Effortlessly stylish and enviously laid back, French culture has been inspiring the rest of the world for centuries. Whether they’re taking the time to enjoy a good meal with their nearest and dearest, sipping an espresso in the park, or just enjoying a stroll along the beachfront, a French holiday is all about finding that ‘Joie de vivre’ (joy of living). So, we put together a list of events going on throughout the year for you to find that joy on your jollies:

• Festival de la BD d’Angoulême (January) - comics are cool and France is cool, this we know, in fact they're so cool that one of the largest comic book festivals in the world is held Angouleme to celebrate comic art and the graphic novel in all their glory.

• Menton Lemon Festival (February) - a unique festival celebrating everyones fave citrus (sorry limes) with a day of parades and floats made from citrus fruits as well as tonnes of zesty activities.

• Paris Fashion Week (March) - it's kinda a big deal, it's all over newspapers and social feeds every year, and if you wanna try catch a glimpse of some fashonistas in their element, then why not sync up your France holidays with this one.

• Foire du Trône (April - June) - this annual funfair in Paris is like your fave weekend on the waltzers as a kid times a million.

• Cannes Film Festival (May) - celebrity sightings are a guarantee when this festival rolls into town, it's prestige is known globally and it's a celebration of the greatest up and coming smash hits on the big screen.

• Roland-Garros (May) - tennis fans don't even need us to say more, this place is one of the four grand slam tournaments and if you've got Challengers fever then you're gonna wanna be around when this sporting event rolls into town.

• Fête de la Musique (June) - free performances and concerts taking place across France, that sounds like our kinda festival vibe, music lovers this ones deffo for you!

• Bastille Day (July) - this national holiday takes place on the 14th and is a celebration chock full of fireworks, parades and parties, if you're in Paris you'll even be able to watch a military parade on the Champs-Elysees.

• Montmartre Grape Harvest Festival (October) - it wouldn't be a trip to France without some wine tasting, and you get that and more with parades and concerts ringing in the grape harvest at this event.

• Nuit Blanche (October) - calling all artists, this ones got your signature scrawled all over it, an all night festival complete with contemporary art installations and exhibitions throughout Paris.

From sophisticated cocktail bars and hidden pubs to buzzing nightclubs, France’s nightlife scene lets you kick back and relax or hit the dance floor in style. We thought it only fair we sprinkle some suggestions your way, take a peek:

• Little Red Door, Paris - a speakeasy vibe makes it way into your France holiday with bespoke cocktails and the boujeeist vibe you've been searching for on the streets of Paris.

• Le Glam, Nice - looking for an LGBTQ party haven for all your pop classics and retro throwbacks, then this is gotta be on your radar if you find yourself in Nice on your holidays to France.

• Le Trolleybus, Marseille - a unique location inside an old trolleybus station serving up multi-room partying with different music throughout, basically the setting is giving, and the tunes are giving whatever you're craving too.

• Anituaire, Lyon - a vintage feel bar where you can sit and sip sophisticated cocktails like an old Hollywood starlet.

• Le Carmen, Paris - a 19th century mansion is your new playground for the night, this one is for those of you seeking a more upscale party vibe from the delish drinks to bouncing beats in the Paris' Latin quarter.

Nothing conjures up images of French cuisine more than a selection of fresh bakes from the boulangerie (that’s bakery to you and me), delicious cheeses, and patisserie-perfect pastries. Treat yourself to a tasty tour of the country with these French favourites below:

• Croque monsieur - a juicy cut of ham baked or fried with cheese and topped with bechamel sauce - is your mouth watering too?

• Ratatouille - a delish vegetable stew that we're sure you've seen a lil animated rat make at one point in your life - made up of tomatoes, courgette, aubergine and bell peppers.

• Coq au vin - something a lil' more traditional, wine-braised chicken served with lardons (bacon to you and me), mushrooms and garlic.

• Soupe à l'Oignon - soup so good that it's got French right in the title, French onion soup is a rich dish made with caramelised onions and beef broth, topped with croutons and melted cheese.

• Crème Brûlée - you might know this sweet dish from HSM (where our Wildcats at?), a rich custard topped with a hard layer of caramel that gives you that perfect crack when you sink your spoon in.

Now let's get into some top-tier restaurants too, don't say we don't treat you guys:

• L'Avant Comptoir, Paris - a boujee bistro with a banging wine list and all the best tapas-style dishes you can get your hands on.

• Chez Fonfon, Marseille - the bouillabaisse is a staple at this waterside restaurant, dig into your traditional fish stew with stunning views and an ambient vibe.

• Le Jules Verne, Paris - this Michelin Star spot is tucked away on the second level of the Eiffel Tower - okay maybe not quite tucked away then - but the head chef serves up delish contemporary cuisine to be enjoyed alongside your stunning views over Paris.

• Le Chantecler, Nice - the French Riviera takes centre stage when it comes to dishes at this 2 Michelin Star spot, all the best local flavours meet at this gorge dining spot, the perfect place if you're looking to add a little lux to your France holidays.

• Café des Fédérations, Lyon - a bouchon offering that takes all the best things about traditional Lyon cuisine and brings them together for a tasty menu sure to have your mouth watering and your insta-likes flooding in.