France | ZHO Travel & Tourism

In France the scene changes every few hours by train: from the boulevards of Paris to the lavender fields, then to the blue of the Mediterranean.

The destination

About France

France is the world's most visited country, with about 100 million international visitors in 2024, and it pairs a refined way of life with a long history. From the streets of Paris to the lavender fields of Provence and the beaches of the Riviera, it offers variety for lovers of art, fashion and food.

Paris is the natural start: the banks of the Seine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, the Louvre, and the Palace of Versailles 20 kilometres away. From Paris the high-speed train reaches Avignon and Provence, or Strasbourg in Alsace, in a few hours; a short domestic flight reaches Nice and the Côte d'Azur; and Chamonix is about an hour and a quarter by road from Geneva airport.

Each season has its place: spring and autumn for Paris, late June to mid-July for the lavender, summer for the Riviera and the Alps, December for the Christmas markets of Alsace, and winter for skiing in Chamonix. Paris and the large cities have many halal restaurants, and the Grand Mosque of Paris stands in the Latin Quarter.

At ZHO we arrange the whole journey: the Schengen visa file, the hotels, first-class trains, private drivers and guides, with halal dining and a pace that leaves time for prayer and for the family to rest.

Best timeApril to June and September to October for Paris, June to September for the Riviera and the Alps, December for Alsace

FlightAbout 6 h 30 direct from Riyadh or Jeddah to Paris, with direct summer flights to Nice

VisaSchengen visa; since 2024 Saudi citizens may receive a 5-year multiple-entry visa on a first application, subject to conditions. Applications go through VFS Global in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar.

CurrencyEuro (EUR)

LanguageFrench; English is understood in hotels and tourist areas

Time1 hour behind Saudi Arabia in summer, 2 hours in winter

Ideal stay7 to 12 nights

Ideal for

Family travel Honeymoons Travel with friends

Regions

Where to go

The Eiffel Tower and the Trocadéro gardens from the Palais de Chaillot

01 · City

Paris

The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Champs-Élysées, along the UNESCO-listed banks of the Seine.

Panorama of the old town of Nice and the Promenade des Anglais

02 · Coast

Nice and the French Riviera

The coast between Nice and Monaco, with clifftop villages, beaches and fine resorts.

The Chamonix valley and Mont Blanc seen from La Flégère in summer

03 · Highlands

Chamonix and the French Alps

The place for skiing in winter and mountain adventures in summer, beneath Mont Blanc.

04 · Region

Provence

Green meadows, purple lavender and quiet country villages, made for slowing down.

Half-timbered houses on the water in Petite France, Strasbourg

05 · Region

Strasbourg and Alsace

A blend of French and German culture, known for its coloured timber-framed houses and historic streets.

Experiences

What to do

The Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles

Versailles with a private guide Paris A day at the palace of the kings of France and its gardens, without the entry queues. A guide tells the story from the Hall of Mirrors to Marie Antoinette's estate.Discover

The Aiguille du Midi (3,842 m) above Chamonix in summer

Aiguille du Midi: 3,842 metres above Chamonix Chamonix and the French Alps A cable car lifts you from Chamonix to a rock spire facing Mont Blanc. At the top, a glass box hangs over the void.Discover

Lavender in bloom in front of Sénanque Abbey, near Gordes

The lavender route of Provence Provence A day between Sénanque Abbey and the Valensole plateau when the fields turn purple. Only from late June to mid-July.Discover

The Louvre pyramid and the Cour Napoléon at dusk

Culture and heritage The Louvre with a private guide The world's largest museum in three well-chosen hours. The Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Islamic art galleries on one route. Read more

Sunset over the Seine behind the Pont de la Tournelle and the Île Saint-Louis

City and shopping A sunset cruise on the Seine Paris from the water in an hour: the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d'Orsay and Notre-Dame. A private boat can be arranged for the family. Read more

The Mer de Glace glacier seen from Montenvers, Chamonix

Nature The Montenvers train and the Mer de Glace A rack railway climbs in 20 minutes to a glacier. From there a gondola takes you down to a cave carved in the ice. Read more

Nature The lavender route of Provence A day between Sénanque Abbey and the Valensole plateau when the fields turn purple. Only from late June to mid-July. Discover

The turquoise Verdon River in the Verdon Gorge, Provence

Nature The Verdon Gorge and Lac de Sainte-Croix One of the deepest gorges in Europe, with turquoise water. A ride in an electric boat between its cliffs. Read more

The hilltop village of Èze above the Riviera coast

Sea and islands Èze and Monaco in a day A medieval village hanging above the sea, then Monaco's harbour and princely palace. Along the coast road from Nice. Read more

