france travel plan

France Trip Planner: 8 Easy Steps for Planning a Trip to France 2024

Article written by Elisa - Travel Writer & Local in France This article may contain compensated links. Please read disclaimer for more info.

How to Plan a Trip to France

If you’re planning a trip to France , you will want to read this France Travel Planner. This France Trip Planner covers everything you need to know to plan a trip to France, including the best time to visit France, where to go, what to do, how to move around, and more.

Do you need help with your France trip planning? So let’s get started! Here’s how to plan a trip to France you’ll never forget in eight easy steps that works for any kind of trip — no matter how long you’re going for! Just follow this checklist, and you’ll be off to France in no time!

READ MORE – here are the best quotes about France to feed your wanderlust from home!

France Travel Planner 2024 Content:

• Best Time to Travel to France
• Do You Need a Visa for Your Trip to France?
• Where to Go in France
• Booking your Flight or Train Tickets to France
• Don’t Skimp on Travel Insurance
• What to Do in France
• Itinerary and How to Get Around
• Share Your Itinerary, Review, and Start Booking

1. Best Time to Travel to France

Of course, it is always a good time to travel to France! But if you are flexible with your travel dates, the best time to visit France depends on what you’d like to do.

If you want a beach holiday in the French Riviera , then it’s best to go in late spring or during the summer. Summer (late June and July) is also the lavender season in Provence , while in winter (January and February), you will find great skiing in the French Alps or the French Pyrénées.

If you’re planning a city sightseeing trip, then the shoulder seasons are best (spring or fall) as there are fewer crowds. Although it is lovely to travel to France during the festive holiday when there are some wonderful Christmas markets to explore.

If you are on a budget, avoid summer and winter holidays, bank holidays in Europe, and school holidays in France .

To help you decide on what time of the year to go, read about the seasons in France . Then, the following articles outline where to travel in France by season:

• Best places to visit in France in spring
• Best places to travel in France in the summer
• Best places to visit in France in the fall
• Best places to travel in France in winter

You can also decide to plan your French trip around one of the major events in France this year .

2. Do You Need a Visa for Your Trip to France?

EU nationals and citizens of Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland only need an ID card or passport to visit France.

For tourists from around 60 countries , visas are not required for stays of less than three months. This list includes countries like the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, and Israel. For stays longer than 90 days, contact your nearest French embassy or consulate for the exact requirements and start the process as soon as possible.

Other people wishing to travel to France as tourists have to apply for a Schengen Visa . This visa allows unlimited travel throughout the entire zone for 90 days.

3. Where to Go in France

With France being such as diverse country – there are so many wondering things to see and do. Of course, if this is your first trip to France, then some time in Paris , the capital, is a must. However, if you’ve had multiple trips to France or you plan to travel to France for an extended holiday, then you’ll be able to choose a few different regions to explore.

You can find out more about the different regions in France in this guide to the French regions . This article will lead you to various in-depth articles about each of the regions in France.

If you need help determining where to go in France, the most popular destinations (other than Paris) are as follows:

French Riviera – Located in the South of France and with Nice as its “unofficial” capital, the French Riviera is a picturesque stretch of coastline extending from around Toulon or Saint Tropez to Menton and includes the Principality of Monaco . The French Riviera is a luxury destination known for its beaches , coves, and pretty villages.

Loire Valley – Nicknamed ‘The Garden of France,’ the Loire Valley is situated in the country’s center. The region is well known for its historic towns, Château de Chambord , and other impressive Renaissance castles , remarkable gardens, and wines. Also, thanks to its proximity to the capital, it is possible to visit Loire Valley on a day trip from Paris .

Normandy – Normandy is a region in Northern France with coastal towns and WWII sites such as the D-Day landing beaches. Other main attractions include imposing castles , the rocky island abbey of Mont Saint-Michel , Rouen with its beautiful Gothic Cathedral, and Giverny .

Alsace – This historical and cultural region of Eastern France shares a border with Germany and Switzerland.  Alsace is well-known for its wines, picturesque villages , and fairytale Christmas markets , with Colmar and Strasbourg as the most beautiful cities to explore.

Provence – From the glorious lavender fields to the UNESCO World Heritage walled city of Avignon , here you’ll find Roman history, stunning hilltop villages , and landscapes that inspired Cezanne.

Each of our French regions is truly unique – with differences in culture, traditions, heritage, gastronomy, and wine, which makes visiting them all an absolute delight!  I’ve written more on our regions in my guide here .

4. Booking your Flight or Train Tickets to France

If you are considering other means of transport in France, check out our quick guide to transportation in France .

Flight Tickets to France

Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Paris Orly (ORY) are the main international airports to travel to France.

If you don’t wish to visit Paris, check the list of French International Airports ; perhaps you can find flights to an airport closer to your final destination.

Lately, we have been using Omio to book our flights. Omio is very easy to use and has different filters – time, number of scales, departure time – so the research and booking process is straightforward.

Train Tickets to France

If you visit Paris or France from Europe, high-speed trains are a good and definitely a more eco-friendly option. Train travel is also a great way to explore the main destinations in France – check out our France by train guide .

To book train rides in France, we recommend Omio . The website is straightforward to use, it is in English, and they propose interesting promotions from time to time.

Our readers from the UK and Australia, however, prefer Trainline , probably because it has its headquarters in London, UK. Trainline is also in English and works more or less like Omio.

So there’s the Omio team and the Trainline team, but you should always find the same ticket prices.

5. Don’t Skimp on Travel Insurance

It’s important not to skimp on  Travel Insurance  when you are planning a trip to France. Unfortunately, things do happen when you least expect it, so you really need to be insured. Make sure your insurance policy covers you for things such as theft, loss of luggage, medical issues, and flight cancellation.

HeyMondo  offers travelers insurance that combines medical and travel-related coverage for single trips (leisure and business trips), annual multi-trip, and extended stays (with COVID-19 coverage included).  Use this link to get a 5% off .

SafetyWing has super affordable plans for budget travelers . While marketed as “Nomad Insurance,” you can take out a policy for as little as five days. Plus, you can sign up for insurance even if your journey has already started!

You can also compare plans, prices, and coverage with Travel Insurance Master , a comparison site that will find the perfect fit for you amongst the world’s leading programs. Travel Insurance Master is also the best place to look for senior travelers .

Schengen Area Travel Insurance

For those who require a  visa to enter France or any other Schengen country , travel insurance covering repatriation and medical expenses is compulsory. The necessary visa to enter Europe will not be issued unless you provide proof of suitable coverage – Look for the best coverage for you with Travel Insurance Master .

6. What to Do in France

In determining your France itinerary, you’re probably best to start with a list of all the wonderful places you want to visit. 

Perhaps you’re a wine lover and want to visit all the best French Wine Regions . In France, wine travel is immensely popular, and for good reasons, given the country produces some of the world’s best wines.

Maybe you’re interested in learning more about the history of France, in which case visiting the country’s most beautiful castles should be on your France travel plan. In France, you’ll find castles of all different architectural styles, from medieval castles to Renaissance châteaux, surrounded by manicured gardens as well as crumbling castles (my favorites!).

Of course, France also has some beautiful cities to visit , with an enticing mix of scenery, historical sites, architecture, museums, and great food. From the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel, there are also some gorgeous coastal towns in France . In these picturesque little towns, you can enjoy good food, wine, and long walks on stunning beaches.

In 2024, Paris will host the 2024 Summer Olympics . The French capital wants to share the Olympic fun with the rest of the country, with various events hosted in other French cities. So, if you’re considering a trip to France in 2024, what better opportunity to visit than during the Paris Olympics 2024?

From Nice to Tahiti, here’s the list of the Summer Olympics 2024 locations – other than Paris and its region – to combine sports with sightseeing. Check out the  Paris 2024 Schedule  for what to see and when in each of the Paris 2024 venues.

Need even more inspiration for things to do in France?  You can always start with our guide on the best 50 things to do in France . This guide covers the most iconic, popular, beautiful, fun, awe-inspiring things to do in the country grouped by geographical area.  Now all you need to do is tick a few of them off your list!

7. France Trip Planner: Itinerary and How to Get Around

Defining an itinerary will be one of the most important tasks while planning a trip to France.

As a general rule for planning your route, choose one destination – a city or area – for a 3-5 day trip to France. If you have a week to 10 days, then visit one to three places, ideally in different regions, for more variety.

For a 2-week trip, your France travel plan could cover three to four destinations.

Train Trip in France

Train travel is ideal if you want to visit the main cities in France, perhaps with some day trips or tours from these main cities. For more information about trains in France and how to work, check out our quick guide to Train Travel in France .

• Check out these train trip itineraries for one week in France
• Check out these train trip itineraries for two weeks in France

Road Trip in France

Taking a road trip in France is just about one of the coolest things you can ever do. With a car, some good tunes, and the best company, you are set for one of the most memorable adventures in your life. Check out all our road trips in France which cover all the French regions.

If you are hitting the French roads for the first time, have a look at our quick guide to driving in France , with information about French roads, requirements, and driving rules.

When we need to rent a car in France, we usually check DiscoverCars to find the best deals. Both sites cover the major and local brands (like Avis, Hertz, Europcar, and more) and compare prices for you – Check out our  best tips for renting a car in France .

If you are planning a longer trip in France and Europe, consider Auto Europe’s long-term car rentals and short-term lease options. They offer the best rates available for trips of one month or more.

If you need help crafting your French road trip itinerary, check out our France Road Trip Planner . With this e-book, we help you explore the best of France by car with the least amount of effort, and it comes with fun road trip ideas, from the wild Atlantic Coast to the pristine lakes in the Alps and the sunny villages in Provence.

Group Package Tours in France

Package tours of France can be a fantastic way to avoid the stress of planning your own trip. They are also great if you would like some company along the way.

Even as independent travelers, we like to browse  TourRadar  – the world’s most trusted online marketplace for multi-day tours where you can browse hundreds of package tours by different operators, and by date. Then filter by your interests and age group and read detailed reviews.

8. Share Your Itinerary, Review, and Start Booking

Sometimes, trip planning can be overwhelming, so it is good to share your itinerary with friends or family to get input and advice. Is it too much? Not enough? Are you missing something interesting on the way?

In our private Facebook Group, France Bucket List ,  you can just do that! We are locals in Paris running a Facebook group for francophiles and people planning a trip to France to share their questions, stories, photos, and memories of France.

Ask questions and get inspiration for your next French holiday, from where to go or itinerary review to things to see and do in France. If you are looking for tips for the Summer Olympics 2024, you are also welcome!

We specialize in Paris ( World in Paris ), France road trip itineraries, train itineraries, city guides, and wine travel ( France Bucket List ). You will also find the latest information about transportation strikes in France.

Once you have fine-tuned your French itinerary, start booking your hotels.

When it comes to booking your bed in France, the best site to search and compare different accommodation options in Europe is  Booking.com    because you have everything from hostels to luxury hotels. What I have found quite regularly on  Booking.com  is that you can get a room in a small hotel for the same price as a hostel. Research makes all the difference! – Click here to start booking your hotels in France with Booking.com

If you want to take day tours, you can find great ideas with platforms like GetYourGuide and Tiqets . When I travel in France solo, I find it easier to book with Tiqets , as most of the proposals on GetYourGuide require a minimum of two travelers to book a tour.

There you have it, our ultimate guide on how to plan a trip to France. Whether this is your very first time in France or one of many trips to this wonderful country, this France Trip Planner 2024 will help you craft a trip to France you will never forget.

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Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Top Attractions

Gardens of France

Cities to Visit

Romantic Destinations

One-Week Itinerary

Tipping in France

Currency Tips

Food to Try

Wine Regions

Your Trip to France: The Complete Guide

France Guide: Planning Your Trip

France has it all: vibrant, exciting cities; picturesque countryside; storybook villages; wide, sandy beaches; and a rich history. Work through this guide to plan your trip and learn some basics about the culture, major regions and attractions, local cuisine, currency, and more. Also find tips below on when to go, getting around, and budgeting for your adventure abroad.

Planning Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit : The spring and summer months are generally ideal; the weather is mild and warm, while the landscapes and parks are in full bloom.
• Language: French is the country's official language and is spoken throughout its regions. Most people speak some English, but younger people tend to be more fluent. We recommend learning some basic travel words and polite expressions in French to prepare for your trip.
• Currency: The Euro (€) is the official currency of France.  
• Getting Around: France has an extensive and efficient rail system that connects cities including Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Nice, and Strasbourg in just hours through high-speed (TGV) trains. Local train lines offer convenient and affordable connections within major regions throughout the country, and Paris boasts a sophisticated Metro/subway system . Some may prefer to rent a car when visiting France but make sure you fully acquaint yourself with local driving rules and regulations.
• Travel Tip: Before booking your trip, decide how much time you have and how many French regions you can comfortably, realistically visit. Trying to do too much in too short a period of time isn't something we advise. It's better to spend three full, rich days in Paris —and maybe take a day trip to Versailles—than try to hop around the whole country in just a few days.

Things to Do

France is a diverse and rich nation, with attractions to suit all tastes and interests. Each region has its own unique highlights: Paris is full of glamorous avenues and quaint café terraces; the French Riviera boasts azure waters and sandy beaches; and Burgundy, the Loire, and the southwest are home to rolling vineyards. Meanwhile, the mountain landscapes of the Alps and Pyrenees and the rugged coastlines of Brittany and Basque Country attract travelers with the promise of outdoor adventures.

