Driving in France: Advice & Tips
If you are planning to take the wheel when in France, remember to avoid alcohol. France has stricter drunk driving laws than many countries; the alcoh...
Find out more about driving in France
Other places to visit in France
Every tour of France must start in Paris, one of the world’s great cities. The City of Lights is home to the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Trio...
Popular tourist destinations to visit in France
History of France
France’s human history goes back about 40,000 years, and the country has several important archaeological sites that attest to this ancient human habitation. The Celts are the first in written history to settle France, as Gaul, as the area was known then. Gaul became an important part of the Roman Empire into the 5th century A.D., and the country still has many beautiful and fascinating Roman ruins.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, France was a perennial player in continental wars and diplomatic affairs, often in a triangle with England and Spain. During the High Renaissance, the country overtook Italy as the cultural center of the Western world, and art, music, literature and philosophy flowered. In the 20th century, France saw many of the bloodiest battles of both World Wars. To soak in the monumental history of the country, hire a car in France and see the elegance, beauty and brutality of this historic country.
The geography of France
France is a country with beautiful landscapes. About 70 percent of France is covered by the Alps, the Pyrenees, or the Vosges mountain ranges. Indeed, the highest mountain in Europe, Mont Blanc, is located in the French Alps. Barring northern France, the country’s landscape may be described as four river basins and a plateau. Three of the streams that flow westward are the River Seine into the English Channel, the Loire into the Atlantic, and the Garonne into the Bay of Biscay. The river Rhône flows south into the Mediterranean. When you get to the coast, delight in the decadence that is the French Riviera. France, with its lush green forests, sparkling rivers and magnificent mountains has such a varied geographical terrain to offer that to arrange for a cheap car hire in France and then set out to explore the landscape would be the ideal thing to do.
Weather in France
Though France is just about 80 percent the size of Texas, its weather can vary greatly from region to region. Weather in France can be a crucial factor when planning a France vacation. It would do you good to know exactly how rainy Paris is, how sunny Nice and just how much snow to expect in the Alps. The Mediterranean beaches are close to the Alps and Pyrenees, and the climate on the coast versus that in the mountains is quite different. There can be downright chilly days, even in July, while Nice can be balmy even in the middle of winter. To safeguard yourself from the unpredictable weather in French cities, it is best to hire car in France and explore the countryside in a carefree manner. The Northern French cities and mountain areas are generally much colder than the Southern France cities along the Mediterranean. In France you get to experience a smorgasbord of weather conditions ranging from continental to oceanic, from semi-continental to Mediterranean and alpine. It is surprising to know that while Nice and Perpignan are among the warmest cities in Europe, places like Strasbourg and Rouen are among the coldest!