Compare France holidays

There’s more to France’s best beaches than sun, sand, and surf – although there’s plenty of that too. Pack your favourite book and discover what else awaits along France’s coast.

Calvi Beach, Corsica

With 6km (4 miles) of soft white sand and lots of watersports, it’s easy to find your slice of beach paradise here. Gentle waves make it ideal for families and the beach curves around to offer views of the 13th-century citadel and snow-capped mountains in the distance.

Étretat, Normandy

The rock arches and chalk cliffs bookending this pebble beach inspired painters like Courbet and Monet. Today, you can sunbathe – the pebbles are smooth and surprisingly comfortable – swim, take coastal walks and admire the same views that put this beach on the map.

La Grande Plage Cavalaire-sur-Mer, Provence

This Côte d’Azur beach is welcoming to all. The offshore wrecks and underwater life make this the place to come for a unique diving and snorkelling experience. There are lifeguards and designated swimming areas too.

La Côte des Basques, Biarritz

French surfing is said to have begun on this beach in the 1950s and there are plenty of surf schools along this 1km stretch of sand ensuring it’s still a popular surf spot today. If you’re a beginner, hire a board and try surfing at low tide when the waves are gentle.

En-Vau, Marseille

Popular with rock climbers, this pretty speck of white sand is surrounded by impressive sea cliffs. If clambering up those sounds too much like hard work, plonk yourself down on the beach instead. En-Vau’s impossibly turquoise water will have all your friends back home green with envy.

France is rich in experiences and activities, from its iconic capital city to its rolling countryside and chic coastal resorts.

Palace of Versailles

Step inside the most famous chateau in the world. Learn the royal history of France before the revolution, and follow in the footsteps of kings, courtiers, and Marie Antoinette.

Be sure to visit on a summer evening to catch the musical garden or fountain shows illuminated by thousands of lights. Every Saturday over summer, you can watch a spectacular fireworks display over the palace, too.

Disneyland Paris

Why fly to Orlando when Mickey and friends are right on your doorstep? Walk through Sleeping Beauty’s castle, fight space battles in Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, and ride Crush’s Coaster, which many mouse fans say is Disney’s best-ever ride.

Plan a full-day trip or spend a few days here to explore the entertainment district and two theme parks.

Eiffel Tower

Touristy, yes. But no trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower. Ascend to the top for panoramic views over the capital, then visit the first floor to learn about the tower’s history and, if you dare, stand on top of the glass floor.

For a sense of scale, stand under the Eiffel Tower’s feet on the esplanade and look up at the ironworks reaching into the sky. Incroyable!

Mont Saint-Michel

Straight out of a fairytale, this medieval city in Normandy is perched on an island, both cut off and connected to the mainland by the tide. Cross the bridge and climb the narrow, cobbled path that winds past houses, shops, and restaurants to the famous Mont Saint-Michel Abbey at the top.

Don’t miss a visit to La Mère Poulard for its famous fluffy omelettes. A picture of the island lit up at night and reflected in a high tide is worth staying late for.

Louvre Museum

Enter the glass pyramid on the banks of the River Seine and step into the world’s most visited museum, home to iconic artworks, such as Venus de Milo and Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.

Beyond the obvious draws, you can also stroll through the Louvre’s palace halls where Louis XIV once lived. Walk through grand rooms filled with antiquities to see the French Crown Jewels up close, and gaze at Botticelli frescoes and relics of ancient Egypt.

Gorges du Verdon

In southwest France, torrents of bright turquoise water cut through the country’s deepest gorge, attracting adrenaline junkies, adventurers, and water lovers in droves. Drive across the top around hairpin bends for grand views and go white water rafting along the river.

Les Salles sur Verdon, where the water is calmer, is the place to rent a pedalo or head up the river into the gorges to see daredevils jump off the rocks into the water.

If you’re looking for sunshine, then July and August are good months to visit, with warm and mostly sunny weather even across northern France. For skiing in the French Alps, February has good snowfall and mild temperatures.

When is the cheapest time to go on a holiday to France?

Prices in August are considerably higher than the rest of the year, with November through to April offering plenty of bargains if you don’t mind cooler temperatures. For example, Paris and Lyon have average temperatures around 11C in April. Marseille is warmer with averages of 14C.

Consider travelling in May, June, and September to combine warm weather with good value accommodation. Expect temperatures in north and central France to be between 15C and 20C during these months. The south is hotter, with average temperatures in the low 20s.

When should I go for the best weather?

The summer months of June, July and August are the most reliable months to visit. Much of France enjoys pleasant temperatures and Paris averages around 32C in summer, but it can be pricey so compare and book your holiday well in advance to score a cheap deal.

It can get hotter in the Mediterranean coastal towns, but rarely above 35C, and the sea breezes help take the edge off the heat. France gets sudden thunderstorms and downpours in summer, so pack a raincoat in case.