France Holidays

Must-see sights

France offers famous landmarks, alpine scenery and coastal resorts.

• The Eiffel Tower, Paris – One of the most recognisable landmarks in Europe and originally built as a temporary exhibit for the 1889 World’s Fair. Lift tickets to the top sell out quickly and cost more, but walking the stairs to the second floor is cheaper and still gives good views.

• Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy – A Medieval abbey set on a tidal island. Staying nearby on the mainland and visiting early helps you avoid crowds and higher daytime prices.

• Château de Versailles, Île-de-France – Known for the Hall of Mirrors and formal gardens. The gardens are often free, but musical fountain days in summer cost extra.

• The French Riviera (Côte d’Azur), South of France – A stretch of Mediterranean coast with towns like Nice, Cannes and Antibes. Beaches are often pebbly, and sunloungers can be paid for, but public areas are free.

• Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, French Alps – A mountain town at the foot of the highest peak in Western Europe. Cable cars give you big views without needing to hike.

History and art

France has plenty of famous museums and landmarks to explore.

• The Louvre, Paris – The world’s largest and most-visited art museum, housed in a historic palace and home to the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.

• Lascaux IV, Dordogne – A replica of the original prehistoric caves, designed to protect the artwork while still showing it in detail.

• Palais des Papes, Avignon – The largest Gothic palace in the world, serving as the fortress and residence of the Popes in the 14th century.

• The Normandy Landing Beaches, Normandy – This historic stretch of coastline’s where the D-Day landings took place in 1944. Booking a guided tour helps add context, but it does increase the cost.

Local experiences

Simple, everyday activities often give you the best feel for France – without spending much.

• Playing Pétanque – Similar to boules, public terrain (courts) for this game can be seen across southern France.

• Market mornings – Weekly markets sell seasonal fruit, cheese and fresh bread. It’s normal to let stallholders handle items for you.

• The grape harvest (Les Vendanges) – Running from late summer into early autumn, many vineyards welcome visitors with small tastings.

Festivals and events

Try and time your trip to France with one of these local festivals.

• Bastille Day, 14th July – The French national day, celebrated with military parades on the Champs-Élysées and firework displays.

• Cannes Film Festival, May – This famous film festival is generally invite-only, but the town feels lively with celebrity spotting, red carpets and beachside events.

• Fête de la Musique, 21st June – To mark the summer solstice, musicians take to the streets, bars and parks across the country to play free live music.

• Nice Carnival, February – One of the largest carnivals in the world, famous for its flower parades where performers on floats throw flowers into the crowds.

Live like a local

Immerse yourself into the local culture with one of these activities.

• The bakery run – Locals visit their neighbourhood bakery every morning for a fresh, crusty baguette and a croissant.

• A proper lunch break – Many shops outside of major cities close between 12pm and 2pm, as workers have a leisurely lunch – often choosing the ‘dish of the day’.

• People watching – Grab a small espresso and sit at a small, round table watching the world go by.

Daytrips

If you’ve got a spare day, these places are easy to visit as a daytrip.

• Paris to Giverny – Around an hour by train takes you to Monet’s house and gardens.

• Nice to Monaco – Just a 20-minute coastal train and you can see Monte Carlo, the harbour and the city centre.

• Bordeaux to Saint-Émilion – About 40 minutes by train to a Medieval village surrounded by vineyards.

• Avignon to Pont du Gard – A short bus or car journey takes you to a well-preserved Roman aqueduct. In summer, you can swim in the river beneath it.

Must-try dishes

Stick to classic dishes and local cafés to get the best-value French food.

• Bœuf Bourguignon – A slow-cooked beef stew made with red wine, onions and mushrooms.

• Galettes Bretonnes – Savoury buckwheat pancakes from Brittany, filled with ham, cheese and egg.

• Bouillabaisse – A fish stew from Marseille, often served as a two-part meal.

• Escargots de Bourgogne – Snails baked in garlic and parsley butter, often ordered as a starter to share.

• Croque Monsieur – A hot ham and cheese sandwich with béchamel sauce, commonly found in cafés. Add an egg on top and it becomes a Croque Madame.

