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France in a nutshell

Not only millions of Western Europeans and Americans but also many French people spend their annual holidays in France as it is a particularly popular holiday destination. And rightly so, because it offers visitors many highlights. Lovers of culture will find what they are looking for here, the active can also indulge themselves. In addition, nature in the various regions is particularly varied. Meanwhile, France also offers the very best in culinary delights: delicious food and beautiful wines.

France includes some overseas departments and areas too, namely Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, French Guyana, Reunion, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, as well as Wallis and Futuna. These islands and areas are not further discussed on this blog page.

Accommodation

You will find all types of accommodation in France. There are over 11,000 campsites making the country a perfect motorhome and camping country. In addition, there are about 300,000 holiday homes, many cosy guesthouses, practical hotels, various hotel and motel chains, about 12,000 cosy chambres d’hôtes (homestays) and atmospheric, but more expensive, boutique hotels. You can also spend a classy night in many castles in this beautiful country. For every wish and budget France offers plenty of accommodation.

Travel advice for France

There are no special safety regulations for France. The whole country is safe enough to travel through. However, it is advisable to check where there are roadblocks or demonstrations at the time and avoid those places. For example, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recently tightened its travel advice in connection with the demonstrations currently being held by the gilets jaunes or “yellow vests”. In addition, France is sometimes plagued by forest fires and floods. In the winter months it is important to be alert and watch out for avalanches. If there is an avalanche warning in force, do not ski off the slopes. So, always check the current travel advice.

Healthcare in France

No specific health requirements apply to France. What’s more, the medical facilities in the country are good.

Best time to visit France

In France, you have three different climates. The west has a humid maritime climate with usually fresh summers. In the east there is a semi-land climate with cold winters and warm summers. The south offers a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm-to-hot summers. The best travel time depends on where you want to go and what your activities are.

So, we ourselves do not like the summer months to go to the south of France. It can be so hot that you want or can do nothing more than read a book at the beach or by the pool. In the same period, it is just perfect in the Alps. For this reason, we will provide special advice concerning travel time per highlight.

What you should also consider are the school holidays and other holidays because the French themselves often go on holiday in their own country. The prices go up and availability goes down.

Gorge du Verdon

Visa for France

To visit France, a valid passport or identity card from another Schengen country is required. You’ll need to obtain a visa if you aren’t from another EU state or an EEA (European Economic Area) country. The best way of finding which category you fit in is by using the Visa Checker Tool provided by iVisa. Just select your nationality from the drag-down menu on the left, and choose France as your destination. In seconds you’ll know if you need a visa. Plus, if you do require one, iVisa offers a list of the nearest embassies where you can apply in-person since Schengen visas are not available online. iVisa offers a free 24/7 support service to answer any questions you may have about the visa process.

Eating and drinking in France

French cuisine has an excellent reputation abroad. The food can indeed be of very high quality. But unfortunately, it can also be quite disappointing. Many restaurants serve a standard meal or worse. The advice is therefore to ask the French themselves which restaurants they recommend. Or use one of the many comparison sites, such as TripAdvisor.

Every region in France has its own dishes, based on the ingredients that occur during certain seasons. Usually the region also has a certain dish that is also well-known, popular and eaten beyond the region. Examples: Raclette in the Alps, Boeuf Bourguignon in Burgundy, Foie Gras from Landes and Ratatouille from Provence,

France is the country of cheese. There are more than 400 types. In addition, the country is home to wine, although beer – especially in the north – is also popular. In general, you can only get French wines, unless a foreign wine is a “specialty” only made abroad, such as port. The wines are classified by region of origin, not by type of grape.

Moving around in France

France has a well-developed road network, varying from narrow one-lane roads to (well-maintained) highways. Most motorways are toll roads (péages). To avoid having to spend a long time in traffic jams at a toll gate, we advise you to buy a toll badge. A toll badge is a box that you attach behind the windscreen, after which you can pay tolls electronically on motorways in France and other southern European countries. The toll is charged automatically afterwards.

