France holidays
Sip velvety Bordeaux in centuries-old vineyards or stroll through Paris and get lost in the labyrinthine Louvre. Whether you’re strutting your stuff along the Cote d’Azur, indulging in the exquisite gastronomy of Rouen or toasting with bubbles in Champagne, France isn’t just a destination – it’s a countrywide seduction.
Our cheapest holidays to France
It’s easy to be a bon viveur here – bon voyage
France: where the inhabitants ooze insouciance and the wine is second-to-none. This nation has a lot to be smug about: it has the most revered cuisine in Europe, it’s the largest country in the European Union, and its paysage, from the ski slopes of Chamonix to its chateaus, is utterly captivating.
Roughly shaped like a pentagon, five-sided France is bordered by Spain, the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the English Channel and Germany. The country has launched a charm offensive on all sides. At the centre of it all sits Paris, the immortal ‘City of Light’, which will seem familiar even to those who have never been before. It’s waltzed off the pages of a thousand romance novels and is still exceptionally enticing for couples. On the Mediterranean, Nice and Monaco straddle the French Riviera, aka: the fanciest holiday destination in Europe.
Flirt with adventure in the Alps, dive into Disneyland® Paris magic and fall for Paris’s romance. Slow down in rustic Alsace, explore Loire Valley castles and dine with views of lavender-filled Provence. Whatever you love, there’s a slice of France waiting for you. Book your flights to France now.
Holidays in France
Holidays in France for every type of traveller
Prepare for a stylish sojourn in France, whatever your budget. In Paris, you can stroll to the Eiffel Tower from the centrally located Hotel Baume. If you’d rather holiday in the Riviera, there are plenty of hotels on the Mediterranean coast. Consider Cannes – this celebrity haunt is a great holiday destination. The JW Marriott Cannes will leave you star-struck, while its sea views will have you swooning. Down the coast in Nice, head to the old town for a stay at Beau Rivage. This small hotel has its own restaurant on the beach, just across the street – and you can also rent sun loungers for a spot of bronzing.
Skiing in France
France is home to one of the best ski areas in the world, great cuisine, some epic apres ski, and high altitude snow-sure conditions.
A lot of the resorts were purpose-built in the 1960s and ’70s, giving them a high-altitude and fast-moving modern lift systems. Add to this beautiful scenery and you have a perfect place to ski.
Alpe d’Huez
66 miles from Grenoble airport
Also known as the ‘Island in the Sun’, Alpe d’Huez normally gets around 300 days of sun throughout the year, making it a perfect ski spot. The pistes range from easy greens to extreme blacks up to 3330 metres, but the real draw is La Sarenne – which is the longest black run in the world stretching 16km. You’ll have as much fun off the pistes too as Alpe d’Huez is one of the liveliest resorts in the Alps, so you’ll find plenty of opportunity to have a few drinks after your long day of skiing.
Chamonix
62 miles from Geneva airport
Sitting just below the majestic Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest mountain, the charming town of Chamonix will cater to your every skiing need. During the summer it is a haven for climbers and bikers, but it comes alive for advanced free skiers and snowboarders around November. Despite its relatively low altitude, most of the lifts head up to above 2000 metres, with the most famous off-piste runs in the world. A bustling town, you will find shops, bars and restaurants to suit any evening – and of course some great apres ski too.
Courchevel
63 miles from Chambery airport
Courchevel is one of several resorts in the massive Les Trois Vallees ski area, and garners an affluent crowd due to its brilliant restaurants and luxury chalets. Courchevel has some great pistes too, ranging from long greens perfect for newcomers to runs more suited to seasoned skiers. You’ll find some steep blacks at the top of the Saulire lift, which your group can race down into the centre. Those wanting a bit more should head over into Meribel or Val Thorens, where you’ll find 600 kilometres of pistes waiting for you to explore. World-class apres ski can be found in 1850’s Tremplin bar.
Flaine
56 miles from Geneva airport
Flaine is part of the Grand Massif ski area, which also includes Les Carroz and Samoens. The Flaine ski bowl itself is a brilliant area for beginners and intermediates, with some superb black routes for the fearless. It is great for freestyle skiers and snowboarders too, with one of the biggest snow parks in Europe, the Jam Park, stretching down the mountain for almost a mile. Flaine was purpose-built, so you won’t find too much in the way of entertainment, but there is such good skiing that you’ll be too tired to party.
La Plagne
82 miles from Geneva airport
La Plagne is a beautiful series of villages, all with their own advantages, sitting within the huge Paradiski area. La Plagne’s skiing covers a large area, but for those looking for a bit more, Paradiski covers almost 450 kilometres of pristine slopes. The big, wide runs are perfect for those new to snow sports and those who like to carve at high speeds. La Plagne is suited best to competent skiers, with around 70% of the runs being blue or easy reds. Off the piste, you’ll find over 50 restaurants catering for your every need.
