Holidays

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: Explore the animal-themed holiday village in western France

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

French police can check your home (and vulnerable relatives) when you are away

Here is how to sign up for the service, as well as the special wellbeing check

practical

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

New ranking shows ‘best campsites’ in France

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

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

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

Must I pay French tourist tax if I stay in a region away from my home?

Local authorities have to vote to levy the tax

Unlimited paid leave is good for business, says US firm in France

Employees who can take as much paid holiday as they like are more productive according to recruitment company

Change to France’s school holiday zone system under review

The long-used ‘three-zone’ system could change soon, but critics question the possible economic impact

Check: When do school holidays fall in my part of France next year?

Use our chart to avoid the holiday rush if you do not have children in school here

Ouigo €19 deal in France and look to book February TGV tickets

Tickets for the TGV InOui, Intercités and TGV Lyria trains are set to go on sale for early 2024

MAP: Which French departments are the least populated?

From forested mountains to medieval villages, we take a look at the least-populated departments in France for a solitary séjour

‘A weekend camping 12 minutes away from our French home - why not?’

After a relaxing stay at the local lake, writer Samantha David realises tourist facilities on her doorstep are for locals too

When are French roads going to be at their busiest this weekend?

Heavy congestion is expected as holidaymakers leave and return from their summer breaks

Six tips for a safe and enjoyable French road trip this summer

From pre-journey checks to avoiding service stations, we look at key government advice for journeys in France

Highest-level warning for traffic on French roads this weekend

Driving away on holiday this weekend? Here are the roads to avoid

Where will traffic be worst in France this weekend?

Warnings have been issued with holidaymakers expected to hit the roads in large numbers again

France overtourism: five alternatives to the most popular destinations

The French government says 80% of tourists in France focus on just 20% of the country

The places in France where British Royals have lived and holidayed

France - from Paris to the Riviera - is a popular destination with the British Royal family

When is traffic on France’s roads going to be heaviest this weekend?

Major roads heading towards the coast are expected to be worst hit

‘Very difficult’: Traffic warning for first weekend of French holidays

Traffic jams expected across the country with second-home hotspots in particular set to see delays

Firefighters, fêtes and forms: Key dates to know this July in France

From culture to community events, here is our wrap of what is happening next month

France traffic warning as drivers seek a headstart on holiday season

Be warned: the summer exodus is beginning!

Planning a holiday? See an adventure close to home in France

‘Microadventures’ are the latest trend among French holidaymakers. We look at the origin of the movement

Did you know French police can check on your home while you are away?

You can sign up at your local police station or online

Doctors under fire over number of sick days they grant French workers

GPs that hand out too many illness days could face a fine of up €9,000

Replace religious holidays with secular ones, suggests French mayor

Critics have called the idea ‘scandalous’

12 phrases every tourist must know before coming to France

As summer arrives, here is what you need to know before your summer holiday in France

Cheaper holidays at French DIY campsites where everyone pitches in

Campsites run by the campers themselves are growing in popularity, and it is not just about the savings

What changes in France in May and need-to-know dates

The coming month will see additional pension reform protests, mosquitos, tax return deadlines and more

May 1: Who do French people give muguet to and does it still matter?

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

Césars, farming, Six Nations: The week ahead in France

This week (February 20-26) also includes a flower themed Carnival, a celebrated agriculture show and the one year anniversary of the Ukraine war

Post Brexit do I need a visa when leaving France for an EU holiday?

Are British EU residents, including those on Brexit Withdrawal Agreement cards, going to be affected by this year’s new border systems

House swapping in France gave us a dream family holiday in Grenoble

As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, Chrissie McClatchie talks through a low-cost holiday solution

MAP: French school holidays 2023-24 by region

Holiday dates are split into three zones. We look at the dates to be aware of

Reminder: The dates of France's 2023 holidays and days off

The official holiday dates for Christmas, school holidays, and jours fériés have been confirmed. Check your school zone and days off here

Holidays are ending but France’s winter fun is hopefully just starting

Samantha David anticipates a busy ski season ahead – and you do not have to take to the slopes themselves to tap into the entertainment

Christmas strikes, Paris-Madrid trains: 10 France travel updates

We also look at holiday traffic, a ferry company anniversary celebration and a decree allowing Father Christmas to fly over a French commune

Whistlestop weekend in Paris makes perfect ‘memorial tour’ finale

On her final French trip in memory of late husband Patrick, writer Sally Ann Voak enjoys a boogie at a traditional guinguette , views repairs to Notre-Dame, and sleeps in Toulouse-Lautrec’s brothel

Windy, welcoming Saint-Malo: my trip to city that blows visitors away

Sally Ann Voak continues her journey through France in tribute to her late husband, this time enjoying a hair-raising mini-break on the Brittany coast and sightseeing in Nantes