Although it borders on the Perigord, the Quercy has developed its own character. Set between the rivers Lot and Célé, Cahors, the regional capital, is worth a short stop on your way to many other fascinating sights. You will see villages perched on hilltops like Saint Cirq Lapopie and the beautiful little town of Rocamadour, which used to be an important stop for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostella. Visit the cave of Padirac and its underground river and then, you might go for a short excursion to neighboring Aveyron and see the treasure of Conques and the village of Estaing... On your way to Toulouse, you must stop and see the cathedral of Alby, entirely built of pink sandstone, and don't miss the villages of Cordes-sur-Ciel and Montmirail. Drive through the vineyards of Gaillac and enjoy a stay in Toulouse, one of the most pleasant towns in France. Your journey will end with Carcassone, one of the most beautifully preserved medieval towns in Europe.

When you see a church steeple sticking out over green pastures, alabaster cliffs that reach down to the sea and delightful little fishing villages, you know you're in Normandy! There are so many places to visit in this amazing region! You could start with the abbey of Jumiège, protected on three sides by the Seine, as it meanders across Normandy, or visit medieval Rouen and its famous town-houses. If it's beautiful scenery you're after, you must see the cliffs of Etretat, right across the Channel from the white cliffs of Dover, or walk the beaches where the allies landed on D-day during WW2. Don't miss the Bayeux Tapestry, which is part of UNESCO's Memory Of The World. You might also enjoy a few days at the luxurious turn-of-the-century resort of Deauville and gamble at the casino, or you could visit Honfleur and drive across the Seine on the Pont de Normandie...

The Loire Valley is not just a vast concentration of wonderful sites, it also represents a certain French way of life, a gentler, more pleasurable way. Here you'll find the finest architectural examples of the Renaissance, such as Azay le Rideau, Chambord, Chenonceau, Ussé, Amboise… And if you follow the river, past these famous châteaux, you'll discover its other secrets : beautiful villages like Lavardin and Montsoreau, the historic abbey of Fontevraud, and the famous vineyards of Vouvray, Chinon, Bourgueil. If you like the finer things in life, a trip to the Loire Valley is a once-in-a-life-time experience.