Little Venice canal quarter in Colmar, Alsace

Culture and heritage Colmar and Little Venice Coloured timber-framed houses along the canals of the Lauch. A small-boat ride in the heart of Alsace. Read more

The lit entrance of the Strasbourg Christmas market on Place Broglie

Winter The Strasbourg Christmas market Wooden chalets and lights across the old town squares. A tradition dating from 1570. Read more

Where to stay

Hotels and resorts we recommend

View all 4 stays

Facade of the Four Seasons Hotel George V on Avenue George V, Paris

Paris Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris Historic palace Explore

The Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat seen from Avenue de la Corniche

Nice and the French Riviera Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel Beachfront Explore

The centre of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, a short walk from the Hameau Albert 1er

Chamonix and the French Alps Hameau Albert 1er, Chamonix Mountains Explore

The village of Gordes above the Luberon valley, home of La Bastide de Gordes

Provence Airelles Gordes, La Bastide Historic palace Explore

Taste and addresses

Flavours and places to know

The gastronomic meal of the French has been on UNESCO's intangible heritage list since 2010. Try the morning pastries in Paris, socca in Nice and ratatouille in Provence, and always ask the restaurant to confirm a dish contains no alcohol or pork.

To tasteCroissantCroissant

Socca, the chickpea pancake of Nice, fresh from the oven

To tasteSoccaSocca

Ratatouille of Provençal vegetables in a pot

To tasteRatatouilleRatatouille

To tasteMacaronsMacarons

Entrance of the Grand Mosque of Paris in the 5th arrondissement

Landmark · Paris The Grand Mosque of Paris A Hispano-Moorish mosque opened in 1926, with a 33-metre minaret and a tea room. Read more

The stained-glass dome of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, Paris

Shopping · Paris Galeries Lafayette Haussmann Paris's great department store beneath a 1912 glass dome, with an open rooftop over the city. Read more

Avenue Montaigne in Paris, lit for the evening

Shopping · Paris Avenue Montaigne The avenue of the couture houses in the Golden Triangle, between the Champs-Élysées and the Seine. Read more

The market on Cours Saleya in the old town of Nice

Shopping · Nice and the French Riviera The Cours Saleya market, Nice The flower and produce market of Nice's old town, and the best place to taste socca. Read more

Journeys

Ways to see it

Itineraries drawn up by our consultants, to adapt to you day by day.

France · 10 days

Grand France: Paris, Provence and the Riviera

9 nights from the boulevards of Paris to the lavender and the blue Mediterranean

A private journey of four nights in Paris, two in the village of Gordes in Provence and three on the Cap-Ferrat peninsula, by high-speed train, private car and with private guides.

Price On request View the package

Questions

Before you go

Do I need a visa for France?

Yes. Saudi citizens need a Schengen visa, applied for through VFS Global in Riyadh, Jeddah or Al Khobar, in person for fingerprints. Since 2024 Saudi citizens may receive a 5-year multiple-entry visa on a first application if they meet the conditions; the decision rests with the embassy. Our team prepares your file and books the appointment.

When is the best time to visit France?

For Paris, spring (April to June) and autumn (September and October). For the Riviera and the Alps, June to September; for the lavender, late June to mid-July; for Alsace, December; and for skiing in Chamonix, December to April.

Is halal food easy to find in France?

Yes, in Paris, Nice and the large cities, which have many Lebanese, North African and Turkish restaurants and halal butchers. Luxury hotels can prepare halal meals with notice, and we send your request ahead. Choice is smaller in small villages, where vegetarian dishes and fish are practical.

Where can I pray in France?

Paris has the Grand Mosque in the Latin Quarter, and the large cities have other mosques. Many hotels provide the qibla direction and a prayer mat on request, and we plan your days around prayer times.

How do I travel between French cities?

The high-speed TGV is easiest: Paris to Avignon in about 2 hours 40 minutes and to Strasbourg in under two hours. For Nice, a domestic flight of about an hour and a half is fastest. We book first class and arrange a private driver at each station.

Is France safe for families?

France is generally safe, but pickpocketing is common in crowded parts of Paris such as the metro and around the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. Carry a zipped bag in front of you and leave your passport in the hotel safe with a copy on you.

What is the currency, and are cards accepted?

The euro. Cards, including contactless, are accepted almost everywhere. Visitors from outside the European Union can claim back VAT on eligible purchases: ask the shop for the refund form and keep it until the airport.

Are there dress rules in France?

The headscarf is allowed in the street and public places. Covering the whole face (niqab or burqa) is banned in public places under the law of 11 October 2010, with a fine of up to 150 euros. Religious sites ask for modest dress.

France, from the banks of the Seine to the summit of Mont Blanc