Angers, located 191 miles south-west of Paris and the capital of the historic province of Anjou, is considered one of the most beautiful cities in France.

Beaune is the capital of Burgundy's wine country, with walled fortifications and innumerable shops. The area around Beaune, the Côte de Beaune, is known for its Burgundy wines, and Beaune is known for its annual wine sales organized by the Hospices de Beaune. The Hôtel-Dieu of the Hospices de Beaune, a hospital from the Middle Ages (now a museum) that was built in 1443 to care for the sick and starving.

for its annual wine sales organized by the Hospices de Beaune. The Hôtel-Dieu of the Hospices de Beaune, a hospital from the Middle Ages (now a museum) that was built in 1443 to care for the sick and starving.

Situated on the banks of the Orne, the port of Caen suffered great damage in the 1944 invasion of Normandy. Nearly three-quarters of its buildings, 10,000 in all, were destroyed, though the twin abbeys founded by William the Conqueror and his wife Mathilda were spared. The city today is essentially modern and has many broad avenues and new apartment buildings.

abbeys founded by William the Conqueror and his wife Mathilda were spared. The city today is essentially modern and has many broad avenues and new apartment buildings.

Traces of human settlement have been found on the site of Carcassonne La Cite that date back to 600 BC. Carcassonne has an entire city that is a castle, in La Cite, the fortified upper city. These massive ramparts atop a hill provide broad views of the lower city below. In Carcassonne, visitors stroll along the cobblestone streets, browsing shops selling Medieval wares, or nibbling on the classic peasant stew cassoullet at various cafes.

massive ramparts atop a hill provide broad views of the lower city below. In Carcassonne, visitors stroll along the cobblestone streets, browsing shops selling Medieval wares, or nibbling on the classic peasant stew cassoullet at various cafes.

Chateau de Chambord is the largest in the Loire Valley, enclosing in iitself 85 staircases, 440 rooms and a chimney for every day of the year. It was designed by the Italian architect Domenico de Cortona in 1519, although some say that da Vinci had a hand in it too.

Cortona in 1519, although some say that da Vinci had a hand in it too.

The 16th-century Chateau de Chenonceau spans the River Cher and its most famous feature is the arches across the river.

Monaco, a second smallest country in the world after the Vatican, is a tiny, hilly wedge driven into the French Mediterranean coast; it is 9 miles east of Nice, France. Monaco, an ancient principality steeped in a rich and colorful history, is considered by many to be Europe's most fascinating country. Though the Principality covers but one square mile, it stands as a proud monarchy with his Serene Highness Prince Rainier III as its head of state.

steeped in a rich and colorful history, is considered by many to be Europe's most fascinating country. Though the Principality covers but one square mile, it stands as a proud monarchy with his Serene Highness Prince Rainier III as its head of state.

Mont St. Michel was built between the 11th and 16th centuries. Perched on a rocky islet in the midst of vast sandbanks exposed to powerful tides between Normandy and Brittany stands a Gothic-style Benedictine abbey dedicated to the archangel St. Michael, and the village that grew up in the shadow of its great walls.

Benedictine abbey dedicated to the archangel St. Michael, and the village that grew up in the shadow of its great walls.

Nice is a major tourist centre and a leading resort on the French Riviera - Côte d'Azur.

Paris is the capital and largest city of France. A city of world importance and the business, historic, intellectual, diplomatic, religious, educational, artistic, and tourist center of France, Paris owes its prosperity in large part to its favorable position on the Seine, which has been a major commercial artery since the Roman period.

owes its prosperity in large part to its favorable position on the Seine, which has been a major commercial artery since the Roman period.

Reims, an ancient Roman city, was important at the time Caesar conquered Gaul. French kings came here to be crowned at the Notre-Dame de Reims, and it's said that the French nation was born here in A.D. 498. Most visitors come to Reims because it's the center of a wine-growing district whose bubbly is present at celebrations all over the world.

A.D. 498. Most visitors come to Reims because it's the center of a wine-growing district whose bubbly is present at celebrations all over the world.

A medieval town, Rouen was designed by the Viking Rollo just after he became Duke of Normandy in 911. It was later captured by the English in 1419, bore witness to the execution of Joan of Arc in 1431, and was won back by the French in 1449.

1431, and was won back by the French in 1449.

Various photographs from many towns along our route.

Versailles, at the time of Louis XIII was no more than a modest hunting lodge. The creation of the great castle was due to Louis XIV who abandoned the Louvre to build a royal palace. In 1789, the royal family finally returned to Paris. In 1837, Louis-Philippe decided to convert it as the museum of French History.

royal family finally returned to Paris. In 1837, Louis-Philippe decided to convert it as the museum of French History.