Paris is perhaps the one of the most well known cities in the world. It is the capital of France and a centre for politics, economics and world affairs. NATO and UNESCO both have headquarters here. It is also a place full of exquisite works of art, vibrant scenery and a fascinating way of life. Paris is home to the Eiffel Tower, one of the most recognized monuments in the world. The tower was built in 1889 in remembrance of the French Revolution. At the time, the French people thought it was a waste of time and money. Little did they know it would become the icon it is today. Thousands of people from around the globe travel to the Eiffel Tower to get engaged every year. It is said to be one of the most romantic places on earth and even Tom Cruise agrees with that; this is where he proposed to his wife. Another popular monument in Paris is the Arc de Triomphe. The Arc is located at the end of the Champs-Elysses, one of the most famous promenades surrounded by the best cafes, restaurants, shops and theatres. The Champs-Elysses is also where you will find the finish point of the famous cycling event, the Tour de France. Of course, Paris is known internationally for its museums and galleries as well. Le Louvre is perhaps the most famous in the world and home to precious works of art such as Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. The Orsay Museum houses spectacular masterpieces by Monet, Matisse and Van Gogh.

Maybe you are looking for another type of art, like the haute couture type? Paris is one of the international fashion capitals. Designers such as Gucci, Versace, Dior and Hermes all have stores here and also choose Paris to display their collections in runway shows. For a little entertainment, try venturing into Pigalle, Paris’ red-light district. It is a place for the open-minded but it is also where you will find the famous cabaret, Moulin Rouge. The show is a little expensive but for a first time visitor, it is a must see. Paris has something for everyone.

For those looking for a vacation of fun in the sun and lively entertainment, look no further than the French Riviera, also called the Cote d’Azur. Throughout the Riviera you will find dazzling beaches, designer boutiques, luxury resorts, elegant casinos, fabulous restaurants, cafes and nightclubs. If you are traveling on a small budget, this may not be the place for you. Comprised of many cities, towns and villages, Nice, Cannes and St. Tropez are probably three of the best known. The beaches in Nice are not what you would expect and you may be a little disappointed if that’s what you came for. They are beautiful but are generally pebble beaches rather than sand. Nice is a chic vacation destination with a festive atmosphere year round. The Carnaval de Nice, in March, is one of the biggest festivals to celebrate the coming of spring complete with music, costumes, parades, entertainment and plenty of food and drink. Some of the world’s greatest artists have been inspired by Nice and the rest of the Riviera. You will find a number of museums in the city honouring these artist’s works including the Matisse Museum and Chagall Museum. Cannes and St. Tropez are where the rich and famous come to play. Cannes is home of the Cannes Film Festival in May, one of the grandest film festivals in the world. Boulevard de la Croisette is the trendiest street in Cannes, lined with gourmet cafes and upscale shops, and is where you will find a very lively, wealthy crowd. St. Tropez is another elite destination that attracts a young, hedonistic crowd. Places like Byblos and Nikki Beach Club in St. Tropez are very exclusive and trendy. A nice place to visit in St. Tropez that is a little less crazy is the Market in Place de Lice. It is one of the best markets in France and you can indulge in fresh baked goods and succulent produce.

But France is a lot more than Paris and the French Riviera. It is a country full of unique towns and cities, each with their own history and ambiance. Pretty much wherever you choose to visit, you will find mystical historic sites, majestic monuments and captivating scenery and landscapes. Marseilles is an elegant city with modern flare. It is known for its alluring beaches, eclectic shops and as being a major sea port. Lyons is France’s third largest city and the place for culinary delights. This city is a hotbed for world class chefs and restaurants which are renowned around the world. Lyons is also a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and you will find plenty to discover in this special city. Of course France is known for it’s wine and if its wine you are looking for, Bordeaux is the place to find the best of the best. The finest Bordeaux wines have been made here since the 8th century. No matter where you decide to visit in France, you are sure to be captivated by this spectacular country. The Euro (EUR) is the official currency in France. Currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and some large hotels, though you will get a better exchange rate at the ATMs. Major credit cards are widely accepted, as are travellers cheques, particularly in major tourist destinations. Generally one can expect warm summers and cool winters in France with the exception being the French Riviera where temperatures remain mild year round.  Here is a list of average winter and summer temperatures in popular destinations.
Paris: S - 22˚C  W - 2˚C
Lyons: S - 20˚C  W - 2˚C
French Riviera: S - 28˚C W - 15˚C The main international airport for the country is Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) located in Roissy 23km NW of downtown Paris with good rail and bus links. Paris’s other main airport is Orly (ORY) 14km south of Paris. This tends to have more domestic or inter-Europe flights. Paris is also served by Beauvais (BVA) airport, a good hour north of the city and popular with “low cost” carriers. Across the rest of the country the major airports are in Bordeaux (BOD), (15km west of the city), Lyon (LYS) – 25km east of the city, Nice Cote d’Azur (NCE) – 10km out of the city, and Toulouse (TLS) 10km outside the city. 220v, 50Hz – European “round” two pin plugs. Converters are required for Canadian appliances. Embassy of Canada
Address: 35, avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris
Tel.: +33 (1) 44-43-29-00
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 00-800-2326-6831
Fax: +33 (1) 44-43-29-86 GMT+1 (GMT+2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October). Other than a couple of weeks where Daylight Saving dates differ, France is six hours ahead of Montréal and Toronto, eight ahead of Calgary, and nine ahead of Vancouver