When Kosa Pan landed in Brest, he crossed all of western France to reach Versailles. It enabled him todiscover some of the landscapes that make up the richness and diversity of the country which has on its metropolitan territory, equivalent to that of Thailand,a wide variety of natural and urban environments that attract the greatest number of visitors in the world. France has several large natural landscapes on its various seafronts, from the North Sea to the Mediterranean Sea via the Atlantic Ocean. The mountain landscapes are also magnificent. The French Alps have 24 peaks over 4,000 meters high, while the Pyrenees peak at over 3,000 meters. The Massif central inAuvergne counts no less than 80 volcanoes, fortunately no longer active! The French forests are home to fauna and flora that represent a compendium of European biodiversity. Certain rural and agricultural landscapes such as the Norman bocage, the vineyards, whichare found in many regions, and the lavender fields of Provence are often specific to France. The urban and monumental heritage, some emblematic examples of which are represented here, such as French gardens and rural villages are just as emblematic. Landscapes generally go hand in hand with terroirs where the history of Frenchgastronomy is rooted. Some culinary specialties are therefore represented on the central menu. Will you recognize some of them ?
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Among the known seashore landscapes, count the Chalk cliffs and the Marne cliffs of Cape Blanc-Nez, near Calais and the Dinan Point in Brittany, this rocky outcrop with its caves and natural arches.
The forest of Fontainebleau is for the Parisians a place of walk and climbing.
The Landes forest, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, is the largest maritime pine forest in Europe.
The Verneau is a mostly underground river in the Jura region of France that gushes out in multiple waterfalls.
The rocky walls of the Gavarnie Circle, in the Pyrenees, are nearly 1,500 meters high.
Less than 30 km from the volcanoes of the Chaîne des Puys is the meander of Queuille, an impressive loop in the course of the river.
The bocage, where meadows are separated by hedges of shrubs, is typical of the western regions.
The vineyards of Champagne are famous for their sparkling wine.
The lavender of Provence is harvested in summer for its particular perfume.
The parterres of the Orangery and the water room of the Swiss at the Castle of Versailles are an example of French garden,
The Castle of Collioure and the tower of La Parata overlook the Mediterranean.
Nestled in the heart of the Correze countryside, Collonges La Rouge is one of the most beautiful villages in France.
The watchtowers of the Couverts Bridge guard Strasbourg.
The harbor of Brest and the Old Port of La Rochelle are sheltered from the Atlantic storms.
The Canal du Midi links Toulouse to the Mediterranean Sea.