France

France

Beach surrounded by cliffs in Cassis, France.
Ooh la la! These are France’s best beaches to laze on this summer

From the wild sands of the north to the glamorous resorts of the south, our expert picks his favourite French plages — with a perfect lunch spot at each

Beachfront house with yellow awnings and patio furniture.
EXCLUSIVE
The Côte d’Azur has reinvented cool — and it’s stylishly affordable
a yellow car is parked in front of a bistro restaurant
FRANCE
Cannes v St Tropez: which is better?
The Luís I Bridge and Douro River in Porto, Portugal.
A river cruise is the most relaxing way to see Europe. Here are 17 of the best
Austria
Aerial view of L'hotel-restaurant du cap Hornu in Baie de Somme, France.
My airport-free recipe for a foolproof family beach break in France
Restaurante La Favorite covered with blossom in the Marais, one of the best things to do in Paris
How to make the most of your Parisian getaway
View of Seillans, France, a village certified as one of the most beautiful villages in France.
Provence’s cool new hiking retreat (with wine at its heart)
the outdoor dining terrace at Gina, Place Masséna — one of the best restaurants in Nice
I’ve lived on the French Riviera for years, these are my top restaurants in Nice
Nice
The Luís I Bridge and Douro River in Porto, Portugal.
A river cruise is the most relaxing way to see Europe. Here are 17 of the best
Austria
The Luís I Bridge and Douro River in Porto, Portugal.
A river cruise is the most relaxing way to see Europe. Here are 17 of the best
Austria
Aerial view of L'hotel-restaurant du cap Hornu in Baie de Somme, France.
My airport-free recipe for a foolproof family beach break in France
Aerial view of L'hotel-restaurant du cap Hornu in Baie de Somme, France.
My airport-free recipe for a foolproof family beach break in France
Restaurante La Favorite covered with blossom in the Marais, one of the best things to do in Paris
How to make the most of your Parisian getaway
Restaurante La Favorite covered with blossom in the Marais, one of the best things to do in Paris
How to make the most of your Parisian getaway
View of Seillans, France, a village certified as one of the most beautiful villages in France.
Provence’s cool new hiking retreat (with wine at its heart)
View of Seillans, France, a village certified as one of the most beautiful villages in France.
Provence’s cool new hiking retreat (with wine at its heart)
the outdoor dining terrace at Gina, Place Masséna — one of the best restaurants in Nice
I’ve lived on the French Riviera for years, these are my top restaurants in Nice
Nice
the outdoor dining terrace at Gina, Place Masséna — one of the best restaurants in Nice
I’ve lived on the French Riviera for years, these are my top restaurants in Nice
Nice
Beach surrounded by cliffs in Cassis, France.
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What to do

A visitor in a vineyard in Saint-Émilion in Bordeaux, France
I’m a wine expert — these are the best holidays in France
JAMES MARRIOTT
My journey through Provence in the footsteps of my favourite artists

Hotels

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, US — one of the best holiday destinations in July
The 20 places to consider for a getaway in July

Thinking about booking a peak-season summer holiday? From whale-watching in South Africa to hiking in the Italian Alps, here are the top places to try

Inspiration
Les Sources de Caudalie - one of the best hotels in Bordeaux
FRANCE
17 of the best hotels in Bordeaux for 2025
14 of the best hotels in Marseilles
FRANCE
14 of the best hotels in Marseilles
Beach holidays
Paris rooftop terrace with red furniture and Eiffel Tower view.
FIRST PERSON
I’ve stayed at more than 60 hotels in Paris. These are my favourites
Paris
Two women, one pregnant, taking a selfie outdoors, next to a table with salads and wine glasses.
SPA GUIDE
‘This is wellbeing the French way, aka a retreat — with wine’
Health & Fitness
Off Paris Seine, 13th arr, one of the best affordable hotels in Paris
17 of the best affordable hotels in Paris under £150
Paris
an aerial view of a vineyard with a house in the background
25 of the best vineyard hotels to visit in France
Paris rooftop terrace with red furniture and Eiffel Tower view.
FIRST PERSON
I’ve stayed at more than 60 hotels in Paris. These are my favourites
Paris
Two women, one pregnant, taking a selfie outdoors, next to a table with salads and wine glasses.
SPA GUIDE
‘This is wellbeing the French way, aka a retreat — with wine’
Health & Fitness
Off Paris Seine, 13th arr, one of the best affordable hotels in Paris
17 of the best affordable hotels in Paris under £150
Paris
an aerial view of a vineyard with a house in the background
25 of the best vineyard hotels to visit in France
Les Sources de Caudalie - one of the best hotels in Bordeaux
FRANCE
17 of the best hotels in Bordeaux for 2025
14 of the best hotels in Marseilles
FRANCE
14 of the best hotels in Marseilles
Beach holidays
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Villas

