Holiday Destinations - France

France is one of the world's leading tourist destinations. and it's not hard to understand why. France has it all - or
more or less. It has tourist sights for all tastes; it has some of the greatest beaches in Europe, as well as the highest mountains and the finest historic monuments, the most beautiful cities, the most idyllic countryside, the most magnificent castles, the finest rivers, and plenty more, not to mention some of the best restaurants and the finest wines and more hotels than any other country in Europe. France has something for everyone, which is one of the reasons why it remains the world's number one tourist destination. It has magnificent holiday opportunities for everything from a short weekend city break, in places such as Paris, Nice or Bordeaux, to a relaxed family holiday in a gite in the countryside, a week or two's relaxation by the seaside, or an energetic break hiking, climbing, kayaking or cycling in France's great outdoors.  If you have all the time in the world, you may not need to plan your holiday in France, you can just wander along at your own leisurely pace, and it will be a wonderful and varied experience. French museums and art galleries - which contrary to popular belief are not all located in Paris - offer a magnificent collection of works of art and artefacts; and for those for whom a holiday is anopportunity to discover Europe's historic heritage, France's great cathedrals, medieval castles, and thousands of other ancient monuments are a treasure trove waiting to be discovered. For themed breaks, the châteaux of the Loire (in the Centre region of France) are an obvious choice; among the many other historic sites, consider discovering the Roman remains of Provence , the medieval bastide towns of the southwest, or the castles and caves of the Dordogne. There are even some scenic steam railways for people who enjoy a trip down memory lane. Check out the regional guides for information on sights, monuments and tourist attractions in each area. in July and August, France's Mediterranean beaches tend to be pretty packed; this is particularly the case in the famous resorts of Provence and the French Riviera. By contrast, the long sandy beaches of the Languedoc offer much more legroom. Away from the resorts, Brittany offers plenty of good beaches, with the added fun of tides and good waves; and France's Atlantic coast, south of the Loire, has plenty of long sandy beaches, in the regions of Poitou-Charentes and Aquitaine. South of Bordeaux, there are mile upon mile of fine  beaches. For more information see guide to the French coast.If you want the life, culture and bustle of the big city, go to Paris. But  France is a lot more than Paris.There are plenty of places in deepest rural France
that are still very much off the beaten track; and for camping holidays, gite holidays, or for those who are content to put up in small rural inns, several regions in France offer wonderful holiday opportunities away from it all. Five French departments (counties) that are particularly worth checking out are the Aveyron (Midi Pyrenees region), the Haute Loire (Auvergne), the Corrèze (Limousin), the Jura (Franche Comté) and the Vosges (Lorraine): all these departments include sparsely populated areas, attractive scenery, and plenty of leisure opportunities - or just some greatplaces to sit back with a glass of wine, relax, and enjoy the peace and quiet. France has an extensive network of motorways, and many of them
offer relatively relaxed driving conditions, except at peak periods. Off the motorways, driving on France's backroads
can be a way to discover motoring as it used to be, a pleasurable experience and a way to discover the country.
The French head of state is the President, elected by universal suffrage (? 2012 elections) : the president governs through a Council of Ministers and a parliament made up of two chambers, the National Assembly (lower house) and the Senate (upper house).  Metropolitan France (France in Europe) has a population of slightly over 62 million, a little more than that of the United Kingdom. Surface area: with a surface area of 547,030 km², or 211,209 sq. miles, metropolitan
France is twice the size of the UK, and slightly smaller than the state of Texas. It is the biggest nation in
western Europe.. France has land borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain and Andorra.
It is also bordered by the North Sea, the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. The capital and the nation's largest city is Paris. Apart from Paris by far the largest urban area in France, other major cities are Lyon,Marseille, Lille and Toulouse. Metropolitan France (France in Europe) is divided, administratively, into 22 regions, and 96 counties, known as departments. The official language is French, though regional languages such as Breton and Alsacian are making a comeback. One of the oldest nations in Europe, France - which the Romans called Gaul - is also a country with a very rich cultural and environmental and There is no official religion in France; France is a secular republic.
However about about two thirds of French people say they are Catholics, and 2% Protestants. Less than 10% of French
Catholics are regular church-goers. There is a sizeable Islamic minority. There are churches in all French towns
and most villages.France's currency is the Euro, and most garages, hotels and shops in France accept credit cards,
though may not always accept swipe cards without a microchip. The cost of living in France is fairly similar to
neighbouring countries, though some things (like supermarket food) may be more expensive. Staying in Paris
can be expensive - as can staying on the Riviera, particularly during the peak tourist periods.On the other
hand, fruit, wine, travel, hotels and restaurants tend to be cheaper than they are in the United Kingdom,
particularly in rural areas, and there are plenty of ways of avoiding tourist traps. The climate in France is quite
varied, but generally west European - on the whole a bit warmer than the UK, a bit cooler than Spain . Don't expect
to find summer in winter in the South of France!In spite of the great variety of food and cuisine to be found in
France, some things like the "baguette" the famous French bread stick, change little from one region to another;
you'll find baguettes of all qualities in all regions, varying from the absolutely delicious, to the hard and tasteless. Yet a fresh baguette, coming warm from a traditional bakery, is surely one of the most delicious forms of bread to be found anywhere in the world! There are many different types of French bread, but tasty baguettes can be bought all over France, and a trip to the local "boulangerie" is often one of the daily highlights of a holiday in France. But do not confuse the "boulangerie" with the bread-counter in a supermarket! Indeed, the pre-frozen "fresh-baked" bread counters in supermarkets are not even allowed, by law, to call themselves "boulangeries".  Then there's wine. France is one of the world's great wine producing countries, and a country with a vast range of wines, from heavy Mediterranean reds to light fruity sparkling whites, via less well known varieties including "grey wine" (vin gris) and "yellow wine" (vin jaune).
learn about the wines of France; Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne are just the tip of the iceberg;a wine guide
takes you through these and all the other wine regions of France

