Art, literature, fashion, philosophy, cuisine - which other country can claim such a rich heritage of the finer things in life?

From tortured intellectuals to virtuoso chefs, deep thinkers to heroic drinkers, the French are masters of many arts, and their reputation is a proud creature which feeds upon itself - and thrives.

Beyond the glittering lights of Paris, handsome, lively cities and pretty little villages punctuate the land's lush rolling landscapes, from the rugged Atlantic coastline to the sun-drenched shores of the Med.