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France

Vive la France!


Sip, savour and explore

France truly is the gift that keeps on giving: think vineyard-covered hillsides, enchanting villages, chic city streets, and rolling countryside dotted with historic charm. Spend dreamy days wandering Parisian avenues, exploring Bordeaux’s famed vineyards, or lounging in style on the sun-kissed shores of the French Riviera.

In France, life’s little pleasures are celebrated - freshly baked baguettes, rich paté, world-class cheeses, and of course, exquisite wines. Whether you're after culture-filled city breaks, relaxing coastal escapes, or countryside tranquillity, France delivers unforgettable moments at every turn.

Whether you’re dreaming of exploring the vineyards of Bordeaux, wandering the streets of Paris, or relaxing on the French Riviera, chat to our France travel specialists and let’s find your perfect holiday today!

DID YOU KNOW?

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Flight time

The flight from Auckland to France takes about 24 hours with a stopover. It’s a lengthy trip, but you’ll be rewarded with incredible landscapes, cuisine, and culture.

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Best time to go

The best time to visit France is from April to June and September to October. These months offer pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and the chance to enjoy France’s charm without the summer heat.

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Time difference

France is 10 hours behind New Zealand, so there will be a time difference to adjust to.

Our favourite things to do in France

Stroll through the Champs Elysees

The treasures of the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe and the elegant Champs Elysées – all are essential Paris. But be prepared to immerse yourself into the local culture.

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People sitting overlooking view of Normandy

Visit the hidden gem of France

Head to Normandy and discover Mont Saint-Michel!

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Chambord

Visit Châteaux in France's Loire Valley

Pack a picnic today and discover the châteaux.

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Villa in the South of France

Live like a local

Press pause and catch your breath as you take the time to appreciate the simpler things in life.

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Family at cooking class

Cook Like a Parisian

Learn the tips and tricks of how to make the French delights!

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View of Eiffel Tower

Be your own skipper

Want to explore France in a fun, stress-free way with the kids?

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Boats sitting in St Tropez France

River cruising on the South of France

Set sail for the Mediterranean, indulging in French cuisine as you float past picture-perfect châteaux and lively towns.

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Mona Lisa painting

See the Mona Lisa Without the Crowds

Plan your perfect visit to the Louvre!

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Your Europe adventure starts here - Download our Europe Brochure

Packed with expert tips, insider info and bucket-list inspiration for your next unforgettable Europe getaway

Meet our France specialists

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Jared Wilson

Jared Wilson

House of Travel Christchurch City


No. of countries visited: 40+ 

Favourite place to visit: Anywhere in South America

Next place on the list to visit: Kenya


Quote: “Never pass up a bathroom”

About me: With over 2 years of solo travel across 40+ countries, I am passionate about immersing myself in new cultures and uncovering the unique experiences each destination has to offer. Fluent in Spanish, Latin America is my particular area of experience and expertise. Whether you're after an exciting adventure or a peaceful getaway, I’m committed to designing a memorable and seamless trip tailored specifically to you. 

Why I love travel: It allows me to escape the sometimes repetitive nature of daily life. I enjoy experiencing new places or returning to ones that I love. I like making connections with people from places around the world and having experiences that can’t be replicated.

My travel tips:

  • Meet the locals Almost all of my favourite and most cherished travel experiences have involved meeting and making friends with the local people. It is a sure-fire way to have a more unique and intimate holiday experience.
  • When in Rome A cliché but one to that will enrich your travel, observe how the locals live and learn from it. Try the local brew or dish, join in on the fun. Also respect local customs and traditions, this will allow a richer and safer experience.
  • Expect the unexpected- Be ready for unforeseen circumstances that will inevitably occur at some point during a trip. If you are expectant and prepared for troublesome scenarios you can save yourself a lot of grief. After all, you want to make your break from reality as stress free as possible.

My top 3 favourite destinations:

  • Colombia- An up and coming travel destination, a country cursed with the reputation earned from its past. It is extremely geographically diverse and amazing bang for your buck. I still haven’t found a country with warmer and friendlier people.
  • Spain- A country full of amazing destinations to discover, with a rich history and a world class gastronomical scene. The fun loving people, the nightlife and the picturesque towns with uniquely their Spanish architecture are a must experience.
  • Mexico- Mexico is a country which is truly fascinating, an amazing place to get to know. It’s a big country with lots to explore - like the US it is made up of states (32), the more you see the more you’ll want to see. It is full of the most beautiful places you’ve never heard of. The locals are extremely friendly and of course the cuisine one of the best and most famous on the globe.

What’s in my suitcase:

  • Spare phone, cables and a travel adaptor- Fact is electronics are a very important travel tool and to be prepared is important so you don’t have to go in the dark.
  • A Journal- A great way to record all the little details and memorable moments. When moving fast and or experiencing a lot we naturally forget things. Writing it down will help to recall in future and also to have what you’ve written forever is something special.
  • Travel cubes- Will help you to keep your suitcase nice and organised for easy packing and ultimately will save you time making things easier to find.

My most memorable travel stories:

  • Walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain together with part of the Camino Portugues from Lisbon to Porto – totalling 1200kms. My hiking shoes broke so I did the last 1000kms in Sandals.
  • Doing a 32 day Top Deck bus tour around Europe. Easily one of the best months of my life full of laughs and all round good times. I made some strong friendships and saw a lot in such a short space of time.


Jared

Carmel Layton

Carmel Layton

House of Travel Nelson

Hi, I’m Carmel Layton. Travel has been a huge part of my life from my first trip overseas as a 6 year old to travelling independently in my twenties and I have travelled to over 72 countries around the world, it has always been a key ingredient in my life.

I am an experienced and passionate travel professional with over 15 years in the industry. From a short South Pacific getaway to a trip around the globe, I look forward to helping you realise your travel dreams.

Carmel
Catherine Johnson

Catherine Johnson

House of Travel Ashburton

Travel is my passion and to be able to share this with others is the best part of my job!

I love all aspects of travel-adventure, food, culture, relaxation and most importantly making life long memories.

Whether you're looking for a thrill-seeking adventure or a peaceful island escape, I can’t wait to help you plan the trip of a lifetime.

Catherine
Wendy Harrison

Wendy Harrison

House of Travel Rotorua

I am an adventure seeker with a passion for exploring the world and experiencing everything it has to offer. I'm always on the lookout for new and exciting experiences and have a particular love for small group tours and adventures. Whether it's cruising in the Galapagos Islands or exploring new cities, I love the intimacy and camaraderie that comes with traveling in small groups. 

When I'm not adventuring, you can often find me at live sports and events, cheering on my favourite teams and soaking up the excitement of the crowd. Or I'm equally at home soaking up the sun during a beautiful island beach holiday.  

I also have a love for cruising and have had the opportunity to explore new destinations such as the Mediterranean, the coastlines of Spain and Portugal, the Rhône and Saône Rivers in Southern France, canal boating in England, and cruising across the Tasman. All while enjoying the comforts and amenities of life on the water. 

One of my favourite pastimes is people watching whether it's from a cafe in Paris or on the streets of New York. For me, there is nothing more fascinating than observing the unique and diverse cultures of the world and the interactions of the people within them. I'm always seeking out new experiences and adventures, driven by a deep curiosity and a thirst for knowledge and understanding. 

Wendy

Customer holidays snaps

Best. France Holidays. Ever!

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