Plan the perfect trip to France | France Holiday Guide

Are you planning a trip to Europe? France must be on your list of destinations. This is a beautiful country with many places to visit. Located in Western Europe, France is famous for its historic monuments, medieval towns, and Mediterranean beaches, in addition to its sophisticated gastronomy and delicious wines.

With a population of 67 million inhabitants, this country can surprise you with its incredible museums and its most famous monument, The Eiffel Tower. Keep reading and learn more about the fantastic adventure that France has to offer.

How to get there

Like any famous tourism nation, France is no exception as it has some of the best airports in the world. If you are visiting France, Paris (the capital) is probably one of the first cities you want to visit.

To get to this city we will recommend two airports, one of them is the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport that is the largest international airport in the country and the second most popular in Europe. The other one is the Paris Orly Airport, which is also excellent for trips within the country. 

The third-largest city in France is Lyon, known for its cuisine and gastronomy. If you want to get to this place, we recommend the Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport.

It has its railway station, so it is accessible by train. Another airport in the list is the Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport located in southwestern France. This airport near the Atlantic Ocean is accessible by road. 

Visa Information

As France is part of the Schengen Area, it allows citizens of 62 countries around the world to visit its cities without the need for a visa, as long as the stay is less than 90 days. However, if you plan to stay longer, study, or work in French territory, you need to get a visa.

Applying to it includes downloading an application form and providing other necessary documents. If this is your case, we recommend that you do the relevant research ahead of time when planning your trip.

Best time to visit the country

The best time to visit France and enjoy the cities, with its views and museums, is spring, from April to June. This season is the best time for sightseeing because you will not find too many crowds in the tourist places and the temperature is around 20°C. However, if you want to travel to this country to take a break and enjoy the sun and beaches, then summer (between June and August) is the best moment to go, though it is also the high season and prices tend to be higher.

No matter when you visit France, you will find different activities to enjoy, from visiting museums to going to beaches and festivals. Just make sure you pack the right wardrobe!  

Safety

Although France is a country safe to travel, here we have some recommendations for you, to make your trip more enjoyable and safe. First, if you are enjoying a coffee or a croissant on a terrace, it will always be better to have your bag with you, and never leave it aside or on a table, since thieves can take advantage of distracted tourists.

The same advice can apply to train stations because they are usually very crowded with locals and tourists. Last but not least, is to avoid visiting places that are not very crowded at night, such as parks that can be dangerous when it is dark.

Budget

How much money does it cost to travel to France? This is a question that everyone who travels to a new place should ask themselves. The money we have available (budget) will always determine where we will stay, what restaurants we can afford, and what attractions we can book.

It does not matter if you have a limited budget or if you want to spend all your savings on the trip of a lifetime, we assure you that you will be able to enjoy the wonders of France.

For one week you can expect to spend €1,275 ($1,430) and for two weeks around €2,551 ($2,862). If we break down by category, you would spend in one day: €122 ($137) on a hotel or hostel, €30 ($34) on meals for one day, €23 ($26) on local transportation and €25 ($28) on entertainment. 

Let’s learn about the prices of common items in France: 

1. Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: €9 ($10.14) – Sweet crepes in Breizh Café.
2. Mid-range restaurant: €31 ($34.91) – A three-course dinner in Cote Marais.
3. Soft Drink: €2.49 ($2.80) – 12 oz small bottle.
4. Beer: €5.90 ($6.64) – A pint  

Currency

The Euro is the currency used in most of the European countries, France included. The easiest way to pay in the French country is to use a credit card of the companies MasterCard or Visa (American Express in some places) which are the most commonly accepted in the stores.

Another method to pay is in cash; you can get some of the Euros by the ATMs (with charges for the use of your card) that you can found in many shopping centers or shopping malls, airports, the main train stations, and other common places.

However, you must know that carrying around large amounts of cash is not safe. Most French banks can be used for sending or receiving cash by wire transfer, for example by Western Union.

Interesting facts about the culture

One of the first things that you should know about this country is that the official language is French. So if you are traveling there to stay a long time (maybe several weeks), you should learn some common words and phrases. It will not only give a good impression to the locals but also will make communication easier if you need to ask for something.

