Martinique: the region of France known as “the Island of Flowers”
January 23, 2008
Martinique is an archipelago in the Lesser Antilles, located in the heart of the Caribbean between the island of the Dominican Republic to the North and the island of Saint Lucia in the South. Discovered in 1502 by Christopher Columbus, on his way to the new world, the island has been French since 1635.
Today, administratively, the island is both an overseas region of France and an overseas departmental district of France; it has a political structure identical to that of the departments of mainland France. Thus, it has a prefecture, Fort de France, which is also its chief administrative and economic town, and three sub- prefectures: Trinity, Saint-Pierre and le Marin.
Martinique is 80 km long and 40 km wide, covering a total area of 1128 km2 (700 sq. mi.), which puts it in third place after Trinidad and the Guadeloupe in the island chains of the Lesser Antilles. It is lapped in the East by the Atlantic Ocean and in the West by the Caribbean Sea, and features a craggy terrain. In fact, with the exception of the plain of Lamentin in the center of the island, the broken ground elsewhere tells of its volcanic origin.
The north of Martinique is characterized by its relatively young and jagged skyline of hills, whose highest summit is the Montagne Pelée (1397m or 4584 ft). The still-active volcanoes of recent formation such as the Montagne Pelée and the Pitons de Carbet, exult with luxuriant vegetation, rivers and waterfalls, creating a true tropical forest. In the south, the gentler terrain gives way to a succession of flat and rounded hills and enclosed valleys. The coast here, known for its many picturesque bays like Salines beach, hosts most of the tourist institutions of the island. The extreme south, the petrified savanna–ancient volcanic lands carved by time–constitutes a true geological site of interest.
The climate of Martinique is pleasant and temperate, with an average temperature of 26°c, 79° F. Trade winds waft in regularly from the East to keep the atmosphere fresh. Its tropical conditions and its geographical location make Martinique home to a great diversity of flora and fauna.
Nature is generous here and is composed of tropical forests and savannas, not to mention mangroves. The island presents an extraordinary variety of trees, fruits, plants and flowers. Martinique bears its name well: “Madinina, island of flowers”. Tourists and nature lovers are impressed by the luxuriant vegetation, with its multitude of colors and its many varieties of plants and flowers: porcelain-pink roses, anthuriums, bougainvilleas and other hibiscus types.
In the heart of this large natural garden dwells an abundance of wildlife primarily made up of birds, fish and shellfish. Some small lizards, called “mabouyas” or “anolis”, iguanas and snakes native to Martinique further enrich the animal world on the island.
These many natural assets make Martinique an ideal place for discovery and an earthly paradise for multiple activities: horseback treks along the shaded trails of the tropical forest, hikes in the heart of splendid landscapes, flights above superb inaccessible chasms and canyoning in the natural toboggan runs made by the rivers through the mountain range, to name just a few. The island has also underwater archeological sites which afford Martinique some of the best diving in the Caribbean, especially with the wrecks of Dalia, the Diamond and a wealth of others.
Lastly, the cultural and historical heritage of this French and Creole island, particularly rich and varied, can be reason alone for repeated visits. Among the madras scarves and bakoua hats, fish stew and creole sausage, let yourself be charmed by this island of mixed races, where the sweet scent of rum mixes with the perfume of fields of sugar cane. On this theme, explore the distilleries and colonial plantations of François, or the Museum of Rum in Sainte Marie. Visit the historic buildings of the capital Fort de France such as the Schoelcher library, the cathedral Saint Louis and the large, bustling market. Stop a few days in Saint-Pierre, the most famous city of Martinique, honored as a “Town of Art and History”. Partly destroyed by the eruption of the Montagne Pelée on May 8, 1902, it recalls this major event in a museum which brings together various accounts and interesting objects relating to the eruption.
Crossroads of exchange, cultures and civilizations, Martinique reveals the richness of its culture and its traditions through its customs, its architecture and its food. The latter is one of Martinique’s greatest assets, enchanting visitors with local delicacies, native produce and homemade recipes prepared with island flair. Exotic, varied, rich in colors and flavors, Martinique’s cuisine charms gourmets and hungry travelers with its “accras” fritters, Colombo curries, potted pates, its rum punches and a wealth of other specialties. With its intermixing of races and cultures Martinique celebrates diversity of all kinds and shares its various facets generously with visitors from France and all over the world in search of new experiences.
