Bavaria is one of the sixteen federal states in southeasternGermany, borderingAustria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, and is the largest of them. Bavarian nature rivals the beauty of the cities and villages, magnificent with their old centers decorated with frescoes and half-timbered facades. Munich, the capital, sums up this richness and variety with its skyscrapers and baroque districts, its contemporary art centers and its preserved traditions. One jumps over the centuries when crossing the street in this destination! Bavaria is home to world heritage sites such as Regensburg and the Stadtamhof district, a well-preserved medieval center, or the historic center of Bamberg. In Bavaria you can stay in a castle or on a farm. You can cycle on the Bavarian routes along the Danube or on the 450 km long cycle path between Munich and Regensburg. Peaceful Bavaria is an ideal destination for families. You can visit beautiful museums and art galleries, and attend many events that will be listed in your Bavaria travel guide. You may even cross paths with pilgrims, as Bavaria is also known for its churches and monasteries. Here, people go from the opera to the beer festival with the same enthusiasm. It's a friendly, good-natured region with an infectious joie de vivre. But it is also a melting pot of creativity.

When to go Bavaria ?

Wondering when to go to Bavaria? Easy: all year round! However, the best time to discover the region is from April to November; note that springs are often very beautiful and put the Bavarians in a great mood! They take over the parks and the quays, the cities are covered with attractive terraces... Summer is of course ideal, especially since it is rarely hot and more pleasant than in southern Europe. Early autumn (September-October) brings beautiful colors to the forests and parks, making it an ideal season for traveling in the countryside, along rivers and in the hills and mountains. Although winter is rarely the season of choice for visitors, the Advent period (three weeks before Christmas) is quite exceptional thanks to the presence throughout the country of very festive Christmas markets.

Finally, important and interesting events take place every month and each of them can be an opportunity for a stay.

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Practical information for travel Bavaria

There is a bewildering amount of exceptional sites to discover in the four corners of Germany's largest state. You will have to carefully select your stages to compose your journey and choose your rhythm. We offer you a selection of thematic routes to organize your stay: you can choose between cultural destinations: historical Bavaria in 10 days, for example, or an extended stay in the Bavarian capital (see Munich, the heart of Bavaria, 10 days in Munich, etc.). In Bavaria and throughout Germany, there are several certified tourist routes such as the Romantic Route (from Würzburg to Füssen) or the German Alpine Route (from Füssen to Berchtesgaden). The former allows you to explore beautiful medieval towns and stunning fortresses. The second offers a tour through the mountains where nature is the center of attention.

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How to go Bavaria

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How to go alone

It is very easy to go alone to Bavaria, the road, rail and air transport networks being very developed and the means to get there are numerous (plane, train, coach, car...). In addition, the country enjoys an excellent level of security that allows everyone to discover Bavaria without risk. However, be careful with pickpockets in tourist areas and large cities, especially in Munich.

How to go on a tour

The offer is diverse and varied to discover Bavaria. Hiking in the Bavarian mountains, city escapades in Munich, romantic and cultural stays, etc. The possibilities are many and varied. The destination lends itself to several types of stays. Given the variety of offers, prices are adapted to small budgets, but also to those who are looking for a charming stay.

How to get around

To move between different cities or regions, there is a lot of domestic air transport. The rail network is also very present and denser than in France. You can also make excursions on German rivers. Finally, the car is also ideal for independent travel, but not very practical in the city. In the city, public transport (bus, metro, tramway) is very developed.

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Discover Bavaria

Bavaria is a captivating destination, as much for its landscapes as for its cities, as much for its past as for its present. First and foremost, its nature is formidably well preserved, and Bavaria boasts great geographical and biological diversity. In the north, the karst cliffs are as strange as the majestic Alps in the south. Bavaria is also a land of architecture, pampered by one sovereign after another: the Wittelsbachs have left their mark here and there, in Gothic, Baroque, Neoclassical and other styles. It's also a formidable musical land that inspired Richard Wagner to write his greatest operas, and continues to attract great musicians to some of Germany's most prestigious concert halls. Bavaria is a truly festive region, with events all year round, starting with the mother of all celebrations: the Oktoberfest!