For example, it is important to learn how to say hello (Bonjour) and goodbye (Au revoir), since you are expected to say it when starting and ending a conversation, especially with a stranger if you are asking for any indication.

France is famous for its cuisine and gastronomy, which is why French food is also a major draw for tourists. They make dishes that usually require a lot of preparation (e.g. boeuf bourguignon). However, they also invented the crepe that is a type of very thin pancake. They can be sweet and savoury galettes and are served in many restaurants around the country. 

One of the events that attract more tourists during June and July is the Tour de France, which is the biggest bike race around the world since 1903. So for more than 100 years, many tourists visit the country to watch the race.

Finally, like many other countries in Europe, France is famous for its passion for one thing: football. They have won the FIFA World Cup twice, in 1998 and 2018.

What to do in France

France is an exotic destination, with the elegant culture, fashion, and gastronomy of its capital and populous city: Paris. This city has many beautiful places and monuments to see.

Paris is a world center for art, in addition to the most popular monument of the whole country, the Eiffel tower. One of the most important events of this city is the Paris Fashion Week, which is a clothing fair held twice a year.

Places to visit in Paris

• The Eiffel Tower, in Champ de Mars: One of the iconic monuments of the French country, a big building of Paris.
• Louvre Museum, in Rue de Rivoli: a fantastic museum, with famous exhibitions and sculptures.
• Arc de Triomphe, in the Place Charles de Gaulle: Historical monument, honors to the people from the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars.

If you want to see more historic places in France, you can go to the South of Paris and you will find the city of Lyon. Its center reflects two thousand years of history; this city has a large railway network and an international airport.

Places to visit in Lyon

• Vieux Lyon: Popular District in Lyon, known for its medieval cathedral, Renaissance mansions, and other sights.
• Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, in 8 Place de Fourvière: It is an incredible minor basilica of Catholic worship.

That is not all; another city you must visit is Bordeaux. A wonderful city, the center of the famous wine region. It is known for its Gothic Saint André Cathedral, 18th and 19th-century mansions, and outstanding art museums.

Places to visit in Bordeaux

• Place de la Bourse: Iconic urban plaza with 18th-century architecture, and a large water mirror.
• The Cathedral of Saint Andrew of Bordeaux, in Place Pey Berland: Huge Gothic-style cathedral church.
• Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux, in Place de la Comédie: Exotic grand Theater with a 1780 facade that presents operas, dance, and music shows.

How to get around

France offers the easiest ways to move around the country, the public services are efficient and the public transportation network connects most cities. France has one of the earliest high-speed train systems and continues to add destinations.

The TGV (Train a Grande Vitesse) serves 150 cities in France and neighboring countries, at speeds up to 200 miles per hour. Alternatively, if you want to save your money, you can use the Slow train to travel around France. Another option if you want to visit little towns or villages could be renting a car, which will give you the freedom you need.

How to stay connected in France

If you have a smartphone, we are sure that you cannot imagine traveling without it. So to stay connected in France you have several options. The main operator in the country is called Orange, which will provide you all the services you need and has the best coverage.

The other options that you can take into account are SFR, Bouygues Telecom, and Free that are local providers. Another option available is to choose an international provider, such as SimOptions, that offers international prepaid SIM cards to more than 200 countries around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I rent a car?

The best way to travel long distances in France is by train or airplane. You could rent a car to visit small villages but keep in mind that will be expensive ($45).  

Which airports can I fly to?

If you are going to the capital, the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Paris Orly Airport are excellent options. The Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport and Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport are also popular airports.

What are the most popular types of hotels?

There are the French Bed & Breakfast accommodation (B&Bs), the Boutique Hotels and the hotel chains (for example the one that is at the Paris Charles de Gaulle airport)

How much does a holiday cost?

You can spend around €200 ($225.40) on a holiday, including hotel, meals, transportation, and entertainment.  

What are the best things to do?

If you travel to Paris, you can visit the Eiffel Tower, the historical monuments and the Paris Fashion Week.

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