11 Things to Know Before Traveling to France

There are no visa requirements for entering France or the European Union countries other than a valid United States passport. Be sure your passport is valid for at least six months at the time of your trip or airlines have the right to deny you passage. Schengen laws permit a stay of up to 90 days within any 180 days (the 90/180 Rule). For anything beyond that, you’ll need to apply in advance for a long-stay visa. If you exceed 90 days without a long-stay visa, you face stiff penalties.

Your passport serves as identification anywhere proof of ID is required. If you plan to rent a car, you will need both your passport and a valid driver’s license, so be sure to check well before your trip that both are up to date.

The euro is the official currency of France and all European Union member states. Be sure to familiarize yourself with dollar-to-euro exchange rates before you travel to have an idea of the cost of things. As long as you have a working debit card, there’s no need to order euros in cash at your bank before you go; you can easily obtain euros in cash at an ATM upon arrival— even at the airport. Consider alerting your bank and credit card that you’re traveling abroad so there’s no risk of denials or delays in receiving cash or spending on your credit card. Be sure you know what the currency conversion rates are for your credit card (usually 1%–3% of the purchase price), and consider shopping around for a card well beforehand that does not carry international charges.

Few goods in France will be cheaper than those in the US, especially since there is a 20% VAT added to most everything except groceries. However, for many goods, you are eligible for a “détax” refund. Ask for forms at stores where you’ve purchased your goods and deposit the filled-out forms at the Pablo terminals at the CDG and Orly airports.

If you’re staying in Paris, by far, your best bet for getting around the city and its near suburbs is the métro and RER (express métro). Fast, clean, easy to use, and well-priced (€2.50 a ride, as of this writing), it takes you no more than a 10-minute walk—and often much closer—to all of Paris’s principal sights. Cycling has exploded in the capital, and Parisians and visitors alike are taking advantage of dozens of newly opened cycling lanes and bike-sharing (Vélib in Paris). If you’re a pedestrian, be sure to look for speeding bikes before crossing!

You can travel directly to and from Paris to its major airports, Charles de Gaul (CDG) and Orly, on the RER B and certain dedicated buses around town. Paris does not have a set airport taxi fare like some US cities, so Uber or Bolt are almost always cheaper than a taxi. Be aware, however, that locating your ride at the airport can be maddening, as they’re restricted to specific spots that change frequently. Taxis are always available at dedicated stands.

For getting around France, the TGV (high-speed train) is a fast, easy, clean, timely, and economical way to travel between major metropolitan areas. You can research and book your tickets easily on the SNCF website in English. The farther in advance you book, the lower the rates will be. Regional trains are frequent and reasonable but take a little longer, stop more frequently, and you may have to change trains depending on where you’re traveling. A rental car is highly recommended if you’re traveling between small villages.

No matter where you go in France, you will find a regional specialty along with the French classics that you’ll find everywhere (crêpes, frites, croque monsieur, cheese and charcuterie plates…). It’s a great idea to do some research on the local dishes beforehand and maybe learn how to pronounce them to exercise your French.

Restaurants, bistrots, and wine bars keep strict dining hours: lunch is served between noon and 2 p.m. and dinner between 7 or 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Cafés, caves à manger (wine bars), and “bistronomic” restaurants (gourmet bistrots) have become popular alternatives to more formal restaurants, and many of them focus on locally sourced ingredients and small-producer, natural (organic or biodynamic) wines chosen to accompany the dishes of the day. Brasseries, the most low-key of them all, are open all day, a handy convenience for those on the go and people traveling with kids, since the menus tend to be a more accessible—and often less pricey—mix of French classics. Some brasseries, especially in Paris, are listed historic monuments, adding to their appeal.

Tipping. No matter where you dine, you will be charged a 20% tax that’s factored into the prices listed on the menu, so any tip you leave is above and beyond. However, a small tip is recommended no matter where you dine. France is increasingly going the way of the United States when it comes to indiscriminate tipping, so be on the lookout for little white machines asking you for anywhere from a 10%-20% percent tip. You can certainly choose to be generous, but you’re absolutely not required to pay that much extra on top of the added 20% you’re already paying.

All travelers to France or anywhere in Europe should make sure they have traveler’s health insurance coverage provided by your insurance company or another provider. There are several reputable insurers that provide short-term coverage in France and Europe for a reasonable price (Avi International and AXA Travel Insurance are two among many others). Though health care in France is affordable, and in the case of an emergency, no one will be turned away, you will pay for whatever services are provided.

Be sure to program in basic emergency phone numbers in France so they’re readily at hand if needed (15 is number for SAMU, the excellent French Emergency Medical Assistance Service; 17 for the emergency police).

There are no compulsory vaccination requirements for travelers coming to France at this time.

For a country the size of Texas, France has a remarkably diverse climate. Though all of France enjoys four seasons, there are variations: the hot Mediterranean south, the snowy Alps to the east, the cooler regions of Champagne and Alsace-Lorraine, and the wet, windy coastlines of the Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel. Generally speaking, summers are hot and getting hotter, and can be unbearably so in in July and August in the south, especially in Provence and the Côte d’Azur. In Provence and the Rhône Valley, the ferocious mistral wind can kick up any time of year, lowering temperatures (and pushing you or your car) with its powerful gusts. Winter temperatures in and below Paris rarely dip below freezing. The mild temperatures of spring (from early April to mid-June) and fall (from late September to early November) make these the best months to visit almost anywhere in France. Some people love January through March in Paris when plane fares are cheap and places less crowded. The skiing season in the Alps lasts from mid-December to into April.

