I have visited France many times over the years, my aunt used to live in Paris, so I visited her every summer and fell in love with the streets of Paris when I was 16. It’s a great city and will always be a place I go back to on a free weekend. The south of France is also worth visiting and spending a few weeks in the summer. I hope this short summary of France will help you plan your trip.
Best Time to Visit
The cities In France can be enjoyed all year round, but the country is at its best in the spring which is from April to May and the summer from June to August. Autumn is also a very popular time to visit from September to October.
Things to do and see
- Eiffel Tower is an iconic landmark in Paris and worth visiting while in Paris the views from the top of the tower are amazing.
- Notre Dame Cathedral is one of Paris most popular landmarks. It is a medieval cathedral and considered one of Paris great gothic architectures.
- Moulin Rouge is a great way to spend an evening in Paris catching a music and dance show.
- Louvre Museum is worth visiting when in Paris, the Museum has 3500 artworks including the Mona Lisa painted by Leonardo da Vinci.
Food
French cuisine for many is considered the most sophisticated food in the world, and well known for its meat-based dishes. Popular French dishes are the Hare A La Royale which is a slow cooked wild hare stuffed with black truffles and foie gras, finished with a chocolate and hare’s blood sauce. Pate en croute is also popular it is a variation of meat in a crust; then there is the French souffle which is a pastry baked egg dish which can be made as a savoury main dish or sweetened dessert. For breakfast you must try a freshly baked baguette or croissant. France is home to over 300 different types of cheese and great wine. Paris is a very metropolitan city, there is food from all over the world to enjoy.
Transportation
Air: There are direct 45mins flights from London to France. The main domestic airlines in France are Air France, Ryanair and Air Corsica.
Roads: The motorways and main roads in France are in excellent condition and well maintained. Cycling is very popular in France and a lot of the roads are set up for cyclist.
Rail: There is a rail service that connects the whole country and operates an international service also. France also has a metro service in bigger cities like Paris which are fast and cheap convenient way to get around the city.
Taxi: Uber is available in France, there are also metered taxis.
Ferry: Ferry services connect larger Islands in France and operate an international service.
Bus: Most regions have a network of coaches that connect the whole country.
Visa
Visas are not required for all EU, U.S, Canadian and Australian nationals for stays of up to 90days over a 6month period.
Language
The official language of France is French. English is also Widely spoken in the tourist areas.
Money
The official currency in France is the Euro. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at ATM machines and in restaurants and shops.
Tipping
Restaurants and bars by law are required to include a 15% service charge on all bills, so tipping isn’t necessary.
Social etiquette
If you meet someone you are familiar with you can greet them by kissing on both sides of their cheeks.
Adaptor
There are two plugs associated with France
Wifi
Complimentary Wifi is available in most restaurants, hotels and cafes. You can purchase a SIM card on arrival at the airport, if your phone is unlocked, it will be valid for a week before you’ll be required to send proof of address and then top-up by buying credit from any convenience store.
Ruth’s Lonely Planet 