All Posts, Country Guides, Europe Guides · France Travel Guide From its iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower to its world-renowned wine and cuisine – France is famous for a lot of things. As the world’s most visited country, every traveler dreams of one day visiting this European country. As diverse as it is big, France offers destinations such as urban chic Paris, castles of Loire Valley, Mediterranean seaside villages, charming medieval towns, and so much more. Quick Tips Capital: ParisPopulation: 66 millionCurrency: Euro (click here for current conversion rates)Visa: 90-day Schengen visa on arrival for most nationalities (click here for more info)Safety: Ranked #60 on the Global Peace Index (USA is ranked #128).Climate: maritime climate with cool winters and warm summersTime zone: UTC +1 When to Visit High Season – July and August Summer is the busiest time of year to visit France. Be sure to book your accommodations well in advanceExpect hot weather, especially in the south. Make sure your hotel has air conditioning!Stunning lavender fields bloom in the South of France mid-June to early JulyMany local businesses close for holiday during the month of August Shoulder Season – April to June; September to October Personally, this is my favorite time to visit. You’ll have the best weather alongside fewer crowds Low Season – November to March Colder weather brings fewer tourists Christmas time in Paris is a magical experienceYou’ll find most of the charming, small towns closed for winter Top 5 Bucket List Experiences in France 1. Paris Of course, Paris is the most iconic city in the world, so this is a must see when visiting France. From the dazzling Eiffel Tower to the historic Louvre and everything in between, Paris has it all. Plan on spending at least 4 days to discover my favorite city in the world! 2. South of France Charming small-town villages, endless blooming fields of lavender, and romantic sea-side towns – the South of France has it all. With more than 300 sunshine days per year, this area is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of France’s cities. Road tripping this region through Provence and Côte d’Azur has been one of my favorite trips to date. 3. Loire Valley Who doesn’t love a good castle? At Loire Valley, you’ll have over 300 to choose from. Located only 2 hours south of Paris by car, this region is referred to as the Garden of France for its abundance of vineyards and greenery. In the late 15th century, French kings discovered this garden oasis and began constructing their Châteaux in the region we see today as Loire Valley. It could take you years to discover all 300 castles, but I recommend at least 3 days to see the most famous landmarks. 4. Mont-Saint-Michel Speaking of castles, Mont-Saint-Michel takes the prize as the most impressive in France. Perched on a small, rocky island in the midst of the North Sea lies this 8th century abbey with loads of history. With over 3 million visitors per year, Mont Saint-Michel is one of the most famous landmarks in France. Located 4 hours by car from Paris, this famous landmark is best combined with a trip to Normandy and the D-Day beaches. 5. Bordeaux Known for producing some of the best wine in the world, this historic town is recently listed as the largest urban World Heritage Site. The recently revamped city now features pedestrian friendly boulevards, high tech public transportation, and even one of the longest shopping streets in Europe! Other Things to See and Do in France D-Day beaches in Normandy- for one of France’s most emotional journeys, visit the historic site of the D-Day beaches in Normandy. I recommend taking a guided tour to learn more about all the details that played out on this very site on June 6, 1944.Burgundy- Bordeaux may often outshine Burgundy, but its rolling hills, fine cuisine, and superior wine is not to be missed. I recommend taking a biking vineyard tour – the perfect combination of exploring Burgundy’s wines in an adventurous and serene setting.Riems- Wine isn’t the only drink that France has to offer. Located only 1 hour from Paris, the Champagne capital of Reims welcomes tourists with their cellar doors wide open. I recommend taking a tour to these Champagne cellars to learn more about the tedious process of producing that bubbly, and of course taste test all your favorites. Monaco- This may be the world’s second smallest country (behind the Vatican), but what it lacks in size it makes up for in its opulence. Be amazed at the massive yachts, go play the slot machine at the casino, and go shopping alongside some of the richest people in the world. Dos and Don’ts DO Learn a few French phrases (more on this in the next section).Expect to walk a lot – wear comfortable (yet fashionable) shoes. Speaking of fashion, dress like the French in a casual chic style. Pack neutral colored, form fitting (not baggy) clothes. Scarves in the fall and winter are also 100% french. Stay away from leggings, shorts, and flip-flops (except at the beach).Watch/hold on to your belongings, especially on the metro.When arriving or departing the metro, be sure to stand to the right and walk on the left on the escalators. DON’T Don’t expect everyone to speak English, especailly as you travel further away from Paris.Don’t rush your meal. The French take their time when eating and savor their meal.Don’t expect to get ice in your drink. This is an American thing that Europeans don’t seem to do. Don’t expect to eat an early dinner. Most restaurants open aroud 7PM, but most locals don’t eat until 8PM.Never be loud in a public place, especially on the metro. Good To Know Airport- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (Paris) is the largest international airport in France and second-busiest airport in Europe. Getting Around- Transport around France is comfortable, fast, and usually reliable. Trains are the best and quickest way to reach most cities in France. Cars are perfect for road-tripping the rural landscape and small villages. Money- Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in France, but do make sure that your card has no international fees. If asked whether you would like to pay in Euros or in your home currency, always choose Euros to avoid paying their over-inflated exchange rate and service fee.For cash, ATMs offer great exchange rates and are situated in all cities and towns in France Tipping- You’ll find that tipping in France is not usually expected: Restaurants: A service charge is already included with the bill, so it is unnecessary to tip extraHotels: Bellboys expect 1-2 euros per bagTaxis: If your cab driver helps with your bags, it is customary to tip 1-2 euros per bag.Services: In general. if your tour guide does a great job, a small tip up to 5 euros is appropriate Language- ENGLISHFRENCHPRONOUNCEHelloBonjourbon-zhourThank youMercimair-seeGoodbyeAu Revoiroh-reu-vwarPleaseS’il Vous Plaîtsee-voo-playDo you speak English?Parlez-vous anglais?par-lay-voose onglayHave a good dayBonne Journéebon jour-nayCould I have the bill please?L’addition, s’il vous plaîtlad-eesi-on,see-voo-playCoffee with milkCafé au laitcaffay olayWater (tap)De l’eaudeu-lo Ready for your dream trip to France? CONTACT US TODAY Want more info about Paris? Check out my other Paris blog posts: 10 Things To Know Before Visiting Paris12 Best Views of the Eiffel Tower10 Places You Must Eat In ParisComplete Walking Guide to MontmartreComplete Walking Guide to the Latin Quarter DID YOU LIKE THIS POST? PIN IT FOR LATER!
