Photo by Wolfgang Staudt

Found this story on the Daily France Update online newspaer - brings items about Tourism, Leisure, Technology, and French Property market.

Did you know that one of France’s top five tourist attractions is located in the South of France? It’s called the Pont du Gard, and it’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. Both the Pont du Gard and the surrounding countryside are absolutely stunning - and New York Habitat highly recommends putting the area on your “must see” list for your next vacation in the South of France.

If you’ve never heard of it before, the Pont du Gard is the masterpiece of the ancient Roman aqueducts that wound its way through the region. A recent redevelopment project has made the Pont du Gard site easily accessible from the highway while appearing to be a hidden oasis now that it has been closed to vehicle traffic. Spend the day touring the museum and the Pont itself, either on your own or with a guide; pack a picnic and dine on the banks or the Gard river; or, bring your swim trunks and cool off with an afternoon dip!

You might see many names and other markings etched into the massive stones of the structure. That’s not vandalism; instead, it’s a tradition that has been a part of the Compagnons du Tour de France, a yearly tour given by and for masons from around the world who come to marvel at the construction, which was performed without the use of any mortar. If you look closely, you can even see etchings from the original builders, who labeled each stone so they were put in their correct positions. This unique structure has survived two millennia and countless natural disasters, including a major flood in 1998.

To read more: Pont du Gard: Roman Aqueducts in the South of France

Video about Pont du Gard

The Pont du Gard was built shortly before the Christian era to allow the aqueduct of Nîmes (which is almost 50 km long) to cross the Gard river. The Roman architects and hydraulic engineers who designed this bridge, which stands almost 50 m high and is on three levels -- the longest measuring 275 m -- created a technical as well as an artistic masterpiece.

Residents of France:
As residents of France, you are obliged to declare all of your worldwide income and capital gains for tax in France. The tax year is the calendar year and there is no PAYE in France, so all income must be included in your annual tax return.

The tax declaration for 2011 income is to be submitted by the end of May 2012.  Those making their first declaration will have to obtain the forms from their local tax office.

All income declared will be subject to income tax (“impôt sur le revenu”) and “social taxes” (“contributions sociales”). The latter is an extra tax on most sources of income, which is used to finance the health and other services, and is a set percentage of what you declare.

On the other hand, income tax is on a banded system and involves a complicated calculation. This is because different allowances are given for different types of income. For instance, pension income is only taxed on 90% of its value, up to certain limits. Unlike the UK, you are taxed as a “household”, rather than as individuals, with each member of the “household” considered to earn part of the income, irrespective of its origin.

To read more about: How many declarations to make, What to declare?, What exchange rate to use? - then go to Understanding Income Tax in France

Paris Marais photo by AndyRobertsPhotos

This extract is taken France's Official PR Blog called My France à moi, and the post called Club French Heritage & Culture

France is famous, not only because of the beautiful landscape and scenery, but also because it’s long and rich culture. Diverse, fascinating and exciting, visitors can enrich themselves by visiting one of the 33 UNESCO World heritage sites, or one of the many museums, castles or abbeys. For those looking for something more contemporary, there is a wide variety of dance and musical events as well.

The Club Patrimoine et Cultures of ATOUT FRANCE brings together 54 of these bodies and sites, all with the aim to promote French cultural abroad.

In total, there are more than 150 sites, representing the wealth and diversity of France: The French cultural landscape alternates between historic establishments and new architectural spaces. There is also a great range of sites– including street theatre, museums with unique collections, sculpture, photography, fashion, live performances, new media and applied arts – demonstrating the vitality and constant reinvention of culture in France.

Although the Club’s sites are spread out across France, they are easily accessed by taking advantage of the highly efficient transport network. The Club also offers information regarding accommodation, including Chateaux-Hotels and Demeure de Charme- charming holiday residences. It’s a great place to start planning a holiday.

More about the club

Chateau de Cheverny Photo by KLMircea

We have found a new blog: EuroTravelogue which states "European travel impressions brought to life through the power of lens and pen."

It has some great copy and fabulous photos - take a look at this latest entry about the chateaux of the Loire Valley.

Enchanting Chateaux of the Loire Valley

Ready to embark with me on an unforgettable journey to the enchanted chateaux of the Loire Valley in France? Located in eastern-central France along the banks of the River Loire, this "Garden of France" comprises an area of roughly 300 square miles and is renowned for its magnificent fairy tale castles, French-provincial villages, impeccable gardens, abundance of vineyards, and of course, some of the most scenic landscapes in all of France.

After I spent day touring this alluring French countryside dotted with more than 1,000 of these majestic fortresses, wanderlust surged and now I am determined to visit every one of them in my lifetime! To stand in the shadows of these imposing chateaux is quite humbling and awe-inspiring – imagine castles dating back to Classical, Renaissance and even medieval times having survived hundreds of years preserving intact their magnificent architecture. But it’s not only the castles, for surrounding them are the most exquisitely manicured gardens and scenic vistas adding even more elegance to the splendor of the Loire canvas. If you’re planning a holiday to France, make sure you spend a day or two or perhaps three roaming through the glorious Loire Valley!

They choose to visit the following chateaux:

Chateau de Chenonceau
Chateau de Cheverny
Chateau de Chambord

Details of Visit: Enchanting Chateaux

I want to introduce you to this, your new favorite region, so keep your calendars open and check back on this page for more updates on its lovely villages and vibrant cities!