The city centres are less accessible by car. It is often smart to park your car somewhere outside the city centre and then travel to the centre by public transport. By the way, please note that some unmanned petrol stations do not accept foreign debit or credit cards!

Although the car gives you more flexibility, trains in France provide a great way to get around. Take the TGV for long distances. You do need to make a reservation for this. If you have some more time, take the slower, regional train and enjoy the beautiful French landscape.

Another popular way to travel and see much of the local area is by water. There are many canals and even rivers in France where you can easily travel with a rented boat, such as the Canal du Midi, Canal de Bourgogne and the Canal from Nantes to Brest in Brittany. There are also many lesser-known but equally-beautiful rivers and canals to explore, such as the Lot.

As mentioned earlier, you have over 11,000 campsites in France. The country is therefore also a perfect country to explore with a camper van.

Electricity

The mains voltage in France is 230 volts/50 Hz. You need a power plug adapter when living in the UK or Ireland.​

Money matters

Like in most other Western and Southern European countries, France has the Euro as its legal tender. PIN and payment by credit card (Visa/Mastercard) is possible almost everywhere. Withdrawing money is no problem either. The price level is generally comparable with the Netherlands.

Highlights of France

We find France a wonderful holiday country where so much more can be found than just Paris with the Eiffel Tower, the Sacre Coeur and the cosy Latin Quarter. Or the Côte d’Azur with its beautiful, but often very busy seaside resorts. If we think of France, we see small rural villages where you get fragrant, freshly-baked baguettes early in the morning. We see beautiful castles on the Loire, for example, and beautifully-sloping vineyards as far as the eye can see. We also think of the turbulent, rich history of which so much is beautifully preserved.

There is a great deal to see and do in France so we will regularly add a highlight to this blog page.

Active

Winter sports in the French-Italian Espace San Bernardo

Winter sports in the French-Italian Espace San Bernardo

  At the end of the winter season, we visited the wonderfully tranquil ski resort of La Rosière. Together with the Italian La Thuile, this ski resort belongs to the international ski area Espace San Bernardo. It is one of the few ski...

Fairy tale snowshoe hike through the Val d’Arly

Fairy tale snowshoe hike through the Val d’Arly

  During our visit to the beautiful valley of the Arly in Haute-Savoie, we went snowshoeing. We have done this before in Méribel, Finnish Lapland and Switzerland, among other places. Yet this hike near rural Saint Nicolas la Chapelle was...

Enjoying picturesque and elegant Megève

  The first days of our visit to the winter sports destination Evasion Mont Blanc, we stayed in posh Megève. This village is often called the St Moritz of France but without the trappings. The beautiful town with its cobbled streets and...

Stylish winter sports in the heart of Savoie Mont Blanc

Stylish winter sports in the heart of Savoie Mont Blanc

  When we were just learning to ski and later snowboard, we couldn't get enough of this winter activity. We preferred to start our winter sports early in the morning and go on until cocktail time. In recent years, however, we have noticed...

The most beautiful walks in the Bay of the Somme

The most beautiful walks in the Bay of the Somme

  The Somme Bay is a beautiful nature area on the coast of Picardy. Steep cliffs, impressive chalk cliffs, beaches, wide plains with salt marshes and mud flats alternate. Walking is the best way to enjoy the nature around the largest...

Things to do and see around the Bay of the Somme

Things to do and see around the Bay of the Somme

  In the north of France, the Somme Bay is still an undiscovered area for most people. And yet, it has such an attractive and diverse coastline. Picturesque spots line up between the mighty chalk cliffs and nature is at its best with unique...

Hiking in the Jura Mountains, the “pure France”

Hiking in the Jura Mountains, the “pure France”

    At the end of June, we visited the Jura at the invitation of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Tourisme. This region in eastern France was still unknown to us at that point. The purpose of our visit was to get to know "pure France". And, of...

Méribel, the heavenly heart of Les Trois Vallées

Méribel, the heavenly heart of Les Trois Vallées

    France has always been a popular winter sports destination among British and Irish people. This is understandable, because in this country with huge skiing areas, you can go on the most beautiful day trips. Another big advantage of the...

