Holidays in France

About the Country

France is a major country in the Western Europe, flanked by the English Channel in north-west, North Sea in the north, the Atlantic Ocean in the west and the Mediterranean Sea in the southeast. It has Belgium and Luxembourg in the northeast, Germany and Switzerland in the east, Italy and Monaco in the southeast, and Spain and Andorra in the south and southwest.

Tourists are attracted to sparkling ski slopes of the Alps, sunlit vineyards and sun-baked beaches of this beautiful country. France is a country which draws more tourists than any other country. It is easy to see why this is the case given France’s great reputation for fine wines, good food, high fashion and relaxed lifestyle. But while France is undoubtedly a place to eat and drink till your heart is content, there's much more to this fascinating country than only cutting-edge cuisines. Spring is the best time to be here, and those interested in winter sports can drop at the Alps and Pyrenees with some polar gear. The summers are very hot and winters are moderate. An all-weather coat and pair of comfortable shoes are a must.

Culture

French is the official language. Handshaking is customary greeting and women should be kissed on both cheeks and should be addressed as Monsieur or Madame. French people are popularly known for their like for stylish sportswear and of course perfumes. Paris is known as the fashion capital of the world along with Milan, Rome and New York. Social functions, fine restaurants, and clubs call for more formal dressing. When at a formal dinner, wait till the host gestures to start the dinner. Smoking is banned in public places.

Sightseeing

France has more than 30 sites as per the UNESCO's World Heritage List and features cities of high cultural interest, beaches and seaside resorts, ski resorts, and rural regions that tourists can enjoy for their beauty. France attracts many religious pilgrims on their way to St. James, or to Lourdes, a town in the Hautes-Pyrénées that hosts several million visitors a year.

France, especially Paris, has some of the world's largest and renowned museums, including the Louvre, which is the most visited art museum in the world, the Musée d'Orsay, mostly devoted to impressionism, and Beaubourg, dedicated to Contemporary art. One of the most popular theme parks in Europe is Disneyland resort's Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. You can get the Carte Musees-Monuments pass, which gives access to 70 monuments and museums.

Nice, located on the shores of the Mediterranean, is both a coastal and mountain resort. The city of Nice has a great deal to offer the visitor, from its beaches and its renowned flower market, to its old town, its several art galleries and its old port. It is well known for the beautiful view on the Promenade des Anglais, named after the first tourists who, in the late 18th century, began to transform a sleepy fishing port into the Mediterranean's premier resort.

Lyon has an historic centre, between the rivers Saône and Rhône. The city has a good selection of museums, lots of shops & is known for its cuisine and gastronomy, making it the gourmet capital of France. It has historical and architectural landmarks and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lyon was historically an important area for the production and weaving of silk.

Shopping

Paris is one of the finest places to shop in the world. The top French fashion houses such as Yves St. Laurent, Chanel or Dior have their own boutiques in Paris, they also retail through major department stores in Paris.

Electricity

220-volt, 50-cycle AC current.

Getting There

The national airline that operates here is Air France. Many low-cost airlines, too, provide services from UK. Paris-Charles de Gaulle also known as Roissy-Charles de Gaulle is the major airport of France, which is 23km away from the city. Coaches, taxis, limousines services are provided at the airport. The railway facility provided by the airport, claims to reach all the terminals within eight minutes. These trains run 24 hours. The other airports that offer flight services are Paris-Orly, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, Lyon and Toulouse.

Ferry and cruise trips can be made from ports such as Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean, and Havre.