The French Journal

Regions of France: Nord-Pas-de-Calais

Next up in my oft-delayed series of region-by-region overviews is Nord-Pas-de-Calais in the far north of France. Its position on the border of Belgium gives it some unique characteristics: pockets of Flemish culture; a major city -- Lille -- that's within 200 kilometers of six European capitals; status as a major point of entry, thanks to the Chunnel.

Much more information on Nord-Pas-de-Calais follows the jump.

Regions of France: Lorraine

It's been awhile since I've written up a region of France, but the truth is that these things are exhausting: they take a lot of time (relatively). Nevertheless, I soldier on, this time to cover sweet Lorraine. Often married in my head with Alsace, Lorraine has many unique facets, so let's bake its namesake quiche and take a look.

Regions of France: Limousin

The small, central region of Limousin is the most rural in France. It's the least populated area of the country, and its inhabitants include a notably high percentage of people over 60 and a notably low number of immigrants. Limousin has been used in French literature as a kind of "Hicksville," but that image is contradicted by some of its notable products, its often leftist leanings, and its current efforts to modernize.

So let's take a look at Limousin.

Regions of France - Languedoc - Roussillon

The twinned name of Languedoc-Roussillon gives a good sense of the region's character: a mix of  traditions, landscapes, and political philosophies. None of the areas that have been covered so far have had such a diverse history as this one, which was influenced by the Greeks, the Romans, Islam, Protestant sects, Catalan culture, and more. A intriguing place (soaked in wine), Languedoc-Roussillon is the place where aligot was born, the dish I wrote about last week. It's the next region of France that we'll explore in more detail, but be warned that this summary barely does the region justice.

Regions of France - Ile de France

The Île-de-France calls itself the heart of France, and it's difficult to disagree. As the region that encompasses Paris, it is the most populous area of the country, the government seat, and the major business center -- and all of that is packed into less than 2.5% of France's land mass.

So here are some major facts about the Île-de-France, the next stop on our review of the official Regions of France.

Regions of France - Franche Comté

Franche-Comté means "Free Country," in recognition of the region's many attempts to remain independent of outside rule (including that of France). Even so, it is still often tied with the nearby regions of Burgundy or Alsace, but it obviously has distinctions of its own.

Here is the next French Journal rundown of one of the 22 regions of France.

News - January 16, 2007 - Population grows, Royal & Hollande disagree, Villepin & Sarkozy accord

• As of January 1, 2007, France's population is 63.4 million people -- 400,000 more than the previous year. A birth rate of two children per woman may make France the most fertile country in Europe.
• Provocative pronouncements on tax policy by Ségolène Royal's partner, François Hollande, have put the couple's relationship under scrutiny.
• After withholding any explicit endorsement, Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin offered tentative support for UMP presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy's "vision." (fr)

Regions of France - Corse/Corsica

It's been too long since I've examined one of the 22 regions of France in depth. Here, at last, is the next on the list: Corse/Corsica. The aura of Napoleon, who was born there, is a blinding glow around the island, but there is also its Italian lineage, wild landscapes, and a reputation as the "Island of Beauty." Let's explore!

Regions of France - Champagne-Ardenne

With an examination of the Champagne-Ardenne region, we complete the northeastern France ABC's (Alsace, Bourgogne, Champagne). Of course, the name evokes a certain fizzy liquid that's pretty enjoyable so who cares if there's anything else about the region as long we can drink, but the area has a lot more to offer in history, sites, and heritage.

Here are some facts about Champagne-Ardenne:

Regions of France - Centre (Center)

My self-educational tour of the 22 regions of mainland France continues with the somewhat blandly named "Centre," or Center. It is, in fact, an area rich in attractions and culture, but an attempt to rename it to reflect its connection with the Loire Valley ran into stumbling blocks over registered marks with another region, the Pays de la Loire.

So let's move into "the heart of France."