Things to do in France

Places to visit in France

• Things to do in Annecy nature, relax, adventure
• Things to do in Bordeaux food, culture, city
• Things to do in Cannes beach, relax, city
• Things to do in Chamonix adventure, nature, relax
• Things to do in Colmar culture, relax, food
• Things to do in Lyon city, food, culture
• Things to do in Marseille beach, city, food
• Things to do in Nice beach, relax, city
• Things to do in Paris city, culture, food
• Things to do in Strasbourg culture, food, city
• Things to do in Toulouse city, culture, food

Best time to visit France

When flights to each destination are cheapest.

Annecy

Fly in November through March (excluding Christmas/New Year) for the lowest fares, roughly 30-40% cheaper than July and August peak summer. Shoulder season in May or October offers good weather, thinner crowds, and mid-range prices.

Bordeaux

The cheapest months to fly to Bordeaux are November through early March (excluding Christmas/New Year), when fares from US hubs can be 30-45% lower than the July-August peak. Flying midweek, Tuesday or Wednesday departures, typically saves an additional 10-15% versus weekend flights.

Cannes

The cheapest months to fly into Nice for Cannes are November through early March, with savings of roughly 30-45% versus the July-August peak; mid-week departures (Tuesday/Wednesday) consistently beat weekend fares by 15-20%, and avoiding the Film Festival fortnight in mid-May prevents both flight and hotel price spikes.

Chamonix

Fly in November through early December or late April to May for the cheapest fares, typically 35-50% lower than the peak winter ski season (Christmas, February half-term) and the peak summer hiking season (July-August). Midweek departures on Tuesday or Wednesday consistently beat weekend prices by an additional 10-15%.

Colmar

Fly in January through March or October for the lowest airfares, typically 30-45% cheaper than the peak summer (July-August) and the magical but pricey Christmas market season (late November-December). Midweek departures on Tuesday or Wednesday shave another 10-15% versus weekend flights.

Lyon

January through March and mid-November are the cheapest months to fly to Lyon, with transatlantic fares often 25-40% lower than July-August peaks. Flying midweek (Tuesday or Wednesday departures) typically saves an additional 10-15% over weekend travel.

Marseille

Fly to Marseille in November through early March for the lowest fares, often 30-45% cheaper than July-August peak; mid-week departures (Tuesday/Wednesday) consistently beat weekend prices by another 10-15%. Spring (April-May) offers the best balance of mild weather, fewer crowds, and still-reasonable fares before summer demand spikes.

Nice

The cheapest months to fly to Nice are November through February (excluding Christmas/New Year), when round-trip fares from major US hubs can drop 35-45% below the July-August peak. Tuesdays and Wednesdays consistently offer the lowest fares; booking 6-10 weeks out typically beats last-minute prices by 20-30%.

Paris

The cheapest months to fly to Paris are January through early March (excluding school holidays) and November, where round-trip fares from major US hubs can run 30-40% below summer peak prices. Flying midweek, Tuesday or Wednesday departures, typically saves an additional 10-15% over weekend flights.

Strasbourg

Flying in January through March or mid-October through mid-November yields the cheapest fares, often 30-40% below the peak summer (June-August) and Christmas market (late November-December) seasons. Midweek departures (Tuesday/Wednesday) consistently beat weekend prices by another 10-15%.

Toulouse

January through March and November are the cheapest months to fly to Toulouse, with round-trip fares from US hubs sometimes 30-40% lower than summer peaks. Midweek departures (Tuesday/Wednesday) consistently beat weekend prices by $50-100 per person.

Is France expensive?

It depends on the city and how you travel. Open any destination below and set your dates, budget and home airport to get an estimated total for flights, stays and day-to-day spending, rather than a generic average.

Free things to do in France

• Annecy: Swim at Plage d'Albigny or Plage des Marquisats Public beaches on the crystal-clear lake with mountain views, completely free and stunning
• Bordeaux: Stroll the Quais de Bordeaux 5 km of beautifully restored riverside promenade perfect for walking, cycling, or watching the sunset
• Cannes: Stroll La Croisette at sunset The most glamorous free walk in France, with the Alps visible on clear evenings
• Chamonix: Promenade des Planards Walk A flat, scenic riverside walk along the Arve River through the heart of Chamonix with stunning mountain views at zero cost.
• Colmar: Wander the Tanner's Quarter (Quartier des Tanneurs) A photogenic maze of restored 17th-century tannery houses, no ticket, no crowds at dawn.
• Lyon: Parc de la Tête d'Or Huge urban park with a free zoo, botanical garden, and rose garden perfect for a full afternoon
• Marseille: Hike the Calanques Free access to dozens of trails leading to hidden coves and crystalline swimming spots, bring water and a picnic.
• Nice: Climb Castle Hill Best panoramic view in the city with no admission fee, take the free elevator or hike up through the park.