France

France Travel Guide

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Violette Franchi for Lonely Planet

Lac de Serre Ponçon, France, July 2025.

Why visit France

France seduces travelers with iconic landmarks and cafe terraces, epic history and bustling village life. Experiences - and cuisine - to be savored.

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Take your France trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

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Basque Country at Its Best: Bilbao, San Sebastian, and Spain’s Rioja Wine Region

8 days / 7 nights

highlights

  1. 1 Trying an array of San Sebastián's flavorful and fun pintxos on a Basque-style tapas crawl
  2. 2 Crossing over Spain's border to experience French Basque Country in Biarritz and Saint Jean de Luz
  3. 3 Visiting a family-run winery in La Rioja for a guided tasting and traditional lunch
from $2,900

per person

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  • Cultural Pillars of Paris and the French Countryside
    France

    13 days / 12 nights

    Cultural Pillars of Paris and the French Countryside

    FROM $4,130

    per person

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  • Summer Soirée: 10 Days of French Wine, Sun, and Culture
    France

    10 days / 9 nights

    Summer Soirée: 10 Days of French Wine, Sun, and Culture

    FROM $3,800

    per person

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  • The French Riviera & Provence: A Journey Through Authentic France
    France

    11 days / 10 nights

    The French Riviera & Provence: A Journey Through Authentic France

    FROM $4,430

    per person

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Top places to visit in France

Discover the best attractions in France from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

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Travel Guides

France travel tips from Lonely Planet experts

Find practical guidance from our team of contributors around the world who bring their decades of first-hand travel experience to your next trip.

Best Things to Do

(Warning: this article will make you want to book a trip.)

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Best Time to Visit

Fantastic France has something to offer travelers every month of the year. Here’s a full season-by-season guide.

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Things to Know

It's easy to assume familiarity in France, where it's ubiquitous in art and cinema. Here's the inside track on travel advice only French locals can give.

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Transportation

From cycling to catching trains, buses and river barges, here's everything you need to know about getting around in France.

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Best Road Trips

Explore France by car with our favorite road-tripping routes.

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Money and Costs

Visiting France doesn't have to be a luxury bucket list item. These handy tips make traveling there (and enjoying it ) approachable at any budget.

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Traveling with Kids

France serves up a grand buffet of things to see and do for families. Here's what you need to know if you're traveling to France with kids.

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Best Places to Visit

You can admire them from afar, but for full immersion in France's châteaux, nothing beats staying the night and dining like royalty.

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