Trips to France

Things to do in France

With so much to see here, it pays to take a little extra care planning your trip. You won’t have time to savour everything this wonderful country has to offer in just one hit, but we’ll help you boil it down to the essentials. Here are our pick of the top places to visit in France.

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  Christmas and New Year in Paris

  Could anything be more romantic than spending Christmas and New Year in the French capital? With so many things to see in Paris, taking one off the city’s many road or river tours is a great way to ensure you pack in as much as possible. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, the Palais Garnier and the Cathedral of Notre Dame are just some of the monumental sights that await you at every turn.

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  Visit Chamonix and Mont Blanc

  Site of the first Winter Olympics, Chamonix is one of the best places to ski in France. Featuring the awe inspiring elevations of Mont Blanc, the resort is also famous for its rich cultural mix of mountain sport, history and fine cuisine, so there should be plenty to keep you away from the intoxicating lure of après-ski. Well, for a while…

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  Party in the Côte d'Azur

  For fun worshippers, this region is one of the must-go-to places in France. The French Riviera is home to a number of huge events, including the Monaco Grand Prix, Nice Carnival and - of course - the Cannes Film Festival. Don’t be put off by the place’s reputation as a millionaire’s playground either. Many of the region’s charms are free to enjoy, especially the climate, which promises some of the best weather in France.

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  Explore the Loire Valley

  The Loire Valley is one of the most stunning places to go in France. Covering an area of around 800 square kilometres, the ‘Garden of France’ was recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2002, and has countless historic towns and châteaux to explore. And if that sounds a little dry, this is also the home of the vineyard tour, where quaffing the complementary wine is all part of the fun.

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  Paint Paris rouge

  Enjoying the most famous tourist attractions in France by day is one thing, but a night (or week) spent exploring the bars in Paris reveals another side to the city. Use the cheap and convenient Metro system to check out the Latin Quarter, Bastille, Saint-Germain and edgy Pigalle districts. Whatever your thing, Paris bars and clubs will have it covered.