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  • Fromage de Brebis is the most famous variety of cheese from the Pyrenees. In the small village of Gabas, Jacques Turon is a legendary affineur of this fine cheese made from sheep's milk. He is the last saleur in the region who does all the finishing work by hand. Two times a day, he wipes the wheels of cheese with salt and a wet towel. The salt pulls water from the cheese and helps form a crust, crucial to the aging process that may last from six months to a year.
  • Fromage de Brebis is the most famous variety of cheese from the Pyrenees. In the small village of Gabas, Jacques Turon is a legendary affineur of this fine cheese made from sheep's milk. He is the last saleur in the region who does all the finishing work by hand. Two times a day, he wipes the wheels of cheese with salt and a wet towel. The salt pulls water from the cheese and helps form a crust, crucial to the aging process that may last from six months to a year.
  • Fromage de Brebis is the most famous variety of cheese from the Pyrenees. In the small village of Gabas, Jacques Turon is a legendary affineur of this fine cheese made from sheep's milk. He is the last saleur in the region who does all the finishing work by hand. Two times a day, he wipes the wheels of cheese with salt and a wet towel. The salt pulls water from the cheese and helps form a crust, crucial to the aging process that may last from six months to a year.
  • Fromage de Brebis is the most famous variety of cheese from the Pyrenees. In the small village of Gabas, Jacques Turon is a legendary affineur of this fine cheese made from sheep's milk. He is the last saleur in the region who does all the finishing work by hand. Two times a day, he wipes the wheels of cheese with salt and a wet towel. The salt pulls water from the cheese and helps form a crust, crucial to the aging process that may last from six months to a year.
  • Various cheese from the Pyrenees, brebis (sheep) and chevre (goat), Vallee d'Aspe.
  • The Pic du Midi d'Ossau, can be seen for miles. The lush valley below is rich in wild fauna, including isards (mountain goats) and the gypaete barbus (largest bird of pray in Europe). Visitors can hike around the peak (Pic du Midi d'Ossau) in a couple of days, and stay in one of the rustic refuges that are interspersed throughout the outlying valleys..Shepherds graze herds of livestock in these valleys. Sheep, cows and horses are ubiquitous features of the landscape..After a day hike, the fine cheeses and charcuteries (meats) await for hungry tourists in the village of Gabas..
  • Snowed mountains of the French Alps, France.
  • Randonnee (Touring) skier, French Alps, France.
  • Randonnee (Touring) skiers climbing mountains in the French Alps, France.
  • Randonnee (Touring) skiers climbing mountains in the French Alps, France.
  • Saint Emilion is a medieval town and a tourist destination. There, people produce some of the world most famous red wines. Because Saint Emilion does not produce as much wine as its neigboring Medoc region, their products tend to be more expensive. .Saint Emilion, along with Medoc, Graves, and Pessac-Leognans are the wines that gave Bordeaux its fame.
  • Yachting is a popular activity in France. The French and Japanese members of this crew enjoy the pleasure of sailing a yacht in the South West region of France.
  • The Pont du Gard is the most spectacular part of the aqueduct built by the Romans in the first century AD to bring fresh water to the city of Nîmes. .This monument was registered as a World Heritage of Man in 1985. It attracts more than a million tourists each year; the 2nd most visited provincial monument after Mont-Saint-Michel..The difference in level between the two ends of the aqueduct is only 12 meters, making an average gradient of 24 cm/km or 0,24 mm/meter. These eloquent figures let us appreciate the technical prowess demonstrated by the Roman engineers...The structure has a height of 49 m; it is composed of three superimposed rows of arches, becoming narrower with each. The first level is 6.3m wide, 21.8m high and 142m long; it consists of 6 big arches. The third level, 3m wide, links the two edges of the plateau over a length of 275 m. Its 35 arches support the water channel. The biggest stone blocks weigh close to 6 tons. They come from surrounding quarries of which some are still in activity...Damaged during the barbarian invasions, the aqueduct ceased functioning in the 9th century. It was only used as a bridge for crossing the Gardon river. In 1743 it operated as a road bridge. In the 19th century, the monument, worn by time and erosion, risked collapsing. Important work to consolidate and restore it was undertaken under the Second Empire.
  • The Pont du Gard is the most spectacular part of the aqueduct built by the Romans in the first century AD to bring fresh water to the city of Nîmes. .This monument was registered as a World Heritage of Man in 1985. It attracts more than a million tourists each year; the 2nd most visited provincial monument after Mont-Saint-Michel..The difference in level between the two ends of the aqueduct is only 12 meters, making an average gradient of 24 cm/km or 0,24 mm/meter. These eloquent figures let us appreciate the technical prowess demonstrated by the Roman engineers...The structure has a height of 49 m; it is composed of three superimposed rows of arches, becoming narrower with each. The first level is 6.3m wide, 21.8m high and 142m long; it consists of 6 big arches. The third level, 3m wide, links the two edges of the plateau over a length of 275 m. Its 35 arches support the water channel. The biggest stone blocks weigh close to 6 tons. They come from surrounding quarries of which some are still in activity...Damaged during the barbarian invasions, the aqueduct ceased functioning in the 9th century. It was only used as a bridge for crossing the Gardon river. In 1743 it operated as a road bridge. In the 19th century, the monument, worn by time and erosion, risked collapsing. Important work to consolidate and restore it was undertaken under the Second Empire.
