Guides

Parents with young families know all too well the perils of travelling on a long plane journey with children. Tears and tantrums and boredom and bickering do not make for a relaxing start to a holiday and when you're breaking the bank to treat the family, it can make you wonder why you bother. We all want holiday memories to last a lifetime, but instead of travelling halfway round the world, why not look a little closer to home? A self-drive holiday to France does not only remove the long, tiring plane journey from the equation, but it's likely to cost a lot less, too. If you choose to drive, you are totally in control of the journey. Kids a bit fractious? Stop off, get some ... Read more

MyFerryLink is the newest England-France ferry operator. Founded in 2012, the company currently operates up to 16 sailings a day across the Channel. The newcomer offers impressive savings compared to other ferry operators, especially for those who visit France several times a year.Save money with a Carnet ticketPerfect for frequent travellers, MyFerryLink's Carnet ticket offers great savings. The Carnet is available for 6, 10, 18 or 24 separate crossings and allows users to cross the Channel from as little as 25. Offering a great incentive to hop back and forth between France and England, especially for those based in southern England, the Carnet makes travel to the C... Read more

The stunning French region of Provence is a firm favourite with visitors from all over the world. Famed for its spectacular scenery, delicious food and warm, dry weather, Provence is now easier to get to than ever with Eurostar's new route. From London to Provence In a shade over six hours, it's now possible to travel by train from London to Aix en Provence with only one change. Relaxing and stress-free, European rail journeys are the enjoyable way to travel. Unlike flying, train travel doesn't require lengthy check-in queues or hours of waiting around before departure. In most cases, you can turn up at the station and be on the train in 30 minutes. Once you get moving, all yo... Read more

With picturesque performance settings, great weather and the cream of the crop of French and international artists, the Carcassonne Festival is not to be missed. With theatre, opera, dance music, jazz, classical, rock and pop, there is something for everyone at the festival.This year's festival runs from 19th June to 3rd August and spans an incredible 6 weeks. Some of the most popular villas in France are located in the Aude Department in the south of the country, within easy reach of Carcassonne and the festivities. With entertainment for all the family, a day or two at the Carcassonne Festival will be a magical addition to your holiday.One of the highlights of Carcassonne ... Read more

A wine-lover's paradise, The Alsace Wine Route is one of France's most popular attractions. The route has become world famous over the past 60 years for its fantastic scenery, unbeatable hospitality and, of course, its vineyards, tasting cellars and wine cafes. Taking in over 100 villages along its picturesque 105 mile length, the wine route provides a stunning destination for an unforgettable holiday. Traditional French gites can be found at convenient locations all along the route, making it easy to find the ideal setting for your wine-tasting holiday. Many gites have swimming pools and spacious outdoor seating areas providing plenty of scope for rest and relaxation after all... Read more

Travellers to France are in luck: it's easy to get there by ferry, and it needn't be expensive either. The Shortest and Cheapest Route: Dover-Calais The shortest, cheapest, and most popular route is Dover to Calais. Travellers can choose between P&O Ferries, MyFerryLink and DFDS Seaways. It's worth doing a price comparison since fares can vary - there's a lot of competition so you should be able to get a great deal. One top top to get the lowest prices is to travel at night - it's quieter too, so makes for a more relaxing journey. School holidays, as always, tend to be more expensive. Click here for a live ferry price comparison . Western Channel Ferries Brittany Ferries op... Read more

Driving in France is generally a pleasure, but there are a few things you should familiarise yourself with before you hit the road! One of the great pleasures of driving south through France, perhaps to the Dordogne, Provence or even further south, is observing the changing landscape and, usually, the warming of the weather as you approach the Mediterranean. Most people prefer to avoid the interestingly lively La Peripherique around Paris – even for the most competent drivers this can be a test of nerve. Travellers heading for regions south of Paris might be best to consider one of the Western Channel ferry routes (e.g.Roscoff, Caen, Cherbourg) to provide shorter driving dista... Read more

Many British and French families own a gite, a holiday home they rent out to tourists. There are gites all over France, in the centre of town as well as in the countryside or by the sea, and they come in all sizes, from cosy apartments for couples to rambling houses with space for ten or more guests. There may be a swimming-pool or tennis courts. It’s easy to book gites online here are gites.co.uk, first choosing a location then making your selection based on the number of people in your party and the facilities you want. A self-catering gite holiday gives you the freedom to do whatever you like, whenever you like. Get up early to visit tourist attractions before the crowds ... Read more

Following one of the great French wine routes is the perfect way to leave the autoroute behind and explore some of France's smaller back roads. With beautiful scenery, clear signage and, of course, excellent wine, the Route des Grands Crus takes you right to the heart of France. The name of Burgundy, in the east of France, is synonymous with fine wine. Within the region, the Cote d'Or departement produces some of the most exclusive and strictly controlled vintages in the world. The mild climate and gentle, south-facing slopes make this ideal country for vineyards. The Cote d'Or itself is further divided into two areas. The Cote de Beaune, in the south, is most famous for it... Read more