Les Arcs
228 miles from Chambery airport
Built above Bourg St Moritz in the 1960s, Les Arcs is now one of the most respected resorts in the world. The great thing about Les Arcs is that 70% of the pistes are above 2000 metres, making it a very snow-sure mountain, even late in the season. Also connected to the Paradiski area and La Plagne, the slopes are more suited to proficient skiers but there are some amazing routes for the more advanced. Try the Aiguille Rouge peak, which drops 2000m vertically and is 7km long. Les Arcs is not well known for nightlife, but you’ll find some fun apres ski in Les Arcs 1800.
Meribel
82 miles from Geneva airport
Set in the heart of the world-class Three Valleys ski area, Meribel oozes with alpine town chalet charm. Soak up your prime position to hit the pistes, with an incredible 600km of skiable terrain to cruise across on your ski holiday. Beginners can start at Meribel Altiport, then glide the variety of green runs. Intermediate and advanced skiers can savour high-altitude skiing in Val Thornes, or discover mogul fields and ski parks in Courchevel. Be sure to plan your ski days out with the Three Valleys map. After days on the mountain, soak up the apres ski buzz and vibrant nightlife of Meribel.
Tignes
106 miles from Geneva airport
Being on a glacier guarantees snow in Tignes, and allows for a long season which runs, normally, from October to May. As part of the enormous Espace Killy ski area, you’ll have more than 300 kilometres of skiable terrain at your ski tips. Tignes has a smaller area surrounding it, but no less impressive – with two brilliant snow parks, wide sweeping pistes and some of the best off-piste in the French Alps. As a purpose-built resort, it may lack the traditional Alpine village charm, but it makes up for it with its superb skiing conditions, affordable prices and lively apres ski.
Val d’Isere
108 miles from Geneva airport
Val d’Isere is arguably one of the world’s best ski resorts, with spectacular skiing at a high altitude, brilliant apres ski and lift links to the huge Espace Killy ski area. Predominantly built for intermediate and advanced skiers, this is a veritable playground for the experienced – with some incredible free skiing available to those able. The famous Oakley ValPark will have snowboarders jumping for joy, as will the resort’s cosmopolitan apres ski bars and modern restaurants. Those looking for more traditional fare will find some great taverns serving Savoyard specialities too – like a delicious cheese fondue.
Val Thorens
94 miles from Geneva airport
Europe’s highest and most snow-sure resort, Val Thoren ticks all the boxes when looking for a high-altitude ski holiday. As a purpose-built resort, it is not the most beautiful, but you will forgive that when you ski straight to the door of your accommodation. The well-groomed pistes cater for the more advanced skier at the top of the mountain, but beginners will find some exhilarating runs too. The off-piste here is also superb, with powder snow galore on the Peclet and Chaviere glaciers. After skiing, head down to the town to find great bars – including the breathtaking views from the panoramic Bar 360.
Valmorel
59 miles from Chambery airport
Take a ski holiday to the gateway resort of the Tarentaise, Valmorel. There is a nursery area next to the village and gentle greens for beginners, as well as an extensive range of blue and red runs for intermediates across the 165km Grand Domaine ski area. For expert skiers, there is just a scattering of black runs and steeper reds – although there is some brilliant off-piste available for those advanced enough. When it’s time to take the ski boots off, take a turn at snowshoeing. The apres ski here is leisurely, people usually enjoy a couple of afternoon beers and an evening drink in a bar.
France holiday FAQs
- Disneyland® Paris is a magical playground for all ages. Meet your favourite characters like Spider-Man at the Hero Training Centre or explore Fantasyland, Adventureland or Discoveryland. Book into one of our Disney Hotels for access to both Parks, Extra Magic Time and character meet-and-greets. For a more relaxed stay, Disney Davy Crockett Ranch is just a 15-minute drive away. Very little ones will love Disney Hotel Santa Fe, which follows the same route taken in Disney and Pixar’s Cars. The call of the Wild West summons those who want to feel like they’re starring in their very own Western movie at Disney Hotel Cheyenne.
- Visit the Champagne region and stay in Reims for an unforgettable experience. Tour world-renowned Champagne houses, indulge in tastings and explore the stunning UNESCO-listed Reims Cathedral. With its vibrant culinary scene and rich history, Reims is the perfect base for exploring the picturesque vineyards of Champagne. In its historic centre is Holiday Inn Reims, just a short drive from the famous Champagne cellars of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin and Taittinger, and the idyllic Parc de Champagne.
- To the south of Lyon, you’ll find the wonderous Palais Ideal. Just one man created this quirky masterpiece over the course of 30 years. Being in the heart of the Peninsula of Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Rhone and Saone rivers meet, is just one of the bonuses of staying at Hotel Dieu.
- The Camargue is a fantastic excursion from Nice or Marseille, offering a paradise for nature lovers with its pink flamingos and unique landscapes. History enthusiasts will love Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with lantern-lit passageways and the renowned Festival d’Avignon. For a luxurious stay, choose the Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel, close to the world-famous Promenade des Anglais.
- If you fancy red carpets, glamorous beaches, vibrant nightlife and world-class shopping head to the French Riviera. Explore Monaco’s luxurious casinos and the stunning Prince’s Palace. In Cannes, stroll the famous Croisette and enjoy the charm of its old town. The Riviera blends sophistication, natural beauty and vibrant culture, making it the perfect destination for an indulgent getaway.
