France Travel Guide

Continent: Europe
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France Travel Essentials

Ideal Duration: 7-10 days for exploring Paris and nearby regions like Normandy or the Loire Valley; 2-3 weeks for a comprehensive visit covering multiple cities

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Best Time: April to June, September to October (Spring and Autumn) Read More

Accommodation Cost (per night in USD):
Dorm bed: $20-40
Budget: $60-100
Mid-range: $120-200
Luxury: $250 and above

Budget for Food & Drinks (per day in USD):
Budget: $15-30
Mid-range: $40-70

Visa Policy for Indians:
Schengen Visa required

Visa Policy for Other Nationals: Schengen Visa for many countries

Getting In France:
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris, Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) in Nice Read More

Getting Around France: Paris Metro, trains (TGV), buses, rental cars Read More

"Cultural and Romantic Canvas of Europe"

France Tourism

Renowned as the world's most famous and most visited tourist destination, France is nestled in Western Europe harboring some of the greatest treasure troves. The country is an irresistible assortment of picture-perfect landscapes, cultural foibles, remarkable fashion sense, and historical bequest. Basking in the glory of Mother Nature, France offers distinct geographical features from rolling countryside and majestic mountains to stunning white sand beaches and sun-drenched vineyards.

Steeped in history, France has emanated an aura of romance attracting couples seeking an amorous escape. Also known for its gastronomic prowess, the country is a mecca for food enthusiasts. Delight in gourmet delights and sampling fine wines in iconic locales are some of the best activities to indulge in, in France. 

Must Know Before You Travel to France

  • Public Transport: France has an excellent public transportation system, including trains and buses. Consider purchasing rail passes or metro cards for convenient travel within cities.
  • Opening Hours: Many shops and businesses, especially smaller ones, close for a few hours during lunchtime (12:00 PM to 2:00 PM). Plan your shopping and dining accordingly.
  • Dining Etiquette: Waitstaff in France might not rush you through a meal. It's customary to linger over your food, so don't be surprised if service is leisurely. Also, it's polite to greet shopkeepers and restaurant staff with a friendly "Bonjour" (good morning) or "Bonsoir" (good evening).
  • Museums and Attractions: Many museums and attractions in France offer reduced or free admission on the first Sunday of each month. Be prepared for potentially long lines at popular sites and consider booking tickets in advance.
  • Dress Code: French fashion is renowned, and Paris, in particular, is known for its stylish residents. Pack smart-casual clothing, and if you plan to visit religious sites, carry a scarf or shawl to cover your shoulders.
  • Local Cuisine: Don't miss the opportunity to savor traditional French cuisine, including croissants, escargot, cheese, and wine. Each region has its culinary specialties, so explore local dishes.
  • Public Restrooms: Public restrooms may require a small fee or may be available for free with a purchase at cafes or restaurants. Carry some coins for this purpose.
  • Respect Local Customs: Respect the local customs and cultural norms. For instance, it's polite to greet with a kiss on each cheek in some regions, but not all.
  • Safety: Be aware of your surroundings to prevent pickpocketing and keep your belongings secure. Avoid displaying expensive items like jewelry or large amounts of cash. Also, be vigilant about numerous scams in crowded areas in major cities along with Cote D'Azur cities of Marseille and Nice in South France.

Best time to visit France

March-May and September-November) would be the best time to visit France, with mild temperatures and attractive landscapes. During these seasons, (Read More) the number of tourists and the accommodation prices are lower compared to the summer days. 

Summer in France would be crowded, hot, and very expensive. It is perfect for outdoor activities and beach vacations. It is also festival season, with music festivals and outdoor events across the country.

In the winter season, most of the cities of France are cold and wet, although winter is the best time for visiting all the famous museums in France. France is magical during the holiday season, with festive decorations, Christmas markets, and ice skating rinks. Ski enthusiasts can hit the slopes in the French Alps, and cultural attractions are less crowded.

Holidify's opinion on Travel to France

What's Great about Travelling to France?

Rich culture, heritage and past. Delicious food. Geographical diversity. Picturesque landscapes. Marvellous architecture. Great Shopping experience.

What's Not So Great about Travelling to France?

Crazy traffic. Extreme summer heat. Hikes price during peak tourism season. Huge crowd during summers, especially in Paris.

Who should Travel to France?

Shopaholics. Architecture buffs and history lovers. People who enjoy art and culture. Nature buffs. Food lovers.

