France: So Much More Than Paris
Wine regions, Alpine peaks, Mediterranean beaches, and the world’s best food. Here’s how to see all of it.
France gets 90 million tourists a year, and honestly? Most of them only see Paris. Which is a shame, because the rest of the country is where it really gets interesting. Provence has lavender fields that look photoshopped (they’re not). The French Riviera has coastline that gives the Caribbean a run for its money. Bordeaux has more wine than you could drink in a lifetime, and the Alps have skiing that rivals Switzerland at half the attitude.
Paris is obviously worth it too. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the catacombs, the bakeries on every corner. But France is a country you could visit ten times and still find something new. This guide covers all of it – city guides, itineraries, costs, transport, and the stuff nobody tells you before your first trip.
1–2.5 hrs
From the UK
Apr–Jun & Sep–Oct
Best time
French
Main language
EUR (€)
Currency
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit France is during its shoulder seasons. From April to May and September to November, you’ll have an easier time finding cheaper flights and hotel’s will lower their rates. Plus, you will miss the summer crowds and spend less time waiting to catch a glimpse of the Mona Lisa in the Louvre Museum or waiting to enter the Eiffel Tower.
If you’re planning to visit France over the summer (June to August), be sure to book your accommodation and excursions well in advance. It’s the busiest time of year as schools are out and there is warmer weather.
If you go between November and December you will find the streets of Paris lined with Christmas lights, you will also be able to visit the Christmas Markets for a hot mulled wine.
For a month by month look, click here
What To Expect
14°C
- Temperature
Capital: Paris
Language: The official language in France is French.. ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in French: “bonjour” and “merci”
Currency: The official currency of France is the Euro (EUR). £1 GBP is equivalent to 1.18 EUR. Check the latest rates here
Credit Cards & ATMs: If you see a blue CB logo (it stands for Carte Bleue), that means the shop takes international Visa and MasterCards. Most shops will not accept American Express. ATMs are easy to find, just type in “cash machines” or “ATM’s” on google maps and you will find plenty. Some places may accept contactless payments. We found it best to pay with cash in France.
Plugs: In France the plugs are Type C and E. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz.. I recommend buying a universal adapter
Safety: France is generally a safe country to travel to. However, pickpockets and tourist scams are common, especially in Paris. On Global Peace Index, France ranks 66 out of 163 countries. In Europe overall, France ranks poorly, at 31 out of 36 European destinations. Violent crime involving travelers is very rare.
Random useful tip: Tipping in France is more of a gesture, and less of an obligation. So, if you feel you had great service, leave a tip!
Dont’s: 1.Do not assume everyone speaks and understands English. 2.Do not take out coffee and drink it while walking down the street. Drink it at a cafe, either standing at a bar or sitting at a table. It is considered rude in France.
France Travel Guides
From Paris city breaks to Provence road trips — everything you need to plan your France trip.
City Guides
Itineraries + Maps
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit
Travel Tips
Everything Else
How Much Does France Cost?
France isn’t the cheapest country in Europe, but it’s not the budget-killer people expect. Here’s a realistic breakdown.
🎒
Backpacker
~£40 / €47 / $50 per day
- Hostel dorms from £17/€20/$22 per night
- Baguettes, markets and supermarket meals
- Metro passes and walking
- Free museums on first Sundays
🍜
Mid-Range
~£130 / €150 / $165 per day
- Budget hotels or Airbnb apartments
- Bistros, cafés and local restaurants
- TGV trains between cities
- Guided tours, wine tastings, museum entries
🏨
Upscale
~£260 / €300+ / $330+ per day
- Boutique hotels in central Paris or Riviera
- Fine dining, Michelin-starred restaurants
- Private tours and first-class trains
- Seine river cruises, champagne tastings
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Budget
- Hostel dorm: £17–£35 / €20–€40 / $22–$44 per night
