There are many domestic airline carriers, and most cities will have an airport that caters to domestic France flights. International flights to France, however, are typically limited to the larger cities. Needless to say, the Charles de Gaulle Airport of Paris is a hub for many of the inbound international flights, and a frequent point of transfer for domestic flights. Paris Orly Airport also services the Paris region. Lyon, Marseille, Nice, and Toulouse are all accessible via airports that service international flights to France. Buses, sometimes railways stations, and taxis are among the available options for visitors to arrive at their downtown destinations. Many hotels offer complimentary airport shuttle services.

Weather in France

France is a relatively large country, with a varying landscape that results in regional weather differences. Unsurprisingly, the French Alps experience colder weather, and if you are planning a trip into any highlands, you are best served packing a sweater and some hiking boots. Summer is universally the best time for booking flights to France, since weather is cheerfully bright and hot, with bustling city centers and beaches. The Mediterranean coast is especially popular during the Cannes Film Festival of May. The Atlantic coast and northern regions of France tend to see greater levels of rainfall, cooler summers, and somewhat milder winters.

Getting Around France

There are many car rental companies that offer you some freedom to explore the scenic rural regions and coasts of France. Hitchhiking across the countryside has not only been frequently romanticized, it is a rather legitimate way to leisurely explore outlying areas between cities. Of course, as with most European countries, the train system is well developed, and will give you access to many of the smaller towns between the large cities. Buses and regional taxi companies operate within the borders of cities, towns, and provinces. Cycling is a beautiful way to experience any city or country region you decide to visit. Rental and service shops are frequently available.

France Attractions

• Paris. Stroll down the River Siene and take a break at a pedestrian cafe after exploring haute couture boutiques. Take the classic tour of the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and the Notre Dame Cathedral, and discover the Chateau des Versailles in the outlying west.
• Southeastern France. Melt into Mediterranean bliss on the French Riviera, stroll through the boutique-studded cobblestone boulevards in Cannes' old town, and immerse yourself in the fountain-graced art city of Aix-en-Provence.
• Central France. Pamper yourself in the spa-towns of Auvergne, delight in the famous vineyards of Burgundy, and explore the chateaux that dapple the region of Center-Val de Loire.
• Great West. Wander the exotic rose gardens of Thabor in Rennes or the Ile de Versailles Japanese garden in Nantes, sweep through narrow middle-aged alleys of Le Mans, and view Greco-Roman artifacts in the Pince Museum of Angers.
• Northeastern France. Experience the unique medley of Germanic and French cultures in the canal-laced city of Strasbourg, savor the famous Alsatian pastries in Colmar, and travel back in time to the medieval ambiance of Kaysersberg.