France – home to the Eiffel tower, froggie-legged treats, French berets, and of course French-speaking folks. Yup they’ve got all that, but heaps more too!
It’s impossible not to like France whether it is the chic boulevards of Paris, the sparkling ski slopes of the Alps, sunlit vineyards and sun-baked beaches, the glamorous jet-set lifestyle of the Mediterranean or coffee and croissants in an undiscovered village.
France is very interesting and always full of surprises. One minute you’re in a big city, then next, you’re in a medieval walled village. Moving on, you drive through fields of sunflowers, and find yourself in an up-market cliff-top town with major religious significance.
It’s a very diverse country, but held together by the French attitude which is everywhere.
Check out my France travel trips packed with all the essential things you need to know before you go. Get the low down on visas, how to get there, things to see and places to go, not-to-be-missed events and some handy phrases that will have you yarning with the locals in no time, oui oui!
France Travel Resources
These are my favourite companies to use when I travel.
• Find cheap flights with Skyscanner.
• Get the best deals on hotels on Booking.com.
Fast Facts
Population
60,742,000
Languages Spoken
French
Currency
Euro €
Electricity
The electric current in France is 230V and the cycle is 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are widely used.
Time Zones
GMT + 1 (Central Europe time)
Daylight savings means the clocks go forward one hour on the last Sunday in March and go back one hour on the last Sunday of the following October.
Country Dialling Code
+33
Weights & Measures
Metric
Weather and Best Time to Visit
France is a large country, extending to around 1,000 km from north to south and from east to west. The climate varies from region to region:
Northern coastal regions experience a temperate climate much like England. The winters are mild with temperatures averaging around 5oC, while the warm summer temperatures are in the 20s and 30s. The weather can be unpredictable and rain can occur at any time of year.
Southwest France also experiences mild winters but the summers are much warmer. There is less rainfall in this region than in the northern part of France, however thunderstorms are common in the summer.
Central and inland France have more extreme weather and a greater variation between the seasons. The winter is harsher with snow and frost likely, whereas the summers are warmer. Rain fall is low but tends to fall in summer when the region can often experience thunderstorms.
The Mediterranean coast and Corsica have a typical Mediterranean climate of hot summer days and short mild winters. This region of France has the most sunshine hours each year – eleven or twelve during the summer.
Rain is scarce during the summer but when it does rain it pours, often with thunder. Periods of cold windy weather can occur in late spring, brought about by the famous northerly ‘mistral’ wind.
Mountain regions especially the Alps, but also the Massif Central and the Pyrenees at high altitudes experience long and cold winters with substantial snowfall.
When to Go
The weather in France is the nicest during the spring months of May and June or at the beginning of autumn in September and October. There are also less people during this time. The hoards pour in for summer vacation during July and August, making it the worst time to visit if you’re not keen on crowds (and higher prices).
Getting to France
France is one of the easiest countries in the world to get to with flights from international destinations, and the option to cross into the country via rail and road.
The country’s close proximity to the UK means there are a number of France transportation options. There are frequent flights which make the one hour journey from London to Paris, or you can take the high speed Eurostar and be in Paris in about 2 hours 15 minutes. There is also the option to go via water on one of the cross channel services connecting England with France.
Vehicles can travel to France via the channel tunnel or ‘chunnel’. All road vehicles are carried through the tunnel in shuttle trains running between the two terminals at Folkestone, Kent in Britain and Calais in France. It’s a swift journey of only 35 minutes from platform to platform and fares are charged according to how long you’re staying, the time of year, and whether or not you have a reservation.
How to Get Around
Air
You can travel easily around France by air and there are a number of airlines that service the domestic airports.
Rail
With a network of over 34,200 km rail lines (and over 12,000 km of that electrified), you’ll find the trains a great way to get around France. If you have a need for speed, the TGV will get you from Paris to Brittany and southwest France at 300kph, to Lyon and the southeast at 270kph and to Strasbourg and the east at 320kph. A rail pass is the best way to see the country and there are some great discounts if you’re under 26.
Road
The first thing to remember if you’re hiring a vehicle is that the traffic drives on the right. Also be aware of the sometimes-observed rule on certain roundabouts where priority is given to traffic joining the roundabout (ie give way to the left). There is no definitive guide for when you should or shouldn’t observe this rule so approach French roundabouts with caution!
Organised Tours
Organised tours are a great way to see the sites and soak up the local culture – especially if you’re travelling alone or are a first-time traveller. Check out some of the options for tour companies offering trips in France. If you are 18 – 35 I recommend group tours with G Adventures or Contiki.