  • The Pont du Gard is the most spectacular part of the aqueduct built by the Romans in the first century AD to bring fresh water to the city of Nîmes. .This monument was registered as a World Heritage of Man in 1985. It attracts more than a million tourists each year; the 2nd most visited provincial monument after Mont-Saint-Michel..The difference in level between the two ends of the aqueduct is only 12 meters, making an average gradient of 24 cm/km or 0,24 mm/meter. These eloquent figures let us appreciate the technical prowess demonstrated by the Roman engineers...The structure has a height of 49 m; it is composed of three superimposed rows of arches, becoming narrower with each. The first level is 6.3m wide, 21.8m high and 142m long; it consists of 6 big arches. The third level, 3m wide, links the two edges of the plateau over a length of 275 m. Its 35 arches support the water channel. The biggest stone blocks weigh close to 6 tons. They come from surrounding quarries of which some are still in activity...Damaged during the barbarian invasions, the aqueduct ceased functioning in the 9th century. It was only used as a bridge for crossing the Gardon river. In 1743 it operated as a road bridge. In the 19th century, the monument, worn by time and erosion, risked collapsing. Important work to consolidate and restore it was undertaken under the Second Empire.
  • The Pont du Gard is the most spectacular part of the aqueduct built by the Romans in the first century AD to bring fresh water to the city of Nîmes. .This monument was registered as a World Heritage of Man in 1985. It attracts more than a million tourists each year; the 2nd most visited provincial monument after Mont-Saint-Michel..The difference in level between the two ends of the aqueduct is only 12 meters, making an average gradient of 24 cm/km or 0,24 mm/meter. These eloquent figures let us appreciate the technical prowess demonstrated by the Roman engineers...The structure has a height of 49 m; it is composed of three superimposed rows of arches, becoming narrower with each. The first level is 6.3m wide, 21.8m high and 142m long; it consists of 6 big arches. The third level, 3m wide, links the two edges of the plateau over a length of 275 m. Its 35 arches support the water channel. The biggest stone blocks weigh close to 6 tons. They come from surrounding quarries of which some are still in activity...Damaged during the barbarian invasions, the aqueduct ceased functioning in the 9th century. It was only used as a bridge for crossing the Gardon river. In 1743 it operated as a road bridge. In the 19th century, the monument, worn by time and erosion, risked collapsing. Important work to consolidate and restore it was undertaken under the Second Empire.
  • The Pont du Gard is the most spectacular part of the aqueduct built by the Romans in the first century AD to bring fresh water to the city of Nîmes. .This monument was registered as a World Heritage of Man in 1985. It attracts more than a million tourists each year; the 2nd most visited provincial monument after Mont-Saint-Michel..The difference in level between the two ends of the aqueduct is only 12 meters, making an average gradient of 24 cm/km or 0,24 mm/meter. These eloquent figures let us appreciate the technical prowess demonstrated by the Roman engineers...The structure has a height of 49 m; it is composed of three superimposed rows of arches, becoming narrower with each. The first level is 6.3m wide, 21.8m high and 142m long; it consists of 6 big arches. The third level, 3m wide, links the two edges of the plateau over a length of 275 m. Its 35 arches support the water channel. The biggest stone blocks weigh close to 6 tons. They come from surrounding quarries of which some are still in activity...Damaged during the barbarian invasions, the aqueduct ceased functioning in the 9th century. It was only used as a bridge for crossing the Gardon river. In 1743 it operated as a road bridge. In the 19th century, the monument, worn by time and erosion, risked collapsing. Important work to consolidate and restore it was undertaken under the Second Empire.
  • Colored glasses and Stone statues decorate most French Catholic churches and cathedrals.
  • Colored glasses and Stone statues decorate most French Catholic churches and cathedrals.
  • Napoléon, the French emperor who conquered most of Europe at the beginning of the 19th century, admired the Roman people. In 1806, following their example, he decided to build a very big arch of triumph where his victorious troops would march on through cheered by the population of Paris. This never happened as Napoléon was defeated by General Wellington armies at Waterloo in 1815. .The Arc de Triomphe was only finished in 1836. It magnificently crowns the hill from where the Champs Elysées, the Avenue Foch, the Avenue de la Grande Armée and nine other avenues radiate. The multitude of streets feeding this place makes for very intimidating driving..Engraved around the top of the Arch are the names of major victories won during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods. The names of less important victories, as well as those of 558 generals, are to found on the inside walls. Generals whose names are underlined died in action. .Beneath the Arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and permanent flame commemorating the dead of the two world wars. .The Champs-Elysées, also named "La plus belle avenue du monde" in French (the most beautiful avenue in the world) stretch from the Concorde square to the Arc de Triomphe.
