This is a long tradition to relate the taste and aroma of wine to the place where the grapes were grown and where it was produced. Actually, even within the same wine region such important natural factors as, for example, soil and climate can vary considerably.

It is significant that exactly the French introduced the world the concept of “terroir”, uniting all the conditions having an influence on the quality of grapes and, of course, the wine. Also French gave the majority of other wine terms.

Coteaux Bourguignons will replace in the French wine list of AOC (Appelation d’Origine Contrôlée) Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire. This decision has already been approved by the appropriate organization – the National Institute for origin and quality of goods (Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité).

The new wine region stretches from Auxerois to Beaujolais, and the name «Coteaux Bourguignons», according French winemakers, reflects characteristics of the area where “the wines with quality-price ratio are produced”.

“This new appellation will allow local wineries to correspond with expectations of new consumers category, exploring the universe of Burgundy wines” – the president of the Bureau of professional winemakers of Burgundy (Bureau Interprofessional des Vins de Bourgogne, BIVB) Pierre-Henri Gagey spoke on appearance of Coteaux Bourguignons poetically.

This new appellation will produce monocepage (made from one grape variety) and blended (mixed) white, red and rose wines. Already familiar to lovers of Burgundy wines varieties of grapes Pinot Noir, Gamay, Chardonnay, Aligote, Tresso and Cesar will be used for them.

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Really, we doubt that dainty French wines have less connoisseurs than box-office Hollywood hits or elite author’s movies.

Le Grand Tasting will be held in Paris for the sixth time and the city became an ideal capital for the Wine Festival.

Its visitors can taste drinks as well-known manufacturers – for example, Château Lafitte Rothschild, Moët et Chandon, Louis Roederer, Krug, as not so famous wineries. All submitted wines were pre-selected, experts had assessed their quality carefully. So, you will not find a bad wine at the festival.

More than 350 wine producers will participate in Le Grand Tasting – mostly from France but other countries are represented also. Guests will have possibility to taste delicious drinks and also to communicate with representatives of famous brands.

The festival will be held on December 2-3 in Carrousel du Louvre, located on 99 Rue de Rivoli, Paris.

Participation in Le Grand Tasting will cost the connoisseurs of French wines just 18 euro. A ticket for both days of the festival – 23 euros when you buy online, and 25 euros in a ticket office.

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Avignon is located to the south of Paris in Marseilles direction and you can get there by express train from Gare de Lyon in a little over two hours. Today it is the capital of Vaucluse department in the province of Provence.

This beautiful town was founded in the the beginning of the second millennium by Gali tribe of Covares, and surprisingly, even today there are some distinctive features of that time (particularly, it concerns the Roman era).

However, the most significant milestone in the history of Avignon is related to the Middle Ages and the Catholic Church. For many centuries the city and its environs were the property of the popes, and almost all fourteenth century Avignon was the residence of the Pope. Thanks to this the city’s population was about 100 thousand people, making it one of the biggest cities in France at that time. True, many years later after the revolution Avignon became an ordinary provincial French town.

Despite the fact that the French Revolution brought a lot of troubles to Avignon (many old churches and other buildings were destroyed), even today visitors can enjoy the ancient church architecture – cathedrals, chapels and monasteries. Once it was called “ringing town” because of the frequent bell ringing.

There are lots of sights in Avignon, but the most notable is the rock Roc-des-Domes, which towers above the Rhone River on 58 meters, with its famous Papal Palace, built in the mid-fourteenth century. Today the palace is an important part of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Papal Palace in Avignon consists of the Old and New palaces. The author of the first building was the architect Pierre Poisson Mirepo, and the decision to build the palace was belonged to Pope Benedict XII. During the papal split the residence of the antipope Clement VII and Benedict XII was exactly here.

At the time of the reign of the Emperor Napoleon almost all the rooms of the palace were the usual barracks and prison cells.

In the beginning of the 20th century the Papal Palace got the patronage of the authorities, the restoration works were carried out, and tourists from around the world were able to see this masterpiece of the medieval architecture by their own eyes. Every year the palace takes under its vaults the popular theatrical festival.

Also, speaking on Avignon, we should mention such interesting places for visit, as the cathedral of Notre Dame des Doms, the tomb of Crillon, a botanical garden.

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Deauville is a “young” French city relatively, founded only in 1859 on-site of a small village. The town was created as a resort for rich people initially, where they could get posh service, not being afraid to show their wealth and to cause envy in others. The founder of this “paradise” for wealthy citizens was the Duke Charles de Morny, who, as it is said, had been a distant relative of Napoleon Bonaparte. And, as it often happened in history, the author of this grandiose ideas was a woman – in this case, the wife of the Duke.

