Breaking News

• Man kills himself in Notre Dame Cathedral
  2013-05-22
  A right-wing historian killed himself inside Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris yesterday in front of shocked tourists and local worshippers. About 1,500 people were evacuated from the famous cathedral, which is one of Paris's most popular tourist attractions and one of the most recognisable buildings in the world. Dominique Venner seems to have shot himself in protest against same-sex marriage in France.
  Source - CNN

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Paris, France © Panoramas

France Travel Guide

There isn't a single travel destination that has the romantic pull of France. Idealised by millions all over the world, thoughts of France involve champagne on the Eiffel Tower, cruises on the Seine, bicycling through wine country and exploring the resorts of the Côte d'Azur.

A holiday in France offers a wide variety of attractions for all travellers, whether interested in culture and history or just having a good time. While Paris is famous for its sophistication, there are more than 40,000 castles and chateaus dotting the countryside, dozens of ski resorts in the French Alps, holiday towns along the coast and countless cities and villages hidden around every hill providing never-ending opportunities to explore for millions of tourists each year.

French culture is known for its effortless sophistication, including the gastronomic delights of French cuisine, museums dedicated to centuries of French art, and the sought-after haute couture creations of French fashion designers. Whether looking for a city break in Paris or exploring the lesser-known delights of Alsace-Lorraine, a holiday in France is the dream vacation for many.

Best time to visit France

The weather in France has four distinct seasons, so the best time to visit France is in late spring and early autumn to avoid the intense heat of summer and harshly cold winters. May, June and September are the best times for a holiday in France. Read more on France's Climate and Weather.

What to see in France

-See the Mona Lisa and other famous works of art at the Louvre gallery in Paris.

-Spot celebrities at Cannes.

-Stroll through the gardens of the magnificent Palace of Versailles.

-Browse the luxury fashion boutiques on Paris' Champs-Elysées. Read more on France Attractions.

What to do in France

-Go skiing at resorts like Tignes and Serre-Chevalier in the French Alps.

-Take a guided tour of the Moët et Chandon cellars in Epernay.

-Have dinner at the Jules Verne restaurant in the Eiffel Tower.

-Treat the kids to a day at Disneyland Paris.

-Party in the nightclubs of St Tropez. Read more on France Activities.

Getting to France

Getting to France is easy from most Western countries. There are many direct flights to France from the US, nearly all of which land in one of the Paris airports. There are dozens of cheap flights to France from the UK as well, and direct trains from London to Paris. Get more information on France Airports.

Read

Hotel Pastis by Peter Mayle, Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris, and Les Miserables by Victor Hugo.

Listen

Non, Je ne regrette rien (Edith Piaf) and Si tu n'étais pas là (Fréhel).

Watch

La Vie en Rose (2007), Amelie (2001), and Midnight in Paris (2011).

Drink

French wine and champagne.

Eat

Croissants, macaroons.

What to buy

French wine and Parisian fashion.

What to pack

A French phrasebook. Many French outside of Paris don't speak English, and a little French will smooth your way even in the capital.

What's on in France

Hollywood stars launch their newest movies at the Cannes Film Festival every May. The 2,000-mile (3,500km) Tour de France bicycle race comes to an exciting conclusion in Paris each summer. The larger-than-life puppets of the Festival of Giants parade through the village of Douai each July. More information on France Events.

Did you know?

On average, two new cookbooks are published every day in France.

A final word

High fashion, delicious food, and an overwhelming sense of romance make France one of the most popular travel destinations in the world.