Travelling to France: Essential Tips for First-Time Visitors
Travelling to France is a dream that sits high on many people’s bucket lists. For me, the opportunity came when we committed to a housesit in the little village of Pouancé in the Anjou region. It wasn’t exactly the ideal time travel during a global pandemic was stressful but the promise of spring in Paris and road trips through the Loire Valley and the Riviera was too tempting to pass up. What I discovered is that France rewards curiosity and patience. The more you step outside the well-worn path, the more generous and unforgettable the experience becomes.
- Travelling to France: Essential Tips for First-Time Visitors
- Visiting France a travel Guide
- Arriving in France: Flights, Trains, and Ferries
- Paris and Beyond: Seeing More of France
- Money and Currency in France
- Getting Around France
- Accommodation in France
- Eating and Drinking in France
- Shopping, Markets, and Local Life
- Practical Travel Tips
- French Vocabulary for Travelers
- Best Day Trips from Paris
- Final Thoughts on Travelling to France
Visiting France a travel Guide
Arriving in France: Flights, Trains, and Ferries
Direct flights from North America and the UK
If you’re flying from North America, Paris is the natural gateway with multiple direct flights daily. Canadians can find nonstop options from Montreal and Toronto, while Americans are spoiled for choice from New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Airfares fluctuate with the seasons. June through August is peak season when the crowds swell and prices rise, while spring and early autumn balance good weather with better deals. Winter is quieter and perfect for those who want to ski in the Alps or enjoy the charm of Paris without the summer rush.
Eurostar and Channel crossings
From London, the Eurostar is a smoother alternative to flying, whisking you into the heart of Paris in just over two hours. Driving through the Channel Tunnel is another option if you want to bring your car, though ferries are often cheaper. Keep in mind though during the summer months ferries tickets tend to be much more expensive.
If your trip includes Normandy, don’t miss the D-Day beaches one of the most moving historical experiences France has to offer.
Best time of year to travel to France
Spring (May–June) and autumn (September–October) balance good weather with fewer crowds. July–August bring higher prices and heavy tourist traffic, especially along the Côte d’Azur. Winter is ideal for skiing in the Alps or enjoying quieter cities.
Paris and Beyond: Seeing More of France
Paris is often the first stop, and it deserves its reputation as one of the world’s great capitals. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Montmartre—all the clichés are wonderful in person. But Paris is not France. I learned that lesson quickly once we reached Pouancé, where villagers greeted us with warm bonjours as they passed in the street. In smaller towns, people are less hurried and more open, though often shy about speaking English. Making the effort to learn a few French phrases earns smiles and sometimes friendships.
The French government even published a guide to encourage Parisians to be kinder to tourists, which tells you something about the contrast between the capital and the countryside. My advice: enjoy Paris, but don’t stop there. The Dordogne, Provence, Alsace, Normandy, and Brittany each feel like different countries within a single border.
Why Paris is not the whole story
While Paris rightly captures the world’s imagination with its iconic landmarks and artistic heritage, it represents only one facet of France’s profound cultural tapestry. To see only the capital is to miss the rustic charm of a Provençal village, the maritime power of a Breton port, and the serene elegance of the Loire Valley châteaux. Each region possesses its own distinct history, dialect, traditions, and culinary specialties, offering a depth and diversity that a single city, however magnificent, cannot contain. Limiting a trip to Paris alone means experiencing the grand introduction but missing the many rich chapters that follow.
Discovering the French countryside
Venturing into the French countryside is to discover the nation’s true rhythm and soul, where life is dictated by the seasons, the harvest, and the long, leisurely meals that define French cuisine. It is a place to explore winding canals in Burgundy, hike through the dramatic peaks of the Pyrenees, or lose yourself in the lavender fields of Provence. Here, you can connect with local artisans, chat with farmers at a morning market, and experience a pace of life that feels a world away from the urban bustle. The countryside offers not just a change of scenery, but a profound sense of place and a deeper, more authentic connection to the heart of France.