Local drinks

France is known for its local drinks.

• Regional wine – Drink crisp, dry Chablis in the north, robust Bordeaux in the west, or pale rosé in Provence.

• Pastis – An anise-flavoured spirit that tastes like liquid liquorice. It’s served as a shot with a jug of cold water to dilute it to your liking.

• Champagne – Sparkling wine made only in the Champagne region in northeast France.

• Calvados – A potent, amber-coloured apple brandy from Normandy. It’s often served as a digestif after a meal, or sometimes halfway through a long banquet.

Nightlife

Nightlife in France is more about taking your time than late-night clubbing.

• Guinguettes – These seasonal riverside bars appear in summer, especially around Paris. Expect outdoor tables, simple drinks and a laidback crowd.

• Cabarets – Paris is known for classic cabaret shows such as the Moulin Rouge. Tickets can be expensive, so it works best as a planned treat rather than a casual night out.

• Alpine Après-ski – In ski resorts like Val d’Isère and Courchevel, the party starts early on the slopes and continues into the village.

Why couples love France

France works well for romantic breaks – couples can take evening walks along the Seine, stay in smaller château hotels in the Loire Valley or enjoy candlelit meals in Lyon’s traditional bouchons.

Why families love France

Travelling with children is straightforward in France. There’s a good choice of Self Catering gîtes (holiday homes) with pools, family-friendly attractions like Disneyland Paris and easy cycling routes along the Loire and Atlantic coast.

Why groups love France

Friends can book ski chalets in the Alps, rent large farmhouses in Provence or plan food-focused trips around wine regions. Accommodation is often designed for groups, which helps keep per-person costs more manageable.

Why solo travellers love France

France is well set up for independent travel with fast trains making it easy to move between cities, while museums offer good-value multi-day passes and café culture means eating alone never feels awkward.

Places to shop

Shopping in France ranges from designer boutiques to smaller, local shops.

• The Golden Triangle, Paris – Home to designer stores and luxury fashion houses. It’s best for browsing and people-watching rather than bargains.

• Le Marais, Paris – A good area for independent shops, vintage fashion and smaller boutiques.

• Lyon’s Presqu’île – Lyon’s main shopping district, with a mix of brands, department stores and food shops.

Souvenirs & local finds

These easy-to-pack French staples make useful souvenirs to remember your holiday to France.

• Savon de Marseille – A traditional vegetable-oil soap from southern France. Look for an authenticity stamp if you want the real thing.

• The marinière – The classic Breton striped top, made from cotton. Brands like Saint James and Armor-Lux are popular but can be pricey.

• Dijon mustard – This mustard is sharper than the English version, and buying it locally makes a simple food gift.

Markets

These markets are a good way to shop like a local.

• Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, Paris – The largest flea market in the world, spread across several areas. It’s best for vintage furniture, clothes and curios (small antiques).

• Marché Forville, Cannes – A lively covered food market with local produce and simple street food. It’s closed on Mondays, when the space switches to a flea market instead.

• Local brocantes – Small antique and bric-a-brac fairs held in towns and villages, especially in summer. Look out for signs saying brocante or vide-grenier for the best places to find a bargain.

TGV high-speed trains

Best for covering long distances quickly, like Paris to Marseille in around three hours. You’ll need to reserve a seat, and prices rise closer to departure, so booking early usually saves money.

TER regional trains

These trains are best for shorter journeys between towns and rural areas. You don’t usually need to book a ticket in advance and prices stay consistent. If you’ve got a paper ticket, make sure you validate it on the platform, but app tickets are ready to go.

Car hire

Useful in regions like Provence, the Dordogne and Normandy, where villages are spread out. Motorways are smooth but come with toll charges, which can add up. If you want to avoid toll roads, this will take longer but the routes are often more scenic and cheaper.

Metro and tramways

The easiest way to get around major cities such as Paris, Lyon and Bordeaux. Public transport is reliable and good value, and in Paris contactless passes are increasingly replacing paper tickets, which makes hopping on and off simpler once you’re set up.