Across The Planet » France

Courchevel – winter playground of the rich and famous!

Hellas — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:25:00 +0000

Courchevel is French ski resort known as one of the main destinations for rich and wealthy people, especially the Russians. It is located in Savoie region of the French Alps. To the rest of the world is connected over airport and highways. Courchevel 1850 is town located in the area and it got his name to compete with the Val d”Isère. Interesting thing is Courchevele airport is one of the smallest airports in the world with very dangerous landing route, so only best pilots can handle it. Courchevel is listed as one of the best world ski resorts by the Best In Life webpage.

Here are breathtaking images of Courchevel scenery:

South France Calanques

Hellas — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 11:14:45 +0000

While reading some stuff on the South of France site, I found this magnificent rock formations that occupy region between the Marseille and Cassis in France called Calanques. They are 20 km long and maybe 4 km wide and are one of the great tourist attractions in Mediterranean France. Actually Calanque is deep valley with high rocky sides. Something like fjords and they are probably trails of ancient rivers.
Calanques in France are very special; they offer a magnificent views and panoramas. Also they are popular among the rock climbers who used them for trainings… Calanques are also home for Cosquer Cave. Most of Calanques are closed for public over the summer since high risk of forest fire exists. Because of that rule best time to visit them is from March to May. Calanques have specific ecosystem, almost without soil and water. Tourist usually takes boat trips or hiking trip through the premarked trails. Here are the breathtaking pictures (taken from escalade-calanques.com, wikipedia and pierrepisano.fr).

Verdon Gorge

Hellas — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:54:35 +0000

When people think about gorges in Europe, usually first one they think off is Verdon Gorge. Verdon Gorge is located in south-eastern France in region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. For detailed orientation check the map of France. It is formed by the Verdon River and is second largest gorge in the world with over 25 km in length and depths up to 700 meters. Since it is very close to Côte d’Azur (French Riviera), canyon is very popular among the tourist, who can rent kayaks, hike or drive around with the car. There are 5 dams on the river which are significant producer of electric energy for the France.
Popular sightings are The Imbut, funnel where Verdon disappear under the rocks, The Styx Du Verdon, sub-canyon within the canyon. Climbing, hiking, paragliding, canoeing rafting, climbing are very popular in the area, so as fly fishing. Check this beautiful scenery:

Eiffel tower

Hellas — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:50:29 +0000

Eiffel tower is maybe one of the most attractive travel locations on the world. Wonder of design and architecture, the Eiffel Tower, is located in City of light – Paris. The world most famous tower is built by Gustave Eiffel in now far year of 1889. The Eiffel tower was for a many years the tallest building in the world until 1930 when Chrysler building overpassed it. More then 200 million people visited it since construction ended and over 6 million people visit it only in 2006. These visits made Eiffel tower the most visited monument in the world. Eiffel tower is 325 m tall. Metal structure of Eiffel tower is 7300 tonnes weight and if you count non metal components then weight is almost 10000 tonnes. Two first levels are accesible by stairways and lifts. Every few years is needed more then 50 tonnes of paint to protect the tower from rust. On Eiffel tower Gustav engraved 72 names of French engineers and scientists. There is two restaurants on tower… Here are as usual few pictures

Construction