France Travel Guide

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France Travel Guide 9

Overview

France is known as the country of love, culture, wine, and food. But France is much more than that. France offers visitors varied landscapes and typographies, including everything from sandy beaches, Mediterranean, big cities like Paris, and the incredible French Alps. France reaches in history and some of the world’s most famous museums, monuments, historical sites, and architectural achievements. The capital city, Paris, is famous for its museums, the Eiffel Tower, and the divine cafes and restaurants surrounding those tourist hot spots.

Country

France, Northern France

Approx. Duration

Not Relevant

Accessibility Level

Accessibility Level – High

Local Currency

Euro

Price Level

Min. Price

Not Relevant

Address

France

Spoken Languages

France (formal), English spoken widely

Recommended Age

Babies, Kids, Teens, Adults, Seniors

Pricing Details

Not Relevant

Electricity

230 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs with two round pins are standard

Safety

It’s generally safe to travel to France. However, petty crimes like pickpocketing, purse, and mobile phone snatching are common, especially in big cities and tourist attractions. Click here for more detailed, up-to-date safety recommendations.


Things To Do

Fire Icon means popular

Total: 6

Things To Do

Total: 6

Additional Information

  • Art & Culture – France offers world-class art and architecture. It has iconic landmarks, some of the best museums, galleries, ateliers (artist workshops), and hands-on cultural experiences.
  • Gastronomy – Food is an enormous part of every France life. Their daily routine includes warm breakfast croissants from the boulangerie (bakery), stopping at Parisian bistros, and market shopping. But French gastronomy goes far deeper than just eating exceptionally well. The France cuisine always has something new to test and try. So either you go flipping crepes or clinking champagne, the culinary opportunities are endless.
  • Amazing nature and outdoor action – France offers a varied journey from northern cliffs and sand dunes to the deep blue sea of the French Riviera or the Corsica’s clear water beaches and green oak forests. Whether you like hiking, walking barefoot across seashore sand, riding a cable car to glacial panoramas above Chamonix, or cartwheeling down Europe’s highest sand dune, France does not disappoint and offers something for everybody. If you’re not looking for outdoor activities, simply enjoy the amazing view France has to offer. Enjoy amazing Cliffs of Étretat in Normandy, the Gorges du Verdon (the Grand Canion of France), or the amazing view from Mont Blanc mountain.
  • Paris – Probably the most romantic city in the world and one with the highest number of tourists. If you haven’t been to Paris, this is a must when traveling to France. You’ll find amazing views, museums, shows, food, and activities for kids.
  • Disneyland Paris – Less than an hour’s drive from Paris you can find the best amusement park in Europe – Disneyland Paris.

 

As one of the hottest tourist destinations, you’ll find that it’s relatively easy to travel and navigate in France, even with language barriers.

Things not to miss when in France

  • Visit wineries in Champagne and Bordeaux, the hearts of French wine country, or head to Normandy for delicious, locally produced cider and apple brandy.
  • Go skiing, snowboarding, and mountaineering in the French Alps.
  • Take in the best of the French Riviera by visiting the cities of Marseille, Nice, and Montpellier Visit Paris and make sure you visit The Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Tuileries Garden, and other memorable sights in Paris.

Things to avoid when in France

  • Never underestimate the importance of few French words – many people in France do speak English and will make an effort to help you in English when they also know that you do. You’ll always get better service and a ton of respect by opening with some basic French words you can learn. Remembering few words like “Bonjour” (“Hello”), “Au Revoir” (“Goodbye”), and “Merci” (“Thank You”) can go a long way.
  • Never wave wildly at a waiter to get their attention – when you go into a restaurant, you’ll usually be seated. If you weren’t seated, simply sit down at a table of your choice and wait for the waiter to come to you (this is true even on the terraces). If the waiter doesn’t come soon but is nearby, make eye contact or raise a slight hand. Doing more than that would be incredibly rude. Waiters in France are professionals, doing many tasks simultaneously, but they will get to you.
  • Don’t speak loud, particularly at night – The French are pretty respectful of other people regarding noise levels. Try watching your noise level, particularly in quiet villages and towns at night.
  • Avoid making plans for Sundays – French love their Sunday family time, and you should expect many places to be closed on Sundays. Plan ahead.
  • Keep your phone away when having a coffee/meal with others – it’s socially unacceptable to have your phone on the table as if you’re waiting for a call. There are times when you have to check your phone, and that’s okay, but don’t keep it on the table.
  • Don’t expect to eat whenever you want – yes, there are usually cafes and fast food options available all the time. However, they might not exist in smaller towns and villages. Anyway, these aren’t the best meal options when in France. If you wish to have a proper launch or dinner in a restaurant, plan your day accordingly. Lunch traditionally starts at noon and runs until 2 pm. Dinner begins at 7 pm, although you might be the only people in there at that time.
  • Don’t assume you can order your food separated into components – If you used to ask for your meal without certain ingredients or with the sauce on the side, in France, it’s uncommon, and you might face some resistance. In their perspective, they aren’t rude. They’ve worked very hard to create a perfect blend of ingredients for each dish to make it perfect, and they might think that serving it any other way won’t give you the best experience.
  • Never ask for a doggy bag for your leftovers – even if you can’t finish your dinner and would love it as a midnight snack.

quick tipSince France is a large country, we marked each place as Northers France, Central France, and Southern France. You can filter the results according to the area you travel in.


Frequently Asked Questions

Drinks – round your bills up by any small change.
Meaks – leave a couple of euros after a meal.
Museum and tour guides will expect about 10%.
Cab drivers expect 5-10%.

Don’t underestimate the importance of a few French words to make the local appreciative, Never wave wildly at a waiter to get their attention, Don’t speak loud, particularly at night, Avoid making plans for Sundays. See more details on things to avoid in France below.

Yes, you can speak English in France and almost always get by. Just remember to learn a few basic words as the locals will appreciate it.

France is very safe to travel to. There is an elevated risk of pickpockets and scammers, especially in the big cities, and you should remain alert for any suspicious activities since this country has been targeted by terrorists many times.

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Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit France is in spring (April-May), summer (June-August), or fall (September-October). Spring season is pleasant across the country, with fewer crowds and temperatures ranging from 55F to 68F (13C to 20C). Temperature can rise up to 84°F (29C) in summer, but it’s still not too hot to keep exploring France. Autumn is warm and cozy, with temperatures between 61°F and 77°F (16C to 25C), where you’ll find vibrant views as the leaves change color. France enjoys mild temperatures, although you can expect some differences between the different regions. There’s a Mediterranean climate in the south and wetter weather in the north. In August summer vacation, most of the country closes down to chase the sunshine in the south. If you’re ok with the cold, winter is one of my preferred times to explore Paris, as there are fewer tourists, yet the restaurants are still active with locals. Remember to check the weather forecast few days before the trip and before heading to the airport.

Flights & Accommodations

Light, breathable clothing for summer and waterproof winter gear for the mountains all year round. In winter, even the Mediterranean resorts often require a sweater or jacket for the cool evenings.


Events & Festivals

Before planning a trip around an even, verify the dates on the event website or local tourist info center.

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