You are visiting France for the first time and don’t want to get there and think, “These are things I wish I knew before going to France!”.
Don’t worry, you are going to learn everything you need to know if you are visiting France for the first time.
This blog post is all about the things you need to know before visiting France for the first time!
MAP OF FRANCE
If you are visiting France for the first time, here is a map of France that will help you plan your itinerary.
France is a rather small country, but with so much to see, you will want to make the most of your trip. And what better way to be organized than having a map of France?
BEST TIME TO VISIT FRANCE
I have been asked this question a lot! What is the best time to visit France?
Well, it all depends on what you are planning to do in France and your personal preferences about the weather.
Winter in France
Winter in France can be cold. And if you are planning on walking around in the cities, it might not be your best option. Nevertheless, if you go to France during December, most cities will have wonderful Christmas decorations and Christmas Markets. And believe me, there is nothing more magical than a snowy day at a French Christmas Market.
And if you are a winter sports kind of person, winter in France will amaze you. You can go skiing, snowshoeing, sledding… The French Alps are my favorite place to go to enjoy winter, you should visit at least once in your life!
Summer in France
On the opposite, summer in France can be BURNING hot. And I mean 40 °C hot. So visiting French cities during summer is not the best idea either. But if you are planning on going hiking in the French Alps, or surfing on the West Coast, you will have a blast during summer.
Just keep in mind that France, and all of Europe, is very popular during summer. Touristic places will be crowded and prices will go up.
So if you can, you might want to consider visiting France during the Spring.
Spring in France
Spring in France might be the best time to visit. Temperatures are going up, days are getting longer, and the entire country is coming back to life again after months of winter.
I love Spring in France!
Touristic places won’t be as crowded as they would be during summer, and you will be able to enjoy the cities as well as nature.
Fall in France
Let’s be real, Fall in France is gorgeous. Trees are changing colors, the temperature is going down after really hot summer months, and most tourists are already gone. But the thing is… you never know if it is going to be raining. And when it rains, it can start to feel icy.
And who wants to visit France for the first time with an umbrella and rubber boots?
FAMOUS CITIES IN FRANCE
Where to go in France besides Paris?
I see so many people traveling to France and only visiting Paris. I know Paris is beautiful and there is a reason why it is one of the most popular tourist destinations worldwide. But France is SO MUCH MORE than Paris.
If you are not into nature and want to focus on French cities, here is a list of the most famous and prettiest cities in France that you might want to visit.
- Nice
- Strasbourg
- Lille
- Marseille
- Bordeaux
- Toulouse
- Montpellier
- Aix-en-Provence
- Biarritz
- Annecy
- Colmar
- Cannes
- Lyon
Of course, there are many more places worth visiting in France! But if you are a city lover kind of traveler, these are the prettiest I have visited!
And if you want to get out of the cities, here are 7 places that you might want to know about if you are visiting France for the first time.
GETTING AROUND FRANCE WITHOUT A CAR
You are planning your trip and wonder if you should rent a car for your trip to France. Be reassured, that there is nothing easier than getting around France without a car.
Firstly, driving in the cities in France won’t save you time. They are usually packed with traffic, and you will spend more time trying to find a parking spot than you will enjoy the city.
French people walk everywhere and you should do the same! Most cities are made for pedestrians, and it is the best way to discover French architecture for free.
For your travel between different cities or places in France, you have two main options.
- Traveling by bus: Often the cheapest but longest option. I have traveled all around France and Europe with Flixbus and never had a problem. I genuinely love this bus company!
- Traveling by train: Fastest but often the most expensive option. You can find better prices with Ouigo.com, I’ve been traveling with them a few times and they are great. But be aware that French Trains Company (SNCF) is well-known for its delays. And when you are planning a trip, a delayed or annulled train can be a real bummer.
If you still want to rent a car, here are 2 tips for driving in France for the first time!
