|
Contact: Gillian Green Magellan Public Relations Tel: 020 8875 2850 Fax: 020 8875 2851 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.magellan-pr.com FRANCHE-COMTE STORY ANGLES 2002
o Royal Saltworks - the original C18 'Rowntree village' of France. o An architect with a 'different' view of the 'grand design' - Claude-Nicholas Ledoux. o Eleven unique buildings - half a dream! o Pipelines of yesteryear! o The fourteen gardens that exist today.
o 'Vin jaune' is unique to the Franche-Comté. Wine -growers in other parts of the world have tried to imitate the wine but nowhere else can it be replicated. o There is also 'Macvin', not anything to do with whisky, and 'vin de paille' - literally 'straw wine' - again not found anywhere else in the world. o The centre of the wine industry of the Franche-Comté is Arbois where the wine museum is situated. o Very modern methods for tasting etc are employed at the Wine Institute.. o The wine route of the Franche- Comté runs through some of the most beautiful rolling countryside. o The Mexican branch of winemakers originally from Champlitte - still celebrates Bastille Day and sing the Marseillaise even though they are in Mexico!
o An inside and outside chapel - designed to hold services both indoors and outdoors. o Deceptively large - appears so tiny inside. o Stained glass windows that throw a wonderful light on the interior. o Materials used specifically on this project as decreed by the architect.
o Victor Hugo was born in Besançon in 1802. o One of the most important writers in the history of French literature. o 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame' - his most famous and revered novel. o A whole series of events throughout the year in the Franche-Comté starting in February 2002.
o Geologist's paradise - caves, caverns, marvellous underground phenomenon. o Gouffre de Poudrey - the largest subterranean cave network in France - 70 metres below the surface. o Grotte d'Osselle - along with Antyparos in Greece the oldest known grotto in the world - discovered in 1304. Extraordinary colours and configurations. o Baume-les-Messieurs - truly staggering waterfall spouting from the rock above. o Waterfalls at Hérisson and Saut de Doubs. o Springs and spas - such as Luxueil-les-Bains.
o Visit the house of Louis Pasteur in Arbois. o Almost everything you see in the house is original and belonged to Pasteur. o Pasteur was born in the Franche-Comté, in the 'old' capital - Dôle, in 1822. o Member of the 'Academie Française' and founder of the Institute that bears his name.
o The Peugeot Museum - a 'must' on any itinerary. o Recently doubled in size but again to be enlarged. o Montbéliard - cradle of the Peugeot dynasty and still home to Peugeot production. o Original pieces - and not just motorcars! o First stop - meet Columbo.
Regional cuisine of note - many local specialities such as meat in yellow wine and freshwater fish dishes. Morteau and Montbéliard sausages and smoked meats. o Unique cheeses - Morbier, Gapéron, Comté and 'cancoillotte'. o Raymond Blanc was born in Besançon - now on of the UK's most celebrated chefs. Clear fruit brandies of Fougerolles.
Belfort - the red town, home of the famous Lion of Belfort. o Frontier town of France - quite unique in the number of times it has been a different 'nationality'. o Vauban's fortress that still stands today - imposing and magnificent views into Germany and Switzerland. o Lion was designed by Bartholdi. o A town renowned for its music festivals. The Eurorock Festival always brings thousands of visitors for example.
A region known for its rural retreats and natural beauty. o 1000 lakes in the north of the region, the Haut-Saône - water based holidays a speciality. o Green tourism and ecotourism. o Rivers abound therefore boating and fishing. o Forests and meadows - green spaces, ideal for touring like the valleys of the Jura. o Historical villages and outstanding sites such s the Ballon d'Alsace. o A region immortalised by the great French painter Courbet. o Sporting opportunities from cross-country skiing to walking and climbing, fishing and mountaineering, cycling and horse-riding. |