4th December 2008
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Holidays in France

Everything you need for your French holiday.

Gemma Driver
Gemma Driver

FrenchEntrée Holidays is a totally independent site, set to be the first choice for anyone thinking about taking a holiday in France. We provide every resource to help you choose the right holiday and destination in France, and to make your French break a success.

Check out our sections on:

• French holiday rentals
• Hotel listings
• The Regions of France
• Activity Holidays
• Château Holidays
• Cycling Holidays
• Family Holidays
• Golf Holidays
• Walking Holidays
• Winter Sports Holidays
• Food & Wine Holidays
• Travelling to France
• Travelling Around France
• Flight Guide
• Ferry Guide
• Holiday Directory (FREE listings)
• Bookshop

I hope you enjoy exploring FrenchEntrée Holidays. Contact me if there's anything you'd like to see added, to send in you contributions and reviews, or if you'd like to be featured on the site.

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Gemma Driver
Editor
FrenchEntrée Holidays

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P.S. why not check out our Living in France and Property in France sites too?



Real Life Stories

Family
Do you have a story about living, holidaying or buying property in France? If so, we would love to hear from you! Please email us: editor@frenchentree.com.

Be A Topic Host!

Auvergne

Ever found information on the internet and thought “I know my subject better than this - if only I had the right tools I could do it myself”? Well, now you can. FrenchEntrée.com's mission is to provide the ultimate...find out more...

French Language - Hotels

For when you're staying at a hotel

Hotel


Do you have a room on the ground floor? - Vous avez une chambre au rez-de-chaussée?

The shower is not working - La douche ne marche pas
more French hotel vocab & phrases...

Taking Dogs on Holiday

How to bring your pets on trips to France

Jilly Bennet
Jilly Bennett

Jilly Bennett, French resident, dog show judge and owner of Pension Milou (luxury dog hotel), explains the steps you need to take.
"Your dog is part of your family, so why not take him along on the trip? With quarantine regulations eased and provided you start the process far enough ahead for the necessary injections, blood test and paperwork you will find it all works easily..." Jilly explains...

Drinking & Driving in France

Beware of the change in attitudes!

Wine

The relaxed attitude to drinking and driving in France has surprised and sometimes delighted many foreign visitors. Tales such as the account in ‘A Year in Provence’, where policemen were helping drunk partygoers into their cars at the end of a village meal were not rare.

But things have swiftly changed, since the French government pledged to lower the terrifyingly high number of deaths on French roads...

more...

Reader's Review

Colette Yvonne describes her time at La Buissière, a venue for walking and relaxation breaks.

Colette
Colette & new friends
"La Buissière is situated near the peaceful and sleepy hamlet of Duravel..." walking holiday review...

Holiday terms en Français

An English-French translation of locations and activites

Beach hat & towel
You'll find a list of words here that you may find useful when on your holidays. There are lots of activites to do in France and we would hate you to miss out...

Holidays in France

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Golf Holidays
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Please also see our dedicated zones for Family Holidays, Food & Wine Holidays, Fishing Holidays and Camping Holidays.

The French countryside, cuisine and way of life attract people from all over the planet, but what draws you to the country of romance and châteaux? FrenchEntrée-Holidays is packed with independant information and reader's experiences on everything from luxury golfing holidays to hiking and camping, as well as details of regions, travel and weather in France.

To get all the latest news and articles first, sign up for our free newsletter.

Christmas Markets in the Languedoc Roussillon

Guide to the main Christmas Markets in the region for 2008

Christmas markets Christmas in the Languedoc Roussillon is full of tradition, magic and fun. This year, big events combined with Christmas Markets will feature in the major cities to delight children and adults alike, and smaller markets will be held across the region making it easy to get all your Christmas shopping done! Languedoc Christmas markets...

Special Christmas Events in Le Havre

Christmas offers in Le HavreThe Christmas Market in Le Havre is the perfect place to find handcrafted, organic and fair trade products and to get the most original Christmas presents so why not take a trip with LD Lines who are offering cheap crossings from £10 and some great shopping discounts in association with Le Havre tourist board. more...

