France attracted over 80 million foreign tourists last year making it the most popular tourist destination in the world. This number excludes people staying less than 24 hours in France, people crossing France on their way to Spain or Italy in summer.

France is a big country offering a wide choice of holiday locations and type. It offers mountain ranges, coastlines such as in Brittany or along the Mediterranean Sea, cities with a rich cultural heritage, châteaux - like Versailles, and vineyards. Paris, the capital city, is the most visited city in the world. Paris attracts tourists with museums such as the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay, and attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the cathedral of Notre-Dame, and Disneyland Paris.

In the eastern parts of France there are skiing resorts in the Alps. Notable French cities are Avignon with the Popes' palace, Arles, Aix-en-Provence, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Saint-Benoît-du-Sault on the Loire River, Toulouse on the Garonne, Strasbourg on the border with Germany, and the beautiful city of Nantes.

Good rental accommodation and hotel are available all over France. For example, many people from the UK like to spend their summers in the Dordogne valley, the Spanish take their holidays in Biarritz and St Jean de Luz on the Basque coast, and the Irish often visit Lourdes. Tourists also travel to see the annual cycle race, the Tour de France. France's Mediterranean beaches on the French Riviera, in Languedoc-Roussillon, or in Corsica, are famous.

Alsace is famous for its high number of picturesque villages, churches and castles and for the various beauties of its three main towns. Alsace is also famous for its vineyards, especially along the 170 km of the Route des Vins d'Alsace from Marlenheim to Thann, and the Vosges mountains with their thick and green forests and picturesque lakes.

Climate
Alsace has a semi-continental climate with cold and dry winters and hot summers. There is little precipitation because the Vosges protect it from the west. The city of Colmar has a sunny microclimate; it is the second driest city in France, with little rain, making it ideal for vin d'Alsace (Alsatian wine).

Bordered along the whole of its west coast by the Atlantic Ocean, Aquitaine is bathed in a mild oceanic climate with the influence of the Gulf Stream. The coastal areas receive most visitors, although the castles of the Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne are increasingly popular. Mild temperatures all year round, enough rain to provide a green, floral environment, plenty of sunshine to enjoy the delights of the beach in spring, summer and autumn, as well as walking in the mountains or in the wooded valleys.

Climate
The 2,200 sunshine hours per year make the Bordeaux region similar to the Mediterranean. Along with rainfall that is well distributed over the year, this sunshine is one of the elements which favour vine-growing in Aquitaine.

Lakes and volcanoes share the West of Auvergne. It is an impressive yet idyllic environment that welcomes nature lovers. The Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park, the largest in France, covers the five groups that form this unusual land. Lakes, pleasant and ancient oak groves or other forests invite the visitor to escape. The region is dotted with picturesque towns and villages, mostly Romanesque churches with pure and majestic forms, castles or stately homes throughout.

Climate
In the mountain areas of Auvergne, the climate is usually wetter and colder than in sheltered plains.. The volcanic mountains are a place for seasonal contrasts; long cold winters opposed to short hot summers.

Montluçon-Guéret
Aurillac – Tronquières
Le Puy-en-Velay – Loudes
Clermont-Ferrand

Visitors have a choice between seaside and countryside. The stunning beauty of the region's interior, with its thatched cottages, traditional farming and ever-changing landscapes, is matched by a long coastline which stretches from the romantic cliffs and sandy beaches of Seine Maritime in the East, to the wild Cotentin seaboard and the World Heritage Site of Mont Saint Michel and its bay, with its huge tidal range and strong currents. A big attraction is the The Battle of Normandy Historical Area - with D-Day landing sites, museums and memorials associated with D-Day invasion. 

Climate
The region enjoys a very moderate climate thanks to the oceanic influence, with average annual temperatures similar to those in the UK.

Burgundy enjoys a rich and varied heritage from Gallic remains to Romanesque towers, from the art treasures of its cities to the splendours of its châteaux, from its early industrial memories to its most futuristic creations. The region offers a wide choice of good quality accommodation across the price range, from traditional hotels, guesthouses (B&B), country cottages and campsites, Family accommodation are all to be found throughout the region, close to major roads and in more secluded areas.

Climate
The region has a varied climate with long hot summers, with temperatures rising to summer to 28–30C. There is more rain in the west of the region and snow can make some of the central areas inaccessible in winter.

