France Beach Holidays

You can travel without a visa to France for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for purposes like tourism or visiting.

Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before your arrival date and it must expire at least 3 months after your planned departure from the Schengen area.

Prepare to possibly show proof of travel insurance, sufficient money for your stay, proof of accommodation, and a return or onward ticket.

You may be asked to provide a welcome invitation from your host if you are staying with family or friends.

Your first entry into the Schengen area may require you to register your biometric details like fingerprints and a photo at the border, so allow extra time.

Declare any cash or travellers cheques with a value of 10,000 euros or more when entering France.

You cannot take meat, milk, or products containing them into France, with limited exceptions like baby food.

Thieves and pickpockets often work in teams on the Paris Metro, RER trains, and at main stations, so keep your valuables separate and use inside compartments.

Be alert to drink spiking in bars and nightclubs, buy your own drinks and always keep them in sight, as drinks in France are often stronger than in the UK.

You must carry an accepted form of ID, such as your passport or photocard driving licence, as you may be required to show it within four hours.

Covering your face in public places, including with balaclavas or full veils, is illegal and can result in a fine of up to 150 euros.

When driving, be aware that France has strict drink-driving laws with a lower alcohol limit than the UK, and police frequently conduct roadside checks.

When swimming at beaches, always follow the lifeguard flag warning systems as local sea conditions, including dangerous undercurrents and riptides, can be hazardous.

Ensure your winter tyres or chains are fitted if driving in certain mountain regions from 1 November to 31 March to avoid a fine.

Vehicles driven in central Paris, Lyon, and Grenoble on weekdays must display a pollution sticker, and some older high-emission vehicles are banned.

Be aware that causing a wildfire, even accidentally, is illegal and can lead to fines or prison sentences, particularly in high-risk areas during summer.