In a very short time Deauville has become very popular holiday destination of French and European nobility, a large number of political, business and cultural elite had a vacation here.

Today the town has an undercover name of the 21st arrondissement of Paris and is still a very popular tourist resort. Of course, not everyone can afford a vacation at such a luxurious and expensive resort, to stay in such hotels like Normandy Deauville Barriere, Hotel Du Golf Barriere or Royal Deauville Barriere. But, why don’t you come here for one day and to admire local splendor by your own eyes, to meet famous people, who had been seen only on television previously?

And you can see here a lot. Respectable villas, made in Modern, Gothic, Renaissance styles, gorgeous beaches, wonderful parks… Maybe you will not spare a little money and try your luck at the casino or just enjoy the famous French cheeses with a glass of apple cider in a restaurant. Lovers of shopping will also find much of interest, because the number of fashion boutiques in Deauville is not less than in Paris.

Every year Deauville offers its guests the festivals of American cinema, jazz, classical music, modern art, horse racing. If you want to improve your health or to undergo health promotion treatments, so visit the famous institute of thalassotherapy Algotherm.

In any case, irrespective of the goals of your trip to Deauville you will remember this visit for a long time and definitely want to return here.

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Of course, Paris is a wonderful city with a unique atmosphere that attracts not only the usual holiday-makers, but many representatives of the art world, what only confirms its unofficial status as one of the most romantic cities of our planet. There are many examples, it’s enough to remember such great persons as Ernest Hemingway, Rudolf Nureyev, Erich Maria Remarque, Arthur Rimbaud and Paul Verlaine, Edouard Manet and Claude Monet… They lived and created their masterpieces here.

But in this small article we will not talk about the French capital, as far as you can find a large number of materials dedicated to it on our website. France – not only Paris, there are many wonderful places ideal for couples for romantic vacations or honeymoon. We would like to briefly tell you about some of them.

Saint Paul de Vence. This is a very nice small Provence town, which, in principle, can be compared even with not a town but a village. However, this does not influence to charm and comfort that the town offers its guests. Saint Paul de Vence is an ancient town- fortress, hidden from prying eyes between the beautiful hills. The town is very attractive and its slightly old-fashioned life goes very calmly and evenly, there is nothing that could make even minimal discomfort. However, this does not mean that the town is far from the present civilization (though, perhaps, it would be even better). Along with beautiful ancient winding streets, lovely houses with original grapevine on the walls, fountains there are many fashionable boutiques, art galleries, soul cafes and restaurants. You will get indescribable feelings due to stunning views of mountains and the sea. During the stay in Saint Paul de Vence you can also visit the beautiful church built by the project of famous French painter and sculptor Henri Matisse.

Montsegur. This place is famous for its unique mountain Pogue, so if you decide to go here, you need not only a passion for romance, but also a good sports training to climb up the mountain. The ascent to Pogue takes a lot of physical strength, but, believe, the reward for these deprivations will be very good. At the top of the mountain near the town of Montsegur the Cathars castle ruins are located, and, of course, you wonderful views of the local beauty are waiting for you.

If you and your sweetheart prefer to be naked, then you should visit a unique place – the world capital of nudism – the beach, located in French town of Cap d’Agde. The beach is very nice and quiet, here you will not be disturbed with curious inquisitive looks of bystanders.

Valley of Loire. Gorgeous places with magnificent medieval castles, where French kings, counts and awnings spent their time. And what most importantly, that these castles are ready to receive you and give the same emotions that the monarchs with their favorites have experienced centuries ago. More “spice” of your holiday in the Loire Valley will be given you by delicious local cuisine.

There is no doubt that many people can say that there are other equally romantic towns and villages in France. We fully agree with that, because in France there are thousands of places where everyone can find something romantic and attractive. Therefore, travel to this wonderful country, discover new sights, get new experiences!

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But the French capital is not famous only for the constructions. In Paris there are remarkable parks and woods, and we would like to tell you about one of them. This magnificent place is called the Bois de Boulogne – “Boulogne Woods”.

Le Bois de Boulogne is tenderly called by many Parisians one of city lungs. The second lung of Paris is the Bois de Vincennes which is situated in east part of the city. Bois de Boulogne is in the west (in 16th district) of Paris. Its area occupies eight hundred fifty hectare that really impresses and allows the wood to be wider than the London Hyde-park and the New York Central Park together taken.

Modern Bois de Boulogne has settled down where in olden time an ancient oak forest of Rouvray was situated, and its “pearl” is Château de Bagatelle, cozy hidden in the woods.

This Parisian wood has rich history. In the beginning of the fourteenth century the king of France Philippe IV le Bel, has made pilgrim visit to Boulogne-sur-Mer that has induced him to order building the Church of Boulogne Divine Mother in our wood. And since those medieval years there came the modern name of Bois de Boulogne.

