France is one of the most visited countries in the world, full of history and culture. But it can also be intimidating if you’re unprepared for everything that awaits you. In this post, we’ll go over 10 practical tips for your trip to France:
1. PLAN AHEAD
The first thing to know about French travel is that it’s a different experience than travelling to other countries. It can be downright overwhelming at times! Planning everything you might encounter on your trip is the key to having a great experience abroad and helps save money.
Planning ahead has topped our list of 10 Practical tips for your trip to France.
- Schedule your trip during the off-peak season.
- July to August are peak seasons as it’s the summer holidays in this part of the globe, so expect long queues for attractions, packed restaurants, and warm weather.
- Consider going in Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November)
- Pack light. You don’t want to be weighed down by too many bags, but you also don’t want to lug around a heavy rucksack all day.
- Safety is a priority when travelling: Always keep your passport and other valuables safe.
- Wear Comfortable Clothes: There’s a lot of walking involved, and make sure you’ve dressed appropriately according to the weather and place you’re visiting.
2. LEARN FRENCH KEY WORDS AND PHRASES
It pays to learn keywords and phrases frequently used in France as a greeting, excuse yourself or asking a question. These are polite words and will help you off to a good start for at least trying to learn some French. In addition, they’ll come in handy and be worth the effort if you want to make friends with locals!
Bonjour Monsieur/Madame – Hello Sir/Madam. (I refrain from using “mademoiselle” when addressing someone as it can be offensive to some)
Bonne Journée – Have a good day
S’îl vous plaît – Please.
Merci – Thank you
Au revoir – goodbye
Je voudrais – I would like …
Of course, these might not be enough to strike up a conversation or express yourself clearly. However, it breaks the ice and might earn you some brownie points for trying.
3. TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Third on our list of practical tips for your trip to France is Take Public Transport.
Public Transport in France is generally efficient, can take you to your desired destination, and is a great way to get around France. In addition, it’s cheap and easy to use so it won’t break the bank.
Consider buying an unlimited pass so as not to waste any precious vacation time waiting in line again later on, and you can save money on discounted rates. For example, buy your 3 days or weekly Navigo pass to save money for discounted rates, or Check out Visite pass for your trip to Paris.
If travelling around France by train or bus is part of your itinerary, consider getting an OuiGo! This will give substantial savings off fares between major cities like Bordeaux and Lyon – saving up to 35%.
Double-check the schedule, especially if there are strikes, as they have become frequent in the past few months.
4. GET A DISCOUNT CARD
You can save money on museums and attractions by getting a discount card. The Paris Pass is the most popular, but there are other options. For example, if you’re planning to visit several museums and monuments in Paris, then Paris Museum Pass might be right for you–it gives access to over 60 museums in Paris and its suburbs. I used this pass when I first visited Paris in 2017, and it was good value for money. However, I had more places to visit than I could manage, so plan which ones you’d like to spend your time in.
Another option is the Paris Visit Travel Pass which includes unlimited travel on public transport within zones 1-5 (including Montmartre), plus discounts at certain attractions such as Le Louvre museum or Chateau de Versailles (the largest palace in Europe). You can buy this ticket at any metro station or tourist office in France.
5. TRY LOCAL SPECIALTIES
We’re now halfway through 10 practical tips for your trip to France.
It’s not just the food that makes France unique; it’s also how they eat it! Many people who visit France find themselves at dinner parties where everyone is served an endless array of dishes from each course, ranging from tiny courses to main meals, cheese courses, and desserts.
I would always say I will never complete my trip without trying local dishes. Food has its own story to tell. Sometimes it’s easy to stick to our comfort food, but the journey has been planned, and you travelled for hours to get this far. So what’s a dish or two to try? It might change your perspective about certain foods.
BAGUETTE – Undoubtedly one of the most well known symbol of France. Buy the ones that are freshly baked, warm and a crust that are slightly amber-toned. They’re considered to be good quality when they’ve got a crackling crust on the outside and chewy inside.
