France Tours & Holidays

France is a year-round destination. Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) offer mild weather and fewer crowds, while summer (July-August) is ideal for sunny weather and beaches.

British passport holders can visit France for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. However, your passport must be valid for at least three months after your departure date from France.

The most popular ways to travel are by Eurostar train from London to Paris or by flight to major cities such as Paris, Nice, or Lyon.

Travel insurance is highly recommended. It can cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and other unexpected events. UK travellers can also use a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) for emergency healthcare, but it does not replace comprehensive travel insurance.

France uses the Euro (€). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but it's useful to carry some cash, especially in rural areas.

While English is spoken in major tourist areas, learning a few basic French phrases can be helpful, especially in smaller towns and villages.

Top destinations include Paris (Eiffel Tower, Louvre), the French Riviera (Nice, Cannes), the Loire Valley (châteaux and vineyards) and Provence (lavender fields).

Service is usually included in restaurant bills, but leaving small change or rounding up is appreciated. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also welcome small tips.

Pack according to the season-light clothing for summer, warm layers for winter. Comfortable shoes are a must for sightseeing, and don't forget travel adapters for European sockets.

Great Rail Journeys is a market leader when it comes to small group tours. We're proud of being pioneers in our approach to group sizes and have become the leading operator for escorted holidays. Our group sizes vary between tours, but are our ranges are usually a good indicator of what to expect.

For our Discoveries range, you'll be in groups with an average of 30-35 travellers and a maximum of 40. If opting for our Classic collection, you'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. Our Landmark holidays are where you'll find our smallest group sizes, starting from as low as 16 travellers and an average of 22, to a maximum of 30.

*Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.