French driver Sebastien Loeb poised to rally for 5th world championship title in France
January 23, 2008
Four-time world champion Sebastien Loeb of France still isn’t satisfied. The Frenchman is all fired up for the first round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) in Monte Carlo on January 24, where he will team up again with fellow champion Daniel Elena in their Citroën C4 WRC automobile. If the “flying Alsatian” Loeb is victorious again this year, it would make him the first rally driver in history with five championship titles.
If the record is on the Frenchman’s mind, it still seems to take a back seat to the fun of rally racing.
“I’m obviously dreaming of a white Monte Carlo, with real wintry conditions,” smiles Sebastien Loeb. “The route focuses on three different regions of France, so the stages will be very varied. Thursday evening’s tests are wide, fast and smooth. Those in the Ardèche are more technical, narrower and sometimes bumpy. Last year’s conditions were dry, but it should be fun if we get snow and ice this time!”
Loeb says he is delighted that the Col du Turini and some other classic stages in the southeast corner of France are back. However, he added, “the challenge racing the final day’s four stages with the same tires could be tricky.”
This year, all the cars will be fitted moreover identical tires provided by a single manufacturer, Pirelli, while the choice of tire type for each rally stage is up to the drivers. The conditions encountered on the Monte Carlo Rally have always been challenging. In a single stage, it is par for the course to come across portions of clear asphalt and other parts that are covered in ice and/or snow, so tires often play a decisive role.
Automobiles were not Sebastien Loeb’s first love. Born in 1974, Loeb began his career in sports as a gymnast. He became an official Citroën driver in 2001, winning the French Rally Championship and the Super 1600 World Rally Championship. The 2002 season began with a victory at Monte Carlo, but that first WRC win was later taken from him. Later in the season, Loeb took his revenge and won his first official WRC victory in Germany. The French driver narrowly missed becoming World Champion in 2003 when Peter Solberg won by a single point in the last event, but Sebastien Loeb impressed the world with three victories: Monte Carlo, Deutschland and Sanremo. Loeb dominated the 2004 championship with victories in Monte Carlo, Sweden, Cyprus, Turkey, Germany and Australia. In 2005, the Frenchman did even better, winning ten races out of 16 events. Almost unbeatable on every road surface, Loeb won a second consecutive drivers’ championship title. World Rally championships in 2006 and 2007, where Loeb produced an overall time of 3 hours, 1 minute, 39.2 seconds, made Sebastien Loeb only the third driver to win four world titles, along with Finnish duo Juha Kankkunen and Tommi Makinen. Now in 2008, the French driver is set to stand alone and make auto racing history.
The rally champion is characteristically modest at the starting line.
As is often the case at the start of a new season, there are a lot of unknown factors,” explains Loeb. “Our aim is to try to win and get the year off to a positive start.”
In the course of its long history, the Monte Carlo Rally has emerged as the world’s most famous rally. Should Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena succeed in adding a fifth Monte Carlo victory to their record, they will become the most successful crew in the winter classic’s history.
In France, more than anywhere in the world, Valentine’s Day means romance!
January 22, 2008
There are many ways and many places to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart, but few spots in the world say “love” better than France. Whether it’s a gourmet dinner at a French restaurant in Paris—the world’s most romantic city—skiing in tandem down the French alps or a weekend in a cozy bed and breakfast in the beautiful French wine country, France makes “le saint valentin” the perfect setting for an unforgettable time with the one you love.
Valentine’s Day and France through the ages
The ancient legend actually begins before there was a France, in Rome, where it is said that a young priest named Valentine defied the Emperor Claudius by marrying couples in secret. Claudius thought single men made better soldiers. Valentine was thrown into prison and later executed on February 14, but not before falling for the jailer’s daughter, sending her love notes “from your Valentine.” The term stuck.
