Travel Tips
France
From Paris to Provence, the Alps and the Riviera, France rewards slow travel, good food and a little planning.
What I love about France
People often ask me what I love most about a country. Every country has its good and bad sides, but here I share the positives I found on my travels.
Paris, of course.
In my experience, the French visa process was one of the easiest in Europe.
- Capital
- Paris
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Language
- French
- Best overall
- April to June and September to October
- Emergency
- 112
- Electricity
- 230V, plug types C and E
Top Destinations
This country is in the Schengen Area. Many visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, while others need a Schengen visa. Check the current rules for your passport, including the EES and ETIAS entry systems. Passport validity rules vary, so check the requirements before you book.
Read about visa on arrival, e-visas and online registration →
Still have specific visa questions?
Spring and early autumn are pleasant and less crowded. August is hot and busy on the coast, and ski season runs from December to April.
Not sure which month suits your trip?
Paris
The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and neighborhoods worth wandering.
Nice and the French Riviera
Mediterranean promenades and hilltop villages.
Provence
Lavender fields, markets and Roman ruins around Avignon.
Mont-Saint-Michel
A tidal island topped by a medieval abbey.
Chamonix
Alpine hiking and skiing below Mont Blanc.
Need help choosing where to go?
- Days 1 to 4 Paris
- Day 5 Mont-Saint-Michel
- Days 6 to 8 Provence, by high-speed train
- Days 9 to 10 Nice and the French Riviera
Want a route planned around your dates?
- High-speed TGV trains are the fastest way between cities. Book early for the best fares.
- Rent a car for Provence and smaller villages.
Not sure how to get between places?
- Cards are widely accepted. Service is included in restaurant prices, so a tip is optional.
- Buy an eSIM before you fly or a local SIM on arrival, so maps work from day one.
Questions about costs, cash or SIM cards?
- Fresh croissants and baguettes.
- Coq au vin or boeuf bourguignon.
- Regional cheeses and wine.
Want tips on what and where to eat?
- Watch for pickpockets and petition scams around big Paris attractions.
- Book major museums in advance, and greet shopkeepers with a bonjour.
Planning a trip to France?
Book a one-on-one call and bring your questions about your route, costs and visa.
Information on this page may change, so please confirm the latest visa and entry requirements and your government travel advice on official websites before you travel.