A river cruise through Brittany

A river cruise through Brittany

    Many people visit Brittany for a holiday on the beautiful coastline. This time we visited inland Brittany in a special way: by river cruise through Brittany crossing the Morbihan region. This region offers beautiful views, ancient small villages and...

Hiking in the Alps at Chamonix

Hiking in the Alps at Chamonix

    The Mont Blanc area, at over 4810 metres, the highest mountain in Europe, is particularly popular with skiers, mountaineers but also hikers like ourselves. From the French side, the Chamonix valley, a famous ski resort at the foot of the mountain, is the...

Golf in the charming town of Annecy

Golf in the charming town of Annecy

    As avid golfers there is nothing more fun for us than regular golfing on other courses besides your own 'home course'. Every year we wait for our national airline's offers to fly cheaply to somewhere for a long weekend of golf. And every year it's to a...

Skiing in La Plagne and Les Arcs

Skiing in La Plagne and Les Arcs

    France is one of the most favourite winter sports destinations in Europe. The country owes this popularity to the size of its ski resorts. In the areas of Les Trois Vallées or Paradiski, for example, you could basically ski on different...

A river cruise through beautiful France

A river cruise through beautiful France

    Advertorial With almost 8,000 kilometres of waterways, France has the largest river and canal network in Europe. A paradise for lovers of river cruising, with plenty of opportunities for weekend boat trips, or for a few days or even a week. You can...

Culture

Highlights of the Morvan nature reserve

Highlights of the Morvan nature reserve

    In Burgundy lies the Morvan, a beautiful nature reserve in a rolling landscape with the most beautiful views. Charolais cows graze peacefully in the meadows. In the distance lie sleepy villages, where time seems to have stood still. The...

Enjoying picturesque and elegant Megève

  The first days of our visit to the winter sports destination Evasion Mont Blanc, we stayed in posh Megève. This village is often called the St Moritz of France but without the trappings. The beautiful town with its cobbled streets and...

City break to Arras: all points of interest

City break to Arras: all points of interest

    The north of France has several beautiful cities. All are an ideal destination for a short mini-break or a relaxing city vacation. For instance, we have already discovered Lille and Amiens. Now it’s time to visit Arras. This city also...

Troyes: city of half-timbered houses in the Champagne region

Troyes: city of half-timbered houses in the Champagne region

    The great thing about travelling is that we get to visit unfamiliar places. That's how we happened to discover Troyes (pronounced Trwah): a medieval city in the Champagne region. We thoroughly enjoyed the highlights of Troyes. You can...

The sights of Amiens in Picardy

The sights of Amiens in Picardy

    Amiens in northern France is known for its magnificent cathedral. But the city has so much more to offer! It is the ideal destination for a wonderful city break because in just a few hours, you can be in a cosy city with a relaxed...

Burgundy wine route through the Côte d’Or

Burgundy wine route through the Côte d’Or

    Last summer, we were in Burgundy both on our way to and from southern Europe. There we visited Beaune, Burgundy's undisputed wine capital. But also Dijon, the capital of French mustard. We also explored the picturesque villages on the...

Beaune, the undisputed wine capital of Burgundy

Beaune, the undisputed wine capital of Burgundy

    On our way to southern Europe, we made a stopover in Beaune in Burgundy. But just an afternoon and evening proved insufficient to fully enjoy this picturesque town. So, we decided to stay a little longer in the Beaune area on the way...

Things to do and see around the Bay of the Somme

Things to do and see around the Bay of the Somme

  In the north of France, the Somme Bay is still an undiscovered area for most people. And yet, it has such an attractive and diverse coastline. Picturesque spots line up between the mighty chalk cliffs and nature is at its best with unique...

Côte d’Albâtre in Normandy | the nicest villages

Côte d’Albâtre in Normandy | the nicest villages

    The most beautiful coastline of France is found in Normandy: the Côte d'Albâtre. This area is located between Le Havre and Le Tréport. The beautiful white high limestone cliffs are reflected beautifully in the azure blue sea water....

