France
Officially the French Republic,is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe,with several overseas regions and territories. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of three countries to have both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. From its shape, it is often referred to in French as l�Hexagone ("The Hexagon"). It is a member of the European Union.
France is the largest country in Western Europe and the third-largest in Europe as a whole. It possesses the second-largest exclusive economic zone in the world. France has been a major power with strong cultural, economic, military, and political influence in Europe and around the world. France has its main ideals expressed in the 18th-century Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, France built the second-largest colonial empire of the time, ruling large portions of first North America and India and then Northwest and Central Africa; Madagascar; Indochina and southeast China; and many Caribbean and Pacific Islands.
France is a developed country,possessing the world's fifth-largest and Europe's second-largest economy by nominal GDP. It is also the world's ninth-largest by GDP at purchasing power parity. France is the wealthiest nation in Europe � and the fourth-wealthiest in the world � in aggregate household wealth.French citizens enjoy a high standard of living, high public education level, and one of the world's longest life expectancies.France has been listed as the world's "best overall health care" provider by the World Health Organization.It is the most-visited country in the world, receiving 79.5 million foreign tourists annually.
Paris
The capital and most populous city of France. It is situated on the River Seine, in the north of the country, at the heart of the �le-de-France region. Within its administrative limits (the 20 arrondissements), the city had 2,234,105 inhabitants in 2009 while its metropolitan area is one of the largest population centres in Europe with more than 12 million inhabitants.
An important settlement for more than two millennia, by the late 12th century Paris had become a walled cathedral city that was one of Europe's foremost centres of learning and the arts and the largest city in the Western world until the turn of the 18th century. Paris was the focal point for many important political events throughout its history, including the French Revolution. Today it is one of the world's leading business and cultural centres, and its influence in politics, education, entertainment, media, science, fashion and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major cities.
Lyon
The city is known for its historical and architectural landmarks and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lyon was historically known as an important area for the production and weaving of silk and in modern times has developed a reputation as the capital of gastronomy in France. It has a significant role in the history of cinema due to Auguste and Louis Lumi�re, who invented the cinematographe in Lyon. The city is also known for its famous light festival 'F�te des Lumi�res' which occurs every 8 December and lasts for four days, earning Lyon the title of Capital of Lights. Legend says that the Virgin Mary saved the city from the plague and, to thank her, a statue was built. On the day it was erected, the whole city was lit by candles that its citizens had put at their windows. The local professional football team, Olympique Lyonnais, has increased Lyon's profile internationally through participation in European football championships.
Economically, Lyon is a major centre for banking as well as for chemical, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries. The city contains a significant software industry with a particular focus on video games, and in recent years has fostered a growing local start-up sector.Lyon also hosts the international headquarters of Interpol, Euronews and International Agency for Research on Cancer. By some measures, Lyon is ranked 2nd in France as an economic centre and convention centre.Lyon was ranked 8th globally and 2nd in France for innovation in 2011.
Rennes
Rennes is not often mentioned on tourist guides but this medium size town is well worth a visit. It has more than 200,000 inhabitants, of whom about 60,000 are students. This gives the town a vibrant nightlife. Some streets, such as the Rue Saint Michel, have only bars on both sides. (The locals actually call "Rue Saint Michel" "la rue de la soif", which means "Street of Thirst"). A stroll down Rue Saint Michel on a Friday or Saturday evening is a very interesting experience indeed. However, if you're really in the mood to "faire la f�te", celebrate or just have fun in other words, the most exciting night on "Rue de la Soif" would be the "Jeudi Soir", Thursday nights, during the school year. Jeudi Soir is the night when bars are most often packed to the brim with students. The sights on Thursday nights out on the town are very memorable and interesting.
Rennes is particularly nice in early July, during the "Festival des Tomb�es de la Nuit". Its streets are then full of people enjoying the free street entertainment and eating or drinking at the terraces of the restaurants and caf�s.
Rennes used to be virtually empty after the 15th of July, as most of its inhabitants were migrating to the coast until the 15th August. In recent years, this trend seems to have stopped and Rennes's terraces and cafes are now bustling throughout the year.
Troyes
Troyes is a commune and the capital of the Aube department in north-central France. It is located on the Seine river about 150 km (93 mi) southeast of Paris. Many half-timbered houses (mainly of the 16th century) survive in the old town. Troyes has been in existence since the Roman era, as Augustobona Tricassium, which stood at the hub of numerous highways, primarily the Via Agrippa
Troyes is located between to Paris, Reimes, Dijon, and Nancy making it an ideal base to explore the Champagne region. There are some lakes a short drive to the east of the city. The local football (soccer) team, Troyes ESTAC, is currently (2012 to 2013 season) in the first French division but they may get sent down. Get tickets in the supporters section if possible as it is the cheapest and most exciting. It is very safe. Troyes has some of the best examples of preserved medieval houses in all of Europe, attracting many tourists. There are many old Churches throughout the city and wandering down the stone cobbled streets can make you feel like you are back in time. Besides this Troyes has some nice parks and squares. The Seine river runs through the city, dividing the downtown area roughly in two, and in nice weather you can sit beside it and sip some coffee.
Versailles
Versailles is a city in the Yvelines d�partement in �le-de-France region, world-widely renowned for its ch�teau, the Ch�teau de Versailles and the gardens of Versailles, designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. According to the 2008 census, the population of the city is 88,641 inhabitants, down from a peak of 94,145 in 1975.
A new town, founded by the will of King Louis XIV, it was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789, before becoming the cradle of the French Revolution. After having lost its status of royal city, it became the pr�fecture (regional capital) of Seine-et-Oise d�partement in 1790, then of Yvelines in 1968, and a Roman Catholic diocese. Versailles is historically known for numerous treaties such as the Treaty of Paris (1783), which ended the American Revolutionary War and the Treaty of Versailles, after World War I.
Located in the western suburbs of the French capital, 17.1 km (10.6 mi) from the centre of Paris, Versailles is in the 21st century a wealthy suburb of Paris with a service based economy and a major touristic destination as well. Besides, the Congress of France - the name given to the body created when both houses of the French Parliament, the National Assembly and the Senate, meet - gathers in the Ch�teau de Versailles to vote on revisions to the Constitution.