France Holidays
Riviera glamour, Corsican coves, and Brittany's wild Atlantic shore. Plan your France beach holiday with flights, hotels, weather, and travel tips.
Today
Weather in France
Thu
Fri
Sat
SPF level in France
Autumn
SPF 30
Spring
SPF 30
Summer
SPF 50
Winter
SPF 15
Entry requirements for France
You can travel to France without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism.
Your passport must have a date of issue less than 10 years before you arrive and an expiry date at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area.
You must be prepared to show proof of travel insurance, sufficient money for your stay, proof of accommodation, and a return or onward ticket at border control.
Your first entry into the Schengen area may require you to register your biometric details such as fingerprints and a photo at a special booth before immigration.
If you are staying with friends or family, you may be asked to provide an original 'attestation d'accueil' invitation obtained by your host from their local mayor's office.
Good to know:
When leaving the Schengen area by plane, allow extra time to reach your departure gate as new biometric checks may take place before boarding.
You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into France, with exceptions for items like powdered baby milk, baby food, and special medical foods.
Safety in France
France is tourist-friendly but has some key cultural and legal rules:
Keep your passport, credit cards, and valuables in separate places and use inside compartments in bags to reduce the risk of pickpocketing, especially on public transport.
Buy your own drinks and always keep them in your sight to avoid them being spiked with 'date rape' drugs.
Be aware that the drink-driving alcohol limit in France is a third lower than in England and Wales, and police often do roadside checks.
Check current weather and sea conditions before swimming and always follow the beach flag warning system as there can be dangerous undercurrents.
When driving in certain mountain regions from November to March, your vehicle must be fitted with winter tyres or chains to avoid a fine.
Bonus tips:
You must be able to show proof of your identity, like a passport or photocard driving licence, if asked by police.
Covering your face in public places with items like balaclavas or veils is illegal and can result in a fine.
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Driving in France
A valid UK driving license is required. Display a UK sticker on your car unless it has EU number plates.
Side of the road
Right
Motorway speed limit
130 km/h (110 km/h in wet conditions)
Urban speed limit
50 km/h
Alcohol limit
0.05%
Remember: France drives on the right. Take extra care at junctions if you normally drive on the left.
Health in France
As a UK resident, you can use a valid UK-issued Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access state-provided healthcare in France. However, it's still recommended to have comprehensive travel insurance, as GHIC/EHIC might not cover all costs, including repatriation or private medical care.
No vaccinations required
Generally, France has high standards of public health. No specific vaccinations are required for entry. Tap water is safe to drink. Be aware of potential heatwaves in the summer and take necessary precautions. Standard health advice applies: practice good hygiene, be mindful of food safety, and consult your doctor regarding any pre-existing conditions.
Cards & payments
Cards are widely accepted, especially in tourist areas and larger establishments.
Visa
High
Mastercard
High
American Express
Medium
Lost card? Call Visa: +1 303 967 1096
Tipping in France
Tipping is customary in France for good service, but it is not obligatory as service charges are often included. Leaving a small tip is appreciated to acknowledge satisfactory service.
Restaurant
5-10% of the bill if service is not included (vérifiez l'addition pour 'service compris'). If the service is already included and you were extremely pleased, leave a few extra euros.
Bar/Café
Round up the bill or leave a euro or two.
Taxi
Round up the fare to the nearest euro or add 5-10% for exceptional service.
Hotel Porter
1-2 EUR per bag.
Hotel Housekeeper
1-2 EUR per day of stay, left at the end of the stay.
Tour Guide
5-10 EUR per person for a good tour.
Mobile & roaming
Since Brexit, EU roaming regulations no longer automatically apply to UK mobile users. Check with your mobile provider about roaming charges in France. Many providers offer add-ons or daily rates for using your UK allowance in Europe, but rates can be high if you do not opt-in to a specific roaming package.
Local SIM
20 GB for 30 EUR (~£25)
Network coverage
4G, 5G
Electrical in France
Voltage
230V / 50Hz
Plug types
Type E, Type C
UK adapter needed
WiFi & internet
WiFi is widely available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and public spaces, especially in tourist areas and larger cities.
Average speed
50 Mbps
France has good internet connectivity. Free WiFi is common, but speeds can vary. Mobile data is also reliable.
Emergency numbers
Universal emergency
112
Police
17
Ambulance
15
Fire
18
Save 112 in your phone before travelling.
