The land of fine food, grand architecture, majestic views, established culture and romance is not one but possibly the most beautiful country in Western Europe. It’s a country that has it all. From the sea to the mountains, France offers places such as cold but beautiful Brittany, the French Rivera with its warm and clear blue sea and not forgetting its mountains with unlimited skiing opportunities and photogenic views of Mont Blanc. The country is the most visited tourist destination in the world with 89.3 million people visiting the country in 2018 and making Paris the third most visited city globally after London and Bangkok.
When is the Best Time to Visit France?
The best time to visit France is honestly all year! Summer in the Centre Val de Loure, Pays de la Loire and Auvergne Rhone-Alps are beauitufl regions of the country to enjoy. The Provence-Alps- Cote d’Azur may be too hot in the summer months but can be enjoyed comfortably in either May or September. If it’s winter sports you’re after then Auvergne Rhone-Alps is the ultimate region to enjoy the Alps.
Festivals and Events
Cannes Film Festival: The world-famous red-carpet event, until 2003 has since been called the International Film Festival (Festival international du film) and known in English as the Cannes Film Festival. It is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around the world. Founded in 1946, the invitation-only festival is held annually (usually in May) at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.
Nice Carnival: This carnival takes place every year during the month of February and is one of the most popular events on the French Riviera, attracting each year hundreds of thousands of spectators. It sits as one of the world’s major carnival events, alongside the Brazilian Carnival, Venetian Carnival, and Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Bastille Day: In France, this is formally called the Fête Nationale française, whereas Bastille Day is the common name given in English-speaking countries to the national day of France, which is celebrated on 14 July each year. It is a celebration that first took place on the first anniversary of the dismantlement of the Bastille fortress on 14 July 1789. The Storming of the Bastille was an important symbol of a new era in the country. It preceded the First Republic.
La Fête de la Musique: Make sure you’re ready for some noise as the Fête de la Musique, also known in English as Music Day, Make Music Day or World Music Day, is an annual music celebration that takes place on 21 June. On Music Day, citizens and residents are urged to play music outside in their neighbourhoods or in public spaces and parks.
Weather
Spring (April to June) or Autumn (September to November) are great times to avoid high numbers of tourists, however, if you want a more accurate time of when to visit the country, see below:
Good Weather – May – October
Sightseeing – April to June, September to November
On a Budget – March, April and November
Paris – May, June, September and October
South of France – May, June, July and September
Wine Country – March – May
France Tourist Information
Getting to France
There are a wide range of international airports in France, so depending on what region you are planning on visiting, you should have no trouble finding one for you. Otherwise, look towards using the railway services for an easy journey if you’re already in France’s neighbouring countries. If in the UK, there is the Eurostar service that can take you from London to Paris in just over 2 hours and if you’re planning on going further then France’s highspeed railway service; the TGV provides an unbeatable service for venturing deeper into the country. Driving to France is another option and chances are that if you’re already in a neighbouring country then you should have no difficulty driving once you’re in France itself.
Visas
Depending on your nationality, a visa is required when intending to travel to France. You must apply for a visa before departing at the nearest French Embassy or French Consulate in your country of residence. There are different types of visas and all depend on the duration and purpose of entering France. These are; tourism, professional Purposes, studies and family purposes.
Currency
The currency used in France is the Euro.
SIM Cards
LeFrenchMobile is a great service for travellers staying in France or even anywhere in Europe. Don’t limit yourself by purchasing the French SIM as even though the company is called “LeFrench” Mobile, if you were to purchase the European SIM, you can use it all over Europe, including France!
Time Difference
France is 1 hour ahead of GMT.
Electritcity
France operates on a 230V supply voltage with sockets of Type E and Type C (2 Pins).
Transport
Getting around France is usually very straightforward with trains, taxis and buses all over. However, the best form of transport is certainly to have your own vehicle as in some of the rural areas, you may feel stranded otherwise. If you don’t have access to a vehicle, then there is the well-known carpool service; BlaBlaCar. Cheap, often reliable and easy to use!
Personal Safety
Generally speaking, France is a safe country. Most people will intervene if you’re ever a victim of a crime as not only is it in good human nature but it is also illegal in the country not to help an individual when they are a victim. The national emergency number in France is 112. Like anywhere else it is not without some problems. A few things to know:
Paris
During daylight hours, Paris is very safe, however, at night it can be a different place. At night, the parks are frequented by drug dealers and sex workers. It’s much wiser to stick to well-lit thoroughfares when enjoying the city in the evening.
The South of France
While Paris is a pickpocket’s paradise, crime does become more common in the south. Particularly the Cote D’Azur cities of Marseille and Nice. The Mediterranean area has long been considered one of the most corrupt, crime-ridden areas of Europe – therefore you should be cautious while visiting. Most crimes are not going to affect travellers, as this involves drugs, prostitution, money laundering and robbery in the area. Local gangs compete with each other for the biggest slice of the market, especially in Marseille. Gun crime is common, but rarely a threat to visitors.
Civil Unrest
France is notorious for its planned protests and strikes. Avoid demonstrations and rallies as often they do turn violent.