Glamping Hits France!

New craze, 'glamorous camping', is introduced to France in serious style.

Yurt A very special campsite... "This style of camping still feels like the 'real' thing, with each tipi or yurt provided with its own campfire and cooking equipment, but everything is just that bit easier - you can sleep under the stars and yet avoid a bad back"... glam camping in France...

Snow Conditions

Latest reports from around France.

Bareges Although we have it on good authority that "people were out sledging in the snow that fell in Avoriaz at the start of October", most French ski resorts and their lifts officially open in early December, when we will begin our regular reports on weather and snow conditions from all the main French ski domains... snow report...

French Photography Holiday - Review

Reader review of a photography and painting holiday in France

Canal du Midi Malcolm Edward-Cole enjoyed a photography holiday in southern France (taught by renowned expert, Peter Evans), whilst his wife was coached on her painting skills; "The magret de canard was sizzling on the plate, the dark red wine from Buzet - a local vineyard - was smooth and rich. The conversation... read review...

Learn to speak French on holiday

Learn the language in Provence

Maggy & IsabelleWhat better way to learn to speak French than during a stay in France? IN PROVENCE offers fun, conversational classes each morning for five days of your holiday, leaving you the rest of the time to put what you’ve learnt into practice and enjoy one of the most beautiful areas of Provence. more...

Why purchase a mobile holiday home?

Canvas Holiday HomeThe unique attraction to owning a Canvas luxury home as opposed to bricks and mortar is that should you feel the need for a change of scenery, you can relocate to a different pitch, park or even country. There are no legal and estate agent fees normally associated with purchasing bricks and mortar... more...

Cap d'Agde - South of France Holiday Resort

A New Languedoc Roussillon Guide

Cap d'Agde Mediterranean Resort © H. ComteIf you want a beautiful, relaxing summer beach holiday by the Mediterranean, in an environment that is classy, clean and family friendly, then you should seriously consider a fortnight in Cap d'Agde - one of France's largest and most popular holiday destinations. Cap d'Agde Holidays

FrenchEntrée Holidays FREE Newsletter

Bonnes Vacances - out 3rd Friday of each month

Newsletter Be the first to hear about the latest stories on FrenchEntrée Holidays; Fresh ideas, new hoiday options, independent reviews, expert tips and up-to-the-minute travel information. Bonnes Vacances ensures that you are aware of the newest information, so that your holidays in France are as good as possible.
Sign up for free today!...

Short Break Special Offer

Amazing deal from the FrenchEntrée Travel Club

Chateau de Ligny FrenchEntrée Travel Club has put together this fantastic offer, for you to stay for two nights at the beautiful 4 star Château de Ligny, including ferry, from £122. You'll even get a third night completely free! details & booking...

Chalets & Ski Properties

Our selection of the best.

Courcheval A whole flurry of ski properties have just signed up to our Holiday Property Database, in preparation for the fast-approaching winter sports season. Here's a selection of our favourites…

French ski properties...

NEW! Boating and Sailing Holidays section launched!

Canal boat holidays, sailing trips and more...

© Vinicius Tupinamba - FOTOLIA Visit our new section, which includes articles and advice for holidays on the waterways and seas of France. Gentle canal boat ambles, coastal cruising, or qualified sailing instruction - it's all here!
check it out...

Mountain Holiday Rentals in Summer

Don't miss out!

Lourdes House Staying in French mountain property during the summer is a whole different world to any other kind of holiday. If you think of the mountains as just for winter sports, you're missing out! We find out more from Dawn Lyde, who owns a holiday rental property near the Pyrenees. mountain holiday rentals...

Disneyland Paris

Reader's tips on the 'Parc Euro Disney'.

Max & Louis with DuckWith 3 trips in the bag and another 2 planed for later this year - we have put together, based on our experiences as parents, our hints, tips, suggestions and advice to ensure your trip is as stress free as possible.
John & Jo Withams, Euro Disney annual pass holders impart their expertise…
more...

