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The best way to explore the coast is on the train, and we share our route in ",{"text":404,"type":279,"marks":405},"how to experience the French Riviera by train",[406],{"type":312,"attrs":407},{"href":408,"uuid":409,"anchor":143,"target":316,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Ffrance\u002Ffrench-riviera\u002Fby-train","4a02c3de-9dcf-49c0-97d7-d54a62fe1d8d",{"text":341,"type":279},[],{"_uid":413,"image":414,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":264,"caption_text":422,"caption_title":423,"image_caption":14},"4ba612c7-0f80-48fd-9019-2fc2c44f994d",{"id":14,"alt":415,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":14,"width":416,"height":417,"filename":418,"copyright":14,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":419,"public_id":420,"aspect_ratio":421,"is_external_url":146},"The French Riviera coastline around Monaco",5962,3975,"https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1669373039\u002FPicolo\u002FCountry\u002FFrance\u002FTrain%20Journey%20-%20French%20Riviera\u002FFrance_Monaco_the-french-riviera_travel_train_journey_Picolo.jpg",{"alt":415},"Picolo\u002FCountry\u002FFrance\u002FTrain Journey - French Riviera\u002FFrance_Monaco_the-french-riviera_travel_train_journey_Picolo",1.499874213836478,"The coastal railway from Nice to Monaco is one of the most scenic short train rides in Europe.","Monaco",{"_uid":425,"body":426,"card":460,"layout":292,"component":293,"article_rounded":146},"9087c44b-e282-4233-ac4b-ebb5b8d3c75c",{"type":270,"content":427},[428,433,447],{"type":273,"attrs":429,"content":430},{"level":275,"textAlign":143},[431],{"text":432,"type":279},"The French Alps and Chamonix",{"type":281,"attrs":434,"content":435},{"textAlign":143},[436,438,445],{"text":437,"type":279},"In winter, the French Alps are one of Europe's great ski regions. ",{"text":439,"type":279,"marks":440},"Chamonix",[441],{"type":312,"attrs":442},{"href":443,"uuid":444,"anchor":143,"target":316,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Ffrance\u002Fchamonix\u002F","5b010ff4-00bc-4c6d-b2d6-bcdf6e076adb",{"text":446,"type":279}," at the foot of Mont Blanc is the most legendary resort of them all, known for steep slopes, glaciers and the dizzying cable car to the Aiguille du Midi.",{"type":281,"attrs":448,"content":449},{"textAlign":143},[450,452,459],{"text":451,"type":279},"In summer, the same mountains are perfect for hiking, climbing and simply enjoying the cool air. Find out more about the slopes in our guide to ",{"text":453,"type":279,"marks":454},"skiing in Chamonix",[455],{"type":312,"attrs":456},{"href":457,"uuid":458,"anchor":143,"target":316,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Ffrance\u002Fchamonix\u002Fski-resort","6a785220-9b17-435e-ac61-31428b9343a6",{"text":341,"type":279},[],{"_uid":462,"image":463,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":264,"caption_text":471,"caption_title":472,"image_caption":14},"b34bb047-60ac-4f74-a8bd-bb7dd9b9113c",{"id":14,"alt":464,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":14,"width":465,"height":466,"filename":467,"copyright":14,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":468,"public_id":469,"aspect_ratio":470,"is_external_url":146},"Snow-covered mountains around Chamonix",5616,3744,"https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1666098069\u002FPicolo\u002FCity\u002FChamonix\u002Ffrance_chamonix_ski_skiing_lift_snow_winter_mountains.jpg",{"alt":464},"Picolo\u002FCity\u002FChamonix\u002Ffrance_chamonix_ski_skiing_lift_snow_winter_mountains",1.5,"High altitude and heavy snowfall give the Chamonix valley some of the longest ski seasons in the Alps.","The French Alps",{"_uid":474,"body":475,"card":547,"layout":292,"component":293,"article_rounded":146},"61dda045-a6fc-4be5-8a67-10606411912c",{"type":270,"content":476},[477,482,487],{"type":273,"attrs":478,"content":479},{"level":275,"textAlign":143},[480],{"text":481,"type":279},"More