France Travel Guide
April–June and September–October are the sweet spots: warm, long days and manageable queues.
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France at a glance
Best time to visit France
April–June and September–October are the sweet spots: warm, long days and manageable queues.
Peak: July–August — Paris empties of locals, the coast fills, and many small restaurants close for the holidays.
Shoulder season: Late September–October and March–April: lower fares and short museum lines.
Visa and entry
Schengen visa-free for 90 days in 180 days for many nationalities. ETIAS required from 2025.
Entry rules depend on your nationality and change frequently. Always confirm with an official embassy or consulate source before booking.
Money and tipping
France uses the EUR (€).
Not obligatory. Service compris (included) on restaurant bills. Rounding up or leaving €1–€2 is appreciated.
Getting around
A Paris metro/bus ticket is about €2.50 single, or €2.15 loaded onto a Navigo Easy card. Navigo Jour day passes and the Paris Visite pass cover unlimited travel by zone.
When a pass pays off: A day pass beats singles from about 5 rides a day. Below that, load a carnet of 10 onto Navigo Easy for the discounted per-ride rate.
Local etiquette
Do
- Open with “Bonjour” before asking anything — skipping it reads as rude.
- Greet and say goodbye when entering and leaving small shops.
- Keep regional train tickets until you exit, and validate where machines are marked.
Avoid
- Don't ask to split a bill many ways in a busy restaurant without checking first.
- Don't over-tip — service is included (“service compris”); rounding up is plenty.
- Don't order at the counter price and then sit on the terrace; the price differs.
Common scams and tourist traps
- The “gold ring” find, friendship bracelets at Sacré-Cœur, and petition clipboards near the Louvre and Eiffel Tower are all distraction setups.
- Ticket-machine “helpers” in the metro who keep your change — use staffed counters or the app.
- Restaurants beside major sights with photo menus and no posted prices; check the menu and cover charge before sitting.
Health
No special vaccinations beyond routine immunizations are needed for France, though tick-borne encephalitis precautions are worth considering for extended hiking in rural forested areas. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
When locals eat
Meal windows shift by country, and eating on the local clock is the difference between a full restaurant and a closed kitchen.
| Meal | Early riser | Typical | Night owl |
|---|---|---|---|
| breakfast | 7:00 AM | 8:00 AM | 9:30 AM |
| lunch | 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
| dinner | 7:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM |
Useful French phrases
English is common in Paris hotels and tourist restaurants, far less so in the regions. Opening in French changes the reception noticeably.
- Hello
- Bonjour(bon-zhoor)
- Thank you
- Merci(mair-see)
- Excuse me
- Excusez-moi(ex-koo-zay-mwah)
- How much is this?
- C'est combien ?(say kom-byan)
Staying connected
eSIM providers that cover France: Airalo, Ubigi, Holafly. Buying an eSIM before you fly avoids airport queues and roaming charges.
France travel FAQ
- When is the best time to visit France?
- April–June and September–October are the sweet spots: warm, long days and manageable queues.
- Do I need a visa to visit France?
- Schengen visa-free for 90 days in 180 days for many nationalities. ETIAS required from 2025. Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — confirm with an official consulate or embassy source before booking.
- Do you tip in France?
- Not obligatory. Service compris (included) on restaurant bills. Rounding up or leaving €1–€2 is appreciated.
- What currency is used in France?
- France uses the EUR (€).
- What power plug and voltage does France use?
- France uses Type C and Type E sockets at 230V / 50 Hz. Check your device's rated input before travelling; most modern laptop and phone chargers handle both 110V and 220V.
- What is the emergency number in France?
- In France, call 17 (police) / 15 (medical) / 18 (fire) / 112 (EU universal).
- What time zone is France in?
- France is in the Europe/Paris time zone (UTC+01:00).
- What language is spoken in France?
- The main language is French. English is common in Paris hotels and tourist restaurants, far less so in the regions. Opening in French changes the reception noticeably.
- Is public transport worth buying a pass for in France?
- A Paris metro/bus ticket is about €2.50 single, or €2.15 loaded onto a Navigo Easy card. Navigo Jour day passes and the Paris Visite pass cover unlimited travel by zone. A day pass beats singles from about 5 rides a day. Below that, load a carnet of 10 onto Navigo Easy for the discounted per-ride rate.
- What health precautions should I take in France?
- No special vaccinations beyond routine immunizations are needed for France, though tick-borne encephalitis precautions are worth considering for extended hiking in rural forested areas. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
Ready-made France itineraries
Plan a France trip around how you actually travel
Travaio builds a day-by-day plan from your travel style, with verified places, real opening hours, and local meal times already accounted for.
Plan my France tripThis guide is general travel information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Visa, health, and safety requirements change — verify anything time-sensitive with an official source before you travel.