Air France presents us with “Flying Holidays: Traveling through France” a charming travelogue from the 1960s that taps into a Hollywood styled score to compliment the monumental sights that travelers frequent. Vacationers tour the French country side including Normandy and Brittany, and the French Riviera in a Renault Caravelle and make frequent stops, experiencing the leisure of good food and a friendly welcome. The voyage starts off with a fabulous picture of French cuisine served in flight. The Caravelle, a rented vehicle, awaits vacationers visiting France and soon the travelers are out of Paris and in Normandy. The Mont St Michel is seen, including a visit to the ancient fortress. The food is prepared over an open flame. The viewers are treated by the visually beauty of the Abbey, an impenetrable fortress and its surrounding structures. 5:50 The Plant du Rer beach side is shown 6:25 Plu Gestel repaired with American assistance. The archaic church and the age old practices past down from Catholic tradition. 8:06 Local women look for snails and fresh sea food at a local restaurant 9:00 French fishermen are casting their nets as the narrator explains the Sardine business 9:55 Briton wedding, showing a mixture of European cultural traditions culminating in celebration. 10:50 The most famous castles are listed with their picturesque magnificent views, both broadside and aerial. 13:00 Le Perirgot, more gorgeous buildings and French food. 15:44 The Basque Country where we see youth dancing the Fandango, and the sandy beaches, with various other dances performed by the locals. 17:55 Pelota, a popular Basque sport is played between men. 18:30 A relaxing villa is soon filled with dancing children 19:00 Travelers pass through forts and are soon in Nice, France, capital of the Riviera. Monaco’s shores are also shown with local flora and the U.S. Naval men. The Cote ‘D Azure is filled with beach goers and merry makers. 22:48 The travelers begin their trip home and board the plane. The aircraft shown here is a Sud Aviation SE 210 Caravelle. This was the world's first short/medium-range jet airliner, produced by the French Sud Aviation firm. Its maiden flight occurred in 1955 when the company was known as SNCASE. The Caravelle was one of the most successful European first-generation jetliners, selling throughout Europe and even penetrating the United States market, with an order for 20 from United Airlines. The Caravelle established the aft-mounted engine, clean-wing design that has since been used on a wide variety of aircraft.