Pictures and images Bavaria

Befreiungshalle, salle de la libération à Kelheim. LianeM - iStockphoto
Les fameux Lebkuchen. FooTToo/Shutterstock.com
La ville colorée de Nördlingen. ArTo - Fotolia

The 12 keywords Bavaria

1. #Alps

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The Alps are only a tiny part of the Bavarian landscape, but their relief is inseparable from the Bavarian postcard. In fact, the mountains are the backdrop to two of the most popular castles for visitors: Neuschwanstein and Linderhof. The Pre-Alps, between the Alps and Munich, also offer superb scenery.

2. #BMW

Its logo proudly bears the colors of Bavaria: white and sky blue. Behind the BMW acronym lies the "Bayerische Motoren Werke", Bavaria's most famous automotive company. Founded in 1916, the BMW Group produces over 2 million vehicles a year and employs over 110,000 people. Its headquarters are in Munich.

3. #Danube

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Set to music by composer Johann Strauss, the beautiful Blue Danube doesn't just flow through Austria. At 2,850 km long, it crosses the middle of Bavaria from west to east, flowing through the cities of Ingolstadt, Regensburg and Passau before flowing on to Linz and Vienna. The Isar, which flows through Munich, is an even wilder tributary of the Danube.

4. #CSU

The CSU (Christlich-Soziale Union) is a political party that exists only in Bavaria. This conservative party, which cooperates with the CDU at federal level, has been an integral part of Bavarian politics since the post-war years. Since 1957, the party has always won elections, and Bavaria's Minister-President has always come from its ranks.

5. #FC Bayern

The famous soccer club, which has won the Champions League 6 times and the German championship 31 times, can count on a fan base that extends far beyond Munich's borders. All seasons combined, they are the top club in Germany's top division, theBundesliga. Its stadium is a symbol of Munich in its own right.

6. #Franconia

The northern half of Bavaria cultivates an identity quite distinct from "Old Bavaria" in the south. Franconia is distinguished by its history, cuisine, dialects and customs. For some Franconians, this distinction is essential. Less frequented by French-speaking tourists, Franconia nevertheless has plenty to offer.

7. #Obazda

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Obazda (or Obatzter) is a typical Bavarian cheese preparation. It's made by mixing soft Camembert with butter, onion, hot pepper and spices (often cumin) to create a creamy spread. Many restaurants offer it as a snack. And with good bread, it's delicious!

8. #Paulaner

Here's a Munich beer that's conquered the world! Its tradition dates back to 1634, when Munich monks began brewing "Salvator". In 1818, the brewery obtained its first license to participate in the Oktoberfest. Today, Paulaner exports over 1 million hectolitres of beer to 70 countries worldwide.

9. #Playmobil

Did you know that Playmobil is Bavarian? To be precise, the toy brand is headquartered in Franconia, near Nuremberg. Tourist offices have understood the marketing potential of these little figurines, and offer a number of Bavarian celebrities, such as Albrecht Dürer and Levi Strauss, in the familiar 7.5 cm-high plastic format.

10. #Schuhplattler

This is the name of an Alpine folk dance practiced mainly by groups of men. It is characterized by blows to the legs, calves and feet. The dancer naturally wears a Lederhose and a traditional hat adorned with a tassel of chamois hair. Schuhplattller is also found in Austria.

11. #Tracht

Tracht is the German word for traditional dress. In Bavaria, men wear the Lederhose, a sturdy skin pant, and women wear the Dirndl, a dress with apron and white shirt. On special occasions (weddings, Oktoberfest, etc.), Bavarians proudly wear their regional costume.

12. #Wittelsbach

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For 738 years, the members of the House of Wittelsbach reigned supreme and undivided over Bavaria: from the granting of the Duchy of Bavaria in 1180 to the abdication of the last Bavarian King Louis III in 1918. You'll come across the Wittelsbachs everywhere you wander: in Munich, Landshut, Bad Kissingen, Neuschwanstein..

You are from here, if...

You take off your shoes when you enter a house or apartment. It's customary to take your shoes off indoors, even if you're invited to a friend's house.

You say "Servus" and "Grüß Gott" to greet people you meet, whether in shops or out hiking. You hug friends goodbye.

You always leave a tip in cafés and restaurants. In Bavaria, as in the rest of Germany, you thank the service you receive by rounding off the price you pay.

You don't mind eating after 6pm.

You have a Lederhose or a Dirndl in your wardrobe, which you take out for Oktoberfest, weddings, christenings or any other special occasion.

You order the beer in half: a half-liter, of course!

You take your snack to the Biergarten and squeeze onto the bench to share a chat with complete strangers.

You go to the sauna in the simplest of clothes.

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