roussillon where there are scattered remains of the Roman civilization, like in the centre of Nimes and Arles. The French heritage dates back also to other periods and includes medieval castles, such as Perpignan, ancient city walls like those thay surround the old town of Carcassonne, and  bridges like the one in Avignon.

Speaking of the sea, the island of Corsica with its wild atmosphere, is the third largest of the islands in the Mediterranean Sea, while the coasts of northern France, with the regions of Normandy and Brittany, are the most popular. 

Finally, the different mountain areas of the country, from the sharp Pyrenees to the plateau of the Massif Central to the French Alps are home to the renowned ski resorts like Chamonix, Megève, Courchevel and Les Deux Alpes.