Successful Gîte Rentals

Jim & Gail's story.

Les Cerisiers, holiday cottage Jim and Gail moved to the Charente-Maritimes in April 2003. Usual story; they wanted to get out of the rat race in South-East England, and bought a property with a tumble-down wreck attached. But now the wreck is a beautiful gîte, and the couple have discovered the recipe for success with holiday lettings... gîte rental story...

The Beaches of France

A photographic tour of the French coast

© Nicolas Berthy - FOTOLIA We've tracked down some of the most stunning shots of the beaches of France. Starting with Normandy and ending up in Corsica, we take you on a tour of the French coastline, including info on the surrounding area... French beach tour...

Discover the very best of Normandy

What Normandy has to offer, plus an invaluable list of events and festivals.

Normandy The Normandy departments of La Manche and Calvados burst into life during the spring and summer months; they are a riot of colour, from the golden beaches, blue sea and lush green countryside to the gardens, paintings, parades, fireworks and festivals that are so much a part of the region. With hundreds of miles of coastline steeped in the history of D-Day and William the conqueror, as well as the world famous... discover Normandy...

Learn How to Cook Black Truffles and Foie Gras!

We've sniffed out a diamond of a cooking holiday in the capital of the Périgord truffle.

Lobster
Pierre Corre
Pierre Corre is the world-renowned chef at the Auberge de la Truffe in Sorges, and he specialises in the rich flavours of Périgord cuisine. Whilst Pierre creates dishes in the kitchen, Jacqueline Leymarie efficiently runs the rest of the hotel. Everything about the place - the people, decor and dishes - are simply very French.
Sorges became the capital of the Périgord black early 1900s, when local farmers pioneered the cultivation of the ‘black diamond’... more...

Pilates Holidays in South-West France

Reader's review

Studio
The studio
"This is a completely different holiday concept, the sort I predict to be the future for vacationing professionals seeking rest and relaxation, and physical and spiritual nourishment..." Claire Dumbreck reviews her pilates holiday in the Dordogne. reader's review...

Ideal Destination for Chinese is France

Well off Chinese prefer French holidays

China Airlines An American Express survey in November, found that high income earners in China favour France as a holiday destination.

Respondents earning over 15,000 yuan ($1875) per month were asked where they would... more...

Donkey Treks in France

The traditional baggage solution.

Child & donkey If you want to try something a little different, what about a walking holiday with a donkey? These gentle creatures have been a desirable travelling companion for milennia, providing baggage transport, amusement and a sense of security. Christine Keiffer runs one of around 150 farms throughout France hiring out donkeys to walkers. She speaks to FrenchEntrée-Holidays about walking with donkeys...

Calm At The Castle

Patrick & Colette from C4's 'No Going Back' speak to FrenchEntrée Holidays

Colette & Agnès
Colette & Agnès
You may have cringed and admired along with millions of others, at the Channel 4 series, 'Chaos At The Castle'. Patrick and Colette jacked in high-powered city jobs in favour of renovating a crumbling château in rural France, and turning it into a hotel...which they were going to run. Now established, with (most of) the chaos behind them, Patrick and Colette talk to us about how they are getting on, and tell us what makes château holidays so special...

The French Pyrenees - Try Something Different

Resorts reviewed by Benn Coley, star of C4's No Going Back.

Skiing, Ben Coley You may have watched Benn and Amy Coley's French adventure on No Going Back. Many months down the line, their ski holiday business is thriving. Benn lets FrenchEntrée readers in on his local knowledge, and gives us his views and crucial information for the resorts in his region...

Cycling in France - Book Extract

2nd part of an extract from Tim Moore's book, 'French Revolutions'.

