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Coach Holidays to France 2024

Coach Holidays to France

  • overview
  • Things to do
  • Tips & Advice
  • reviews

Coach holidays to France from £59.95*

Language: French is the official language. There are many regional dialects, including Basque, which is spoken as a first language by some people in the southwest, and Breton, which is spoken by some in Brittany.
Currency: Euro
Time Zone: Central European Standard Time = GMT+1, Central European Summer Time = GMT+2
Tipping: Tips are not compulsory and in France there are no generally established rules, although it is common practice to leave a sum amounting to around 10% of the bill if you are satisfied with the service you have received.

France - an introduction

It may be a country renowned for its good food and wine but coach holidays to France will soon reveal that gastronomy is a just a small (and no doubt garlicky) but tasty portion of the other delights on offer. From the poignant landing beaches of Normandy to the alpine air of Chamonix, the chateaux of the unspoilt Loire Valley to landscapes brushed with rolling vineyards, France has a lot to fall in love with.

With Disneyland Paris and the capital forming two of the country's biggest draws, it's hard to overlook Paris on a coach holiday to France. Disneyland Paris offers families world-class attractions within a stone's throw of the UK with the chance to explore Paris at the same time, and Paris is such a romantic and cultural powerhouse that it speaks for itself. The fact that you could be cruising down the Seine one day, then cheering on the Tour de France or the adrenalin-buzzing Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe the next only adds to its excitement. Coach tours to these quintessentially French events do exist, and are a fantastic way to combine a moment in history with some sightseeing.

Away from Paris, a number of impressive destinations continue to add to that 'je ne sais quoi'. Cycle at low tide to the stunning backdrop of Mont St Michel or take a relaxing walk around Monet's Garden in Giverny. Slurp oysters in Gujan Mestras – the oyster farming capital of Bordeaux - and find out what goes into making real champagne with a tour of Moet and Chandon. Enter the world of William the Conqueror and admire the magnificent Bayeux Tapestry, holiday like an A-Lister on the  star-studded French Riviera or take an exciting road trip through the beautiful Loire Valley. With so many France coach holidays on offer, culture, gastro and history lovers should not be disappointed.

Weather 

Thinking of travelling to France? Check out the average temperatures for when you plan to visit courtesy of BBC Weather

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Paris 3.5°C 4°C C 11°C 15°C 18°C 20°C 19°C 16.5°C 12°C 7.5°C C

 

Tourist offices
To find out more about visiting France, check out the official French tourism website at https://uk.france.fr/en

France is vast in terms of what's available to see and do whilst staying here. Destinations popular on the tourist trail include:

Paris
The capital city of Paris is said to be one of the most romantic and chic cities in the world, so why not see if you agree? It is home to a vast array of museums, iconic landmarks, designer shops, and for the foodies amongst you, some veritable gastronomic delights.

Disneyland Paris
For those with families or for people who enjoy theme parks then head to Disneyland Paris. There are two theme parks to choose from: Disneyland Park or Walt Disney Studios Park, with a range of on and off site hotels on offer. Most trips to Disneyland Paris incorporate tickets to both park during your stay and some also include Paris. As well as the rides, there are spectacular family parades and shows to be enjoyed by all. Look out for seasonal events like the Disneyland Bonfire Spectacular and fireworks at New Year.

Normandy
Normandy is a fascinating area to visit; not only is it full of natural beauty with gardens including Monet's Garden at Giverney and pretty coastal and harbour towns such as Deauville and Honfleur, it is packed full of historic sites such as the D Day landing beaches.

French Riviera
This Mediterranean coastline is home to the rich and famous and is a great area to spend some time relaxing. To get the best views of this coastline take the Corniche Coastal Road which winds from the coast through opulent villas to medieval hilltop villages. The cosmopolitan cities of Cannes and Nice offer atmospheric street life as well as chic cafes and designer shops. The town of Grasse (the world's capital of perfume) isn't far off and offers visitors the opportunity to visit the world-famous lavender perfumery.

To help you have an enjoyable holiday in France, take a look at these useful tips and advice provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO):

Health and Travel Insurance
When visiting France you should always ensure you have a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) before travelling. The GHIC isn't a substitute for travel and medical insurance, however it does entitle you to state-provided medical treatment should it become necessary during your trip. Any treatment is on the same terms as the French nationals. You should always make sure you have adequate travel insurance in addition to the GHIC and also access to funds which can cover the cost of any medical treatments and also repatriation.


Local Laws and Customs

You must be able to prove your identity either by providing documents when asked or within 4 hours at a police station. Identity documents can be a passport, a photo driving licence or other documentation provided by a government body.

In France concealing your face in public places is illegal, which includes full veils, balaclavas or any other mask or garment that conceals the face. Failure to comply with this ban can incur a maximum fine of €150. The law doesn't provide any exemption for tourists and visitors.

Entry Requirements
If you are planning to visit France, you must meet the following passport requirements.

Your passport must be:
- Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
- Valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

Please note: If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. These extra months do not count towards your passport validity.

Visas
You can travel to France for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.
Please note that any previous visits you have made to the Schengen countries within the last 180 days will count towards your 90-day limit.

Passport stamping
Your passport will be stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area through France as a visitor. These passport stamps are used to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit in the Schengen area.

Any other nationality looking to visit France must contact the local embassy to check visa requirements.

Pucker up, because the the number of times the French kiss as a form of greeting varies depending on region. In Corsica, the tally can be as many as 5!