France holiday ideas and inspiration

You know that you want to come to France...but don't yet know where, or what to do?

See below for some inspiration with ideas based on our own extensive travels in France, whatever type of visit you are searching for, from a fortnight on a beach in summer to a springtime tour of the best gardens in France - some are very well known, others a little off the beaten track...

We recommend you also browse through our hundreds of featured France travel articles for more ideas.

Brittany beach

Perros-Guirec

COAST: On the Code de Granit Rose in northern Brittany, Perros-Guirec is well placed to explore lovely beaches and coastline

Perros-Guirec (Brittany)
Arcachon

Arcachon

COAST: Arcachon is a lovely resort with impressive sandy beaches on the Atlantic coast in south-west France

Arcachon (Aquitaine)
Deauville

Deauville

COAST: With its 19th century architecture and popular beach Deauville is among our favourite Normandy resorts

Deauville (Normandy)
Nice

Nice, Riviera

COAST: The most visited resort in France, Nice is also a major city with an extensive historic centre & numerous attractions

Nice (Alpes-Maritimes)
Gorges-du-Tarn

Gorges du Tarn

SCENERY: the stunning beauty of the Gorges du Tarn is further enhanced by the traditional pretty villages along the gorges

Gorges du Tarn (Midi-Pyrenees)
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Ardeche

Ardeche

VILLAGES: enjoy a few days exploring the countryside and villages in the Ardeche region

Ardeche (Rhône-Alpes)
Luberon

Luberon

SCENERY / VILLAGES: the Luberon in Provence has numerous medieval villages set in exceptional scenery

Luberon (Provence)
Lot Valley

Lot Valley

SCENERY: the Lot Valley contains some very picturesque scenery and also lovely villages

Lot Valley (Midi-Pyrenees)
Corsica

Visit Corsica

Beaches & Scenery: Corsica has remarkable mountain scenery and a beautiful coastline and beaches

tours of Corsica
Dordogne castles

Dordogne Castles

CASTLES: as well as some of the loveliest scenery & villages in France, the Dordogne has numerous medieval castles

Dordogne Châteaux
Loire castles

Loire Castles

CASTLES: the Loire Valley is famous for the stunning Renaissance castles built in the region

Loire Valley Châteaux
Vendee beach

Vendee

CHILDREN: Vendee has exceptional family friendly beaches and lots of other children activities

Vendee (Pays-de-la-Loire)
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Amusement Parks

Amusement Parks

CHILDREN: As well as Disneyland, France contains many other popular Theme Parks

Theme Parks in France
Biarritz

Long weekends

SHORT BREAKS: There are lots of towns in France that make perfect 'short getaway' destinations...

Short Breaks in France
Collioure

Collioure

COAST: the picturesque seaside resort of Collioure also has a pretty old town to explore

Collioure (Languedoc)
Jura department

Jura

SCENERY: often overlooked by visitors, the Jura has exceptional scenery, vineyards, villages...

Jura (Franche-Comté)
 

Need more travel inspiration?

For more suggestions perhaps one of these these will inspire you:

 
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Long visits and short trips

Take a long Break in France and Spain

The camino pilgrimage paths across France pass through many beautiful places en route - and can take a couple of months to complete. See French pilgrim paths

or a Short Break in France

For a short break in France, see our hints to get you organised quickly and at low cost - Short break in France and for those with even less time to spare - perhaps a day trip to France!

Activity Holidays

The above are just a few suggestions and don't begin to cover the many beautiful places to be discovered in all regions of France. Be sure to explore the site to discover hundreds more options for your visit, and let us know if your 'inspiration' is somewhere else altogether different...