France travel advice
Advice on traveling with kids
Chloe Knott, from our supplier, Exodus, shares her advice on traveling in France with kids:
“Before you book a French family vacation, ask yourself how far you’re prepared to walk each day, research what types of bikes are offered for children and whether they have those connecting bikes where kids can ride behind their parents, and ask your tour operator if the routes covered are on busy roads. For kids, food is often a big thing too, so ask about the catering facilities and whether the area provides children’s menus. In the Dordogne, the campsites are very much tailored for families and most of the local restaurants cater for possibly more picky children, but up in the Alps, you’re going to be offered hardier mountain food, which isn’t necessarily tailored for kids.”
Our France Vacations
Self guided walking vacation in France
Idyllic walking in France with great food and wine included
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€1450
6 days
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Snowshoeing in the French Alps
Guided snowshoeing in the Alps staying in luxury accom.
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€1396
8 days
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Winter activity vacation in the French Alps
A flexible winter multi activity vacation in the French Alps
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€698
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French Riviera yoga vacation
Authentic yoga and French hospitality on the Cote d'Azur
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€900
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French Alps self guided walking vacation
Catered Chalet Based Walking Vacation in the Giffre Valley
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Alternative family winter vacation in Sameons, France
Feb Half Term family Ski, Yoga & Adventure vacation, Alps
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Advice on refuge trekking
Robert Mason, from our supplier Mountainbug, shares his advice on refuge trekking:
“Refuge trekking along the high Pyrenees and Alps is a great way to explore some paths that are completely wild. Between points you stay in refuges, which are like small mountain hostels, a bit like a youth hostel in that it’s very communal with communal bunks, but in which you get a really good cooked meal and the chance to meet some interesting people. From mid-July, you can do high-level refuge trekking trips that can last for up to 40 days and travel right the way across the mountains. That’s a perfect time to come because the snow has melted and you can access high areas without crampons, ice axes and all the specialist gear. People worry that summer is too hot to trek in, but it’s not, for every 100m you travel up, you lose a degree in heat, so August is comfortable too – say you’re in the Pyrenees at 1,300m, while it’s 30 degrees down in Toulouse, you’ll be walking in the far more temperate 20s.”
Advice on choosing the right gite
Chloe Knott, from our supplier, Exodus, shares her advice on choosing the right gite:
“If you’re doing a walking trip between gites in France, there are specific gites that have specific accreditation for cleanliness and fantastic food; all have something a bit unique about them, perhaps baking their own bread, or making their own beer. There is a definite call for that now - people are looking for a higher standard of hut than perhaps the hardier walker of days gone by, so the accommodation has improved in line with that demand. A few years ago, most walking accommodation comprised one bug bunk bed where you all slept side by side, but we have a lot of trips where the bunk beds are now single as this seems to be more important to people. Understandably so too – sleeping in a row and being lumbered with the snorer in the group next to you can’t be fun! It’s a good thing to check before you go.”
Advice on getting off the beaten track
Sally Guillaume, from our supplier, Undiscovered Alps, shares her advice for getting off the beaten track in the mountains:
“The Valgaudemar Valley is a big, austere, narrow Alpine valley with glaciers and peaks of over 3,000m on either side and was discovered by famous Alpinist, Edward Whimper, but has never gained the reputation of say the Barre des Ecrins because the summit is a little bit lower, so it doesn’t hold the same kudos as doing a 4,000m peak. The advantage in terms of mountaineering is it’s totally off the beaten track, so you’re not going to be sharing a refuge with 200 other people and treading on their poo and rubbish outside. It’s feels how Alpinism was when Alpinism first started; fewer crowds and a fantastic climbing experience that makes you feel on top of the world, but with the advantage of being away from the honeypot.”
Our top France Vacation
French Riviera yoga vacation
Authentic yoga and French hospitality on the Cote d'Azur
From
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2023: 2 Apr, 9 Apr, 16 Apr, 7 May, 14 May, 21 May, 28 May, 4 Jun, 18 Jun, 2 Jul, 9 Jul, 16 Jul, 23 Jul, 30 Jul, 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, 27 Aug, 10 Sep, 17 Sep, 8 Oct, 15 Oct, 22 Oct, 29 Oct, 5 Nov
2023: 2 Apr, 9 Apr, 16 Apr, 7 May, 14 May, 21 May, 28 May, 4 Jun, 18 Jun, 2 Jul, 9 Jul, 16 Jul, 23 Jul, 30 Jul, 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, 27 Aug, 10 Sep, 17 Sep, 8 Oct, 15 Oct, 22 Oct, 29 Oct, 5 Nov
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Health & safety in France
FCO advice for France
Most visits are trouble free, however terrorism is sadly a reality of traveling in these times. France has suffered at the hands of terrorists’ activities, such as the coordinated attacks at the Stade de France and the Bataclan Theatre, as well as at cafes and restaurants in November 2015, when 130 people were killed. And then on the streets of Nice when a truck was deliberately driven into crowds in July 2016. The organisation Daesh (formerly referred to as ISIL), claimed responsibility for the attacks and a state of emergency is in place until July 2017. There have been several terrorist attacks on police and soldiers over the last few years too.The French government has launched an app to alert users about security incidents, called SAIP, or Système d’alerte et d’information des populations, in English and French. Always get up to date information at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advisory department before traveling to France.