While there's a wealth of things to do, here are three "star" attractions we recommend on a first trip to France:

• Spend at least 48 hours in Paris and explore some of the city's vibrant neighborhoods, including hilly Montmartre and the old-world Latin Quarter . Take a sightseeing cruise of the Seine River at sunset and see why Paris is called the "City of Light."
• Visit Provence and take in its stunning landscapes, from the lavender fields of the Luberon to the beaches of the Côte d'Azur. Taste local specialties such as saffron, seafood, candied fruit, and other treats at a typical Provençal market. See some of the region's picturesque old chateaux and dramatic Roman ruins.
• If you're interested in recent French history, visit Normandy's D-Day beaches and see stirring World War II memorial sites firsthand. While in the region, reserve a day to see the Mont St-Michel Abbey and Bay, a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site whose dramatic tidal systems and centuries-old Abbey attract visitors from around the world.

Explore more things to see and do by consulting our guide to the top 30 tourist attractions in Paris, the 20 most popular cities for international visitors , and the top 10 things to do on the French Riviera.

What to Eat and Drink

France's world-renowned food and wine culture awaits no matter what regions you plan to visit. The country boasts more culinary delights than most, from crusty baguettes to creamy, local cheeses; artful pastries; traditional regional dishes; and inventive fusion cooking.

Every region offers its own distinctive cuisine, markets, and restaurant scene. Paris counts an unusual number of Michelin-starred restaurants , but it's also a great place for inexpensive street food and mouthwatering baked goods. Provence is renowned for its seafood and markets heaped with fresh, colorful produce . The southwest draws crowds for its truffles, duck and goose specialities, and distinctive cheeses. Brittany and Normandy produce some of the country's freshest oysters and shellfish, as well as creamy butter, regional cakes, and salted caramel.

Meanwhile, visits to regions such as Burgundy, Champagne, the Loire and Bordeaux offer curious travelers numerous opportunities for wine-tasting and wine tours . Normandy and Brittany are well-known for excellent ciders and apple liqueurs.

Explore our articles on eating out in France and dining etiquette , the best places to dine and taste in Paris , and a food lover's guide to Nice.

Where to Stay

The possibilities for lodging in France range from traditional hotels to B&Bs, rental apartments, and even unusual accommodations such as castles, campsites, and lighthouse hotels. Choosing the accommodations that are right for you will depend on several factors, including your budget, tastes, desired atmosphere, and willingness to cook/self-cater.

Generally speaking, we recommend staying in traditional hotels or self-catered apartments when visiting major cities such as Paris, Nice, Bordeaux or Strasbourg. You'll want to be close to the city center and their main attractions, as well as have easy access to public transport. In the Alps and the Pyrenees, consider renting a rustic mountain chalet or staying in a chalet-style hotel.

In Provence and the Loire Valley, renting a country cottage, old Provençal house, or "apartment" within an authentic chateau can be a memorable experience. If you're staying in a coastal region such as the French Riviera or Brittany, a private beach cottage could be ideal if you plan to cook for yourself, but a hotel with sea views may be more your speed.

See more on your best best lodging options in France, including the best 11 hotels in Paris and the nine best castle hotels in France in 2020 .

Getting There

Most major U.S. airports offer flights to Paris , some with non-stop service, and Roissy-Charles de Gaulle in Paris is France's busiest airport. Orly Airport is a useful hub for international flights from other European countries.

Some airlines also fly into other major French cities, such as Lyon, Nice, Bordeaux, and  Strasbourg . It takes around seven hours to fly to France from New York City.

Air France, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, Delta, and American Airlines are among the companies offering flights to France. If flying from within Europe, consider low- carriers including EasyJet and Ryanair, particularly if you're on a tight budget.

Taking the train can also be a convenient and relaxing way to get to (and around) France, especially from other major European cities. The Eurostar carries passengers from London to Paris in just under two and a half hours. The Thalys high-speed train connects Paris with Amsterdam, Brussels, Rotterdam, and other cities.

Finally, if you plan to visit French cities that are far apart (say Strasbourg and Carcassonne), you might want to fly from one destination to the next. It's relatively cheap and can save you hours of train travel. 

Culture and Customs

Before heading to France, it's always a good idea to learn about local culture and customs. Are French waiters and shopkeepers  really rude? How do you navigate the rules of the French dinner table?

See our guide to avoiding travel mistakes during your first time in France , and learn why these stereotypes about French people are generally far from accurate. Then study some key facts about France before your trip.

Money-Saving Tips

• Consider going in low season (roughly mid-October to mid-March) to save on airfare, hotel rates, and tours. It can be a lot cheaper to travel at these times than during peak season.
• If you're staying in a big- to medium-sized French city , buy a transport pass rather than individual tickets for metro trains, buses, and trams. The Paris Visite Pass is one example; it allows for unlimited travel on Paris' transport network as well as discounted entry to top city attractions. Bordeaux has a similar scheme.
• Also consider staying in a smaller town rather than a big city, where the cost of lodging, restaurants, and other amenities tends to be less expensive. These are some of France's most beautiful small towns and villages.
• Get a rail pass. You'll likely save a significant amount on train travel between cities and regions if you invest in one.
• Before you go, ask your bank about how much you'll be charged for ATM withdrawals, card payments, and other transactions while abroad. Also check with different credit card companies and compare rates.
• Learn more about how to save money during your trip in our full guides to planning budget vacations to France and Paris .

European Commission. " France and the Euro ."

UNESCO World Heritage Centre. " Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay ."

The Top 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in France

Top French Wine Tours, Regions and Wine Routes

The Best Time to Visit France

7 Top Vineyards to Visit in France

France Travel Planner for Every Vacation

One Week in France: The Ultimate Itinerary

Paris Guide: Planning Your Trip

The Essential Guide to Alsace, France: What to See & Do

A Tour of West France

How to Travel from Frankfurt to Paris by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

Albi: Planning Your Trip

Your Trip to the French Riviera: The Complete Guide

Avoid these First-timers France Travel Mistakes

The Best Time to Visit the French Riviera

The Top 10 Most Underrated Destinations in France

The Top 15 Things to Do in Bordeaux, France

France Travel Guide

Famed for the Eiffel Tower, delicious pastries, rolling vineyards, stunning beaches, and the snow-capped Alps.

Best time to visit France

How to rent a car in france, best places to visit in france, gorges du verdon: most beautiful canyon in france, colmar, france: 10 best things to do, menton, france: the pearl of the french riviera, valensole, provence: a guide to the lavender village of france, map of france, weather in france.

France’s weather varies depending on the region. The south of France has over 300 days of sunshine year-round, while the north and inland regions experience the typical 4 seasons This makes spring and autumn the ideal time to visit to escape the crowds and extreme weather.

French Riviera

South of france: the ultimate 12-day travel itinerary, 7 best things to do in nice (french riviera), 9 best things to do in marseille, villefranche-sur-mer: visit the most colorful town in south france, cotignac: the cliffside village of provence, france, 8 best things to do in provence, france, visit roussillon and le sentier des ocres (canyon), best lavender fields in provence, france, gordes, france: the icon of provence, south-west france, aubeterre-sur-dronne: a stunning village in france, sarlat in the dordogne: 11 best things to do, best things to do in ile de ré, atlantic coast, france, 11 best things to do in bordeaux (wine capital of france).

North France

Montmartre in paris: a visitors guide, 12 best things to do in paris: the ultimate 3-day trip, east france, how to rent a car in france, best travel insurances.

• Find Hotels via Booking.com
• Find Hostels via Hostelworld
• Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
• Find Flights to France via Skyscanner
• Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
• Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
• Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go
• Get a Visa via iVisa
• How to pack light for your trip
• How to plan your trip our tips

Why is France worth visiting?

France is an enchanting destination with timeless beauty, from iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower in Paris to charming Provencal villages like Cotignac. Devour tasty cuisine, explore rich history, and embrace art, fashion, and culture at every turn.

Is France cheap to visit?

While France can be pricey in major cities, there are options for all budgets throughout the country. Experience luxury in the heart of Paris or French Riviera, or enjoy more budget-friendly options in quaint, less touristy areas.

Can I drink tap water in France?

Yes! While many locals prefer bottled water, you can safely drink tap water throughout France. Bring a reusable bottle to fill up at one of the many water fountains to stay hydrated on the go while also reducing plastic.

Do I need a visa for traveling in France?

If you’re traveling in France for less than 90 days, most people from the EU, the US, and other visa-exempt countries can visit without a visa. Check your country’s entry requirements well in advance to ensure you have a smooth trip.

What language do they speak in France?

French, known as the language of love, is spoken throughout the country. In the more touristy areas, most locals will understand basic English, but knowing a few French words will definitely help, particularly in more rural destinations.

Do I need travel insurance for France?

Whether it’s a baguette-induced mishap, lost belongings, or unexpected delays, travel insurance is crucial for your time in France to ensure you have a worry-free trip.

Is France safe?

France is generally safe for travelers. However, like any destination, it’s important to stay vigilant and informed. In the more touristy areas, petty theft does occur, so keep valuables out of sight.

What power plug type does France have?

The standard plug type is type E, but both type C and type F plugs may also fit in these sockets, depending on the size of the plug case. Investing in an international travel adapter will ensure you keep connected throughout your trip.

Why do people love France?

France’s allure lies in its passion, artistry, and beautiful surroundings. It’s a destination where you can indulge in exquisite cuisine, immerse in timeless culture, explore enchanting cities, breathtaking coastlines, snow-capped mountains, and quaint villages nestled between lavender fields and vineyards.

France Travel

France is a country that exudes charm, culture, and history, with iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Palace of Versailles. It also boasts diverse landscapes, from the picturesque vineyards of Bordeaux to the stunning alpine peaks of the French Alps. With so many amazing things to do in France, it’s no wonder it’s one of the most popular travel destinations in the world.

How to plan your trip to France

There’s so much to see and do in this picturesque country! Maybe you are keen to tour around Provence, home to some of the most spectacular natural sights of all time, the stunning vibrant purple lavender fields , and Gorges du Verdon , the most beautiful canyon in France? Or if you’re in search of the ideal 12-day travel itinerary for the South of France, follow our France travel guides to plan your dream vacation in France.

If you are planning your France holiday during the colder months, consider the ultimate 3 day trip in Paris or explore the enchanting fairytale city of Colmar, both beautiful destinations year-round.

Planning your perfect holiday in France? With such diverse offerings throughout the country making it a year-round destination, the best time to visit France depends mainly on personal preferences such as preferred activities and weather conditions.

Summer (June – August): If you’re dreaming of sun-soaked days on the French Riviera , hopping from town to town through the likes of Nice , Marseille , and Menton , or tropical island vibes of Ile d’Aix on the Atlantic Coast, the summer season offers the most favorable weather in France, full of sunny days and blue skies. But it’s worth keeping in mind that this is peak tourist season, so expect large crowds and elevated prices.

Spring (March – May) & Autumn (September – November): This time of year is the perfect climate in France, as the shoulder seasons offer a balance between pleasant weather and fewer tourists. From sipping delicious wine in the wine capital of France, Bordeaux, to kayaking down the Dordogne River, spring and autumn make for the perfect time for sightseeing.

Winter (December – February): While France may not be the first place that comes to mind for a winter vacation, there’s plenty to do during this season. If you’re into winter sports, the French Alps is the perfect place for skiing and snowboarding, or if you’re keen to get into the festive spirit, cities like Strasbourg, Reims, and Colmar are all home to magical Christmas markets.

Best time to visit France for festivals and events: From the extravagant Cannes Film Festival in May to the grand celebrations on Bastille Day on July 14th and the breathtaking lavender fields in full bloom around the end of June, France is home to so many unique cultural experiences for every type of traveler.

Whether it’s enjoying the buzz of the summer season, exploring the cities in the milder seasons, or experiencing the unique charm of a French winter wonderland, there are so many amazing things to do in France year-round!

Coastlines and beaches in France

France boasts a stunning coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the English Channel, offering an array of coastal experiences for the perfect French holiday.

French Riviera: The French Riviera (Côte d’Azur) is synonymous with luxury, and it’s not hard to see why. With its glitzy towns like Cannes and Saint-Tropez, this stretch of the Mediterranean coast boasts some of the most famous and glamorous beaches in the world. But don’t let the glitz and glam put you off; this region is one of the best places in France, with so much to see. From the pastel-colored fishing port of Cassis, to Villefranche-sur-Mer , a charming hidden gem, the French Riveria truly feels like something out of a vintage film!

Atlantic Coast: The Atlantic Coast is a haven for beach lovers, offering a more laid-back atmosphere than the French Riviera. Some of the best spots include Biarritz, a popular surfing area; Rochefort, a gorgeous 17th-century naval town; and Aix Island, known as ‘little Corsica.’

Normandy and Brittany: If you prefer rugged coastlines and dramatic landscapes for your vacation in France, the beaches of Normandy and Brittany are ideal. Here, you can visit the D-Day landing beaches, where history merges with natural beauty. Mont Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is another must-see destination in this region.

Corsica: Corsica, a French island in the Mediterranean, offers a unique blend of mountains and pristine beaches. The island’s diverse landscapes provide opportunities for hiking, water sports, and relaxation. Palombaggia Beach is a standout with its fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.

Food, culture and religion in France

France is not just a destination; it’s a gastronomic and cultural journey. The country is renowned for its exquisite cuisine, rich history, and a blend of traditions that have made traveling France so enticing!

