Alsace is the smallest region of metropolitan France. It is almost four times longer than it is wide, corresponding to a plain between the Rhine in the east and the Vosges mountains in the west. It borders Germany on the north and the east, Switzerland and Franche-Comté on the south, and Lorraine on the west.

Aquitaine (French: Aquitaine; Alsatian/German: Aquitanien) From the flat, sandy plains and pine forests of the Landes to the beautiful lagoon of the Bassin d’Arcachon... Aquitaine is immensely diverse. The region's attractive centre, Bordeaux, is one of the best and most established wine growing regions in France. Brandy lovers are catered for too, in the mediaeval town of Cognac.

Auvergne (French: Auvergne; Alsatian/German: Auvergne) encompasses much of the Massif Central, is perhaps the least known and most remote région of France. With two large spectacular national parks - the dramatic Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne and its tamer neighbour the Parc Naturel Régional des Livradois-Forez - it is almost entirely unspoiled and is the largest environmentally protected area of France.

At the north-western tip of France, Brittany stretches its arms into the Atlantic. The wind-swept region lives to the rhythm of tides and winds, with its own language and legends to boot. The people are Bretons first, rather than French, Celtic rather than Latin, and proud of their difference.

Burgundy, this central region of France, is known most famously for its wines but it is also a great touring area. The ancient Roman ruins are evidence of its long history, and the many Romanesque churches reflect its past as the most powerful region of France under the Dukes of Burgundy.

Playground of the Kings of France for many centuries, the Loire Valley is home to some of the most impressive castles anywhere in the world. Their sheer concentration along the banks of the Loire makes this a favorite destination for visitors to France who enjoy the impressive display of royal whims and the region's rich and varied food and wines.

Bordered by Belgium to the north, the Paris Basin to the east, Lorraine to the west and Burgundy to the south, Champagne-Ardenne links two famous areas of France into a single administrative district, one of the 22 that make up the country.

Corsica (French: Corse; Alsatian/German: Korsika) is one of the truly last unspoiled corners of the Mediterranean and has grudgingly relinquished little of itself to developers. The wild unspoilt interior with its dense shrubland complements the sandy beaches and rocky coves of the coastline.

(French: Franche-Comte; Alsatian/German: Offen-Graf) This a region of mountains, woods, plateaus, lakes, waterfalls and pastures and is renowned for its natural beauty. Probably one of the least explored regions in France, there are opportunities for canoeing and hiking.

The Ile-de-France region includes the city of Paris and the surrounding area. It is one of the smallest regions geographically, covering only 2% of the total area of France, but its 11 million inhabitants, represent almost 19% of the French population, making Ile-de-France one of the most densely populated urban areas in Europe.

The Languedoc Roussillon stretches along the Mediterranean to provide a fantastic climate and a coastal setting. The Languedoc Roussillon produces wine in abundance - it has the largest production of any area in Europe. Running through the centre is the atmospheric Canal du Midi, which snakes for 240km from the River Garonne at Toulouse to the Mediterranean at Agde. The region also benefits from several national parks and the peaks of Pyrenees, tackled over the last century by the hardy riders of the Tour de France.

Hilly, wooded and wet, The Limousin is an ideal area for the pasture of the famous Limousin breed of cattle. The region stretches south to the Dordogne valley, taking in Brive and Tulle. The jewel in Limousin's crown is the countryside and particularly the area around the Plateau de Millevaches where walkers, cyclists and other outdoor sports enthusiasts can enjoy the rugged terrain.

Lorraine borders Luxembourg, Germany and Belgium to the North. The elegant eighteenth century town of Nancy is well worth a visit, as are the cathedral city and provincial capital Metz and the World War I battlefields near Verdun.

Situated in the heart of south-west France, Midi-Pyrénées is one of the largest regions in the country, with a landscape of ancient towns, villages, castles, Romanesque churches and an inexhaustible history. Its extensive agriculture makes it a region of farmers and peasants, producing a variety of crops.

Nord-Pas-de-Calais' coast is at the narrowest stretch of La Manche (the English Channel), the closest to the white cliffs of Dover. Sandy beaches can be found at Sangatte and Wissant and, dig deeper into the countryside, and you'll find lovely woodland, river valleys, market gardens, fine golf courses and pretty villages.

Lower Normandy is located on the north-west coast of France, just to the south-west of neighbouring Upper Normandy. The seaside towns and resorts of the region's coast are very popular with day-tripping Parisians, as well as Britons making the short hop across the Channel.

Normandy, Upper (French: Haute Normandie; Alsatian/German: Hohe Normandie). Known for it's rivers, forests, green fields and orchards Upper Normandy is worth a visit not only for the scenery but also the food. The Dieppe markets have rich offerings such as local cheeses, cream, cider and pear brandy. Upper Normandy's history is closely connected to that of William the Conqueror.

The Loire (French: Pays-de-la-Loire; Alsatian/German: Land der Loire). The Loire region is rich in both history and architecture. Like the river Loire, this vast region runs through the heart of French life. Its sophisticated cities, luxuriant landscape and magnificent food and wine make it a favourite with tourists and UNESCO, who have awarded it af World Heritage Site title.

Less than an hour from Calais, beautiful Picardy is where the real France begins. Bordering the Isle de France and the Champagne region, it is close enough to the UK for weekend breaks. With dozens of charming towns and villages, a myriad tourist sites and wide variety of landscapes.

Famed for its Romanesque churches, Poitou-Charentes formed a significant stretch of the mediaeval pilgrim routes across France and from the UK and other European countries. Today, the inland towns of Angouleme and the province's capital, Poitiers, are memorable for their exquisite vesitages of the Roman Empire, with the countryside around Saintes and Poitiers being home to some of the finest churches in France.

It's not difficult to see why so many people want to live in this région. The climate and quality of life are among the best in France. The landscape of inland Provence is alluring with stunning rock formations and rich coloured dazzling soils

Rhône-Alpes, just north of Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur, is in south-east France and shares its eastern borders with Italy and Switzerland. The région, and particularly the départements Savoie and Haute-Savoie, is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the country.