Holiday in France

Driving through France and stopping at quaint guest houses and family run hotels can be an experience you or your family will never forget. Touring by car or motor home today can be a great way of getting into the heart of the French countryside and experiencing some of the true traditional France whilst on your driving holiday.
		But when your are driving through France there are a few things you need to be aware of. Did you know that the legal age to drive in France is 18 years of age and even if you have a full licence from another country and you are under that age, then you are still not allowed to drive in France? Every passenger must wear a seatbelt and it is illegal for a child under the age of 10 to be in the front seat. You must always stop at a zebra crossing, which is enforced by law and when going through a town you will find a lot of them, but you should be very careful when you are the pedestrian, as the French do not seem to obey this rule as much as they should! Watch your speed!  If you are stopped for speeding you can be fined on the spot and the fines have to be paid in cash there and then, which can be quite expensive.  If you cannot pay or you are travelling more than 25km/h above the speed limit, then your car can be impounded and you could end up with a very hefty fine or even lose your licence, so be careful, especially when on the toll roads, as you do not want your driving holiday to come to an abrupt end! The motorways are 130km per hour, but this is reduced in bad weather down to 110km per hour and on duel carriageways and main roads the same rules apply where the speed limit is reduced in bad weather.  A duel carriageway is 110km per hour and main roads are 90km per hour, with the peripherie being 80km per hour and towns or minor roads being a maximum of 50km per hour.  The French Government do publish information on exactly where speed traps are located and this is one of the reasons why it is illegal to have a radar detector fitted to your vehicle. In bad weather, fog etc, even during the day, it is compulsory to use your lights but you do not have to keep your lights on during the day at any other time. Obviously you must have deflectors fitted to your headlights if you have a right-hand drive vehicle and by law you must have a set of replacement bulbs and a warning triangle with you at all times.  But it is always advisable to check the regulations prior to your holiday in France, as they do change from time to time. So with the general rules out of the way, even though there are a lot more, just enjoy the experience and the beautiful scenery when you are on your driving holiday in France.The topography of France offers a very diverse range of settings to meet the needs of tourists looking for holidays in France. There are sun-drenched sandy beaches of the Cote d'Azur Riviera, fishing and ornitholigists heaven at Lac du Der-Chantecoq in the Champagne-Ardenne, hang gliding and paragliding in the Auvergne, and ski holidays in the Rhone-Alpes in winter. There are of course also numerous magnificent ancient chateau, castles and cathedrals; small, delightfully pretty, villages ; canals and waterways for boating enthusiasts; wooded hills and plains, ideal for walking, horse-riding and so much more. If your picture of a French holiday is somewhat more relaxed, then consider the Limousin or Picardie regions, away from the holiday crowds alternatively you can opt for activity holidays, walking or cycling, that will take you away from the main roads and through the byways of the French countryside. The most visited region is of course, Ile-de-France and in particular Paris,known as the Romantic City for good reason. Once settled in your Paris hotels, take a dinner cruise on the Seine, or a dinner and show at the famous Moulin Rouge. Make the booking before you go to avoid disappointment. Be sure to see our Paris page for details. On these pages you will find all the holiday homes, apartments, hotels, holiday villages and camping parcs to suit your requirements whether you be holidaying on your own, as a group or simply with your dog. As a fisherman you might select a holiday home near water or why not taste the highlife with a holiday in a French castle or chateau? If you need long-term accommodation in the area, you may want to consider a France timeshare. Or, if you simply need lodging for one trip, try a timeshare rental so that you can enjoy extra space and amenities during your stay. Whatever your style of relaxation, you will find your ideal amongst the many choices of holidays in France on these pages. And finally, never forget the fine wines and cuisine for which France is deservedly renowned."