ESCARGOT – I was initially hesitant to try this appetizer. Maybe because it’s an acquired taste, I was unsure of the texture. But, to my surprise, I loved it when I first tried it. Now it’s one of my favourite French appetizers.
CHEESE – France is the paradise of cheese lovers. With over 400 varieties, France is the place to be if you love cheese. I’m still easing my way through my cheese. I prefer the soft, creamy, and mild cheese varieties over the matured/aged and intense types of cheese. For more tips, our Best French Cheeses to Try for Beginners might interest you.
WINE – What can I say? France is also the wine capital of the world. Book a wine-tasting tour if you’re up to it.
PASTRIES – These are works of art. They’re not just gastronomical delights but masterpieces that I feel guilty about when I bite and destroy edible artwork.
Check out our Top 11 Foods to Try in Paris if you’re up for culinary discovery.
6. BE OPEN TO NEW EXPERIENCES - The Culture and Arts
You can’t go to France and not experience the culture and arts. The French people are known for their love of art, literature and music. So be open-minded about new experiences: If there’s one thing France has in abundance, it’s culture! So you might find yourself trying out local food or meeting new people at cafés and museums.
France is home to numerous museums, with one at the heart of Paris. The Louvre, for example, has thousands of collections of pre-historic to modern objects that I could spend a full day at this museum.
7. ETIQUETTE
French society is formal and polite. Greet people with Bonjour, and you’re off to a good start.
To kiss or not to kiss (La Bise) Strangers do not do this, but it is expected if you meet someone you know, like family or friends. Usually, it’s one kiss on each side of the cheeks; in some regions, it’s two kisses on each side of the cheeks done alternately. Just follow the lead of the other person to avoid faux pas.
Drinking Wine Don’t take a sip before a toast has been made. Look at other guests straight in the eye, let those wine glasses clink and say santé or tchin/tchin-chin
Mind those table manners.
8. TIPPING
Tipping is generally not customary in France, especially for services which already include service charges on the bill. Most restaurants have automatic service charges built into their prices on the menu—this is usually written as “service compris”. Tipping is not an obligation in France, but if you have exceptional service, feel free to leave “pourboire”/ tip.
9. VISIT OTHER CITIES OR REGIONS IN FRANCE
If you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of Paris, consider visiting other cities or regions in France. There are many options available, including the countryside and coastal regions.
The countryside may not be as famous as other tourist destinations such as Paris, but it can be just as beautiful if you’re willing to go off-the-beaten path! You’ll also find that many local people will be happy to help you explore their region or city by showing you around and explaining what makes it so unique. If you want to stay closer to Paris and have a day or an afternoon to spare, check out
- Top 5 Castles to visit Near Paris
- A day trip to Chateau de Fontainebleau
- Five reasons Why Chartes is Worth Visiting
- Mont-Saint-Michel: A Medieval Gem in France
Southern France has beautiful beaches where you can relax on warm sand while soaking up some sun with a book in hand (or two!). Think Nice or Cannes.
10. CHECK BUSINESS/OPERATING HOURS
To wrap up our 10 practical tips for your trip to France, here’s our #10 tip. First, check business or operating hours. While you may be used to seeing businesses open on the weekends, business hours are different in France. In some cities, you’ll find that some shops or restaurants are closed on certain days of the week, like Monday or Tuesday. In others like Paris and Lyon, shops will only be open from 9:00 AM-12 PM.
While it’s important to keep this information in mind when planning your trip and scheduling appointments with local businesses (especially ones that require advance notice), there’s no need for stress! Instead, keep an eye out for their posted hours during your stay so you don’t miss out.
France has some of the most iconic monuments in Europe; it’s also highly diverse, and each region is unique. So, if you want to visit France but don’t know where to go or what you should take for your trip, we recommend following our tips above so that everything comes together smoothly when that time comes around!
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