Travelling in France: the complete guide to plan your trip

In short: for a successful trip to France, avoid French school holidays if you can, travel by train between major cities and by car in the regions, and book your accommodation early in well-connected areas. Check entry requirements on official websites and adapt your plans to the way you travel: with family, as a couple, solo or on a budget.

This guide covers the essentials, then points you to our detailed articles on each topic.

When to go to France?

There is no bad season, but each has its advantages.

• Spring (April to June): pleasant temperatures, gardens in bloom, reasonable crowds outside the May bank-holiday weekends. Often the best compromise for cities and countryside.
• Summer (July and August): high season. Beaches, festivals and long evenings, but also crowds on the coast, higher accommodation prices and sometimes intense heat in the south. In August, some neighbourhood shops close for the holidays.
• Autumn (September to November): soft light, grape harvests in the vineyards, fewer visitors. September is ideal on the Mediterranean coast.
• Winter (December to March): skiing in the Alps and Pyrenees, Christmas markets in Alsace, museums without queues in Paris. Some seaside resorts slow down.

Whatever the season, check the French school holiday calendar. During these periods trains fill up fast, accommodation prices rise and the best-known sights are very busy. The official calendar is published by the French Ministry of Education [TO CHECK: this year’s dates on education.gouv.fr].

Entry requirements

The rules depend on your nationality.

• EU, EEA and Swiss citizens: a valid ID card or passport is enough.
• Other nationalities: depending on your country, a Schengen visa may be required. The official france-visas.gouv.fr website tells you in a few questions whether you need one and which documents to provide.
• New European systems: the European Union is introducing electronic registration of entries and exits at its external borders, as well as an online travel authorisation (ETIAS) for some visa-exempt travellers. Check whether they apply to you on the date of your trip [TO CHECK on official European Union websites].

Also check your own government’s travel advice before you go.

Getting around France

Arriving by plane

Paris (Charles de Gaulle and Orly) handles most long-haul flights, but many regional cities (Nice, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Toulouse…) have international airports connected to the rest of Europe and North Africa. Depending on your itinerary, flying straight into a region can save you a day. Compare flexible dates and arrival airports: the price difference can be significant.

Trains between major cities

France has a vast high-speed rail (TGV) network linking Paris to regional cities in a few hours, as well as several regional cities to each other. Low-cost options exist (such as Ouigo), with stricter conditions on luggage and stations served [TO CHECK on the SNCF website]. Regional trains (TER) serve smaller towns.

As a rule, the earlier you book, the more choice of times and fares you get. All the details (TGV INOUI, OUIGO, Intercités, TER, buses, where to book) in our guide Trains and buses in France.

A car for regions and countryside

For Provence villages, the Loire castles, Brittany, Alsace or mountain roads, a car gives you freedom that trains cannot. Good to know:

• motorways are largely toll roads;
• several large cities have low-emission zones that may require a Crit’Air sticker [TO CHECK for each city];
• parking in cities is expensive and limited: pick up the car as you leave the city.

To choose your rental well (excess, deposit, insurance), read our car rental comparison.

In cities

Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, Toulouse and Rennes have a metro; many other cities have trams and bike-sharing. In historic centres, walking is often the most pleasant option.

Where to stay?

Choosing the area matters more than choosing the hotel: a well-located place saves you time every day. Our guide Where to stay in France compares the best areas city by city, and each destination page details the neighbourhoods:

• Paris · Nice · Lyon
• Marseille · Bordeaux · Strasbourg

Your travel style changes what you look for: an apartment with a kitchen for families, a boutique hotel for couples, a central hostel when solo, a hotel with parking on a road trip. See our tips by traveller profile.

What budget to plan?

We don’t give exact prices here: they vary widely by season, city and booking date. The items that make your budget vary most are, in order:

1. accommodation, especially in Paris, on the Riviera and during school holidays;
2. long-distance transport, much cheaper when booked ahead;
3. food: set lunch menus are often better value than dinner;
4. sightseeing: many national museums offer free entry or discounts depending on age or on certain days [TO CHECK for each museum].

Travelling on a tight budget? See our budget travel page.

Staying connected

If you live in the European Union, your mobile plan usually works in France on the same terms as at home. If you come from elsewhere, a travel eSIM is often the simplest solution. All the details in our guide Internet in France.

Money, payment and tipping

• The currency is the euro. Bank cards are very widely accepted, including contactless; still carry some cash for markets and small shops.
• Service is included in restaurant and café prices. Tipping is optional, left when satisfied.
• A tourist tax is added to the price of many types of accommodation; the amount depends on the town and the category [TO CHECK when booking].

Health, safety and emergencies

• 112 is the European emergency number. You can also call 15 (medical), 17 (police) and 18 (fire brigade).
• Pharmacies, marked with a green cross, give good advice for minor health issues.
• As in any big tourist city, watch your belongings on public transport and in crowded places.
• Travellers insured in the EU can use their European Health Insurance Card. Others should check their health cover before leaving.

Practical info

• Electricity: 230 V, type E sockets (two round pins). Bring an adapter if your country uses another standard.
• Meal times: lunch around 12–2 pm, dinner from 7–7.30 pm. Outside these hours, many traditional restaurants close their kitchens.
• Sundays: many shops are closed, except in some tourist areas.
• Strikes: industrial action can disrupt transport. Check traffic information the day before an important journey.
• Language: a few words of French (“bonjour”, “merci”, “s’il vous plaît”) are always appreciated.

Trip ideas by traveller profile

• First visit: a few days in Paris, then a regional city by TGV (Lyon, Bordeaux or Nice).
• With kids: one main city and a base in the countryside or by the sea, with few changes of accommodation. See travelling with kids.
• As a couple: a weekend in Strasbourg, Bordeaux or Nice’s Old Town. See couples.
• Road trip: Provence and the Riviera, the Loire castles or Alsace by car. See road trips.