Water
State-run car ferries connect the larger islands on the Atlantic coast with the mainland; they also sail regularly across the mouth of the Gironde. The island of Corsica is served by ferries which run from Marseille, Toulon and Nice to Ajaccio, Propriano, Porto Vecchio and Bastia on the island. Boats can also be chartered.
Best Places to Visit in France
Check out our list of unmissable attractions. This is just a taste of what this great country has to offer!
Paris is said to be one of the most romantic cities in the world and is arguably one of the most beautiful. There is so much to see and do here but your visit wouldn’t be complete without admiring the views from the Eiffel Tower, checking out the Mona Lisa and other famous artworks at the Louvre, beholding the French gothic architecture of the Notre Dame or visiting the Sacre Coeur. A visit to Versailles is also recommended.
Bordeaux is one of France’s key wine regions, and is famous especially for its drop of red, but there is plenty more on offer if you’re not into the drink! Beautiful mountains in the Pyrenees, great beaches such as Biarritz and many medieval towns and castles to name just a few highlights. The ever-popular Dordogne valley isn’t far away either.
Cosmopolitan Marseille lies on the Mediterranean coast and has a reputation for great weather all year round, awesome shopping, and yummy restaurants. It has a rich history dating back over 2,500 years so there are plenty of buildings and museums to lose yourself in. Get along to cours Julien (known as the ‘cours Ju’), the city’s most youthful area and home to a plethora of fashion boutiques, bookshops, cafes and music venues.
French Riviera
The French Riviera (or Côte d’Azur) is the spectacular Mediterranean coast of southeastern France. It includes famously glamorous beach resorts such as Saint-Tropez and Cannes, and the independent microstate of Monaco.
Despite the beaches being pebbled, the coast (the French Rivera) is still among the most beautiful in Europe. Spot the celebrity! Many famous faces have shacked up in the region. Aside from celebrity-spotting you can visit one of the many museums, explore the cobbled streets and historical buildings.
View my Nice travel guide – this is one of my favourite cities in the whole of Europe.
Montpellier is one of my favourite places in France, and it really doesn’t get the love is deserves. This city is really pretty, and it also has one of the best climates and amount of sun compared to most places in Europe. Not to mention the beautiful white sandy beaches!
Lyon
Tempt your palate in Lyon, a place best known for its tasty cuisine. There’s architecture aplenty as well – check out the St-Jean cathedral, Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière topped by twin turrets and in the old town you’ll find the Roman amphitheatre. With a great cultural and art vibe, some great nightlife and interesting museums; Lyon will leave you more than satisfied.
Avignon
Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a great place for those into their history. The walled city has museums, a historic bridge, the massive medieval fortress Pont St- Bénéze and a palace to explore. The countryside is very easy on the eye in this region and its performing arts festival in July is a big draw card for visitors.
Corsica
Visitors flock to the island of Corsica to bask in the Mediterranean sunshine and laze on the sand – with 1,000 km of it there is plenty to go around. Along with the perfect beaches come plenty of activities like swimming, snorkelling, wind-surfing, scuba diving and sunbathing. Corsica is also a great place sample not only French cuisine, but Italian as well because of its close proximity.
Provence
With hills covered in herbs and flowers, Provence has long inspired artists – from Van Gogh to Picasso. You can actually visit the cafe Van Gogh painted in ‘the Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum’. Each village has its own character, specializing in a type of wine, cheese, sausage, or particular craft. Visit Orange for impressive Roman ruins, including an amphitheatre.
Annecy
Annecy is a well preserved medieval town, with picturesque streets and waterways, running past traditional French food traders, and outdoor cafés. It’s on the shore of a large lake, and you can rent pedalos or swim.
Brittany
What makes Brittany a pure haven? Let’s just say the fact that it is home to the largest stretch of beach in all of France doesn’t hurt! The charms of Brittany range from idyllic countryside to bustling beaches to five-star resorts to ramshackle camping – it’s pretty much all bases covered for a great holiday. What’s more, it couldn’t be easier to reach from the UK with a ferry crossing which can often ends up being one of the most enjoyable highlights of the trip!
Skiing
France has some of the best ski resorts in Europe and if you have a passion for the slopes check out my travel guide to Tignes.
France Travel Tips
Have yourself a fantastic holiday but make sure you respect the local culture in France at the same time – here are some France travel tips and advice:
La bise – ‘The kiss’
Most of the time you will greet a French person with a handshake, but if you have gotten to know them you may greet them instead with la bise. It starts by bringing one cheek close to their cheek, then simulating a kissing noise (silence is ok too).
