France Travel Guide

Notable Places

Discover France

Use the map to plan your trip and check out some of our favorite places.

France Quick Guide

Currency: Euro (€)
Language: French
Time Zone: GMT+1 / GMT+2 in summer
Fun Fact #1: France is the most visited country globally – nearly 90 million tourists in 2019
Fun Fact #2: The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum, housing the Mona Lisa
Fun Fact #3: The Eiffel Tower was nearly dismantled after its 1889 World’s Fair debut
Tipping: Service typically included; rounding up or ~5 % appreciated in restaurants
Emergency Number: 112

Where to Stay in France

From chic Parisian boutiques to rustic countryside châteaux, Provence farmhouses, and alpine chalets in the French Alps, France offers a wide range of accommodations. Whether you seek glamour in the Riviera, vineyard estates in Bordeaux, or cozy coastal inns, every stay blends regional charm with exceptional hospitality.

Start by planning out where you would like to visit and then search for accommodation in those areas. Cities are well connected with public transport so you are unlikely to get stuck in a remote place, unless that is what you want to do! We use Booking.com for all our hotel stays, many hotels have pay later offers and you can build up your Genius level to get discounts on your stays.

CHECK BOOKING.COM

How to Get Around France

France boasts an efficient and extensive public transport network. High-speed TGV trains connect major cities, including Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Strasbourg, Marseille, and Nice – making intercity travel fast and comfortable. Within cities, metros, buses, and trams offer easy access, while regional TER services and coaches reach smaller towns and rural areas.

However, exploring scenic regions like Provence, Dordogne, the Loire Valley with its châteaux, and Alpine driving routes like the Verdon Gorge or Mont Blanc area often requires a rental car. A car allows you to discover hidden villages, vineyards in Burgundy or Champagne, hilltop hamlets, and natural gems off the beaten path – places public transit can’t easily reach.

For the best deals on car rentals, rent a manual transmission car if you know how to drive one and try out the many car rental coupon codes out there. In addition, we always recommend that you search on Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com to get a good lay of the land in terms of what the best rates are across multiple companies.

SEARCH FOR A CAR RENTAL

Explore the French Alps

Guide To The Val Thorens French Alps In Winter

France

Val Thorens is high up, REALLY high up. As Europe’s highest rest in Europe and situated in the Trois…

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Planning A Ski Trip To Chamonix And The French Alps

France

Nestled below Mont Blanc, the Chamonix valley is legendary amongst snow seekers. It’s the kind of place that most…

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Undiscovered French Alps – Champsaur Valley

France

The impressive peaks, valleys and undulating hills of the French Alps is truly impressive. Nestled between the regions of…

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Must-Visit Places in France

Paris: See the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame, and Montmartre.
Chamonix & Mont Blanc: Alpine adventure playground with cable cars and scenic trails.
Annecy: ‘Venice of the Alps’ with canals and a pristine lake.
Strasbourg & Alsace: Gothic cathedral, Petite France district, and charming wine villages like Riquewihr.
Mont Saint‑Michel – Normandy: Dramatic tidal island crowned by its abbey.
Provence & Gorges du Verdon: Lavender fields, hilltop villages, and the ‘Grand Canyon of Europe’.
Bordeaux & Burgundy: World-class wine regions with elegant riverside cities.
French Riviera – Nice, Saint‑Paul‑de‑Vence: Sunny beaches, perfumeries, and coastal glamour.

Stay Connected

Don’t waste time hunting for SIM cards or stressing about roaming. With an eSIM, you can get connected as soon as you land and stay online wherever your adventures take you.

🔗 Check out our guide to the cheapest eSIMs for international travel.

Find the cheapest eSIM

Discover the charm of Paris

1 Day Paris Itinerary – A Jam-Packed Layover

France

Short on time but still want to experience the magic of Paris? With the right plan, you can soak…

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The Most Scary Places in Paris That’ll Give You Chills

France

Paris isn’t just the city of lights, it’s also full of shadows. From the chilling Catacombs to Père Lachaise…

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French Food to Sample

France’s culinary delights reflect its regional diversity – from rich cheeses to coastal seafood and iconic desserts.

Croissant & Pain au Chocolat – Nationwide, especially Paris: Buttery, flaky viennoiseries best enjoyed fresh each morning.
Bouillabaisse – Marseille (Provence): Traditional Provencal fish stew with garlic rouille.
Coq au Vin – Burgundy: Chicken slow-cooked in red wine with mushrooms and onions.
Quiche Lorraine – Lorraine: Savory tart with eggs, cream, and bacon.
Tarte Tatin – Loire Valley: Caramelized upside-down apple tart with puff pastry.
Choucroute Garnie – Alsace: Sauerkraut served with sausages, pork, and potatoes.
Cassoulet – Gascony/Languedoc: Hearty bean stew with sausage, duck, or pork.
Ratatouille – Provence: Stewed vegetables including aubergine, tomato, pepper, and zucchini.
Crêpes & Galettes – Brittany: Thin pancakes—sweet (crêpes) or savory buckwheat (galettes).
Macarons & Éclairs – Paris: Elegant pastries showcasing France’s patisserie excellence.

Top 5 Things To Bring On Every Trip

Travel Insurance: Protect yourself against unforeseen events like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage.
Power Bank: Keep your devices charged on the go, ensuring you stay connected and capture every moment.
Universal Travel Adapter: A must-have for international travelers to plug in and power up devices in different countries.
Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated while reducing plastic waste; many destinations have refill stations available.
Packing Cubes: Organize your luggage efficiently, making it easier to find items and maximize space.

Top Day Tours to Discover France

Loire Valley Castles: Fairytale castles, lakeside chateau’s, stunning French countryside and the perfect place to sample local wines in ancient traditional wineries.
Mont Saint Michel: Explore this otherworldly tiny island with hilltop Abbey, only accessible at certain tides. Stroll around the village streets, sample local cuisine and jump back over to the mainland before the tide comes back in!
Palais of Versailles: Let them eat cake! Visit this famous palace and incredible gardens to explore how the bourgeoisie lived before the French Revolution.
Disneyland Paris: Add this one to the bucket list if you are a Disney fan! With all of the magic of stateside Disney’s and extra French charm!
Normandy D-Day Sites: Visit Utah Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery, iconic sites that were integral to the victory of Europe and now an important place to remember the sacrifice of WWII heroes.