WHAT’S HOT IN FRANCE FOR 2010?

With tourism figures higher than predicted in 2009, and a whole host of excellent new activities and tours, France is expecting big things in 2010. Cross the Channel with French ferry operator SeaFrance to become part of the hundredth anniversary of the Tour de France's first passage through the Pyrenees, discover the secrets of the Baie de Somme or be amongst the first to view fine modern art in the new Centre Pompidou-Metz.

Tour de France
2010 marks the hundredth anniversary of the Tour de France's first passage through the Pyrenees. To honour the anniversary in 2010, the Tourmalet, the race's most legendary mountain pass, will be climbed twice, during the 16th stage and again at the finish of the 17th stage which will be judged at the summit of the mountain pass. Running from Saturday 2 July to Sunday 25 July, there will be a total of 21 level one, level two and highest-level mountain passes in 2010, with Brits Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish expected to be amongst the competitors. www.letour.fr

Culture
2010 is a big year for French culture, with the long-awaited grand opening of the Centre Pompidou-Metz. Sharing the same ambitions as the original world famous Parisian art space, the Centre Pompidou-Metz aims to present and discover all forms of artistic expression and raise awareness of major works of modern art. Its location in Alsace makes it well-placed to lead Europe's artistic revolution - and it's only a four-hour drive from Calais. www.centrepompidou-metz.fr

Art
Also opening in Eastern France, the Espace Renoir in Essoyes, Champagne, is a long awaited exhibition and interactive space dedicated to one of France's premier artists. Visitors will be able to view Renoir's work and even visit his house, discovering first-hand the vital role his family played in his success. After first arriving at his newly opened house, visitors can then walk through the village that the painter loved so much, crossing the Ource river to arrive at the restored studio and impressionist garden that surrounds it. For more information and to keep updated with the opening date, visit
www.renoir-aube-champagne.com

Gardens
Nathalie Vincon's b&b, located just 45 minutes from the Champagne vineyards, is a discovery that will excite gardeners, antique hunters or those simply seeking a retreat. Offering just two stunning guest rooms in the stables of the 18th century Vendangeoir d'Orgeval, visitors can relax in the large garden, set over three terraces and filled with ancient varieties of roses, irises and clematis. Both rooms are worthy of the most stylish interiors magazine and those who seek inspiration from Nathalie can visit her antiques shop in Laon. Potential visitors should also keep updated with Natalie's ‘Meet me in the Garden' weekends, where if weather allows, she opens her garden from 10pm to midnight, with over 300 candles lighting the terraces. Rates for accommodation are just 65 euros, b&b for two people sharing. For more information visit www.vendangeoir-orgeval.com

Wine
For France's wine fans, a new museum of wine history and production opened in Bordeaux right at the end of 2009. The Museum of Wine and Wine Trade, (www.mvnb.fr), takes visitors though the two-thousand year history of Bordeaux's viticulture, housed in an 18th century manor house complete with caves and cellars used to store barrels over past centuries. The museum is open every day and admission costs seven euros for adults including wine-tasting, or five euros without. Once educated, nearby visitors can also visit L'Intendant, described as one of the most beautiful wine shops in France, with 15,000 bottles of wine displayed around a spiral staircase rising up four floors. Wines vary in price from €7 to €10,000, so there should be something for everyone!

Getting out and about in nature
Try walking on water in 2010, with a stroll across one of the world's most beautiful bays, the Baie de Somme, which can be crossed at low tide. Passionately fond of the area, Emmanuel Dubert organises tours of the bay to introduce visitors to the channels, tidal flats and salt marshes, with their own vegetation, seal populations, birds and cockles. He also incorporates culinary secrets into his tours, such as how to cook sea aster! Tours last from two to eight hours, depending on the itinerary, and more information can be found on the French only website at www.promenade-en-baie.com, or see the section on www.picardietourisme.com

Getting there
SeaFrance operates up to 15 daily return car ferry crossings on the Dover-Calais route. Online fares for a car and up to five passengers start from just £19 each way for any duration and from £19 return for a day trip.

To book your crossing visit seafrance.com or call 0871 22 22 500*
*Calls cost 10p per minute from BT landlines, calls from other networks and mobiles may vary.

-ENDS-
For further press information contact:
Ruth Haffenden / Sara Whines at bgb communications, www.bgb.co.uk
Tel: 0207 902 2990 or email rhaffenden@bgb.co.uk / swhines@bgb.co.uk

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