And France’s superb train network makes it easy to explore the far corners of this rich, varied country. We’ve highlighted the following journeys because they offer scenic beauty, keep up a vintage heritage or are just plan fabulous. The Dordogne holds two special distinctions – it's the home of many of France's top culinary delights, as well as being a land of fortified villages. Serenity may reign now, but during the Middle Ages, the area was often a battleground because the Dordogne River marked an important strategic frontier between English and French forces during the Hundred Years War.

Terracotta rooftops and honey-colored stone cottages tumble down pine-clad hills, while vineyards crisscross the valleys with olive groves and lavender fields. That’s when you know you’re in Provence, specifically the wonderfully mellow Luberon. Wander from village to hilltop village and lose yourself in the medieval lanes of some of the most gorgeous places in France. Put Bonnieux, Gordes, Ménerbes, Roussillon and Saignon on your list just for starters. Clichés of French style include a beret paired with a horizontally striped sweater (cigarette and baguette accessories depending on the time of day), and one of the classic brands for French knitwear, Saint James, is also a charming little village you can visit. The most famous export, the striped shirt, has a long history: they were uniform for the navy seaman of the North, and the original 1858 design has 21 stripes for each of Napoleon Bonaparte’s victories of war. For a first-hand look at how the sweaters are made, you can get a tour of the Saint James atelier and then leave the shop with your own Breton striped sweater or shirt. 13. Tour the D-Day beaches

November brings plunging temperatures and two public holidays – November 1 and 11 – bring more closures as well as winter hours. But it’s a good time for a city break as prices go down. Sample gastronomic delights at the Annecy Wine and Food Festival or the Beaujolais Nouveau weekend. This 1.2km-long (three-quarters of a mile), beautifully landscaped park spans from Place Masséna to the Théâtre National de Nice, with green spaces, wooden benches, water features and children’s play areas aplenty. Go bar-hopping in Vieux Nice The TGV runs from Geneva to Paris in a little over 4 hours. How to get from Germany to France by train Local tip: Buy a baguette from the boulangerie (bakery) and fill it with Camembert, pâté or charcuterie (cold meats). Finish sweet with macarons, buttery kouign amann (Breton butter cake) or cherries in summer. 6. Mont-St-Michel is a top destination for medieval history buffs

France’s third-largest metropolis, at the confluence of the Rhône and the Saône Rivers in the country’s southeast, Lyon has long been a creative hub. In 1895, brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière shot the first-ever motion-picture reels of workers leaving their photographic-plate factory, La Sortie des Usines Lumières ( Exit of the Lumières Factories). The French capital is likely to be one of your most unforgettable memories of France. Defined by icons like the Eiffel Tower glittering by night, Arc de Triomphe straddling the Champs-Élysées and Sacré-Cœur crowning hilltop Montmartre, Paris is crammed with megastar museums like the Louvre and impressionist-filled Musée d’Orsay; the mansion-housed Musée Carnavalet brings the city’s history to life.Starting from the western edge of the beach town of Cassis, these idyllic coves can only be reached in the simplest of manners – by boat or on foot, following trails through herb-scented pine woodlands and down steep cliff paths. There are regular ferry services to several French ports (including Calais, Cherbourg, Roscoff, Le Havre, Brest and others). Boats also connect the French mainland with offshore islands, the Channel Islands, and Corsica (which is served by frequent ferries from Nice, Toulon and Marseille).

Like other charming port cities of Normandy, Rouen has endured since Roman times and is brimming with medieval architectural charm. Art-aficionados will particularly appreciate the Museum of Beaux-Arts, which offers a range of idyllic landscape paintings, homages to ecclesiastical greatness, and of course Impressionist masterpieces. Best of all: admission is free. If contemporary art is more your speed, Rouen is also known for its street art – follow the map for a glimpse of urban and contemporary art in an ancient city. Stroll alongside Nice’s pebbled beach on the palm-lined Promenade des Anglais almost any time of year, and you’ll see why the glorious French Riviera light drew artists such as Renoir, Picasso and Henri Matisse. It’s worth noting that smaller airports (notably Paris Beauvais, which is used by many budget airlines) are often located some distance from the city center. While there is normally some form of bus or rail link to get you into town, it adds extra time and cost.Musée Masséna is one of the many architectural gems lining the city’s famous Promenade des Anglais and is well worth a visit to delve into Nice’s origins, the history and impact of tourism on the Riviera and the enduring importance of the Carnaval de Nice, which has been delighting locals and visitors alike since 1876. See some of Matisse's greatest artworks Local tip: For authentic local dining experiences, avoid restaurants that tout a menu touristique, or display a sample meal of plastic food on the pavement outside. 2. The Loire Valley's castles are best explored by bike