- Most cities have a limit of 30 km/h in the center. Don’t try to go over the limits, as speeding tickets are expensive! That applies on the highways too.
- Gas and tolls are really expensive and can add up quickly. If you have to stick to a budget, take that into account and avoid the highways to save some money.
ARE FRENCH PEOPLE RUDE?
We, French people, have a bad reputation regarding our rudeness. To be honest, some of us can be. But I don’t think it is done on purpose. We tend to be less warm than other countries and maybe more sincere and natural. We won’t sugarcoat everything like I have been able to see in other countries.
Just know that if you feel like someone is being rude to you, they probably don’t mean it. That’s just the way we interact with each other. I know it sounds weird when we put it like that.
Nevertheless, people from the South of France tend to be warmer and more welcoming than people from bigger cities.
Just don’t pay too much attention to it and enjoy your trip to France!
FRENCH CUISINE
French cuisine is the BEST! And no, French people don’t only eat snails and frogs. (Well, we do eat them, but we also eat more common food.)
Each region of France has different culinary traditions and ways of cooking, and they are as different as they are delicious.
Here are some dishes that you MUST try! Spoiler alert, they are not healthy at all… But they are delicious!
- Crêpes and galettes: Originally from the region of Brittany, everybody has had Crêpes before. But if you eat them there, they will just taste a million times better.
- Snails and Frog Legs: I know how it sounds, but before saying anything, just try them.
- Bouillabaisse: Traditional fish soup from the south of France, you have to try it when you are visiting the French Rivera.
- Boeuf Bourguignon: Beef stew, cooked in wine, might be my favorite of all French dishes.
- Gratin Dauphinois: Potato gratin baked in (a lot) of sour cream, this one is sentimental for me. I grew up in this region of France and my grandma bakes it for me all the time!
- Foie gras: This is a controversial one. I understand why, but if you have the opportunity to try it, you should. With fig marmalade and caramelized onions, it is the absolute best!
- Choucroute: If you like cabbage, you are going to love it! And if you are visiting the Alsatian Christmas Market during winter in France, you won’t be able to miss it!
- Steak tartare: I know, I know… Another weird thing to eat. Raw beef with raw egg. But I promise you, it tastes better than it looks!
- Raclette: The perfect dish to have after a day in the snow. Melted cheese on boiled potatoes… How can it get better than that?
- Tartiflette: Another potato gratin with a lot of cheese… What can I say? Cheese is part of the French culture, you can’t avoid it.
- Cassoulet: Originally from the south of France, and the city of Toulouse, this dish will fill you up for hours! Try it with duck confit, you won’t be able to stop eating!
Oh, and I almost forgot. You have to try all the cheeses and breads. There is a reason why French people eat so much of them. You are going to LOVE IT!
COST OF LIVING IN FRANCE
That is not a secret, France is expensive! But it is so worth it! Between beautiful cities, incredible sceneries, delicious cuisine, and rich history, France is a piece of art and will be worth every dollar you spend.
If you are on a budget to visit France, here are some tips for you.
- Rent accommodations outside the big cities: The French public transportation network is great and relatively cheap. Stay outside the city center to save some money and just walk or take public transportation to reach the tourist attractions.
- Travel by bus or try carpooling: I have already told you about Flixbus earlier in this article, and they are a great and relatively cheap bus company. But if you want to meet new people, why not try carpooling? Carpooling is popular and common in France, just check out Blablacar to find the journey you need.
- Prioritize free activities: I believe this applies to all European countries. There is so much to do for free! Walk around the city, visit a free museum, enjoy a day at the beach or in the mountains… France is a beautiful country, and you will be amazed without spending a dollar.
- Cook your food or order “Le plat du jour”: If you have a kitchen at your disposal in your accommodation, try to cook your food. It will be much cheaper than going out three times a day to eat. And if you still want to go out to try French cuisine, order “Le plat du jour”. This is the French “lunch deal” and it should cost you between €10 and €15.