Holidays

Why licence-free boat holidays in France are booming in 2026

From the Canal du Midi to Arcachon Bay, discover why slow tourism, flexible rentals and fully equipped boats are driving demand

Mother and daughter loading a suitcase into the back of a silver car outside a house.

Free French police checks for your home and vulnerable relatives when absent

How to sign up for the Opération Tranquillité Vacances service and special wellbeing check

Vendée in western France has the most camping pitches in the country

With camping spots from around €25 to more than €700 per night, this department is a favorite of locals, repeat visitors and - increasingly - foreign tourists

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Updated: Commune near Nice closes its beaches despite heatwave

Bathers disappointed after Saint-Laurent-du-Var closes five of its main beaches over pollution fears

Worst traffic days in France revealed for summer 2026

Bison Futé predicts ‘extremely difficult conditions’ during peak holiday periods

Five great French cycling routes to enjoy during the summer months

Plan a scenic bike holiday, from La Loire à Vélo and the Atlantic coast to the Canal du Midi, Alps and Alsace wine trails

Saint-Gervasy: a spiritual place ideal for those drawn to art, religion and nature

The Gard village first mentioned nearly 900 years ago is set in a rugged landscape brimming with notable flora and fauna

Explained: campervan ownership in France

Includes prices, parking, models and popular apps

‘Good and bad places to swim’: 2026 French beach water quality map released by environmental group

More than one in five beaches are classed as either ‘discouraged’ or ‘avoid’ in annual ranking

Increase in drownings in France – which areas and why?

Authorities are also calling for people to stay extra alert this summer

Where are there the most, and least, jellyfish in France?

Discover in which places you are most or least likely to see a jellyfish

May 1: who do French people give muguet to?

We speak to young people in France about the tradition of giving lily of the valley flowers on Labour Day, and how it can be hierarchical between grandmothers, mothers and daughters

Camping in France: what you should know before you go

From basic tent pitches to fully equipped resorts, knowing what to expect makes a difference

School holidays and busy traffic: which roads to avoid in France this weekend

The end of spring break for some and the start of it for others will see multiple roads in France face congestion

Easter traditions across France: from rattles and hooded processions to giant omelettes

Regional Pâques celebrations highlight France’s cultural diversity

Exploring France by canal boat: routes, prices and beginner advice

Slower pace lets holidaymakers enjoy the scenery

Sleep in a 100-year-old railway carriage at a former Brittany station

Refurbished railway compartment can sleep up to 11 people at a time

Mother,And,Daughter,On,A,Train,To,A,Ski,Resort

New night ski train boosts rail travel to French Alps resorts

Sleeper train leaves Paris Gare de Lyon on Friday evenings, arriving on Saturday morning

'I stopped going to the hairdresser for 12 years to save for my dream house in France'

La Maison de Wakefield is an 18th-Century stone house with four bedrooms and four bathrooms in Lot

Workers in France can take 17-day break using only eight days of leave in 2026

Favourable calendar for public holidays makes extended May break possible, with five guaranteed long weekends throughout year

See inside our french gîte - it is 'a little corner of paradise'

Les Citronniers in the Aude department of France has been fully booked since its renovation

Val,Thorens,,France,-,February,16,,2020:,High,Altitude,Restaurant

How to save money on winter holidays in France

We take a look at ways to bring costs down on those pricey mountain trips

The ski season is now back underway in France

High-altitude resorts in Alps welcome their first skiers after spell of snow and sub-zero temperatures

Our French gîte: a classic river barge dating from 1912

Unique floating guest house on the Doubs offers fine dining and creature comforts

Find out how to be polite – and where to party: tours offer enhanced travel experiences in France

Guides can help visitors immerse themselves and meet locals for a more authentic perspective

Interview: Director of Gîtes de France evokes 'rediscovery' of rural dream

The rise of rival web platforms makes the organisation's mission more important than ever, says director Solange Escure

Our French gîte: the peace of Landes is perfect escape from tourist traps

The property was chosen as somewhere away from the tourist hotspots

Camping holidays in France: more families swap hotels for mobile homes this summer

Campsites have become an increasingly popular option for holidaymakers in recent years

Shark sightings in France: No need to panic

Increased sightings spark concern, but an expert urges focus on conservation over fear

Gîtes de France at 70: ‘We are not competing with the web platforms’

The holiday body that was founded to help farmers boost their income celebrates its 70th anniversary

Photos: an animal-themed holiday village in western France

These hen, rabbit and snail shaped houses make for a fun place to stay

How foreign residents can be reimbursed for healthcare when on holiday out of France

We review who needs a Ceam, an Ehic, Ghic or private insurance

Portuguese man o’ war sightings force French beach closures

Venomous species is often mistaken for jellyfish

France’s summer holiday habits: more aoûtiens than juilletistes

We look at when and where the French are going on holiday this year

10 travel ideas: See the world without leaving France

Some of France's diverse landscapes evoke exotic and far-flung locations

How many bank holidays does France get vs Europe and US?