French cuisine is a celebration of flavors and craftsmanship. From croissants and escargot to coq au vin and ratatouille, every region in France offers unique culinary experiences. Don’t miss the opportunity to indulge in wine and cheese tastings, savor delicate pastries in a local boulangerie, or have a once-in-a-lifetime meal in a Michelin-starred restaurant. The French take their food seriously, and each meal is an occasion to enjoy life’s pleasures.

France’s cultural heritage is focused on art, music, and literature, with the country’s fashion, film, and design scene being influential globally. The French population also values their leisure time and the pursuit of the “joie de vivre,” meaning the joy of living, which is noticeable as you stroll through charming villages, marvel at the art in the Louvre, sip on café au lait at a Parisian sidewalk cafe, and savor a bottle of Bordeaux in a beautiful vineyard.

France is a secular country, meaning there is a separation of church and state, with a predominantly Christian population. France’s history is deeply intertwined with Catholicism, evident in the grand cathedrals, like Chartres Cathedral and Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Paris , which are not only places of worship but also architectural masterpieces.

The food, culture, and history throughout France will charm you. It’s a place where every bite, every sight, and every conversation feels like a piece of art.

Why you should travel to France

France is a country that captures the hearts of travelers, making it a must-visit destination. Its allure lies in a remarkable blend of culture, history, and natural beauty — all ready to be explored with our France travel guides.

As you travel throughout France, you’ll encounter an array of historic landmarks, including the Palace of Versailles and the iconic Louvre Museum (home to the Mona Lisa). You’ll also walk in the footsteps of celebrated artists and writers who found inspiration in its landscapes, making it a haven for history and art enthusiasts.

Each region offers its own unique culinary treasures. Whether it’s indulging in flaky pastries in local patisseries, the simple pleasures of a sidewalk café, picnic full of artisan cheese, meats, and baguettes, or prestigious Michelin-starred dining, France is the perfect place for every type of foodie!

The landscapes equally vary from one region to the next, each with its unique charm. Whether you’re surrounded by the rolling vineyards in Bordeaux and Champagne, skiing the snow-capped peaks of the French Alps, or taking in the vintage-like scenes of the French Riveria, there’s no shortage of picturesque scenery and things to do in France for nature and outdoor enthusiasts.

Traveling France offers truly remarkable diversity, from cultural experiences to culinary delights, natural beauty, and urban exploration; it’s not to be missed.

Safety and travel advice France

France, known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, is a generally safe destination for travelers. However, staying informed about safety measures and travel tips is essential for a worry-free trip.

Natural Disasters: France doesn’t frequently experience natural disasters, but flooding, forest fires, and avalanches can occur. To stay updated, it’s worth registering with your embassy before your journey to receive emergency updates.

Crime and Safety in France: While this shouldn’t put you off visiting this beautiful country, France is at risk of terrorist attacks, so always stay alert, be prepared for heightened security checks, and follow the advice of local authorities. In crowded tourist areas, such as Paris and Nice, pickpocketing does occur. Always keep your phone and other valuables out of sight, especially in crowded areas, and never leave your possessions unattended on beaches.

Traffic and Driving: If you’re planning to rent a car in Franc e, there are strict driving laws, and regular checks take place, so it is worth familiarizing yourself with the rules before you travel. In bigger cities, driving can be hectic and traffic heavy, so make sure to follow the rules of the road. Parking outside of the cities and catching the train in can sometimes be more manageable.

Travel Insurance: For a worry-free trip during your France holiday, it’s worth getting travel insurance. This can protect you from unexpected delays, lost luggage, and accidents. Find the best travel insurance

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France and beyond

Above, the Arc de Triomphe , Paris .

10 Day France Itinerary: See the Best of France

France is a country that offers visitors incredible diversity. It is loved by so many and is one of the most visited countries in the world. But the majority of those people only visit Paris. This 10 day France itinerary aims to get you outside of Paris and exploring other equally incredible parts of the country.

My France 10 day itinerary covers just some of the highlights that France has to offer. It brings together the what to see in France in 10 days so you can get a taste for this beautiful country and make the most of your precious vacation time.

If you follow this trip to a tee you’ll be driving close to 2,000 km so you’ll want a vehicle that is comfortable for both driver and passengers, plus on that has plenty of space for your luggage.

For all my car hire bookings I use and recommend Hertz . I’ve found they offer the most comparable prices, let you search and compare multiple vehicle types and they have a great customer service team who can help if you come into any unexpected troubles.

10 Day France Itinerary

Days 1 to 3 – Paris

Day 1 – Begin your 10 days in France by arriving in Paris. This itinerary assumes that you arrive in the morning giving you three quarters of a day to start seeing the sights.

The City of Lights, Paris, is one of the most visited cities in the world and rightly so. It is dripping with amazing architecture, world class art and culture and mouth-watering food. Paris is a city for everyone and its highlights can easily be explored in just a few days.

What to See & Do in Paris

Eiffel Tower – The icon of Paris is the perfect place to start your visit. Admire the architecture of what was once the world’s tallest tower before being whisked to the top in an elevator to enjoy the most spectacular uninterrupted views of the city. Skip the queues and pre-booked your visit to the top of the Eiffel Tower here .

Arc Du Triomphe – Take a walk up the famous Champ Elysees to enjoy the approaching view of this imposing arch. Built to honour those who fought and died for France, check out the inner and outer surfaces of the Arc for the names of French war victories and generals inscribed in the stone. You can climb the steps to the top for nice views over Paris and down the avenues that run off the centre of the Arc. Avoid long queues with this pre-booked ticket to the top.

Notre Dame Cathedral – One of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in the world, Notre Dame is famous for its incredible stained glass windows and for the gargoyles that guard the cathedral from above. Inside it is simply breathtaking and the view from the top allows you to get a closer look at those gargoyles, the cathedral’s roof and spires and over the city.

The Louvre – Home of the famous Mona Lisa, the world’s largest and most visited museum is spread across three wings with eight different departments and around 35,000 works of art and artifacts on display. One visit is most certainly not enough to take it all in so a little forward planning about what you want to see is a must. You might also want to nab yourself a timed entry ticket here to avoid the really long queues.

Montmartre & Sacre Coeur – For many hundreds of years the area of Montmartre has attracted artists from around the world. Today the area has a very bohemian vibe with tons of character and notorious nightlife. The most notable structure in the area is the lovely Sacre Coeur Basilica which holds services daily for locals and visitors. Make sure you enjoy the view from the area in front of the Basilica looking out over Paris. With so much interesting history in this area, a short tour with a local guide is a must!

Cruise the Seine –  Some of Paris’s best architecture and landmarks line the Seine River making a sightseeing cruise a must do (especially this evening illuminations cruise where you will see Paris sparkle!). My top tip is to hop aboard the Bateaux Mouches for a one hour cruise at night on an open top boat that will take you under all of the city’s famous bridges and past its famous sites.

Palace of Versailles – This grand chateau was once home to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette and is simply spectacular inside and out. Grand rooms filled with priceless works of art, furniture and antiquities on the inside and sprawling perfectly manicured gardens on the outside make this a worthy half to full day trip from the centre of Paris. As with most popular Paris attractions, having a skip the line entry ticket is a must.

Enjoy the Gardens – Paris has some really stunning gardens that are a haven from the busy streets of the city. Stroll the length of the Jardin des Tuileries from the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde or enjoy the spectacular flower displays of the Jardin du Luxembourg, just to name two of the city’s best green spaces.

Where to Stay in Paris

Here are three accommodation options to suit all budgets that I recommend you check out. All are centrally located, highly rated and come with excellent facilities. You can also check out my whole post dedicated to places to stay in Paris here .

Budget – Hotel Marignan

Mid-Range – Hotel Le Relais des Halles

Luxury – Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris

Read More About Paris

30 Things to Do in Paris

The Best Tours in Paris for Sightseeing

The Best Day Trips from Paris

Days 4 to 5 – Loire Valley

Drive: The next stop on your 10 day trip to France is the Loire Valley. From Paris to Tours it is approximately 2.5 hours drive. Leave Paris early to make the most of the day in The Loire Valley.

Famous for its abundance of chateau, The Loire Valley has to be one of the most beautiful regions of France. Explore the chateau, wander the sprawling gardens and orchids, taste the local produce and wine and just simply soak up the beauty of the landscape.

What to See & Do in the Loire Valley

Chateau Chambord – The biggest and most famous of the chateau in The Loire Valley, Chateau Chambord was built by King Francis I as a hunting lodge. Of course it has been upgraded and expanded considerably since then. It is one of the best examples of renaissance architecture in the world. A small number of the 440 odd rooms in the chateau are open to the public to explore. See this incredible building without the queues by booking here in advance.

Ainy-le-Vieil Chateau & Gardens – One of the many chateau in the region, what sets Ainy-le-Vieil apart from the rest is the incredible gardens which are split into a series of rooms each with a different theme. The chateau itself has been in the same family since 1467 and you can explore the interiors to check out some of the personal mementos left behind by past family members.

Cycle along the Loire River – The Loire Valley is relatively flat making it the perfect place to hire a bike or take a bike tour ( like this one !). There are bike hire places in most villages along the river and the path is well sign posted. Whether its just a short ride or a full day, you’ll see plenty of beautiful chateau and have the opportunity to stop by plenty of quaint little villages on your ride.

Bourges Cathedral – One of the most remarkable Gothic cathedrals in France, the Bourges is located in the town of the same name and dates back to the 12th century. Modelled on Notre-Dame in Paris, the cathedrals biggest draw card is its spectacular stained glass windows intricately depicting biblical stories.

Explore the Vineyards – The Loire Valley has some of the best wine-making soil in France and some of France’s most well-known wine is produced in the region. You can explore the vineyards on your own in the car, hire a bike or take a tour like this one . Maps are available from local tourist offices making it easy to navigate between the vineyards.

Where to Stay in the Loire Valley

Here are three accommodation options to suit all budgets that I recommend you check out. All are centrally located in the town of Tours, highly rated and come with excellent facilities.

Budget – Hotel Italia

Mid-Range – Best Western Plus l’Artist Hotel

Luxury – Chateau Belmont Tours

Days 6 to 7 – Lyon

Drive: Your Frnace 10 day itinerary continues in Lyon which is approximately 4.5 hours drive from Tours. Leave Tours early to make the most of the day and allow time for plenty of scenic stops along the way.

If the main reasons you’re visiting France are for the culture and the food then you can’t miss visiting Lyon on your travel travel itinerary. France’s third largest city is home to interesting museums, cultural events year round and food offerings for those with an adventurous palate. 

What to See & Do in Lyon

Explore the Vieux – Lyon’s Vieux (old town) is a great place to start your visit. Take a wander around the cobblestone streets through narrow passageways past delicatessens, artisan stores and sidewalk cafes. Keep your eye out for an old traboule which are passageways used in medieval times by the silk industry, some of which have been recently renovated. A guided tour, like this one , will help you find all those hidden spots.

Dine in a bouchon – These small restaurants serve the most traditional of Lyonnaise cuisine and are best suited to those looking to try something a little different. Dishes on the menu might include ingredients such as tripe, bone marrow or pork offal.

Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourviere – Perched high above the old town, this impressive white church dominates Lyon’s skyline and offers great views over Lyon from the promenade out the front. You can walk up the steep steps to get there or take the funicular for a few euros to save your legs. Nicknamed “the upside down elephant” because of its outside shape, inside its interior is quite pretty with lots of ornate features.

Roman Amphitheatre  – Right next to Notre Dame is one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres outside of Rome. The theatre holds up to 10,000 people and is used by the city to host many festivals and events throughout the year. When there’s nothing going on, visitors are free to wander around the theatre and picture themselves enjoying a concert in roman times.

Museum of Fine Arts – This museum has one of the broadest collections of fine art pieces of any museum in the world with their collection ranging from ancient Egyptian antiquities to modern art pieces from the last few decades. The Museum of Fine Arts also holds pieces that are among the finest in all of Europe. For art lovers, this place is heaven and not to be missed.

Hire a bike – Lyon is laid out on relatively flat ground and running right through the city are two rivers. This makes Lyon a great place to hire a bike and explore. There are Velo bike stations all over the city where you can pick up a bike any time of day for a few hours or a full day and explore along the rivers or around the city. It’s a great way to cover a lot of ground in less time.

Take a River Cruise – A great way to see most cities in Europe is on a river cruise and Lyon is no different. This one hour Saone River cruise will give you a new perspective of the most famous landmarks of Lyon and its interesting and unique architecture.

Where to Stay in Lyon

Here are three accommodation options to suit all budgets that I recommend you check out. All are centrally located, highly rated and come with excellent facilities.

Budget – Hotel Saint Vincent

Mid-Range – Hotel ParkSaone

Luxury – Villa Maia

Days 8 – Aix-en-Provence

Drive: The next stop on your France vacation itinerary is Aix-en-Provence, located approximately 3.5 hours drive south of Lyon. Leave Lyon early to allow time for plenty of stops along the way.

Suggested Stop

Allow plenty of time to stop at two French gems. First make stop at the Pont du Gard for a stroll out to this ancient roman aqueduct. Then head into Avignon to check out the Palais des Papes, walk over the Pont Saint-Benezet, wander the cobblestone streets browsing the boutiques and relax in one of the sidewalk cafes.

