France Travel Guide: a destination for never-ending explorations

Take a sojourn with us to the land of medieval cities, fashion, culture, and heritage!

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FRANCE PROVINCES EXPLORED

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FRANCE UNESCO SITES VISITED

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FRANCE NATIONAL PARKS VISITED

Why should you travel to France?

With numerous tourist destinations, France is a country famous for its idyllic countryside, ancient monuments, sandy beaches, picturesque landscapes, and lavender fields.

Located in Central Europe, France is one of the safest places to travel in the world. France is a tourism magnet with its castles, coastline, fashion, cuisine, architecture, and many more wonders. Through this France Travel Guide, you can find the best time to visit, things to know before traveling to France, the best places to visit in France, and some other interesting facts!

From its D-Day beaches in Normandy to its iconic Eiffel Tower, France is a land suited for exploration and wonder. It has the fourth-largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Pont D' Arch, Etretat Cliff, and Camargue Salt Flats.

It has 44 UNESCO sites in total and 11 national parks. Monaco, the Roman Ruins, the Palace of Versailles, and Cote d'Azur are other places best for visiting in France.

Interesting Facts France

Flag of France

France's National Animal

Gallic Rooster

France National Dish

Pot-au-Feu, Crepes, Macrons, Croissants, Coqauvin

Currency in France

Euro (€)

France Time Zone

Central European Standard Time Zone or CET (GMT+1)

Europe Best time to visit: weather and climate

Best time to visit France

Although you can visit France any time of the year, the best time to visit France is either during the Spring season, between April and June, or in the Autumn season, between September and November. However, the peak season is between June and early July.

As the climate is not extremely cold or hot you can visit France and especially Paris all year round. However, it is not suitable to visit France between mid-July and the end of August. It is because of the French holidays and because of the peak season with many tourists from other European countries who spend their holidays in France.

In Central and East France, there is a continental climate. However, Northern France can be wet and unpredictable, and in the South, there is West Coast weather with violent storms.

Things to know before you travel to France

Safety in France

France is a safe place for travelers. France ranks 66th out of 163 countries in the 2020 Global Peace Index. However, there are chances of petty theft while you travel in crowded transports like the Metro, RER trains, and trains. They are common in big cities, tourist sites, and beaches.

It is necessary to be precautious of fake policies in the streets, who try to steal your valuables and passport. Dangerous demonstrations can happen anytime in France. So, it is necessary to keep track of the local news. Madeline, Champs Elysees, and Arc de Triomphe are some places where theft is common. Traveling in France in the daytime is safe. However, sometimes at night, traveling in France can be dangerous. Always keep an eye on your luggage while traveling in crowded trains and metros.

Visa requirements for France

People traveling from the European Union can enter the country freely with a valid passport or Identity Card. Non-European travelers traveling from Australia, New Zealand, the US, and Canada can also enter France without a visa for 90 days. You have to apply for a Visa if you are planning to stay longer. If you are from other countries, you can apply for the Schengen Visa by filling out the application form. You can do it both online and offline. Want to apply for a visa online? Visit the official visa website for France.

Responsible Travel in France

France is a country known for encouraging eco-tourism. France follows the green principles of tourism. Mercantour National Park, Scandola Nature Reserve, and Cévennes National Park are a few places in France that highlight sustainability and eco-tourism. France has incorporated traditional markets, carbon-neutral public transport, and other green tourism programs. Velib is a bicycle sharing project in France for travelers. It is in Lyon, Niu, Rouen, and Marseille. There are car and bike-sharing programs as well. The French government also encourages tourists to purchase bioproducts locally made.

Vaccinations & anti-Malaria tablets for France

France has one of the best health systems in the world. Vaccinations are not mandatory for travelers belonging to the European Union. However, it is advised to give Measles Vaccine to young children. You can also get routine vaccines for Polio, Flu, Chickenpox, etc. The rabies vaccine is essential while traveling to France due to the presence of bats. Concerning other health checkups, European Union Citizens can use European Health Insurance to avoid charges. There is no Malaria in France.

Spoken languages in France

88% of French people communicate in French. Around 3% speak in German. Though most French travel guides and other people can communicate in English, you can always learn a few words in case of any emergencies. You can also rely on Google translators or other such platforms to speak with the local people.

Things to do add to your bucket list while traveling to France

Visit Eiffel Tower in Paris City of Love in France

Admire the Eiffel Tower

Built-in 1889 as a temporary exhibit for the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, the Eiffel Tower has become an icon of Paris. It is around 324m tall with three floors. You can reach the third floor via a lift, or you can even climb the 720 stairs. The tower opens at 11 am and closes by 5 pm on weekdays. On weekends, the Eiffel Tower is open till 7 Pm. You can visit the place either during lunchtime or in the evening to avoid crowding.

Visit the Lavender Fields in Provence

There are several Lavender Fields in the Provence. The best time to immerse yourself in the enchanting hues of lavender is at the end of June towards early July. The Lavender Fields, part of the Valensole Plateau are a scenic beauty worth photographing and one of the best places to see Lavender in the Provence. The Lavender Fields in the Luberon area offer picturesque scenery with an abbey in the backdrop.

Valensole Lavender Fields

Normandy and its D-Day Beaches

There are several beaches in Normandy that have played a role in the Second World War. Along with the beaches, other locations preserve the ruins, and shreds of equipment of the war are also present in Normandy.

Omaha Beach is one of the D-Day beaches. There is the Garden of the Missing, the Memorial, and a viewpoint close to the beach. Utah Beach is near the Crisbec Battery Museum, which is a semi-open-air museum.

Sainte Mere Eglise is a place located inland from the Utah beach. There is an airborne museum, church, American cemetery, and Memorial in Sainte Mere Eglise worth visiting.

Explore the cliffs of Etretat

Etretat offers mesmerizing coastal scenery. It is between the towering cliffs on the Alabaster coast in Normandy. Though there are no direct trains available, you can travel via buses or other private transport facilities. It is a picturesque destination and is the favorite of several painters, including Gustave Coubert and Camille Corot. You can always go on a hike to explore the limestone cliffs while you are in Etretat.

You can add Falaises d' Etretrat, Porte d'Aval, Monument Nungesser et Coli, and Les Jardine d'Etretat to your travel bucket list.

City Trip to Europe's City of Love: Paris

Paris is a city of dreams, culture, creativity, class, and style. With a history of more than 1000 years, there is no end to exploring Paris. Some of the places you can visit in Paris include the Eiffel Tower, the Sainte Chapelle, the Palace of Versailles, the Louvre Museum, and the Latin Quarter. The Pantheon in the Latin Quarter is a neoclassical building with a church. Other places include the Musee D' Orsay, Holocaust museum, and the Jardin du Luxembourg, the largest public park with hundreds of statues.

Le Mont Saint Michel

Le Mont Saint Michel is a village in Normandy and has a steep climb. You can travel to the location via direct trains from Paris. Pontorson is the closest railway station from where you can access Le-Mont Saint Michael.

There is Mont Saint Michel Abbey and a cemetery close to the sea in the village. La Mere Poulard is a restaurant built-in 1879. It is famous for its wall of autographs. You can spot the autograph of Ernest Hemingway as well. Le-Mont Saint Michel offers a magical sunset and is a famous photography spot for many travel photographers. You can also enjoy the Renaissance festival and the rich history of the land.

You can always browse back to our France Travel Guide in case of any clarifications before you pack your bags for your trip. Bon Voyage!