Discover France

France, a country radiating charm and character across each unfolding region as you travel from north to south discovering areas with unique cultures, traditions and local cuisine. In the north is Alsace, a peaceful region with scatterings of pastel-painted villages beckoning to weary hikers to take a moment to enjoy a glass of local wine and admire the half-timbered houses bedecked with ruby-red geraniums. Visit the windswept beaches of Normandy and contemplate on the stretch of coastline so famously remembered for the heroism displayed at the D-Day landings. Simply sunbathe, swim or surf on the beautiful stretch of Atlantic coast in the west of France that stretches southwards to meet the majestic, snow-capped Pyrenees, the natural boundary between France and Spain where many Catalan traditions are still maintained. Travel inland from the west coast to the lush Loire Valley and marvel at the magnificence of the luxuriant chateaux.

Active Holidays

Travel inland and be awestruck by the breathtaking spectacle of the gorges of the Verdon, Tarn and Ardeche where they carved their way through the landscape. As a result of this phenomenon countless water sports abound such as canoeing, kayaking and white-water-rafting. France has plenty to offer families who prefer an alternative to beach holidays. Disneyland Resort Paris offers a great day out for all age groups as do Asterix Parc to the north of Paris in Picardy and Futuroscope in Poitou-Charentes for those on holiday in the West of France. For cycling enthusiasts nothing can compare to the challenges and rewards encountered when disappearing up into the winding tracks of the Pyrenees, stopping at an occasional vital refuge, a mountain hut providing food and drink or catching glimpses of marmots, lizards and golden eagles.

Short Break Holidays

France is top of the list when it comes to city short break holidays, which have become increasingly popular as budget airlines compete to provide low airfares for the holiday maker. For a romantic getaway Paris has plenty to offer, magnificent monuments, museums, art galleries and a mixture of chic boutiques and quaint pavement cafes. By night, as you delight in the twinkling of the Eiffel Tower the city pulsates with the excitement of the bustling boulevards and the vibrancy generated by the theatres, ballets, operas and celebrated nightclubs. Travelling south Marseille is also the perfect base for a whistle stop tour of Provence. Catch the ferry to the Chateau d’If, famous for the ‘Count of Monte Cristo’, and step back in time to when common criminals were incarcerated there. Jump on the land train up the winding hill to the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde for panoramic views over the city or take a boat trip to the enchanting little fishing village of Cassis.

Hidden Treasures

Consider the pleasures of discovering the lesser-known regions of France and experience life in provincial, sleepy villages in Franche-Comte, Gascony or Berry. Delight in the exploration of the island of Corsica as you unveil hidden coves, cascading waterfalls, plunging canyons and dense pine forests. Holiday in the South of France at the same venues as the glamorous, rich and famous. People watch as you enjoy a coffee and a croissant on the sun drenched terraces of the charismatic cafes that line the seafront in Nice, Cannes and Antibes. Pack up a picnic and head for the countryside of Provence where the air is perfumed with the sweet smelling diffusion of lavender and wild herbs. Banish those winter blues and ascend the Alps for an experience of a lifetime, revelling in the thrills and excitement of skiing, snowboarding and sledging down mountains to the backdrop of spectacular scenery. Feel an internal glow as you sit by the fireside sipping your aperitif, savouring the delights of après-ski.