In hundred years France took part in so-called centenary war in which the described wood has suffered. Soldiers under leadership of the duke of Burgundy have burnt a considerable part of wood. However, during Louis XI reign it has been restored thanks to new plantings. At that time two roads have appeared there.

After King Francis I of France built the Château de Madrid in the Bois de Boulogne, the wood became a site of festivities. In the eighteenth century Bois de Boulogne is one of the most favorite places for the pedestrian walks of representatives of the Parisian aristocracy. And only after Louis XIV order it became open for any public.

Emperor Napoleon has also decided to bring the powerful mite in wood history, during this monarch numerous avenues have been laid, water channels and lakes are created, and about four hundred thousand trees planted.

Modern Bois de Boulogne is the most beautiful place involving thousand of local residents and tourists in warm seasons. In its territory thematic gardens, children Entertainment Park and a zoo are placed.

It is impossible to describe all delights of Bois de Boulogne so if you will ever appear in Paris, use possibility to visit this beauty.

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According to numerous researchers of art history opera as a musical genre, has appeared in 1600th when the composer from an Italian Florence Jacopo Peri showed to the world opera “Euridice”, dedicated to the wedding of the French monarch Louis XIV and the well-known Maria Medici. And during this king opera got the status of an independent art form.

As memoirs contemporaries of this king testify, he was the aficionado of everything that concerned music he himself being quite a good dancer, took active part in ballet performances. Music accompanied Louis practically everywhere during his reign. And in royal residence musical balls were organized almost each day.

Year of 1669 was marked by opera and ballet inclusion in the French musical academy, and such concepts as “power” and “opera” became henceforth and inseparable at all. Musicians not only participated in regular representations, but also (strangely enough it can sound) have been got quite often mixed up in various political intrigues which always took place in the royal environment. And the first-ever opera and ballet theatre has been created at the French court yard in Versailles in boxes of which serious people were engaged in the decision of the important state problems.

But the Parisian opera, despite of such an exclusive position, had one big problem. For more than two centuries of the existence in view of the different reasons it has changed some tens of concert halls. Thus all of them were far from conformity to the status of the most opera theatre.

And only with Napoleon’s III – who have solved radically to change appearance of all Paris – coming to power, the opera had a chance to receive a due theatre.

The responsible for city building has been appointed Baron Haussmann who is well-known nowadays; he did not recognize any rules and made everything he considered necessary in Paris. The city was transformed beyond recognition for some decades. For good or for bad – we are not to judge, we will notice only that fact that now the French capital is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities of the world.

However, we will return to the opera. Among hundreds applicants for the role of the architect of the Parisian opera the young man by the name of Charles Garnier on whom the choice of baron Haussmann has fallen has appeared the most successful. Many historians believe that the reason for this was the precise understanding of the architect of trends of that time when everyone dreamt of “glamour”, “luxury” and “shine”.

In theatre premises styles of various epochs were guessed; owing to that uniformity, cleanliness and unity of lines was not observed here absolutely, but it did not affect the general magnificence of the whole image. Later the art experts named the given mixture by big enough words – the style of the Second Empire.

The opening of “Grand Opéra Garnier” has taken place in 1875 when neither Napoleon nor baron Haussmann were in live however despite of everything their child could be born. In that significant day the Parisian Opera (here we speak about it as about an independent theatre) has received the first extremely magnificent house which remains it till today.

We are not going to describe the internal magnificence which homes “Grand Opéra Garnier”, we simply advise you to visit this place personally and to receive unique impressions.

The well-known theatre is to be found at the address: Place de l’Opera

8 rue Scribe Paris 75009.

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Certainly, being in Paris, it is possible to move from one sight to another by an excursion bus or a rented car. But in that case you risk passing set of fine details which in many respects form originality of this city. For this reason Parisians advise to visitors to give more time to the pedestrian walks.

Necessarily take advantage of possibility to make a tour on the Seine onboard the small river bus intended specially for tourists. We recommend doing it at night-time when a ship projector will magically shine the river and its magnificent quays.

Take a pleasure in the late evening to rise on one of viewing platforms of legendary Tour Eiffel or to the well-known Montmartre. From height of the bird’s flight the magnificent carpet of Paris flickering with billiards of fires will be spread before you. You can never describe this Parisian night beauty with words; however for ever keep it in memory.

Walk on vicinities of place Pigalle, original “debauchery nest”. Though it is not the Dutch Amsterdam, but also local pip-shows and sex shops are in a condition to surprise tourists.

Having visited the Louvre it is possible to go slowly to le jardin des Tuileries which was favorite promenade spot of many French monarchs, and to walk on its beautiful and well-groomed avenues, and further the Champs Elysée open a way to a majestic Arch Triomphe.

