The dining culture - Heralded as the culinary capital of the world, eating well is part of the French national identity. A typical day might look something like this: croissants and coffee in the morning, freshly baked baguettes and french cheese for brunch, a full 3-course meal from the menu du jour for lunch, and for diner another 3-course meal with cheese and wine.

The pastries - Croissants, eclairs, macaroons, Mille-feuille, Tarte tatin - the list of native french delights goes on. With an estimated near 2,000 bakeries in Paris alone, there's ample opportunity to sample the pastry culture that has the world raving.

Wandering in Paris - Paris is one of the most beautiful cities on the planet, so if you plan to visit France, make some time to explore this stunning place. By far the best way to experience the city is to go by foot, wandering the many back-alleys, side streets and secluded courtyards that give the city it's charm and character.

The shopping - From majestic department stores, to quirky pop-up boutiques, nowhere can quite match the french when it comes to a stylish and unique shopping experience. Historic department stores like the Bon Marche and the Bazaar de L'Hotel De Ville attract millions of visitors each year, not just for the chic designer brands available, but for the ambience and heritage of the buildings. Annual sales held during January and at the end of June offer unbelievable bargains, so if you plan to do some serious shopping in France, these are the best months to go.

Getting around - Especially in Paris, pubic transport is readily available and easy to use. By far the best mode of transport in the big cities is the metro service. It's clean, efficient, easy to use and very affordable. What's more, in Paris the metro lines spider-web the whole city, so you're never likely to be more than 600meters from a metro station.

The perfect start to a tour of Europe - Bordering Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Spain, France is the perfect place to start a grand tour of Europe. What's more, the country's extensive rail network which radiates out from Paris, makes rail travel a comfortable, efficient and sustainable way of seeing France and the rest of Europe. What's more, most of the country's rail network is run by the SNFC which is valid under the legendary interrail pass. If you're planning a tour of Europe using the interrail pass, check out our interrail travel insurance page for more tips on getting proper insurance.

The diversity - Where else can you find mediterranean beaches, alpine ski resorts, tranquil woodlands and sophisticated cities? It's small wonder that France is the no.1 most visited country on the planet!