- Rouen, one of UNESCO’s Creative Cities for gastronomy, is often seen as the hearty capital of Normandy. Enjoy speciality cheeses, fresh scallops, crisp cider and orchard-picked fruits. Drink beer in a church, lunch in a medieval abbey, grab coffee in the historic quarter or go wine and cheese tasting with a cheesemaker in a local tavern.
- Known for romantic trysts, epic galleries and indulgent gastronomy, Paris is where it’s at. You can scale the Eiffel Tower or explore the history of Notre-Dame. Be awestruck by the opulent Palace of Versailles and its Hall of Mirrors, then refuel at one of the city’s many cafes or Michelin-starred restaurants.
- If you love style and shopping, Paris is the home of haute couture. Shop high-end brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Dior around Avenue Montaigne, Avenue George V and the Champs-Elysees before visiting budget-friendlier boutiques along Canal Saint-Martin.
- Visit Normandy’s Mont Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a spiritual dose of history at this medieval abbey perched on a rocky island. The dramatic setting, architecture and crashing tides make it a captivating photo opportunity.
- The lavender fields of Provence bloom from late June to August, creating a picturesque canvas around the villages and vineyards. Nearby, the Gorges du Verdon, often called the Grand Canyon of Europe, boasts famous limestone cliffs and stunning rock formations.
- For glamour, head to the Cote d’Azur, renowned for its beach settings and vibrant nightlife. Sophisticated destinations like Nice, Cannes and Saint-Tropez offer sun and style. Though not part of France, Monaco, home to a prestigious car race, is often associated with this region.
- Sainte-Chapelle, a Gothic 13th Century chapel in Paris, is unforgettable with its colossal stained-glass windows depicting biblical stories in bright technicolour. Visit on a sunny day to see it at its most dazzling.
- Explore the Alsace Wine Route for incredible scenery through villages and vineyards. This iconic 111-mile route celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2023 and is as beloved as ever. Starting in Strasbourg and ending in Colmar, known as Little Venice for its canals and candy-coloured houses, you’ll find plenty of stops along the way, including medieval Selestat and quaint Ribeauville.
- Dotted with majestic fairy-tale castles like Chateau de Chambord and vivid green vineyards, the Loire Valley is known as the ‘Garden of France’. Discover fruit orchards and asparagus fields or visit picturesque villages like Crissay-sur-Manse and Gargilesse-Dampierre for rustic delights.
- Explore the fascinating Paris Catacombs, an eerie network of tunnels lined with the bones of over six million people, forming part of a much wider tunnel system beneath the city. Historically, they’ve been used for everything from ammunition storage to mushroom farming.
- For something different, visit Arcachon Bay to see Europe’s tallest sand dune, Dune du Pilat. Towering 115 metres high and 3,000 metres in length, it offers a sublime setting between the Atlantic coast and a vast pine forest.
- Held every December, Lyon’s Festival of Lights transforms the city with everything from tiny candles on balconies to vast multi-coloured projections, art installations and woodland displays. It’s the perfect accompaniment to a visit to Lyon’s Christmas markets. If you have time, tour the unique Ideal Palace south of Lyon, a surreal site built by one man over 30 years.
- We can help you find the best Paris flight and hotel, but there are plenty of other fascinating destinations to explore. For more privacy, book your family into a serene villa in France – with gorgeous views and a private pool. If you're thinking about a package holiday to France, why not opt for an all-inclusive break? It will allow you to enjoy your time away without worrying about extra costs.
- A fun fact: if you laid out all 3,427km of France’s coastline you’d be able to get from Paris to Petra. That’s a lot of beach holiday potential! The Riviera has the most glamorous coastal cities in the country. In Nice, enjoy the Promenade des Anglais when you stay at Le Meridien Nice, a chic hotel opposite the city’s sandy beach. For the last word in Riviera getaway glam, head to the Fairmont Monte Carlo. You’re just a short drive from the little coves along the coast from Monaco, and you have a fantastic five-star perch on the cliff.
- Enjoy a wonderful holiday en famille in France… as long as you don’t have ‘enfants terribles’, that is. Whether they’re gawping at confectionary in a patisserie or goggling at a guillotine and learning the country’s fascinating history, kids will love France. Make plenty of wonderful family memories in Disneyland, Paris. Stay at the magical Vienna House Dream Castle at Disneyland Paris where children will be delighted by staff in period costume and two great playgrounds. Otherwise, check in at the colourful Grand Magic Hotel, where every day is a celebration.
- Your French adventure doesn’t have to come at a great expense. Keep costs down on your holiday without cramping your style. Paris might be home to some pricey real estate, but you can get the most out of the capital without breaking the bank if you stay at D Espagne. This three-star hotel is on a quiet street behind the Grands Boulevards, near the Opera Garnier. Behind its historic facade is a fresh, modern interior. In Cannes, stay at the affordable four-star Hotel Simone. This central hotel has chic interior design and lovely, airy rooms.
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