Valentine’s Day has a long and colorful history in France. During the Middle Ages, there was a popular belief in France and England that birds began their mating halfway through the second month of the year. For this reason lovers considered Valentine’s Day auspicious to exchange love letters and tokens of love. During fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, French poets and writers, as well as English writers like Chaucer continued to create a romantic image of the day in the minds of the people. France’s being one of the cradles of “courtly love” made it fertile ground for making Valentine’s Day an enduringly popular holiday.
Even the tradition of Valentine’s Day cards is said to have originated in France, long before Hallmark made a fortune selling cards to Americans. A young Frenchman, Charles, Duke of Orleans, who was captured at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, is said to have written a poem to his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London – the first “valentine.”
How to enjoy Valentine’s Day in France today
It’s no surprise that Valentine’s Day still enjoys great popularity in romance-loving France, and offers visitors and natives of France alike many delightful ways to celebrate everywhere in the country. This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Thursday…the perfect excuse for a long weekend, not that one needs much excuse for that in France!
Of course, when considering observing Valentine’s Day in France, the first site one thinks of is Paris, the world capital of romance as well as the capital of France. Being a world capital of good food as well, it’s natural to bring these together on Valentine’s Day with a special meal at a great restaurant. Some say it’s hard to find a bad meal in Paris, but on Valentine’s Day, you don’t want to go wrong, so visit restaurant in France website to find the most up-to-date listings and reviews in English of the best French restaurants in Paris and elsewhere in France. Just try not to drool on the keyboard!
Beyond fine dining, Paris certainly does not lack for other romantic activities and spots to exchange romantic gestures with your significant other. After exchanging a kiss on the Pont-Marie, you might consider staying in a real French apartment on the Ile-saint-Louis. Visit Guest Apartment Services, specialized in luxury aparmtent in Paris and browse their many apartments and special offers for Valentine’s Day weekend.
You might also consider a river cruise or a stroll along the Seine, time-honored romantic traditions that, like love, never get old.
France offers many wonderful ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day outside of Paris, too. You can escape to the romantic and rustic Luberon in Provence at Le Manoir, a charming country house of golden stone perfect for a cozy weekend a deux.
In the “Landes” area of southwest France, on the bank of a pristine lake, modern comforts meet old customs at the charming 3-star Hotel in Landes : Hotel des Lacs d’Halco. Bike and hiking tours are available for outdoorsy lovers, and a fabulous French restaurant caters to gourmets.
If Champagne is your thing, why not check out the romantic Auberge de Nicey hotel, where their Valentine’s package offered all through the month of February includes an amazing gourmet dinner, a bottle of local Champagne, a tour of a Champagne cellar and more, as you relax in the Jacuzzi or stroll the county lanes of Troyes and Provins. .
To celebrate Valentine’s Day in medieval France, visit the charming Haute-Loire village of Brioude and neighboring Lamothe, which holds a delightful country fair the weekend of Valentine’s day. Both towns are picturesque and romantic enough to inspire the modern-day version of courtly love in today’s France!
Skiing and spa-ing are great alternatives too, and for Valentine’s Day many lovers flock to ski areas such as Les Trois Vallees to share sport, relaxation and special moments in alpine France. There’s nothing like a day in the cold to bring out the warmth in your relationship by the fireside.
No matter what your lifestyle or love style, France is the place to go to celebrate the most romantic holiday of the year.
In France, a dark day as stocks and spirits tumble
January 22, 2008
The US stock markets may have been closed Monday, but in France and the rest of Europe it was no holiday. France saw its worst stock-market showing in over four years on Monday. In Paris the Cac-40 fell 6.7%, while Frankfurt’s Dax dropped 5.4% and London’s FTSE 100 index fell 3.6% to 5685.2.
The sell-off came after a dismal day on Friday for U.S. stocks. That day marked the worst weekly performance on Wall Street in five years. Asian markets also fell sharply on Monday.
Overall in Europe, it was the biggest decline since September 11, 2001.
France, the UK, Germany and the rest of the world seem to be in agreement as to what precipitated this disastrous session. Fears about the US economy and its housing financing crisis were blamed for the sharp decline in markets in France and in the rest of Europe. Also blamed were doubts about President Bush’s proposed economic stimulus plan, regarded in France and elsewhere as too little too late.
