France is the most civilized country in the world and doesn’t care who knows it.
John Gunther
France holiday experts at WEXAS will tailor-make all aspects of your itinerary to create a France holiday, personal to you.
France is renowned as the nation for good food and fine wines, the capital of fashion, a leader in the art world, and the modern-day home of philosophy. Any France holiday will remind you of this, though a short-break in Paris and other major cities will obviously give you the greatest range of cultural activities to explore and trendy nightlife to revel in.
Holidaying around France there’s much to see, including Roman civilisations dotted about the country, impressive chateaux in the Loire Valley, balmy resorts – with Nice and St Tropez the most luxurious – along the Mediterranean coast, mountain villages in the Alps and Pyrenees, Provence’s hilltop towns, the beaches of Normandy and battlefields at the Somme and Verdun, the medieval fortress at Carcassonne, and the classic French landmark of Mont-St-Michel. So much, in fact, that a holiday here every year would still leave much unexplored.
Contact a France expert to prepare a personal itinerary and a no-obligation quote.
France facts
Capital: Paris
Language: French.
People: French, North African, German, Breton.
Religion: Roman Catholic. Protestant, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist minorities.
Size (sq km): 543,965.
Population: 63,713,926.
Population density/sq km: 117.1.
Etiquette
Kissing both cheeks is the usual form of greeting. Mealtimes are often long and leisurely with many courses. Topless sunbathing is tolerated on most beaches but naturism is restricted to certain beaches - check with the local tourist office.
Shopping
Lace, crystal glass, cheese, coffee, wines, spirits, liqueurs, textiles. Hypermarkets sell everything - food, clothing, bikes, electrical goods, furniture.
Food & drink
France boasts one of the most varied and developed cuisines in the world. Haute-cuisine, bistro-fare and family cooking all rely on quality produce, and each region is proud of its own specialities. The country is famous for producing fine wine and over 365 different types of cheese.
International Airports
(And distances from the nearest city) Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) 23 km, Paris-Orly (ORY) 14 km, Bordeaux (BOD) 12 km, Lille (LIL) 12 km, Lyon (LYS) 25 km, Marseille (MRS) 30 km, Nice (NCE) 6 km, Strasbourg (SXB) 12 km, Toulouse (TLS) 8 km.
Internal travel
All domestic networks (air, rail and road) are efficient. TGV is the fastest train service. The Metro is the most efficient way of navigating Paris.
Red tape
Visas
(UK/US) None.
Vaccinations
Not currently required
Driving requirements
National driving licence acceptable. EU nationals taking their own car to France are strongly advised to obtain a Green Card.
Reps in UK/US
UK: 58 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7JT, tel (020) 7073 1000. US: 4101 Reservoir Road, NW, Washington, DC 20007, tel (202) 944 6195, fax (202) 944 6148, email info@consulfrance-washington.org.
UK/US reps in France
UK: BP111-08, 75363, Paris, Cedex 08, tel (1) 4451 3100, fax (1) 4451 3127, email webmaster.paris@fco.gov.uk. US: 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382, Paris Cedex 08, tel (1) 4312 2222, fax (1) 4266 9783.
Currency
Euro (€) = 100 cents.
Finance
Credit cards, traveller's cheques widely accepted.
Business hours
0900-1200, 1400-1800 Monday-Friday.
Safety & life expectancy
Safety information
Safe, apart from some separatist activity in Corsica and the Basque area.
Life expectancy
Life expectancy: M 75.96, F 83.42.
Useful websites for travel
www.ambafrance-uk.org, www.franceguide.com, http://www.amb-usa.fr/ www.tourisme.fr, www.aeroport.fr, www.ambafrance-uk.org/, www.info-france-usa.org/
Local media
International papers widely available. International Herald Tribune published from Paris.
Tourist boards
UK: Lincoln House, 300 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7JH, tel 09068 244 123, email info.uk@franceguide.com. US: 444 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10022, tel (212) 838 7800, fax (212) 838 7855, email info.us@franceguide.com.
Below is a selection of some ideas for holidays to France. This is simply a taste of what we can offer. If you're interested in a specific France itinerary then please call one of our consultants on 0845 643 6563.
Join this 14-day French Escapade: Paris to Monte-Carlo along the rivers Rhone and Saone. Not only will you enjoy the delights of Paris and Monte-Carlo you will travel through the countryside past vineyards where tasting some of the finest wines. you will disco...
Experience the fantastic Loire Valley on this fabulous six-day holiday by rail. From your base in Tours, you will explore the Château of Chenonceau, one of France’s most impressive buildings, and the imposing Abbey of Fontevraud, the final resting ...
An all inclusive ski option is tremendous value and a stay at a Club Med Village is the hassle-free way to ski for families, couples and friends alike. A practical all-inclusive option allows you to make the most of the pleasures of the snow....
Seabourn spring cruise special offer - free suite upgrade and low fares... Price from £1659
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Temperate and continental climate in the north, Mediterranean in the south, mountains are cooler with heavy snows in the winter.
GMT +1
Euro (€) = 100 cents.
Get foreign currency online
