France Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

France is one of the world’s most visited countries because it does almost everything well: art, food, wine, beaches, mountains, castles, markets, and picture-perfect villages. Paris alone could fill an entire trip—Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame, Montmartre, café terraces, and day trips to Versailles or Disneyland Paris—but France really shines when you leave the capital. There are châteaux in the Loire Valley, lavender fields in Provence, vineyards in Champagne and Bordeaux, the sunny French Riviera, medieval towns in Occitanie, and Alpine resorts that are as good in summer as in winter. For first-time visitors, France is straightforward and safe, but it can also be expensive, some shops still respect long lunch breaks, and a few words of French go a long way. This guide gives you the practical, SEO-friendly information you need to plan a trip that is organized, realistic, and enjoyable.

Cities, Towns & Attractions Popular with Tourists

Paris: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Seine cruises, Montmartre, Le Marais, Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain, Versailles (day trip), Disneyland Paris.
French Riviera (Côte d’Azur): Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Èze, Monaco (day trip), beaches and coastal walks.
Provence: Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Luberon hill towns (Gordes, Roussillon), lavender (seasonal), Gorges du Verdon.
Loire Valley: Château de Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise—best with a car or a tour.
Normandy & Brittany: Mont-Saint-Michel, D-Day beaches, Honfleur, Saint-Malo.
Alsace: Strasbourg and storybook wine villages like Colmar, Riquewihr, and Eguisheim.
Lyon: Food capital, old town, traboules, and Rhône/Saône rivers.
Bordeaux & Southwest: Vineyards, Atlantic beaches, Dune du Pilat, Dordogne’s medieval villages.
French Alps: Chamonix, Annecy, Grenoble—hiking in summer, skiing in winter.

Good to Know

Best time to visit: Late spring (May–June) and early fall (Sept–Oct) have pleasant weather and fewer crowds. July–Aug is peak and more expensive; many French go on vacation in August.
Sunday & lunch closures: Outside big cities, shops and even some restaurants may close on Sundays or for lunch. Plan around it.
Trains are excellent: High-speed TGV links Paris with Lyon, Bordeaux, Strasbourg, Lille, Marseille, and more—book ahead for cheaper fares.
Language: French is the everyday language. In tourist areas people often speak some English, but starting with “Bonjour” is appreciated.
Service culture: Sit-down meals are paced—don’t expect to be rushed. Ask for “l’addition” when you want to pay.

Visa & Entry Requirements for Tourists from the U.S., Canada, EU, U.K., and Australia

EU/Schengen citizens: Can enter France freely with a valid national ID or passport under EU free movement rules.
U.K. citizens: Visa-free short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) in the Schengen Area, including France. Passport must be valid and meet Schengen rules.
U.S. citizens: Visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days in any 180-day period in Schengen, provided your passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond intended departure and was issued in the last 10 years.
Canadian citizens: Visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days in any 180-day period in Schengen—same passport validity rules.
Australian citizens: Visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days in any 180-day period in Schengen.
Important: You must not overstay the Schengen 90/180 rule, and you may be asked for proof of onward/return travel, accommodation, and sufficient funds upon entry. Travelers should also check the latest information before departure in case of system changes (like ETIAS) coming into force.

Currency & Budget

Currency: Euro (EUR, €).

Exchange rate: In 2025, 1 USD often hovers around 0.90–0.95 EUR and 1 GBP around 1.15–1.20 EUR, but rates move—check right before you go.

Average daily budget (approx.):

Backpacker: 70–110 EUR/day – hostel or budget hotel (more in Paris), picnic/lunch menus, public transport, a couple of paid sights.
Midrange: 130–220 EUR/day – central 2–3 star hotels, intercity trains, bistros, museums, some day trips.
Luxury: 250–400+ EUR/day – boutique or 4–5 star stays, fine dining, premium TGV fares, private/organized tours.

Tipping: Service is often included (“service compris”). If you liked the service, leaving 5–10% or rounding up is appreciated but not mandatory. For taxis, round up. For guides/drivers, tip according to effort.

Credit card acceptance: Very good—Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, Amex sometimes less so. Contactless is common. Some small cafés or markets may have minimum amounts.

ATMs (DAB / distributeur): Easy to find in cities and towns. To reduce fees, withdraw larger amounts less often and use a card with low foreign charges.

Best way to get cash: Withdraw euros from a bank ATM and pay by card whenever possible; avoid currency exchange kiosks in touristy areas unless the rate is clearly good.

Language & Communication

Official language: French.
English: Tourist areas, hotels, and younger people often speak English, but not everywhere.
Good practice: Start conversations with “Bonjour” or “Bonsoir”, then ask “Parlez-vous anglais ?”. Politeness goes a long way.

SIM cards / eSIM

Main operators: Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom, and Free.
Where to buy: Airport kiosks, operator stores, major train stations, and supermarkets. Bring your passport for registration if requested.
Tourist eSIM: Very convenient—buy online before arrival; many EU eSIMs work across Schengen.
Coverage: Excellent in cities; rural/mountain areas (Alps, Pyrenees, some rural Normandy/Brittany) can be patchier.

Power Plugs & Voltage

Voltage: 230V, 50 Hz.
Plugs: Type C and E (two round pins; Type E has a grounding pin). Many European adapters will work; travelers from the U.S./U.K./Australia will need an adapter and should check dual-voltage.

Getting Around

Trains: Fast and efficient. TGV lines link major cities; TER trains cover regional routes. Book early on SNCF for better fares.
Metro & trams: Paris has a dense metro and RER system; Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, and many others have metro/tram/bus networks. Buy tickets/passes or use contactless.
Domestic flights: Still used for long north–south trips or to Corsica, but trains often rival planes for time city-center to city-center.
Car rental: Great for Provence, Normandy, Brittany, the Loire, and Alsace wine routes—drive on the right, tolls on some motorways, many towns have paid parking.
City mobility: Bikes and e-scooters are common in bigger cities—check local rules.

Safety

Overall: France is very used to tourists and is generally safe.
Petty theft: The main issue is pickpocketing and bag-snatching in crowded areas (Paris metro, major monuments, train stations, markets). Keep valuables close and zipped.
ATMs: Use machines in well-lit, busy areas.
Demonstrations/strikes: France has them—public transport and attractions can be disrupted. Check local news and have a backup plan.
Driving: Watch speed limits and low-emission zones in larger cities.

Common Tourist Scams & Annoyances

Petitions / friendship bracelets (around Sacré-Cœur / Eiffel): People approach you to sign something or tie a bracelet, then ask for money—politely say no.
Fake charity / photo ops: Always confirm prices before taking photos with street performers.
Taxi overcharging: Use official taxis (with meter) or ride-hailing apps; from airports, fixed fares usually apply.
Pocket-picking on the metro: Keep phones and wallets in front, especially on crowded lines.
Unlicensed guides: Book museum/Versailles/wine tours with established agencies.

Plan a few days in Paris, add one region by train or car, learn a few French phrases, and France will give you exactly the mix of culture, food, and scenery you came for.