This city has a population of over 146 000 people, it is considered to be the hottest city in France and has over 2000 years of history and culture. Textiles are very popular here too. Here you will find all the necessary information on what the attractions, best time of the year and places to stay are, plus much, much more. Nimes is situated close to the French Mediterranean, and this gives it its phenomenal and attractive weather. You can get either a taxi or a private transfer from the airport to your hotel, positive things to factor in about scheduling a transfer service is that you can do it ahead of time, which means that there will be one less thing to worry about, also that you will know everyone is driving to the hotel together. Eating in Nimes can be a very interesting experience; France is very popular for its culinary qualities and Nimes is famous for its particular food combinations.The city of Cannes is situated in the southern part of France, in the Riviera region and has a population of approximately 70.000 inhabitants. Cannes is very famous around the world for its Film Festival and also for its Cannes Lions Festival. This a luxurious city and has tourism as its principal resource. It is 905 km away from Paris, 164 km from Marseille and 26 km away from Nice. The coast is much visited. The Boulevard de la Croisette is one of the most important attractions for tourists who love the beach, sun and sand. La Croisette is a 12 km waterfront avenue bordered with palm trees, with many elegant hotels, cafés, shops and restaurants around. Visiting the Musée de la Castre is also a good option for seeing impressive works of art, paintings, sculptures and decorative art. And if you want to relax visit the Îles de Lérins (Lérins Islands) with nice views and beautiful beaches. If you just take a walk in the streets of Cannes you will discover a very friendly atmosphere. The main streets are d’Antibes and Meynardier. You will have a good time at the boutiques. Its restaurants are very good, although the prices are sometimes expensive. Depending on whether the restaurant is located on the waterfront or not, the price will be a bit more expensive.

You'll be raising your glass many times in Bordeaux, which is renowned for its wines, considered amongst the best in the world. As the capital of the department Gironde in the region Aquitaine, it has one million inhabitants in its metropolitan area at a 2008 estimate. After years of neglect, the former wet docks are the country's new hot spot, with a number of cafés, gardens, and museums springing up all the time. A lively university community of over 60,000, (Bordeaux Campus is the largest in France) establishes that Bordeaux is about more than just wine.


