A region situated at the crossroads of Europe, Alsace is a frontier land that is both open to the world and attached to its own traditions. Although the Rhine now separates Alsace (and thereby France) from Germany, the border has moved many times: the region has changed hands 17 times in 20 centuries – but has never lost its soul! Today, its strength of character makes it stand proud as the central region of Europe. Alsace is a land of traditions (a large number of its inhabitants still speak Alsatian), and one notably renowned for its cuisine. Its proud list of culinary excellence includes choucroute , foie gras en croûte and kougelhopf – all best enjoyed with a glass of Alsace wine. Strongly influenced by its industrial activity, it's a dynamic region which has managed to preserve its architectural heritage, both in its villages and its larger cities – and notably in Strasbourg or Colmar, departure points along the wines route where the famous vineyards climb up slopes towards the Vosges, wrapping around fortified châteaux and villages with their colourful houses.

The home of Champagne – the wine synonymous with celebration – could only be welcoming. Accept its invitation to feast your eyes and taste buds! The baptism of Clovis in Rheims, a key event in the history of Champagne-Ardenne, launched a long-lasting tradition of anointing the kings of France in the city. Rheims was made famous by its cathedral, included on the Unesco World Heritage list – as are the Palais de Tau and the Saint-Rémi basilica and museum, monuments that stand with a large number of Norman buildings and the region's imposing fortified constructions. This wealth of architectural heritage is enhanced by natural surroundings that are just perfect for active leisure pursuits – whether on foot, by bicycle or on the water of the great lakes. A large number of special circuits have been put in place to let you enjoy the environment to the full! What's more, Champagne-Ardenne has a real gift for fine food: Ardennes ham, Rethel boudin blanc , Haute-Marne truffles and Langres and Chaource cheeses are just some of the items on the mouth-watering list of local produce: try them in one of the region's 350 restaurants!

Corsica , the ‘island of beauty' with its contrasting colours: blue like the vast sea, dark green like its laricio pines. Ochre like its Genoese towers and red like its creeks… Corsica , a land of passion. Its lush natural environment changes in the space of a few kilometres from towering mountains to wild beaches or the rocks of the coast. Swim out through the warm, azure blue waters to the anemones and coral reefs! Cross the ten turbulent torrents, past wild pigs, impenetrable scrub, a chestnut forest and, very likely, a baroque church with an exuberant décor inherited from a long-gone conqueror. For Corsica has had an eventful history: it was occupied by the Romans, then by the republics of Pisa and Genoa before becoming a French territory in 1769. All of Corsica 's invaders have fallen head over heels in love with it, gifting it with the best of their respective cultures and civilizations. It's an established fact: no-one can resist Corsica 's charm – and nor will you.

Between the Vosges and the Jura, Franche-Comté is one of those regions where the living – and the natural surroundings – are second-to-none. Franche-Comté is a land of water, forests of pine and spruce and unspoilt wide open spaces – the Haut Jura and Ballons des Vosges regional nature reserves are perfect examples. It's also the setting for a large number of open-air activities, winter sports, water sports or aerial pursuits… The environment is unstinting, and men have accepted its gifts and created remarkable products: Comté cheeses, charcuterie from the traditional farms, Jura wines and more… Franche-Comté is the historic crossroads of a long list of influences, as seen in the character of its towns and the weight of its cultural heritage: Saline Royale in Arc-et-Senans, a masterpiece of industrial architecture from the Enlightenment, included on the Unesco World Heritage list; the Chapelle de Ronchamp by Le Corbusier, with its modern architecture; the Vauban's major military constructions at Besançon, Salins or Belfort – to say nothing of the many châteaux, churches and abbeys…

Surrounding the city of Paris is the region of Ile-de-France, a green land where the living is good – a region full of energy.  Of course, there will always be Paris – the powerhouse of its dynamic region. But don't overlook the rest of Ile-de-France: it's a charming area with many different aspects. From the Chevreuse, Yvette or Essonne valleys with their pretty villages to the inviting forests at Rambouillet, Saint-Germain or Fontainebleau, Ile-de-France is a natural paradise.

