France travel guide

Getting there

Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly are the main hubs, with Nice, Lyon and Marseille also busy. High-speed trains link France with the UK via the Channel Tunnel, and with Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Spain.

Best time to visit: Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct – mild weather and fewer crowds; Dec–Mar for skiing.

Flights: see the cheapest month to fly to Paris, with live one-way and return fares from your nearest airport.

Tougher months: No bad time – but August is crowded and hot in the south, and many Parisians take holidays.

Weather by month in Paris

• 7°J●
• 8°F●
• 12°M●
• 16°A●
• 20°M●
• 23°J●
• 25°J●
• 25°A●
• 21°S●
• 16°O●
• 11°N●
• 8°D●

Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: Europe/Paris. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 93 of 198 other passports can enter France without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 0 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 105 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of the Schengen Area (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-10-21). Read the advisory.

Stay

Most trips to France are based around Paris, Provence or French Riviera. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$60–90 for a backpacker and US$150–260 mid-range, per person.

Connect

Plug types: C, E. Voltage: 230 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +33.

Mobile data: set up a travel eSIM or check your roaming plan before you fly, so data works as soon as you land.

Do

• Paris (Île-de-France · capital): Iconic monuments, world-class museums, cafés and neighbourhoods to wander for days.
• Provence (South · villages & lavender): Hilltop villages, lavender fields, markets and Roman cities like Arles and Avignon.
• French Riviera (Southeast · coast): Nice, Cannes and Monaco's neighbour villages set on a glittering coast.
• Loire Valley (Centre · châteaux): A UNESCO-listed valley of grand castles, gardens and vineyards.
• Normandy (Northwest · history & coast): Mont-Saint-Michel, D-Day beaches, half-timbered towns and Monet's garden at Giverny.
• Chamonix (Alps · mountains): A legendary base for skiing, hiking and cable cars beneath Mont Blanc.
• Bordeaux (Southwest · wine city): Elegant 18th-century streets and easy access to famed vineyards.
• Strasbourg and Alsace (Northeast · villages): Half-timbered towns, a soaring cathedral and wine routes with a Franco-German flavour.

Things to do

• Climb the Eiffel Tower. Watch Paris sparkle from the top as the tower's lights twinkle on the hour after dark.
• Explore the Louvre. Wander the world's largest art museum, from the Mona Lisa to ancient Egyptian treasures.
• Tour the Loire châteaux. Cycle between Renaissance castles like Chambord and Chenonceau through vineyards and forests.
• See Mont-Saint-Michel. Cross the bay to a medieval abbey rising from tidal flats.
• Drive through Provence. Find lavender fields, hilltop villages and Roman ruins under a bright southern sun.
• Ski or hike in the Alps. Gaze at Mont Blanc from Chamonix, a classic base for mountain adventures.
• Taste wine in Bordeaux or Burgundy. Visit cellars and vineyards in some of the world's most famous wine regions.
• Walk the D-Day beaches. Pay respects at Normandy's landing beaches, museums and cemeteries.

Eat and drink

• Croissant – buttery, flaky breakfast pastry
• Coq au vin – chicken slow-cooked in red wine
• Ratatouille – Provençal stew of summer vegetables
• Crêpes – thin pancakes with sweet or savoury fillings

Talk

Twenty basic French phrases with a simple sound guide. Say them slowly; a smile does the rest.

Basic phrases: pronunciation is approximate and the list has not yet been reviewed by a native speaker. Capital letters mark the stressed syllable where that applies. Spot a mistake? Tell us.

Money and safety

Currency: Euro (EUR). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: Service is included; leave small change or round up for good service.

Emergency numbers: 112 general · 15 ambulance · 17 police · 18 fire.

• France uses the euro; cards and contactless payment are almost universal.
• Some small shops and markets prefer cash, especially for small amounts.
• France is generally safe, but pickpocketing is common at major sights, metros and trains in Paris.
• Beware of petition and friendship-bracelet scams near tourist hotspots.