Road bike recommendations

Giant size XL is recommended for those over 6'3 - there are TCRs and Defys in XL at cycle surgery Holborn (thought possibly not built/on display) that fall into your price range. As mentioned above, definitely explore your options a bit, and try to make your choice fit with your intended usage. Carbon might not be right for big tours but its definitely a great choice for day rides, club runs, cycling holidays (with accommodation) and shorter light/creditcard touring. You might get a bit more help here if you go into more detail about how you want to use it generally, and what you envisage yourself doing in France.

Danns: Thanks for your help. Basically it will be used for day rides. I'll hopefully take it to France with a bunch of friends, but won't be carrying much on it each day as we have a van to carry all equipment. I was thinking carbon simply because I know that is what the others use.