Notable cities in Languedoc

1. Montpellier
The capital of Languedoc is Montpellier, a charming town that houses Europe’s oldest medical school, France’s oldest botanical gardens, and the country’s largest LGBT population outside of Paris. Montpellier also serves as an in-city TGV hub for longer trips to and from Paris, Barcelona, Nice and Italy. (“In-city” is opposed to special TGV stations outside out town, such as is the case with Avignon.) It has great restaurants and there are often big-name acts that play the Corum or the Zenith.

2. Nimes
3. Carcassonne
4. Sete

To read about Nimes, Carcassonne, and Sete: The Languedoc Region

Enjoy a video about Languedoc-Roussillon:

The house and Lake are situated in mature planted park of over 6.5 acres with ponds and a river.

The wooden house comprises of four main rooms, outbuildings and heated swimming pool.

Just reduced by 60,000 euros

Town: Le Perche
Department: Orne
Region: Lower Normandy
Price: € 255,000

More Photos: Normandy Lake

Town: QUINTIN
Department: Cotes-d'Armor
Region: Brittany
Price: € 364,000

In the heart of the COTES D'ARMOR: farm with 49.42 acres.

The principal house comprises a kitchen, a living room, toilets, a bathroom, a boiler room/ laundry with a shower and 4 bedrooms.

Two stone dependances, two buildings one of 1280 M², two calf barns. a shed.

More Photos: Brittany Farm

Photo by Alexandre Prévot

Did you know: France is the most visited country in the world, receiving 82 million foreign tourists every year! Most mention Paris, Cote d'Azur and Brittany so where else is worht checking out?

You could add these to your schedule:

Loire Valley
The ‘Garden of France’, as this area is also affectionately know, lives up to its name. As an area of outstanding natural beauty, the valley is filled with culturally and historically important architecture, which has earned it a world heritage site status.

It is one of the most visited places to visit in the country and is renowned for its large collection of fairytale châteaux and mansion, beautiful landscapes and one of the most striking rivers in Europe.

Mont Saint-Michel
Sitting on top of a rocky, peaked island Mont Saint-Michel forms an imposing sight. Surrounded by sandbanks and powerful tides, the heritage site is most celebrated for its Gothic-style Benedictine Abbey.

Whereas most castles of this stature were built for defence purposes or the arts, Mont Saint-Michel is different. Complete with Monastery, medieval village, small houses and souvenir shops, with complimentary winding streets, Mont Saint-Michel is the one of the best-loved landmarks in France.

Annecy, The Alps
The French Alps are best known for its prestigious ski resorts, although the region is also home to many pretty towns which are great to visit, summer or winter. One of the most attractive is Annecy which has a medieval picture-postcard quality.

The centre is built around a 14th century Chateau and the whole town is interspersed with small canals which is why some locals refer to it as the ‘Venice of Savoie.’ With its canals and backdrop of snowy mountains, Annecy is easily one of the most photogenic towns in France.

Lourdes
Famous for being the site where the Virgin Mary had been sighted a total of eighteen times from 1858, Lourdes has developed into a major place of Roman Catholic pilgrimage and of miraculous healing.

Lourdes itself is a small market town lying in the foothills of the Pyrenees, that features a fortified castle that rises up from a rocky escarpment at its centre. The castle has been at the heart of much of French history, especially during the ‘Hundred Years War’ and ‘Peninsular War’.

Normandy
Famous for its food and drink, as well as the ‘D-Day’ landings, Normandy is one of the most rich and diverse regions in France. It is of historic importance, especially the link between Normandy and England with the ‘Norman Conquest’.

Explorer Samuel de Champlain left the port of Honfleur in 1604 and founded Quebec City (Canada). While Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and his brother Lemoyne de Bienville founded Louisiana, Biloxi, Mobile and New Orleans.

Dordogne Valley
The scenery, the peace, the coffee in a small cafe, the picnic next to a stream. The Dordogne is beautiful and serene. Some of the best known highlights of the area include Lascaux caves, the gouffre de Padirac caves and Marqueyssac gardens and canoeing the Dordogne.

It is a very scenic area, most suited to those who enjoy outdoor activities – walking, cycling (road and mountain biking), horse-riding, canoeing and fishing are just some of the things you can do.

For the complete list published on Mobal.com: France – Facts & Places to Visit

Enjoy a video tour around France:

References:
More videos about France
Guides to France Regions

Tips to Finding a Rental Car in France

    1. European cars tend to be rented for a 24-hour period,(with a 59 minute grace period), though for most people looking to travel by car through the France, the most economical option it to rent a car by the week with unlimited mileage. Daily rates for car rentals in France can be quite high, so renting a car for the week is probably the best way to go.

    2. Look into rail-and-drive passes at car rental companies. These passes allow you to rent a car one day at a time at one-seventh the cheap weekly rate.

    3. Book your rental car in France in advance as part of your travel package. Often booking your rental car at the same time as your flight and hotel can save you a lot of money (not to mention hassle).

    4. Rates for car rentals in France vary greatly depending on a variety of factors, which can make it difficult to really know how much your car rental will cost. As to be expected, rates often go up in the high-tourist season summer months and are down in the winter months. Expect to pay substantially more if you are planning on renting a car in say July versus February.

    5. A great way to save time on backtracking is to rent a car in one city and drop it off in another. Of course, there are often some extra fees involved in doing this, but it’s usually well worth the time you’ll save (not to mention the gas money spent backtracking).

References:
Read the complete article: Renting a Car in France
Need car hire? Car Hire Today
Travel in France: Travel Services France

Much to enjoy in this video tour across France