France has more than 500 golf courses on offer: Robert Trent Jones, Ballesteros, Nicklaus, Hawtree and Simpson have conceived some of Europe’s finest greens.
Whether you are a lover of traditional golf circuits, American-style courses, links, inland or mountain greens, Maison de la France has just what you’re looking for with France Golf International: a selection of golf courses unrivalled in Europe.
Combine quality golfing and French art de vivre with prime playing conditions and accommodation and confirmed starting times year-round.
France has enormously varied landscapes all along its 5,500 kilometre coastline. From the long beaches of the Landes to the rocky coasts of Brittany and the secret coves of the Mediterranean, take the coastal paths and explore nature, somewhere between land and sea.
Northern France has immense beaches, and the air is invigorating. From Le Touquet, you can explore the Opal Coast on foot or on horseback on trails starting from the town centre. A great route to start off with is the 16 km of the Argousier - and on your way to the dunes of "Croc-à-Marie", south of the resort, you might even catch a few shrimps!
The surf appears first in the Basque Country, where powerful breakers roll in majestically from the distant north west at Guéthary and Barre, at the bottom of that natural pocket so feared by sailors. And the Gulf Stream, a warm current washing our coasts, benefits micro-climates. That's where the "leash" and "go-home" are invented.
There's surf along the coasts of the Landes as well, where the breakers from the North Atlantic spend their power along the immense sandy beach extending from the Adour to the Garonne.
The surf virus catches on fast on the coasts of Vendée, Britanny and Normandy, in the colder waters, towards regions with a well-established maritime culture.
Even the Mediterranean … and the Corsicans can't resist surf mania. Here the surfer has to deal with shorter breakers coming from all parts of the Mediterranean, and winds from the land which are sometimes violent.
With over 8000 km of pistes, France has the largest ski areas in the world.
There is something for everyone, from family-oriented village resorts to the purpose-built resorts where you can ski from your doorstep. There is alpine skiing, nordic skiing, all the new snow-riding techniques, as well as a large range of "natural" activities (snow-shoes, dog-sledding, tours following marked routes...)
France's ski resorts are spread out through 7 major ski areas: the Northern Alps, the Southern Alps, the Pyrenees, the Vosges, the Jura, the Massif central and in Corsica. |
| Climate |
The north and northwest has a maritime climate which is changeable. Winters are usually mild, summers are moderate and rainfall occurs throughout the year. Southwestern France has a markedly warmer summer although it can be rather wet, and winters are usually mild. Central and eastern areas have a more continental climate with colder winters and a little warmer summers. Rainfall is usually low and tends to fall in summer. The Mediterranean coastlands have a warm/hot summer period when rainfall is scarce. Winters are usually mild although changeable cold weather can be brought by the northerly wind called the `Mistral'(which can blow at any time of the year). The mountainous areas are the wettest and coldest regions where much of the winter rain falls as snow. Summers are relatively fine although there are frequent and sudden periods of cloud and rain |
| Local Time |
From 31 Oct 04 to 27 Mar 05 GMT +1
From 27 Mar 05 to 30 Oct 05 GMT +2 |
| Health |
Participant of EU Health Insurance Card scheme which allows visitors on short-term stays to other member countries to use the public health care sector on the same terms as a local resident and provides all covered visitors with emergency and necessary care |
| Customs |
Import
Allowances
For persons of 17 years of age or older:
1) Travellers entering from non-EU countries:
a) 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250gr of tobacco
b) 1 lit of alcoholic drinks over 22° proof or 2 lit of up to 22° proof & 2 lit of still table wine
c) 60ml of perfume & 250ml of toilet water
d) Other goods to the value of EUR 175 (EUR 90 for persons under 15 years)
2) Travellers entering from EU countries (goods obtained duty & tax paid - guidance levels):
a) 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars & 1 kg of tobacco
b) 10 lit of alcoholic drinks over 22° proof, 20 lit of up to 22° proof, 90 lit wine (60 lit max of sparkling wine) & 110 lit of beer
c) Perfume, toilet water & other goods no limit
Currency
For persons of 17 years of age or older:
1) Travellers entering from non-EU countries:
a) 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250gr of tobacco
b) 1 lit of alcoholic drinks over 22° proof or 2 lit of up to 22° proof & 2 lit of still table wine
c) 60ml of perfume & 250ml of toilet water
d) Other goods to the value of EUR 175 (EUR 90 for persons under 15 years)
2) Travellers entering from EU countries (goods obtained duty & tax paid - guidance levels):
a) 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars & 1 kg of tobacco
b) 10 lit of alcoholic drinks over 22° proof, 20 lit of up to 22° proof, 90 lit wine (60 lit max of sparkling wine) & 110 lit of beer
c) Perfume, toilet water & other goods no limit |
| Passport & Visa |
The following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate
Required, but NOT by the following:
1) Holders of National Identity Cards or passports issued to nationals of Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Spain & Switzerland
1) Where a visa is not required, passport validity varies according to nationality, contact nearest embassy/consulate
2) Where a visa is required, passports must be valid for 3 months
The following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Nationals of France
2) For stays up to 90 days by:
a) Holders of passports endorsed `British Citizen'
b) Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (Blue passport holders only), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland Rep, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City & Venezuela |
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