France
Grand cities, alpine and coastal escapes, and the food you came for.
Photo: Benh LIEU SONG (Public domain)
Good to know
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes France, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period…
France follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must: have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it might have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago…
The European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being implemented across the Schengen area…
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of France. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty…
Exercise a high degree of caution. Latest change: Entry and exit requirements section – updated information on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
Exercise a high degree of caution. Latest change: Natural disasters and climate section – removed information on forest fires in southern France.
TGV services connect Paris with Lyon in 2 hours, Bordeaux in 2 hours and Marseille in just over 3.
Service is included by law. Rounding up or leaving small change is enough.
Most museums are free on the first Sunday of the month, which also makes them the busiest day.
Tap water is safe everywhere. Ask for une carafe d'eau and it is free with any meal.
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Frequently asked questions
For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s France guide. Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of France. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
U.S. Department of State currently advises high degree of caution (level 2 of 4). Advice differs slightly between governments, so check your own country's advisory before you travel.
France is in the Schengen area. EU/EEA, UK, US, Canadian, Australian and many other passport holders can stay 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Others apply for a Schengen visa before travel.
May, June and September give the best balance of weather and crowds. August is peak holiday season, when Paris empties of locals and the south fills up.
Budget around 130 to 200 EUR per person per day for mid-range travel in Paris, and 20 to 30 percent less in Lyon or Bordeaux. A lunch formule is typically 16 to 22 EUR.
Yes for city to city. TGV fares are cheapest booked several weeks ahead and city-centre to city-centre beats flying on almost every domestic route.
English is common in hotels, tours and city restaurants. Outside those, opening in French and then asking if English is fine gets a much warmer response.
Travel information last reviewed 18 August 2026. Compiled from France Diplomatie — Conseils aux voyageurs, IATA Timatic, Open-Meteo and Tourpublish Travel Intelligence. Always confirm entry rules and safety guidance with official government sources before you travel.
Aggregated from official sources. Content is never rewritten — always display the publisher, publication time and original source link.
Photography: Benh LIEU SONG (Public domain); Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr) (CC BY-SA 3.0); Navin75 (CC BY-SA 2.0); 3602kiva (CC0); Jean Pierre Lozi (CC BY-SA 3.0).