Before you go to France, use this comprehensive France online travel guide to learn all the basics about customs requirements, culture, weather, currency, and more. Plus, get tips on when and where to go in France.
About travel to France
France is a diverse and rich nation, full of destinations for all tastes. The French, although often stereotyped as rude or snobbish, are actually proud but friendly people. The key is to understand the cultural differences. The food in France is among the best in the world, and it is the largest wine-producing nation in the world.
The French value cuisine, art, culture and history. Each region has its own style and uniqueness. You are about to embark on a tantalizing adventure, but there are certain details and rules that you need to know before you go.
How to enter
All foreign visitors must have a passport. (If you do not have a current passport, begin this process as soon as possible. Failures, such as a lost birth certificate, can lengthen it.) Americans who plan to visit for 90 days or more, or those who plan to study in France, must obtain a long-term visa.
Where to go
Think of France, and most people automatically think of Paris. But there is so much more to this country, be it the robust stews and beer from Alsace or the laid-back attitude and sunny beaches of the Riviera. There are many other underrated but wonderful cities, as well as unique resorts and villages and beautiful beaches all along the coastline from the north to the border with Italy.
France is divided into regions, and I would recommend that you read about the different personalities of each before deciding on a destination.
Get there
Most major US airports fly into Paris, some nonstop, and Roissy-Charles de Gaulle in Paris is the most popular airport in France. Some airlines also fly to other major French cities, such as Lyon and Strasbourg. It takes around 7 hours to get to France from the east coast.
Moving in France
There are many inexpensive and practical ways to get around France. You need to examine where it will go and how flexible it is.
If you plan to visit towns that are not accessible by train, a rental car is ideal. The French drive on the same side of the road as the Americans, but there are some differences. While traffic lights are common in the United States, many intersections in France are traffic circles. These are actually much more efficient, but it can take some getting used to. Also, it becomes much more crucial to have good maps if you are going to rent a car. (Try asking for directions in a foreign language. It’s not pretty.) See the benefits of long-term car rental from Renault Eurodrive.
If you visit cities with train stations, rail is convenient and can be inexpensive. The key is to determine if you are only going to buy point-to-point tickets (preferably if you are going to do some trips or short trips), European rail passes (if you plan to go from one country to another) or a France Rail Pass (if you will be traveling frequently and long distances, all in one country).
If you plan to visit French cities that are widely separated (for example, Strasbourg and Carcassonne), you may want to register to fly within the country. It’s relatively inexpensive and can save you hours of train travel.
Train ride
- Guide to travel in France by train
- TGV Express Train Travel in France
- Map of TGV routes and destinations in France
- Take the direct train from London to Marseille without changes
In addition, many cities also have their own transport system (such as the Paris metro). Even many smaller villages have a bus system. France’s transportation system is much more extensive than that of the US Check with your city or region tourist office.
Next: When to go, cultural differences, official holidays and French language
When to go
Deciding when to go depends as much on your temperament as it is on France’s. A region’s climates and popularity are highly dependent on the time of year, and vary dramatically from region to region.
Northern France is busiest in late spring and early summer. The weather is the best, but the attractions are packed and the prices are higher. Also, you may want to avoid the north in August, when most natives are on vacation in the south. If swarms of tourists aren’t your thing, fall is a wonderful time to visit the north. While you will surely have to deal with some cloudy, windy, and rainy days, things are still happening this time of year. Winter can be windy, but there are great benefits too, like ice skating in Paris or Christmas markets in Alsace.
See Christmas in France.
The south of France is attractive almost any time of the year. But remember you are stuck in August. In May, the Cannes Film Festival fills that city and those nearby. Even in autumn, you can sometimes dip your toes in the Mediterranean. However, don’t be fooled. Provencal winters can be unexpectedly cold. Find out more with the France Monthly Travel Calendar.
What time / day is it?
