WORLD SOCCER GRAPHIC Information

	France Travel Guide If you are going to France for the World Cup, visit these towns. Just seeing World Cup matches in person is not enough. If you are going to France anyway, you should broaden your horizons past the match cities and get a look at a different France. Text & Photo : DUMAS

Le Mans

The city near Paris famed for its auto race

Le Mans is located midway between Paris and Nantes. It is 55 minutes from Paris by TGV and 1 hour 15 minutes from Nantes. By ordinary train, it is about 1 hour 45 minutes from either city.
France's greatest tourist city has been revived by the opening of the TGV.
Le Mans is rich in natural beauty and at the same time has an urbane aspect due to its proximity to Paris. The town was built over the long years from the 12th century to the 18th century and is famed for the city wall preserved almost as is from 50 B.C. This is also the town in which famed the star Gerald Depardieu was shot in a movie scene. The Saint Julian Cathedral is a moving Roman and Gothic building.
However, Le Mans is most famous for its auto race. Every year 200,000 come to view this event. We recommend that those of you who love cars also visit the car museum.

Local cuisine
Ma riche (rietto Le Mans style), rue chicken
Beverages
Loire Cot wines (red, white, rose)
Recommended hotel
"Concorde L'Amphitryon" 16 Avenue du General Leclerc (city center)[From FF455]
Tourist office
Rue des Ursulines

La Rochelle

You must see the towers facing the harbor!

La Rochelle is accessed by the train between Nantes and Bordeaux and is about two hours from either of those cities. By car, take A83 from Nantes to N137. From Bordeaux, take A10 to N137. Either trip takes about one and one half hours.
The thing to see in this city of 80,000 people is the towers. Among the towers facing the harbor is the Ranteln Tower used to hold convicts long ago. You also must see the fortress Saint Nicholas Tower. It is also good to sail out to Napoleon's resting place. In July, there is the Francofori Festival of song, but if you want to participate, you will need reservations, so those interested should move quick.

Local cuisine
Seafood (especially, Aurelo shore oysters)
Beverages
Cognac, Chirant Pinot wine
Recommended hotel
"L'Oceanide" Quai Loius-Prunier (near old harbor) [From FF370]
Tourist office Place de la Petite-Sirene

Lille

A large city with a pastoral feeling near Belgium

Lille is accessed via the airport 7 kilometers from the center of town or from Paris with the TGV in 1 hour or 30 minutes from Brussels. By car, you can reach Lille in 30 minutes from Lance by taking A21 to A1.
Lille is a comparatively large city and if you add in the people residing nearby, it is France's largest city after Paris, Marseilles, and Lyons. The economic damage due to the end of the coal mining on which the city was based is incalculable, the city still greets visitors with its pastoral atmosphere. Lille has interesting sites, such as the largest military art built by Vauban in the 17th century and the Saint Catherine Cathedral, but the best part about Lille is probably the smiling faces of its people.

Local cuisine
Tarts, charcoal broiled meat Flanders style, cheese

Beverages
Beer

Recommended hotel
"Carlton" 3, Rue de Paris (city center) [From FF730]

Tourist office
Palais Rihours

Dijon

A historic town not to be missed by the wine lover

Using the Paris-Lyons TGV is the quick way to Dijon. From Lyons takes 1 hour and from Paris about 15 minutes more. If you drive from Paris, take A6 to A38 (2 and one half hours); from Lyons, take A6 to A31 (1 and one half hours).
This city is known for many of France's largest wineries and there is much gorgeous scenery remaining from the Burgundy era. For those who love French wine, this is not a city to miss. You can also visit the old Burgundy Palace where King Charles the Weak, whose name remains in history, lived.

Local cuisine
Edible snail, Bourgogne beef, Mustard, Black currant
Beverages
Bourgogne Wine
Recommended hotel
「Le Chapeau Rouge」5, Rue Michelet [From FF450]
Tourist office
Rue des Forges

Nimes, Avignon

Cities with beautiful scenery and a strong Roman flavor

Both these cities are located between Montpelier and Marseilles and are about 1 hour from Paris or Lyons by the TGV.
Nimes was strongly influenced by the ancient Roman Empire and has the nickname of France's Rome. The places to see include Manieu Tower and the Temple of Dianna{?}. Avignon is known for its theater festival, which rivals the Cannes Film Festival and is also the setting for the song "make a circle and dance", which is known to everyone in France. This is a beautiful city with the Rhone River flowing through gently. Both these cities are famous for their overly beautiful scenery and are worth seeing.

Local cuisine
Olives, olive oil, fruit
Beverages
Cot de Rhone, Chateau de Ba
Recommended hotels
Niems: "The Imperior Concorde" 15, Rue Gaston Boissier (in front of La Fontaine Square) [From FF530]
Avignon: "Primotel Horloge" 3, Rue Felicien-David [from FF300]
Tourist office
Niems: 6, Rue Auguste
Avignon: 41, Cours Jean Jaures

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