Carcassonne, the best-preserved fortified city in Europe

Carcassonne, the best-preserved fortified city in Europe

    Lovers of fortified towns should not miss out on Carcassonne. Here, you will find the best preserved and largest walled city from the Middle Ages in Europe. There is a good reason why Carcassonne, after Paris and Mont Saint-Michel, is...

City trip to the silk city of Lyon

City trip to the silk city of Lyon

    Lyon was already an important city at the time of the Roman Empire. Thanks to the many preserved sights in history, various parts of the city have been recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Lyon is a lively metropolis that offers its visitors...

Normandy: historical sights and beautiful nature

Normandy: historical sights and beautiful nature

    The Normandy region has many tourist highlights and beautiful landscapes. Characteristic of the region is the rugged coastline with its impressive chalk cliffs. The views of the coastal roads are fantastic here. In addition, between the rocks there are...

Mont Saint-Michel, iconic island near Normandy

Mont Saint-Michel, iconic island near Normandy

    The rocky island of Mont Saint-Michel is perhaps one of the most important sights in France. The bay of the same name lives to the rhythm of the tides. The tidal range is no less than 14 metres. When the sea rises, a tidal wave arises with a height of...

A weekend in Lille: All highlights at a glance

A weekend in Lille: All highlights at a glance

    A weekend in Lille is an experience. Lille is called the Paris of the North. But Flemish influence is also great. You'll find a lot of chocolateries with delicious chocolates. And chip shops (friteries) are always nearby. In a few...

City trip to Nantes, former capital of Brittany

City trip to Nantes, former capital of Brittany

    We already visited what we consider the fantastic French region of the Loire. We did a tour by car past beautiful castles and excellent wineries. Recently, we visited Nantes, one of the last cities on the Loire before the river flows into the Atlantic...

Castle and wine route along the Loire

Castle and wine route along the Loire

    The Loire is the longest river in France with 1012 kilometres. The river originates in the Ardèche and then flows further through places like Orléans, Tours, Angers and Nantes to flow into the Atlantic Ocean at Nazaire. Ever since the 16th century, the...

Collioure and Banyuls

Collioure and Banyuls

    In the far south-east of France, close to the Spanish border, lies the lovely town of Collioure. This seaside resort on the Mediterranean Sea was one of the most important ports of the region in the Middle Ages. At that time, Collioure was part of the...

Nature

The most beautiful walks in the Bay of the Somme

The most beautiful walks in the Bay of the Somme

  The Somme Bay is a beautiful nature area on the coast of Picardy. Steep cliffs, impressive chalk cliffs, beaches, wide plains with salt marshes and mud flats alternate. Walking is the best way to enjoy the nature around the largest...

Parc du Marquenterre, highlight in the Somme Bay

Parc du Marquenterre, highlight in the Somme Bay

  We have fallen in love with the beautiful Somme Bay. The picturesque villages, the chalk cliffs and the special nature have stolen our hearts. But as far as we are concerned, Parc du Marquenterre is the absolute highlight of the region....

Things to do and see around the Bay of the Somme

Things to do and see around the Bay of the Somme

  In the north of France, the Somme Bay is still an undiscovered area for most people. And yet, it has such an attractive and diverse coastline. Picturesque spots line up between the mighty chalk cliffs and nature is at its best with unique...

Dune du Pyla at the Bassin d’Arcasson

Dune du Pyla at the Bassin d’Arcasson

    In the southwest of France, on the Atlantic Ocean, lies the highest dune in Europe. Dune de Pyla (or Pilat) is located in the municipality of La Teste-de Buch, just south of Arcachon. The name is probably due to the word pilla, which in the local dialect...

French Basque country

French Basque country

    In the southwest of France, in the department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, lies the French Basque Country. The Pyrenees separate the French and Spanish parts of the Basque Country. The population speaks not only the official French language, but also Basque....