Always with a friendly smile on his face Rick Steve’s Europe has become the household name as one of the most well known travel guides. His DVD tour of France is nothing less then interesting and sincere in his trek to explore France and becoming one of the local Parisians. Each of the segments provides a short but very informative history on the respective regions as well as highlights to visit guided by Steve’s own experience. I find that he’s not the most budget conscious person in his travels but I still admire the places that he takes us on. Watching his guide tours are a treat and one that I would hope to visit for myself someday.


There are seven 25 minute segments (with some outtakes in the end credits):


-Paris: Grand and Intimate

Rick Steves takes us on a tour of Paris, one of the most famous capitals in the world. You can really tell Rick is enjoying himself since, he praises Paris more often then the rest of the cities he visits in this DVD. He shows us the usual sights such as the Louvre museum. He talks about the local French food shops that locals go to shop for groceries on Rue Cler St. He also talks about the local communities and local museums that might be overlooked in usual travel guides, like their Jewish museum. As we stroll around Rick Steves talks about the history of certain landmarks and streets, such as the Revolutionary war, and Napoleon Bonaparte and how it shaped modern day Paris. After a long tour, we learn about the local cafes, what’s usually served and the Parisian etiquette.


-Hightlights of Paris: Eiffel and Monet to Crème Brulee

Continuing from the first segment, we see the Effiel Tower, Notra Dame Cathedral, and the Orsay Museum. With each sight, he provides a short background history. Afterwards he takes us to try some popular French cuisine and how they serve and eat it. We also get to see the Latin Quarter District and the bohemian artist hangouts as well as the theaters, Andre museum, and much more.


-Normandy: War-torn Yet Full of Life

This segment is my personal favorite, which we take a look at Mont St. Michel, the medieval castle situated on a lone island. But first we tour around Rouen, Giverny, Honfleur, Bayeux, and the D-Day beaches. We take a look at Rouen’s medieval history of Joan of Arc as well as one of the local hand crafted artisan shops. There is more French dining, this time about the French evening meal. Giverny is well known for artist Monet’s lily pad garden and his impressionist paintings. The town of Bayeux holds the famous Bayeux tapestries, about the medieval battle of Hastings and the D-Day beaches are a memorial of the World War II battle. Lastly, Mont St. Michel is the place for pilgrims and monks to travel to that has now turned into a popular tourist area.


-Provence: Legendary Light, Wind and Wine

Provence is located in the South of France. This segment talks about the Pont Du Gard, Cotes Du Rhone, Nimes, Arles, Avignon, and Aix-en-Provence. Rick Steves gives a tour of the Pont Du Gard which was the Roman’s water system that still stands after thousands of years. Nimes holds some of Rome’s ancient architecture, worn looking, but still in use by locals such as the Roman arena for French bull fights. Within the town of Cotes Du Rhones, Rick Steves brings us to one of the local winery for wine tasting. Avignon and Aix-en-Provence houses young students with their university and flaunts its wealth and ancient architecture and Arles is famous for Van Gogh’s scenic paintings.


-French Riviera: Uniquely Chic

Rick Steves explores the luxurious beach areas and gives a tour of the neighboring towns. We get to look at Nice, Villefranche, Cap Ferrat, Cannes, and Antibes. Mostly this area holds casinos and summer beaches and looks like the Miami of France. Cannes holds the famous Cannes film festivals. It also houses artist like Matesse, Italian style architecture, and Russian Orthodox churches. The French expensive real estates showcases villas, mansions, and by the bay houses.


-Belgium: Bruges and Brussels

Near France we crossover to Belgium. Rick Steves tastes the best waffles, fries, beer, and chocolate. We explore two cities, Bruges and Brussels. Often forgotten and a small little country, it is located in the North bordering between France and Germany. Bruges is most famous for its trading ports and textile industry. Brussels is known for its brewery and beer selection. Rick Steves also shows local museums and Flemish art and architectures. A great side trip out of France, just crossing the border.


-Amsterdam and Dutch Side Trips

Between Belgium and Germany is The Netherlands. We see the local cafes and Dutch style dinning. Speaking English is not a problem here. Amsterdam looks like a quaint city with their old fashion wind mills, tiny canals and narrow buildings. Rick Steve also takes us to little Dutch towns like Harlem and Schotlan that feature cobble streets, country villages and pasture farmland.




You’ll enjoy this DVD even more if you’re a history buff, but I also like it for its short highlights of places to visit in France and their surrounding areas without going into so much detail. It’s short, concise, and interesting to watch especially if you haven’t the slightest clue of where to go in France. This DVD gives you some helpful ideas in that regard.



Total Run Time: 2 hr. 55 mins



also included in ifif1938's French English write off page


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD