If you are looking for some Travel France tips you are in the right place! Take a look at these 20 things you need to know and start planning the trip of your dreams!
France… A rather small country, but the number one touristic destination in the World! No wonder you want to spend a few days, or weeks, there…
To make sure you have the best vacation possible, take a look at these ultimate Travel France Tips and plan the trip you’ve always dreamed of! And as a french woman, I believe I know what I am talking about…
This post is all about the 20 ultimate Travel France Tips you need to know to get ready for a once in a lifetime trip!
PLANNING YOUR ITINERARY
FRANCE IS NOT JUST PARIS!
I understand why Paris is so popular, and indeed, it is a lovely city with a ton of things to do and see! But France is not just Paris! Lovely Alsatian villages, majestic French Alps, wild beaches on the western and northern coasts, the famous French Riviera… France is a very diverse country, and there is much more to see than just the big cities!
To help you plan the perfect itinerary, take a look at my France bucket list!
BUS, CAR, OR TRAIN?
Traveling around France is really easy, and you can choose the means you prefer. But here are some things to know before planning your trip!
- Bus: Often the cheapest option, but also the most time-consuming. Personally, I book all my bus tickets on Flixbus!
- Train: The fastest means of transportation but can be very expensive if you are traveling during peak season or on weekends. Take a look at Ouigo.com and try to find the cheapest train tickets.
- Car: Traveling by car around France is the most convenient, as you can visit on your own schedule and explore the smallest places without having to change your mode of transportation several times. BUT! It can be VERY EXPENSIVE. Fuel prices are out of control (approximately €2 per liter), and tolls on the highways are expensive and quickly add up. If you add the cost of parking in the cities and the possibility of traffic jams during peak season, driving through the country can quickly become a nightmare…
HOW LONG SHOULD YOU STAY THERE?
That’s a tricky question… If we don’t take into account the cost of living and the number of days off you have, I’d say STAY AS LONG AS YOU CAN!
But let’s be realistic for a second. France is a very expensive country, so you have to take that into account before planning your trip there, or you will quickly run out of money.
If you only want, or have time, to visit Paris, I’d suggest 5 days. That way, you can see everything there is to see without rushing. But if you are planning a road trip around the country of love, it would be hard to do it in under 10 or 14 days!
SAFETY TIPS
PICKPOCKETS AND ROBBERY
Unfortunately, France, and all of Western Europe, are known for their pickpockets. So be careful when you are in public transportation or in crowded areas. Keep your bag close to you and avoid putting phones and wallets in your back pockets… Or else, you might get robbed without even realizing it!
SAFETY TIPS FOR WOMEN TRAVELERS
I believe safety tips for women travelers are the same all around the world. Unfortunately, traveling solo as a woman tends to be more dangerous than traveling solo as a man.
My most important tips for you, that can apply to everyone, would be:
- Don’t disclose that you are traveling alone.
- Avoid taking unnecessary risks. If you feel unsafe somewhere, move or seek assistance.
- Make some research about the places you plan to visit and identify areas to avoid.
- If you are uncertain about a location, consult your host or hotel receptionist.
- Always inform someone back home about your travel plans and keep them updated!
AVOIDING SKETCHY PLACES
How many times have I heard that Europe, and especially France, is super safe and that you have nothing to worry about while traveling there? Let me be clear: this is 100% NOT TRUE!
There are bad places and bad people everywhere. And even if France is safer than some other countries, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful during your vacations there.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times, avoid sketchy places by doing your research before visiting a new city or region, and most importantly, TRUST YOUR GUT! If it feels wrong, it’s probably because something is!
BUDGET AND SAVING MONEY
HOW EXPENSIVE IS FRANCE?
Let me be honest with you: France is really expensive! And the cost of living has been quickly going up over the last few years. It doesn’t mean you can’t travel to France if you are a budget traveler, but you will have to be really smart about your expenses and budget before your trip!
FOOD AND DRINKS
If you plan on eating out three times a day in France, you have to be realistic, it’s going to be crazy expensive. But, fortunately, I have some tips and tricks for you to lower the cost!
- Avoid tourist areas when eating out. This applies worldwide, but your lunch will be much more expensive if you’re dining near the Eiffel Tower compared to a small hidden street.
- Check Instagram and the internet to find the best value restaurants in your area.
- Street food and local fast food joints are your best options! And by fast food, I’m not referring to McDonald’s or KFC. You can find a variety of healthier fast food options almost everywhere in France for around €10/person.
- Look for small restaurants offering “Plat du jour” or lunch deals. They often serve authentic and fresh food at reasonable prices.
ACCOMMODATIONS
As for everything else, accommodations in France are expensive, and if you are visiting big cities, they will be even more expensive!
So, here are a few tips for you to find the cheapest accommodations while traveling around France.
- Find accommodations outside the city center. If you are on a budget, this rule applies to every country in the world, not only to France. The further away from the city center, the cheaper the accommodation. Be careful not to be too far, though. Also, take a look at public transportation options to reach the main tourist attractions you are planning to visit before booking your accommodation.
- If you don’t mind sharing your room with fellow travelers, consider looking at hostels and shared dorms. Not only will you find cheaper options, but you can also make new friends along the way!
- Consider using Workaway and Worldpackers for longer stays. If you’ve read previous articles on my blog, you might have realized that I’m a huge fan of these two websites for budget travel. If you’re not familiar with them, here’s a quick overview of their concept: in exchange for a few hours of work every day, your host will provide you with free accommodation and up to three meals a day. Don’t worry, you’ll still have plenty of free time to explore the surroundings and enjoy your vacation! Most of the missions proposed on their websites don’t require any particular skills, so just take a look and book your next stay!
- Book your accommodation in advance! It is not that price will be cheaper if you book your room earlier, but you will have more available options to choose from. The cheapest ones often get booked quicker. And don’t forget to compare between all the different platforms and apps there are out there. Some of my favorites to book from are: Booking.com, Airbnb and Hostelworld.
- Take a look at couch-surfing and house sitting websites. I’ve personally never tried any of these, but I know a lot of people who did and absolutely loved their experiences!
CAN YOU TRAVEL TO FRANCE ON A BUDGET?
The short answer to this (very) popular question is YES, ABSOLUTELY! However, it won’t be easy, and you’ll need to make some choices along the way. Don’t expect to find a room with a view of the Eiffel Tower in Paris if you’re on a strict budget. However, there are plenty of free things to see and do all over the country, so plan your trip wisely and budget everything beforehand to avoid any bad surprises!
HEALTH AND INSURANCE
EUROPEAN HEALTH TRAVEL INSURANCE CARD
If you are a European citizen, you don’t need a special health travel insurance. Just ask your European Health Travel Insurance Card and you and you will be covered in case you get sick or injured during your trip. It is completely free to get this card, so don’t hesitate to do so – you never know when you might need it!
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH TRAVEL INSURANCES
Getting an International Health Travel Insurance is ALWAYS a good idea. You never know what could happen during your trip, and sometimes it’s better to be safe than sorry. While I’m not an expert in health insurance, the one I use and highly recommend is Chapka.
PHARMACIES
Finding a pharmacy in France is usually easy, as there’s one in almost every neighborhood. They typically operate from 8:30 to 12:20 and 14:00 to 19:30, Monday through Saturday. However, it can become tricky when you need one outside these hours. In France, there’s something called a “pharmacie de garde,” where one pharmacy in a certain area stays open outside regular business hours and on Sundays. These pharmacies take turns, so if you need one, it’s best to check online.
FOOD AND DRINKS
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK?
As for most countries, avoid touristic places for lunch or dinner, as the food there tends to be more expensive and probably not as good. My top advice? Eat and drink where locals eat and drink. Add this tip to your Travel France Tips List and nine times out of ten your belly will be the happiest!
If you want to make sure you always find the best restaurants in France, take a look at this article and embrace your inner foodie!
MEAL TIMES
Something that might seem weird, or at least unusual, to you when traveling to France, is that French people are very specific with their meal times. It can be hard to find a restaurant serving lunch before 11:30 am or after 2 pm. Similarly, for dinner, before 6:30 pm and after 11 pm, you probably won’t find many proper meal options.
Regarding this matter, here are my TOP 3 Travel France Tips!
- Adapt yourself and eat like locals. I know it can be annoying to stick to a schedule while you are on vacation, but if you want to try proper French cuisine, it’s probably the simplest way! And don’t worry, you don’t have to do it every day. Once in a while during your trip, sit down at 12 and enjoy a proper French meal with wine, cheese, and dessert!
- Pack your lunch or buy a sandwich on the street. If there’s one food shop you’ll always find open during the day in France, it’s the bakery! Yes, French people have a real obsession with bread. Most bakeries offer meal deals, sandwiches, pizzas… Anything made of flour, really. So if you want to grab lunch on the go and save some money in the process, it’s a pretty good option!
- Consider fast food and restaurant chains. When I say fast food, I’m not referring to the giant international burger chains. Throughout France, you’ll find fast food joints or street food vendors, as well as restaurant chains with more flexible opening hours. They may not offer traditional French cuisine, but the food can still be delicious! Plus, with a bit of research, you might find a true hidden gem!
OTHER TRAVEL FRANCE TIPS ABOUT FOOD AND DRINKS
If I had to add one thing to my Travel France Tips about Food and Drinks, it would be:
DON’T SAY NO BEFORE TRYING!
Some drinks or food might seem unusual when you are visiting France for the first time, but believe me, many of them (if not all) are SO GOOD! Frog legs? Yes! Snails? Yes, PLEASE! Just try all these ‘weird’ things you think you won’t like and make your belly happy!
ABOUT FRENCH CUSTOMS
FRENCH PEOPLE AREN’T RUDE
I’ve heard this a million times before: “French people are rude!”
Well, they (we) are not. Are we grumpy and always complaining? For most of us, YES. And I get why it can be annoying. But I’d just say that French people, unlike some other countries, are not sugar-coating everything. We will say things the way we mean them, without any detour… Which leads me to the second Travel France Tips of this section…
COURTESY IS KEY
French people are raised to be polite. Well, most of us are. So, courtesy in France plays a big role. Never forget to say “Bonjour”, “S’il vous plaît”, “Merci”, and “Au revoir”. And if you can add a smile to the mix, even better!
SUNDAYS
Don’t expect a lot to happen on Sundays in France. Even though it is slowly changing, Sundays are family days. Most shops will be closed, and even some restaurants and bars. So if you want to do something special on your Sunday in France, plan it beforehand and check if the places you want to visit will be open.
THE ART OF “APéRO”
This might be my favorite thing about France and French people: the art of “Apéro”. If you’ve never heard of it, here’s a quick explanation. After work or before lunch or dinner, French people usually have a few drinks and share some appetizers. It is, to me, the best time of the day—just sharing and socializing with the people you care most about!
Don’t miss out on the apéro; you’ll likely add it to your own customs afterward!