France
Paris · EUR · French
Hub airports: CDG, ORY, NCE, LYS, MRS · Suggested stay: 7–14 days
France is the most-visited country on Earth for a reason: world-class museums, three coastlines, alpine villages, and a food culture that treats lunch as a civic duty. It's also a forgiving first stop in Europe — English is widely spoken in tourist zones, and the TGV puts most of the country within a half-day of Paris.
Stand under the Eiffel Tower at dusk, then eat your weight in pastry.
Where to go
Best time to visit
May–June and September are the sweet spot: warm but not Mediterranean-hot, manageable crowds in Paris, and the Riviera is open without August's price spike. July–August is hot, expensive, and Parisians flee — many small bistros close. December brings magical Christmas markets in Strasbourg and Colmar.
Score combines weather, crowds, and price (1–5). See the full matrix across all countries.
US-citizen tips
ATMs (distributeurs) give the best exchange rates — skip airport currency desks. Most cafés take contactless; carry €20–€40 in cash for small bakeries and rural taxis. SIMs from Free Mobile or Orange Holiday work nationwide; or use eSIM (Airalo). Tipping is not expected — round up to the nearest euro at cafés, leave 5–10% only for excellent restaurant service.
Local etiquette
Always greet shopkeepers with 'Bonjour' on entry — skipping it is read as rude. 'Madame' / 'Monsieur' before any question. Dress one notch up in cities; gym wear stands out. Lunch service often ends sharply at 14:00.
Getting around
TGV high-speed rail is exceptional — book Trainline or SNCF Connect 30+ days out for €25–€50 fares. In Paris, get a Navigo Easy card (€2 + €2.15/ride) or weekly Navigo Découverte. Driving is great for Provence, Normandy, and the Loire; avoid in cities.
Daily budget (USD)
Common pitfalls
- ⚠Don't drive into Paris — congestion + Crit'Air zones = fines.
- ⚠Sunday closures: outside Paris, expect supermarkets and most shops closed.
- ⚠August: expect 'fermeture annuelle' signs everywhere — many restaurants shut for 2–3 weeks.
🆘 Emergency reference
Works from any phone (locked, no SIM), free, multilingual operators, dispatches police/fire/medical.
Paris also has a 24/7 English-speaking SOS Médecins service: 36 24.
Lost passport, arrested, hospitalized, victim of a crime → contact embassy first, then home insurer. After hours: the main line routes you to a duty officer.
🗣️ Essential phrases
French