France is synonymous with history, gastronomy, and romance. Stylish Paris has long captured the world's imagination, with cities like Lyon, Toulouse and Marseille also offering cosmopolitan delights. The South of France is renowned for its balmy climate and beautiful beaches while the French Alps offer high-altitude recreation. To many though, the true magic of France resides in the countryside, where villages and chateaus share a bucolic landscape with vineyards that make some of the finest wine in the world.