places to visit in France",{"type":281,"attrs":483,"content":484},{"textAlign":143},[485],{"text":486,"type":279},"France is far too big for one trip, and some of its best places to visit are away from the big names.",{"type":488,"content":489},"bullet_list",[490,503,514,525,536],{"type":491,"content":492},"list_item",[493],{"type":281,"attrs":494,"content":495},{"textAlign":143},[496,501],{"text":497,"type":279,"marks":498},"Provence:",[499],{"type":500},"bold",{"text":502,"type":279}," hilltop villages, markets and lavender fields in early summer.",{"type":491,"content":504},[505],{"type":281,"attrs":506,"content":507},{"textAlign":143},[508,512],{"text":509,"type":279,"marks":510},"Bordeaux:",[511],{"type":500},{"text":513,"type":279}," a handsome city surrounded by some of the world's most famous vineyards.",{"type":491,"content":515},[516],{"type":281,"attrs":517,"content":518},{"textAlign":143},[519,523],{"text":520,"type":279,"marks":521},"Normandy and Brittany:",[522],{"type":500},{"text":524,"type":279}," rugged coastlines, seafood and historic towns within easy reach of the Channel ports.",{"type":491,"content":526},[527],{"type":281,"attrs":528,"content":529},{"textAlign":143},[530,534],{"text":531,"type":279,"marks":532},"Alsace:",[533],{"type":500},{"text":535,"type":279}," half-timbered towns such as Colmar and Strasbourg, especially atmospheric at Christmas.",{"type":491,"content":537},[538],{"type":281,"attrs":539,"content":540},{"textAlign":143},[541,545],{"text":542,"type":279,"marks":543},"Lyon:",[544],{"type":500},{"text":546,"type":279}," often called France's food capital, with traditional bouchons and a lovely old town.",[],{"_uid":549,"image":550,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":264,"caption_text":560,"caption_title":561,"image_caption":14},"f4873d24-5393-4c16-965c-cea98a03dc6c",{"id":14,"alt":551,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":552,"width":553,"height":554,"filename":555,"copyright":556,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":557,"public_id":558,"aspect_ratio":559,"is_external_url":146},"A Christmas market in Colmar in Alsace","France_Colmar_Christmas_Market_Xmas_Travel_Picolo_Vacation_Winter.jpg",4592,3056,"https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1668596255\u002FPicolo\u002FCity\u002FColmar\u002FFrance_Colmar_Christmas_Market_Xmas_Travel_Picolo_Vacation_Winter.jpg","Foto\u002FTourisme Colmar",{"alt":551},"Picolo\u002FCity\u002FColmar\u002FFrance_Colmar_Christmas_Market_Xmas_Travel_Picolo_Vacation_Winter",1.5026178010471205,"The Christmas markets of Alsace are among the most charming in Europe, with mulled wine and gingerbread in timber-framed squares.","Colmar at Christmas",{"_uid":563,"body":564,"card":588,"layout":292,"component":293,"article_rounded":146},"b856522a-1573-428e-84e8-23e52eb8bff5",{"type":270,"content":565},[566,571,576],{"type":273,"attrs":567,"content":568},{"level":275,"textAlign":143},[569],{"text":570,"type":279},"Getting around France",{"type":281,"attrs":572,"content":573},{"textAlign":143},[574],{"text":575,"type":279},"France has an excellent rail network, with high-speed TGV trains linking Paris to cities such as Lyon, Marseille and Bordeaux in just a few hours. Regional trains cover smaller towns and the coast. Hiring a car is the best way to explore the countryside, vineyards and villages.",{"type":281,"attrs":577,"content":578},{"textAlign":143},[579,581,587],{"text":580,"type":279},"If you want to combine France with its neighbours, see our overview of the ",{"text":582,"type":279,"marks":583},"best places to visit in