Holidaying in France: Paris and Nice

France is the world's most popular tourist destination and with good reason. From the cultural splendour of Paris to the snowcapped ski resorts in the French Alps to the golden beaches of the south, France has treasures in every corner. And there are wonderful hotels, too. Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of hotels in France

Paris: city of light, fashion and romance

Think of Paris and see what images cascade through your mind - chic cafes, broad boulevards, Seine riverboats, the Eiffel tower, Notre Dame Cathedral....Paris is the quintessential capital of romance and style, the home of chic.

transport:getting there and getting around

Charles de Gaulle airport is the main gateway to the country. France also boasts an impressive rail network. It will whisk you anywhere in the country and also to London, Amsterdam and Brussels. There are also ferries to the UK and Ireland.

Paris is a great walkers' city and there's always the metro if you get footsore or too hot. However, Paris is not cyclist-friendly. The river boats are most of a sightseeing vehicle than a means of transport.

Accommodation: from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Paris hotels

climate

The climate is temperate and Paris's location in a basin gives it France's lowest average rainfall. .

events

A love of celebration is part of the national character so there's no shortage of events in Paris.

*Designers showcase their spring collection during Paris Fashion Week in early March.

*The grand event of the year is Bastille Day on 14 July. As the country's national day, it's a time for serious celebration with fireworks, parades and riotous street parties.

*November is the time of the Paris International Photo Fair.

Nice: jewel of the Côte d’Azur

An Italianate ambiance and cobblestoned old town gives Nice an irresistible charm. Add to this a vibrant social life, great shopping and a delightful five-mile seafront and you've got the recipe for a perfect vacation spot.

The beaches are mainly rocks and pebbles but the water is warm (20-25°C in summer)and clear and it's just a short hop to nearby Cannes and St Tropez

transport:getting there and getting around

Nice International Airport is around six kilometres out of town. Nice is also served by fast, extensive rail and bus networks. And there are ferries to Corsica. You can best explore the city on foot and if you're feeling indulgent you can hire a yacht.

accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts

There are a wide range of accommodation in Nice. Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Hotels in Nice

climate
Mild is the perfect word to describe the climate in Nice. Daily temperatures average around 15 C, surging up to 40 C in July-August. Winters are mild too with temperatures rarely getting lower than 5 C.

events
*Carnival in the second half of February features lavish parades of giant figures in papier-mache hats. Carnival ends on the evening of Mardi Gras with a spectacular fireworks display.

*There are also a number of religious events of interest. In June, the city celebrates the patron saints of St Peter and St John with processions and masses in the churches.

*The big event in summer is the Nice Jazz Festival held in July. The festival attracts top international artists.