The history of Lorraine is intertwined with that of its neighbour Alsace. Both have been the subjects of constant wars between France and Germany, spanning over a few centuries.
Read MoreThe caves of Lascaux, in France, contain some of the earliest known representational art, dating to between 17,000 and 15,000 years before the present.
These Paleolithic cave paintings consist mostly of realistic images of large animals, most of which are known from fossil evidence to have lived in the area at the time. The other common theme of the paintings is outlines of the human hand.
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The Basques are an indigenous people who inhabit parts of both Spain and France. They are found predominantly in four provinces in Spain and three in France. This area is to be found around the western edge of the Pyrenees on the coast of the Bay of Biscay.
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What you need to know:
Read MoreArguably, the world's best wines are produced here. A trip to the Bordeaux region is not only a feast on the palate, it is the ultimate experience in history, gastronomy, culture, all rolled into a cholestorol-ladden, calorie-rich, unforgettable culinary moment.
Read MoreThe Atlantic coastline Billing itself as the "other South of France", the Aquitaine has plenty to offer those who visit it. Stretching some 200 km long, the coastline is, and has always been, the dominant physical feature of the region. Let's start with the pristine beaches: […]
Read MoreThe religious wars began with overt hostilities in 1562 and lasted until the Edict of Nantes in 1598. It was warfare that devastated a generation, although conducted in rather desultory, inconclusive way. Although religion was certainly the basis for the conflict, it was much more than a confessional dispute.
“Une foi, un loi, un roi”
Read MoreVercingetorix (died 46 BC), chieftain of the Arverni, led the great Gallic revolt against the Romans in 53 and 52 BC. His name in Gaulish means “over-king” (ver-rix) of warriors (cingetos).
As described in Julius Caesar’s Gallic_Wars, Rome had secured domination over the Celtic tribes beyond the Provincia Narbonensis (modern day Provence) through a careful strategy of divide and conquer. Vercingetorix ably unified the tribes, adopted the policy of retreating to natural fortifications, and undertook an early example of scorched_earth methods by burning the towns to prevent the Roman legions from living off the land.
Read MoreThe Albigensian Crusade (1209-1229) was part of the Roman Catholic Church’s efforts to crush the Cathars.
The Cathars were especially numerous in southern France, in the region of Languedoc. They were termed Albigensians because of the movements presence in and around the city of Albi. Political control in Languedoc was split amongst many local lords and town councils, the area was relatively lightly oppressed and reasonably advanced.
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