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Exchanging Money in France

There are many ways to exchange currency in France, banks and post offices being the best ones. Other than that, there are exchange offices located at hotels, train stations, large stores, airport and exchange offices near major tourist sites but they offer less attractive rates. However, these places have extended hours, so it comes handy when banks and post offices are closed. As per law, hotels and shops are restricted to accept foreign currency. ATMs compatible with international banking networks are located all across the major towns and cities as well as at main tourist places, major train stations and airports. ATM is a cheaper option as French ATM's do not charge any fees. However, there might be some fees charged by your bank.

Nightlife in France

For all the night birds travelling to France, the place is packed with nightclubs across all towns and cities. The variety of songs, music, style and decor vary widely to the taste of visitors while sometimes drinks are included in the entrance fee of the venue. If you are in any major city in France such as Paris or Lyon, the entrance is usually free, but the drinks are liable to be more expensive. Learn more about nightlife in Paris, here. Nightclubs across the country close mostly at 5:00 am. One will also find plenty of theatres, cafes and late night bars dotted all around the place.

Shopping in France

France serves as a paradise for shopping lovers with something to tempt you at every nook and corner of the trip. One will find trendy stores, designer boutiques, Parisian designer shops, shops with latest haute couture and speciality shops. Know more about shopping in Paris, here. Make sure not to spend everything on designer jewellery and the footwear, which are yet another speciality of the country. Other main buys in France include textiles, laces, cheese, coffee, wine, liqueurs and crystals. If you are an art lover, the country offers prints of many famous paintings. The shopping options are also plenty of huge departmental stores to flea markets and out-of-town hypermarkets.

Festivals of France

Festivals of France represents creativity, art, music and culture of the place. The celebration starts with the prt porter fashion show in Paris held in early February while most of the festivals held in summers. Next is Cannes Film Festival in May followed by a gypsy festival in late May held in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Bastille Day, Tour de France, International Music festival, fete du cinema, Jazz Festival and Festival dAvignon are other major festivals of France.

Customs of France

Shaking a hand and kissing both cheeks are the usual form of greeting in France. Monsieur or Madame without a surname is the usual way of addressing someone personally while it may take some time to get on first name basis. Casual wear is common for both men and women but if you are planning to go to club, fine restaurants, theatre, or casino, more formal attire is required. Topless bathing is allowed at some beached while other restrict it. Smoking is banned in public spaces and workplaces since February 2007. Tipping, although not necessary, but is appreciated in France especially in the hospitality sector. At restaurants, service charges are included in the price, so one can choose to leave 5 to 10% of the bill. For cafes and taxi, round up the tariff to the next euro or the nearest ten euros.

Culture of France

France is the land where the word culture originated from its Latin counterpart ÔcolereÕ. The country has a free culture where Romance and passion are embodied in the atmosphere. The culture of France is all about art, cultural artists, writers, thinkers and philosophers. The French believe in style, creativity, intellect, knowledge along with equality, which forms an integral part of their motto "LibertŽ, EgalitŽ, FraternitŽ".
French is the official language with 88% speakers of the total population. There are minorities who speak German, Basque and other languages. Many people speak and understand some English, especially in tourist areas. Some of the common phrases one should know before visiting the country are:
Hello - Bonjour
Goodbye - Au Revoir
How are you? - Comment vas-tu?
I'm very well - Je vais très bien
Please - S'il te plaît
Thank you - Merci
Yes - Oui
Catholics and Protestants form the major part of the country's population with a minority of Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and Hindus.

Food of France

The soul of French life is about eating; this is how much they love their food. The French breakfast mainly comprises of mouth-watering croissants, strong coffee or a glass of fruit juice. A staple for the main course in French cuisine includes cheese, pate, bread and soup (potage). Steak and French fries make a very popular combination for the meal whereas ham, cheese and pate make perfect picnic food. The holiday in France is incomplete without tasting the incredible variety of cheeses (said to be 365 in number) and visiting the renowned French bakeries and cafes, which offers an overwhelming assortment of baked goodies, pies and pastries. Brie, Camembert and several types of blue cheese are said to be all time favourites of local. Coffee, tea, mineral or soda water, freshly squeezed orange juice, and lastly and most important wines and champagnes of the finest quality are the popular beverages in France. To know more about foods of France, click here.

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FAQs on France

How to reach France from India?

France is home to two major international airports, one in Paris and other in Orly, south of Paris, connecting to connecting to all the major cities around the globe. Air India, Jet Airways, Gulf Air, Air France, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines and may other offers direct and indirect flights to France from several Indian cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad etc.

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Popular Questions And Answers on France

Q. What would be an ideal itinerary for France, if I want to travel there for a period of 2 weeks?

Kovid Kapoor

5 years ago
You'll obviously want to spend sufficient time in Paris - at least 5 days of you're going for the first time. Other than that - it totally depends on what you want to do on the trip.
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