Bordeaux is considered a very tolerant and relaxed place - no one will bother you about your political beliefs, religion, or sexual orientation. The cultural, artistic, and music scenes are very vibrant. The city was ruled by the English for a long time, which is why Bordeaux seems to have an "English flair".

Bordeaux is often referred to as "Little Paris" and the rivalry between the "Bordelais" (people from Bordeaux) and "Parisiens" is a hot subject, so you may experience some heated arguments on the subject during your stay.


Bordeaux is a flat city, built on the banks of the Garonne River. It is also the largest French city by area and geographically one of the largest in Europe. The Garonne merges a dozen kilometers below the city with another river, the Dordogne River to form the Gironde Estuary, which is biggest estuary in France.

The city center is located west and south of the Garonne. To the east are a few hills - the only ones in the vicinity. These hills mark the beginning of an industrial zone and suburbs. Because it is a flat city, bicycles make excellent modes of transport, especially as the city has more than 580 km of cycle tracks. Bordeaux is among the most economically dynamic cities in France.

Due to the weakness of the subsoil, there are no skyscrapers in Bordeaux, which explains its sprawl. The center of the town has retained its traditional stone mansions and smart terraces, hence the reason behind the city being called "Little Paris".

Modern buildings can be found to the west (administrative center) and south (university) of the city.

This city has a population of over 146 000 people, it is considered to be the hottest city in France and has over 2000 years of history and culture. Textiles are very popular here too. Here you will find all the necessary information on what the attractions, best time of the year and places to stay are, plus much, much more. Nimes is situated close to the French Mediterranean, and this gives it its phenomenal and attractive weather. You can get either a taxi or a private transfer from the airport to your hotel, positive things to factor in about scheduling a transfer service is that you can do it ahead of time, which means that there will be one less thing to worry about, also that you will know everyone is driving to the hotel together. Eating in Nimes can be a very interesting experience; France is very popular for its culinary qualities and Nimes is famous for its particular food combinations.The city of Cannes is situated in the southern part of France, in the Riviera region and has a population of approximately 70.000 inhabitants. Cannes is very famous around the world for its Film Festival and also for its Cannes Lions Festival. This a luxurious city and has tourism as its principal resource. It is 905 km away from Paris, 164 km from Marseille and 26 km away from Nice. The coast is much visited. The Boulevard de la Croisette is one of the most important attractions for tourists who love the beach, sun and sand. La Croisette is a 12 km waterfront avenue bordered with palm trees, with many elegant hotels, cafés, shops and restaurants around. Visiting the Musée de la Castre is also a good option for seeing impressive works of art, paintings, sculptures and decorative art. And if you want to relax visit the Îles de Lérins (Lérins Islands) with nice views and beautiful beaches. If you just take a walk in the streets of Cannes you will discover a very friendly atmosphere. The main streets are d’Antibes and Meynardier. You will have a good time at the boutiques. Its restaurants are very good, although the prices are sometimes expensive. Depending on whether the restaurant is located on the waterfront or not, the price will be a bit more expensive.

