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France Travel Guide

Holiday resorts in France

Aix-en-Provence

Marseille may well be the dominant metropolis of Provence but Aix-en-Provence, just 15 miles (24km) inland, is arguably the cultural and tourism capital of the province. Historically and socially t... more

Aix-les-Bains

Aix-les-Bains is a popular and fashionable family resort and spa town located on the eastern side of Lac du Bourget, the largest natural freshwater lake in France. Although the lake is icy cold, yo... more

Ajaccio

The capital of Corsica, Ajaccio lies in a calm bay on the west coast of Corsica, set against a backdrop of wooded hills. It is a relaxed rather than lively town and visitors come here to enjoy its ... more

Amboise

On the banks of the Loire, 20 miles (32km) east of Tours, is the Renaissance town of Amboise. Historic and beautiful it attracts tourists by the busload but this doesn’t detract from its char... more

Angers

Angers straddles the Maine River towards the west of the Loire Valley and is a popular base from which to explore the local sites and the surrounding châteaux country. It is a busy regional c... more

Annecy

Situated 80 miles (129km) east of Lyon, Annecy has a magical setting on the shore of Lake Annecy at the foot of the Alps. It has been called the Venice of the Alps because of the web of canals that... more

Arles

Arles sits on a low hill where the Rhône River branches in two parts to the sea. The town dates back to the 7th century BC and is best known for its amazingly well-preserved Roman arena, Les ... more

Avignon

Situated on the River Rhone, Avignon is famed for being the Vatican of the 14th century; six successive Popes resided here from 1309 making it one of Europe's largest and most important cities of t... more

Balagne

The inland area along the northwest coast of Corsica has been renowned since Roman times as an orchard of olive, fig and orange trees and the breadbasket of the island, crisscrossed by a network of... more

Bastia

Situated at the northeast of Corsica, Bastia is the island's major commercial centre. Despite this the old town has retained its charm; opulent Baroque churches and crumbling pastel houses line the... more

Bayonne

The capital of Basque country, Bayonne is a beautifully preserved cathedral city, offering narrow streets lined with half-timbered houses, small enough to explore on foot. It is divided by the Nive... more

Biarritz

Situated in the very southwest of France, Biarritz became famous in the 19th century when Empress Eugenie (the wife of Napoleon III) fell in love with this part of the Basque country and built a Pa... more

Blois

Much of the historic ambience of medieval Blois remains preserved in its white-washed houses and narrow cobbled alleys, but modernity has impacted quite severely on this, the noble former seat of t... more

Bonifacio

The ancient town of Bonifacio at the very southern tip of Corsica dates from 833, but there is nothing old-fashioned about the tourist trappings and commercialisation of this buzzing haven that att... more

Cannes

Today it is hard to imagine that the quintessential glamorous French Riviera resort of Cannes was for centuries a simple, sleepy fishing village whose only visitors were monks and wealthy pilgrims ... more

Cap Corse

North of Bastia is Cap Corse, a 25-mile (40km) peninsula edged with quiet and quaint fishing villages. The peninsula is divided by a narrow spine of mountains, which rise over 3,000ft (914m) above ... more

Carnac

One of Brittany's most modern and happening holiday resorts is, ironically, alongside one of Europe's most important, ancient and mysterious archaeological sites at Carnac on the south coast o... more

Corte

For a change of pace on your island holiday pack some hiking boots along with your swimsuit and head for the dramatic Corsican hinterland. Corte lies marooned in the centre of Corsica surrounded by... more

Deauville

Deauville is the only Norman resort to have any delusions of grandeur. It is at the heart of the Norman Riviera, which in the late 19th century was particularly popular with elite Parisians. It is ... more

Dinard

Opposite St Malo, sitting atop a rocky headland above the Rance, Dinard was a popular spot with the British in Edwardian times; they still visit today for the bracing sea air and a stroll along the ... more

Disneyland Paris

The blueprints for Disneyland may have been developed in the United States, but the world's favourite theme park concept has transported exceedingly successfully to Europe. Situated 20 miles (32km)... more

Evian-les-Bains

Évian, on the southern end of Lake Geneva, is famous for its famous mineral waters, which have been bottled since the early 18th century. Many of the French have second homes in Évian,... more

La Baule

Just west of Nantes, La Baule is Brittany's most fashionable and expensive resort. Like most Breton seaside towns, it was the Victorians that first flocked here to play and promenade in the balmy a... more

Lourdes

Not strictly Basque country, but part of the nearby Bigorre region, the town of Lourdes is situated in the Hautes-Pyrénées and has been one of the great Roman Catholic pilgrimages sin... more

Megeve

Megève exudes old-world charm; the small village is huddled around the old church, a medieval tower and the town hall. Among the narrow streets and small squares are antique shops, crowded b... more

Nantes

Attractively situated on islands in the estuary of France's mighty Loire River, the solid city of Nantes exudes an air of importance and historical significance. Although not officially part of Bri... more

Orléans

Orléans was badly damaged during World War II and is now a shadow of its former glorious self. Its long history stretches to a time before the Romans but its most famous event was Joan of Ar... more

Pau

Pau is situated 50 miles (80km) inland, high above the Gave de Pau River, and is a good base from which to explore the Pyrénées and the picturesque little villages of the Bearn region... more

Porto

The small seaside resort of Porto is watched over by the 16th-century Genoese Tower standing guard over the fishing harbour, and although crowded in summer, retains a certain charm. It is an excell... more

Quimper

Brittany's oldest city beckons those who need nothing more from a few days' break than cobbled streets to wander through, a lazy river to cruise gently down, or a wide selection of cafes and bars t... more

Rouen

The capital of Normandy, Rouen is a centre of industry and commerce; it is the fifth largest port in France and the closest one to Paris, split, like that city, into a right and left bank area by t... more

Saint Jean de Luz

A popular seaside resort and active fishing port just above the Spanish border, Saint Jean de Luz is a lively and cosmopolitan town. The lovely medieval town centre has been influenced by Spain and... more

St Malo

The lively resort town of St Malo boasts a colourful history as a fortified island citadel that was once run by corsairs who declared it a republic. Today this port on the English Channel swarms wi... more

St Tropez

St Tropez has long held the reputation of being the 'black sheep' of the renowned French Riviera resort towns, where anything goes, the more sinful the better. Sexy starlets were flaunting themselv... more

Tours

Located at the junction of the Loire and the Cher Rivers, Tours is a great base for exploring the valley. The town was badly bombed during the last war and many buildings were replaced with ugly ap... more

Trois Vallees

Le Trois Vallées is the largest ski area in the world and is made up from the linked valleys of Courcheval, Meribel, Les Menuires and Val Thorens. Courcheval is actually three resorts named ... more
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