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For such a sophisticated nation, the French make perhaps peculiar comic strip fans. But cartoon crazy they are, and a big new centre devoted to this lively and amusing art form counts among our selection of the most exciting developments in French tourism this year.
Pulse-racing sporting themes, extraordinary Celtic finds in Burgundy and an unrivalled new Impressionist museum in Normandy are also among our dozen highlights. We focus on a centre in Champagne devoted to Charles de Gaulle – one of the most important Frenchmen of the 20th century – and even suggest you try fabulous stargazing in the French Pyrenees, as 2009 is also International Year of Astronomy.
Whisking you from Picasso in Provence to Kate Moss in Paris, Cadogan guidebooks' French expert, Philippe Barbour, selects the best new tourist attractions around France in 2009.