Money and Currency in France
Paying with euros and avoiding bad exchange rates
France uses the euro. ATMs are everywhere, and credit cards are widely accepted, though rural areas still prefer cash. Always choose to be charged in euros when using your card abroad, otherwise you risk poor exchange rates. As of autumn 2025, the rate hovers around €1 to $1.07 USD, but check the European Central Bank for current rates.
Tipping etiquette in French restaurants
Tipping is less stressful than in North America. Service is included in the bill, and while rounding up or leaving a euro or two is polite, it’s never compulsory.
Getting Around France
High-speed trains (TGV) and regional rail
France has one of the best public transport systems in Europe. The TGV, the country’s high-speed train, can take you from Paris to Lyon in just two hours or to Marseille in three. It makes long distances feel manageable for day or weekend trips. Local trains and regional buses are generally reliable, though strikes are a part of French life. On more than one occasion, I learned the importance of checking SNCF updates before heading to the station.
Driving tips, toll roads, and rural travel
Driving is another option if you want to explore rural France. Roads are excellent, but motorway tolls can add up quickly. Setting your GPS to avoid tolls takes you onto smaller national roads where you’ll pass through villages, vineyards, and countryside that most tourists never see. Renting a car is straightforward, though automatic transmissions are more expensive and in limited supply.
Accommodation in France
Hotels, gîtes, and Airbnbs
Accommodation in France is as diverse as its landscapes. Paris has boutique hotels, chic apartments, and luxury brands, while in the countryside you’ll find gîtes, traditional auberges, and cozy bed-and-breakfasts. Airbnb is common, though be prepared for quirks—like bathrooms without electrical sockets due to safety regulations.
Accessibility considerations for travelers
As someone with mobility challenges, I noticed accessibility varies. TGV trains are impressively equipped, but older metro stations in Paris can be tough. The Accessible France directory is a helpful resource if you’re planning a trip with specific needs.
Eating and Drinking in France
French meal times and dining etiquette
Food is a national passion, and meals follow their own rhythm. Breakfast is often just a coffee and a pastry, while lunch between 12 and 2 p.m. is sacred. Restaurants close between lunch and dinner, which begins later than many visitors expect, usually after 7:30 p.m.
Dining out is often the highlight of a trip. Many restaurants offer a fixed-price menu du jour with three courses and sometimes wine for under €15. These set menus are excellent value and a great way to sample regional cooking.
The ritual of the apéro
The apero—short for apéritif—is one of my favorite French rituals. Around 6 p.m., friends gather with pastis or a Kir cocktail, accompanied by nibbles like charcuterie or small verrines. Dinner follows later, stretching leisurely into the night.
Bread, cheese, and the law of the baguette
Bread and cheese are treated with near-religious respect. France produces close to a thousand varieties of cheese, and the average French person eats nearly 60 pounds of it annually. Baguettes are so important they are regulated by law, and in rural villages, you may even find vending machines ensuring a steady supply.
Wine culture and coffee traditions
Wine is equally central, though the French drink it differently than many visitors expect. Glasses are smaller, and the focus is on savoring rather than drinking heavily. Wine accompanies food, rarely served alone, and meals often end with a digestif like cognac rather than another round of wine.
Coffee culture is less about the brew and more about the ritual. Ordering a café usually means a strong espresso, often consumed while standing at the bar. It’s the perfect excuse to pause and watch life unfold around you.
Shopping, Markets, and Local Life
Store hours and Sunday closures
Shops in France keep to traditional hours. Many close for lunch, even supermarkets in smaller towns. Sundays are especially quiet; apart from morning markets or bakeries, most places are shuttered. Mondays can also be slow, as many businesses give their staff an extra day off. This rhythm takes adjustment if you’re used to 24-hour convenience, but it’s part of what makes France France.
French markets and seasonal produce
Markets are unmissable. They showcase the freshest seasonal produce, local cheeses, meats, and handmade goods. Wandering a market with a basket in hand, sampling strawberries or a wedge of cheese, feels like stepping into the heart of French life.