Banks in France were hit particularly hard. Comments about “marking down assets” made by Bank of France Governor Christian Noyer to the International Herald Tribune didn’t help; they prompted the bank’s shares to drop by more than 8%. Societe Generale had lost about 6 billion euros ($8.8 billion) in market value since Thursday, with Credit Agricole also hit hard while BNP Paribas, France’s second-largest bank, sank 9.6 percent to 62.71 euros. Axa, France’s largest insurer tumbled 10 percent to 22.12 euros.
Financial institutions in France were not the only ones to suffer heavy losses. Club Med tumbled 2.85 euros, or 9.5 percent, to 27.05 euros, the biggest one-day decline since Oct. 1, 2002. The stock has fallen 37 percent this month.
Many stocks in France like Club Med were adversely affected by the news that Richelieu Finance, an independent French money manager, is seeking to team up with a partner after customer withdrawals caused a liquidity crunch.
France has now officially entered a bear market in a big way. The only people left smiling may be US visitors to France, who finally got a small break when the euro saw its first decline in months, falling to three-week low of $1.44.
As in the U.S., amnesty for illegals takes center stage in France
January 21, 2008
French president Nicolas Sarkozy has made immigration a major focus of his interior policy for France in 2008. Earlier this month, he met with the presidents of both Spain and Italy to discuss the issue that is plaguing all three countries. He hopes to involve Spain and Italy to band together with France in a tougher joint policy on illegal immigrants.
Sarkozy, both as president and in his previous job as interior minister of France, has given France a tougher stance against illegal immigration than its neighbors. The president of France has long criticized a policy in other EU countries of granting large numbers of illegals residence papers, citing the massive legalization of clandestine workers seen in Italy in 2003 and in Spain in 2005.
Yet now, there has been a new and little-publicized amendment in France to last year’s hotly contested immigration law imposing DNA tests for foreigners wanting to join family members. France’s new measure focuses on keeping a limited number of people in jobs deemed important to the local as part of the overall immigration policy. The move seeks to quietly match employers in France and illegals who have necessary skills. This may signal a softening in Sarkozy’s policy, but may also be seen as a typical example of the French president’s practical style.
This year France plans to introduce quotas for would-be immigrants of different countries and occupations. Sarkozy made a campaign promise to reduce illegal immigration, and said he wanted to tailor the profile of new arrivals, apparently to more closely correspond to the needs of employers in France. The priority job lists often call for high-level skills, such as computer abilities, though some employers, in the hotel industry, for example, may call for an influx of less skilled laborers.
As for those who do not meet the criteria, expulsion and repatriation are still the official order of the days, as well as fines for French businesses that employ illegals without express permission. For voluntary repatriation, the French government pays between 300 and 3,500 euros ($439 to $5118) per couple and 1,000 euros per child to those willing to return to their countries.
“People don’t enter France without authorization, and when they do enter France without authorization they are escorted back to their country”, Sarkozy has said.
The issue of illegal immigrants in France has been a thorny one for a long time, but has been top of people’s minds here much more in recent years.
In 2006, France seemed to be on the verge of granting amnesty to thousands of immigrant families, whose children were registered in French schools.
The criteria at the time for an illegal immigrant family to receive legalization in France included bringing evidence that one of their children was born in France or arrived there before the age of 13, had been registered in the French educational system for at least two years and had no ties with his parents’ country.
The policy has obviously changed many times since, and will continue to be debated as thousands of “clandestins” in France, mostly from African and Middle-eastern countries, decide whether to step forward and take their chances of obtaining legal status, go home, or remain in the shadows.
Joyon sails back to the shores France with a spectacular achievement
January 21, 2008
By an astounding 14 days, or 20 per cent, France native Francis Joyon has re-taken the solo record for sailing around the world from Ellen MacArthur, who had previously beaten the Frenchman’s 2004 record.
51-year-old Joyon set off from Brest on November 23rd aboard his 97ft red trimaran Idec II, and passed the Ushant start/finish line at 11:39 PM GMT on Saturday night, setting a time of 57 days 13 hrs 34mins for the 26,000-mile circumnavigation of the globe. This slashed a full two weeks and 44mins off MacArthur’s record.