  • Napoléon, the French emperor who conquered most of Europe at the beginning of the 19th century, admired the Roman people. In 1806, following their example, he decided to build a very big arch of triumph where his victorious troops would march on through cheered by the population of Paris. This never happened as Napoléon was defeated by General Wellington armies at Waterloo in 1815. .The Arc de Triomphe was only finished in 1836. It magnificently crowns the hill from where the Champs Elysées, the Avenue Foch, the Avenue de la Grande Armée and nine other avenues radiate. The multitude of streets feeding this place makes for very intimidating driving..Engraved around the top of the Arch are the names of major victories won during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods. The names of less important victories, as well as those of 558 generals, are to found on the inside walls. Generals whose names are underlined died in action. .Beneath the Arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and permanent flame commemorating the dead of the two world wars. .The Champs-Elysées, also named "La plus belle avenue du monde" in French (the most beautiful avenue in the world) stretch from the Concorde square to the Arc de Triomphe.
  • Napoléon, the French emperor who conquered most of Europe at the beginning of the 19th century, admired the Roman people. In 1806, following their example, he decided to build a very big arch of triumph where his victorious troops would march on through cheered by the population of Paris. This never happened as Napoléon was defeated by General Wellington armies at Waterloo in 1815. .The Arc de Triomphe was only finished in 1836. It magnificently crowns the hill from where the Champs Elysées, the Avenue Foch, the Avenue de la Grande Armée and nine other avenues radiate. The multitude of streets feeding this place makes for very intimidating driving..Engraved around the top of the Arch are the names of major victories won during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods. The names of less important victories, as well as those of 558 generals, are to found on the inside walls. Generals whose names are underlined died in action. .Beneath the Arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and permanent flame commemorating the dead of the two world wars. .The Champs-Elysées, also named "La plus belle avenue du monde" in French (the most beautiful avenue in the world) stretch from the Concorde square to the Arc de Triomphe.
  • One of the most famous lighthouses in the world is the Phare de Cordouan (Cordouan lighthouse) located at the entrance of the Gironde river at an equidistance of 7 kms, separating the departments of Gironde and Charentes (Latitude: North 45°35'11'' and Longitude: West 1°10'25'' ). .The Cordouan lighthouse was first built in 1584 by Louis DE FOIX and Francois BEUSCHER. The towers were renovated by Teulere in 1862. The tower is 64.8 meter tall and its light can be seen from 21 miles. .A chapel was built on the first floor. Beautiful colored glass decorate the tall windows. King Louis XIV enjoyed spending time in this lighthouse where he had his own bedroom. Today it is called the king bedroom. Although the lighthouse is still operational to guide ships to the entrance of the Gironde river (It is the oldest of the French lighthouses still in activity), it is also a popular tourist destination. In addition to its unique and beautiful architecture, tourists also enjoy fishing from the beach and the hundreds of small tide pools hosting shrimps and crabs. Delicious oysters also grow wild and many visitors bring their oyster knives to enjoy them at their freshest.
  • One of the most famous lighthouses in the world is the Phare de Cordouan (Cordouan lighthouse) located at the entrance of the Gironde river at an equidistance of 7 kms, separating the departments of Gironde and Charentes (Latitude: North 45°35'11'' and Longitude: West 1°10'25'' ). .The Cordouan lighthouse was first built in 1584 by Louis DE FOIX and Francois BEUSCHER. The towers were renovated by Teulere in 1862. The tower is 64.8 meter tall and its light can be seen from 21 miles. .A chapel was built on the first floor. Beautiful colored glass decorate the tall windows. King Louis XIV enjoyed spending time in this lighthouse where he had his own bedroom. Today it is called the king bedroom. Although the lighthouse is still operational to guide ships to the entrance of the Gironde river (It is the oldest of the French lighthouses still in activity), it is also a popular tourist destination. In addition to its unique and beautiful architecture, tourists also enjoy fishing from the beach and the hundreds of small tide pools hosting shrimps and crabs. Delicious oysters also grow wild and many visitors bring their oyster knives to enjoy them at their freshest.
  • One of the most famous lighthouses in the world is the Phare de Cordouan (Cordouan lighthouse) located at the entrance of the Gironde river at an equidistance of 7 kms, separating the departments of Gironde and Charentes (Latitude: North 45°35'11'' and Longitude: West 1°10'25'' ). .The Cordouan lighthouse was first built in 1584 by Louis DE FOIX and Francois BEUSCHER. The towers were renovated by Teulere in 1862. The tower is 64.8 meter tall and its light can be seen from 21 miles. .A chapel was built on the first floor. Beautiful colored glass decorate the tall windows. King Louis XIV enjoyed spending time in this lighthouse where he had his own bedroom. Today it is called the king bedroom. Although the lighthouse is still operational to guide ships to the entrance of the Gironde river (It is the oldest of the French lighthouses still in activity), it is also a popular tourist destination. In addition to its unique and beautiful architecture, tourists also enjoy fishing from the beach and the hundreds of small tide pools hosting shrimps and crabs. Delicious oysters also grow wild and many visitors bring their oyster knives to enjoy them at their freshest.