Last week we featured a number of Italian websites we found while researching an upcoming trip to Europe. This week it's French websites we're exploring. Here are some we bookmarked. And even if you're travel plans don't include a trip to France this year, the sites are fun to visit.

www.franceguide.com
Especially good for first-time France travelers, this site has all the information you need to get started. From explaining the French government hotel rating system (and how that translates in costs), to entry requirements, rail travel and even which rental cars do business there. A must-check-out-before-you-go site.

www.france.com
Another general France information site, it features the latest French cultural and political news. Plus serves as a reservation center for hotels you can choose with the help of specific search criteria. There often are personal reviews to help you evaluate the hotels.

www.francentral.com
This site is for France Today, a French travel and culture magazine published in the U.S. (You can subscribe for a free copy online here.) The site features articles on travel tips, wines, restaurants. And you can even learn a little French in between.

www.gite.com
Run by Gites de France, a government-funded agency that manages an extensive list of B&Bs and other accommodations in France. The search engine allows you to find and view the properties by region. Their "Plan Your Trip" section has maps, shopping information and restaurants. Their "Traveling There" has train and driving info, plus links to touring France by air, bike, water and foot.

www.frenchconnections.co.uk
This portal for property owners who want to book their homes has great photos for viewing before you rent. Choices range from 18th century farmhouses to small in-town apartments. Each property has its own page on the site and you book directly with the owner. Interested in buying in France? There's a section for that as well.

www.paris.org
If you're a bona fide Paris-ophile, you'll love this site. Over 7,000 pages of everything Paris. Museums. Train stations. Tourist information. Restaurants and cafes. Even Parisian postcards to send to a friend.

www.beyond.fr
For all things in Provence beyond the Riviera, this is the mother lode of information. Towns and villages are listed in alphabetical order. Click on the village of your choice and you're transported there. Through this website you can learn its historic and cultural background, how to get there, when to visit, what to do there and even book a hotel.

www.frenchexperience.com
This American-based company offers an extensive program of discounted packages to Paris and the French provinces. You can either build your own self-drive trip or if you prefer, there are escorted tours as well. They'll even do custom-planned tours for you. Their "Paris in Short" is a 4-day package that includes 3 nights in a 3-star hotel, airport transfer to hotel, breakfast, half-day city tour, 3-day Metro (subway) pass, gourmet dinner with wine and a Michelin Guide of Paris. All for $435.

- Judi Janofsky and Rich Steck