During his trip, Joyon faced gale-force winds, near-collisions with other craft and suffered a damaged mast, which almost ended his bid, but the Frenchman climbed up the 105 ft to repair it four times, and sailed on.
How did Joyon shatter the standing record by such a wide margin? Especially since Nigel Irens, the British co-designer of Idec II said that his original computer predictions showed only a 3% improvement by the Idec over Ellen MacArthur’s 75ft B&Q.
Good weather, favorable winds and the larger size of the ship are all factors that are being put forth in the sporting world. Some also cite Joyon’s unorthodox methods to streamline both his budget and his technique. He used a less costly resin to have Idec II built, proving that more expensive is not necessarily better or faster. And he eschewed heavy, cumbersome and energy-gobbling communications equipment, relying instead on a simple Iridium telephone for all his contact with the outside world. He used wind turbines and solar panels to power automatic piloting. He also made do without standard electricity generators, which made the boat lighter, but which also meant he had no heat on board while sailing around glaciers.
MacArthur, greeting the Frenchman on his return, was gracious and even admiring in giving back the title she last wrested from Joyon. “I really had to give everything I had to beat his 2004 record. Today he betters mine by 14 days. Amazing seamanship, ideal weather and a faster boat are the key factors, but above all I cannot express how much respect I have for the man.”
However, MacArthur has not ruled out trying to reclaim the record one day. “Records are set to be broken,” she smiled.
French Health Minister announces 200 drugs to be made available “self-service” to patients in France
January 18, 2008
Patients in France will start to feel better in 2008 when 200 drugs move out from behind the counter.
Roselyne Bachelot, Minster of Health in France, announced on January 17 that for the first time in France, beginning in the second quarter of 2008, some 200 drugs that until now have been sold exclusively from behind the pharmacy counter, would now be available on the other side—that is, the one shoppers have access to.
The president of the council of the order of the pharmacists expressed his satisfaction the day of the announcement, while a representative of the Federation of the pharmaceutical trade unions of France (FSPF) was more reserved. “The pharmacist is not a salesman, but a health professional. Now we’re being asked to change the way we do things and to take into account the commercial aspect. We’ll have to try it and see what happens”.
The reason for the shift is to encourage drops in the prices of certain products. Patients will be able to choose the medication that they judge best for what’s ailing them—and their pocketbooks, as certain drugs have recently been benefiting less and less from insurance reimbursement. Roselyne Bachelot announced the list of drugs that will be sold self-service in pharmacies–but still, she emphasized, under the framework of personalized advice on the part of the pharmacist.
Most of the drugs on the list fall under the categories of analgesics, cold and flu medications, dermatological treatments and aids for quitting smoking such as patches. Minister Bachelot explained that this is only a preliminary list, and that overall, 3,000 products are potentially eligible. Mme Bachelot says the step will encourage competition that will cause a drop in the prices for patients but also for pharmacies, who will theoretically collectively have more purchasing power vis-à-vis the pharmaceutical companies.
Jean Parrot, president of the national Council of the Order of pharmacists, declared the announcement as great news for patients, who can now be more involved and more responsible for their choice of treatment.
When it comes to health-care, people in France want to be as cost-effective as possible, Parrot said, and this objective is served when the responsibility for treating minor illnesses is transferred to patients themselves. He added that the change could also be beneficial for the pharmacist who now more often becomes the patient’s first point of contact for treatment. But he admitted that convincing pharmacists to change their ways might still be an uphill battle.
One thing that will not change is that these drugs, while now being sold on the other side of the counter, will migrate no further—for reasons of public health, pharmacies will retain their monopoly on selling these types of products.
And while “front-of-counter” sales will begin during the second quarter of this year, according to Health Minister Bachelot, pharmacists still remain free to organize their own dispensaries as they see fit. “Those who want to continue putting their drugs behind their counters will be able to do it”, she said.
But French customers, with their newfound freedom to shop, compare and make their own decisions about these drugs, may well compel pharmacists to evolve from their time-honored habits, even if the government of France does not.
Smoking in restaurants in France finally gets snuffed out
January 17, 2008
2008 is the year that cafes, bistros and brasseries in Paris and throughout France quit smoking for good.
In France, and especially Paris, where cafe society and cigarettes have traditionally gone hand-in-hand, 2008 signals the end of an era.