- Campsite: £9–£22 / €10–€25 / $11–$27 per night
- Budget hotel: £61–£104 / €70–€120 / $77–$132 per night
Mid–Luxury
- Airbnb apartment: £87–£174 / €100–€200 / $110–$220 per night
- Boutique hotel: £130–£215 / €150–€250 / $165–$275 per night
- Luxury hotel: £260+ / €300+ / $330+ per night
City Travel
- Metro/bus/tram ride: £1.30–£2.15 / €1.50–€2.50 / $1.65–$2.75
- Day pass (Paris): £7–£13 / €8.50–€15 / $9–$16.50
- Uber short trip: £7–£17 / €8–€20 / $9–$22
Long Distance
- TGV (Paris–Lyon): £26–£87 / €30–€100 / $33–$110
- FlixBus (Paris–Marseille): £17–£35 / €20–€40 / $22–$44
- Car rental per day: £43–£87 / €50–€100 / $55–$110
Eat Cheap
- Boulangerie sandwich: £3–£5 / €3.50–€6 / $4–$6.50
- Supermarket meal prep: £4–£7 / €5–€8 / $5.50–$9
- Coffee: £1.75–£3.50 / €2–€4 / $2.20–$4.40
Eating Out
- Bistro meal: £17–£35 / €20–€40 / $22–$44
- Fine dining: £43–£87 / €50–€100 / $55–$110
- Glass of wine: £3–£6 / €3.50–€7 / $4–$7.70
- Beer (pint): £4.30–£6 / €5–€7 / $5.50–$7.75
Budget Fun
- Museum entry: £9–£17 / €10–€20 / $11–$22
- Free museum Sundays: £0/€0/$0
- Walking tour (tip-based): £5–£10 / €5–€12 / $5.50–$13
Big Experiences
- Eiffel Tower entry: £17–£26 / €20–€30 / $22–$33
- Wine tasting tour: £43–£130 / €50–€150 / $55–$165
- Seine river cruise: £13–£22 / €15–€25 / $16.50–$27.50
- Versailles day trip: £17–£22 / €20–€25 / $22–$27.50
Tips for Saving Money in France
✈️ Book TGV trains 2–3 months ahead. Prices double closer to the date and the cheapest fares sell out fast.
🏛️ Hit museums on the first Sunday of the month. The Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and others are completely free.
🍷 Buy wine at supermarkets, not restaurants. A €5 bottle from Carrefour often beats a €30 glass at a tourist spot.
🏠 Stay outside central Paris. Hotels in the 11th, 12th, and 20th arrondissements are significantly cheaper and the metro gets you anywhere in 20 minutes.
🎒 Get a Paris Museum Pass if you’re doing 3+ museums. Pays for itself after two entries and you skip most queues.
🥖 Eat like the locals. A baguette, cheese, and charcuterie from any market costs about €5 and tastes better than most sit-down meals.
🚇 Use a Navigo Easy card in Paris. Way cheaper than single tickets and works on metro, bus, tram, and RER.
💧 Bring a reusable water bottle. Tap water is safe everywhere and Paris has free water fountains (look for the green Wallace fountains).
🚲 Rent a Vélib’ bike. €5 for a day pass, and cycling along the Seine or through the Marais is the best way to see the city.
📅 Travel in shoulder season (April–May or September–October). Flights and hotels drop significantly, crowds thin out, and the weather is actually better for walking.
Getting Around France
France has one of the best transport networks in Europe. Trains are fast, buses are cheap, and half the country is walkable. Here’s how to get between the places.
Domestic Flights
Best for getting to Corsica or if you’re short on time. Otherwise, the TGV is usually faster door-to-door.
✅ Necessary for Corsica
✅ Budget airlines from £35/€40/$44
❌ Airport hassle often negates time savings vs train
Car Rental
Best for Provence, Loire Valley, Normandy, and the Alps. Total freedom to explore villages and countryside at your own pace.
✅ Essential for rural France
✅ Rentals from £43/€50/$55 per day
❌ Toll roads add up fast (Paris to Nice: ~£65/€75/$82 in tolls)
City Public Transport
Best for getting around Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux. Metros, trams, and buses are cheap and run frequently.
✅ Paris Metro covers almost everywhere
✅ Day passes save money
❌ Rush hour is genuinely packed
TGV High-Speed Rail
Best for city-to-city travel. Paris to Lyon in 2 hours, Paris to Marseille in 3. Fast, comfortable, and often cheaper than flying.
✅ Fastest way between major cities
✅ Book early for fares from £26/€30/$33
❌ Prices spike close to departure
FlixBus & Coaches
Best for budget travel between cities. Takes longer than the TGV but costs a fraction of the price.
✅ Paris to Marseille from £17/€20/$22
✅ Free Wi-Fi, comfortable seats
❌ Journey times are 2–3x longer than trains
Cycling
Best for Loire Valley, Provence, and city exploration. France is a cyclist’s country and it shows — bike lanes, Vélib’ stations, and dedicated routes everywhere.
✅ Vélib’ in Paris from £5/€5/$5.50 per day
✅ Loire Valley has stunning dedicated cycle routes
❌ Not practical for long distances between cities
Which Is Right For You?