This is then repeated on the other cheek, and maybe a few more times (and sometimes twice is enough). The total number of kisses depends on the region, the person… Even the French are confused. Left? Right? Two, Three, Four? Kiss? Handshake? Don’t take it seriously, and laugh at it if it goes wrong.
Lunch breaks
Lunch breaks in France last one to three hours and, except in major urban zones, everything is closed. Most supermarkets will stay open but the banks close even in Paris. As a general rule you can expect shopping and banking to be out between the hours of midday and 2 pm, and if you’re still in a store at 11.45 you will probably be chased to the checkout!
Taxis
Taxi meters are turned on the moment the driver leaves to pick you up so be prepared for the meter to show more than the minimum!
Useful French Words & Phrases
Try to speak French if you can, locals will really appreciate it if you have a go at speaking the language – even if your accent is horrible.
A few rusty words in French is better than going for English, and avoiding the effort. The French take pride in their language so it’s best to show some respect – many French people will then come to your rescue in English.
Some basic words and phrases which I recommend learning include:
Bonjour (hello)
Bonjour is good start when striking up a conversation and is followed by Monsieur (male), Madame (female) or Mademoiselle (young female).
Au revoir (goodbye)
Pronounced ‘ov-wah’
Parlez-vous Anglais?
Do you speak English?
Rade
A typical French bar, popular and cheap.
On va en boite?
Fancy going to a nightclub?
Miam miam (yum yum)
A must in the country of food
Un canon
An extremely attractive lad or lass.
C’est combien?
How much is this? The shoppers must-know phrase.
C’est le coup de bamboo
Literally ‘it’s a bamboo stroke’ referring to something being painfully expensive.
S’il vous plait (please) / Merci (thank you)
Being polite always helps.
Money & Budget
France is an EU country that joined the EMU – the Economic and Monetary Union – which introduced the single currency, the euro. The current exchange rate is approximately €1.10 = £1.
Sample Prices
It is always a good idea to budget for a trip so you don’t run out of money. Here are a few sample prices to help you plan your holiday in France:
• Petit café/café au lait = €2
• Eiffel tower souvenir keyring =€2
• Filled baguette = €4.50
• A dish of escargot (snails) = from €10
• French beret = €25
• Average room prices = anywhere from €15-50 at the lower end, to €50-100 mid-range and €100-150 at the high end.
• Average meal prices = €4-15 for a cheap meal, around €15-25 for mid-range and €25-35 and upwards at a classy joint!
These prices are in French euros, and are subject to change.
Tipping
Most restaurants in France will include a 15% service charge in the bill so there is no need to tip unless you feel the service warrants extra. Taxi drivers will usually get 10-15% of the metered fare; bell boys will get 1.50 per item of luggage and room cleaners about the same per day. If you’re on a tour it is customary to tip the guide and driver a few euros too.
Banking Hours
Most banks are open Monday to Saturday from 9 am to midday, and 2 till 5 pm – some are closed Monday and some are open Saturday. Banks will close at midday on the day before a bank holiday and some will remain closed for all or part of the day after. All major credit cards are accepted in France.
Visa & Entry Requirements
Get all your France work & tourist visa info right here! Whether you’re wanting to go on holiday or you’re keen to work you’ll find all you need to know before you go about France visa requirements.
Tourism Visa
If you hold a valid British/EU passport then you don’t need a holiday or tourist visa to enter France for the first three months of stay.
Working Holiday Visa
Want to soak up the true culture of France, how about working there? EU nationals are able to work in other EU countries including France visa-free, woohoo!
What about studying in France? You could do a French language course while immersing yourself in the local culture – the best way to learn.
Health & Safety
France health care and hospitals are of a very high international standard. Citizens of EU countries are covered for emergency medical treatment in France on presentation of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Full travel insurance is advised for all travellers. In an emergency call 15 for assistance.
Below are a few hints and tips to ensure you have a hassle-free holiday in France:
Take the usual precautions to protect yourself, your passport, and other valuables when out and about. Try to utilise hotel safe facilities and if driving, do not leave valuables in the vehicle.
If travelling in a caravan or rental car be wary of stopping at isolated rest areas in case of mugging. If you are planning to stop overnight to sleep seek local advice on where to park to avoid burglary. Try to avoid parking in isolated or dark areas of camping grounds or car parks, and consider installing an alarm if you are travelling in a caravan.
Keep vehicle doors locked and windows closed in the South of France. It is common for passing motorbike riders to snatch handbags from the passenger seat while vehicles are stopped at traffic lights.