Food

Ski

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City guides

Family

Paris

The Toy Story 2 crew in TOGETHER: a Pixar Musical Adventure at Disneyland Paris
How to do Disneyland Paris on a budget — without scrimping on fun

Your dream day at Disneyland doesn’t have to be a financial drain – follow our tips for spending less on tickets, travel, food, drink and more

Advice
a living room with a wooden table and chairs
16 of the best Airbnbs in Paris
A delicately designed and pastel-coloured dining room at Le Grand Mazarin hotel in Paris
Le Grand Mazarin hotel review: a discreet Paris boutique in the city’s coolest neighbourhood
Hotel lounge with fireplace and seating.
Hôtel Pilgrim Paris review: affordable Seventies-style chic in the Latin Quarter
A group of tourists are looking at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France.
I was one of the first inside the reopened Notre Dame — here’s what to expect
French President Emmanuel Macron and first lady Brigitte Macron visit Notre Dame ahead of its official reopening
Notre Dame cathedral reopening: how can I get tickets?
a hotel room with a soccer field in the background
My night sleeping inside Paris’s most famous football stadium
Hotel lounge with fireplace and seating.
Hôtel Pilgrim Paris review: affordable Seventies-style chic in the Latin Quarter
A group of tourists are looking at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France.
I was one of the first inside the reopened Notre Dame — here’s what to expect
French President Emmanuel Macron and first lady Brigitte Macron visit Notre Dame ahead of its official reopening
Notre Dame cathedral reopening: how can I get tickets?
a hotel room with a soccer field in the background
My night sleeping inside Paris’s most famous football stadium
a living room with a wooden table and chairs
16 of the best Airbnbs in Paris
A delicately designed and pastel-coloured dining room at Le Grand Mazarin hotel in Paris
Le Grand Mazarin hotel review: a discreet Paris boutique in the city’s coolest neighbourhood
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Lyons

Inspiration

Marbella Club Hotel, Spain
REVIEW
Marbella Club Hotel review: a luxe oasis on the Andalusian coast

A fabulous finca with timeless appeal — and all the frills — made for short-haul escapism in the Spanish sunshine

Marbella
Ilheu de Vila Franca, which has one of the best beaches in the Azores
Beach glory — these are the top spots in the Azores
Azores
Pinhao railway station in the Douro Valley, Portugal
These are the best rail journeys in Europe
Europe
View of Amalfi, Italy, a resort town on the coast.
ITALY
15 of the best tours of Italy for your next getaway
Amalfi Coast
Legoland Billund entrance gate.
This Lego-obsessed city is Europe’s best break for kids
Denmark
Brasov, Romania: The Black Church in the main town square.
The enchanting fairytale region where a week costs less than £400
Europe
Ilheu de Vila Franca, which has one of the best beaches in the Azores
Beach glory — these are the top spots in the Azores
Azores
Ilheu de Vila Franca, which has one of the best beaches in the Azores
Beach glory — these are the top spots in the Azores
Azores
Pinhao railway station in the Douro Valley, Portugal
These are the best rail journeys in Europe
Europe
Pinhao railway station in the Douro Valley, Portugal
These are the best rail journeys in Europe
Europe
View of Amalfi, Italy, a resort town on the coast.
ITALY
15 of the best tours of Italy for your next getaway
Amalfi Coast
View of Amalfi, Italy, a resort town on the coast.
ITALY
15 of the best tours of Italy for your next getaway
Amalfi Coast
Legoland Billund entrance gate.
This Lego-obsessed city is Europe’s best break for kids
Denmark
Legoland Billund entrance gate.
This Lego-obsessed city is Europe’s best break for kids
Denmark
Brasov, Romania: The Black Church in the main town square.
The enchanting fairytale region where a week costs less than £400
Europe
Brasov, Romania: The Black Church in the main town square.
The enchanting fairytale region where a week costs less than £400
Europe
Marbella Club Hotel, Spain
PROMOTED CONTENT
Plan your perfect holiday to France with our expert advice on the best hotels, things to do, beaches, restaurants, bars, ski resorts and places to visit in destinations including Paris, Bordeaux, Marseilles, Lyons, Nice and Corsica. Whether you’re planning a city break, beach holiday, walking trip or ski holiday, our France travel guide has you covered.