Europe",[584],{"type":312,"attrs":585},{"href":586,"uuid":27,"anchor":143,"target":316,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002F",{"text":341,"type":279},[],{"_uid":590,"body":591,"card":608,"layout":292,"component":293,"article_rounded":146},"b7d8228d-5294-4a50-a616-0c9c1420ae91",{"type":270,"content":592},[593,598,603],{"type":273,"attrs":594,"content":595},{"level":275,"textAlign":143},[596],{"text":597,"type":279},"When is the best time to visit France?",{"type":281,"attrs":599,"content":600},{"textAlign":143},[601],{"text":602,"type":279},"The best time to visit France for most travellers is from May to June and from September to October. The weather is pleasant across most of the country, the summer crowds have not yet arrived or have already left, and prices are often lower.",{"type":281,"attrs":604,"content":605},{"textAlign":143},[606],{"text":607,"type":279},"July and August are ideal for beach holidays in the south, but expect busy resorts and higher prices, as this is when the French take their own holidays. Winter is the time for skiing in the Alps and for Christmas markets in Alsace and Paris.",[],{"_uid":610,"body":611,"card":659,"layout":292,"component":293,"article_rounded":146},"36344f3f-f843-4000-94f6-27c5833773d4",{"type":270,"content":612},[613,618,624,629,634,639,644,649,654],{"type":273,"attrs":614,"content":615},{"level":275,"textAlign":143},[616],{"text":617,"type":279},"Frequently asked questions about holidays in France",{"type":273,"attrs":619,"content":621},{"level":620,"textAlign":143},3,[622],{"text":623,"type":279},"What are the best places to visit in France?",{"type":281,"attrs":625,"content":626},{"textAlign":143},[627],{"text":628,"type":279},"The best places to visit in France for a first trip are Paris, the French Riviera with Nice and Cannes, Provence and the French Alps. Add Bordeaux, Lyon, Normandy or Alsace if you have more time. Each region has its own food, landscape and character, so it is worth combining a city with some countryside or coast.",{"type":273,"attrs":630,"content":631},{"level":620,"textAlign":143},[632],{"text":633,"type":279},"How do you get to France from the UK?",{"type":281,"attrs":635,"content":636},{"textAlign":143},[637],{"text":638,"type":279},"You can get to France from the UK by train, ferry or plane. The Eurostar runs from London St Pancras to Paris, ferries cross from Dover and other southern ports to northern France, and there are direct flights from many UK airports to cities such as Nice, Lyon, Bordeaux and Paris.",{"type":273,"attrs":640,"content":641},{"level":620,"textAlign":143},[642],{"text":643,"type":279},"Do you need a visa to travel to France from the UK?",{"type":281,"attrs":645,"content":646},{"textAlign":143},[647],{"text":648,"type":279},"British citizens can currently visit France for short holidays without a visa, but entry rules for the Schengen area are changing, with new digital registration systems being introduced. Check the latest official advice before you travel and make sure your passport meets the validity requirements.",{"type":273,"attrs":650,"content":651},{"level":620,"textAlign":143},[652],{"text":653,"type":279},"What is France famous for?",{"type":281,"attrs":655,"content":656},{"textAlign":143},[657],{"text":658,"type":279},"France is famous for its food and wine, for Paris and its landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, and for regions such as Provence, the French Riviera and the Alps. It is also known for fashion, art, cheese, pastries and some of the world's most famous vineyards, from Bordeaux to Champagne.",[],{"_uid":661,"card_type":14,"component":662,"filter_by":663},"d719ca05-b47f-4296-94d8-9d3f9107fc57","PaginatedArticles",{"_uid":664,"plugin":665,"values":666},"66113fc5-d5da-473f-8c00-2f4f73d4ecf8","storyblok-tags-select",[74],"ArticleIndex",{"id":14,"alt":14,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":257,"width":258,"height":259,"filename":241,"copyright":260,"fieldtype":16,"public_id":262,"aspect_ratio":263,"is_external_url":146},"france",-330,[],178498746258815,"56047900-0c83-4512-918e-72cac7138186",[]]