Bigger and better plans for France in 2008

Bigger and better plans for France in 2008

Expect some big changes this year for France. There'll be some frustration with construction, a newly elected president and appointed prime minister, much faster trains and smoke-free dining-gasp.

Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport is also undergoing major renovations. The opening of new bullet train lines will ease your irritation at the airport luckily. The TGV Est bullet train will operate in Reims, Verdun, Colmar, Strasbourg and beyond. It literally cuts travel times in half, and the kicker is you can now book and print rail tickets and reservations online. You could even score some deals if you're lucky.

You'll also see famous chefs open up more affordable signature bistros, where hungry patrons can feast on sub-elaborate yet satiable and top-name cuisine. Another trend you'll see is to offer two-course fixed priced menus during lunch and dinner for a lot less money and calorie gain versus the traditional three- or four-course menus offered.

You're seeing more and more these days, the desire to eat and live more healthfully. France is no exception as they've followed the Irish and Italians in making bars, cafés, and restaurants smoke-free (feel free to light-up if you're sitting outside).