Florissimo is the International flower show, which takes place in Dijon every three years. Some time ago, the Formula 1 Grand Prix of France also took place in this city. Now the race track of Dijon-Prenois hosts many motor sports. And Dijon is also known for its football team which is in the second highest league in French football.Lyon is the third largest city in France and is located 431km (268 miles) southeast of Paris and 311km (193 miles) north of Marseille. It is the capital of the Rhône-Alpes region and the second largest contributor to the French economy after Paris. It has a population of 413 000 inhabitants. Lyon is between two hills, the Fourvière and Croix-Rousse and between two rivers: the turbulent Rhône and the tranquil Saône. Lyon is a very industrial city; textile manufacturing is one of the most important here. But not only that, this city is known as the capital of gastronomy, like Paris, this city has the largest number of Michelin-star restaurants. The most famous chef, Paul Bocuse, has his restaurant in Lyon. Lyon has been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site since December 1998, specifically the Saint-Jean and the Croix-Rousse areas. This is a very beautiful part of the city with its architectural renaissance buildings and monuments. Lyon is also called the 'city of light' because of its history which began on Fourvière Hill, when the city was under the Romans. The city was proclaimed capital of the three Gauls and it was during this period that Lyon developed in economic, politic, religious and military terms. The tradition of the city of Lights or 'Lugdunum' (as called by the Romans) is still present and every evening more than 100 sites across the city are lit up to show the splendor of Lyon’s architecture.Dijon is the capital city of Burgundy and is located in the centre of the Côte d'Or department, in the eastern part of France. It has a population of more than 200,000 people. In ancient times, Dijon was called Castrum Kelly, and was home to the Dukes of Burgundy (Jean sans Peur, Philippe le Bon and Charles le Téméraire) and was one of the finest cities in Europe, with regard to the arts and sciences. As in many other cities in France, the wine in this city is very good and is often the perfect accompaniment to a delicious regional meal. Dijon is famous for its mustard of the same name, and for an annual flower show. The architecture in Dijon is really amazing and old streets and buildings have been restored to improve the city's appearance for visitors. There are more than 90 historical monuments to be found in Dijon, as well as many mansions dating from the 17th century, in addition to Cathedrals and Palaces, such as the Estate of Rameau and Bossuet where Gustave Eiffel was born.

The concept of leisure travel in the contemporary sense evolved on the French Riviera back in the 1920s. Travelling the French Riviera is the time to indulge solely in the pleasures of relaxing and sun worshipping. This is where
Picasso spent the summer with his family in Cap d'Antibes (an area he loved as a painter for its limpid light and vibrant colours) and since then travelling to the French Riviera as a destination has flourished into the glittering playground of conspicuous wealth and glamour you see today.
Nowadays, many feel the original lyrical charm of the French Riviera lies in the less developed hinterlands, where one can gaze down from more peaceful retreats to the congested shoreline, overflowing with summer revellers and million-dollar yachts.
The French Riviera stretches from Marseille to the Italian border. It twists and turns for more than 160
kilometres, and is dotted with glitzy legends such as St-Tropez and Cannes, Cap Ferrat, Monaco and Nice. The French Riviera remains one of Europe’s most glamorous holiday destinations and unlike many resort areas, it does not close.
Beautiful warm weather can be enjoyed from May to September in the French Riviera, August being the busy peak season.  Autumn in the French Riviera October/November and early spring March/April is the rainy season.

Marseille is the second largest city in France and is located on the Mediterranean Sea in the province of Provence. It is 771km (479 miles) south of Paris; 187km (116 miles) southwest of Nice and 31km (19 miles) south of Aix-en-Provence. It is one of the most important cities because it is the largest commercial port in France. Marseille is the capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region and is surrounded by many historical buildings. Despite of this Marseille is a modern city with charming beaches and shopping centers. Marseille was known as Phocee and this was because of its founders the Phoceans. The city then became a commercial port having the famous ‘savon de Marseille’ as one of its products. It also became important as a crossroad for many ships in the Mediterranean. This is a very elegant city and now that is easily reached from Paris, it is much more accesible for visitors. As it has always been one of the main points of entry to France, Marseille has attracted many immigrants -mainly from North Africa-, making it into a multicultural melting pot. Marseille has some problems in the past with corruption, the Mafia, crime, racial discrimination and unemployment, mostly in the poorer, immigrant neighborhoods. Nowadays though, the city is in a renaissance period, and is now one of the most visited cities in France.Bordeaux is the capital of The Gironde department with a population of 660,000 people, and is one of the largest cities in France and one of the largest in Europe.Bordeaux is an economic, commercial and industrial centre, but its principal source is the wine trade. All the wine produced in the Bordelaise region is known as Bordeaux wine. In the 5th century, the city lost its importance, but it increased again when the city became the seat of the Dukes of Aquitaine. Commercial activity also increased during this same period.The intellectual reputation of Bordeaux was made by Montaigne and Montesquieu, who was born nearby and who were both magistrates in the city. In the 18th century Bordeaux began exporting wine to England and the relationship between these regions improved. The Third Republic was established in Bordeaux in the National Assembly in 1871. Bordeaux was the temporary seat of The French Government during both World Wars.