Food to the people of Provence is everything, so foodies will love exploring this region on this France Itinerary. From the markets to the cafes and rolling fields of produce, Provence is a region for the senses. Its naturally beautiful landscapes and pretty little towns have been attracting artists for hundreds of years who come for the light and create masterpieces that can now be found in some of the best galleries all over the world.

What to See & Do in Provence

Aix-en-Provence – Basing yourself in Aix-en-Provence will give you plenty of time to explore this picture perfect town. Dine in one of the many fantastic restaurants that use only the best local produce. Wander the cobblestone lanes to see exactly why artists like Cezanne were so inspired by this town. And browse through the chic boutiques scattered through the town.

Arles  Amphitheater  – During the summer months this ancient roman amphitheater comes alive with plays and concerts. For the rest of the year it is open to visitors. Take a walk around and picture yourself back in the roman days watching sporting events, wild-animal hunts, executions of prisoners, and gladiatorial contests.

Marseille’s Vieux Port – The Old Port of Marseille is the beating heart of the city and the Provence region. It is the place where locals and visitors go to relax, eat, drink, shop and just generally enjoy life. Wander through the shops and markets, have a drink or a bite to eat in one of the restaurants, bars and cafes or just stroll along the harbour people watching.

Saint-Remy-de-Provence – This quaint, traditional Provençal village is rather sleepy these days but back in Roman times it was a thriving Roman settlement, the ruins of which can still be seen today. However, this isn’t the town’s only claim to fame. It was also where Van Gogh was housed while being treated for his many psychiatric problems. It’s a lovely town to explore on foot and enjoy a break at one of the many cafes.

Moustiers Sainte-Marie – Hiding up the Gorges du Verdon is the town of Moustiers Sainte-Marie. The drive to this beautiful medieval town is on a long and winding road up the gorge with some spectacular scenery. The village itself is charming and well worth the effort to get there as it seems like time has stood still of hundreds of years.

Digne les Bains Lavender Fields – Take a drive through the rolling hills of Digne les Bains to see field after field of lavender mass planted. Stop by one of the road-side stalls or country shops to buy all sorts of lavender products from soaps and fragrance sprays to honey and other food products. The lavender blooms from June to August and the locals celebrate with a festival over a few days in August at harvest time.

Where to Stay in Provence

Budget – Hotel Le Mozart

Mid-Range – Hotel du Globe

Luxury – Villa Gallici Hotel & Spa

Days 9 to 10 – French Riviera

Drive: The last stop on this 10 day France Itinerary is the French Riviera, with Nice, the main city along this stretch of coast approximately 5 hours drive from Aux-en-Provence if you take the slower coast road the whole way or 3 hours if you take the inland faster route. Leave Nimes early to make the most of the day and allow time for plenty of scenic stops along the way.

Optional Detour

To get to Nice you can take the quick route shown in the map above. Or if you have a bit more time you can detour the French Riviera coast stopping in Saint Topez, Cannes and Antibes .

The heart of the French Riviera, Nice is everything you have heard it is and so much more. Nice is a mixture of grit and opulence drenched with lots of sunshine. While the beaches and corso are the places to be and be seen, it’s the winding cobblestone lanes of the old town you’ll want to get lost in and find your own little piece of Nice.

What to See & Do in the French Riviera

Soak up with sun on the beach – While the beaches of Nice aren’t like the white sandy beaches most will be used to, the warm Mediterranean seas are more than enough to get most people over having to walk on pebbles. Whether you hire a sun lounger and umbrella for a day or brave it on the pebbles, a day by the water in Nice is an absolutely must!

Stroll the Promenade des Anglais – This palm fringed promenade runs for five miles along the beach at Nice and is the place to be and be seen when the sun is shining. You could easily spend a few hours strolling up and down the promenade watching the people enjoy life and this beautiful part of the world.

Nice Old Town – Once you’ve had your time in the sun, head to the old town to wander around the colourful winding cobblestone lanes. It’s a labyrinth you could easily get lost in passing but tiny local cafes, green grocers and artisan stores. There’s usually a market going on too which gives you a great glimpse into the lives of the locals.

Monaco – The nicest time of day to enjoy Monaco is just before the sun sets. You can take a bus or train from Nice (20-30 minutes) in the late afternoon to explore Le Palais des Princes de Monaco then watch the sun set over the billions of dollar’s worth of yachts in the marina. Finishing off the night in the Monte Carlo Casino or just outside in one of the sidewalk cafes checking out some of the world’s most expensive cars and the wealthy people who own them. This evening tour is also a great way to experience the very best of Monaco on short trip from Nice.

Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art – Get your final art fix of the trip at this museum famous for its Pop Art collection. The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art has a large collection of permanent exhibitions which are free to visit as well as ever-changing temporary exhibitions for a small fee. The building itself is also a work of art and worth a look, as is the view from the roof.

Where to Stay in Nice

Budget – Hotel des Dames

Mid-Range – Ibis Styles Nice Centre Gare

Luxury – Hotel Negresco

Read More About Nice

Things to Do in Nice

Got More Time?

If you have more than 10 days in France you have a few options to extend you’re time there.

Check out my Two Week France Itinerary which covers a little more time in some of the places mentioned above, plus a few nights in the historic Normandy region.

You can choose to add some additional days at the places mentioned above. This will give you more quality time to spend in each place and will allow you to see more and spend a bit more time relaxing.

Alternatively you can add another destination or two to your journey. Just a few of these options include the Bordeaux wine region, the French Alps (I love the mountain town of Annecy), Dijon for the cuisine or Strasbourg on the German border to see how the cultures mix together to form a truly unique city.

Your can read more about some of these additional places to visit in France here .

Over to you!

What is your favourite part of this France vacation itinerary or where are you most keen to visit?

Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.

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4 thoughts on “10 Day France Itinerary: See the Best of France”

Hello and thank you for all the info. We want to start in Marsielle and hoping to see Provence, St. Tropez, Nice and Paris. From Paris we are going to Amsterdam. Do you think we can do that in 7 days prior to going to Amsterdam? Thank you

HI Cindy, Yes it is doable however it will be tight. I tend to choose quality time in each destination rather than lots of destinations. You could easily spend the whole 7 days in Paris and not get bored.

Hello, thank you for this information. I lived and traveled in France many years ago and still speak it pretty well. I am planning to take my 2 adult nieces on a 10 day trip- this itinerary looks great but a bit tight; I am in my late 50’s so I’m wondering if I can keep up. (:-)) Do you have an approximate suggestion of cost for this trip- just housing and food (not including air fare)? I’m also thinking of substituting Mont St. Michel for something else (maybe Lyon), but that may not be practical. Everything else you mentioned sounds perfect. We’re planning to go in late March 2023. Thank you!

We’re renting a car any suggestion we want to travel out of PARIS starting at CDG AND BACK TO CDG ( 10 days road trip_

Any nice route we want to see small town, architecture ,like the dordogne

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My niece and I attended this terrific workshop. We learned a lot and had tons of fun. The bread and pastries were amazing. It was great to get behind the s...

For all the millions of French people that live in its many vibrant cities, the idea persists that theirs is a rural country. The importance of the land reverberates throughout French culture, something you will truly understand when you travel to France.

Where to go in France

Best time to travel to france, itinerary for when you travel to france, culture in france, cuisine in france, alsace and lorraine, alsatian food, four fabulous alsace fortresses, the route des vins, the wines of alsace, “la grand boucle”.

France boasts metropolitan powerhouse cities that represent the countries accumulation of wealth, evident in the astonishing variety of places to visit, from the Dordogne's prehistoric cave paintings and the Roman monuments of the south, to the Gothic cathedrals of the north, the chateaux of the Loire, and the cutting-edge architecture of the grands projets in Paris. This legacy of history and culture - le patrimoine - is so widely dispersed across the land that even the briefest of stays will leave you with a powerful sense of France's past. After reading this region-by-region overview, you might want to arm yourself with 20 fun facts about France.

Travelling around France is easy. Restaurants and hotels proliferate, many of them relatively inexpensive when compared with other developed Western European countries. Train services are admirably efficient, as is the road network – especially the (toll-paying) autoroutes – and cyclists are much admired and encouraged. Information is highly organized and available from tourist offices across the country, as well as from specialist organizations for walkers, cyclists, campers and so on.

As for where to go in France, Paris, of course, is the outstanding cultural centre, with its impressive buildings – not least Frank Gehry’s stunning new Fondation Louis Vuitton – and unparalleled art, nightlife and ethnic diversity, though the great provincial cities – Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Marseille – all now vie with the capital and each other for prestige in the arts, ascendancy in sport and innovation in attracting visitors. Marseille, in particular, has a host of exciting new cultural institutions, a legacy of its year as European Capital of Culture in 2013.

For most people, however, it’s the unique characters of the regions that will define a trip. Few holiday-makers stay long in the largely flat, industrial north, but there are some fine cathedrals and energetic cities to leaven the mix. The picture is similar in Alsace-Lorraine where Germanic influences are strong, notably in the food. On the northern Atlantic coast, Normandy has a rich heritage of cathedrals, castles, battlefields and beaches – and, with its cream-based sauces, an equally rich cuisine. To the west, Brittany is renowned for its Celtic links, beautiful coastline, prehistoric sites and seafood, while the Loire valley, extending inland towards Paris, is famed for soft, fertile countryside and a marvellous parade of châteaux. Further east, the green valleys of Burgundy shelter a wealth of Romanesque churches, and their wines and food are among the finest in France. More Romanesque churches follow the pilgrim routes through rural Poitou-Charentes and down the Atlantic coast to Bordeaux, where the wines rival those of Burgundy. Inland from Bordeaux, visitors flock to the gorges, prehistoric sites and picturesque fortified villages of the Dordogne and neighbouring Limousin, drawn too by the truffles and duck and goose dishes of Périgord cuisine. To the south, the great mountain chain of the Pyrenees rears up along the Spanish border, running from the Basque country on the Atlantic to the Catalan lands of Roussillon on the Mediterranean; there’s fine walking and skiing, as well as beaches at either end. Further along the Mediterranean coast, Languedoc offers dramatic landscapes, medieval towns and Cathar castles, as well as more beaches, while the Massif Central, in the centre of the country, is undeveloped and little visited, but beautiful nonetheless, with its rivers, forests and the wild volcanic uplands of the Auvergne. The Alps, of course, are prime skiing territory, but a network of signposted paths makes for great walking too; to the north, the wooded mountains of the Jura provide further scope for outdoor adventures. Stretching down from the Alps to the Mediterranean is Provence, which, as generations of travellers have discovered, seems to have everything: Roman ruins, charming villages, vineyards and lavender fields – and legions of visitors. Its cuisine is similarly diverse, encompassing fruit, olives, herbs, seafood and lamb. Along the Provençal coast, the beaches, towns and chic resorts of the Côte d’Azur form a giant smile extending from the vibrant city of Marseille to the super-rich Riviera hotspots of Nice and Monaco. For truly fabulous beaches, however, head for the rugged island of Corsica, birthplace of Napoleon and home to an Italian-leaning culture and cuisine and some fascinating Neolithic sculptures.

Discover more places in France

• Languedoc Travel Guide
• The Limousin, Dordogne and the Lot Travel Guide
• The Loire Travel Guide
• The Massif Central Travel Guide
• Normandy Travel Guide
• The north Travel Guide
• Paris Travel Guide
• Poitou-Charentes and the Atlantic coast Travel Guide
• Provence Travel Guide
• The Alps and Franche-Comté Travel Guide
• The Côte d’Azur Travel Guide
• The Rhône valley Travel Guide
• The Pyrenees Travel Guide

The climate in France can be tricky to navigate when deciding the best time to visit. The north experiences similar weather to the UK, often being wet and moderately unpredictable. The south is significantly warmer, particularly behind the Mediterranean coastline. Briefly speaking, the best time to visit is during late spring to early autumn, when the temperature is warm and crowds are not swarmed with tourists.

If visiting for the first time, or as a returning traveller, planning an itinerary ensures you experience as much of the country as possible, particularly if driving. The diversity of France's beautiful landscape means there are many routes to choose from, so if you have a particular mission in mind, check out our range of itineraries , or alternatively plan a tailor-made trip with one of our experts. For inspiration, we've created an itinerary below.

Tailor-made travel itineraries for France, created by local experts

14 days  / from 3829 USD

An active walking tour out of the way in France

Your trip starts with an in-depth introduction to France in Paris: several unique day excursions connect you with local Parisians to show you their city and way of life. Afterwards continue south to start a few days walking journey through Southern France before ending around Avignon.

10 days  / from 2392 USD

Southern France – Walks in the Alpilles and Lavender fields

Start your tour in the coastal city of Marseille, exploring Cassis on the way. Around the Alpilles in Provence, you will be provided with detailed walking materials to explore the area on foot, from both Les Baux and St Remy. End your tour in famous Avignon.

12 days  / from 2924 USD

Tasting Eastern France

A delicious yet active journey through Eastern France. Start your trip in Lyon with some unique food tours before setting off on a 4-day walk across the Beaujolais region. Almost every day ends with a wine tasting in your guesthouse, soothing for body and soul.

Days 1 - 3: Paris

Your travels to France would not be complete without visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower in the heart of Paris. Tick of the main sites on the checklist; the Louvre Museum, the Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the Arc de Triomphe. Enjoy exploring the charming streets, stopping off for macarons in delightful little cafes.