Practical Travel Tips
Carrying ID in France
French law requires you to carry identification. For visitors, that means your passport. I prefer to keep mine safe and carry a photocopy along with another form of ID, only producing the original when necessary for hotels or train travel.
Mobile phones, SIM cards, and Wi-Fi
Mobile phones are another consideration. If your phone is unlocked, buy a local SIM card to avoid roaming charges. WhatsApp is widely used across Europe for calls and texts over Wi-Fi, which is handy since free connections can be patchy outside major cities. Portable Wi-Fi devices are also available if you want reliable access everywhere.
Travel insurance and emergencies
Travel insurance is essential, especially for non-EU visitors. Healthcare is excellent but expensive for those without coverage. Insurance also protects against trip cancellations or lost luggage—worth the investment for peace of mind.
In case of emergencies, dial 112 for pan-European assistance. Other useful numbers are 15 for medical help, 17 for the police, and 18 for the fire brigade.
French Vocabulary for Travelers
There are a few basic words or phrases you should learn before you travel to France. Here’s a short list:
Bonjour – essentially hello and can be used any time of day
Bonsoir – Good evening – speaks for itself
S’il vous plait – please
Pardon – sorry or excuse me
Au revoir – goodbye
bonne journée – have a nice day
Merci – thank you
J’ai ne parle pas francais – I don’t speak French
parlez-vous anglais? – do you speak English?
You may have Google translate or some such option on your phone and try to speak as much French as you can or attempt a translation. The French are usually pleased as in any culture when you try to speak their language and if they have a bit of a laugh at your bad French laugh with them.
Best Day Trips from Paris
The Palace of Versailles is a dazzling symbol of French royalty, but it’s the vast gardens, fountains, and manicured groves that make a visit unforgettable. A short train ride from Paris, it’s perfect for a day steeped in grandeur.
In Giverny, you can walk through Claude Monet’s flower-filled gardens and lily pond, the very scenes that inspired his famous paintings. The pastel-pink house and gardens remain a living work of art just an hour from Paris.
Rouen and Normandy’s Gothic heritage
Rouen’s Gothic cathedral, immortalized by Monet, towers over cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses. The city’s medieval charm blends with Normandy’s history, making it a rewarding cultural escape. This is where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake and the tombs within Rouen Cathedral narrate the history of Normandy and England, housing the heart of Richard the Lionheart and the remains of figures from Rollo to the Empress Matilda, despite damage to some monuments over time.
The Normandy beaches carry the weight of history, where Allied forces landed on D-Day in 1944. Today, they’re places of reflection as well as beauty, dotted with memorials, museums, and sweeping sea views.
French châteaux
From the fairy-tale turrets of Chambord to the riverside elegance of Chenonceau, the lavender scented gards of Chateau Amboise to Leonardo da Vinci’s resting place. The châteaux of the Loire Valley showcase centuries of art, power, and architectural splendor. A château road trip reveals France at its most regal.
Final Thoughts on Travelling to France
Further afield, a road trip through the south of France offers beaches and glamour, with Lavender Fields of Provence, Medieval villages like Carcassone and Eze, while the French Riviera is endlessly fascinating.
Travel inspiration comes easily in France and it is never just about the sights. It’s about learning to live at a different pace, to savour food and conversation, to greet strangers with a bonjour. It’s about the unexpected—the baguette machine in a sleepy village, the long lunch where no one rushes the bill, the market vendor who lets you taste three cheeses before choosing one.
If you prepare with a little knowledge and a lot of curiosity, France will open its doors in ways no guidebook can fully explain. Whether it’s your first trip or your fifth, there’s always something new waiting just around the corner. Bon voyage.
If you’re exploring more of Europe, or thinking about living here longer term, I’ve put together a few guides that might help:
Europe Travel Guide and the Ultimate Europe Travel Resource Guide
How to Avoid Travel Scams in Europe
Schengen Rules Explained when travelling to Europe
/accessible-travel-guides-ireland-uk-europe/Guides
Carryon Luggage Rules Across Europe