About France

France is divided into 15 regions and there are many beautiful towns and provinces to discover. Brittany for example is a popular family holiday location, the French Alps a skiing hot spot, Provence a painter’s delight and the Côte D’Azur one of the most glamorous seaside destinations in Europe.

Major cities outside of Paris include Lyon, which is located in east central France on the banks of the Rhône and the Saône, and is surrounded by mountains with nature reserves and one of France’s oldest wine regions.

For many, the main attractions of France are the capital city, Paris, and its theme park Disneyland Europe. Paris, known as the city of light, boasts countless tourist sites, from the famous Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysees, to the Louvre, home of the world’s most famous painting, the Mona Lisa, amongst countless other treasures. No trip to the city would be complete without a boat trip on the Seine or a tour of Notre Dame Cathedral, the fictional home of Victor Hugo’s famous hunchback.

Just outside of Paris, the historic palace of Versailles is a must on any tour, demonstrating the enviable levels of opulence that led to the revolutionary uprising that culminated in the storming of the Bastille in 1789.

Disneyland Paris, often referred to as Eurodisney, brings all the magic and fun of the American theme parks much closer to home, including heart stopping rides and memorable parades. Walt Disney Studios Park, situated alongside the original theme park, doubles the entertainment and excitement.

The climate in France is varied. Paris and the north of France tend to get very cold winters and hot summers. There are humid and oceanic climates in the west from Bayonne to Lille, a lovely Mediterranean climate in the south of France and harsh winters and hot summers in Alsace, Lorraine, Rhone and the mountainous areas.

Of course, there is much to enjoy in France away from the major tourist centres of Paris and the Riviera, and the laid back lifestyle of the central regions, made famous by novels such as A Year in Provence, can make a welcome break from the hectic pace of modern life. Relaxed villages and vineyards seem to stretch endlessly into the distance in this idyllic region.

Young or old, thrill seeking or chilled out, France is bound to have something to offer to make your break.