Days 3 - 5: Epernay, Champagne

Take a trip to Epernay, the birthplace of Champagne. Enjoy a glass of authentic bubbly whilst taking in the beautiful landscape of rolling green hills. Go wine tasting, cycle along the vineyards, take morning walks, and explore the charm of the small town. Simply enjoy the countryside of France.

Days 5 - 7: Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is a place of fairy tales, explore the many Chateaux and immerse yourself into feeling like you have stepped back in time. Chateaux of the Loire Valley is an impressive example of French Renaissance architecture and is a good starting point. Other monumental castles to look out for include those at Ambroise and Nantes. Take part in a tour, also possible along the Loire River, and explore the historical towns and get a real feeling for French history and culture.

The importance of these traditions is felt deeply by the French state, which fights to preserve and develop its culture perhaps harder than any other country in the world. Private companies, which also strive to maintain French traditions in arenas as diverse as haute couture, pottery and, of course, food, are perfect examples of this. The fruits of these efforts are evident in the subsidized arts , notably the film industry, and in the lavishly endowed and innovative museums and galleries. From colonial history to fishing techniques, aeroplane design to textiles, and migrant shepherds to manicure, an array of impressive collections can be found across the nation. Inevitably, however, first place must go to the fabulous displays of fine art in Paris, a city which has nurtured more than its fair share of the finest creative artists of the last century and a half, both French – Monet and Matisse for example – and foreign, such as Picasso and Van Gogh.

French cuisine is as varied as it's landscape, as the creator of the Michelin Star, France takes its food reputation seriously. Dive in deep to France's food and drink culture, that will have you eager to travel to France as soon as you can.

From traditional village boulangeries cooking fresh bread and croissants to high-class restaurants, you'll notice the always pleasant aroma of delicious dishes being cooked. Popular recipes to look out for include ratatouille, bourguignon and crepes. Drink-wise, France boasts some of the best wines, and of course, there is Champagne.

Top image: Le Mont Saint-Michel, France © canadastock / Shutterstock

Disputed for centuries by French kings and the princes of the Holy Roman Empire, and subsequently embroiled in a bloody tug-of-war between France and Germany, France’s easternmost provinces, Alsace and Lorraine , share a tumultuous history. It’s no surprise then that almost everything, from the architecture to the cuisine and the language, is an enticing mixture of French and German – so much so that you might begin to wonder which country you’re actually in.

Cute Hansel-and-Gretel-type houses – higgledy-piggledy creations with oriel windows, carved timberwork, toy-town gables and geranium-filled window boxes – are a common feature in Alsace, especially along the winding Route des Vins , which traces the eastern margin of the forests of the Vosges mountains. This road also represents the region’s chief tourist raison d’être – wine – best accompanied with a regional cuisine that’s more Germanic than French, although you’ll find plenty of creativity in modern Alsatian cooking. Ruined medieval castles are scattered about, while outstanding churches and museums are concentrated in the handsome regional capital of Strasbourg and in smaller, quirkier Colmar . Bustling Mulhouse stands out for its industrial heritage and entertaining nightlife. A noticeably wealthy province, Alsace has historically churned out cars and textiles, not to mention half the beer in France.

Alsace’s less prosperous and less scenic neighbour, Lorraine, shares borders with Luxembourg, Germany and Belgium. The graceful former capital, Nancy , is home to a major school of Art Nouveau and is well worth a visit, as is leafy Metz , with its sparkling new contemporary art gallery. The bloody World War I battlefields around Verdun attract a large number of visitors, as does the zoo in Amnéville , one of the largest in France. Gastronomically no less renowned than other French provinces, Lorraine has bequeathed to the world one of its favourite savoury pies, the quiche lorraine , and an alcoholic sorbet, the coupe lorraine .

Top image: Cathedral of Our Lady, Strasbourg © Travelerpix/Shutterstock

Alsatians are hearty eaters, with their local cuisine characterized by generous helpings of pork, potatoes and spaetzle (a type of pasta usually fried in butter). But the region also has an international reputation for gastronomy, with exciting, new and well-established Michelin-starred restaurants dotted across its towns and villages.

The classic dish is choucroute , the aromatic pickled cabbage known in German as sauerkraut . The difference here is the inclusion of juniper berries in the pickling stage and the addition of goose grease or lard. Traditionally it’s served with large helpings of smoked pork, ham and sausages, but some restaurants offer a succulent variant replacing the meat with fish ( choucroute aux poissons ), usually salmon and monkfish. The qualification à l’alsacienne after the name of a dish means “with choucroute ”. Baeckoffe , a three-meat hotpot, comprising layers of potato, pork, mutton and beef marinated in wine and baked for several hours, is a speciality. Onions , too, crop up frequently on menus, either in the guise of a tart ( tarte à l’oignon ), made with a béchamel sauce, or as flammeküche ( tarte flambée ), a mixture of onion, cream and pieces of chopped smoked pork breast, baked on a thin, pizza-like base.

Alsatians are fond of their pastries . In almost every patisserie, you’ll find a mouthwatering array of fruit tarts made with rhubarb (topped with meringue), wild blueberries, red cherries or yellow mirabelle plums. Cake-lovers should try kugelhopf , a dome-shaped cake with a hollow in the middle made with raisins and almonds.

For the classic Alsatian eating experience, you should go to a winstub , loosely translated as a “wine bar”, a cosy establishment with bare beams, wood wall panels and benches and a convivial atmosphere. The food revolves around Alsatian classics, such as choucroute , all accompanied by local wines (or, in a bierstub , beer).

A thirty-minute drive north of Metz lies Amnéville , an easy-to-overlook town off the A31 motorway. But, just outside, in the Parc Amnéville-Les-Thermes , there is a gigantic tourist site with a conglomeration of attractions, cinemas, restaurants, spas and hotels you'd expect to see in North America rather than Europe. There are three large spas , Centre Thermal St Eloy (with a more therapeutic-medical orientation), Thermapolis (relaxation for all the family) and Villa Pompéi (offering massage and beauty treatments), which have been built over natural thermal springs; there are also sports arenas that include France’s only indoor ski slope, an 18-hole golf and mini-golf course, a “Fitnessium”, an ice-skating rink and an Olympic-size swimming pool.

But the main attraction is the zoo – one of the largest in France. You need a car to get there – and to move around the site. The zoo holds a large number of rare species; many of them are photogenic mammals, such as snow leopards, Siberian tigers, dwarf hippos and a big number of monkey species. In 2015, a new arena was opened to host a choreographed tiger show (1–3 times daily). Feeding of animals takes place several times a day; the wolf-pack feed is the biggest draw.

Alsace is dotted with medieval fortresses, heirlooms from a quarrelsome past. Here’s a rundown of the very best castles in the region:

Bernstein Explore the marvellous ruins of this castle perched 562m up on a rock overlooking Dambach-la-Ville. It’s a 45-minute walk from the village past the chapel of St-Sébastien or a drive up the D35, turning left at Blienschwiller towards Villé on the D203 and then following the sign to Bernstein on the GR5 until the Schulwaldplatz car park. From there it’s a gentle 20min walk uphill through a spruce forest. Free access.

Haut Koenigsbourg A massive pile of honey-coloured sandstone that sits astride a 757m bluff, this castle dates from the twelfth century. It was heavily restored in the twentieth century under the tenacious management of Kaiser Wilhelm II and is today one of the most visited monuments in France – try to come midweek or out of season to avoid the crowds. It is a stunning spot with fantastic views on a clear day.

Château Hohlandsbourg Six kilometres outside Eguisheim, this enormous castle surrounded by massive walls is the largest in the region. It was extensively damaged during the Thirty Years’ War but there’s still plenty to see, including beautiful gardens. The castle is also a venue for cultural activities, music concerts and children’s workshops – check the website for events.

Château Kintzheim Small but wonderful ruined castle built around a cylindrical refuge-tower and located just south of Haut Koenigsbourg. Today Kintzheim is an aviary for birds of prey – the Volerie des Aigles – and puts on magnificent displays of aerial prowess by resident eagles and vultures.

Metz (pronounced “Mess”), the capital of Lorraine, lies on the east bank of the River Moselle, close to the autoroute de l’Est linking Paris and Strasbourg. Today the city has another connection to the capital in the much-lauded satellite branch of the Centre Pompidou . Along with its rather splendid cathedral , a strong dining scene (inspired by the Renaissance writer and famous gourmand, Rabelais, who lived here for two years), large and beautiful flower-lined public spaces and riverside setting, the honey-coloured city of Metz is something of an undiscovered gem.

The city’s origins go back at least to Roman times, when, as now, it stood astride major trade routes. On the death of Charlemagne it became the capital of Lothar’s portion of his empire. By the Middle Ages it had sufficient wealth and strength to proclaim itself an independent republic, which it remained until its absorption into France in 1552. Caught between warring influences, Metz has endured more than its share of historical hand-changing; reluctantly ceded to Germany in 1870, it recovered its liberty at the end of World War I, only to be re-annexed by Hitler until the Liberation.

Metz is, in effect, two towns: the original French quarters of the vieille ville , gathered round the cathedral and encompassing the Île de la Comédie , and the Quartier Impérial , undertaken as part of a once-and-for-all process of Germanification after the Prussian occupation in 1870. Developing with speed and panache is a third section: the Quartier de l’Amphithéâtre , south of the train station, heralded by the Centre Pompidou and the adjacent sports stadium – shops and offices are slowly following.

Centre Pompidou-Metz

The Centre Pompidou-Metz , the first decentralized branch of the Georges Pompidou Centre in Paris, opened with much pomp and ceremony in Metz’s Quartier de l’Amphithéâtre in May 2010. Designed by architects Shigeru Ban and Jean de Gastines, it’s a curious, bright white building resembling a swimming stingray and, with its huge glass windows and wooden scaffolding, is extremely light and inviting. The same spirit reigns here as in Paris: showing off a varying percentage of the Parisian stock, the aim of the museum is to bring modern art to the masses, and judging by the queues it’s working. Expect to spend around two hours here; there’s a café, as well as workshops for children (ask at reception for details).

A large, sprawling, industrial city 35km south of Colmar, Mulhouse was Swiss until 1798 when, at the peak of its prosperity (founded on printed textiles), it voted to become part of France. Today it bills itself as a “museum town”, with at least four that might grab your interest. It’s much cheaper to stay here than in neighbouring Colmar (or Basel), plus it offers the best nightlife in Alsace should you find yourself there over a weekend. The hôtel de ville on the central place de la Réunion contains a beautifully presented history of the city in the Musée Historique . The Neo-Gothic cathedral opposite the museum was built in 1866, replacing a twelfth-century church, yet its fourteenth-century stained glass is considered the most beautiful in the Upper Rhine; this is the only Protestant cathedral standing in a main square in France.

Cité de l’Automobile, Musée National-Collection Schlumpf

The city of Nancy , on the River Meurthe, is renowned for the magnificent place Stanislas, cited as a paragon of eighteenth-century urban planning and today the finest in France. For its spectacularly grand centre, Nancy has the last of the independent dukes of Lorraine to thank: the dethroned king of Poland and father-in-law of Louis XV, Stanislas Leszczynski. During the twenty-odd years of his office in the mid-eighteenth century, he ordered some of the most successful construction of the period in all France. The city is also home to some impressive examples of Art Nouveau furniture and glassware hailing from the days of the École de Nancy , founded at the end of the nineteenth century by glass-master and furniture-maker, Émile Gallé.

From the gare SNCF , walk through Porte Stanislas , straight down rue Stanislas to reach the Rococo place Stanislas . Both this gate and Porte St-Catherine opposite are meticulously aligned with place Stanislas’s solitary statue – that of the portly Stanislas Leszczynski , who commissioned architect Emmanuel Héré to design the square in the 1750s. On the south side of the square stands the imposing hôtel de ville , its roof topped by a balustrade ornamented with florid urns and winged cupids. Along its walls, lozenge-shaped lanterns dangle from the beaks of gilded cockerels; similar motifs adorn the other buildings on the square – look out for the fake, two-dimensional replacements. The square’s entrances are enclosed by magnificent wrought-iron gates; the impressive railings on the northern corners frame fountains dominated by statues of Neptune and Amphitrite.

Stanislas Leszczynski

Stanislas Leszczynski , born in the Polish–Ukrainian city of Lemberg (now Lviv) in 1677, lasted just five years as the king of Poland before being forced into exile by Tsar Peter the Great. For the next twenty-odd years he lived on a French pension in northern Alsace, but after fifteen years Stanislas’s luck changed when he managed, against all odds, to get his daughter, Marie, betrothed to the 15-year-old king of France, Louis XV . Marie was not so fortunate: married by proxy in Strasbourg Cathedral, having never set eyes on the groom, she gave birth to ten children, only to be rejected by Louis, who preferred the company of his mistresses, Madame de Pompadour and Madame du Barry. Bolstered by his daughter’s marriage, Stanislas had another spell on the Polish throne from 1733 to 1736, but gave it up in favour of the comfortable dukedom of Barr and Lorraine. He lived out his final years in aristocratic style in the capital, Nancy, which he transformed into one of France’s most beautiful towns.

Flanked to the west by the rising forests of the southern Vosges, which stretch all the way down to Belfort, Alsace’s picturesque Route des Vins (“Wine Route”) follows the foot of the mountains along the western edge of the wide and flat Rhine valley. Beginning in Marlenheim, west of Strasbourg, the route, on or around the D35, snakes its way over 180km to Thann, near Mulhouse, through exquisitely preserved medieval towns and villages characterized by half-timbered houses, narrow cobbled streets and neighbouring ancient ruined castles – testimony to the province’s turbulent past. The route is blanketed with neat terraces of vines, which produce the famous white wines. Tasting opportunities are plentiful, particularly during the region’s countless wine festivals that mainly coincide with the October harvest.

