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France

Gastronomy, art, and architecture elevated to a philosophy of life. No country takes beauty — in food, design, or landscape — more seriously.

Paris — Main Hub
CDG · Charles de Gaulle — France's primary hub. RER B train to Paris centre: ~45 min, €12.
Paris — Secondary
ORY · Orly — Mainly domestic and European flights. Orlyval rail link connects to RER B.
Regional Airports
NCE · Nice · MRS · Marseille · LYS · Lyon · BOD · Bordeaux · TLS · Toulouse
TGV Rail
France's high-speed network is outstanding. Paris–Lyon: 2h. Paris–Marseille: 3h15. Often faster than flying door-to-door. Book at sncf-connect.com.
Currency
Euro (EUR €) — Cards accepted almost everywhere. Contactless universal in cities.
Tipping
Service legally included (service compris). Tipping optional — €2–5 for excellent service is appreciated but never expected.
Restaurant Culture
Ask for the bill — waiters won't bring it unsolicited. "L'addition, s'il vous plaît." Lunch menus (formule): 2–3 courses for €15–25.
VAT Refunds
Non-EU visitors spending over €100 in one shop can reclaim VAT (up to 12%) at the airport. Ask for a détaxe form in-store.
Time Zone
CET — Central European Time
UTC+1 winter · UTC+2 summer (CEST)
Vs. US Eastern
Paris is 6 hours ahead of New York (5 hours when clocks change on different dates in spring).
Business Hours
Many shops close for lunch (12:30–2pm) and Sundays. Restaurants serve lunch 12–2:30pm and dinner 7:30–10:30pm only.
Paris
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–OctCrowded: Jul–Aug Mild summers (25°C), cold grey winters. Spring and autumn are perfect.
Côte d'Azur
Best: May–Jun, Sep 300 days of sunshine. Very hot and crowded July–August. Shoulder seasons are ideal.
South of France
Best: May–Oct Mediterranean climate — hot dry summers. The Mistral wind (Provence) can be strong in spring.
Language
French — Always open with Bonjour before any request. This small courtesy makes an enormous difference.
Key Phrases
Bonjour/Bonsoir — Hello/Good evening
Merci — Thank you
S'il vous plaît — Please
L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill
Parlez-vous anglais? — Do you speak English?
Cultural Note
Always say Bonjour entering any shop and Au revoir leaving. Skipping this is considered genuinely rude — not just impolite.
Schengen Area
USA, Canada, Australia, UK can enter visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
ETIAS
EU's new pre-travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors. Check travel.ec.europa.eu for current status.
Passport
Valid passport required. UK passports must be less than 10 years old at date of travel to France.
General Safety
Very Safe France is safe for tourists. Petty theft (pickpocketing) is the primary concern in tourist areas.
Emergencies
112 — European emergency number (Police, Fire, Ambulance). Works from any phone across all EU countries.
Pickpocket Hotspots
Eiffel Tower area, Champs-Élysées, Montmartre, and the Métro. Use inside zip pockets. Watch for distraction scams.
Health
No vaccines required. EU visitors: EHIC/GHIC card. Non-EU: travel insurance essential. Pharmacies (green cross) excellent for minor ailments.

Destinations in France

Paris

The city that invented the art of living well — palace hotels, Michelin-starred temples, h…

4 restaurants · 2 hotels · 3 attractions