Nice has a strong cultural heritage. Among its best attractions are the Opera House; the Chagall, Matisse and naval museums; and the fine-arts museum, with its Monet, Degas, Renoir and Rodin collections. Also the flower market and St. Reparate Cathedral in the old city, most of which is closed to cars. Stroll down the Promenade des Anglais along the (pebble) beach that passes some very old and exclusive hotels, such as the Hotel Negresco.
Old Town Nice has a surprisingly charming, small-town feel. You can shop for locally made olive oil and perfume, dine in one of dozens of top-rated restaurants or visit the antiques market in the Cours Saleya every Monday.
July and August on the French Riviera can be stifling, not only because of the intense heat but the crowds of tourists. June and September are the best months to be in the region, as both are free of the midsummer crowds and the weather is summer-balmy. Try to avoid the second half of July and all of August, when almost all of France goes on holidays. Huge crowds jam the roads and beaches, and prices are hiked up in resorts.
Off-season has its charms—the pétanque games are truly just the town folks' game, the most touristy hill towns are virtually abandoned, and when it's nice out, more often than not, you can bask in direct sun in the cafés.

Paris, the city of light and its surroundings are some of the most visited areas. Paris is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. With so much to see and do, renting one of the many Paris apartments is the perfect way to enjoy the city. Having the time to enjoy this fantastic location like a true Parisian is an unforgettable experience. The West of France is facing towards the Atlantic Coast. In the north Normandy & Brittany have rolling hills, sandy beaches and quiet little harbour towns. Normandy & Brittany have a more rugged coast and many neolithic sites. It has quite a distinct atmosphere from the rest of the country; you can still sense the Celtic origin of the region in its inhabitants. The eastern part of France consists of the Alsace, Lorraine, Franche Comté and Burgundy regions. The landscape has rolling hills and many beautiful cities, such as Metz, Strasbourg, Nancy and Dijon. This region produces many famous wines, including magnificent pinot noirs and chardonnays valued the world over, as well as the famous "Yellow wine" from the Jura mountain vineyard.
The Centre of France is in many ways the most quietest part of France. But the great treasure of this region is the Loire valley , with many great castles and beautiful towns. Chartres with its famous cathedral and Tours rates among the most beautiful French cities. The Alps are great for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. Albertville, Grenoble and Chamonix have all hosted the Olympic games. But the Alps also have nice towns to visit, such as Chambéry, Annecy or Grenoble . The South with its lovely nature, good food, Roman ruins and of course the Riviera which draws a lot of visitors every year. Towns like Orange, and Arles but also big cities like Marseille and Toulon are must sees. The Provence is dotted with pleasant small villages. In the South west of France the Dordogne is one of the most quintessential French regions. The valley is so pretty, the towns are so quaint and the food is so good, that it is hard to believe that the people who live here go somewhere else for their holidays. The Languedoc has its own language and culture. In the south of the Languedoc you find the Pyrenees, a great mountain range separating France from Spain, where you can hike and ski. The towns of Toulouse and Montpellier are nice and the medieval town of Carcassone is a top destination

Provence travel has stirred the imagination and stimulated the senses more strongly than any other region of France. The soft light and its vivid landscape of pastel colours have inspired writers and artists from F. Scott
Fitzgerald and Pagnol to Van Gogh, Monet and Picasso to travel to Provence. The fragrant countryside of Provence redolent with wild herbs is scattered with historic fortified medieval towns such as Avignon and Aix-en-Provence and the ancient Roman towns like Orange and Arles with their great monuments, arches and coliseums. On the coast is the great port of Marseille, a melting pot of cultures so in contrast to the traditional social landscape of most French provincial towns.
As a destination, elegant Aix-en-Provence has museums, fountains, and the gracious Cours Mirabeau Boulevard. Charming and laid-back Arles and crowded Avignon have bewitched Roman legionnaires, popes, and Vincent van Gogh.  But Provence travel works its charms most potently in rural places, aided in no small part by cypress trees, vineyards, and a cooling glass of pastis.
May and June are the best times for Provence travel, followed by September and October. Lavender fields blaze purple for two or three weeks any time between late June and mid-July. In September vines sag with plump red grapes. The Provence vendange (grape harvest) starts around 15 September, followed by the cueillette des olives (olive harvest) from 15 November through to early January. If you ski, late December to March is for you

