France
COUNTRY GUIDE

France

Iconic destinations and world-class cuisine

France delivers exactly what you'd expect — and then surprises you completely. Sure, Paris has the Eiffel Tower and croissants that'll ruin you for life. But dig deeper and you'll find night markets in Lyon where locals queue for quenelle, surf breaks in Biarritz that rival Hawaii, and villages in Provence where the baker still rings a bell at 7am. The country perfected the art of living well centuries ago, and they're generous about sharing their secrets. Just don't expect them to rush.

Local Customs

BONJOUR FIRST, ALWAYS

Greet with a polite “Bonjour” before asking for anything in shops or cafés.. Tipping is modest; rounding up or leaving 5–10% is appreciated but not mandatory.. Quiet, low voices are appreciated on public transport and in residential areas at night.

Safety

WATCH YOUR BELONGINGS

Pickpocketing on public transport and around major sights; standard big-city awareness is enough.

Explore the Region

Map showing 40 destinations
Subregions
Cities
Districts
40 destinations
Paris splits into distinct personalities by arrondissement. The 4th (Marais) puts you steps from Jewish bakeries and vintage boutiques, while the 7th delivers postcard views but tourist prices. Look, the 11th arrondissement around République offers the best bang for your buck — proper bistros, late-night bars, and Metro access without the crowds. Beyond Paris, Lyon's Presqu'île district plants you between two rivers and some of France's best bouchons. In Nice, skip the Promenade des Anglais hotels for Vieux Nice's narrow streets — you'll hear Italian mixed with French and smell socca cooking at every corner. Bordeaux's Saint-Pierre neighborhood gives you wine bars within stumbling distance of your bed. The Loire Valley works best as a base-and-explore situation. Tours puts châteaux within day-trip range, while Amboise keeps you closer to Chenonceau and Chambord. Provence demands a choice: Avignon for history buffs, Aix-en-Provence for students and artists, or smaller villages like Gordes if you want to feel like you're living in a painting.

Money-Saving Tips

  • 1.Museum passes pay off in Paris if you visit 3+ attractions. The 2-day pass costs €78 but includes Louvre, Orsay, and skip-the-line access.
  • 2.Lunch menus (prix fixe) cost 30-40% less than dinner at the same restaurants. Many Michelin-starred places offer €35-45 lunch menus.
  • 3.Train tickets cost half as much when booked 4 months in advance. Off-peak travel (blue periods) saves another 25%.
  • 4.Grocery shopping at Monoprix or Franprix costs 60% less than hotel breakfasts. Fresh bread, cheese, and wine make perfect picnic lunches.
  • 5.Happy hour (5-7pm) at wine bars offers glasses for €4-6 instead of €8-12. Look for signs saying 'apéro' or 'afterwork.'
  • 6.City tourism cards often include public transport plus museum entries. Calculate if you'll use enough attractions to justify the cost.
  • 7.Avoid restaurants with English menus near major attractions — they charge tourist prices for average food.
  • 8.Fill water bottles from public fountains (marked 'eau de Paris') instead of buying €2 bottles from vendors.

Travel Tips

  • •Learn basic French greetings — 'Bonjour' before asking questions shows respect and gets better service.
  • •Restaurants post menus outside by law. Check prices and offerings before sitting down to avoid surprises.
  • •Pharmacies (green cross signs) sell travel essentials and provide basic medical advice. Many pharmacists speak English.
  • •Sunday closures affect most shops and many restaurants. Plan grocery shopping and dining accordingly.
  • •Tipping isn't expected but rounding up bills or leaving €1-2 for good service is appreciated.
  • •French electrical outlets need Type C or E plugs. Bring adapters — hotel front desks rarely have extras.
  • •Strike days (grève) can shut down public transport with little warning. Check SNCF Connect app before travel days.
  • •Many museums close Mondays or Tuesdays. Check schedules when planning itineraries.
  • •Dress codes exist at upscale restaurants and some attractions. Avoid shorts and flip-flops for dinner.
  • •Credit cards work everywhere, but some small vendors prefer cash. ATMs charge €3-5 foreign transaction fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Basic French helps enormously, but you can manage with English in tourist areas and major cities. Learn 'Bonjour,' 'Merci,' and 'Pardon' at minimum — French people appreciate the effort and respond more warmly. Restaurant staff in Paris often speak English, but smaller towns require more gesturing and patience. Download Google Translate with camera function for menus.

Explore France

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French Riviera (Côte d'Azur)
Loire Valley
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Bordeaux Region
Normandy
Île-de-France
Brittany
Provence
Corsica