Activity Holidays in France

Our most popular experiences

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  • Portrait Painting Week In France image

    Portrait Painting Week In France

    calendar/duration icon 6 Nights location icon France
    • Available in May, June, July and September
    • All inclusive Oil portrait painting week. 5 days expert tuition
    • Stay in a beautiful french village
    • Accommodation with all meals included

    Price from

    £1600 pp
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  • Painting and Wine-Tasting in South France image

    Painting and Wine-Tasting in South France

    calendar/duration icon 4 Nights location icon France
    • Available March to October
    • 4 nights accommodation with lovely gardens, a swimming pool, transfers plus all meals and drinks included
    • Art suppliers provided along with expert tuition provided. A tour of Chateau Le Chollet’s vineyard and wine tasting included

    Price from

    £1280 pp*
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  • Jewellery Making Holiday image

    Jewellery Making Holiday

    calendar/duration icon 7 Nights location icon France
    • Full board (3 course gourmet dinners) & refreshments (including wine)
    • 4 x Jewellery making workshops
    • 2 x culinary excursions to local villages or towns
    • All materials and equipment for jewellery making

    Price from

    £2260 pp*
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  • Paint the South of France image

    Paint the South of France

    calendar/duration icon 6 Nights location icon France
    • Available from March to November
    • 6 nights accommodation with lovely gardens, a swimming pool, transfers plus all meals and drinks included
    • Art suppliers provided along with expert tuition

    Price from

    £2240 pp*
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  • A Week of Yoga, Gastronomy and Culture in Provence image

    A Week of Yoga, Gastronomy and Culture in Provence

    calendar/duration icon 6 Nights location icon France
    • Available between April and November
    • Accommodation including breakfast, lunch and 5 dinners
    • Yoga or an activity included everyday

    Price from

    £970 pp*
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  • Culinary Adventure in Rural France image

    Culinary Adventure in Rural France

    calendar/duration icon 5 Nights location icon France
    • Available from March to October
    • Luxury Farmhouse Accommodation all meals included
    • Lessons from a professional masterchef with 35 years experience

    Price from

    £3974 pp
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  • Art and Astrology Course in France image

    Art and Astrology Course in France

    calendar/duration icon 6 Nights location icon France
    • Available March to November
    • 6 nights accommodation with lovely gardens, a swimming pool, transfers plus all meals included
    • All materials provided. Includes Investigate your astrological chart, visiting Château et Tour de Montaigne and Moulin de Mysterieux

    Price from

    £2240 pp
    Take me there
    • Portrait Painting Week In France image

      Portrait Painting Week In France

      SFR9896 duration icon 6 Nights location icon French Pyrenees
      • Available in May, June, July and September
      • All inclusive Oil portrait painting week. 5 days expert tuition
      • Stay in a beautiful french village
      • Accommodation with all meals included

      Price from

      £1600 pp
      View Experience
    • Painting and Wine-Tasting in South France image

      Painting and Wine-Tasting in South France

      SFR2144 duration icon 4 Nights location icon Nouvelle-Aquitaine
      • Available March to October
      • 4 nights accommodation with lovely gardens, a swimming pool, transfers plus all meals and drinks included
      • Art suppliers provided along with expert tuition provided. A tour of Chateau Le Chollet’s vineyard and wine tasting included

      Price from

      £1280 pp*
      View Experience
    • Jewellery Making Holiday image

      Jewellery Making Holiday

      SFR3231 duration icon 7 Nights location icon Gascony
      • Full board (3 course gourmet dinners) & refreshments (including wine)
      • 4 x Jewellery making workshops
      • 2 x culinary excursions to local villages or towns
      • All materials and equipment for jewellery making

      Price from

      £2260 pp*
      View Experience
    • Paint the South of France image

      Paint the South of France

      SFR2126 duration icon 6 Nights location icon Nouvelle-Aquitaine
      • Available from March to November
      • 6 nights accommodation with lovely gardens, a swimming pool, transfers plus all meals and drinks included
      • Art suppliers provided along with expert tuition

      Price from

      £2240 pp*
      View Experience
    • A Week of Yoga, Gastronomy and Culture in Provence image