The old centre of Colmar , a thirty-minute train ride south of Strasbourg and lying east of the main Route des Vins villages, is echt Alsatian, with crooked half-timbered and painted houses. Its small canals and picturesque narrow streets are a flaneur’s paradise. This is prime Elsässisch-speaking country, a German dialect known to philologists as Alemannic, which has waxed and waned during the province’s chequered history. As the proud home of Mathias Grünewald’s magnificent Issenheim altarpiece – on display in the Musée d’Unterlinden –the town is a magnet for tourists all year round.

Musée d’Unterlinden

Colmar’s foremost attraction, the Musée d’Unterlinden is an even richer experience after a lengthy period of renovation and extension. The core of the collection is housed in a former Dominican convent with a peaceful cloistered garden; it includes the museum’s biggest draw, the Issenheim altarpiece , which is thought to have been made between 1512 and 1516 for the monastic order of St Anthony at Issenheim, whose members cared for those afflicted by ergotism and other nasty skin diseases. The extraordinary painted panels are the work of Mathias Grünewald (1480–1528). The luridly expressive centre panel depicts the Crucifixion: a tortured Christ turns his outsize hands upwards, fingers splayed in pain, flanked by his pale, fainting mother and saints John and Mary Magdalene. The face of St Sebastian, on the right wing, is believed to have been modelled on Grünewald’s own likeness. The reverse panels depict the annunciation, Christ’s resurrection, the nativity and a flamboyant orchestra of angels, all splendidly bathed in transcendental light. On the rest of the panels, you’ll find a truly disturbing representation of the temptation of St Anthony, who is engulfed by a grotesque pack of demons; note the figure afflicted with the alarming symptoms of ergotism.

The renovated convent is now linked via an underground gallery of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century art to a brand-new wing, which houses modern and contemporary works, and to the town’s former municipal baths, re-imagined as a venue for cultural events. Highlights include Impressionist paintings by Monet and Bonnard, plus a couple of Picassos.

Verdun lies in a bend of the River Meuse, some 70km west of Metz. Of no great interest in itself, what makes this sleepy provincial town remarkable is its association with the horrific battle that took place on the bleak uplands to the north between 1916 and 1918. In 1916, aiming to break the stalemate of trench warfare, the German General Erich von Falkenhayn chose Verdun as the target for an offensive that ranked among the most devastating ever launched in the annals of war. His troops advanced to within 5km of Verdun, but never captured the town. Gradually the French clawed back the lost ground, but final victory came only in the last months of the war with the aid of US troops. The price was high: hundreds of thousands of men died on both sides. To this day, memorials in every village, hamlet and town of France are inscribed with the names of men slaughtered at Verdun. Not far from Verdun’s railway station, the Rodin memorial , a disturbing statue of winged Victory, stands beside a handsome eighteenth-century gateway at the northern end of rue St-Paul where it joins avenue Garibaldi. Nearby, a simple engraving lists all the years between 450 and 1916 that Verdun has been involved in conflict. The fourteenth-century Porte Chaussée guards the river-crossing in the middle of town. Beyond it, further along rue Mazel, a flight of steps climbs up to the towering Monument de la Victoire , where a helmeted warrior leans on his sword in commemoration of the 1916 battle, while in the crypt below a roll is kept of all the soldiers, French and American, who took part.

The battlefields

The Battle of Verdun opened on the morning of February 21, 1916, with a German artillery barrage that lasted ten hours and expended two million shells. The battle concentrated on the forts of Vaux and Douaumont, built by the French after the 1870 Franco–Prussian War. By the time the main battle ended ten months later, nine villages had been pounded into oblivion.

The most visited part of the battlefield extends along the hills north of Verdun, but the fighting also spread to the west of the Meuse, to the hills of Mort-Homme and Hill 304, to Vauquois and the Argonne, and south along the Meuse to St-Mihiel, where the Germans held an important salient until dislodged by US forces in 1918. Unless you take an organized tour the only viable way to explore the area is with your own transport. The main sights are reached via two minor roads that snake through the battlefields: the D913 and D112.

Despite the long, tall bottles and Germanic names, Alsatian wines are unmistakably French in their ability to complement the region’s traditional cuisine. This is white wine country – if you do spot a local red, it will invariably be a Pinot Noir. Winemakers take advantage of the long, dry autumns to pick extremely ripe grapes producing wines with a little more sweetness than elsewhere in France, but good wines will have a refreshing natural acidity, too. Each of the three main grape varieties listed below can be made with a sweetness level ranging from off-dry right through to “Séléction des Grains Nobles” for the most highly prized dessert wines ( vendages tardives being the label for the slightly less sweet late-harvested wines). Grand Cru labelled wines come from the best vineyard sites.

Riesling The ultimate thirst-quencher, limey, often peachy, excellent with fish dishes and choucroute .

Gewurztraminer Alsace’s most aromatic grape, with roses, lychees, honey, spices and all manner of exotic flavours. Try with pungent Munster cheese or rich pâté.

Pinot Gris Rich, fruity, smoky and more understated than Gewurztraminer. A versatile food wine; try with white meat in creamy sauces and milder cheeses.

Other wines you’re likely to come across include the grapey Muscat , straightforward Sylvaner , and delicate Pinot Blanc/Auxerrois , which also forms the base of the region’s excellent sparkling Crémant d’Alsace . Pinot Noir is used for light, fruity reds and rosés.

• With a land area of 547,000 square kilometres, France is the largest country in the EU; its population of 66 million is second only to that of Germany.

• France has a long secular republican tradition dating back to the revolution of 1789. Yet the majority of its population is Roman Catholic – nominally, at least – and there’s a substantial Muslim minority of around 8 to 10 percent.

• Annual GDP per capita is around $44,000, making France one of the world’s richest countries, but unemployment is a persistent problem, at around 10 percent. Taxes are high, at around 43 percent, but so is social spending, at almost 30 percent.

• France remains by far the world's most popular tourist destination, with some 82 million visitors annually.

• The French film industry is the world’s third most prolific, after the US and India, with around 215 million tickets sold annually.

• Contrary to its self-image as a bastion of gastronomy, the country is also the second largest consumer of McDonalds’ burgers after the US, flipping more than a million Big Macs daily.

• A great source of confusion when meeting and greeting French people is the double kiss, or bise . When it is appropriate, and how many times to do it, which cheek to start with, whether to touch or air kiss, what to do with your hands, or whether it’s better to shake hands instead, are all matters that vex the French just as much as foreign visitors – not least because norms vary between regions, social situations and age groups. When in doubt, hang back, copy what everyone else does, and go left for the first one.

• In 1910, a law was passed in France forbidding couples from kissing on train platforms to avoid delayed departures. The law is still in place, though no longer enforced.

Each year, in the sweltering heat of July, millions of people take up positions on roadsides around France to cheer, shout and bellow cries of encouragement to a pelaton of nearly 200 cyclists as they speed past in a stream of day-glo lycra. Millions more watch on television – though few of them are cycling aficionados. Because the Tour de France is far more than a mere bike race. For the French, it’s a national institution; a symbol of unity; a chance, as the riders pit themselves against the toughest terrain the mighty héxagone can throw at them, to admire the scenic splendour of the country in all its summer glory, with the fields of the Garonne’s sun flowers in full bloom, the Côte d’Azur at its most sleek, and the craggy Alps basking under boundless blue skies.

Started in 1903, the Tour was born out of the rivalry between two sporting papers, L’Auto and Le Vélo , as a ruse to boost sales. The passion it incited nearly scuppered the event in its second year, when riders were beaten up by rival fans and cheating was rife (racers were spotted jumping into cars and taking trains). These days, in the wake of a series of high-profile doping scandals, performance-enhancing drugs pose the main threat to the survival of the 3600-km (2200-mile) race, though La Grand Boucle (the “Great Loop”), as it’s known, still casts a powerful spell over the nation. And it’s not just an obsession for the French; in 2012, Britain’s own Bradley Wiggins clinched the title – the Tour’s first British winner – successfully ensuring a new and ardent fan base just across the Channel.

For your average Frenchman, any recipe for a relaxing summer’s evening would have to include the three Ps: plane trees (or palms at a pinch); pastis ; and that most quintessentially French of games, pétanque . You’ll see this Gallic version of bowls played on countless squares across the country, where groups of mostly middle-aged men in baggy shorts congregate around gravel-and-dirt boulodromes to lob heavy metal boules at diminutive wooden ones called cochonnets (literally “piglets”). Pétanque matches played after work and on weekends are part and parcel of the daily rhythm of life, especially in the south.

The game was invented in 1907 in the town of La Ciotat on the Côte d’Azur by an enthusiastic bowler whose rheumatism prevented him from making the usual extended run up. Instead, he devised a version of his favourite sport in which the bowler’s feet stayed planted firmly on the ground ( pieds tanqués ). The pitch was shortened accordingly, and after the local bar owner firmed up a set of rules, the new game quickly caught on. A whole lexicon has evolved around pétanque to describe different throws and scenarios. Each team, for example, has a mix of “pointeurs” (pointers), players who place the ball as closely as possible to the jack, and “tireurs” (shooters), whose job it is to displace the opposition’s balls with spectacular lobs. If the throw falls short, it’s a “palouf”. If it nudges one of the other team’s balls, it’s made a “biberon”, or “baby’s bottle”. “Faire la Micheline” means to turn up for a game without your own set of boules. “Faire la chanson” refers to attempts to distract the opposition by chatting between points. And, most insulting of all for wannabe pétanque players from the UK, “faire de l’anglais” describes a totally hopeless throw.

Finally, if you’re lucky enough to spectate at a complete whitewash, you’ll experience the most ribald of all pétanque traditions, “Kissing the Fanny”. When a team or individual player loses by 13 points to zero they have to kiss the bare buttocks of a statue or framed picture of a lady named “Fanny”, usually kept in the nearest bar expressly for the purpose.

Travel advice for France

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to France

• Eating and drinking in France
• Getting around France: Transportation Tips
• Travel Tips France for planning and on the go
• How to get to France
• Outdoor activities
• Shopping tips for France
• Best time to visit France

The Rough Guides to France and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

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written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 12.03.2024

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18 Best Travel Websites and Tools for France (Planning and Booking)

Are you planning a trip to France and looking for the best travel websites and tools to help make your stay there as comfortable and memorable as possible? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of 18 of the top travel websites and tools for France that will help you plan, book, and enjoy your vacation to the fullest.

From booking your flight or train ticket to finding a place to stay and exploring the best attractions, these websites and apps will make it easy to plan your dream trip. Let’s take a look at some of the best travel websites and tools for France!

Planning a great kayak trip in France can be quite tricky, but with the help of websites and tools such as Kayak, you can make the process smoother than ever. Kayak is an easy-to-use website that provides travelers with useful information about their kayaking trips in France. It includes detailed maps at accessible prices, routes and tides that are suitable for your chosen type of boat and a vast selection of suitable accommodations right next to France’s best kayaking locations.

Not to mention its online community which helps travelers explore new areas and share resources while visiting some of France’s most picturesque waterways. With Kayak, planning your kayak trip through France has become worry-free!

2. Air France

Air France offers a wide range of travel websites and tools for making the most out of your journey to France. From flight booking and self-service check-in, to travel advice and destination information, Air France’s online customer service makes travelling easier than ever.

You can research all the details of your trip in advance and save money through exclusive deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, and more. With an array of features designed to make planning a France trip seamless, Air France provides the direction needed to ensure your next journey abroad is stress free and full of adventure!

Planning a trip to France can be overwhelming, but with Expedia’s comprehensive selection of travel websites and tools, you can easily get started. Need help booking flights to Paris or Marseille? Expedia offers great deals on airfare for both domestic and international flights. Prefer staying in hotels or apartments?

You can use their website to find a variety of lodging options tailored to your budget and needs. On top of that, they have a range of helpful online resources such as detailed tourist guides, city maps, and itineraries designed specifically for France, as well as time-saving mobile apps for easier navigation. Whether you’re looking for the latest deals or just some advice on where you should go, Expedia has got you covered!

4. Skyscanner

France is an amazing travel destination, and with the right tools to help plan your trip, it can be easy and stress-free. Skyscanner is home to a plethora of great deals and exclusive offers when it comes to France. Their flight booking tool makes searching for the best airline itineraries and routes a breeze, while their versatile accommodation search engine allows tourists to find the perfect spot best suited for them.

With the added convenience of Skyscanner’s app, travelers on the go can now book flights or hotels in seconds. The most convenient way to travel doesn’t end there though; thanks to their car rental feature visitors will have no problem exploring every corner of France with ease. Whether you’re looking for cheap flights, budget-friendly accommodation, or cost-effective car rentals – Skyscanner has got you covered!

Ryanair Travel is the perfect way to explore France! With the airline’s extensive network of destinations, it’s easy to find a flight that fits your needs. Plus, their websites and tools make it simple to book tickets, track flights, and access helpful information like weather updates and baggage regulations.

Customers have come to rely on these features for making quick decisions when booking trips. With everything right at your fingertips, it’s no wonder Ryanair has quickly become one of the most popular airlines when traveling in France.

