Aquitaine
From the Pyrénées, the coast and inland, this region is made up of five departments – Pyrénées-Atlantique, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne, Gironde and Dordogne.
Flanked on the Western side by the Atlantic Ocean, this region benefits from 250km of coast line and the influence of the Gulf Stream. With an average of 2200 hours of sunshine each year it compares favourably with the Midi Mediterranean area.
The sun and mild climate make this an ideal place for the many vineyards found across the region.
Useful Links:
Aquitaine Tourist Office: http://www.tourisme-aquitaine.fr/en/
Auvergne
Situated near the middle of France this region is spectacular: a land populated by many dormant volcanoes and lakes, it contains the largest oak forest in Europe.
This region has four departments - Cantal, Haute-Loire, Puy-de-Dôme and Allier.
With the many spas and thermal waters it attracts “currists” from around the world, especially the famous spa at Vichy.
Useful Links:
Auvergne Tourist Office: http://www.auvergne-tourisme.info/uk/index2.php
Limousin
This region is situated almost entirely on the Massif Central and is made up of three departments – Haute-Vienne, Creuse and Corrèze.
This region is a nature lovers’ paradise - valleys, clear water rivers for fishing, many walking trails, horse-riding and cycling.
Useful Links:
http://www.tourismelimousin.com/fr/
Poitou-Charentes
Home to Cognac and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean with the well known town of La Rochelle. This area is known for its’ rural charm and maritime influence. Made up of four departments - Charentes-Maritimes, Charente, Deux-Sèvres and Vienne.
Useful Links:
http://www.holidays-france-atlantic.com/
Rhone Alpes
A large region made up of eight departments - Loire, Rhône, Ain, Haute-Savoie, Savoie, Isère, Drome and Ardèche.
This region borders Switzerland on to the East and the spectacular Mountains of the Alps. From the wine of Rhone Valley to the Chateaux of the Loire this region has something to suit everyone.
Useful Links:
http://www.rhonealpes-tourism.co.uk/
Provence-Alpes, Côte d’Azur
Perhaps the most well known region in France and made up of six departments, Vaucluse, Alpes de Hautes Provence, Hautes Alpes, Alpes Maritime and the Var. As well as its’ famous coastal resorts of Cannes and Nice, the inland areas to this region are both beautiful and savage and boast many pretty villages surrounded by fields of Lavender
Useful Links
http://www.decouverte-paca.fr/us/
Midi-Pyrenees
Home to Toulouse, known as the Capital of the South, this region, one of the largest in France, has eight departments – Lot, Aveyron, Tarn et Garonne, Tarn, Haute-Garonne, Gers, Haute Pyrenees and the Ariège.
Steeped in history and diverse, this region extends from the plains surrounding Toulouse to the mountains of the snow capped Pyrenees.
Useful Links
http://www.tourism-midi-pyrenees.co.uk/en/index.php
Languedoc-Roussillon
Flanked to the South by the Pyrenees and to the East by the Mediterranean Sea, this region has five departments – Pyrenees-Oriental, Aude, Hérault, Gard and the Lozère.
Fast becoming one of the most popular regions in France, made famous perhaps by the medieval cité of Carcassonne and more recently the many regional wines and the cosmopolitan city of Montpellier.
Useful Links
http://en.sunfrance.com/