It's also an inspirational region where you walk in the footsteps of famous artists who were charmed by its light and atmosphere: at Barbizon, so dear to landscape painters; at Nogent-sur-Marne or Auvers-sur-Oise, home of the Impressionists… Ile-de-France is a land of heritage with a long list of fascinating cultural sites – Versailles, Vaux-le-Vicomte, the Saint-Denis basilica and more. And ultimately, it's a meeting place which concentrates all the talent of the French lifestyle.

Lorraine is proud of its strategic position at the border of Belgium , Luxembourg and Germany. Lorraine stands at the crossroads of Europe 's major routes, and has been subjected to invasions and the passage of many armies over the centuries – at places like Verdun , which today is home to the Centre Mondial de la Paix . Lorraine 's turbulent history is matched by a cultural heritage of the very first order: it includes the Metz cathedral with its stained glass by Chagall; and the Place Stanislas (included on the Unesco World Heritage list) in Nancy , the birthplace of Art Nouveau , made famous by the artists Gallé, Daum or Majorelle. The region has three nature reserves – of which one is a Unesco Réserve Mondiale de la Biosphère – the Vosges mountains and lakes: popular settings for sport. Other healthy and replenishing activities take place in the thermal resorts of Vittel, Contrexéville and Bains-les-Bains. And what's more, for lovers of fine food, Lorraine has its own delicious cuisine inspired by the riches of its local produce.

A region of festivities and human warmth where joie de vivre is a communal affair. Because the sun appears less often here than in the south, some people think of Nord-Pas de Calais as a gloomy region. They have clearly never paid it a visit: it's probably one of the jolliest regions in France , and always ready to celebrate. Parades, carnivals, fairs and fanfares – good habits endure in this land of memory, bristling with belfries. To get the right feel for the region's spirit, you need to join the crowd during the great collective celebrations, and share their meals based on seafood – the famous moules-frites , the traditional waterzoï (a court-bouillon of fish and chicken) – washed down with some of the local beer. It's a lively region where tradition is part of daily life – a region open to the major capitals cities of Europe such a short distance away!

France itself was born in this northern province between the Marne and the Somme – for it was here that the Franks – ancestors of the French – set up home. A land of culture, the cradle of Gothic art and an unspoiled environment: Picardy is a treasure-trove of art and natural beauty. Its cathedrals at Beauvais , Amiens , Senlis, Laon or Noyon illustrate the rise of Gothic art as it spread across France and Europe . The charm of its small Medieval town of Senlis or the riches of the châteaux at Pierrefonds, Coucy, Chantilly, Bagatelle and Compiègne, surrounded by magnificent gardens, parks and forests set a nostalgic mood that's enhanced during festivals, son et lumières shows and Picardy games. Another pleasure inherited from the past – that of good food – is assiduously cultivated: ficelle picarde , salt meadow lamb, gâteau battu and other abundant products of the generous environment. Picardy produce has what it takes to give the most demanding gourmet an appetite!

poitou-charentes

The Poitou-Charentes region has a magnificent coastline – and is one of the finest destinations for countryside holidays. The region's reputation is closely linked to cognac – the superb, refined, locally-produced spirit. Poitou-Charentes is a land of tradition, where skills are passed on from generation to generation: its inhabitants know how to wait for a good product to mature – and they also know how to take the time to enjoy life and to welcome guests. Warm and receptive, the region is always delighted to share its riches, both natural – the bucolic Marais Poitevin, the coastal edge lined with charming little islands – and cultural. It has a Norman heritage of the first order, visible in the churches at Aulnay, Saint-Savin (which contains the finest Norman frescoes in France), Talmont, Chauvigny and Melle, and in the towns of Saintes or Poitiers . It's a land attached to its customs which also looks to the future – as proved by the success of Futuroscope just outside Poitiers !