      A Week of Yoga, Gastronomy and Culture in Provence

      SFR8176 duration icon 6 Nights location icon Provence
      • Available between April and November
      • Accommodation including breakfast, lunch and 5 dinners
      • Yoga or an activity included everyday

      Price from

      £970 pp*
      View Experience
    • Culinary Adventure in Rural France image

      Culinary Adventure in Rural France

      SFR9800 duration icon 5 Nights location icon Loire Valley
      • Available from March to October
      • Luxury Farmhouse Accommodation all meals included
      • Lessons from a professional masterchef with 35 years experience

      Price from

      £3974 pp
      View Experience
    • Art and Astrology Course in France image

      Art and Astrology Course in France

      SFR4392 duration icon 6 Nights location icon France
      • Available March to November
      • 6 nights accommodation with lovely gardens, a swimming pool, transfers plus all meals included
      • All materials provided. Includes Investigate your astrological chart, visiting Château et Tour de Montaigne and Moulin de Mysterieux

      Price from

      £2240 pp
      View Experience

    Overview

    All travellers have a relationship with France, as the country of culture, gastronomy and world class arts – this country pulls all travellers. At Not in the Guidebooks specialise in activity holidays in France, it’s such a great place to learn new skills, unwind and meet new people.

    There are wonderful local experiences to be had when you get off the beaten track in France. Wherever you go you’ll find beautiful winding streets and village square markets, long coastlines and massive mountain ranges. France really has it all and more. We love taking trips to France to develop a new skill or delve deeper into one of our hobbies. Whether you’re looking for a painting holiday, cooking holiday or any other kind of adventure, we’ve got you covered.

    France is the destination for meeting new friends, being creative and deepening your knowledge. So, what are you waiting for? France is calling…

    What our travellers are saying...

    Best Time to Visit France

    Spring Summer Autumn Winter General
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    Expect temperatures between 13 degrees in March and 18 degrees in May.

    As France warms up for the high season, expect the country to be in bloom, warmer weather and local produce, whilst accommodation prices and crowds slowly increase.

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    Expect temperatures between 20 degrees in June and 24 degrees in August.

    It’s hot all over, in the Alps there are hiking and rafting opportunities aplenty, and on the coasts the beaches swell with sun-worshippers, accommodation is at its most expensive.

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    Expect temperatures between 17 degrees in September and 8 degrees in November.

    As the crowds disperse, the cost of finding places to stay drops, and as the grapes are harvested and the days shorten, you might find the best deals at the most charming time to visit.

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    Expect temperatures between 5 degrees in December and 4 degrees in February.

    For the best deals on accommodation and a chance to see France at its most authentic and non-touristy, visit in winter. Of course, this isn’t the case for the Alps, where the ski season is getting underway and everyone heads for the slopes.

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    France is definitely a destination where you can embrace the very best of each season. From the sun-drenched beaches of the south, to the snow-capped mountains of the Alps. While the climate varies quite dramatically from north to south, there is a season for everyone, and every activity.

    Best Places to Visit

    Our top tips for visiting France

    Embrace French Cuisine

    Don’t hold back when exploring France’s culinary landscape. From perfectly crusty baguettes and buttery croissants at local boulangeries to regional cheese varieties and sophisticated wine pairings, every meal is an adventure. Whether you’re dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris or a family-run bistro in a village square, French gastronomy offers unforgettable flavours that define your journey.

    Explore Natural Wonders

    France isn’t just about museums and cafés. Adventure awaits in the snow-capped Alps, along the rugged Mediterranean coastline, and through the mystical forests of the Pyrenees. Each region offers unique outdoor experiences, from skiing and hiking to surfing in Biarritz or kayaking in the Ardèche. These natural treasures provide perfect breaks between cultural visits.

    Connect with Local Culture

    Learn basic French phrases – they’re your key to authentic experiences, especially in rural areas. Combine this with visits to regional vineyards, where you can explore centuries-old wine traditions in Champagne, Bordeaux, or the Loire Valley. Making an effort to speak French, even just simple greetings, opens doors to meaningful connections with locals.

    What can you do in France?

    France offers so many exciting activities, there is literally no end to the things you can do. Here are some of our top holiday activities to do in France:

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