Mende, in the rural and mountainous Lozere, is a small city of about 12,000 people. This is a wonderful destination for anyone who wants to be in a town, but in the midst of nature at its finest, unique wildlife and outdoor activities like hang gliding, mountain climbing and canoeing.

You could hardly find a more ideal center for outdoor activities, be it horse-back riding, mountain biking, hiking, speleology or kayaking. Mende is at the doorstep of the Cevennes National Forest. It is close to the breathtaking Gorges du Tarn, a massive 25-mile canyon.

Find out more: Mende, France

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Selecting the perfect rail pass or train fare for your trip can save you hundreds. There are many questions to ask yourself. Are you traveling alone? Just visiting France or venturing into other countries? Going to one city, and then taking day-trips to nearby towns?

Find out more: Choosing The Right Rail Pass

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Want to wander the streets of Paris, but you don't have the time or money for a visit right now? That's OK. You cam virtually window shop with my Paris Shopping Picture Gallery, which takes the dreamy shopaholic in you along to browse the used book vendors along the Seine, into the Carousel du Louvre Mall, a boutique in Montmartre, Paris' Christmas market and a hat shop in the Marais. (And you won't even have to worry about the nasty exchange rate.)

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Consult this detailed map, which is ideal for planning your trips throughout France between the major French cities. The map displays travel times both by train and by road. Get help planning your France travel itinerary with this map of France travel times.

See the map: France Travel Time Map

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