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France

Vive la France!

Land of Croissants, Castles, and Champagne!

Vive la France! A patchwork of vineyards, villages, slick cities and a rich rural tapestry, days in France can be as diverse as laid-back beach visits, followed by upmarket Michelin meals. There’s really no right or wrong way to see this incredible country, just as long as you take regular stops for French bread, paté and a crisp glass of white (in other words do as the French do).

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!

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.

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.

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.

People sitting overlooking view of Normandy

Visit the hidden gem of France

Head to Normandy and discover Mont Saint-Michel!

Visit Châteaux in France's Loire Valley

Pack a picnic today and discover the châteaux.

Live like a local

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

Cook Like a Parisian

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

Be your own skipper

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

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.

See the Mona Lisa Without the Crowds

Plan your perfect visit to the Louvre!

Canal boating along the Canal du Midi

France, Europe

Visit the Mona Lisa & stroll the Champ Elysees

France

France know before you go

Whether you’re dreaming of exploring the vineyards of Bordeaux, wandering the streets of Paris, or relaxing on the French Riviera, this guide is the lowdown on all things French.

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Meet our France specialists

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Courtney Cameron

House of Travel Tauranga: The Crossing

As your personal holiday builder I am here to take the stress out of your next holiday. Be it a family trip over the Tasman or romantic getaway to one of the sun soaked Pacific Islands, or maybe a bucket list destination trip.

I have had 10 years in the travel industry -made up mostly of being an International Flight Attendant. I have been lucky enough to travel to many places and experience many cultures. But there is always somewhere new to go!

I want to take the stress out of the planning so you can focus on the excitement of the trip. I am highly organized and like to ensure everything has been thought of and accounted for. Communicating clearly along the way with you so you feel confident and reassured.

Courtney

Chloe McKellar

House of Travel Wellington City

Customer service has always been drilled into me. After begging my way into a cafe job at 14, I then spent 12 years working in the hospitality industry supervising restaurants and managing specialty cafes which also founded my love for all different types of foods.

After spending 3 years in Melbourne, 6 months in South East Asia and a few years in the UK I finally made the switch to the travel industry where I have been able to share my love for travel and customer service ever since.

I made it through the dark years of COVID in the industry which has led me to know to dig that little bit deeper into my clients' travel plans to create that perfect trip, and ensure we really have the best option for you in terms of comfort, reliability, and service. As we just don't know what is round the corner, do we!

I've travelled extensively across Southeast Asia, UK and Europe, spent a lot of time exploring properties in Fiji (and relaxing by the beach), road tripped in California and in 2024 I visited South Africa in Feb, Japan, South Korea and Taipei! I've got many more places on my bucket list to visit, but if I haven't been, I've got a superb team of people behind me who have and we'll work out the best trip for you! My ultimate passion when I travel is trying local foods, and finding the best possible places to have that authentic experience that we wouldn't be able to have at home. So if that resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you and let's put together your foodie adventure, together :)

Chloe

Alison Jenkins

House of Travel Calder & Lawson

Having a love of travel, I completed a Bachelor of International Tourism Management in 2013.

After a 6 month stint working at Walt Disney World in Florida I returned to NZ and started my career in the travel industry.

After three years I was feeling the itch to travel again so I decided to embark on my second OE and moved to the UK. Living and working there allowed me to travel Europe extensively and my favourite country to date would be Poland. I returned to NZ in 2020.

Alison

Hannah Smaha

House of Travel Johnsonville

Creating a holiday to suit your needs and budget is one of my favourite things to do.

Whether it's based on my own experiences or researching an obscure destination that is on your bucket list, I can't wait to help you book your dream holiday.?

Hannah