France

The South of France and the French Riviera are very popular tourist destinations with beautiful places to visit such as Marseille, Toulon , Arles , Provence , Dordogne and Languedoc .

Marseille , the second largest city in France ,is located in Provence . It has an old town and thriving port with plenty of culture and history which can be studied in the many museums. High on the cliffs is the church Notre Dame de La Garde, the patron saint of sailors. The nearby islands gave birth to the legend of the Count of Monte Cristo. There are lovely beaches with plenty of water activities such as fishing and sailing.

Monaco is a glamorous resort located on the Mediterranean Sea , close to Nice and the French Riviera. In Monaco French, English and Italian are all spoken. Popular attractions are the casino, opera house, cathedral, gardens and museums. Monaco hosts many festivals throughout the year, including music and the arts, tennis tournaments, and of course it is always famous for its expensive yachts.

The city of Nice is another glamorous and popular tourist destination on the Cote D’Azur . Nice has plenty of history and a lovely old town area with narrow streets that are great for strolling, cafes and little shops. The Promenade des Anglais is the place to see and be seen and there are plenty of good restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, museums, shops and boutiques. The beaches are a great place for relaxing and sunbathing, swimming and water activities. Great views of Nice and its port can be seen from The Chateau above the city.

St. Tropez on the Cote d’Azur is internationally known as a jet-setter and tourist playground.It is famous for its beaches and visiting movie stars and artists. It is also a great place for people-watching and has a lively nightlife. St. Tropez has a more down-to-earth side for those who may wish to visit at quieter off-peak times.

Weather
In the North and Central areas generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly winds.

Driving in France

Driving in France is very similar to being in the UK, except, of course, that you will be driving on the right side of the road (“serrez à droite” means keep to the right). The minimum age for driving here is 18 years and your UK insurance will provide you with third party cover. It is ow complusary for all vehicles to carry a reflective jacket and warning triangle.

Children under ten years of age are not permitted to ride in the front of a vehicle unless it has a rear facing seat designed for the purpose. All occupants must wear a seat belt. And of course - do NOT drink and drive.

It is illegal to drive with faulty lights, so it is recommended that you carry a spare bulb kit. Headlamps need to be adjusted for continental travel. A warning triangle must be carried. Remember that “stop” signs mean what they say. Do not try to ‘creep’ over the line ready for a fast getaway. You must stop completely.

France has over 8,000 kilometres of motorways, mostly toll roads which are privately financed, so prices do vary.

If you have to stop on an open road, make sure the car is driven off the road. Overtaking where there is a solid centre line is heavily penalised. Broken centre lines indicate where passing is allowed.

When there are three or five lanes, please note that the middle lane is to be used by traffic going in both directions. When encountering a tram, make sure you do not pass it while passengers are loading or disembarking.

Disclaimer: While we have tried to ensure this information is correct we do not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy.

* Inclusion on this guide does not guarantee travel insurance is available in this country at any given time. Travel Insurance is not available in countries for which the F.C.O. advise against travel to.

** At the time of writing, the F.C.O. advised against travel to countries, or areas thereof, marked thus at the time of writing. Travel Insurance is not available in areas where the F.C.O. advise against travel to.

You are strongly advised to visit the F.C.O. web site for up to date information and general travel advice before you travel.