France: The Rough Guide, Fifth Edition (5th ed) by Baillie, Kate; Salmon, Tim.

France is one of the world's favorite travel destinations. Every corner of this country is a cultural and physical world in its own right. This Rough Guide offers lively coverage of the contemporary French scene, with up-to-the minute listings and special features on architecture, politics, art and the environment. 106 maps.

France is known as a place that will delight the senses--and this Rough Guide will help you bathe in them all, from eyefuls of architecture to the sounds of la mer lapping against the shore, the touch of designer fabrics to the smells and tastes of some of the most renowned cuisine in the world. As authors Baillie and Salmon put it, "The pleasures of the palate run from the simplest picnic of crusty baguette, ham and cheese washed down by an inexpensive red wine through what must be the most elaborate take-away food in the world, available from practically every charcuterie; such basic regional dishes as cassoulet; the liver-destroying riches of Périgord and Burgundy cuisine; the fruits of the sea; extravagant pastries and ice cream cakes.... If you feel inadequate in the face of all this choice, never be afraid to ask advice, for most French people are true devotees, ever ready to explain the arcane mysteries to the uninitiated."

In France: The Rough Guide, the country's attractions are written up with creative flair and insightful advice, and the honest reviews of food and accommodations offer something for every traveler's budget. The coverage is complete with sections exploring history, cuisine, wine, literature, architectural terms, art, festivals, and politics. Bon voyage!