France is an appealing country for many European travelers. It has a long history that dates back hundreds of years to the time of ancient Rome. The charms of France, rich culture and historic landmarks can all be discovered in this delightful country of France. In the elegant city of Paris, from the iconic Fashion Week scene in Paris to welcoming French cuisine to the awe-inspiring vineyards in the Bordeaux valley or the Loire Valley, France certainly has much to offer travelers around the world.
No trip to France would be complete without at least a stop in its most famous cities: Paris and London. Both of these metropolitan cities enjoy a tropical climate that is the envy of many across Europe. For travelers coming from North America or other nearby countries, you'll find both excellent airfare and affordable hotel rates in and around Paris, as well as some of the best luxury hotels and resorts in France. In addition, there are many exciting activities and sights to see while in London. Check out the attractions listed below, as well as some tips on how to budget for your trip to France.
Once you reach Paris, the Eiffel Tower will be the first sight that you'll want to see. You'll also want to take a trip to the Louvre and the Palace of Justice, as well as the Science and Technology Museum, where you'll have a chance to view some of the latest inventions from France and around the world. The gardens, castles, and palaces of France also deserve at least a passing glance from your France travel guide. For those interested in medieval history and culture, you may enjoy seeing the Musee des Beaux-Arts in Versailles. The Aqueduct of Genoa, one of the longest and most impressive waterfalls in Italy, may also intrigue you.
If you're looking for a place to go to escape the city bustle, you may want to check out the Loire Valley region of France. Loire Valley attractions are plentiful, with some of the best attractions being Beaute Cote D'Azur, and the Chateauneuf-en-Auxois. The region is well known for its wine production, so if you're a lover of white and red wines, this is definitely the place for you. Loire Valley holidays also offer plenty of entertainment opportunities, including world-class restaurants and wine tours. The best time to visit Loire Valley is from June to September, when temperatures are warm and refreshing, but not cold, which is usually the case during the rest of the year.
Visiting various wine regions in northern France is a must-do in any holiday to France. The main areas to check out are Champagne, Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Loire. Each of these has its own unique charm and provides travelers with a variety of choices. Some of the best wine regions in northern France include Meursault, Bordeaux, and Burgundy.
If you're looking for a perfect getaway spot away from where the main European cities are, look no further than the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower is a favorite among tourists and locals alike. It's certainly not a place for the shy of visitors as there are plenty of activities to do around the Eiffel Tower such as the shopping and dining options at the top of the tower itself. There are also many gardens outside where you can have a picnic or just sit and admire the beauty of Eiffel Tower, and view Paris from such a great height. Other than the shopping and dining options available at the top of the Eiffel Tower, you can also do some enjoying at the cafes lining the waterway side of the tower itself.
If you love wine, then northern France is definitely for you. You can get around France in comfort, as most of the train stations have an underground facility for storage of wine bottles that can be used on future trains. Most of the towns within the region have good public transport links, and you can also hire cars that will take you around in comfort to all the various wine producing and processing regions of northern France.
Getting Around. One of the best ways of getting around northern France is using the region's excellent public transport systems such as the metro, buses, and trains. If you are living in a hotel or are working in one, then you can usually arrange for transport to and from these locations, though private transportation may be available if you prefer it.
Up to date information for vaccinations before you travel to France are available from the NHS Fit for Travel website.
Review the latest FCDO Travel Advice before travelling to or from France
The best times to visit France are in spring (April-May), summer (June-August) and fall (September-October). France enjoys mild temperatures, although there are regional variations: there's a Mediterranean climate in the south and wetter weather in the north, near the English Channel.
If you hold a British Citizen passport, you don't need a visa to enter France.
See which forms you may need for entry into France.
The official currency of France is the Euro (EUR). If you're looking to transfer or spend money in France you can grab amazing Euro deals via Wise.com (GBP to EUR).
The list of French mammals below is far from exhaustive; it covers the larger and most interesting species. In addition to the species listed below, France also is home to badgers, foxes, otters, rats, mice, rabbits and hares, red squirrels, and even - but only in the Rhine valley - wild hamsters.
French food? Some of the national dishes of France include crepes, pot-au-feu, macarons, croissants, and coq au vin.
You can typically expect to pay around £5.74p for an equivalent pint of lager or beer.
French, the official language, is the first language of 88% of the population. Most of those who speak minority languages also speak French, as the minority languages are given no legal recognition. 3% of the population speak German dialects, predominantly in the eastern provinces of Alsace-Lorraine and Moselle. You can learn some basic French before you travel to France and really impress the locals!
The currency in France is the Euro (The tip is included in the final bill (service compris), but if the service exceeded your expectations, round the bill up to the nearest whole figure or leave 5 to 10 percent to show your gratitude. Another option is to leave €1 to €2 per every €20 spent in all but the finest restaurants.).
The GMT time difference is 1 hours