In a ban that constitutes a seismic cultural shift for one of Europe’s last smoking strongholds, France now prohibits smoking in cafes and restaurants. In Paris, many cafes have put up never-before-seen no-smoking signs, forcing those who want to light up to go outside and brave the elements.
Starting Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008, smokers in France began risking hefty fines of between 68 euros (100 dollars) to 450 euros for lighting up in cafes and restaurants. The smoking ban in France officially went into effect on January 1. Business owners in France who allow smoking on their premises can be fined up to 750 euros for each violation.
After granting a one-day reprieve to smokers after the New Year’s holiday, some 200,000 public health inspectors, police and other state authorities went on patrol to ensure venues serving food and drink were smoke-free.
Ashtrays were swept away with the New Years’ confetti in most restaurants in France as owners opted not to set up the costly enclosed smoking areas that are still allowed under the law. Until now, “non-smoking” sections might often be just a table or two in the corner of a smoke-filled Paris brasserie.
Cafes, restaurants, nightclubs and casinos were compelled to join the ban on smoking 11 months after France’s workplaces and other public areas, where the change caused some grumbling but no outright opposition.
The ban has a huge effect on the lifestyle of smokers and non-smokers alike. Of France’s population of 60 million, about 13.5 million are smokers—more than 25%. According to the French health ministry, tobacco is the leading cause of avoidable death in France, killing 66,000 smokers every year while more than 5,000 non-smokers in France die of second-hand smoke. Despite opposition from some cafe and bar owners, the French government says smoking is a major public health challenge and hopes the ban will encourage French smokers to finally quit.
For American tourists visiting France, the ban comes as a most welcome change. “It was terrible, spending so much money on a wonderful meal in Paris, only to have it ruined by cigarette smoke,” said one visitor from the US. “Now I can relax in a café or a restaurant and not smell like an ashtray when I come out.”
“It’s a little strange,” said another American tourist, looking around the café Au Cadran on the boulevard Arago in Paris’ 13th arrondissement. “I’m so used to seeing smokers in cafes in France. But I can’t say I’ll miss it.”
But how are the French taking it?
“I’ll get used to it,” said a blasé Parisian, tossing his cigarette butt on a Paris boulevard sidewalk. “We’ve known for a while that this was coming.”
A similar ban went into effect in much of Germany and in Portugal as part of a growing European anti-smoking wave that began when Ireland outlawed smoking in public places in 2004.
The Lorraine region of France
January 16, 2008
Lorraine, in northeastern France, shares borders with Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. It is home to 2,310,376 and covers on 23,547 km2 (14,631 square miles). Formerly the duchy of Lorraine, it is now an administrative region made up of 4 districts, or “departments” of France, with Metz as their capital: Meurthe-et-Moselle (54), La Meuse (55), La Moselle (57) and Les Vosges (88).
Populated originally by Celtic tribes from Central Europe, Lorraine was later occupied by the Romans, who brought with them Lorraine’s first vines and who were quick to appreciate the virtues of the waters for the Vosgean springs. The Romans also built a network of cities and roads, represented today by the towns of Metz and Toul.
Due to its location, Lorraine was an area of exchange with Germanic cultures, but this relationship did not spare the area from invasions during the course of its history. Lorraine was hit hard by Hundred Years War, and also suffered from the many and constant conflicts engendered by the feudal system. Later, the Thirty Years war weakened the area again, until Stanislas Leszczynski inherited the duchy in 1738. His arrival marked a unique period beginning of rebuilding and refurbishment of Lorraine, which renewed itself thanks to policy of a cultural and artistic patronage. After this prosperous period the revolutions came, first the French Revolution 1789 then the industrial revolution. At the time of the First World War, Lorraine, on the front lines, sadly became famous for the battle of Verdun, then saw combat again during the Second World War.
Today, Lorraine’s location makes it a rich European crossroads, but also a special place for natural attractions. The area forms the Eastern limit of the Paris basin and is divided into three great geographical arenas:
First of all, the coastal country. Between plateaus and valleys, the terrain is divided into cuestas, in which can be distinguished Argonne, les Côtes de Bar, les Côtes de la Meuse et les Côtes de Moselle. Strewn with trees, this country forms the western part of the area, where the Meuse and the Moselle run. Agriculture and in particular vine growing are very present here, especially on the fertile plain of Woevre.