French Revolutions "It's difficult to imagine cycling across Europe's second-largest desert by mistake, but this seemed the only fair description of the events of that day and its three predecessors. In the company of Birna's brother Dilli I emerged from two-wheeled retirement in glorious fashion, traversing the land of my in-laws on a day-trip that somehow ran out of control into a critic-confounding odyssey. During those long, lonely hours watching Dilli on my forward horizon as he squinted around to locate me on his hindward one, I had found myself mumbling an epic commentary, a tale of water-carriers and wheel-suckers, of bonks and breakaways..."

For an Action Packed Holiday in the Limousin

Choose the Correze

Rafting, CorrezeThe Corrèze is perhaps the least well-known department of the Limousin, however I have a feeling this may be about to change. The Corrèze is geared up to give you one of the most action packed holidays of a lifetime. From Mountain Biking to canoeing, Horse riding to Hang-gliding and from fishing to ...

Fishing & Angling in Brittany

One sport, one hundred techniques

Fishing boat, Brittany
Fishing & Angling
Brittany is truly the region for fishing. Fleets of trawlers with richly painted hulls, lively rivers running by lush green banks, charming fishermen's houses set in small fishing ports, stone...
Christmas Shopping in Le Harve
LD Lines - Le Harve Xmas OfferThe Christmas market in Le Harve is the perfect place to find the most original presents. Travel with LD Lines from £10.
Boating Holidays in France
Boating Holidays in France with Le BoatCruise the heart of France along the network of rivers and canals onboard one of Le Boat's luxurious cruisers.


Fantastic Travel and Accommodation Offers
Eiffel TowerVisit the FrenchEntrée Travel Club today to discover the latest travel deals in France, including country château retreats, hotel city breaks, gastronomic excursions and discounted ferry and Eurotunnel tickets.
Book a Five Day Return
Transmanche FerriesWith LD Lines and Transmanche Ferries, cross the Channel from only £37.50 each way. More information
Get French TV at home 24/7 with TV5MONDE
TV5 Monde LogoSky 799, Virgin 825. With films, drama, live news and sport, music, documentaries and more. www.tv5.org

Canvas Holiday Homes
Canvas Homesoffers luxury mobile homes sited on parks throughout France from as little as £30k – Finance Available.
Explore France Map from FrenchEntrée

Bonnes Vacances Newsletter Archive

Are you looking for a holiday in France?
Bonne Vacances Newsletter

Keep up to date with holiday ideas, holiday options, accommodation promotions and transport offers. Sign-up for our free newsletter or visit our newsletter archive to view previous newsletters.
Need a rental car?
Open RoadsAre you going on a short break or on holiday to France and need to move around? Great Deals on car rental from easyCar in France

Cottage for couples
Gatinaud CottagePretty cottage to rent near Aubeterre sur Dronne on the border of the Dordogne and Charente . Sleeps 2 or 3. Peaceful location but near popular tourist villages, restaurants and markets. Large private garden. Dordogne holiday cottage
In need of some café culture?
Eiffel TowerFancy sipping champagne in Paris? Or lunch in Nice? If you're looking for a weekend away, we have the answer with city breaks from £99
Best Hotel Deals!
Hotels in France A comprehensive range of hotels in France for a short-term stay or a holiday. Book online for discounted prices at thousands of hotels.

Flying to France?

Flights to France Map

Visit the FrenchEntrée Flights to France map to view the airlines flying from the UK airports to France.
FrenchEntrée Regional Tourism Sites:
Languedoc
Brittany
Dordogne
Indre
Limousin
Lot & Quercy
Normandy
Poitou-Charentes Logo
Provence
Tarn & Aveyron

Sky Property

Looking for ski property in France?
Ski property

The FrenchEntrée ski property guide features articles on buying property in the Alps and the Pyrenees and guides to the major French ski resorts of Les Arcs, Samoens, Chamonix and Val d'Isere.

Living in France?

Poppies and lavender
For all the information you need on living in France, from education to the health system, and from how to set up a bank account to becoming self-employed, visit FrenchEntrée Living

Looking at property in France?

Old house

Check out our comprehensive guide to property in France. From property for sale and the buying process, to legal facts, mortgages and removals, you can find everything you need by visiting Property in France
French Entrée