See how France compares as MPs debate taking away two of the country’s jours fériés

Videos: Drone shows replace July 14 fireworks in France - watch recent good ones

Displays offer stunning visuals without the risk of starting wildfire

La Fête Nationale: 14 facts about France's national holiday

The July 14 'Bastille Day' celebration features a military parade in Paris and means a day off work

French school holiday dates September 2025 to July 2026

The dates of the Christmas break are the same for all children, but other holidays may vary

Our French gîte: Couple combine farming with tourism in Burgundy

Owner Ghislaine Bentley explains why juggling a beef farm and popular chambre d’hôtes is worth the hard work

France summer holiday traffic: worst days to travel in July and August 2025

Traffic will once again reach critical levels on these dates

Hilltop windmill offers free night in Dordogne

Accommodation for two people can be booked for one night through town website

Tips to save money on holidays and travel in France

Connexion readers share how to secure the best deals for your getaway

A view of someone bivouacking in the mountains with one small tent

When and where is wild camping forbidden in France?

The rules vary dependent upon set-up, length of stay, what is nearby etc

May 29 bank holiday in France and Monaco: what will be open?

Ascension Day always falls on a Thursday, leading many people to faire le pont

New ranking shows ‘best campsites’ in France

Could one of these 20 - as reviewed by camping users - be a great choice for your holiday?

Camping holidays becoming more popular in France despite challenges

Foreign tourists are driving positive results as people in France tighten budgets

Tips to save money when hiring a car in France

From comparing deals to private swaps, and checking for extra costs and insurance, here is how

A view of a red beach chair on a calendar to show days off

How to maximise your time off in France this year

The calendar of public holidays makes 2025 a good year for those looking to make the most of holiday time, with a number of long weekends and opportunity to ‘bridge’ extra days

France’s public holidays in 2025 make it a good year for 'strategic' time off

Start planning your holidays! 2025 offers long weekends whilst taking minimal days off work

All aboard! Visit the untouched beauty of the Cevennes by French steam train

Wild swimming, donkeys, bamboo parks, and more gems of the secluded Cevennes National Park

Chance to spend a night as a ‘lighthouse keeper’ on Brittany island

This renovated lighthouse keeper’s cottage provides an unusual weekend stay option

SNCF train tickets open for early 2025 bookings

International destinations and skiing stations within France are included in the seats now available

Is tourist tax collected when staying in a French Airbnb?

Hotels add taxe de séjour to the bill

Warning over sophisticated holiday rental scam across France

Holidaymakers are warned to be alert to a fraudulent site when booking holiday rentals

Why are so many more sea swimmers getting into trouble in France?

Cases more than doubled in July 2024 compared to same time last year

How to explore France in a campervan or motorhome

Our guide to the the market, the rules, where you can go and where to stay

French campsite offers flood victims free holiday

A campsite in southern France gifts 28 flood-affected families a chance to enjoy a sun-filled break

heavily congested motorway in france with inset map of traffic warnings from government traffic website bison futé

July 13: French roads to avoid due to traffic jams as holidays begin

Southbound routes will be extremely busy in and around major cities and on the roads leading to resorts

Does France still shut down for the month of August?

It is best to avoid doing certain tasks during the summer months

Renting a car in France: 11 tips to avoid extra costs

From insurance deals to advance booking, these tips could save you money this summer

398 French beaches awarded ‘blue label’ in 2024: map and list details

Check the beaches near you - but beware, the absence of the label does not necessarily mean a site is ‘bad’

Calendar: French school holidays for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026

The country is split into four different school regions that go on some breaks at different times

Make sense of… boating in France

Summer is almost upon us and many people will be taking to the water once more. We recap what paperwork you might need to get afloat

10 days off for just 3 holiday days: Why French workers love May

We also look at where people are planning to go during this added holiday time

Alert sirens in France to sound this Thursday May 2

A warning system using sirens has been in place since 1948

Heavy traffic warnings for half-term holiday weekend in France

Motorways to ski resorts will be particularly busy during the national rail strike

Can I tow a caravan in France with a UK driving licence?

UK and French licences have similar rules

How to have 16 consecutive days off work in France this May

Taking just a few days of annual leave could see you have an extended holiday

Five long weekends and more: see other 2024 changes in France

Major war commemorations are being planned in Normandy, the Michelin guide unveils a new 'key' award, and rule changes are on the way for sales of pets