France
With its excellent rail network, France is a great destination for a holiday combining two or more destinations. Eurostar’s revamped high-speed service from London means that you can now be in Paris in little over two hours and after a few days in the capital you can be on your way to one of the four corners of France on an efficient and comfortable TGV service. If your journey requires you to change stations in Paris, a Kirker transfer will help to smooth your way. For destinations such as Lyon and Bordeaux, a connection through Lille simply involves a change of platform. We would also be happy to recommend self-drive holidays in Normandy, Brittany or the Loire Valley using Brittany Ferries, or itineraries in Southern France combining flights, car hire and a selection of our wonderful rural hotels. We would be delighted to discuss your requirements and come up with a holiday that makes the most of the time and the budget that you have available.
Short Break
Grand Hotel Bellevue
Lille, France
superior
Situated right on the Grand Place, the Bellevue is perhaps the best-located hotel in Lille: walking distance from Lille Europe station as well as the Palais des Beaux-Arts, one of the oldest and finest art collections in France.
What's Included
Short Break
Cour du Corbeau
Strasbourg, France
superior
The ‘Courtyard of the Crow’ first opened as a hotel in 1528 and has played a role in the history of Strasbourg over the following 500 years: Prussian King Frederick the Great stayed here incognito in 1740.
Short Break
Regent Petite France & Spa
Strasbourg, France
deluxe
Metal, glass, designer and hi-tec furnishings make up the very contemporary interior decoration of this former ice factory on the banks of the river Ill. The historic building’s peaceful location in the heart of the city makes it an ideal base from which to explore Strasbourg.
Short Break
Le Regent Contades
Strasbourg, France
superior
The Contades is housed in a 19th century five-storey manor house with pretty dormer windows and splendid wood panelling. It is in the heart of Strasbourg, approximately ten minutes from the cathedral and it is a good quality and friendly property. There are 48 bedrooms, a Belle Époque style breakfast room, a sauna and a hammam. Rooms are located either in the original manor, or in a connecting, newer wing.
Short Break
Chais Monnet & Spa
Cognac, France
deluxe
A former cognac distillery, perfectly situated in the heart of this historic city, Chais Monnet is just a few minutes’ stroll from the river and the mediaeval old town.
What's Included
Short Break
Highly Recommended
Pavillon de la Reine
Paris, France
deluxe
This is a truly wonderful and intimate hotel, hidden away just off the Place des Vosges (the oldest square in Paris) in the heart of the fashionable Marais district and five minutes’ walk from the new Bastille Opera House.
What's Included
Short Break
Relais Christine
Paris, France
Dating back to the 17th century and built on the ruins of the 13th century Grands-Augustins Abbey, this beautiful hotel has an excellent location right in the heart of St. Germain-des-Prés, just a few minutes’ walk from Notre Dame
What's Included
Short Break
Balzac
Paris, France
The Balzac recently reopened after a multi-million-Euro renovation, re-establishing itself as one of the most luxurious and romantic boutique hotels in Paris.
What's Included
Short Break
Grand Hotel du Palais Royal
Paris, France
Perfectly located in a quiet side street by the Comédie Française and within a few minutes’ walk of the Louvre. This excellent hotel is an imposing 18th century building that has been restored to its former glory and combines classical architectural features with stylish, modern design.
What's Included
Short Break
Highly Recommended
De Crillon
Paris, France
deluxe
Originally built in 1758, Hôtel de Crillon enjoys an unrivalled position overlooking Place de la Concorde. Commissioned by Louis XV, the Neoclassical façade is a Parisian landmark, long-owned by the illustrious family of the Counts of Crillon.
What's Included
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
Gardens of the Riviera
There are many great gardens dotted along the Côte d’Azur between St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and the border with Italy. Along with the artists, many gardeners were drawn to the Riviera, attracted by both its climate and its beauty.
5 nights price from £2287 per person
Departs: 17 May 2026, 4 Oct 2026
What's Included
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
A Taste of Lille
The elegant Flemish city of Lille is less than 90 minutes from London by Eurostar, and makes the perfect destination for a festive short break.
What's Included
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
Carcassonne & Albi
Carcassonne
This tour is based at the pinnacle of the mediaeval citadel of Carcassonne where we stay at the historic Hotel de la Cité, built into the ramparts with panoramic views of the countryside. It is from here that we will explore the many distinctive regions of this beautiful part of southwest France.
6 nights price from £2998 per person
Departs: 2 Jun 2026, 13 Oct 2026
What's Included
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
Art of the Côte D'Azur
Nice
French artists began to discover the attractions of the Côte d’Azur and the iridescent quality of the region’s dazzling light towards the end of the 19th century. Monet was the first artist to be lured to the Riviera, arriving there in 1885.
5 nights price from £2349 per person
Departs: 12 May 2026, 29 Sep 2026
What's Included
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
The Western Front
Led by military historian Hugh Macdonald-Buchanan, we will visit the principal battlefields of the British Expeditionary Force, starting in the notorious Ypres Salient which saw intense fighting throughout the war, especially at Paschendaele.
5 nights price from £2292 per person
Departs: 13 Apr 2026
What's Included
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
The Spectator Club Tour to Alsace
Join Jonathan Ray for a tour which takes in historic towns and villages, delicious Alsatian cuisine and of course the region’s best wines.
4 nights price from £2468 per person
Departs: 11 May 2026
What's Included
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
Art, Opera & Ballet in Paris
Paris
The Opéra de Paris presents an extraordinary range of operas and ballets each season – casting, repertory and musical depth are of the highest international calibre.
4 nights price from £3398 per person
Departs: 15 Jun 2026
What's Included
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
Christmas in Paris
Paris
Christmas is an excellent time to visit Paris with the Champs-Élysées dressed in festive lights, atmospheric Christmas markets and all the cultural attractions open as usual, but with far fewer visitors. We will visit in the company of art historian and Paris-resident Patrick Bade.
What's Included
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
The D-Day Landing Grounds in Normandy
This tour is designed to tell the story of the famous D-Day landings in June 1944 that launched the invasion of France and opened the Battle for Normandy that led directly to the capture of Paris in August. Thereafter, the Allies ...
6 nights price from £2698 per person
Departs: 16 Aug 2026
What's Included
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
The Spectator Club Tour to Bordeaux
Bordeaux
At the confluence of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, the elegant city of Bordeaux is not only one of France’s most charming, but has become a byword for fine wines over the course of many centuries. We will visit some of the best winemakers in the company of The Spectator's wine expert Jonathan Ray.
What's Included
Tailor-made Holiday
Tailor-Made Brittany
Côte de Granit Rose, Dinard
The rugged Brittany peninsula feels far removed not only from its neighbour Normandy, but also from the rest of France, with a distinct and proud Celtic culture.
7 night price from £1,724 per person
What's Included
Tailor-made Holiday
Tailor-Made Normandy
Bayeux, Deauville
Starting in the historic port city of Cherbourg, this seven-night holiday encompasses the coastline of Normandy, from the landing beaches around Arromanches, as far as Le Havre in the east.
7 night price from £1,898 per person
What's Included
Speak to an expert - 020 7593 2288
Our expert reservations team regularly travel to a wide range of destinations to explore new cities, visit hotels and to research museums, galleries and restaurants so that we can offer the most up-to-date advice and recommendations.
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