Itineraries & Travel Tips

We visited the Lérins Islands on our first research trip of the French Riviera , during the early days of France Just For You. We knew that we would include this region in our self-drive tours of France, so it was essential that we knew it inside out. Our first port of call on the French Riviera was Nice, and the crowded pebble beach there was nothing to write home about, though I did enjoy our swim under the stars that night. Only in the French Riviera is the sea warm enough to bathe in at night in October! But after a couple of days in this southern city, we felt that our whole experience...

Most people who visit France will know about the most famous places to visit in Paris - the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Moulin Rouge, to name a few - and we agree that a visit to these places is a must! However, at France Just For You, we pride ourselves on sending our travelers to places that many tourists don't know about. We want you to have a truly unique and authentic experience of France. Here we suggest some alternative places to visit in Paris which you may not have thought of: Monet's Waterlilies at the Musee de l'Orangerie The Musée de l'Orangerie...

Many travelers feel drawn to France by its rich history, castles, gardens, cuisine and landscapes. Some of our most beautiful summer landscapes are on the French coast, so for those who plan to visit France during the summer months, we’ve compiled a selection of some of the best beaches in France, which would make a perfect day-trip to include in your tour of France . Saint Malo, Brittany Saint Malo is an old town steeped in history, and was recently voted best beach spot in France . Walking along the town’s cobbled streets may feel like taking a step back...

When it comes to summer festivals in France, visitors are spoilt for choice. From festivals dedicated to regional history and tradition, to popular and classical music festivals, we have something for everyone. You may like to read our post on French festivals you should experience , but if you know you’ll be in France in the summer-time, here are seven of our best festivals to add to your travel itinerary. Carcassonne Festival The Carcassonne Festival has been running annually throughout July in southern France’s Languedoc region since 2006. Around 250,000 people attend...

Normandy in northern France is bursting with history, lovely scenery and even ancient myths. In this post, we explore some of the region's most popular tourist attractions, as well as a few less-visited gems.

Thinking about travelling through France? Why not stay in a French B&B for a unique and intimate experience? If you want to add an extra layer of authenticity to your travels through France, why not switch up your hotels for some B&Bs? Staying in a Bed & Breakfast is a great way to get an insight into the French way of life. You can observe first-hand how a French family lives and operates and, in doing so, immerse yourself in French culture. What’s more, French B&Bs are limited to just five rooms so you will have an intimate and personal...

A vacation to France is guaranteed to be one you will never forget – so long as you do it right. A self-drive trip around France is the best way to explore the country. You become your own tour guide and have complete autonomy as to how you want your holiday to be. Add to that virtually unlimited mobility and the comfort of your own vehicle and you are probably starting to wonder why you’ve never done one of these before. Need a bit more convincing? We have laid out some of the main reasons why you...

When it comes to festivals, France knows what it is doing. We go all out, whatever the occasion, with music, food, parades and more . But, there are a lot of festivals in France, ranging from celebrity-studded, glamorous events to religious ceremonies , steeped in tradition. While all of the festivals have something fun and unique to offer, there are some that really stand out . Here are our suggestions of five of the best French festivals that you really should experience at least once in your lifetime. Cannes Film...

It should come as no surprise to know that France is the world’s most popular tourist destination. With 89 million visitors every year, France is a head and shoulders above the number 2 spot, which goes to Spain with 82 million visitors per year and the number 3 spot, which goes to the USA with 78 milliom. These 7 million visitors per year have cemented France into top place for another year, despite a rather turbulent past few years. So, what is it exactly that makes France so incredible? Let me try and boil France down to its essence to show you why it is the most popular tourist...

Need a beach break? Head over to Saint Malo and check out France's best beaches When you think about beaches in France your mind probably conjures up images of the French Riviera . Nice, Biarritz, Montpellier and Cannes are generally considered the top beach hotspots in France. However, this does not mean that the North of France should be overlooked - in fact, St Malo has just been chosen as the best beach spot in France! Brittany, in the Northwest of France, has some incredibly beautiful beaches to offer. Indeed, these beaches easily...

There are hundreds of reasons why you should visit the Southwest of France, but here are our top 9! For many people visiting France, the Southwest region, which encompasses the Basque Country , will be the highlight of their trip. With beautiful landscapes and fabulous cuisine , there is something for everyone in this part of the country. Yet, it is not just what first meets the eye that makes the Southwest of France so special. Dig a little deeper and you will find a rich history and fascinating cultural heritage, which permeates the...

