France

You may not have heard of Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis just yet, but the enormous success the cinematic comedy has garnered in France this year so far points to global domination pretty soon too.In April the charming movie became the most successful in the country of all time, smashing box office records and grossing astonishing amounts of money.Now you can join the legions of French film fans who are journeying to the quiet town of Bergues, in which it was set, to see what all the giggles are about.Located six miles inland from Dunkirk, it makes a pretty picture with medieval walls and towers that have guarded the coastal marshes of Flanders for generations.Its close proximity to Belgium means much of the town reflects the Flemish style of architecture, including the stunning belfry, originally built in the 16th century as a fortified watchtower before being extensively renovated after destruction in WWII.Just as picturesque, but without a silver screen appearance, is the hill town of Cassel, just south of Bergues.

Just outside of Paris city limits, the steep Montmartre hill rises out of the northern part of the Right Bank, drawing artists and visitors since the end of the 19th Century. Still an active epicenter for artists, artistic culture and a bohemian life-style, the area has retained its deliciously sordid atmosphere and revelry. Many of the great artists of our past, including Dalí, Monet and Picasso, used Montmartre at one point or another for a working and living retreat from the confines of other more rigid societies of the time.

In the late 1800’s, Montmartre became a popular drinking area, thanks in part to the local nuns who made wine and in part a lack of Paris city taxes in the Montmartre. The neighborhood never shook this attitude and feel, confirmed over the years by the steady presence of artists in both studios and on the streets. Exhibitions at the Musee de Montmartre usually feature works of artists associated with the area and the Espace Montmartre Salvador Dalí displays over 300 works by the surrealist painter and sculptor. Montmartre is also associated with the grandiose Sacre-Coeur, a Romano-Byzantine Catholic basilica dedicated to the sacred heart of Jesus.

If you are feeling more boisterous than studious, the area still has good excuses for fun. Former literary haunt Au Lapin Agile, or “The Agile Rabbit,” is now one of numerous Montmartre clubs and the famous Moulin Rouge nightclub is also in the vicinity. The Moulin Rouge  (French for Red Mill or windmill) was built in 1889 and retains the splendor of turn-of-the-century France in its décor and atmosphere. This traditional cabaret still provides musical dance entertainment for adult visitors looking to have fun and let their hair down.

Travel News brought to you by Eurobookings, the experts in cheap hotel bookings for all major European cities including Bordeaux. Hang up your wine glasses, plonk on your trainers and take part in this year's Marathon du Medoc. The route winds through the French countryside and attracts 55,000 spectators -albeit many of them drinking. This year's theme is exotic places and islands for those who want to dress up for the race that starts in Pauillac at 09.30 local time on September 6th. For those that don't want to break into a sweat there are plenty of opportunities to become a guest of some of the area's bars and restaurants. Chateau Peyrabon holds a thousand pasta dinner, while festivities run into the night on Gironde quays Sunday is set aside for recuperation - a ten-km walk through the Medoc Valley. The best advice is to get to Bordeaux quick, as the 2007 entrant on the World Heritage List is ''at risk'' of being worn away by visitors, according to the Inquirer. ©Copyright Ready for the holidays? Browse cheap hotels in Bordeaux.

This year the internationally renowned Bordeaux Wine Festival celebrates its tenth anniversary.And the June event will be as entertaining as ever, with festivities celebrating local wine, food and culture.Visitors can purchase a tasting pass for 13 euros, to sample the delights produced in the region at the new Pavillon des Appellations and Pavillon des Négociants. The pass is well worth the investment, as it includes a glass, glass case, tasting notebook and a number of special offers.Further opportunity to explore comes with the purchase of a 70 euro vineyard pass, which allows visitors to tour the wine country, looking at three estates on the same day with the help of a tour guide.The Unesco World Heritage Site will also host a special tribute to St Petersburg, with a pavilion dedicated to the Russian city as 'guest of honour' at the event - Russia is the 15th largest export market for Bordeaux wine.Other entertainment will come from the Bordeaux Aquitaine National Orchestra and the Bordeaux Opera Choir, who will open the festival with a concert, as well as firework displays at the end of every evening of the festival.Each year sees the production of over 700 million bottles of Bordeaux wine.