Brittany has long been a popular tourist destination and with its Celtic charm, rugged coast and spectacular seafood it has plenty to offer. There is easy accessibility and access by ferry and car is excellent, with Roscoff bringing the ferries directly to Brittany. With over 4,000 châteaux, manors and stately homes built in the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and subsequent centuries, many of which are open to the public, there are plenty of places to visit.

Climate
Brittany has a warm, temperate climate. Rainfall occurs regularly, which has helped keep its countryside green and wooded. Sunny, cloudless days are also common and in the summer temperatures can reach 30 degrees.

The Centre region is perhaps most famous for the châteaux along the Loire Valley. At 800 kms in length the Loire Valley offers spectacular panoramic views over outstanding natural countryside (it is classified as a UNESCO site). There are also plenty of historic towns such as Blois, Chinon, Orléans, Tours, Saumur - the town of Saumur has 16 UNESCO classified monuments, including the Château de Saumur. Plenty of places to see and outstanding natural beauty in the region.

Climate
The Centre region has pleasant temperatures during most of the year with summers that are pleasantly hot and long, with 1,800 hours of sunshine a year, although winters can be quite cold, but short.

Champagne-Ardenne is of course famous for its history and its world-famous wines . Plenty of vineyards to visit and wines to sample. The region also has a large cultural heritage and cuisine. Worth a visit - Troyes, Langres, a beautiful wall-enclosed fortified town in the Marne Valley on the edge of the Champagne-Ardenne and the regional capital Châlons-en-Champagne, with it's famous cathedral (left). The region contains some magnificent forests and lakes where one can enjoy hiking and water sports.

Climate
The oceanic climate of the region is mostly mild: 2°C in January, 18°C in July. It rains more often in Ardennes and Haute-Marne, and the climate there is more rigorous. Winds are generally gentle except in winter.

Corsica is a perfect holiday destination, basking in the Mediterranean sunshine off the south of France . Perfect beaches , magnificent mountain scenery and attractive owns and villages. The hundreds of beaches and 1,000 kilometre of coastline form the basis of many holidays on the island, with swimming, snorkelling, wind-surfing and sunbathing being the most popular activities, together with walks in the mountains, and other outdoor activities based around both the mountains and the coast.

Climate
Corsica enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate, with summers being hot and dry, and remaining mild even in winter, at least at coastal level. The mountains are of course a little cooler all year round.

Franche-Comté region of France is perfect for walking holidays, fishing holidays , watersports activity holidays, nature holidays and many other family activities all year around. The region has its own regional French gastronomy and a wide range of French wines and cheese. There are wonderful ski resorts in the Jura Mountains and Vosges mountains offering ski holidaymakers some of the best ski holidays or cross country skiing holidays in France.

Climate
Close to the border with Switzerland the region receives a continental-type weather, with hot summers and cold and long winters due to the altitude. Spring and Autumn months are mild whilst summers can be really hot.

A combination of easy ferry links, the popular The Alabaster Coast with the high chalky cliffs which dominate the coastline of the region, plus the many touristy coastal villages, such as the fishing port of Fécamp, make this an attractive destination for UK visitors. Regional capital offers visitors a rich architectural heritage in a city where the centre is almost completely pedestrianised. The medieval streets have many half-timbered houses and buildings, the oldest of which date from the 13th century. The gothic style Notre Dame Cathedral has the tallest cathedral tower in France (photo left)

Climate
The region enjoys a very moderate climate thanks to the oceanic influence, with average annual temperatures similar to those in the UK.

The region Île-de-France is of course essentially Paris, and Paris and the region welcomes 45 million tourists every year. This means there is a wide range of accommodation to choose from, from budget to luxury. And of course there is plenty to do and see, with lots of sights - Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, walking down the Champs - Élysées , a trip on a Bateaux Parisiens, the tourist boats that journey along the Seinne plus lots more. And not to forget the many restaurants offering a wide choice of menus.

Climate
During the summer the weather is usually warm and dry. Paris in the springtime is a wonderful time to visit although it can be wet at times. During the winter months it can get quite cold.

The region has borders with Spain and Andorra in the west and the regions of Provence and Rhône-Alpes in the east, with the Mediterranean sea along all the southern border. The region is attractive for its diversity, its rich heritage, climate, easy accessibility, generally preserved environment and landscapes. The region attracts 15 million visitors a year, the fourth most popular tourist destination in France.

Climate
The climate is Mediteranean with hot dry summers, cooler winters, and moderate springs and autumns.  Average of 300 days of sunshine a year. The coastline, sheltered by mountains, is usually sunnier and warmer than the inland areas.  The mountains of course tend to be cooler.