France is known for its heritage, culture and traditions. The Christmas holiday period in France is no different with a large number of traditional events happening all over the country. One of the main traditions are the French Christmas markets: the majority of cities, towns and even small villages hold traditional markets for locals and tourists to visit. Now, the 2 regions where Christmas traditions are the strongest are undoubtedly Alsace and Provence . Saint Nicholas Tradition French Christmas markets can be traced back to the traditions and legends of Saint Nicholas...

Have you always wanted to travel to France but aren't sure where to even begin? France is home to some of the world's best art, most delicious food and wine, and beautiful landscapes, but in many cases, you need to go off the beaten path to experience them. It can be very hard to decide which sites to see when you're planning a trip to France, and where you should go to get the full, authentic French experience. If you book a tour with France Just For You , we will take care of everything. Our aim is to plan the perfect trip for you so that you can see the best of France through our eyes...

There are few cities in the world that can rival Paris when it comes to culture. Museums such as Le Louvre and Orsay , galleries and pop-up exhibitions can be found around every corner of this magnificent city – all of which have their own unique charm and appeal. From the famous Musée de l'Orangerie and Centre Pompidou to the lesser known halls of Musée Carnavalet or Maison La Roche, Paris has something for everyone. Even children or teenagers can join in the fun thanks to nice treasure hunts to the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay. But, with so much going on, it’s hard to decide which exhibitions...

What is a happy home without an equally happy garden to go with it? For many of us, our garden played a pivotal role in our childhood. It’s where our adventures took place, where our imagination was free to develop and where we learnt to value the great outdoors. Years on and gardens are no less important in our life, the only difference is that instead of falling out of trees, we are working out the best place to put a tomato plant. In 1992, the gardens of chateau Chaumont sur Loire opened up for the first ever International Garden Festival and was such a success that the...

Cl aude Monet and Impressionism Claude Monet was one of the most famous and accomplished French artists of all time. In this article, we focus on two beautiful locations in France, Paris and Giverny in Normandy, where Monet spent most of his life. Many visitors to Paris will seek out Monet’s masterpieces as they tour some of the city’s beautiful art museums, without realizing that Monet’s gardens, arguably his greatest source of inspiration, are located just an hour outside of Paris in Giverny, Normandy. For this reason, we recommend a...

As we do not have the Ile de Ré in our scope, we rely on our friend Laurent – who is specialized in this beautiful region - to advise our travelers. It you plan to spend your next summer holiday on the island of Re, we strongly advise you to book your holiday rental as soon as possible, especially if you look for a villa with swimming pool in Ile de re . On the site My Home In, sixty villas with swimming pool are available for rent throughout the year. Considering the demand during the summer months, this is in fact very little considering the number of tourists looking for a quality holiday...

Northern Normandy is not really well known of foreign travelers who come for a tour of France. When travelers mention Normandy , they usually have in mind the WWII sites in Calvados or Mont Saint Michel...but there is more in this region. The limit between Higher and Lower Normandy is near Honfleur. The WWII beaches are mostly in Lower Normandy, as well as the lovely port of Honfleur or famous town of Mont Saint Michel. Higher Normandy capital city is Rouen, famous for Joan of Arc and the many paintings of the Cathedral by Claude Monet. You might also know about Etretat Cliffs: the rumor says...

When we are buying something important to us – such as a nice vacation package to France – we want to make sure that we pay the right price. Often looking for a vacation package on the best travel destinations, we end up caught in the “cheap vacations” websites, “cheap hotel deals”, “last minute offers” and so on and so forth. All these websites have great pictures to reassure the traveler that he will have a wonderful hotel (he is the only one to get such a good rate on) and the best seat on the flight to Paris. Honeymoon packages, romantic getaways, family vacation packages, everybody can...

You have probably not heard of Chateau de l'Islette which is one of the so many chateaus of the Loire Valley...That's a pity! Like its neighbor : Azay-Le-Rideau, it really deserves a visit! Why? Bec ause you can visit a castle that is still inhabited by its owners (which becomes more and more unusual) You will relax in deck chairs all around a gorgeous park...as if you were "at home" Becau se the sculptors Camille Claudel & Rodin spent a romantic summer in 1890 in thoses walls Last but not least, you won't be bothered by the crowds and you will really be able to enjoy the place: inside...