So, you will receive unforgettable impressions of the pedestrian walks on Latin Quarter (the most ancient Parisian restaurants still keep history particles), the vicinities of place Saint-Michel settle down here. The bottom of Notre Dame de Paris has great popularity; visiting of a belfry of this cathedral is quite popular. If you have a desire to get acquainted with truly Parisian shopping, then you should take left-bank streets Dauphin and Bucy.

It is simply impossible to tell about all interesting places of such big and old city as Paris in a small article, therefore always the best decision is visiting it.

Come, order tours around Paris and simply walk in Paris and then you will necessarily feel its originality and receive a lot of pleasure.

The Louvre became a museum rather recently (only about two hundred years ago); however it has more than 800-years’ history.

Initially on this place there was a defensive medieval fortress which after some time was transformed to the magnificent palace belonging to the French royal family.

In general, the Louvre-fortress is directly obliged by the occurrence to the king of France Philippe Auguste who has published the corresponding decree in the end of the twelfth century. However, time passed, kings had been leaving this world, on their place others came, and each of them had his own view on what should the Louvre be. Therefore for the long history it was constantly completed and reconstructed, owing to what to find something from a primary fortress today is obviously hardly possible.

Now it is difficult to imagine, however when in the end of the seventeenth century the royal residence has moved to not less well-known nowadays Versailles, the Louvre has appeared absolutely thrown, and (thank God that it did not happen) in the middle of the next century the palace could have been taken down as superfluous.

But the times of troubles of desolation and the first Revolution passed and the attention of masters have again been riveted on the Louvre. The first fans of art have visited the Louvre-museum in 1793. Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte has also made a decision to renew work on reconstruction and the Louvre building. After that here appeared the museum which became the world history as one of the nicest and richest on art masterpieces. Napoleon has enjoined each conquered nation to transfer to the museum a part from the works of art.

The museum had received that external shape which many of us had a possibility to admire, in 1871; then the first serious “brick” has been put to its collection. It is the collection of works of art of the King François I – the monarch has started to collect it in the sixteenth century. In a consequence it was supplemented with kings Louis XIII’ and Louis XIV’ collections.

Today the Louvre has about 400000 exhibits among which it is possible to find those created during far times of the occurrence of the most ancient civilizations. For example, here it is possible to see statues from Assyrian king Sargon II palace, dated eighth century B.C.

In the early eighties under the decision of the President of France François Mitterand there have begun the Louvre restoration works thanks to which many elements of the building destroyed by time have been restored. And, naturally, there was already a well-known pyramid made of glass by architect Ieoh Ming Pei.

To reach the island on which the fortress is located, you should do a considerable way among various landscapes, sea and rocks. Having appeared on seacoast, the magnificent picture consisting of numerous elements collected in one correct and majestic pyramid of a fortress will open before your sight. To get on island it is necessary to pass about two kilometers on the artificial dam connecting the island fortress with the seacoast.

In general this place has many legends composing the history of Mont Saint-Michel. So, according to one of them, in the beginning of the eighteenth century St. Aubert, bishop of Avranches has beheld of Archangel Michael (Michel in French) in his dream. At first the church attendant has mistrustfully concerned this sign, for what according to the legend he has been punished by sacred Michel (he has strongly pointed a finger on the head of the bishop). And, to immortalize this case in history, there had been the first architectural object – sacred Michael’s basil – constructed on the island. Believe it or not, however the skull of canonized in a consequence bishop Aubert has a big dent.

Two centuries has passed and the island has been transferred to the possession of Order of Saint Benedict. Here the new abbey has been based and the grandiose building which fruits we have possibility to enjoy has begun. The times of Benedictines presence are reminded be an ancient crypt which has a loud name of “Notre Dame underground”.

As to directly sacred Michael in the history of the Christian world he is a special character as this sacred is not an ordinary archangel, he is the archangel-defender. And it is Michael, according to an ancient prophecy who will be the leading warrior of heavenly army during the last battle between light and darkness.

Besides this the Lord has charged to Michael to be some kind of “a conductor of souls”, accompanying righteous persons in paradise, protecting those from attacks of demons.

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It is quite probable that the temples devoted to Michael were often erected in a high hilly terrain exactly because of the role of this archangel. As well Mont Saint-Michel: the spike of its temple towers on more than 150 meters and comes to the end with Michael-defender’s figure with a sword in his hand.

The monastery has been built throughout a time interval from the eleventh till the sixteenth century. Generations of people changed, one architectural style replaced the other, and Mont Saint-Michel continued being built, becoming bigger and bigger.

For today it is a place for numerous pilgrims coming here to touch numerous sacred relics.