Michael Daniel Ho, Wildlife Photographer

Travel Photographer - Travel Photography

When tourists think of France, they often evoke images of fine food and wine, the elegant boulevards of Paris, the chic beaches of the Cote d' Azur. Yet, as the largest country in Western Europe, it is a place of huge diversity, with a long history of fascinating culture and traditions. The idea of ‘Frenchness’ emerged from over 2,000 years of history and it is a riveting story from Roman conquest to the present day.

The French Republic attracts over 80 million foreign tourists a year, making it the most popular tourist destination in the world. France has 37 sites inscribed in UNESCO's World Heritage List and features cities of high cultural interest (Paris being the foremost, but also Toulouse, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Lyon, and others), beaches and seaside resorts, ski resorts, and rural regions that many enjoy for their beauty and tranquillity. Small and picturesque French villages of quality heritage (such as Collonges-la-Rouge or Locronan) are promoted through the association Les Plus Beaux Villages de France ("The Most Beautiful Villages of France"). The "Remarkable Gardens" label is a list of the over two hundred gardens classified by the French Ministry of Culture. This label is intended to protect and promote remarkable gardens and parks.