It’s a great idea to have AccuWeather or the Weather Channel apps downloaded to your phone for an hour-by-hour forecast.

Comfortable shoes will always be the most important item in your suitcase, after that, it’s more a matter of good planning for weather and climate according to your personal style. Your vacation packing list will depend on where and when you’ll be traveling in France; for example, you will want to consider mosquito repellent, sunglasses, and your favorite sunscreen for travel any time of year in the south of France or (especially in spring and summer in the swampy Camargue) or in the sunny Alps. Be aware that France has disease-bearing deer ticks, so precautions should be taken for those staying in the countryside.

In general, the French, especially Parisians, tend to dress more formally than, say, in London or the UK. A chic scarf is an essential fashion element in all weather, but summer and raincoats are a good idea if you’re anywhere above Paris or in Normandy and Brittany.

With heavy legislation against guns or any concealed weapon, France is a very safe country, though you should always follow the precautions you’d follow anywhere in the world: carrying your credit cards and money in a zippered crossbody bag or fanny pack, leaving your passport in your hotel safe or another secure place; being aware of your surroundings at all times. It is true that terrorism alerts are heightened everywhere in Europe and in France, especially in Paris. The site Fit for Travel is a good resource for up-to-date information on staying safe when traveling abroad, as is the US Embassy in France, which offers the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a sign-up for alerts for situations developing in real-time.

The French have always maintained a tolerant, live-and-let-live attitude toward sexuality and respect the privacy of others. France is consistently given a high rating in the Rainbow Map, charting world attitudes toward their legal and policy practices for the protection of LGBTQ+ people. In their 2024 Gay Travel Index, Sparticus ranks France 24th, ahead of the UK and the Netherlands.

As the number of solo travelers soars, Unearth Women ranks Paris the number one city for women traveling alone, based on a 2022 study done by Airbnb and the personal safety app WalkSafe. Burgundy ranked as high as Paris as a solo destination.

No matter who you are or where you’re headed in France, it’s always best to have your first day or two well-planned while you get your footing. Always be sure your lodging is secured, you’re in good contact with your Airbnb hosts or hotel concierge, and friends and family know your itinerary (consider the tracking App Find My Friends). Also, be sure that your phone service functions well abroad. Most plans have international access, but if you’re uncertain, consider an international prepaid SIM or eSIM card that can be downloaded onto your phone online.

Though more and more Parisians pride themselves on their English, don’t assume everyone understands you when you blurt out a question in your native tongue (and don’t ever assume they don’t if you’re talking behind their back). You’ll get an A for effort if you learn a few key phrases in French and have the confidence to use them—even if you mangle the accent! Never enter a shop without saying “bonjour” (hello) or leave without saying “au revoir” (good-bye). If preface any question to a shop clerk or a museum attendant with “bonjour madame/monsieur,” and you’ll be much more likely to get a cheerful reception.

It’s a great idea to start learning with an app, or at least have a listen to learn correct pronunciation.

Good evening: Bon soir

Can you tell me where to find the bathroom (ticket booth, entrance): Pouvez-vous me dire où se trouvent (pronounced “trouve”) les toilettes (la billetterie, l’entrée)?

Can you tell me much this costs?: Pouvez-vous me dire combien ça coûte?

Can you tell me what time it is?: Pouvez-vous me dire quelle heure il est?

Where is the nearest metro station?: Où se trouve la station de métro la plus proche?

Let’s go: Allons-y

France has invested billions in countrywide internet infrastructure and high-speed broadband connectivity. Statista cites 100% 4G network coverage in France for 2025, with 3G at 99%. Hotels and Airbnbs are required to have wi-fi connectivity.

Though you will find all the equipment you need in France, it is a good idea to purchase whatever converter plugs for electronics in advance. Electricity in France runs on a 220-volt current rather than 110-volt in the US, and France uses a Type E plug, which is all you’ll need to charge your telephone, computer, and electric toothbrush. Be aware that for hairdryers and other electronics, you’ll need a converter—leave those at home. It’s also important to remember to bring any important backups and chargers, especially when on the road, and be vigilant about not forgetting anything on the airplane or in your hotel room.

No matter where you go it’s best not to behave like a tourist, though not always avoidable. Do your homework in advance so you know where you’re going and how to get there. That said, there are scammers and pickpockets everywhere in the world, and Paris and other big French cities are no exception.

In Paris, you’re most likely to encounter the ring scam, where someone asks you if you dropped a seemingly valuable gold ring, and when you say no, they’ll give it to you and then ask for money—and more money—in return. Resist this. It’s a guilt-tripping scam that works surprisingly well. The petition-signing scam is another, especially around crowded areas. Steer clear of anyone with a petition to sign, and do not give money on the street.

In other parts of France, you will rarely have a problem as long as you follow the guidelines set out in the paragraphs above.