Travel in France: when to go, places and advice

The most visited country in the world, France can be rediscovered endlessly: Paris and its monument-museums, the Loire châteaux, Mont-Saint-Michel set on its bay, the cliffs of Étretat, the Verdon gorges, the villages of Alsace and two seas to finish. Few countries offer such a density of landscapes, heritage and tables within a few hours by train. The ideal playground for precision itineraries, weekend and grand tour alike.

Capital: Paris
Currency: Euro (€)
Language: French
Direct flight: Not applicable, TGV across the whole country
Time difference: None from mainland Europe; UK -1 hr

Itineraries

Our trip ideas in France

The itineraries in France are in the works: the day-by-day programme, named hotels, tickets to book flagged in advance. Leave your address to be notified when they come out.

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The right season

When to go in France?

May-June and September are the crowning months: long days, open terraces, sites still calm. July-August concentrate the crowds on the coasts but open up the high mountains. Autumn gilds the vineyards, winter lights the Alsatian Christmas markets and the ski resorts. In truth, every region has its season: France can be visited all year round.

January : In-between
February : In-between
March : Pleasant
April : Pleasant
May : Ideal
June : Ideal
July : Pleasant
August : Pleasant
September : Ideal
October : Pleasant
November : In-between
December : In-between

Ideal
Pleasant
In-between
Avoid

Quick guide

Understanding France

Getting around

The TGV puts Lyon 2 hr from Paris, Bordeaux 2 hr 10, Marseille 3 hr. For the countryside, gorges and villages, a car remains essential. In the cities, metros, trams and shared bikes do the job.

Money

The euro (€). Cards work everywhere, contactless is universal. Markets and small producers appreciate cash. Service is included at restaurants, a tip remains a nice gesture.

Language

French, of course. English gets you by in the tourist areas, but a few words of French remain the best passport, including with the French themselves.

Useful apps

SNCF Connect for the trains, Citymapper in the big cities, Waze on the road and TheFork to book restaurants.

Accommodation

Characterful guesthouses, château-hotels, rural gîtes and palaces: the whole range exists. Book early for the South in summer and during French school holidays.

Etiquette

Say bonjour when entering a shop, always. The meal is a ritual: no rushed main course, and cheese before dessert.

The iconic places

Eiffel Tower

Paris

330 m of puddled iron turned national symbol. Go up at sunset, then watch it sparkle on the hour.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Normandy

The thousand-year-old abbey raised on its islet, ringed by the greatest tides in Europe. Cross the bay on foot with a guide.

Château de Chambord

Loire Valley

François I's dream in stone, its double-helix staircase and its 440 rooms set in the middle of Europe's largest enclosed forest park.

Cliffs of Étretat

Normandy

White chalk arches and a 70 m needle plunging into the Channel, immortalised by Monet. A vertiginous coastal path.

Verdon Gorges

Provence

The French grand canyon: 700 m of limestone cliffs above emerald water, best explored by kayak or on the Blanc-Martel trail.

Dune du Pilat

Arcachon Bay

The highest dune in Europe, 100 m of sand between pine forest and ocean. The barefoot climb at sundown is a rite.

Tap a dot, or browse the list below the map.

Eiffel Tower : The symbol of Paris
Mont-Saint-Michel : The abbey between sky and tides
Étretat : Chalk cliffs and the hollow needle
Saint-Malo : The corsair city and its ramparts
Chambord : The great château of the Loire
Colmar : Half-timbering and canals of Alsace
Chamonix : At the foot of Mont Blanc
Dune du Pilat : The highest dune in Europe
Carcassonne : The fortified medieval city
Pont du Gard : The three-tiered Roman aqueduct
Verdon Gorges : The French grand canyon
Place de la Bourse : Bordeaux and its water mirror