Strasbourg is one of France's major ports and is the seat of the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine. It is renowned for its beautiful historical centre, the Grande Île ("Grand Island") which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. At the end of the 19th century Strasbourg became part of Germany, but reverted back to France in 1918. Strasbourg is located on the French border and has a lot of influence of other countries such as Germany, Italy and Spain. The German town across the Rhine is Kehl. Strasbourg is a unique city; it has a combination of French and German culture that is shaped in its ancient buildings and in the architecture of the city. Definitively a very good destination to visit when you are in France. Nice is the capital of the Côte d'Azur and is located on the Mediterranean coast, 929km (577 miles) south of Paris and 32km (20 miles) northeast of Cannes. It is the largest city between Genoa and Marseille. Nowadays, Nice is a major tourist centre and a leading resort on the French Riviera and famous for its wonderful attractions and sights. The seafront of Nice is one of the most beautiful on the Mediterranean coast, as well as, the Old Town with its crowded bars and cafés. Nice also has many attractions, such as museums and cathedrals from ancient times. Strasbourg is the capital of the Alsace region of France and is located in the Rhine valley, 488km (303 miles) southeast of Paris and 217km (135 miles) southwest of Frankfurt. It has a population of approximately 650,000 inhabitants and hosts some important European institutions such as the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, the European Ombudsman, the European Parliament and others.
Many artists once lived in Nice. Among them were Nietzsche, Apollinaire, Flaubert, Victor Hugo, George Sand, Stendhal, Chateaubriand, Picasso, and Mistral. Some people say it's the famed local light that has always made Nice a venue for artists. With its close to 300 days of sunshine a year. Nice has become famouse for its sunshine, but remember in summer it can be a very suffocating city. Nice has a rich history and fascinating landscapes. It is a very visited city and receives a great number of tourists each year. Some of its buildings have a baroque style and some others have Provençal, medieval and Genoese architecture. It is also easily accessible to nearby destinations, such as Antibes, Monaco, St Tropez and the Provence region.

Toulouse is located 705km (438 miles) southwest of Paris, 245km (152 miles) southeast of Bordeaux, and 97km (60 miles) west of Carcassonne. It is the fourth-largest city in France and is the gateway to the Pyrenees mountain range. It is an agricultural market centre, and an aero-research centre and one of the great cities for French art (It has seven fine museums). The food in Toulouse and in the rest of the Midi Pyrenees region could be rated among France's most celebrated. This city is situated half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea and had a population of about 1.1 million inhabitants in 2006. Toulouse is well known because it's the high-tech centre of the aerospace industry in Europe. It hosts the headquarters of Airbus S.A.S. and the National Center for Space Research, which has had its headquarters here for more than 3 decades. Toulouse is a very beautiful city with a lot of buildings of architectural importance, gardens and squares. It is also a culture venue as a result of being the centre of Europe's aerospace industry and space programme. Toulouse was once the capital of the Visigoths and later became the centre of the comtes de Toulouse (counts of Toulouse).Avignon is also called the second Rome because of the arrival of the Popes in the 14th Century during the Babylonian captivity. It was also the residence of several antipopes from 1378 to 1408. After a plebiscite it was incorporated to France into 1791. Avignon is a city full of history, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse department, located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, with a population of approximately 85,935 people. The name of this city comes from the Celts, who called the area The Avenio which means the Town of Violent Winds. The era of the Popes, from 1376 to 1409, is the most important and significant in Avignon's history, seven Popes took Avignon as their official residence, and they were: