a courtyard with a fountain in the middle of it
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France holiday

Travel tips, best time to visit & highlights for your France holiday in Europe

La Grande Nation offers world-class in everything: cuisine, culture, fashion, architecture, and landscapes. From Paris to Provence to the Côte d'Azur – France is a land of endless discoveries.

Capital

Paris

Language

French

Currency

Euro (€)

Time zone

UTC+1

Flight time from DE

approx. 1.5 hours (Paris)

Entry requirements

EU identity card

All travel facts for France: tipping, plugs, customs, emergency numbers →

Which hotels in France are recommended?

Selected hotels and holiday accommodations in France — with images, reviews, and direct booking links with our partners.

What are the highlights of France?

The best-known highlights of France include Paris, Côte d'Azur, Provence, Corsica, Loire Valley.

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Paris

Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Montmartre, Seine walks, and the world's best pastry.

2

Côte d'Azur

Nice, Cannes, Monaco – glamour, sun, and the azure blue Mediterranean.

3

Provence

Lavender fields, vineyards, medieval villages, and markets full of delicacies.

4

Corsica

The island of beauty: wild mountains, turquoise bays, and the GR20 hiking trail.

5

Loire Valley

Over 300 castles, vineyards, and the idyllic French countryside.

Hotels in France

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Deals ab 29 € p.P. auf touriDat.com

Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

When is the best time to visit France?

The best time to visit France is April–June, September–October. In summer: 22–32°C. In winter: 3–10°C.

Recommended travel time

April–June, September–October

Summer

22–32°C

Winter

3–10°C

How much does a holiday in France cost?

A holiday in France costs roughly 60–90€ per person per day (excluding flights) on a budget, 90–180€ mid-range and 180–400€ for luxury travel.

Average cost per person per day (excluding flight)

Budget

60–90€

Hostel, street food, public transport

Mid-range

90–180€

Hotel, restaurant, excursions

Luxury

180–400€

Boutique hotel, fine dining

How long is the flight from Germany to France?

From Germany you reach France in approx. 1.5 hours (Paris).

What travel tips are there for France?

Insider knowledge to make your holiday better.

Baguette and croissant from the bakery, not from the supermarket

Many museums have free entry on the first Sunday

TGV trains are often cheaper than flying to Paris

In restaurants, tap water (carafe d'eau) is free

Visit Provence in June for the lavender bloom

What do people eat in France?

Typical dishes in France are Croissants, Coq au Vin, Ratatouille, Crêpes, Bouillabaisse, Cheese and wine.

These dishes you must try!

Croissants
Coq au Vin
Ratatouille
Crêpes
Bouillabaisse
Cheese and wine

Which regions and places in France are worth visiting?

57 regions, cities and highlights in France

Cities

a courtyard with a fountain in the middle of it

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is the most elegant city in Provence and the cultural heart of southern France – a place where the Savoir-vivre is not an empty phrase but a lived reality. Paul …

CézanneProvenceFountains
people walking between buildings

Antibes

Antibes uniquely combines Provençal charm with cosmopolitan flair and is a hidden gem among German Côte d'Azur connoisseurs. The old town, surrounded by powerful fortress walls, …

old townpicassocoastal hike
a couple of people standing on top of a sandy beach

Arcachon

Arcachon is France's most elegant Atlantic seaside resort and home to one of Europe's most spectacular natural wonders – the Dune du Pilat, the highest moving dune on the …

DuneOystersAtlantic
A narrow alley way with potted plants on either side

Arles

Arles is a city where 2,000 years of history meet vibrant creativity – the impressive Roman buildings are part of the UNESCO World Heritage and the city is inextricably linked to …

unescoromansvan-gogh
people on beach during daytime

Cannes

Cannes on the French Riviera is much more than just the famous film festival – the elegant coastal city impresses with its glamorous promenade La Croisette, fine sandy beaches, …

beachluxuryfilm festival

Cassis

Cassis is the jewel of the Provençal coast – a charming fishing village set in a bay framed by white limestone cliffs, located just 20 kilometers east of Marseille and the gateway …

CalanquesProvenceCoast
blue and white street sign

Èze

Èze perches like an eagle's nest on a 429-meter-high rock above the Mediterranean and is considered one of the most spectacular mountain villages on the entire Côte d'Azur. The …

mountain villagemedievalviewpoint
A quaint village sits atop a hill.

Gordes

Gordes, majestically perched on a rocky spur in the Luberon, is regularly recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in France and is a dream destination for Provence lovers …

lavenderprovencemost-beautiful-village
Pink building with grasse sign and clock

Grasse

Grasse, the world capital of perfume, is beautifully situated in the hills above Cannes and offers German visitors a fascinating excursion into the world of scents. Since the 16th …

perfumescentscraftsmanship

Les Baux-de-Provence

Les Baux-de-Provence, dramatically perched on a rocky plateau of the Alpilles, is one of the most impressive ruined castles in Europe and a must-visit for any traveler to Provence …

castle ruincarrières-de-lumièresprovence
a beach with a bunch of cars parked on it

Menton

Menton is the pearl of the Côte d'Azur – a charming coastal town at the French-Italian border, blessed with the mildest climate in France, baroque pastel facades, and a lemon …

Côte d'AzurLemonsOld Town

Nantes

Nantes is perhaps the most creative city in France and a hidden gem that most German travelers are still unaware of. The city's landmark is the Grand Éléphant – a …

Mechanical elephantJules VerneCreative
a woman taking a picture of a building

Rouen

Rouen is the Gothic capital of Normandy and a city that has written art history. Claude Monet painted the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Rouen over 30 times at different times of the …

GothicMonetJeanne d'Arc

Roussillon

Roussillon in the heart of the Luberon is a geological and aesthetic wonder – the village shines in all shades of ochre, red, and orange, standing out like a painting against the …

ochre cliffsprovenceluberon

Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Saint-Paul-de-Vence is the most famous artist village on the Côte d'Azur and a magical place where art, history, and Provençal beauty merge. Since the 1920s, this medieval village …

artgalleriesmedieval
a river running through a city next to tall buildings

Strasbourg

Strasbourg is the fascinating capital of Alsace and a vibrant symbol of Franco-German friendship. The city on the Rhine uniquely combines the best of both cultures: French art de …

AlsaceHalf-timberedCathedral

Villefranche-sur-Mer

Villefranche-sur-Mer has one of the most beautiful natural bays in the world and enchants with its authentic fishing village charm, which has become rare along the otherwise often …

bayfishing villagebeach

Paris

Paris, the "City of Light", is the most visited travel destination in the world and a cultural universe in itself. The Eiffel Tower, built in 1889 and for decades the tallest …

Eiffel TowerArtFashion

Nice

Nice, the capital of the Côte d’Azur, combines Mediterranean beach life with the cultural wealth of a metropolis of 400,000 inhabitants. The legendary Promenade des Anglais …

RivieraBeachArt

Lyon

Lyon, France's third-largest city, is considered the gastronomic capital of the country — none other than Paul Bocuse, the most famous chef of the 20th century, made the city at …

GastronomyUNESCOFestival of Lights
pink petaled flower on beach at daytime

Marseille

Marseille, founded around 600 BC by Greek seafarers, is the oldest city in France and the second largest after Paris. The port metropolis on the Mediterranean coast combines 2,600 …

HarborMulticulturalCalanques
a clock on the side of a building with a tower

Bordeaux

Bordeaux, the wine capital of the world, has transformed from a sleepy 'Sleeping Beauty' into a vibrant cultural metropolis, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in …

WineUNESCOArchitecture

Strasbourg

Strasbourg, seat of the European Parliament and capital of Alsace, is a city that uniquely combines French elegance and Germanic tradition. The Grande Île, the historic old town …

EuropeCathedralHalf-timbered

Toulouse

Toulouse, the "Pink City" (La Ville Rose), owes its nickname to the countless brick facades that glow in warm pink and orange tones in the evening light. As the fourth largest …

Pink CityAerospaceCanal du Midi
a large building with a lot of windows and people walking around

Montpellier

Montpellier, the capital of the Occitanie region, is one of the most dynamic cities in southern France: young, cosmopolitan, and sun-drenched, with one of the oldest universities …

UniversityArchitectureNightlife
worm's eye view photography of cathedral

Avignon

Avignon, the "City of the Popes," was the seat of the papacy for seven decades in the 14th century and has preserved a monumental heritage from this glorious era. The Palais des …

Papal PalaceUNESCOTheater
a harbor filled with lots of white boats

Annecy

Annecy in Haute-Savoie rightfully carries the nickname "Venice of the Alps": crystal-clear canals weave through a picturesque old town with colorful houses, arcades, and medieval …

