- Paris is just over two hours by Eurostar from London
- The French Alps have Europe's biggest linked ski areas
- Late spring and September are best for the south
- Drive via Dover or the Channel Tunnel to bring your own car
- Airports
- Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Paris Orly (ORY), Nice (NCE), Geneva for the Alps (GVA), Lyon (LYS), Bordeaux (BOD)
- Flight time
- about 1h15 from London to Paris; Eurostar 2h16 to Paris
- Best time to go
- May-June and September for touring; December-April for skiing
- Currency
- Euro (€)
France is the UK's closest neighbour and still one of its most rewarding holidays. In a single country you get the world's most visited city, the highest peaks in western Europe, lavender fields, vineyards and two very different coastlines. It's also the easiest place abroad to reach without flying, which makes spontaneous breaks and family road trips simple.
This guide covers the best places to go, when to visit, how to get there and how to keep costs down.
Where to go in France
Paris
The French capital rewards first-timers and repeat visitors alike. Book the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre online to avoid long queues, then make time for the Marais, Montmartre and a long lunch. Our Paris guide has neighbourhood tips and itineraries.
The French Alps
The French Alps are home to vast linked ski areas such as Les 3 Vallées, Paradiski and Espace Killy, plus classic towns like Chamonix. In summer, take the cable car up the Aiguille du Midi for close-up views of Mont Blanc, or hike and cycle around the lakes of Annecy.
Provence and the Riviera
The south has the sunniest weather: Nice and the Côte d'Azur for beaches and glamour, Provence for hilltop villages, markets and lavender (best from late June to mid-July).
Normandy, Brittany and the west
Easy to reach by ferry, the north-west offers D-Day beaches, Mont-Saint-Michel, seafood and family campsites. Further south, the Dordogne, Bordeaux's vineyards and the Atlantic surf coast are favourites for summer road trips.
Skiing in France
France has more ski terrain than any other European country and many of the highest, most snow-sure resorts. Purpose-built resorts such as Val Thorens, Tignes and Avoriaz offer ski-in, ski-out convenience; traditional villages like Méribel, Morzine and La Clusaz have more character. It isn't the cheapest place to ski, but self-catered apartments and January or March dates can make it surprisingly affordable.
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Best time to visit France
| Season | Best for |
|---|---|
| Spring (April-June) | Paris, the Loire, Provence before the crowds |
| Summer (July-August) | Beaches, campsites, Alpine hiking; busy and pricey in the south |
| Autumn (September-October) | Wine harvest, warm Mediterranean, quieter roads |
| Winter (December-April) | Skiing in the Alps and Pyrenees; Christmas markets in Alsace |
August is when much of France goes on holiday, so coastal resorts are full and some Paris restaurants close for a few weeks.
Eurostar's cheapest fares are usually released months ahead and sell quickly. For Paris weekends, book early and travel midweek if you can.
Getting to France from the UK
- Train: Eurostar runs from London St Pancras to Paris in about 2h16, and seasonal ski trains to the Alps have run in recent winters. Connections on the TGV reach Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux and the Alps.
- Car: Eurotunnel Le Shuttle crosses from Folkestone to Calais in about 35 minutes, and ferries sail from Dover to Calais or Dunkirk, and from Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth to Normandy and Brittany.
- Air: flights take around 1h15 to Paris, 1h40 to Lyon or Geneva for the Alps, and about 2h to Nice.
UK passport holders can stay visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 within the Schengen area. Check your passport is under 10 years old on arrival and valid for three months after you leave. The EU's Entry/Exit System registers your fingerprints and photo on your first crossing, which can add time at the Eurostar and Dover border controls.
Getting around
France's TGV network makes long distances quick: Paris to Lyon takes about 2h and Paris to Marseille just over 3h. Budget operator Ouigo offers cheaper fares on some routes. Paris has an extensive metro. Driving is relaxed on well-kept motorways, though most charge tolls (péage). Cities including Paris and Lyon have low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker, which you must order before you travel.
Money and costs
France uses the euro. Paris and the Riviera are expensive, but rural France is often cheaper than the UK for eating out, especially the fixed-price lunch formule. A service charge is included in restaurant prices, so tipping is optional. Hotels charge a small nightly tourist tax (taxe de séjour).
Top attractions in France
ViewpointAiguille du Midi
A record-breaking cable car from Chamonix to a granite needle at 3,842m, with close-up views of Mont Blanc.
LandmarkEiffel Tower
Gustave Eiffel's iron tower, built for the 1889 World's Fair, is the symbol of Paris and offers views across the whole…
MuseumLouvre
The world's most visited museum, home to the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and thousands of years of art in a former…
LandmarkMont-Saint-Michel
A medieval abbey crowning a rocky tidal island off the Normandy coast, Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the most…
LandmarkPalace of Versailles
Louis XIV's dazzling palace, with the Hall of Mirrors, vast formal gardens and Marie Antoinette's estate, is the most…
France on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Eurostar or flying better for Paris?
Eurostar takes you city centre to city centre in about 2h16 and is usually quicker door to door from London than flying. From the north of England or Scotland, a direct flight may be faster.
Which French ski resort is best for beginners?
Look for resorts with gentle, easily reached nursery slopes and plenty of green and blue runs, such as La Plagne, Les Gets or Flaine.
Do I need a Crit'Air sticker to drive in France?
Yes, if you drive in a low-emission zone such as central Paris or Lyon. Order it from the official French government website, which costs just a few euros; avoid third-party sites that charge more.
When is lavender season in Provence?
Usually from late June to mid-July, depending on altitude and weather. Harvesting starts in July, so go early in the season for the best fields.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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