Page 11 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - France

Introducing France 9

Introducing France

France is a land of contrasts that cannot be watch eagles circling below from an Alpine
discovered from its network of autoroutes. It is road or flamingoes drifting over a
the back roads – often tree-lined, perhaps with Mediterranean lake; browse market stalls for
a river running alongside – that lead to the home-grown asparagus or hand-crafted
heart of France. By driving the back roads you olivewood bowls. On the back roads, the
can enjoy sea-fresh oysters at a Breton shack or France that some say no longer exists is still
sip Chablis from the winemaker’s tasting glass; alive and well and waiting to be discovered.

When to Go Times to Avoid
Public Holidays
Each of the drives suggests ideal The tours also advise on times to
times to do the trip, either because avoid, perhaps because the weather New Year’s Day (1 Jan)
the scenery is especially attractive at is inhospitable or the roads are Good Friday (Alsace only)
a particular time of year, a festival is impassable. Despite the relative Easter Sunday & Monday (varies)
taking place, a seasonal local product emptiness of French roads, there are Ascension (6th Thu after Easter)
is available, or for any of countless certain times when it is best to avoid Whitsun (2nd Mon after Ascension)
other reasons unique to a particular travelling if possible. At the start of Labour Day (1 May)
region. The weather is, of course, a the holiday season (the Grand Départ), Victory in Europe Day (8 May)
key factor in choosing the right time. main routes to the south are busiest; Bastille Day (14 Jul)
In mid-western, northwest, and north- towards the end, the situa tion Assumption (15 Aug)
ern France, it is generally rare to have reverses. By checking with traffic All Saints’ Day (1 Nov)
extremes of temperature. Atlantic organizations such as Bison Futé (see Remembrance Day (11 Nov)
winds tend to bring warm summers, p18) visitors should be able to avoid Christmas Day (25 Dec)
with rainfall possible at any time, and the worst traffic jams. Conversely, Boxing Day (26 Dec, Alsace only)
cool, wet winters, especially in coastal while it is pleasant to take a holiday
areas. In the southwest, summers are out of season, check that hotels and
hotter, sunnier and more settled than sights on the proposed trip are open. such as summer solstice and Bastille
further north, with short but heavy Some popular southern destinations Day are marked with fireworks and
periods of rain; winters are pleasantly do not reopen in full until after Easter. parades. Fishing villages often host
mild, with occasional brief cold spells. fêtes de la mer. Open-air music and
The east experiences continental Festivals drama festivals, such as those at
extremes of cold, frosty winters, and In spring, Easter is marked by concerts Avignon and Nice, also abound.
hot summer weather with moderate, of sacred music and processions, Autumn sees festivals dedicated to
often thundery rain fall. The Pyrénées, while Carnaval brings dancing and local produce; wine is, of course, the
Alps, Vosges and Jura mountains are street festivals. Flower festivals take most important, and the grape harvest
the coldest parts of France, with place in the south, and small villages is celebrated in every wine village
heavy snow in winter; summer and host charming, traditional celebrations and town. Winter cele brations
autumn can also be quite wet. The when they move their animals from revolve around Advent, Christmas
higher parts of the Massif Central can winter to summer pastures. Summer and the New Year; lively Christmas
also be cold and wet or snowy in is the season for local fêtes, and dates markets and fairs are countrywide.
winter. The southern Alps, Pyrénées
and the Massif Central can be pleas-
antly warm in summer, but low cloud
and rain can arrive quite suddenly.
The Mediterranean region has long,
hot, dry summers punctuated by
short, dramatic thunderstorms, and
generally sunny, mild winters except
when fierce, bitter winds, such as the
Mistral, blow beneath deceptively
clear blue skies.

Left Glorious view from Roquebrune towards
Nice Right Flowers on sale at the country market
of St-Pierre-sur-Dives, Pays d’Auge