Undiscovered France

Saumur's landscape is dominated by Saumur Castle ("Château de Saumur"), built by Henry II of England, Duke of Maine and Anjou, in the 12th century. The castle overlooks the Loire River, the town of Saumur and the vineyards that make up the Saumur wine region. Saumur is known not only for its wines but also for the National Equestrian School, which trains the Cadre Noir equestrian team and once trained the elite cavalrymen of the French Army. Military buffs should not miss the Tank Museum ("Musée des Blindés"), which showcases the history of French tanks and includes tanks and tank parts from France, the United States, Israel, the Soviet Union, Brasil and many European countries. Some of the tanks are in full working order, and a few date back to World War I. The troglodyte cave homes near Saumur are carved into the limestone rocks; you can tour a troglodyte cave and view 17th century troglodyte carvings. Saumur Castle itself houses a museum dedicated to the horse as well as the Municipal Museum of Saumur.

In the heart of Brittany, Josselin's castle dominates the town that shares its name. The castle's towers overlook the River Oust, while beautiful gardens entice visitors to walk around to its other side. Josselin Castle is home to the Doll Museum, which includes the collection of Herminie de Rohan, who lived in the castle during the late 19th century, as well as dolls and toys dating from the 1800s to the present day. Although the Rohan family still occupies the castle, visitors can tour several rooms on the main floor. If you can tear yourself away from this attractive town, take a daytrip to the Paimpont Forest, once (and still) known as Brocéliande, said to be the legendary forest of Merlin the magician.

Nancy's Place Stanislas, Place de la Carrière and Place d'Alliance are listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of their beauty, historic significance and architectural importance. Place Stanislas's gilded wrought-iron fences, imposing yet beautiful buildings, open spaces and fountains have earned it a spot on the list of Europe's loveliest public squares. The Craffe Gate, which dates back to the 14th century, testifies to the city's strategic importance. In later times, Nancy became a center for the Art Nouveau movement; the École de Nancy, founded in 1901, attracted artists and architects interested in Art Nouveau. Today you can visit the École de Nancy Museum, housed in a home once owned by Eugène Corbin and surrounded by late 19th century gardens.

Although much of Mulhouse is modern in appearance, this southern Alsatian city has much to offer visitors, particularly train and automobile buffs. The Cité du Train (formerly the French National Railway Museum) and Cité de l'Automobile museums are dedicated to French train travel and automotive history, respectively; Bugatti fans in particular will not want to miss the Cité de l'Automobile's collection, which includes 123 Bugattis. Mulhouse was once the center of France's printed fabric trade, employing weavers from villages throughout southern Alsace, and you can learn more about the city's contribution to the world of textiles at the Museum of Printed Textiles ("Musée de l'Impression sur Etoffes"). For a bit of Old World flavor, head to the City Hall "Hôtel de Ville"), which now houses the city's History Museum, or linger in an outdoor café.

Most people visit France's Alsace region for its wines, appealing towns and hiking and biking trails, not realizing that Alsace is also home to several wildlife parks and nature reserves. Children especially enjoy Monkey Mountain ("La Montagne des Singes") in Kintzheim, a preserve and habitat for Barbary macaques. These agile, personable primates live in the Atlas Mountains of northern Africa and in Gibraltar. At Monkey Mountain, macaques are bred and raised for eventual release in Africa; a very small population lives in an area accessible to the public. Visitors can watch the small macaques play, eat and rest. Also in Kintzheim, Eagles' Flight ("La Volerie des Aigles") allows you to learn about eagles through demonstrations, lectures and observation. Hunawihr's Stork and Otter Park and Ottrott's Les Naïades, a nature park built around the theme of the water cycle, attract both locals and tourists.