Limousin is real rural France, a beautiful region with a unique landscape of woodlands, green pasture and deep valleys. Famous for the Limousin cattle the local economy is based on agriculture. The region has many springs, rivers and inland lakes particularly in the Creuse area, and of course that means canoeing, kayaking, fishing and sailing are popular tourist attractions. Limoges is the largest city in the region and owes it name to the enamel and fine china trade. Visit the museums and craft shops.

Climate
The temperature is quite cold during the winter months. Also there are cooler spring and autumn months whilst summer is pleasantly warm in this area of France.

In an overwhelming natural environment where the trail is king, the Lorraine countryside is perfect for walking, horse-riding , cycling or MTBing. There are many other summer and winter sports to choose from. Time to discover lakes , rivers and man-made waterways ideal for sailing, canoeing, diving and fishing. In the Vosges you'll find downhill and cross-country skiing areas in beautiful settings. Snow-shoeing enthusiasts will find their dreams come true. Plus for golfers - 26 top-quality courses have everything to offer.

Climate
A continental climate with really cold winter months and hot during the summertime. This climate can be humid during the year due to the presence of mountains in the region where precipitation is frequent.

There is so much variety in the region. There are some unmissable towns: Toulouse, the "pink city"; Albi, birthplace of Toulouse-Lautrec; Lourdes, the pilgrim town; Moissac... There are some unforgettable natural sites: Pic du Midi; Gavarnie; the Lot Valley; the Tarn Gorges... There are still sites and villages that defy time and history: Rocamadour; Cordes sur Ciel; Marciac; Montségur... There are those towns of art and history, such as Figeac and Montauban, full of treasures, or the Canal du Midi, with holidays afloat...

Climate
With an average of 2000 hours of sunshine per year, this is one of the sunniest regions of France. Temperatures rise over 25°C between 60 and 80 days each year throughout most of the year, making the Midi-Pyrénées a hot competitor against the Mediterranean coast.

The Nord-Pas-de-Calais region is just over the border from Belgium and a hop or a tunnel across the Channel from the UK. A picturesque land consisting of contrasting forests, gentle meadows, and rolling hills dotted with windmills. Sandy beaches and imposing cliffs make up the 150-mile stretch of coastline. Visitors can cruise the network of canals and rivers and explore the expansive countryside and nature reserve parks. Plus, plenty of history, with many cathedrals and cities to explore - the regional capital Lille is a must. Many battlefields including Flanders Fields are in the region.

Climate
Generally the weather is cold during winter months, mild spring and autumn months whilst the summer is pleasantly warm.

The Pays-de-la-Loire region offers a large contrast for visitors, with long sandy beaches along the Atlantic coast, and green pleasant countryside along the banks of the river Loire. The upper Loire valley has always been popular and there are many historic places to visit, with of course the famous châteaux in this region. Then there are plenty of interesting towns and cities to visit, including the regional capital Nantes, Le Mans, which hosts the famous 24 hour car race, Angers, plus many others.

Climate
Along the region's Atlantic coast temperatures are generally mild all year round, particularly the southern parts - the Vendee. Spring and Autumn are really mild and summers can be pleasantly hot.

Less than an hour from Calais (or 15mins from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport) you're in beautiful historic Picardie where they say real France begins. Close enough for weekend breaks – and shopping breaks too of course. Picardie's coastline is the least urbanised in all France with miles upon miles of beautiful sandy beaches and dunes. With dozens of charming towns and villages, a myriad tourist sites and wide variety of landscapes, Picardy is really enticing for your holidays in France.

Climate
The weather is cold and perhaps wet during winter months,with snow on high ground. There are mild spring and autumn months whilst the summer normally has temperatures between 17°C to 20°C

Poitou-Charentes is on the Atlantic coast, between the châteaux of the Loire Valley and the Bordeaux vineyards. It is one of the sunniest parts of the French western coast. Its mild climate - 2,250 hours of sunshine per year - makes it desirable to visit anytime from early spring to late autumn. A 300-mile coastline with fine sandy beaches, backed by fragrant pine forests, lively resorts such as La Rochelle, Royan and the islands of Oléron, Aix and Ré provide attractions to tempt everyone.

Climate
With around 2,400 sunshine hours a year the region is the hottest and sunniest place of the Atlantic coast. However inland, the climate is more continental., warm and pleasant summers, cooler winters.