Guide to France

Set on the main European London-Madrid line, Le Mans is just 50 minutes from Paris by TGV. Its historic heritage has made this mediaeval town the most popular film location for French cinema. But far from being a “museum town”, Le Mans is strikingly lively and creative.

Like Nantes, Toulouse and Montpellier, Le Mans is on the way to becoming the next fashionable weekend destination of coming years. The fact seems crazy because this town has been so neglected for so long, too often remembered for its rillettes (potted meat) and its 24 Hour car race and the fact that it witnessed the birth of the first automobile in history, in 1873. And yet, on closer inspection, you can feel in this town a certain buzz, an atmosphere that is both friendly and committed. The charm of the surrounding countryside, the proximity of the capital, all served by an inspired and enterprising town policy, today combine to make Le Mans a “pioneer” town as regards quality of life.

Less famous than neighboring Tours or Angers, Le Mans immediately impresses visitors, not expecting to find such architectural gems or such harmony between stone, water, vegetation and sky! Along the Sarthe River, above the old tanneries district, you can admire the beautiful Gallo-Roman wall built under Diocletian in the 3rd century. This red 1,300-m-long surrounding wall, marked out with eleven towers and adorned with black and white geometric patterns, is one of the best preserved military buildings from the Roman world, along with the surrounding walls of the two Imperial capitals, Rome and Constantinople.

At the summit of the mound dominating the river, the Celts erected the town’s historic nucleus over 5,000 years ago and left an impressive menhir symbolizing both fertility and the centre of the universe. This mysterious pink sandstone rock, with its pleated forms, still stands against the Romanesque and Gothic cathedral of St Julien today.

Around the cathedral Vieux Mans (the old town) is a magnificent real life film set, with its winding alleys, 14th century half-timbered fa

There’s an old saying that you’ve probably heard before- “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”. This simply means that when traveling to a place that isn’t your home, you should do your best to experience the culture and ethnicities of the local residents. Would you visit Germany and dine every day at McDonald’s? Of course not! So why wouldn’t you want to stay at a true Parisian hotel while seeing the sites in Paris, France? The Royal Hotel Paris Champs-Elysees is the perfect “home away from home” for your stay in Paris, and here are just 5 of the many reason for doing so:

1. Four-Star Hotel- This popular rating system translates into a luxury hotel with many popular amenities for guests to enjoy. 174 spacious, yet comfortable rooms (of which 16 are elegantly decorated townhouse-styled suites) are designed for both a business and leisure stay in Paris.

2. Gallery of Art within the Walls of the Royal Hotel Paris Champs-Elysees. An astonishing private collection of over 4,000 pictures adorns the hallways, bedrooms and suites of the hotel, including a Picasso and a Buffet!

3. Packages for Just about Everyone- Whether you’re in the Paris to shop, see the sites, or spend some time alone on your honeymoon, the Royal Hotel Paris Champs-Elysees has a package for you! Rates include superb hotel accommodations, plus breakfast, coupons, dinner, or tickets to a real French Cabaret! Offers are subject to availability and usually require advance reservations.

4. The avenue des Champs-