Holidaying in France: Paris and Nice

France is the world's most popular tourist destination*November is the time of the Paris International Photo
and with good reason. From the cultural splendour ofFair.
Paris to the snowcapped ski resorts in the FrenchNice: jewel of the Côte d'Azur
Alps to the golden beaches of the south, France hasAn Italianate ambiance and cobblestoned old town
treasures in every corner. And there are wonderfulgives Nice an irresistible charm. Add to this a vibrant
hotels, too. Check on the internet for the range, locationsocial life, great shopping and a delightful five-mile
and cost of hotels in Franceseafront and you've got the recipe for a perfect
Paris: city of light, fashion and romancevacation spot.
Think of Paris and see what images cascade throughThe beaches are mainly rocks and pebbles but the
your mind - chic cafes, broad boulevards, Seinewater is warm (20-25°C in summer)and clear and
riverboats, the Eiffel tower, Notre Dameit's just a short hop to nearby Cannes and St
Cathedral....Paris is the quintessential capital of romanceTropeztransport:getting there and getting around
and style, the home of chic.transport:getting there andNice International Airport is around six kilometres out of
getting aroundtown. Nice is also served by fast, extensive rail and
Charles de Gaulle airport is the main gateway to thebus networks. And there are ferries to Corsica. You
country. France also boasts an impressive rail network.can best explore the city on foot and if you're feeling
It will whisk you anywhere in the country and also toindulgent you can hire a yacht.accommodation:from
London, Amsterdam and Brussels. There are alsocheap stays to luxury resorts
ferries to the UK and Ireland.There are a wide range of accommodation in Nice.
Paris is a great walkers' city and there's always theCheck on the internet for the range, location and cost
metro if you get footsore or too hot. However, Paris isof Hotels in Nice.climate
not cyclist-friendly. The river boats are most of aMild is the perfect word to describe the climate in Nice.
sightseeing vehicle than a means of transport.Daily temperatures average around 15 C, surging up to
Accommodation: from cheap stays to luxury resorts40 C in July-August. Winters are mild too with
Check on the internet for the range, location and costtemperatures rarely getting lower than 5 C.events
of Paris hotels.climate*Carnival in the second half of February features lavish
The climate is temperate and Paris's location in a basinparades of giant figures in papier-mache hats. Carnival
gives it France's lowest average rainfall. .eventsends on the evening of Mardi Gras with a spectacular
A love of celebration is part of the national characterfireworks display.
so there's no shortage of events in Paris.*There are also a number of religious events of
*Designers showcase their spring collection duringinterest. In June, the city celebrates the patron saints of
Paris Fashion Week in early March.St Peter and St John with processions and masses in
*The grand event of the year is Bastille Day on 14 July.the churches.
As the country's national day, it's a time for serious*The big event in summer is the Nice Jazz Festival
celebration with fireworks, parades and riotous streetheld in July. The festival attracts top international artists.
parties.