France at a glance

France draws you in with effortless elegance, proud to show you its artistic heritage, sun-drenched scenery and, of course, world-class cuisine. Parisian boulevards, Provençal lavender fields, Riviera beaches and more await.

Why visit France?

Our travel experts have designed each tour through France to help you visit its romantic capital, idyllic villages and glamourous coastline with ease. Every region of France offers something different, but they’re all rich in culture, history and natural beauty.

As you travel through the country by car or by train, you’ll get to see what makes each region special, as well as the elements of French culture that stay true everywhere.

Browse tours in France

Explore historic cities like Paris, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence and Nice to uncover the many faces of France. Markets hum with local chatter, museums draw you in with vibrant artworks, and there’s always a boutique tempting you to bring a something special home.

Step outside the cities, and the grand landscapes of France’s south take your breath away. Lavender fields roll into rugged coastline. Honey-stone villages catch the evening light. The land’s flavours – buttery, herby, sun-ripened – follow you everywhere you go.

How to get to France

Your Nordic Visitor journey starts in Paris or Nice. Major carriers fly here regularly, including Air France, British Airways, Delta and Lufthansa, among many more.

Getting into town is the easy part. Trains, buses and metro lines connect each airport to its city centre. Fancy a smoother start? We can arrange a private transfer, so someone’s waiting in arrivals with your name in hand.

View more information about your flights to France

Getting around

After you’ve touched down in France, you’ll find out how easy it is to get around.

The travel itself is a big part of what makes France wonderful to visit. Glide easily between cities on high-speed trains, rolling countryside or sparkling sea filling your windows. Experience the freedom of the open road on a self-drive tour, winding past medieval villages and purple lavender fields.

Browse our range of self-drive tours in France

English is widely spoken, especially in major cities, though you might find it useful to know a few phrases in French. This is especially true if you’ll be stopping in smaller, more rural spots, or want to browse local markets.

When to visit

There’s no wrong time to visit France. It just depends on what you’re looking for.

Chasing sunshine, heat and long, lazy beach days? Aim for June, July or August. Riviera summers are famous for a reason, but you don’t always have to go to the coast. This is when Provence’s lavender fields hit their purple peak, and Paris takes on a relaxed, golden-evening mood.

Prefer mild days and fewer crowds? The shoulder season is perfect – April, May, June, September or October. You’ll still get pleasant weather, with springtime blooms or a cosy autumnal atmosphere, but with a little more breathing room.

Top things to see & do

The list of things to see and do in France could go on forever. To help you narrow it down, here are some of our top suggestions:

Get immersed in world-class art and architecture in timeless Paris
Explore medieval Avignon, where a vast palace has stood for nearly 800 years
Stand beneath the immense Pont du Gard, a 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct
Unwind in Provence, the iconic region of wineries, hilltop villages and lavender
Browse artisanal crafts and local produce at the markets of Aix-en-Provence
Drive the Corniche Sublime along the Verdon Gorge, Europe’s Grand Canyon
See where Picasso lived and worked in the walled port city of Antibes
Get star-struck by Cannes, the chic port town famous for its yearly film festival
Road trip along the Riviera to Saint-Tropez, Monaco and even Italy
Lose yourself in Old Nice, stumbling upon lively bars and fragrant boulangeries

Of course, no trip to France is complete without experiencing their warm hospitality and delicious cuisine. Below are just some of the cultural experiences you could enjoy on your trip.

Food & culture

Treat your tastebuds with our top picks for French food and drink, as well as some cultural must-dos:

Taste the delicate flavours of colourful macarons in a Parisian patisserie
Feel like European royalty among the opulent Gardens of Versailles
Experience the complex flavours of wines from the Loire Valley and Bordeaux
Walk in the footsteps of Van Gogh in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Arles
Follow your nose each morning to boulangeries selling oven-fresh croissants
See works of art dance on walls at Carrières des Lumières in Les Baux
Embrace French coffee culture by sitting al fresco with a piping hot espresso
Tour the world-famous perfumeries of Grasse and bottle your own scent
Order a socca pancake fresh off the griddle at one of Nice’s markets
Toast to your adventures in Provence each night with cold glasses of local rosé

Nature & adventure

France’s endless landscapes are a natural playground for the curious traveller. Canyons, rolling hills, oceanside walks and more could easily fill every day of your trip.

Cruise along the winding Seine river on a famous Bateau Mouche boat
Follow the Ochre Trail from the orange-hued hilltop village of Roussillon
Experience France’s wild side in the Camargue, home to working cowboys
Gaze in awe at the setting sun reflecting in the Salin d’Aigues-Mortes salt flats
Breathe in the heavenly scents of the Valensole Plateau lavender fields
Rent a paddle boat and glide along the jade green waters of the Verdon River
Hike along limestone cliffs above the glittering Med in Calanques National Park
Meander along the coastal path that hugs the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula
Take in panoramic views of the coastline from the Exotic Garden of Èze-Village
Laze in the sun on a beach in Menton, a lemon-scented seaside town