6. Rail Europe

Planning a journey through France can be an exciting, but daunting task. Fortunately, Rail Europe offers travelers an array of helpful tools for their French adventure. Their website is easy to navigate and remains up-to-date with the latest train ticket fares and fare promotions throughout the country.

In addition, customers are able to set travel alerts customized to their preferences to make sure they never miss out on last minute bargains. Furthermore, the company has an expansive selection of rail passes for multiple countries, allowing customers greater flexibility when moving through Europe’s most renowned regions. With these useful services from Rail Europe, any traveler can have a hassle-free experience exploring France’s enchanting cities and countryside.

Travelling to France can be both a thrilling and intimidating experience, but with the right resources it doesn’t have to be! Trivago is one of the most reliable and convenient travel websites, as it helps you compare the prices of hotels across multiple websites. Not limited to hotels, Trivago also offers several other helpful tools such as activities, advice on planning destination trips, and reviews from fellow travellers.

It even specializes in specific regions like Marseille and Lyon so you can find out the best places to go sightseeing or shopping! With Trivago in your pocket, your French jaunt will be an organized and enjoyable one.

8. Booking.com

Planning a trip to France can be a daunting task, but with the right tools it can be both fun and rewarding. Booking.com is one of the most popular travel websites, offering a variety of helpful features tailored specifically for travelers looking to explore the beautiful country of France. From searching for accommodation to finding discounts on flights and rental cars, Booking.com provides users with an easy-to-use platform to use when booking their dream vacation to the land of wine and cheese.

It even offers expert advice from real local specialists who can give you insider tips and help you enhance your travel experience in France. With comprehensive search options and exclusive deals, Booking.com is no doubt one of the best travel resources available for planning France vacations.

9. Hostelworld

The French know how to enjoy life and have some of the world’s most talked-about cities, like Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, and Strasbourg. Sometimes finding a place to stay in such beautiful places can be difficult without the right resources. Fortunately, Hostelworld provides travelers with access to thousands of hostels in France to make any visit easier. The website provides maps and information about each destination, including local contact details.

With just a few clicks you’ll find detailed information about availability and facilities at hundreds of hostels across the country. Hostelworld also has its own app that can guide you cover everything from booking your accommodation to discovering activities during your stay – in essence taking care of all your travel needs for a hassle-free tour of France.

Plan your perfect vacation to France by utilizing the full range of resources offered by Airbnb travel websites and tools. You can quickly and easily browse listings, filter available properties with detailed search criteria, compare prices between options, get insider tips from locals, or reserve your spot with a secure payment.

Flexible pricing is available for short-term stays in cozy apartments, sprawling villas and modern lofts, plus attractions or tours recommended by verified reviews and ratings. Whether you’re looking for a beach retreat in the south or culture in the heart of Paris – Airbnb has it all! Start planning your dream getaway today.

11. Rome2rio

Planning a trip to France? Look no further than Rome2rio! The travel planning website and app is dedicated to helping you have the smoothest, most stress-free experience possible. Featuring an easy-to-navigate interface, it allows you to quickly compare different transportation methods, distances, prices and journey times.

With Rome2rio by your side, you can even compare airline fares across multiple airlines or drill down deep into individual route information to emerge with comprehensive knowledge about the best way of getting from point A to point B. Plus, the website provides helpful information on local attractions and related blogs for each destination so that you barely have to lift a finger in order to plan out your entire itinerary for your next French holiday.

GoEuro’s travel websites for France offer a variety of tools and services to make traveling in the country an enjoyable experience. Individuals can customize their experience with an array of options from bus, train, car sharing, and flights to lodging and even local experiences such as walking or bike tours. Travelers can save money with convenient booking combinations on all services included in one single ticket, so they stay within their budget while exploring the country.

GoEuro’s user-friendly features also suggest personalized destinations based on individual needs, allowing travelers to explore whatever catches their eye during a visit to France. With these unique tools and services, GoEuro gives travelers all the information needed for hassle-free traveling.

13. Visit France

Planning a dream trip to France can be overwhelming. There are so many amazing sights to see and experiences to have that you can find yourself overwhelmed with information. Luckily, there are countless websites and tools out there designed to help make the planning process easier.

From online forums with insider tips from experienced travelers to comprehensive travel guides, finding information about France has never been easier. These websites also provide such services as accommodation options, airline search engines, rental car booking, restaurant reviews, and more! Take advantage of these resources before you embark on your journey so you can experience France like a local.

14. Mytourism

France is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and attracts travelers from all over. To make the most of their visit, tourists need reliable tools and resources. Mytourism provides them with just that – a comprehensive selection of travel websites and tools that allow visitors to optimize their stay in France.

From maps to transportation routes, accommodations to sightseeing ideas, Mytourism provides all kinds of information for a truly unforgettable experience. So if you’re planning a trip to France soon, look no further than Mytourism for the best tips and resources!

15. TouristEye

TouristEye is the perfect online destination to explore France’s rich culture and history. With an array of exclusive tools, such as dynamic city guide maps, traveling to and around France has never been easier. Utilizing destination experts for up-to-date advice and local tips, you will be well prepared for any holiday outing.

Also, the site provides access to reviews from other travelers who have already experienced the sites that you plan to visit or stay at. From Paris to Provence and everywhere in between, TouristEye makes it simpler for travelers to make their plans for a French getaway.

16. Trainline

For those looking to explore France, a visit to Trainline is essential. With Trainline, travelers have access to Europe’s leading travel booking website and app giving them the opportunity to plan and book their entire trip with ease. With just a few clicks, travelers can find the right ticket for their journey and access exclusive features like Real-Time Delay Reimbursements and Travel Cancellation Insurance – not to mention 24/7 customer service if anything goes wrong!

Plus, with discounts of up to 60% available, Trainline makes it simple to save on even the most expensive trips. From Paris to Marseille, Tours to Montpellier, Bordeaux or beyond — Trainline has you covered for a stress-free experience.

With the abundance of travel websites and tools available today, it can be difficult to choose which ones to use for a French vacation. Thankfully, Viator has years of experience when it comes to helping travelers plan and organize trips in France. The comprehensive website offers detailed reviews about attractions and provides customers with customer ratings for tours and activities.

It also offers a variety of helpful tools that help travelers map out their adventures in the City of Lights. From automatic price filtering to secure payment options, Viator is an essential resource for booking everything from accommodations and transport to opportunity-of-a-lifetime experiences. With access to hundreds of tour guides across all corners of France, Viator promises travelers an unforgettable exploration of this gem of Western Europe.

18. GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide is committed to providing travelers with an easy and accessible way to explore France. Whether you’re just looking to escape for a weekend or have ample time to get lost in the City of Light, this user friendly platform has tools that will make planning your travels easier than ever. GetYourGuide offers over 2300 activities across 169 destinations in France, allowing users to customize their experience by selecting activities in Paris, the French Riviera, and other popular locales.

From private tours of iconic landmarks like the Louvre or Eiffel Tower to thrilling outdoor adventures like kayaking on the Saone River or zip-lining through an alpine village, users can find something exciting that fits their budget and interest level. GetYourGuide even offers family packages so that multiple generations can enjoy unforgettable experiences together. Book now and get ready to experience all that France has to offer!

In conclusion

Planning the perfect French holiday doesn’t have to be a challenge. From Ryanair, Rail Europe and Trivago to Booking.com, Hostelworld and Airbnb – there are countless travel websites and tools dedicated to helping you plan your dream getaway.

Whether it’s researching activities in cities like Paris and Marseille, comparing prices across multiple websites or booking transportation and accommodation – you can find the perfect resources to make your trip to France a successful one. So get ready for the adventure of a lifetime; with these helpful tools in hand, you are sure to have an unforgettable time exploring this enchanting country! Bon voyage!

We are here out of a desire to help and of course out of a great love for France. Our goal is to help you find everything you are looking for under one roof, to get the most out of your vacation in France, without having to travel all over the web.

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Alsace itinerary: Strasbourg, Colmar and the Incredible Route des Vins

Hi France Travel Planners! An Alsace itinerary, including the charming destinations of Strasbourg, Colmar and the Route des Vins, makes a wonderful side trip from Paris, or stop off on the way from France to Switzerland or Germany. While you can visit Alsace as a day trip from Paris , a 3 night Alsace visit allows you time to stay in Colmar or Strasbourg, visiting both, and also touring the Route des Vins. Alsace is a magical regional of France you shouldn’t miss.

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Colmar vs Strasbourg: where is the best place to stay in Alsace?

Most Alsace visitors will stay in either Strasbourg or Colmar, and it’s a matter of personal preference and your overall itinerary where you should choose. Strasbourg is a city of approximately 250 000 people, whereas Colmar is a town of 30 000. Train connections are better in Strasbourg, making it perhaps more convenient for those travelling on into Switzerland or Germany. If you have a car, you will find parking far more convenient and plentiful in Colmar. In my France Travel Planning Facebook group (you can join here if you aren’t a member ) opinions are divided, with both places having their fans.

Whether you travel from Strasbourg to Colmar, or Colmar to Strasbourg doesn’t matter.

3 night Alsace itinerary

I have two variations for my 3 night Alsace itinerary, depending on whether your stay in Colmar or Strasbourg. Whether you choose to stay in Colmar or choose to stay in Strasbourg is a matter of personal preference. If you are planning on getting a car, the carparking is much easier in Colmar. We elected to stay in Colmar because we prefer smaller towns. Staying in Colmar, we structured our Alsace itinerary like this:

Day 1: travel from Paris. Arrive Colmar. Colmar siteseeing

Day 2: day trip to Strasbourg from Colmar

Day 3: Route des Vins tour

Day 4: Colmar siteseeing in the morning. Early afternoon departure from Colmar.

If you elect to stay in Strasbourg, your itinerary would work like this:

Day 1: arrive Strasbourg. Strasbourg siteseeing

Day 2: day trip to Colmar from Strasbourg

Day 4: Strasbourg siteseeing in the morning. Afternoon departure from Strasbourg.

On either Alsace itinerary days 2 and 3 are inter changeable.

Things to see in Colmar

While it may be small (it’s population is only around 30 000) there are lots of things to do in Colmar.

The old town is largely pedestrianised so it is a wonderful area just to wander around and enjoy the typical colourful Alsatian architecture. As we often do, Mr FTP and I started our Colmar walk with the Rick Steves self guided walk.

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Because the weather was so lovely we decided to pass on the Underlinden Museum, although I understand it holds an interesting collection that covers exhibits from Roman Colmar through to folk art and costumes. It also houses Monet and Renoir pieces.

On our walk we particularly enjoyed a visit to the Church of St Martin and the excellent covered market. The market is a great place to buy local wine and bretzels. We stopped by most afternoons for a couple of bretzels and some local strawberries for an afternoon snack. We may have also bought some local Reisling……..

The real star of the show in Colmar is the quaint, colourful Petite Venise. With its half timber buildings in a rainbow of pastel colours, to the riotous flowers it really is easy to see why it is the most popular place to visit in Colmar. The actual canal itself is quite short, but it is possible to take a short ride on the canal to enjoy the town from a different perspective.

The best view of the canal to take your quintessential Alsace photo is from the Pont de Fanny on rue Turenne. Go early or late to avoid the crowds.

If you like to take walking tours, it is possible to book a Colmar walking tour. You can book yours here >>

In addition to the Medieval centre, the 19th century area between the old town and the railway station is a pretty area too. Most of the old mansions are now offices, but to me the star of this area is the park on the rue de Mulhouse. It was a lovely spot for a shady sit to enjoy a picnic lunch.

You can find other Colmar activities here:

A Colmar to Strasbourg day trip by train

Strasbourg is a very easy day trip from Colmar by train. There is no need to book a seat in advance, and even on the weekend, trains are frequent. The train takes approximately 30 minutes on the local TER train.

Most people who visit Strasbourg want to see the famous old town with its iconic Cathedral. It is approximately 15 minutes walk to the Cathedral from Strasbourg train station. The Cathedral is very popular with a queue to enter. It closes for lunch whether there’s a queue or not, so you need to plan your visit accordingly. The Place de la Cathedrale is pretty crowded with both locals and tourists, so watch your bags, phones, cameras etc pickpockets – particularly around the many buskers who work the square.

The Cathedrale de Notre Dame is probably one of the most famous buildings in France, and visiting it for the first time it was easy to see why. Genuinely imposing from the outside (it’s very tall and the pink hued stone is quite distinctive) it is quite breathtaking inside.

Despite the lengthy queue to enter, once inside, the Strasbourg Cathedral is airy and tranquil. The stained glass windows are lovely, including the wonderful rose window.

Even more impressively, 80% of the stained glass in the Cathedral is original.

The other reason to visit the Strasbourg Cathedral is to see the astonomical clock – a remarkable feat of engineering that dates from the 16th century. Every 15mins the bell stikes and there is a little moving display. It’s an interesting and fun thing to watch.

From the Cathedral continue your Strasbourg walk out of the Place de la Cathedrale via rue Maroquin until you reach the river. From there, it’s a pretty and very easy walk along the river to Petite France the Strasbourg medieval town with more of those gorgeous Alsace half timber buildings. If you are looking for a lunch spot, the Place Benjamin Vix is pretty and popular if you can get a table.

