France - Michelin

Bordered to the north, west and south by ocean and to the east and south-west by the greatest mountain ranges in Europe, France is a country which guards within its frontiers a unique landscape, a rich historical and cultural heritage, varied regional traditions and a strongly individual way of life. The countryside boasts rich agricultural production, a thriving industry and great architecture of every period; cities such as Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Bordeaux are centres of culture and elegance. Famed throughout the world for its sophistication and style, France is nevertheless a country of many regions, each with colourful historic traditions and a strong cultural and spiritual identity of its own.;In this book, Michelin presents in visual form the beauties of France. Divided into chapters representing the main regions of France, each section paints a picture of the landscape, architecture, agriculture, urban centres, leisure pursuits and traditional pastimes of the area. The chateaux of the Loure Valley, the vineyards of Bordeaux and Burgundy, the elegant seaside resorts of Normandy and the Cote d'Azur and the colours of the flower-filled landscapes of the Alps and Provence, are all described. The combination of text and photography is designed to help the reader discover the character of the French people: their love of art and culture, of food and wine, of sports, of beautiful surroundings, and, most of all, their pride in their own regional backgrounds and love of country.