Holidays

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

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

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

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

SNCF train tickets open for early 2025 bookings

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

practical

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

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

Here is how to sign up for the service, as well as a special check for elderly people. Plus, advice on how to avoid ‘fake police’ scams

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

The July 14 'Bastille Day' celebration features a military parade in Paris and means a day off work - although in 2024 it falls on a Sunday

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’

Alert sirens in France to sound this Thursday May 2

A warning system using sirens has been in place since 1948

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

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

How to find cheaper petrol and get reduced rail fares in France

From finding the cheapest petrol in your area to reduced fares on holiday train travel, here's how you can make your money go further this month.

What caused this weekend’s six-hour Calais ferry queues?

Waiting times are back to normal after British passengers returning home from summer holidays on Saturday and Sunday were affected by long delays

French tourism sector largely back on track after pandemic years

Train travel and campsites have been popular this year, while hotel bookings and flights are still slightly down on pre-pandemic levels

Explainer: how to get police to check on your home in France when away

The checks add extra security while you are on holiday and you can now sign up online for the free service

Saint-Véran: the quaint alpine village feels ‘how France used to be’

The village often called the highest in France attracts hikers, astronomers and city-dwellers reconnecting with nature

France’s July and August holiday crossover: heavy traffic this weekend

Saturday will be the most congested day of the weekend. We look at the roads which will see the heaviest traffic

Holiday-makers opt for the cool air of the French mountains

Occupancy could exceed 50% in July and August with reservations rising with the very hot weather

France - a camping paradise with campsites for everyone this summer

Samantha David shares her favourite places to holiday under canvas, in a mobile home or a caravan, including a huge site in Paris

French holiday costs: How have they been affected by inflation?

From travel to accommodation, leisure and eating out, prices are rising – causing some to take shorter holidays or stay closer to home

Why you may be hearing cicadas in France more this week

The noisy insects are found all over France but are particularly present in the south of the country

Discover France by bike this summer on one of its cycle holiday routes

We pick out websites and routes to help you plan your long-distance cycling holiday in some of the most beautiful parts of France

Easy-look chart: When are France’s 2022 / 2023 school holidays?

Sometimes the dates depend on the zone in which the school is located

Recap: Heavy traffic all weekend in France plus some TGVs cancelled

The number of drivers on certain motorways is expected to double this weekend

Luxury treehouse, giant maze: Six unusual places to explore in France

You do not need to leave the country to experience exotic and quirky places - there are plenty to explore much closer to home

French producers struggle to slow lily of valley bloom ahead of May 1

The white flower, which is traditionally sold and given on the May public holiday, has been blooming too early this year, and a lack of seasonal workers has also affected the harvest

Heavy traffic expected today in France as Easter breaks come to an end

Conditions will be ‘difficult’ across the country, and congestion is forecast to last until at least 20:00

Drivers warned of very heavy traffic ahead of Easter in France

People departing for getaways tomorrow or Saturday may want to avoid certain roads and get out of big cities before noon

High fuel costs blamed for drop in Easter holiday bookings in France

Have you delayed booking a holiday due to petrol prices? New figures suggest that reservation levels have dropped as fuel costs have risen

France’s Covid travel test rules are blocking recovery, says ski firm

UK tour company owner claims the possibility of testing positive and not being able to go on holiday is deterring bookings - or pushing customers to book other destinations

Bookings at French ski resorts exceed pre-pandemic levels

The return of international clients has been described as ‘encouraging for the end of the season’, with resorts stating they are ‘ready’ to welcome UK visitors

France-UK travel: Day two tests for vaccinated to end February 11

Travel firms welcome changes in time for half-term. It will also soon be possible for 12 to 15-years-olds to show proof of vaccination through the NHS app