France Travel Guide

France Travel Guide

WHERE IS FRANCE?

France is located on the western edge of Europe and is bordered by the Bay of Biscay in the west, the English Channel in the northwest, and by the North Sea in the north. France is the largest country in the EU and is the world’s most popular tourist destination. To learn more about all the tips and tricks for this beautiful country, here is my ultimate France Travel guide!

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Depending on what you are visiting France for, different months are better for different reasons of travel!

In my opinion, late spring and early fall are the best times to visit France. The weather is beautiful and there are little to no crowds at some of the most popular tourist destinations. For the perfect ski holiday, March and April are highly recommended as the days get longer and the slopes get quieter. If exploring nature is more your style, spring and summer are great for appreciating the beautiful gardens. 

France is also known for the Tour de France, which is normally held in the hottest month of July, and some of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the world, held in one of the coldests months, December. 

I have been able to visit France in all different seasons and September was the perfect mix of hot and cold and the crowds were almost nonexistent!! 

WEATHER IN FRANCE

The weather in France can be pretty diverse. France is typically the warmest in August and the coldest in January. July also tends to be the driest month in France, while May weather is the rainiest time of year. This plays a major role in the planning of your trip!

Winter: December – Beginning of March

• Average temps of 0°C (32° F) to 7°C (45° F)
• Snow is rare outside of the mountainous regions of the Alps and Pyrenees
• Great time to visit with less tourists and crowds
• Temperatures often fall below zero
• Great time for skiing, Christmas markets, ice climbing, and snowshoeing

Spring: March – June

• Average temps of 12°C (54°F) to 20°C (68°F)
• Mornings and evenings are still pretty cool and can sometimes be rainy
• Flowers start to bloom and gardens come alive 
• Days start to get longer and the sun starts to shine brighter
• Perfect time for seeing the cherry blossoms at Notre Dame Cathedral

Summer: June – September

• Average temps of 15°C (60°F) to 26°C (80°F)
• Hottest and most crowded  time of the year to visit France 
• Best time for a holiday in Nice, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez
• Most daylight for tourists to benefit from
• Best time for cultural and nature festivals, wine tastings, and sporting events

Fall: September – November

• Average temps of 16°C (61°F) to 25°C (77°F)
• Vibrant landscapes and change in leaves
• Less crowded in touristy areas
• Best time for river cruises, scenic trains, and exploring the countryside

WHAT TO EXPECT

Language: With 88% of the population claiming it as their first language, French is the official language in France. English is not very widely spoken in France with only 39% of the population speaking it. Brush up on some basic French before you go!!! 

Currency: The official currency in France is the Euro. As of May 2022, 1 USD is equivalent to .95 Euro.

Credit Cards and ATMs: Debit and credit cards are widely accepted with contactless and mobile payments becoming increasingly popular. You should not have any troubles using a major credit card in France, although you may be asked to show an ID (passport, license). ATMs are also widely available throughout the country and are most commonly found near gas stations, shopping centers, and bus and train stations. French ATMs accept ONLY chip-and-pin cards and cards with only a magnetic strip on the back. Always make sure to have some cash on you though, you never know when you may need it!

Plugs/Outlets: In France, the power plugs are type C and type E. France operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. I recommend buying a converter like this to use for your hair products and an adapter like this for everything else.

Safety: France is overall a really safe country with minimal petty crime in major cities. With that being said, it is always smart to carry as little cash with you when exploring the busy city centers. Pickpockets in Paris are also very very common. It is important while traveling in busy areas that you keep all of your personal belongings in a place where only you can get to them. Never keep anything of value in your back pockets, or in an easily accessible bag, where anyone can get it. Always be aware of your surroundings, keep an eye on your belongings and be smart!

TRANSPORTATION

France has a great rail network system. Within cities, the subway is  the preferred form of transportation, as well as the bus system. France’s national train network (SNCF) is the best way to get from city-to-city and domestic air service tends to be quick and budget friendly. 

Train: Almost all major cities in France have connections to the high speed train network. Train travel in France tends to be relatively inexpensive and easy to access. Within the country, the fastest trains are TGV, Thalys and Eurostar. Each train company is known for a different connection. Eurostar links London to Paris, Thalys links Belgium and the Netherlands, and TGV trains are best for in-country travel. Websites like Eurail and Raileurope are great to book tickets on. 

Metro: The Paris Metro is easily the best way to get around the city, besides walking of course. With over 300 lines, you are sure to get anywhere you need to get within the city. There are so many different tickets to choose from when you get to the station. If you are wanting a pass that offers unlimited travel for a day in the zones of your choice I highly recommend the Mobilis ticket. Starting at 7.50€, you are able to travel on all modes of transportation in lee-de-France: Metro, RER, Bus, Tramway and Train. Metro tickets are sold in all metro, RER, and tramway stations and at all bus points of sale. For more information on metro tickets check out this website!

More Travel guides HERE!