Sticking to one city
Metro pass + walking. You won’t need anything else.
Hitting multiple cities
TGV between them. Book 2–3 months early.
Countryside & wine regions
Rent a car. Provence and Loire Valley need wheels.
Tight budget, no rush
FlixBus between cities, metro within them.
Quick Tips
📅
Book TGV Early
Prices can triple in the last 2 weeks. SNCF releases tickets 3–4 months ahead.
💳
Get a Navigo Card
Works on all Paris transport. Way cheaper than single tickets.
📍
Airport Tip: Skip Taxis
RER B from Charles de Gaulle costs £9/€10.30/$11. A taxi is £50/€55/$60+.
⏰
Validate Your Ticket
Regional trains still need paper tickets validated (composté) before boarding. Miss this and you risk a fine.
Book Tours & Tickets
Related Resources
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here’s how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Theft & Scams
Pickpockets, tourist traps, and cons you won’t see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to avoid every single one.
Travel Insurance
Don’t skip this one. Especially travelling solo. We compare the best policies and explain exactly what you actually need.
FAQs
Do I need a visa to visit France?
If you’re from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, or most EU countries, you don’t need a visa for stays under 90 days. You just need a valid passport. UK travellers will need to register with ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) from 2026 — it’s a quick online form and costs €7. Always check the latest requirements before you travel, because this stuff changes.
Is France safe for tourists?
Yes, broadly. France is a safe country to visit and millions of people travel there every year without issues. The main risk is petty crime, particularly in Paris. Pickpockets operate heavily around tourist spots like the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, and on the metro. Keep your valuables close, don’t leave bags unattended, and be cautious of anyone approaching you with clipboards or “gold rings” on the street. Outside of Paris, crime rates are generally low.
How much money do I need per day in France?
It depends on your style. Budget travellers can get by on around £40/€47/$50 per day with hostels, market food, and public transport. Mid-range travellers should budget roughly £130/€150/$165 per day for private rooms, bistro meals, and train travel. If you want boutique hotels and fine dining, expect £260/€300+/$330+ per day. Paris is the most expensive city; everywhere else is noticeably cheaper.
When is the best time to visit France?
Spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) are the sweet spot. Fewer crowds, lower prices, and the weather is comfortable for walking around all day. Summer (July–August) is peak season — everything is more expensive and more crowded, but you get the best beach weather on the Riviera. Winter is great for skiing in the Alps and Christmas markets in Alsace, but shorter days make city sightseeing less appealing.
What's the best way to get around France?
Between cities: the TGV (high-speed train) is the obvious choice. Paris to Lyon takes 2 hours, Paris to Marseille about 3. For rural areas like Provence, the Loire Valley, or Normandy, rent a car. Within cities, the metro and tram systems are cheap and reliable. FlixBus is the budget option for longer routes. Check our full getting around breakdown above.
Do people in France speak English?
In Paris and major tourist areas, yes — most people working in hospitality speak at least some English. Outside the big cities, it drops off quickly. Learning a few basic French phrases goes a long way. Start with “bonjour” (hello), “merci” (thank you), and “parlez-vous anglais?” (do you speak English?). The French genuinely appreciate the effort, even if your pronunciation is terrible.
Do I need travel insurance for France?
Yes. The UK’s GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) covers some emergency treatment in EU countries, but it doesn’t cover everything and it won’t help with trip cancellations, lost luggage, or repatriation flights. A proper travel insurance policy costs very little compared to the potential bills. We always recommend getting covered — compare options in our travel insurance guide.
Is tipping expected in France?
Not really. Service charge is included in restaurant bills by law (it’s called “service compris”). Tipping on top of that is appreciated but not expected. If you’ve had great service, rounding up the bill or leaving €1–€2 is a nice gesture. Don’t feel pressured. Nobody will chase you down the street for not tipping.
Can I drink the tap water in France?
Yes. Tap water is safe to drink everywhere in France. In restaurants, ask for “une carafe d’eau” (a jug of water) and you’ll get free tap water. Bring a reusable bottle — Paris in particular has free public water fountains dotted around the city (the green Wallace fountains are everywhere).
How far in advance should I book?
For flights from the UK: 6–10 weeks ahead usually gets the best prices. For TGV trains: 2–3 months ahead is ideal, as SNCF releases tickets in waves and the cheapest fares go first. For accommodation in Paris during summer or major events: book 3+ months ahead. Shoulder season is much more flexible and you can often book a couple of weeks out without getting stung.
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