France is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and five hours ahead of New York City. The country respects daylight saving time, so during that time it is one hour ahead of time, or six hours later than in New York. The French also celebrate several holidays, and visits during this time can lead to some good things (festivals abound and many museums and restaurants remain open) and bad things (most businesses and shops are closed). These are the holidays in 2017:
- January 1 – New Years Day
- April 16/17 – Easter Sunday / Monday – Pâques
- May 1 – Labor Day – Fête du Travail
- May 8 – Victory in Europe Day 1945 – Fête de la Victoire 1945 (marks the end of World War II)
- May 25 – Ascension
- June 4 / June 5 – Pentecost Sunday / Pentecôte
- July 14 – Bastille Day – Fête Nationale
- August 15 – Assumption Day – Asunción
- November 1 – All Saints’ Day – La Toussaint
- November 11 – Armistice Day (End of World War I) – Le 11 Novembre
- December 25 – Christmas Day – Noël
How to communicate
If possible, it helps to at least learn a few basic phrases, especially the ones you will use frequently (like transportation and menu terms, etc.). Although the French are taught English in elementary school, some don’t know much English (what do you remember about Spanish from high school, after all?). They are also more likely to reveal their ability to speak English if you at least try to speak their language first.
How to mix
Many times, people presume that the French are rude, when in reality it is only due to cultural differences. The French, for example, always greet each other before speaking. So if you come across a French person looking for directions saying, “How do you get to the Eiffel Tower?” you’ve been rude by French standards. Get acquainted with French culture.
Next: euros; What to pack; How to plug it in; Call home and extra tips and information
How much is that?
In France, the euro is the local currency. This involves a little less math than the previous frank (although I still miss the colorful frank with interesting themes like “La Petite Prince”). When the euro is more valuable than the dollar, just round it up a bit (for example, you spend 8 euros and estimate $ 10 in your head just to be conservative).
Even those who know a little French may have trouble understanding the merchants who recite the prices. When you ask “Combien?” (How much?), Have a small notebook handy so that salespeople can write down the amount.
What to pack
What to pack for your French trip largely depends on the region you will be visiting, where you will be staying, and how mobile you will need to be during the visit.
If you are traveling across the country, jumping by train from one destination to another, bring the light. A backpack on wheels is ideal for this as it allows you to choose between rolling it or laying it on your back. If, for example, you fly to Paris and stay in a luxury hotel all the time, you can be more flexible and pack more.
However, don’t assume you can find it in France if you need it. Good English maps or guides can be difficult to find, and it is difficult even in a large city to get an adapter plug designed to convert an American appliance into French plugs. (Think about it. They have a lot of things that allow you to plug in French appliances while in America because most buyers in France need it.) To make sure you have no packing regrets, check out this list from France’s Free Travel Packing Checklist or these tips for lightweight packing.
How to plug it in
If you want to use American appliances in France, you will need an adapter and a converter. The adapter allows you to plug it into the wall, while a converter changes the electrical current to the French standard. For example, if you have a hair dryer that allows you to change the electrical current, you will only need the adapter. What some visitors don’t realize is that phone jacks need adapters too, and without them you won’t be able to connect your laptop. Make sure to get a phone adapter as well if you plan to bring a laptop with you.
How to call and email home
Making a call home from France involves some knowledge, but once you get the hang of it, it’s surprisingly affordable and relatively easy. But first you need to know the basics. On the one hand, most French public telephones do not accept changes, but use “telecartes”. These can be bought in many places, such as tabacs and convenience stores, for a few euros. Slide the card into the phone slot, wait for the message on the screen, and then enter the phone number (starting with the country code, such as “1” for the US).
The display will show how many units you have left. Calling off hours will eat up far fewer units. You can take advantage of time differences, for example by calling later in the evening when it is late in the afternoon or early evening in the United States.
How to bring things home
Do you dream of bringing cases of delicious French wine home with you? Think again, unless you want to pay. The United States government offers the following restrictions:
- Most visitors can bring $ 800 worth of French goodies without paying tax.
- The tax includes up to 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars.
- One liter of alcohol is also included in duty-free.
Some tips to read before traveling
Main myths about the French
Smoking in France
Restaurant etiquette and tips in France
How to order a coffee in a French cafeteria
More planning before going to France
Plan a cheap holiday in France
Check out these savings tips when in France
Accommodation options in France
