France - Bob Gibbons

This is one of the first four in a new series of fabulously illustrated natural history travel guides, intended for the general reader with an interest in natural history, and for the growing numbers of 'ecotourists' who want to know where to see wildlife in the countries they visit. The books are designed to complement each other and to build into a nature library, together giving an introduction to the natural history of Europe.France is undoubtedly one of the most interesting and exciting European countries for the naturalist. It is remarkably varied, with an enormous coastline shared between three seas, and vast areas of semi-natural habitats stretching upwards to the highest mountains in Europe. Ecologically, it lies at the crossroads of Europe, and shares species from virtually all the climatic regions in the continent. It is also at the hub of the European migration wheel, and huge numbers of birds passthrough on the way to their breeding or wintering grounds.Essentially practical, the book first introduces the ecology, geology, and wildlife of France, then goes on to describe where to see its natural history at its best. There are descriptions of a selection of some 200 sites to visit, each carefully chosen to show a range of habitats and fascinating wildlife. The entries are the personal choice of the author and are based on intensive travel and research in the region. Described sites range in size from a few to thousands of hectares, be theyNational Parks, nature reserves, or simply common land, but all are open to the public and accessible to the ordinary visitor.Four colour throughout, this book has stunning landscape photographs, line drawings and photographs of individual animals of plants and animals, colour region and site maps, and a splendid composite painting encapsulating typical habitats and their inhabitants.