Pickpockets
Where there are tourists, there will be thieves. Paris and other major cities do have issues with pickpockets. Be careful around all the hot tourist spots in the likes of Paris such as the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame and anywhere near the Eiffel Tower. Situational awareness is key and the best form of practice that you can take to protect yourself from opportunists. I.e if you’re in a restaurant, take your bag with you to the toilet, do not leave it at your table etc…
The Metro and RER are well known for pickpockets. Always keep a firm hold of your bag and wallet, day or night. Pickpockets are highly organised and skilled. What may feel like someone brushing past you or bumping in a crowd, could be a nifty pickpocket after your valuables. Part of a pickpocket or thief’s method is to grab for your bag or wallet, and jump on/off the train just as the doors are closing.
Travel Insurance
Read this sentence out loud: I will make sure that I have suitable travel insurance for my travels.
The amount of people that still travel without insurance is shocking. Travel insurance is essential for so many reasons and will help you in any worst-case scenario. A good insurance policy will cover you for any medical issues should you fall sick or have an accident. Cover for your gadgets is something to consider especially if you’re taking expensive camera equipment. If your flights are cancelled or your luggage is lost, a good policy will cover this. Travel insurance offers that peace of mind for when the unexpected does occur. Check your insurance policy to see if it’s right for you. Look at a comparison website to compare a range of policies.
Essential Travel Items
- Travel Adapter Plug – Does what it says on the tin! Don’t leave home without it.
- Packable Shopping Bag – It’s common in France to shop with your own bags.
- French Language Phrase Book – I recommend this Berlitz Phrase Book and Dictionary as it still travels with me to France to this day.
- Suncream – Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that French weather doesn’t have the power to burn your skin.
What to See and Do in France
Paris
Whoever said “Paris is always a good idea”, turns out that they were right. A trip to France would be most incomplete without a visit to the famous city of lights.
Chamonix
The beauty area of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc lies at the junction of France, Switzerland and Italy. The town itself sits at the base of Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest mountain rising to 4807.81m above sea level.
Côte d’Azur
The Côte d’Azur or French Riviera is the Mediterranean coast of southeastern France and offers all the sunshine one could ever want. You’ll find tons of energy during the tourist season as well as witness its reputation for being a playground for the rich and famous who have luxury villas on the coast and impressive yachts docked in the harbours. Private beaches, high-end restaurants, and five-star hotels reinforce the image of seaside elegance and prestige.
The Loire Valley
The garden of France is a just short train journey from Paris and an easy drive from the coast of Normandy. The area certainly feels like you’ve fallen into a fairytale land with its majestic chateaux, beautiful endless fields, medieval towns with bustling markets, and some of the best wine in the world.
Normandy
Once a land belonging to the former kings of England and still scared from the D-Day landings, Normandy offers gorgeous countryside, coastline, and woodlands, as well as impressive castles, exquisite churches, and picturesque ancient towns such as Rouen. For World War II history buffs, visiting Normandy is essential.
The French Alps
If you’re visiting Chamonix as previously mentioned above, then you’re already here. The French Alps are home to a number of famous resort towns such as Chamonix, Samoëns, Grenoble, St. Gervais, Annecy and Albertville. Renowned as a popular holiday destination for winter sports, snow activities and outdoor pursuits, the French Alps are famous for their alpine skiing, mountaineering, mountain biking, paragliding and even white water rafting. The region is also known for its spectacular natural beauty and alpine lakes including Lake Geneva, Lac de Bourget and Lac d’Annecy.
Accomodation
Hotels
Hotels are your best bet when visiting France, ranging from luxury 5 stars to good-enough budget options. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay right now, then you’ll find the right accommodation for you based on your budget below:
Camping
Camping in France is extremely popular in the summer months and a great way to visit the country without breaking the bank. With the often great weather in central and southern France, you can’t really go wrong being out with nature.
Hostels
Hostels are a popular form of accommodation that can save you a lot of money, allowing you to travel longer or spend your hard-earned money on other parts of the trip. You can find hotels on the websites above in the hotel’s section.
Food
Food is by far in the top three things that France holds in high regard. After all, some of the world’s best chefs are French. Of course, you don’t have to force yourself to live off escargot (snails) or frogs legs during your visit but if you’re curious and open to trying new things, then you’ll have no difficulty in finding these items in certain restaurants.
A few recommendations for tourists are:
- Bouillabaisse – A traditional French fish soup infused with saffron, orange, thyme and chilli.
- Quiche Lorraine – Originally this was an open custard pie with smoked bacon, however the more modern versions typically add cheese to the mix.
- Cheese: A few to name –
- Brie – The perfect introduction to the world of French cheeses. It is creamy, soft, and very mild; easy for everybody to eat.
- Camembert – Soft and creamy, Camembert comes from Normandy, the land of many cows. Perfect if combined with a fine wine.
- Roquefort – The king of blue cheeses is made from unpasteurized sheep’s milk. Rich, creamy, salty, and with a very strong taste.
- Le Roulé – A fresh, creamy goat’s cheese flavored with garlic, herbs, peppers or even cranberry.
- Munster – You have been warned! This is one strong cheese that the flavour will really hit you!
- Raclette – Commonly cut in small slices and melted on the spot to cover baked potatoes.
- Croque monsieur – Cheese and ham toastie or even add a poached or fried egg on top to turn it into the equally stylish croque madame.
- Souffle – These light-as-air desserts are nothing short of irresistible.
- Ratatouille – This vegan dish is so delicious that many restaurants today offer it to accompany fish or meat.
- Croissant – You’ll never have better croissants elsewhere than in France.
