France

France rewards looking a little sideways, beyond the obvious. I can highly recommend Carcassonne, Toulouse, and Nantes, each for very different reasons.

Carcassonne is best known for its extraordinary medieval citadel. The ancient cité is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular film location and it’s easy to see why as you walk the 3 km of ramparts and pass through its 52 towers.

Nearby Toulouse, the so-called “Pink City”, is defined by its terracotta brick architecture, strong food culture, and links to the aerospace industry. For me, though, the highlight was Halle de la Machine, home to vast, theatrical steampunk machines including a 14-metre-high Minotaur you can ride.

Their extended mechanical family lives on in Nantes at Les Machines de l’Île, where the most famous resident is Le Grand Éléphant. I’d thoroughly recommend meeting him too

Capitole de Toulouse

France: Useful Information

Language

French is the official language. English is widely understood in tourist areas.

Currency

Euro (€). Currency Converter

Time Zone

Central European Time (CET; UTC+01:00). Daylight saving time (UTC+02:00) is observed from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October.

Dialling Code

+33

Visas

France is part of the Schengen Area. UK, EU & US citizens can visit visa-free for short stays (subject to Schengen rules).

Electricity & adapters

Standard European plug types (C/E/F) with 230V power.

Tourist Information

https://www.france.fr

Transport Links

Extensive rail network, major international airports, and long-distance bus services.

When to Go

Spring and autumn are ideal for sightseeing. Summer is busy and hot in many regions; winter is best for alpine areas.

My Articles On France

Recent posts from France, more destination guides and itineraries coming soon.