Calling France
Country code
33
To call France from abroad, dial 33 followed by the local number.
UK Embassy
35 rue du Faubourg St Honoré, 75008 Paris, France
Phone
+33 (0)1 44 51 31 00
Website
Paris-Charles De Gaulle Airport
Paris Orly Airport
Nice Cote D'Azur Airport
Marseille Provence Airport
Lyon Saint-Exupery Airport
Toulouse-Blagnac Airport
Recent updates
Safety
New warnings for French National Day (Bastille Day) events in Paris on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 July.
Vehicle access restricted in some Paris areas on Tuesday 14 July from 06:00 to 15:00.
Parking restrictions in some areas from 07:00 Monday 13 July to 15:00 Tuesday 14 July.
Certain metro and RER stations closed on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 July.
Wildfire risk is now highest in the south, particularly the Mediterranean coast, Corsica, and the south-west during hot, dry weather.
You should now check the French weather service's fire alert map before travelling and monitor local advice, as access to countryside and tourist sites may be restricted at short notice.
There is now a specific warning that France has a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October.
Extreme heat warnings are now specifically highlighted as a summer risk across France.
Advice includes checking Meteo France forecasts and reading NHS heat safety guidance.
Travellers are advised to check with providers and follow local authority advice.
All warnings about the G7 Summit in Evian from 15-17 June 2026 have been removed. This includes the need for a digital pass from 11-17 June.
All warnings about French-Swiss border closures from 12-18 June and severe delays have been removed.
G7 Summit will take place in Evian from 15-17 June 2026.
Digital pass now required from 11-17 June for access to certain areas in Evian by foot, car, or public transport.
Several border crossings between France and Switzerland will be closed from 12-18 June, with severe delays expected at others.
Entry Requirements
If you depart the Schengen area by plane, allow extra time to reach your departure gate as EES checks may take place before boarding.
If you believe your EES record is incorrect or you are exempt, approach border officials on your next Schengen crossing to request a correction.
Natural Disasters
The detailed alert for specific wildfires in Gironde and Landes has been removed.
The affected area now includes the department of Landes in addition to Gironde.
A specific public information line (+33 (0)9 70 80 90 40) is now available for wildfire enquiries, open from 09:00 to 17:00.
Authorities advise monitoring active wildfires using the official French wildfire map: Feux de Forêt.
Wildfires are now active in parts of Gironde, including around Le Porge and Lège-Cap-Ferret.
French authorities have evacuated some campsites and tourist accommodation.
Access to affected areas may be restricted and roads may close at short notice.
A large fire near Bordeaux Airport is likely to cause flight disruption.
Some roads around Bordeaux Airport have been temporarily closed.
Check with your travel operator before travelling, including for connecting flights.
Beaches in France
Agon-Coutainville beach
Albigny beach
almanarre beach
Anse Corps de Garde
Anse de Grande Saline
Anse de Toiny
Anse Figuier
Anse Laborde Beach
Anse Mabouya
Arone beach
Baie des Tortues
Beach of Arromanches
beach of Criel-sur-Mer
Beach of Dieppe
Beach of Étretat
Beach of Fécamp
Beach of Le Tilleul
beach of Pourville
Beach of Trouville
Beach of Veulettes-sur-Mer
Bonporteau Beach
Boucan Canot Beach
Brouis Beach
Cala beach
Calanque de la Triperie
Calanque de l'Œil de Verre
Calanque de l'Oule
Calanque de Maubois
Calanque de Morgiou
Calanque de Niolon
Calanque de Port-Miou
Calanque de Sormiou
Calanque de Sugiton
Calanques de Piana
