Saint-Louis on the German and Swiss borders near Basel is an ideal place to stay if you are visiting the region. Just 5km from the main EuroAirport at Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg this is a sleepy little French town with a few bars, restaurants and hotels.
For those wanting to visit Basel there is a good bus service or a tram from the border point. Both cost around 2 Euros and are clean, fast and efficient.
Mulhouse is situated near the Swiss and German borders and shares the international airport Basel - Mulhouse - Freiburg with its neighbours. The rivers Doller and the Ill run through the city. Previously part of the German Empire of the Alsace-Lorraine region it passed over to French control after the Second World War.
Mulhouse is famous for its museums, especially the Cité de l’Automobile (also known as "Musée national de l’automobile - The French National Automobile Museum") and the Musée Français du Chemin de Fer (also known as "Cité du train"), which represent the largest automobile and railway museums in Europe. The city was founded on its successful textile and tanning industry which eventually led to chemical and engineering industries that gave Mulhouse its nickname as the French Manchester.
Mulhouse is a particularly pleasant town with its meticulously kept main square and impressive town hall. The side streets are a delight to walk around with some impressive
examples of French and German architecture.
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Dunkirk near Calais lies just 10 km from the Belgian border. It is famous for its unfortunate position as the landing post for the British Expeditionary Force that became encircled by the Germans during the Second World War, a situation that led to the famous evacuation of Dunkirk.
The beaches at Dunkirk are remembered for all the wrong reasons but this town still has a working harbour and an interesting museum.Dunkirk today is a small and rather sleepy French Town with some good shopping facilities, restaurants and cafes.
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Gravelines near Dunkirk is a small town with a main square and a couple of shops and some cafes. It used to be an important port in the 12th century
The Arsenal just off the main square is a museum of Art with modern statues in the grounds. This old castle with its impressive high walls was used as a base for the military during both World Wars. It was restored and refurbished in 1982.
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Calais is a major ferry port in the North of France. It is the nearest port to its English equivalent in Dover just 21 miles across the English Channel. On a clear day the White Cliffs of Dover can be seen in the distance.
Fortified in the Second World War and heavily damaged by the Germans it is today a service town visited by over 10 million visitors a year. Although essentially a modern town it does feature some outstanding architecture. The Hotel de Ville ( now the Town Hall ) and the Tour du Guet ( Watch Tower ) dominate a shopping square and car park.
Famous for its lace making the town has its own sandy beach which is often missed by tourists passing through in transit. The Calais Theatre is an outstanding building with beautifully ornate stonework and styling.
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Paris, the capital of France is a remarkable city and one of the largest population centres in Europe. Visiting Paris is always a pleasure. With its magnificent monuments and historical legacies the buildings are nothing short of astounding. Paris did not suffer the damage of other European cities due to the French surrender in World War II so it retains its authenticity and splendor in a way other cities such as Berlin struggle to achieve.
Paris is a world city destination and a hub of cultural excellence. A business city with one of the largest GDP's in the world it is a city that lives up to its expectations.
There is absolutely no way you could justify visiting Paris for just a day but you can get round it and see its main architectural structures by taking one of the open top tour buses. You can get on and off these at any stop and they are by far the best way to get around Paris and see the sights.
Paris is renowned for its fine food and shopping. The capital of style it is packed with so many things to see and do and there is something here for all tastes. Paris is one of those cities that you just have to visit even if its because you want to be able to say you have seen the Eiffel Tower. However, it is more than that. It is the sort of city that you could visit again and again and still not become tired of it.
Many English people still think that there is some animosity towards the English and that French people who can speak and understand English will only speak French in Paris. This is an old fashioned view and Parisians are proud, hospitable and friendly. Judge it for yourself.
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Lille is a delightful French town in the North of France. Situated in the French Flanders region Lille is within a reasonable driving distance of Calais which makes it a popular destination for British Tourists heading into and out of France.
Lille is also much cheaper than Paris so it benefits from tourists who use Lille as a base from which to take the 1 hour and 20 minutes TGV ( High Speed Train ) to Paris putting the capital city within easy striking distance for a day trip and with train routes linking it up to London. Lille is also close to the Belgium border.
With its magnificent buildings and traditional cafes the centre of Lille is typically French and interesting. With a host of restaurants and a great atmosphere it is definately worth a visit or as a base to stay while you are in France.
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Disneyland Paris is the most visited themed attraction park in Europe. It started life as Euro Disney Resort just outside Paris. It has seven hotels, shopping, restaurants and entertainment on a grand scale.
It is only the second Disney resort to open outside the United States following that of Tokyo.
With more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower combined this resort is extremely popular throughout the year.
Travellers from London can take the Eurostar from St Pancras station and be in Paris in just under 3 hours.
Website: http://www.disneylandparis.co.uk/