LakeAlpsOld Town
A large room with high ceilings and high windows

Colmar

Colmar in the heart of Alsace is a city that looks like a living illustration from a fairy tale book. The district 'Little Venice' (Petite Venise) with its pastel-colored …

Half-timberedLittle VeniceWine
Boat passing through a canal lock with water flowing.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne has the largest and best-preserved medieval fortress city in Europe. The Cité de Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997, rises with 52 towers and a …

FortressUNESCOMedieval
black and gray mountain under white clouds

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc lies at the foot of the highest mountain in the Alps (4,808 meters) and is considered the cradle of modern alpinism. The first Olympic Winter Games took place …

Mont BlancSkiHiking

Regions

a row of buildings with balconies and balconies

Côte d'Azur

The Côte d'Azur — the "Azure Coast" — is the most glamorous stretch of coastline in Europe and has been the playground of the beautiful and wealthy for over 150 years. Stretching …

BeachGlamourFilm Festival

Côtes d'Armor

The Côtes d'Armor are the jewel of northern Brittany – a department on the Breton north coast, known primarily for the legendary Côte de Granit Rose, one of the most spectacular …

BrittanyGranit RoseCoast
black and gray mountain under white clouds

Mont Blanc / Chamonix

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is the cradle of alpinism and home to the highest mountain in Europe — a town where extreme mountain sports, French lifestyle, and one of the most dramatic …

Mont BlancAlpinismSkiing

Périgord

The Périgord is the culinary heart of France and one of the most historically significant regions in Europe – a gently hilly land in the Dordogne department, famous for its …

CulinaryTrufflesCastles
Charming european street with stone buildings and greenery.

Provence

Provence is the epitome of southern French lifestyle: endless lavender fields that sway in violet waves to the horizon in June and July, silvery-green olive groves, medieval …

LavenderWineRomans

Brittany

Brittany, France's northwestern region, juts out like a sturdy rock into the Atlantic and delights with a wild romantic coastline, Celtic heritage, and an unparalleled culinary …

CoastCelticMenhirs

Alsace

Alsace, located on the border with Germany and Switzerland, is a region that combines French art de vivre with German coziness. Half-timbered houses in candy colors, …

Half-timberedWineChristmas markets

Burgundy

Burgundy (Bourgogne) in the heart of France is a land for connoisseurs: World-famous vineyards, medieval abbeys, majestic canals, and a cuisine that ranks among the best in the …

WineCulinaryRomanesque

Normandy

Normandy in the northwest of France combines moving world history, dramatic coastal landscapes, and culinary delights to create one of the most diverse regions in Europe. On the …

D-DayHistoryImpressionism
A castle sitting on top of a river next to a bridge

Loire Valley

The Loire Valley, often referred to as the "Garden of France," stretches over 280 kilometers along the longest river in the country and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since …

ChâteauxUNESCORenaissance
brown concrete building on green mountain under white clouds during daytime

Languedoc

The Languedoc stretches from the Spanish border to the Rhône and is the largest wine region in France — a sun-drenched area filled with Roman ruins, medieval fortresses, endless …

Canal du MidiCatharWine

Occitanie

Occitanie, the southernmost mainland region of France, stretches from the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean and from the Dordogne to the Rhône estuary. Formed in 2016 from the former …

PyreneesToulouseUNESCO

Package holiday to France

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Complete guide for France

Regions, attractions, food, routes, costs & practical tips — all in one digital guide.

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Ready for France?

Plan your France holiday now with our free tools.

How do I plan a holiday in France?

France is one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe, offering Culture, Romantic, Food and much more. The best time to visit France is April–June, September–October, when the weather is ideal for exploration and relaxation. With a daily budget starting from 60–90€ (Budget) to 180–400€ (Luxury), France is suitable for various travel budgets.

From the capital Paris, France can be excellently explored. The official language is French, and the currency is Euro (€). From Germany, you can reach France in approx. 1.5 hours (Paris). Whether you want to try culinary highlights like Croissants, Coq au Vin, Ratatouille, visit top attractions, or simply enjoy the atmosphere: France has something for every type of traveller.

Use our free travel tools to prepare your France holiday perfectly. With the holiday finder, you can discover if France is the right destination for you. The budget calculator helps you plan costs realistically, and with the packing list, you won't forget anything.

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