Callelongue
Canella beach
Cap Macré Beach
Carnon-Plage
Châtelet beach (Tardinghen)
Coco beach
Confluence Beach
Corréjou beach
Côte des Basques, Biarritz
Cran-aux-Oeufs
Cran Poulet
Cros dei Pin beach
Deauville beach
Devenson
En-Vau
Erbaju beach
Espiguette
Ficaghjola Beach
Figuerolles
Fréjus Beach
Gardanne's cave beach
Gigaro Beach
Gold Beach
Grande Anse
Grande Anse, Réunion
Grande Conque Beach
Grande plage
Grande Plage, Biarritz
Grande plage de Carnac
Grande plage de Houat
Grande plage de Saint-Lunaire
Graniers Beach
Hamouro Beach
Hossegor central beach
Impérial beach
Isthme De Miquelon-Langlade
Juno Beach
Lafitenia
La Franqui
La Souris Chaude
Le Minou
Le Plat Gousset
Les Génerelles Beach
Long Bay beach
Lozari Beach
Mala beach
Marbella Beach
Men Du Beach
Milady Beach
Mimbeau beach
Minimes Beach
Moudou Beach
Mtsanga Saziley
Musicale Plage
Naturist Beach Les Jaunais
Notre-Dame Beach
Omaha Beach
Ondarraitz beach
Ostriconi beach
Paloma beach
Palombaggia
Pampelonne
Pargan Beach
Pen Hat beach
Pereire Beach
Petite Plage
Pinarellu Beach
Plage de Algajola
Plage de Bois Jolan
Plage de Bonnegrâce
plage de Bonne Source
Plage de Bonsecours
Plage de Campomoro
Plage de cancale
Plage de Clugny
Plage de Corz
Plage de Donnant
Plage de Ghignu
Plage de Gosselin
Plage de Kerminihy
Plage de Kerouriec
Plage de Kervillen
Plage de la Boirie
Plage de la Chambre d'Amour, Anglet
Plage de la Croix des Marins
Plage de la Fourberie
Plage de la Grande-Conche
Plage de la Hoguette
Plage de l'Alga
Plage de la Madrague, Anglet
plage de la Malouine
plage de la Mine d'Or
Plage de la Moutte
Plage de la Pointe aux Chevaux
Plage de l'Argentière
Plage de l'Arinella
Plage de la Roya
Plage de la Salinette
Plage de la Salis, Antibes
Plage de la Vieille église
Plage de l'Écluse
Plage de l'Ermitage
Plage de l'Étang-Salé
Plage de l'Éventail
Plage de Longchamp
Plage de Magaud
Plage de Marinella
Plage de Piémanson
Plage de Pompierre
Plage de Port Lin
Plage de Port-Mer
plage de Port-Riou
Plage de Rochebonne
Plage de Rocroy
Plage de Roseau
plage de Sainte-Marguerite
Plage de Saint-Énogat
Plage de Saint-Estève
Plage des Bas Sablons
Plage des Catalans
Plage des Cavaliers, Anglet
Plage des Chevrets
Plage des fosses
plage des fossettes
plage des fourmis
Plage des Godelins
Plage des Huttes
plage des Libraires
Plage des Nonnes
Plage de Sohoa
Plage des Raisins Clairs
Plage des Roches Noires
Plage des Sables Blancs
Plage des Sablettes
Plage des Salines
Plage des salins
Plage de Tamaricciu
Plage de Tamarone
Plage de Trescadec
Plage de Trez-Goarem
Plage de Viard
Plage d'Eyrac
Plage du Betey
Plage du Buse
Plage du Centre Ville Point Zéro
plage du Débarquement
Plage du Diamant
Plage du Fazzio
Plage du Grand Capo
Plage du Havre
Plage du Métro
Plage du Minihic
Plage du Miramar, Biarritz
Plage du Môle
plage du Nau
Plage du petit Nice
Plage du petit Spérone
plage du Pont
Plage du Ponteil, Antibes
Plage du Port-Blanc
Plage du port Vieux, Biarritz
Plage du Préfet
Plage du Prieuré
Plage du Ris
Plage du Salus
Plage du Sillon
Plage du Souffleur
plage du Touquet-Paris-Plage
Plage du Tremblet
Plage du Val
Plage du Vasouy
Plage naturiste Cap d'Agde
Plages de Montsarrac
Plages de Moya
Plages du Prado
Platja dels Pins
Platja de Sant Vicenç
Pompierre Beach
Port Blanc, Locmaria
Port-Pin
Racou beach
Rayol Beach
Richelieu beach
Richelieu Beach
Rondinara Beach
Saint-Colomban beach
Saint-Michel-en-Grève beach
Saint-Pierre beach
Sakouli
Sakouli Beach
Saleccia beach
Salins beach
Santa Giulia beach
Sillon de Talbert
Sword Beach
Tahiti plage
Tamarissière beach
Trestraou Beach
Trestrignel Beach
Trevani Beach
Trez-Hir
Utah Beach
Valentin beach
Frequently asked Questions
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, AtoBeach cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. We recommend verifying details with official sources before travelling.