France

France is situated in western Europe between the Mediterranean Sea and the English Channel.  It borders Germany and Switzerland to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. 

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR FRANCE
Find out about European Travel Insurance.

There are many convenient ways to travel between the UK and France nowadays, especially with the Channel Tunnel link and Eurostar rail service.  Those who choose not to fly also have the option of making the trip by ferry. 

France is a country that offers a wealth of experiences: from the beaches and glamour of the Cote d’Azur, snow-capped mountains, fashionable and historic cities, delicious French cuisine, wine growing areas, to its rugged northern coast with battlefield sites and associated history.

The Alps are world famous for great skiing and glamorous resorts such as: Chamonix, Tignes, Courchevel, Meribel, Les Deux Alpes, Les Arcs, and Val d’Isere.

SKI INSURANCE FOR FRANCE
Whether you plan to ski, snowboard, or participate in another winter sport, it is important to have proper ski and winter sports travel insurance.

As in most major cities of the world, and tourist hot spots, always be alert to the possibility of street crime and pickpockets.  Tourists tend to be targeted at places such as crowded attractions and venues, airports, car rental desks, and rail and bus stations. 

The Channel Tunnel (a.k.a. Chunnel or Eurotunnel) provides a rail link between England and France, with ongoing connections to other areas of Europe. The tunnel is approximately 30 miles long and buried 42 metres (140’) under the English Channel.  If you plan to take your vehicle across we highly recommend Vehicle Rescue Direct Car and Motorcycle Breakdown cover. Visit the web site at www.vehicle-rescue.com.

If you plan to take a vehicle over to France or rent a car and drive in France it is important to be aware of the rules of the road and laws, as there are some significant differences.  For example, it is compulsory to carry a reflective jacket and warning triangle in a vehicle. Those under 17 years of age are not allowed to drive, even if they hold a valid license from their own country.  On-the-spot fines are given for speeding violations and in-car radar detectors are illegal! The FCO website includes advice and further links to motoring organisations.

Calais is a very busy port with miles of sandy beaches and a war museum. The marina is busy with boating activities. Calais is a popular stop off point for shoppers. Note that industrial action occasionally hits the Channel ports in France, so if you plan to use the ferries it may be wise to keep an eye on the news and call and check with your travel company before leaving home.

The romantic capital city of Paris, also known as The City of Lights, offers plenty of excitement and attractions to keep visitors busy.  Art lovers will make a beeline for The Louvre to see the famous Mona Lisa and other artwork. The Pompidou Centre is the place for contemporary art, or the Musee d’Orsay or Musee Rodin where many of Rodin’s beautiful sculptures can be admired. No trip to Paris is complete without a photo taken at the Eiffel Tower.

Disneyland Paris (Euro Disney) is a magical place for kids and a welcome escape from reality for kidults. The attraction incorporates many hotels, restaurants, and facilities, as well as a golf course.

The city of Bordeaux is a lively and cosmopolitan city, situated in southwestern France in the heart of the wine country. It is also a busy port city. Tours of the wineries are always popular.

The city of Dijon, situated in the eastern part of France, is the historical capital of Burgundy. Dijon is known for its mustard, but more precisely for the method used. Dijon is also in the heart of the Burgundy wine area.

Lyon is situated in the eastern central part of the country, on the rivers Rhone and Saone. It is home to Interpol headquarters and close to the Beaujolais and Cotes du Rhone wine regions.

The South of France and the French Riviera (a.k.a. Cote d’Azur) offers fantastic tourist destinations with beautiful places to visit such as Marseille, Toulon, Arles, Provence, Dordogne and Languedoc. Glamorous resorts such as Cannes, Nice, Antibes, and St. Tropez are a magnet for beach and watersports lovers.

Marseille is the second largest city in France. It has an old town and thriving port and offers plenty of culture and history. The nearby picturesque islands gave birth to the legend of the Count of Monte Cristo. It has plenty of beaches and opportunities to participate in watersports.

Monaco is an expensive and sophisticated resort situated close to Nice on the French Riviera.  Because of its proximity to France visitors often make an excursion into Monaco.  Monaco is a Principality and an independent country and not a member of the EU.  Therefore, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid.  It is very important to have comprehensive travel insurance when visiting Monaco.  

We recommend a visit to the website of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website for updated travel advice for France, provided as part of their ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign.  

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO - FRANCE
Useful travel advice from the Foreign & Commonweath Office for travel to France.
Click Here

Visitors should remember that although the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides free emergency medical care in France (if eligible) this does not extend to the Principality of Monaco.  The EHIC should never be used as a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance.

To call for emergency services in France use the EU-wide number: 112.

Disclaimer: While we have tried to ensure the information in this Travel Guide is correct we do not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy, or the content of external links.

Inclusion in this Travel Guide does not guarantee travel insurance is available in any country at any given time. Travel Insurance is not available in countries where the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) have issued an advisory against travel.

You are strongly advised to visit the FCO website for updated travel information and general travel advice before you travel.