All you need to know before visiting France

Budget

Prices in France are considerably high. However, if you avoid the most popular tourist places, skip some major attractions, find cheap accommodation, use cheap transportation, and eat at inexpensive restaurants, you can save a lot of money.

• Prices for private rooms start at 50 USD (40 EUR) in Paris, Tours, Nice, and Colmar.

• Food prices are generally pretty expensive. Prices for a budget dinner start at around 12 USD (10 EUR). Street food and fast food restaurants are usually cheaper.

• Transportation costs are relatively high as well. Public transportation fares in Paris start at around 2.4 USD (1.9 EUR). Prices for a 2-hour train ride from Paris to Tours, for example, start at 19 USD (15 EUR).

To save some more money, check out our Budget cutting tips.

Where to stay

You can find great accommodation options on Booking. Make sure to search for private rooms popular for romance. 😉 On Airbnb you can rent furnished apartments – those are usually cheaper than most hotels and they offer you the real French experience.

Best time to go

If you wish to avoid crowds, do not visit France during their main holiday periods (mid-July to the end of August and Easter). Spring and early fall are considered the best times to visit France. The weather is temperate year-round.

Other information

♦ Planning and preparation: check out our planning routine here.

♦ Packing: check out the honeymoon adventurers’ ultimate packing list here.

♦ For other travel tips check out Travel like a pro, Travel for couples, Honeymoon styles, Honeymoon activities, Responsible tourism, and Travel resources.

♦ Language: The official language in France is French. Check out the typical travel vocabulary (in English) here. Learn useful travel phrases in French here.

♦ Currency: Euro (EUR)

♦ Visa or other entry requirements: All visitors to France are required to have a valid travel document. Visa requirements depend on the traveler’s nationality. For more information check out their official website.

♦ Electricity standards: The power plug types in France are C and E, the standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

♦ Time zones: UTC+01:00 (Standard Time Zone),

UTC+02:00 (Daylight Saving Time – during the summer, from March to October)

♦ Immunization recommendations and requirements: There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to France. However, it is recommended to get travel vaccines and medicines for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and rabies.

♦ Health and safety tips:

You should always make sure to follow the usual travel safety precautions:

• Leave your jewelry and other valuable belongings in the hotel safe.
• Keep your emergency cash apart from the rest of your money.
• Dress comfortably and carry only the items you will need for the day.
• Don’t carry a lot of money.
• Always make sure to lock your room before leaving the hotel.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Stay in well-lit areas.
• Try to maintain a low profile and do your best to fit in.
• Carry a travel wallet/money belt/money pouch for carrying money and documents safely.
• Avoid contact with potential scam artists.
• Avoid showing off valuable belongings (like cameras) in public.
• Don’t count your money in public.
• Keep an eye on your belongings at all times.

For other common safety concerns in France, check out Lonely Planet’s safety tips. For common health concerns check out Lonely Planet’s health tips.

To stay healthy while traveling, check out our health travel tips.

• Tap water in France is generally safe to drink. 
* While traveling, make sure to reuse a water bottle to cut down on waste.

♦ Local Customs: French people are generally open-minded, informal, honest, friendly, and welcoming. When meeting someone personally a friendly handshake is customary; friends kiss on both cheeks. Address a person using his or her last name and the appropriate title until specifically invited to use his or her first name. The French appreciate punctuality. There is no particular dress code required on the streets of France. Avoid wearing a bikini elsewhere than on the beach and make sure to dress up for formal occasions. There are no rules about tipping in France, however, tipping is appreciated. Be tactful when discussing money and religion.

Check out top things to see and do in Paris and the Loire Valley.