Local highlights

Regions of France
From the beaches of Brittany to the glaciated summits of the Alps, from the turquoise coastlines of Corsica and the Cote d'Azur to the rocky crags of Auvergne, the sheer physical diversity of France presents a lifetime of holidays. Almost several distinct countries crammed into one, France is a land where each region fiercely guards its own unique identity, boasting its own cuisine, architecture, accent and attitude. France's countryside has evolved slowly and organically over the years, its villages virtually unchanged in centuries. Today, they’re as much a part of the natural landscape as the spectacular rivers and hills, forests and fields. Despite its rural traditions, France has been at the forefront of European development with a cultural and political legacy that has left an endless inventory of attractions for visitors today. Paris the obvious example, a dynamic, living warehouse of historical treasures. But from the prehistoric cave-paintings of the Dordogne and Roman monuments of Provence, to the cathedrals of Normandy and the chateaux of the Loire, wherever you go in France you’ll find fascinating, seductive traces of the country’s historical past. As well as its history and countryside, France is also well known for the excellent wines from the Rhone Valley, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne regions. It may be only 21 miles of water that separates Dover from Pas-de-Calais, but France is as exotic and tantalisingly unfamiliar as anywhere on the globe. More tourists come to France than any other country on the planet. That doesn’t happen by accident.
An excellent way to explore France is by car, allowing you to travel between different regions and discover the contrasts of geography, climate, architecture and culture. See our suggested self-drive touring holidays in France for some ideas of possible routes.

Highlights of a holiday to France
Skiing and hiking in the Alps and Pyrenees; the museums, nightlife, vibrant art scene and sheer romance of Paris; the WWII battle sights of Normandy; the wild, fretted coastline of Brittany; the spectacular gorges of the Ardeche and Dordogne; the beaches and super cool seaside towns of the Cote d’Azur; the abundance of rental villas; the gastronomie of Provence; the vineyards, chateaux and rolling hillsides of the Loire Valley; the rugged landscape and turquoise shallows of Corsica; fantastic local produce in simple but exquisite restaurants; Sunday markets; dining al fresco; café au lait and pain au chocolat for breakfast, eaten in a simple bar as the country awakes.

Getting out and about

With the most extensive rail network in Western Europe, France is a great country to explore by train. The nationally owned SNCF (Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer) runs fast, efficient services between the main towns. Buses cover the rural areas, but services can be rather sporadic, with departures often at awkward times. If you really want to get off the beaten track, by far the best option is your own car.

Travel arrangements

Flight time from London is approximately one hour to Paris and 90 minutes to the main southern airports in Lyon and Bordeaux. France’s extensive network of airports is served by a variety of airlines from the UK, including Brtitish Airways, Air France, KLM. Alternatively, Eurostar runs an extensive daily timetable of departures between London’s St Pancras International and Paris and Lille.