France

By Matt May

After Spain, France is the most popular destination for British holidaymakers. Although prices in France are comparable if not a little more expensive than those in the UK (and higher than in Spain), there are plenty of reasons why people head for France for their holidays.

So why does France attract so many tourists to its shores? For a start the French climate is better than in the UK, with the southern half of the country enjoying long, hot summers which stretch into October as you approach the south coast. Generally, the southern coast of France from Nice around to Perpignan the Spanish border has the best of the weather.

The food and drink (particularly the wine) is a big attraction for tourists, although French cuisine is not to everyone's taste. Somewhat stereotyped for its frog's legs and snail's cuisine, France offers a gastronomic experience which is centred around meat dishes, so vegetarians may be disappointed.

Whether you are skiing in the French Alps, walking in the Pyrenees, mixing with the jet sets on the beaches of Cannes, rummaging in the street markets of Paris, France has something for everyone, and it's on the doorstep.

Visitor suggestions

Must do

 Visit the French Riviera on the south coast. For a city break Nice is close to the affluent resorts of Cannes and Monte Carlo the home of the French Grand Prix. For a quieter resort try the picturesque town of Menton near the Italian border.

Must see

Aside from the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe, if you are visiting Paris make the effort to see the Pere Lachaise cemetery, final resting place of Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison and many more artists and celebrities.

Must Eat

France is renowned for its cheeses – goat’s cheeses are especially popular as are soft cheeses including Camembert and Brie.

Something different

If you are in the Pau region why not try camel riding - see the Camels in France website

Something healthy

For walkers, cyclists and nature lovers, the Pyrenees are an idyllic location for walkers. With some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe, and an abundance of birds, butterflies and other wildlife, the Pyrenees are a great destination for an active holiday. Always remember to take water and a map.

France Climate

  Depending on where you go in France, the weather is usually warmer the further south you venture. The West is maritime like the UK but generally a bit warmer, and the East experiences a continental mainland climate with warm Summers and cold Winters.

Summer

Summertime in France is warmer and sunnier than the UK. Temperatures rise from daily maximums in the low 20s in the North to high 20s in the South.

Winter

Large parts of inland France have a similar climate to the UK in Winter. The warmest Winter climates in France are in the far South along the Mediterranean coastline from the Cote d'Azur to Perpignan where daytime temperatures typically reach 10-16 degrees maximum.

Central and Eastern France experience a Continental winter climate with weather systems often bringing colder air from Eastern Europe.

Spring & Autumn

Spring and Autumn are generally warmer and sunnier in France than in the UK, with more rainfall in the North and West. From Paris southwards expect warm days from May to late October.

France Holiday Airports

 Flights are available from the UK to many holiday destinations in France. Below is a guide to which airports serve the different holiday regions of France:-

Holiday Type	Airport
Beach	Beziers, Biarritz, Bordeaux, La Rochelle, Nice, Perpignan
Historic	Caen, Le Havre, Paris
Skiing	Chambery, Grenoble, Nice, Perpignan
Walking	Carcassonne, Marseille, Nice, Perpignan, Pau, Toulouse
Wine	Beziers, Bordeaux, Perpignan, Poitiers, Tours

Beach Holidays

 If you are looking for sun, sand and sea then Beziers, Biarritz, Bordeaux, La Rochelle, Nice and Perpignan Airport are good choices.

The French Riviera has the warmest climatic conditions in France, with a warm micro-climate due to the sheltered location and proximity to the Mediterranean.

In the north of France the exclusive resort of Le Touquet is popular with Parisians in summertime. The pine-lined town is a magnet for designer shop outlets due to the rich clientele who holiday there.

Historic Holidays

 The beaches in Normandy in north western France were the scene of the second world war D-day landings. There are many WW2 museums and sites of historic interest along the coastlines of Normandy, Picardie and Calais.

Dunkirk near the border with Belgium was the site of the evacuation of Allied soldiers and is the theme of a Hollywood film. At Dunkirk at low tide it is possible to see the wrecks of some of the boats sunk by the German bombers. If you are driving from the UK, Eurotunnel have some good offers on the Channel Tunnel if you are flexible with dates. There are ferries to Calais, Caen, Cherbourg, Dieppe, Dunkirk, Le Havre, Roscoff and St. Malo from various UK ports.

The French capital of Paris has 2 international airports (Charles de Gaulle and Orly) both providing good access to France's historic capital city.

Skiing Holidays

 For skiing choose Chambery, Grenoble, Nice, Pau or Perpignan Airport.

Walking Holidays

 If you are heading for the Pyrenees for a walking holiday then Carcassonne, Perpignan, Pau or Toulouse Airports offer good access.

The Provence region is also popular for walking and hiking holidays with Marseille and Nice Airports being the closest.

Wine Holidays

 Poitiers and Tours Airport in the Loire Valley offer an excellent base for wine holidays. On the south west coast Bordeaux Airport is good for a wine/beach holiday combination.

Beziers, Carcassonne and Perpignan airports are situated in the Languedoc-Roussillon which is the largest wine growing region in the world. Popular Langedoc wines include Corbieres and Minervois.