Travel in France

TRAVELING IN FRANCE

1) GENERAL INFORMATION

Geography and size

France is the largest country in the European Union and one of the most visited in the world. It borders Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, and Andorra. It is bordered to the west by the Atlantic Ocean and to the south by the Mediterranean Sea. Its terrain is highly diverse, ranging from the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts to the Alps and Pyrenees, from the plains of the north to the hills of Burgundy and the forests of the Vosges.

Useful Information

Capital: Paris
Official language: French
Population: ~67 million
Currency: Euro (€)
Time zone: UTC +1 (CET) / UTC +2 (CEST in summer)
Predominant religion: Catholicism, but France is secular
Telephone code: +33

Useful numbers:

Emergency: 112
Police: 17
Ambulances: 15
Firefighters: 18

2. DOCUMENTS AND ACCESS

EU/Schengen citizens: can enter with a valid identity card only.
Non-EU citizens: passport and, in some cases, visa.
Minors: if not traveling with both parents, they must have a signed authorization.

3. TRANSPORT AND ROADS

By car

Drive on the right
Always use dipped headlights in poor visibility
Watch out for speed cameras: they are very common
Toll motorways (indicated by "A"): fee based on km
Numerous free parking areas
Environmental zones (EZZ): some cities restrict the circulation of the most polluting vehicles. A "Crit’Air" stamp is required.

By train

High-speed TGV network: connects the main cities
Regional trains (TER) and intercity trains: good for exploring less touristy areas
Reservations recommended for long-distance trains

By bus

Companies such as Flixbus, BlaBlaBus, and Ouibus offer affordable routes.

By plane

Main airports: Paris Charles de Gaulle, Orly, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse
Domestic connections with low-cost and regional airlines

By bike

Excellent cycling infrastructure, especially along the Loire, in Alsace, and Brittany.
Easy rentals in cities with services such as Vélib (Paris).

4. WHAT TO SEE (BY REGION)

Paris and Île-de-France

Iconic monuments: Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Notre-Dame
Neighborhoods: Montmartre (artistic), Le Marais (historical), Saint-Germain (intellectual)
Excursions: Versailles, Disneyland Paris

Loire

Famous Renaissance castles: Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise
Ideal for bike tours along the river

Normandy and Brittany

Mont-Saint-Michel
D-Day Landing Beaches
Cliffs of Étretat
Historic cities: Rouen, Saint-Malo, Rennes

Cuisine: Butter, crepes, oysters, cider

Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur

Provence: Lavender fields, villages (Gordes, Roussillon), Avignon
French Riviera: Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Menton
Southern Alps: Hiking and skiing (Gap, Briançon)

French Alps

Top ski resorts: Chamonix, Megève, Les Deux Alpes
Summer hiking in the Vanoise National Park

Rhône-Alpes and Auvergne

Lyon: France’s gastronomic capital
Auvergne volcanoes
Natural landscapes and spas

Burgundy

Famous vineyards (Beaune, Dijon)
Romanesque architecture, small medieval villages

Bordeaux and New Aquitaine

World-famous red wine
Elegant and lively city
Dune du Pilat: Europe’s highest dune

Alsace and Lorraine

Fairytale villages: Colmar, Riquewihr, Eguisheim
Strasbourg: seat of the European Parliament
Half-timbered architecture, famous Christmas markets

Occitanie (Toulouse, Carcassonne, Montpellier)

Carcassonne: medieval fortified citadel
Toulouse: the "city rose"
Pyrenees: great for hiking and winter sports

5. FRENCH GASTRONOMY

Typical dishes by region:

North: Moules-frites, carbonade flamande
Alsace: Choucroute, tarte flambée
Brittany: Galettes, oysters
Lyon: Andouillette, quenelles, cured meats
South-West: Confit de canard, foie gras, cassoulet
Provence: Ratatouille, tapenade, bouillabaisse
French Riviera: Salade niçoise, socca

Cheeses

Over 400 varieties! The most famous:
Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, Comté, Reblochon, Bleu d’Auvergne

Desserts

Crêpes, tarte tatin, mille-feuille, madeleines, macarons

Wines and Beverages

Wines: Champagne, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Alsace, Loire
Others: Calvados (Normandy), Cognac, Armagnac, Pastis (Provence)

6. CUSTOMS, CUSTOMS, AND MANNERS

Social Behavior

Always greet with a "Bonjour" when entering shops or restaurants
The French appreciate formal courtesy
Kisses are exchanged twice on the cheek (this varies from region to region)
Privacy and respect for public spaces are important

At the Table

Eat with cutlery (no hands on food)
Don’t start eating until everyone is served
Cheese is served after the main course and before dessert
Meals are slow, social, and can last hours.

Shops and Hours

Many shops close for lunch (12:00-2:00 PM)
Supermarkets open until 8:00-9:00 PM
Sunday: Closed almost everywhere, except in tourist areas.
Tips : Not mandatory, but leaving a few euros (5–10%) is appreciated if the service is good.

7. EVENTS AND FESTIVALS

National Holiday: July 14 (Bastille Day)
Music Festival: June 21
Christmas Markets: Especially beautiful in Alsace
Cannes Festival: May
Tour de France: July
Nice Carnival: February

8. PRACTICAL TIPS

Learn a few words in French: the French appreciate those who make an effort.
Watch out for strikes (especially transport strikes): they are frequent and announced in advance.
Variable climate: always bring a light raincoat.
Avoid tourist restaurants: prefer bistros frequented by locals.