Paris - The City of Lights
Long considered the epitome of style, Paris is the most glamorous city in Europe. It is at once deeply traditional, village-like and famously cosmopolitan. While such contrasts may be the reality of any city, they are the makings of Paris: the tiny lanes and alleyways of the Quartier Latin or Montmartre against the monumental vistas from the Louvre to La Défense; the city of street markets and old-fashioned pedestrian arcades against the giant underground commercial complexes of Montparnasse and Les Halles. At times, Paris can... 

Notre-Dame Cathedral
Notre-Dame de Paris, meaning "Our Lady of Paris", is a medieval Catholic cathedral on the Île de la Cité, an island on the Seine River in the center of Paris, considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. Its pioneering use of the rib vault and flying buttress, its enormous and colorful rose windows, as well as the naturalism and abundance of its sculptural decoration set it apart from the earlier Romanesque style. Some of the most important relics in Christendom, including the Crown of Thorns, a sliver of the true cross and a nail from the true cross... 

The Parisian Chic
Fashion has been an important cultural export of France since the 17th century, and modern "haute couture" originated in Paris in the 1860s. Today, Paris is considered one of the world's fashion capitals, and the city is home to many of the premier fashion houses. Historically, many of the world's top designers have been French, including Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Guy Laroche and Yves Saint Laurent. The women of Paris have always been the world leaders of a classic, sophisticated look, that certain... 

The Scent of Lavender
One cannot really separate Provence from images of purple lavender fields, the heavenly lavender scent in the air and the distinctive taste of lavender infused dishes. Lavender is an herb rich in history and culture. Long prized for its scent and healing properties, it is also one of the most beloved plants in the garden. Ranging in colors from vivid sun-soaked indigo to a subtle violet-white, it evokes within a sense of calming and rest through its heady and unmistakable aroma. Lavender is rich in aromatic molecules called esters, which... 

Avignon
When you look back to the 14th century, Avignon was the "the" place to be: home of the popes and the capital of Christendom. Today, the popes are long gone, but the legacy left by their "court of splendor and magnificence" makes Avignon one of Europe's most beautiful and interesting medieval cities. Dominating Avignon from a hill is one of the most famous palaces in the Christian world. The headquarters of a schismatic group of cardinals who came close to toppling the authority of the popes in Rome, it is part fortress, part... 

Les Baux-de-Provence
Les Baux-de-Provence sits in the Alpilles mountains, atop a rocky outcrop that is crowned with a ruined castle overlooking the plains to the south. Its name refers to its site: in Provençal, bauç is a rocky spur; bauxite was coined for aluminum ore when first discovered there by geologist Pierre Berthier in 1821. The village is considered one of the most beautiful in France and although it welcomes over 1.5 million visitors per year, it has only 22 residents in the upper part of the commune. The defensive capabilities of Baux have always made it an attractive location... 

French Gourmet
For the French, cooking and eating is a philosophy, a way of life and an expression of self. French cuisine is a unique, cultural experience. Preparing and savoring French food is an art that takes a lifetime to master, yet requires that time stand still to appreciate its splendor. It is a pure, nearly religious, sensory experience. What once was subsistence is now an object of daily, living art. But succulent foie gras and airy soufflés, truffles and hundreds varieties of cheese, champagne and butter croissants haven't always been the fare... 

Provencal Cuisine
Provence evokes images of sun-drenched fields, fragrant lavender, and rustic villages. Famous for dishes such as bouillabaisse and ratatouille, this serene region of southern France is also a food lover's paradise. With it's strong emphasis on fresh ingredients from the countryside such as olives, tomatoes, zucchini eggplant, and lemons, Provencal cuisine has earned the nickname "la cuisine du soleil" (cuisine of the sun). One bite and you'll understand why. As with every section of France, the culinary profile of Provence...