Top Tips for a Great Holiday in France

Let the train take the strain

Flying or driving to France aren't the only options. Try taking the train and enjoying a more leisurely start to your holiday. The Eurostar from the new London St Pancras international station is now even faster, connecting you to the excellent French domestic rail network at Paris. And taking the train can be a more environmentally friendly form of travel.
Book rail tickets for Eurostar, TGV and SNCF

Save driving time with your ferry crossing

By choosing the best ferry route between the UK and France, you can shave hours off the driving time to your holiday in the sun on both sides of the channel. For example, if you're heading to Brittany, Normandy or the south west of France or departing from the west of the UK, check out the various ferry routes from Portsmouth or Plymouth.
Book discounted ferry tickets

Book your travel insurance

Don't forget to book travel insurance for your holiday in France. Our insurance partners Insure and Go can offer travel insurance at great rates with instant quotes and cover online for single trips, annual travel insurance, ski holiday insurance, backpackers insurance and more.
Get an instant quote for travel insurance

Take your foreign currency on a prepaid card

Get a better exchange rate, and a safer more convenient way of taking your holiday money abroad by using a prepaid credit card. For example the Caxton FX card can be loaded up with money before you travel and then used just like any other credit card when you’re overseas. The Caxton card is a chip and PIN MasterCard so you can use it in shops and restaurants and get cash out too, and Caxton guarantees the best exchange rate.  You can even reload it instantly online, by text or over the phone.
Order a Caxton FX currency card

Order your foreign currency in advance

If you still want to take cash with you on holiday, avoid a last minute panic buying your Euros - and save time at the ferry terminal - by ordering your foreign currency online in advance. Through our special partnership with TravelIFX you can order currency securely online at better exchange rates than high street banks, retailers and travel agents - and there's free next day Special Delivery on orders over £500.
Order your holiday Euros online

Soak up the local culture

When you're on holiday in France, it can be tempting to spend the whole fortnight around the pool. But France has so much more to offer, not least its many events and festivals held throughout the summer months which celebrate local customs, history, art and cuisine. Spend a day or two celebrating with the locals - you'll be made very welcome and will soon be soaking up the unique atmosphere of rural France.
Find events and festivals in France

Break your journey with an overnight stay

If you're planning a long drive down to the south or south west of France for your holiday, then break up your journey by staying overnight at a hotel or a great value French bed and breakfast on the way. You'll arrive more refreshed and relaxed and avoid the dangers of driving while tired, as well getting the chance to experience a new area, town or city in France on the way to your holiday.
Find a bed and breakfast or book a French hotel