Fabulous  France holidays

You’ll find plenty of reasons to visit France year-round, although the climate does vary considerably between north and south. Spring and autumn are some of the best months to travel, with better weather countrywide in May/June and September/early October, but without the crowds of peak summer season. While winters in the north are cool, wet and even snowy, December is a great time to enjoy the Christmas markets, while there’s more chance of some sun in the South of France at this time of year. Paris is best avoided in August, when many Parisians leave for the coast and countryside as temperatures spike. 

If you’re eating in a restaurant or café, you’ll almost certainly find that a tip of 15% has been added to the bill – look out for the words ‘service compris’. You’re not obliged to leave more unless service has been exceptional. Tipping for drinks or in cafes isn’t expected either, although it’s usual to round up the bill to the nearest Euro or leave any spare change.

Having travel insurance is not a legal requirement in France, but we’d always recommend having it for peace of mind and protection if things don’t go according to plan. 

If you’re visiting the cities and major tourist destinations, you’ll find English is widely spoken, especially among younger generations. In the countryside, you may find more people with limited English. Learning a few basic words is always appreciated, even if you only say ‘Bonjour’ before switching to English. 

France uses Type C and Type E plugs, which both have two round pins, so you’ll need a standard European plug adaptor for UK plugs. Voltage is the same as the UK at 230V and 50Hz.