France from the air

the long version

Though it's only about the size of Texas, France presents an astonishing variety of landscapes to the aerial observer-each of which reveals itself in the pages of this breathtaking photographic journey. In 200 full-color photographs, Yann Arthus-Bertrand captures all the undulating curves and harmonious lines of this vibrant, verdant, sometimes rough but always generous land. Here is a France of green fields and red brick roofs, dotted with steeples and church towers, worn by the sea along its handsome coasts and rife with rolling hills. Here are the great French landmarks-the Pont du Gard, Notre Dame, Loire Valley castles, and Bordeaux vineyards, to name just a few, with accompanying text by journalist Patrick Poivre d'Arvor that makes each one come alive as if seen for the first time.