Ajaccio, Corsica island (France)
Ajaccio is a resort located in the southwest of the island of Corsica. This major port was founded by the Genoese; the main sea routes of the Mediterranean passed through it. But, first of all, the city is famous for the fact that Napoleon was born here on August 15, 1769, so his spirit is felt in everything. The house-museum on Piazza Letizia is the main attraction of the city, where the parents of the great emperor lived, where he spent his childhood. Monuments to Napoleon can be seen in any part of the city. On Place Foch in the “Fountain of the Four Lions”, among the marble predators, he appears majestic in the manner of a Roman emperor. The monument rises on the Place Austerlitz. There, on a high pyramid, stands the invariable image of Napoleon – the emperor in full dress uniform. The dates of the commander’s memorable battles are engraved on smooth slabs at the foot of the pyramid.
In every Ajaccio store you will find many postcards, figurines, T-shirts and posters with his image. The tomb of the Bonaparte family is located in a chapel near the palace of Cardinal Fesch. Now this palace is a famous museum of painting.
In addition to sightseeing, you can sunbathe on the beaches located near Ajaccio and swim in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Some of them are adapted for setting up tents and have ready-made fire pits.
Val-de-Isère (France)
The resort of Val de Isere and the nearby Tignes are combined into one area of Espace Killy. Here you can ski both in winter and in summer, as the Pissaya glacier is located on the territory of the region. About 100 lifts connect these resorts with each other. The height of Val de Isere is -1850 m above sea level, the highest point in its area is 3650 m. It is considered one of the best places for middle-class skiers. The slopes here are wide, smooth, long, with good and even snow cover. However, this resort is quite expensive. In Tina, there is expanse for professionals. There are many “black runs” and off-piste skiing is practiced. There is a halfpipe for snowboarders. There are practically no trails for beginners.
Courchevel (France)
Courchevel is located in the center of the Tarentaise Valley. The elevation difference in this area is from 1030 to 1850 m. At each level, skiers have direct access to skiing in the Three Valleys area. A single subscription gives access to 195 lifts.
Courchevel is a very expensive resort. For beginners, the Pralonne and Bellecott slopes are suitable, the average level is represented by slopes in the La Wiselle area, and the main “black” slopes depart from Solir station. Courchevel is remarkable not only for the variety of tracks and routes, there are many expensive boutiques and sports shops, excellent restaurants.
Lille (France)
Lille is located in northern France near the river Döl. It is the administrative center of the Nord department. Once it was the city of the Flemish clothiers. In 1667 it was captured by Louis XIV. In honor of this event, he ordered the erection of a triumphal arch, fortress walls and a citadel, which can still be seen today. Then in 1708 Lille was recaptured by the Dutch and returned to France in 1713 under the terms of the Peace of Utrecht. In total, the city survived 11 conquests, but the Flemish influence is most clearly felt in it.
At the entrance to the city, another 50 km away, you can see the city bell tower of Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille Cathedral, whose height is 105 m. Church utensils of the XII century are stored in the crypt of the cathedral. Old Lille rich with interesting streets and museums. Its center is the Grand Place, a pleasant place for walking. Next to the square is the Old Exchange, built by the Spanish king. It was the center where the Flemish merchants traded their famous high quality clothing. Also in the old part of the city, Gothic chapels and chapels of the 13th century have been preserved; the churches of Saint-Catherine (XVI-XVIII centuries), Saint-Etienne (XVII century), Sacré Coeur, Notre-Dame-de-Victoire, a military hospital of the XVII century, residential buildings of the XV-XVIII centuries.
Definitely worth visiting the Museum of Fine Arts, the second museum in the country in terms of size and wealth of the presented collection after the Louvre; Museum of Modern Art, Natural History Museum of Lille, Charles de Gaulle House Museum.
Interestingly, the famous Lille metro “le Val” is the first city metro without a driver. In Lille, a huge fair of antiques
opens for several days, which is the largest fair of its kind in Europe. At this time, the counters occupy all the central streets of the city, behind them there are more than 10,000 sellers, and the length of the shopping arcade is almost 100 km.
Lyon (France)
According to All City Codes, Lyon was built by the Romans in 43 BC. and was originally called Lungdunum. In 1998, UNESCO recognized it as the Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The city is located in the valley of the Rhone River, in its vicinity the Saone River flows into the Rhone. Thanks to this position, Lyon became a major river port in France.
Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) – the oldest of the quarters of the city. All buildings in the area belong to the Renaissance. It consists of three areas: St. Heat, St. Paul and St. George. Here is the Cathedral of Saint-Jar with the famous astronomical clock. The construction of the cathedral lasted from the 11th to the 14th century, and the clock is the oldest working clock in the world. Over Old Lyon rises the Fourviere hill, which can be reached by funicular. At its top stands the Notre Dame temple, built in the Rococo style. From here you have a beautiful view of the city. On the southern slope of the hill there is a museum of the Gallo-Roman civilization, where all the finds from the Rhone River valley dating back to the era of the Roman Empire are collected. Near the museum are two of the most ancient Roman amphitheaters. Now they not only remind of the ancient history of the city, but are also used for concerts and cultural events.
There are many museums in Lyon worth visiting – this is the Museum of Fine Arts with a rich collection of paintings, sculptures and art products, the Museum of Fabrics, the Museum of Decorative Arts.
Lyon – the birthplace of the Lumiere brothers, who were the first in the world to shoot a film on film. The institute, named after these brothers, the Lumiere Institute, tells about the history of cinematography.
The center of fashion and social life in Lyon is the Presqu’ile district – a strip of land between the Rhone and Saone rivers. The most luxurious shops are located on its streets. A place called Terreaux is famous for its restaurants, bars and cafes. On the Comedy Square is the building of the National Opera. The commercial life of Lyon boils to the east of the river Rhone. There is an airport and a high-speed railway station here.