Next, the Lorraine plateau makes up the northeastern part of Lorraine, which extends from the Côtes de Moselle to the Western slope of the Vosges. This wooded, rolling countryside includes the valleys of the Pail, Nied and the Saar. The coast is characterized by its more rural character.
Lastly, the Lorraine of valleys rises to a peak with the Vosgean solid rock mass in the south. This old solid mass of the tertiary era culminates at 1362m (4469 feet) in Hohneck. The mountains, significantly eroded, are characterized by their rounded tops called “Balloons” and have altitudes much higher in the south than in the north. Covered with moors and meadows, this environment is preserved and on display in a Regional Natural Reserve. The forest is one of the more noticeable natural features of the area, covering more than 30% of the territory. The various natural resources present here hold an important place in the economy of Lorraine and of France. This soil abounds in natural riches like peat bogs, which are protected by the Natural Reserves.
The PNR (Parc Nationale Regionale) of Lorraine, founded in 1974, covers 210000 hectares and includes more than 200 villages. A variety of landscapes can be found there, such as the valley of Woevre and the lake country and the plains characteristic of Lorraine, as well as remarkable flora and fauna.
The PNR of the Vosges of North, created in 1975, stretches over 122,000 hectares and presents to visitors an environment of great biological interest, as well as a historical heritage made up of castles, churches, museums, archeological sites, and houses typical of local architecture.
In addition to its varied landscapes, vegetation and terrains, Lorraine also boasts many great rivers and other bodies of water. 550 km long, the Moselle runs northward through clay-based plains and connects the Vosges to the Rhine. Meurthe is its principal feeder and joins up with it north of Nancy. The Meuse also serves a great part of the area, beginning from the Haute-Marne to join the Ardennes. Canals supplemented this already dense river system in order to connect Lorraine to Germany, Belgium and the south of France. The best known of these is certainly the canal of the Marne in the Rhine. These 700 km of inland waterways, dotted with the river ports of Frouard, Metz and Thionville, are today wonderful avenues by which to explore the area in a pleasant and relaxed way, on rented pleasure boats or on a river cruise.
Lorraine abounds in bodies of water, for the most part artificial. Created mostly during the Middle Ages by monks for the raising of fish, they are located between the plain of Woevre, the valley of the lakes and swamplands. Only the Vosgean lakes are of natural origin. Among these, Lindre is the largest fishpond, but also of note are Lake Gerardmer, Lake Madine, and the ponds of Gondrexange and of Stock.
Vosgean Lorraine, and more precisely its natural springs, is known since antiquity for their pure waters. Some are used commercially for drinking water, like the spring waters Vittel and Contrex, while others are dedicated to spas and hydrotherapy, like Plombières-les-Bains or Amneville-les-Thermes.
All these preserved environments that make up Lorraine are the setting for a multitude of activities for tourists, whether they want to ski in les Vosges, hike through vineyards, in the mountains, engage in water sports on the lakes or rivers, not to mention relax in a spa. Each landscape is a wonderful excuse to go and discover the natural riches and historical and cultural heritage of Lorraine.
The Limousin Region of France
January 15, 2008
Limousin is located in the center of France, between Auvergne, Poitou-Charentes, the Val-de-Loire, the Midi-Pyrenees and Aquitaine. This area is home to 710,939 inhabitants and covers 16,942 km2 (10,527 miles). It is made up of 3 districts (known as “departments” in France): Corrèze (19), la Creuse (23) et la Haute-Vienne (87). The chief town of the region is Limoges.
