Travelling to France

From remote rural villages to bustling big cities; rolling countryside to vast mountain ranges; modern museums to historical castles; swimming to skiing; beaches to lakes. You could easily tailor a trip to France to suit hundreds of different holiday types. The beaches of the South are some of the Mediterranean's finest, while Paris is one of the world's fashion, shopping and culture capitals.

Food will be top of the agenda for a visit to France. From the seductive café culture to the formal, white tablecloths and seven courses gastronomic fanfare, you won't find better eating out anywhere else in the world. Touring the vineyards of the Loire Valley and Bordeaux are also a quintessential French holiday pastime. Then again, with so many different regions to explore and experiences to unearth, maybe the best way to holiday in France is to stick a pin in a map and see where you end up. Wherever that may be, you're guaranteed to eat well. Check out our top picks for France.

Nice

Unofficial capital of the Côte d'Azur, the gloriously glitzy city of Nice has been a playground for the rich and famous for decades. Curving elegantly around the pristine waters of the Bay of Angels, with a stretch of beach that runs all the way to nearby Antibes, there is a seamless mix of seaside and city life on offer. Glamorous beach clubs and bars line the seafront - perfect for a spot of lunch while you watch the yachts bobbing on the light-spangled waters of the Mediterranean.

The finest way to soak up Nice is on foot: the Promenade du Paillon is a magnificent 30 acres of stunning parkland that runs from the city centre to the sea; or take a sunset stroll along the celebrated Promenade des Anglais, which runs along the seafront. Away from the seaside, there is an impressive wealth of museums and galleries, including the Musée Matisse and Musée Marc Chagall, as well as some stunning buildings like the St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral. The enticing old town (Vieux Nice) is a rabbit warren of winding narrow streets. Here, you'll find the south's finest flower market on the Cours Saleya, as well as some of the city's best bars and restaurants.

Paris

Paris, one of the most romantic cities in the world. Around every corner, you will discover a treat for the senses. Beautiful architecture, iconic monuments, chic boutiques and fabulous eateries. It's a place where you choose the pace, get swept up in the hurly-burly of city life, or indulge in the pleasure of Parisian cafe culture. Watching the world go by from a pavement cafe has to be one of the greatest pleasures of visiting Paris.

Of course, no visit to Paris is really complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower. Or, alternatively, head to the sixth floor of the Centre Pompidou, where you can take in another great view of the city skyline. A walk along the Seine from the Pont Neuf to the cathedral Notre Dame is a great way to take in the sights. Or, for art lovers, the fabulous collections of the Louvre Museum are a must-see. Go with the flow in Paris. Take your time and savour everything this cosmopolitan city of chic has to offer.

Cotedazur

Regarded by many as the most glamorous coastline in Europe, the cobalt blue seas from which the area gets its name are, without doubt, some of the most postcard-worthy in the world. Little wonder that the saturated light and miles of glorious scenery have inspired many artists over the decades.

Home to St Tropez, which has been the playground of the rich and famous ever since Brigitte Bardot announced herself on the scene there in the 1950s, it's still synonymous with lavish wealth and A-list holiday makers to this day. Celeb-spotting doesn't come any better than during the Cannes Film Festival in February, when any hotel lobby suddenly feels like a red carpet. Where St Tropez is yachts and champagne, Cap Ferrat offers a less ostentatious type of old-style glamour. This peaceful, forested peninsula between Nice and Monaco has unrivalled views of the sea and Provençal coastline. Take your walking shoes and explore one of the many public footpaths.