Route du Vins day trip from Colmar

Because we didn’t have a car, Mr FTP and I decided to take a tour of the Route du Vins. Guided tours from Colmar to the Route du Vins are either half or full day, with most half day tours offering morning or afternoon departures. After hours of research we opted for this small group full day tour of the Route des Vins:

Book full day small group tour Colmar to the Route du Vins >>

I must say we loved our tour. We met our guide Ana and the other four guests on our tour bright and early right outside our hotel (a sheer coincidence). Our vehicle for the day was a supremely comfortable Mercedes van which gave us a wonderful view of the scenery.

Our first stop on our Route du Vins small group tour was Hunawihr. Hunawihr is very quiet from a tourist point of view and indeed I think we were the only tourists in the town on Sunday morning. Hunawihr doesn’t have any of the showstopping architecture of some of the more visited villages but is a village where you can get up close to the grapevines.

Ana stopped the van at the bottom of a hill among the vines. We were able to walk through the vines and see the grapes growing up close. At the top of the hill was an old church – from there we had a wonderful view of the village and surrounding countryside.

Next up on our village tour was the popular Riquewihr. As we arrived we could see the locals setting up for a special community Sunday lunch for a local celebration. Riquewihr is a very picturesque Alsace village, and even just after 10am the main street was quite busy. Despite that we spent an enjoyable time wandering around the old village wall, the quaint squares and back streets, and to try some of the local delicacy – a macaroon – not to be confused with the popular macaron.

One of the highlights of our Route du Vins day trip was a visit to the picture perfect Eguisheim. However, I do feel a bit sorry for Eguisheim and its inhabitants. Eguisheim was completely off the map on the Route des Vins until it won the crown as the most beautiful village in France in 2013. While it has brought prosperity to the village it was obvious a number of its inhabitants are not happy.

With a preponderance of Airbnbs and day trippers, Eguisheim is now a popular village on the Route des Vins and with that brings noise and mess. A number of houses had signs out the front asking people to be quiet, to not take photos of the house, to not peer into the house or pose for selfies on the front door step. It beggars belief, but it obviously happens.

Visiting Alsace in June we had seen numerous storks and their nests, but in Eguisheim they were everywhere. So much so, we started to get a bit picky and blasé about which ones to “bother” to photograph.

After Eguisheim we stopped for lunch (not included) at a local restaurant in Turckheim. Ana had booked a table for us and we were thrilled to be offered a table in the shade out on the terrace. It looked as though we were the only tourists, joining groups of local families, friends, kids and dogs out for Sunday lunch.

Next up was one of the stars of our trip to the Route des Vins – Haute Konigsbourg Castle. Standing on a rocky outcrop, the Castle is visible from the train from Strasbourg to Colmar. While the original Castle was started in 1147 what you see now was restored in the early 20th century.

As you walk around the Castle the German influence in Alsace is keenly identifiable. The other winner of this Castle is the fabulous views out over the Vosges valley from almost every turn. Haute Konigsbourg is also one of the best things to do in Alsace with kids where they can really channel their inner Medieval knight.

If you choose to visit Haute Konigsbourg by car be patient looking for a parking spot. The traffic was truly terrible and the parking almost nonexistent.

One of the things we were looking forward to on our tour was a wine tasting of local Alsace wines. We were not disappointed. Alsace wines are mainly white, although a light red made with pinot noir grapes is also common, along with a sparkling. We tasted a number of wines, all available for purchase. If you are looking to buy wine in Alsace, almost all the wineries offer tastings and cellar door sales. Unlike Burgundy or Bordeaux, prices are very reasonable and many remain family owned and operated.

Before heading back to Colmar we stopped in pretty Kayserbourg famous for being the birthplace of Albert Sweitzer.

You can find a range of quality group and private tours of the Route du Vins here > >

Our 3 day Alsace itinerary at a glance

We travelled to Colmar from Paris by train. It’s around 2 and half hours from the Gare de L’Est. You can book your train ticket here >>

We stayed at the Hotel Le Colombier which we found to be ideally located in Colmar. If it is within your budget it is worth trying to book room 62 which had a lovely private terrace and access to a shared garden overlooking the canal. Book the Hotel Le Colombier here >>

Our small group tour to the Route des Vins was The Emblematic: visit of villages, Haut-Koenigsbourg, Wine tasting which we booked through Viator. You can find out more about this tour here >>

We visited Alsace in June, when the weather was warm and sunny. If you are visiting Alsace in winter for the famous Alsace Christmas markets you will need a full European winter packing list.

Planning tools for your Alsace itinerary

Regardless of whether you are planning on getting a car in Alsace, both Strasbourg and Colmar are so well connected to French, German and Swiss destinations it is worth taking the train and picking up a car once you arrive.

To book train tickets to Alsace I recommend Trainline. Search for your Alsace train tickets here >>

If you are planning on getting a car there are many options, so research is essential. Search for rental cars here >>

Where to stay in Colmar:

Where to stay in Strasbourg:

If you prefer self catering accommodation I recommend Plum Guide for high quality options that won’t let you down. You can find Alsace apartments and houses here >>

If you are arriving early and your apartment is not available a bag drop service is a cheap and effective way to store your luggage safely. Book your luggage storage in Alsace here >>

Research and book guided tours here >>

Those of you who are interested in private tours in Alsace should check out the options on Tours by Locals, who allow you to choose your own Alsace private guide and customise your own itinerary. Find your private guide here >>

A good guide book is essential regardless of the length of your Alsace itinerary. You can check out a range of French guidebooks here >>

If you are visiting for the Colmar Christmas market, or the famous Strasbourg Christmas market, book well in advance and get up to date information from the Office de Tourisme Alsace . There is also a hop on hop off bus that operates in the Route du Vins. You can get info on this from the local tourism office too.

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Monaco, Plan your Sustainable Luxury Getaway - Day 1

Inspiration

Côte d'Azur - French Riviera Food and Wine Nature and Outdoor Activities Coastal

Reading time: 0 min Published on 12 October 2023, updated on 16 April 2024

Planning your trip to Monaco, but not sure what to do? If you can stay for 2 nights, let us show you what this responsible destination has to offer!

Let’s start with your day 1 in Monaco.

Start with a Green Arrival - For visitors who want their transport to be as green as their carbon footprint, there are several solutions. You can access the destination from Nice Côte d’Azur airport and other cities of the Riviera via public transport (line 80): by bus or by train. For a luxury, green transfer, the Monegasque company Ҽlimo has at its disposal a fleet of premium 100% electric vehicles with chauffeur.

After check-in, take a stroll through the resort. You will find a 400m² vegetable garden, maintained by Terrae , where organic fruit and vegetables grow, Hotel Chef Marcel Ravin uses the produce in his cuisine.

With its sand-bottomed lagoon, its luxuriant garden and its Spa, the hotel is one of the top performers in terms of reducing its use of natural resources and continues to pursue its commitment for the environment by installing 1,000 m² of solar panels on its roofs.

10.00 a.m. It’s time to explore Monaco. Nothing could be simpler, take the bus no. 6 from in front of the hotel - Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco has a fleet powered by Di-ester & electric power.

In moments you will be at the Casino, leave your transport to wander around the famous Carré d’Or – before exploring the Jardin de la Petite Afrique home to amazing tropical species. And here the Heritage Tree Trail begins, so you can stroll through the various gardens of Monaco and explore the natural heritage. Did you know our very own Wollemi Pine can be found in Monaco. Discovered in 1994 in sandstone gorges 200 km northwest of Sydney, there are less than a hundred of these trees in the wild. Nowadays 3 of these treasured and rare trees grow happily in Monaco!

12.30 p.m. The Marché de la Condamine is at the foot of the Rocher. An ideal place to enjoy the Monegasque culinary specialties, like the Barbagiuàn (deep fried ravioli made with vegetables) and get a taste of local life.

More and more restaurants are committing themselves to a responsible approach and here you will find establishments labelled “Restaurant Engagé”. This indicates that they are working on a daily basis to reduce and sort waste, fighting food waste, single-use articles, supporting local initiatives, reducing energy and water consumption, and raising their customers’ awareness on all these pressing issues.

2.30 p.m. Direction Monaco-Ville ! With its medieval alleyways, the old town, located on the Rocher, houses the headquarters of the Government, the Palais de Justice, the Conseil National as well as the Prince’s Palace, the Cathedral, and the Oceanographic Museum.

Built on the side of the Rocher de Monaco, the Oceanographic Museum , established by Prince Albert I, has been watching over the oceans for more than a century. The Museum has a world-renowned scientific aquarium with more than 6000 specimens of sea life to marvel at, there are seahorses, piranhas, clownfish and an exceptional outdoor turtle rescue area.

Since its inauguration in 1910, this Temple to the Sea, has established itself as a benchmark at international level for informing the public about, loving and protecting the oceans.

4.30 p.m. Next up, visit Jardins Saint Martin nestled between the Oceanographic Museum and the Cathédrale. Like all the other public green spaces of Monaco the gardens are maintained organically and have the ECOCERT label. You will identify several heritage trees thanks to the panels or the Trail brochure. At the foot of the cliff, you might be lucky to see cormorants fishing or basking in the sun or the pair of peregrine falcons that call these cliffs home, visible mainly in the cove of Fontvieille.

What could be better than taking an electric taxi back to your hotel? The " Monaco City " service was created to meet the growing demand for public transport during the summer season. It's a solution that offers soft mobility services.

Dinner time? If you’re looking for healthy, balanced and authentic flavours, the Mediterranean cuisine with Tuscan influences of the Elsa Restaurant is made for you. With its stunning view of the sea. Monte-Carlo Beach is located near Monte-Carlo Bay and five minutes will suffice to get back to your hotel.

www.visitmonaco.com Facebook: @VisitMonacoAustralie Instagram: @VisitMonaco_au

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David Pecker returns to witness stand in Trump's hush money trial

What do you need to drive in france rules for travelling from the uk.

There’s no doubt that plenty of people will be heading to France this year – in fact, it’s set to be the most visited country in the world by 2025, welcoming an estimated 93 million tourists.

From the sights of Paris to the beaches of Nice, the French have a truly enviable catalogue of destinations, whether it’s for city breaks , camping holidays or seaside getaways.

Its close proximity to the UK makes France an incredibly accessible destination for Britons, with many choosing to explore the country by car, a way that allows visitors to see more of what France has to offer.

While some may think of a driving holiday as much more simple than scanning websites, checking in for flights and going to airports, there are still some rules and regulations that Brits need be aware of when driving in France.

We’ve rounded up all the information you need to make sure your trip goes smoothly.

France entry rules and requirements

The main entry requirements to keep an eye on are those relating to Brexit . Anyone entering any of the Schengen Zone countries needs to possess a passport that was issued less than 10 years before the date on which you are entering the country ; it also needs to be valid for at least three months after the date on which you plan on leaving.

In addition, remember than you can only stay in Schengen countries for a period of 90 days without a visa.

You may also be asked for proof of accommodation, insurance for the trip, return or onwards tickets and proof that you have enough money for the duration of the stay (this stands at around €65 per day if staying in commercially provided accommodation, such as hotels ).

Read more on France travel :

France travel guide: Everything you need to know

How to do a family skiing holiday on the cheap

Paris travel tips: Where to go and what to see

Driving in France

Many of the basic rules for driving in France – other than, cruicially, which side of the road to drive on – are similar to those in the UK . Drivers must be at least 18 years old and in possession of a valid driving licence, while you must also have insurance and vehicle documents (such as a V5) to hand. You do not need to carry an additional International Driving Permit.

The speed limit on motorways is also 80mph in France (68mph when it is raining), while limits on A and B roads were reduced to 50mph in 2018. Remember to give way to the right when at an intersection.

If driving a British car abroad (rather than renting one in France, for example), then you may need to display a white oval-shaped UK sticker on the rear of your vehicle (these replaced the white oval GB stickers in 2021). You must do so in the following cases:

If your number plate has just numbers and letters with no flag or identifier;

if your plate has a GB identifier with a union flag;

if the plate has an EU flag;

or if your licence plate displays an English, Scottish or Welsh flag.

There are several other driving-related regulations that may be unfamiliar to UK citizens. It is compulsory to carry a warning triangle and reflective jacket (which needs to be accessible without having to get out of the car). You should also carry headlight beam deflectors and spare bulbs for your lights.

You may also need an air pollution sticker, called a Crit’Air sticker . These categorise vehicles according to emissions and may restrict access to certain parts of cities such as Paris, Lyon and Grenoble. For example, some vehicles registered before 1997 may not be allowed to drive in Paris at all between 8am and 8pm on weekdays. More information on whether you need a sticker can be found on the French Ministry of Environment website .

Fines for speeding and not wearing a seatbelt are €135. The drink-driving limit in France is lower than that of the UK: 50mg per 100ml of blood compared to 80g in Britain.

Using phones and devices with your hands is forbidden, and any use of a device at all –even those with Bluetooth headsets or ear pieces – is against the law. It is also against the law to use a sat nav or radar detector that alerts drivers to upcoming speed cameras, with a potential fine of €1,500.

Read our reviews of the best Paris hotels

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Plan & Book

Flight information, infinity mileagelands, business travel, please select your country / region of residence, travel news, attention to passengers departing to/from paris charles de gaulle airport on 4/24-25.

Apr 24, 2024

French air traffic control union has a strike action at Paris Charles De Gaulle airport on 25APR, EVA AIR flights departing to/from Paris Charles De Gaulle airport are affected:

• BR87/24APR departing Taipei for Paris 
• BR88/25APR departing Paris for Taipei 

EVA Air suggest passengers visit our Flight Status page for the latest information before heading to the airport.

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