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Tips from our travelers in France
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful France travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful France travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
Take binoculars, the wildlife is fascinating. You have to have a reasonable level of fitness, the Alp slopes are steep!![]()
- Lesley Munro
Book the Provence cooking and walking vacation. The local tours are great with good food - Alison Mott
Just enjoy what the hosts have organised for you as it is all very carefully thought out. We have been independent travelers for a long time and wanted to rush around and do so many other things but were glad we let everything be taken care for us! - Tammy Railton
If you plan only to hike and do not have a car, you should be able to work with the provided maps to work out possible alternative hikes. Your hosts will also help with alternative hikes and local detail. If you bike there are even more possibilities - Katherine Layton
Go with an open mind, and don't be afraid to ask questions (however many you have) before you go - Catherine Fish
Just enjoy what the hosts have organised for you as it is all very carefully thought out. We have been independent travelers for a long time and wanted to rush around and do so many other things but were glad we let everything be taken care for us! - Tammy Railton
If you plan only to hike and do not have a car, you should be able to work with the provided maps to work out possible alternative hikes. Your hosts will also help with alternative hikes and local detail. If you bike there are even more possibilities - Katherine Layton
Go with an open mind, and don't be afraid to ask questions (however many you have) before you go - Catherine Fish
Despite reading reviews about how well equipped our self-catering cottage in the Loire Valley was for families with young children, I still over packed![]()
- Becky Reid
If you like moderately strenuous walking, good company, excellent food and clean, tidy but informal "within a family home" accommodation, I'd strongly recommend guided walking in the Pyrenees. Go in late May/early June for maximum wildflower impact! - Caroline Rae
Do some hilly walks in preparation; take clothes for cool and wet, or hot and humid, or in-between weather; then just go for it, and enjoy the experience - H M Gill
We expected our young children to grumble about the hiking but in fact they exceeded all expectations and walked 5 steep miles per day for 3 days in a row. It's easy to under-estimate what your kids (and you) can do - Alison Godfrey
Do some hilly walks in preparation; take clothes for cool and wet, or hot and humid, or in-between weather; then just go for it, and enjoy the experience - H M Gill
We expected our young children to grumble about the hiking but in fact they exceeded all expectations and walked 5 steep miles per day for 3 days in a row. It's easy to under-estimate what your kids (and you) can do - Alison Godfrey
More about France
For the best time to go to France, read more about all the different regions, festivals, temperature and je ne sais quoi…
How on earth we pack everything into our France travel guide is beyond me however, pack it all in we do and if you’re looking for what we rate & what we don’t as well as Responsible Travel’s best & worst high and low lights then read on to discover France like a local, cuisses de grenouilles and all.
There are so many stunning areas to go to in France and some more famous than others. It is also packed with hidden gems…
The French Alps are so big, it’s hard to know where to start. Let us show you the way. And there are many beautiful ways…
Like rebellious cousins to the goody two-shoes Alps, the French Pyrenees are all about the jagged peaks, the moody landscapes and the rugged terrain…
The Mercantour National Park is glorious mix of Alpes Maritimes and Alpes de Haute Provence. All just an hour north of Nice. Which is nice...
With approaches from France, Switzerland and Italy, Mont Blanc is a tripartite triumph of nature. Climb it, circumnavigate it, camp on it or go chic on it…
Rural idylls, walking trails, quaint historic market towns and spectacular marshlands, Poitou-Charentes is France without the fancy bits. Just the real and absolutely beautiful bits…
Provence vacations take you into a landscape immortalised in painting, literature and film. Medieval cities, olive groves, perched villages and superb food…
The Dordogne’s eponymous river is its pièce de résistance, winding through ancient bastide (fortified) towns and dramatic limestone gorges adorned with perched chateaux.
France is perfect en famille. With a great variety of vacations too from trekking with a donkey to white water rafting. Allez les enfants!...
From vacation homes, to hunting and pollution in the mountains our responsible tourism tips are all you need to travel better in France…
Find all of our France guides in one place, for particular places in France such as Corsica, the Alps or Poitou-Charentes. Or a range of activities vacations too of course...
