Lille - north of France

To many people thinks that Lille sounds like a boring, industrial, coal mining town.
Are they in for a suprise! Lille has got a vey nice historic centre
with old houses and mansions that look like those of Brussels or Amsterdam,
Although the North of France still suffers high unemployemnt rates, this region is getting back to its feet. Lille is becoming an important regional hub again
with fast trains connecting it to Brussels, Paris and London.
Lille has been designated a "European City of Culture" for 2004.

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Epernay - north of France

Épernay is a commune in the Marne department in northern France.
Épernay is located 88 miles ENE of Paris on the main
line of the Eastern railway to Strasbourg.
The town is situated on the left bank of the Marne
at the extremity of the pretty Cubryvalley which crosses it.

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Dunkerque - north of France

Dunkerque is a small town in the northernmost tip of France.
It is very close to the border with Belgium
and is actually located on the shores of the North Sea.
Dunkerque’s cultural heritage is illustrated by the wide variety of resources and events: museums, cinemas, theatre, conference centre, cafes with live music, festivals, architectural and historic sites and, of course, the Carnival.
For two months (late January to early March), Dunkerque celebrates the festival that once gave a cheerful send-off to fishermen sailing north to fish
in the dangerous icy waters round Iceland.
Each weekend a different group holds a procession, with crowds of carnival revellers led by a band, and featuring visiting "giants" such as the Scandinavian warrior Reuze Papa
and his wife from Cassell. In the evenings each group holds a lively ball.
Colourful Flemish tradition dates back to the Counter-Reformation in the early 16th century.
It came from Spain and Portugal, when Flanders was part of the Spanish Netherlands.
The Catholic church set out to encourage popular expressions
of piety to ward off the threat of Protestantism.
Large figures were carried in annual religious processions to mark occasions such as the day cock of the town's patron saint.
Most were biblical figures like Goliath or St. Christopher, and they gradually acquired various attendants in masks and costumes.
Each town has a voluntary association, which keeps up the tradition, looks after and repairs the giant figure, and provides the bearers and attendants who accompany
the giant as he or she dances through the streets - while bands play a special giants' tune.
The giants were traditionally made of flexible wickerwork
and they could actually dance with the music of the procession.
Seven hundred hectares of dunes, 15 kilometres of beaches
and a recognised sailing resort make the Flanders coast an increasingly popular seaside resort for tourists who can find quality activities and entertainment all year round.
More than a hundred sports clubs mean you can practice virtually any sport, with excellent facilities.
The availability of plentiful amenities and the organising
of regular international events bear witness to Dunkerque’s sporting dynamism

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Fontainebleau - France

Fontainebleau, a lovely historical town located to the south of Paris, France.
It is renowned for its large and scenic forest of Fontainebleau
the largest state forest in France, covering an area of 50,000 acres.
The town is enriched with a population of 17,000 people enclosed by an area of 175 square kilometers.
Fontainebleau is a favorite weekend getaway for Parisians.
It is also famous for the historical palace
Chateau de Fontainebleau and INSEAD, one of the world’s best business schools.
Inhabitants of Fontainebleau are called Bellifontains.
In spite of a large number of tourists visiting every day
the town retained its old world charm and ancient looks which makes it an attractive French town.
As we enter into the Fontainebleau palace from the town, there is an attractive royal gate which leads to the palace grounds.
Then comes the horse shoe shaped staircase which leads into the palace.
The palace is the largest French royal building
which is arranged around a series of courtyards and parks.
It is also known as the dictionary of architecture.
One of the several attractive buildings to be found
in the centre of France is the Fontainebleau church which is located in the town’s main street.
The town of Fontainebleau can be easily reached
from the centre of the Paris as there are number of trains from
Gar De Lyon station.

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