This land of green countryside associated with the famous russet cattle of France is a very old province where many ages have left their traces. Indeed, clues point to the presence of Neanderthals from over 57000 years ago. More recently, under Roman rule, the residents of Limousin prospered in an era of peace. Many Gallo-Roman vestiges still linger on, including the town of Limoges, which was built in 16th c B.C. Later came the conquests and resulting domination of the Visigoths, the Franks (5th-6th centuries), the devastations of the Saracens (8th C) and the Normans (9th C). In medieval times, monastic life played a central role, as attested to by religious monuments like Saint-Léonard, abbeys such as Aubazine and cathedrals such as Tulle. The medieval sites in this part of France are rich and varied; for example, the Tour de Merle and the chateaux of Turenne, Chalucet, Crozant and Boussac. The Limousin region was also marked by the great rise in popularity of the pilgrimage to Saint-Jacques de Compostelle, whose roads are now recognized as cultural routes in France and in all of Europe.
After being divided by several great fiefdoms in 10th century France, the area witnessed a great period of conflict between France and England. Following the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henri II Plantagenet, it was dominated first by France, then England, repeatedly ravaged as the area changed hands, with devastating consequences.
After difficult periods of destruction such as the One Hundred Years war and the Religious Wars, the Limousin area finally ended up the beneficiary of an economic boom in the 18th C, thanks to its world-renowned porcelain factory. This craft industry remains one of the major assets of Limousin, along with the traditional art of tapestry of which Aubusson is the capital, as well as enamel and stained glass.
In addition to its historical heritage, the area has many natural attractions and riches. It is composed of various terrains: A mountainous area which covers the center, the central solid mass, which is characterized by shallow valleys and rounded hills whose highest summit is Mont Bessou at 984m (3228 feet). This land of forests, full of beeches, oaks and chestnut trees, and moors of heather, broom, various other plant species and rich peat bogs, invites exploration and offers many attractive vistas in spots such as Pierre-des-Druides, le puy Messou, le puy d’Agnoux and la roche de Veix.
Rock plate, surrounding the mountains, rises between 300 and 700 m (up to 2297 feet) and covers the entire Limousin countryside. Its steep, sheer-faced valleys and rounded hills distinguish the landscape. Dominated by fields and meadows devoted to cattle farming, this rural area is sparsely populated and presents an ore-rich terrain, with greener vegetation toward the south of the area, thanks to the preponderance of chestnut trees.
The granite plateau known as “Milles Vaches” (“A Thousand Cows”), which is also a regional natural reserve, is the broadest area in the region, spanning 113 villages. Its vegetation of dry moors contrasts with the many rivers that cross it. Here, springs, waterfalls and brooks are very numerous, making Limousin the “water tower” of France. The low country is contained in the long sedimentary basin of Brive, in the southeast of the region, where the climate it more temperate. Essentially flat, it is devoted mainly to vine-growing and fruit orchards.
Limousin’s natural assets are protected in various sites such as the National Natural Reserve of Tourbière des Dauges, the six Regional Natural Reserves, which include more than 37 registered sites like the Pompadour farms, the organs of Bort-les-Orgue, the waterfalls of Gimel — but also more than 1000 km of rivers, natural reserves for migratory birds.
The omnipresence of water in the area is also an important factor in attracting dynamic tourist and economic activity. The majority of Limousin’s rivers have their source in the plateau of Millesvaches, flowing towards the basin of the Loire and the Garonne.
Boasting water of exceptional purity, these rivers are a paradise for fishermen of perches, pike and trout, and they also accommodate lovers of canoeing, kayaking and canyoning. The rivers earn their own keep, providing hydroelectric energy for all of France.
The Dordogne River, with its famous valley (the portion of river which flows from Beaulieu to Argentat) and wild gorges (from Argentat to Bort-les-Orgues) puts on a permanent show for hikers and nature-lovers, as does Vézère and Auvézère. The multitude of lakes and ponds strewn over the territory, are also ideal for exploration and water sports. Of these, the lake Royère-en-Vassivière, in the south of the district, is truly a first-class tourist destination. An inland sea, this lake of more than 1000 hectares is one of the largest in France. The Saint-Pardoux and Val lakes accommodate many fishermen, hikers and water sport enthusiasts, who revel in their pleasant and preserved environments.
This territory of contrasts amazes visitors to France with its diversity of natural environments and historic architectural treasures. Here, tourists also can find some of the most picturesque villages in France, such as Collonges-la-Rouge, with its awesome red stone constructions, Curemonte and its three castles, Turenne, dominated by its feudal past, and Saint-Robert, which still enjoys a handsome medieval flavor.