France is one of those countries everyone must visit once in their lifetime. There is so much unique culture to experience here from the urban sights of Paris to the fairytale chateaus of the Loire to the sunny glitz and glam of St Tropez.
Most of us think we know what to expect from watching movies and TV shows. However, there are a lot of things that people don’t tell you about travelling to France. Consequently, many tourists arrive unprepared. Below are just some of the essentials to consider when travelling to France.
Research into the local climate
What is the weather like in France? That depends entirely on the time of year and region that you visit. If you’re visiting the Alps in winter, you’ll clearly want to wrap up warm – temperatures can often reach -20 degrees Celsius in December and January. Visit the French Riviera in summer meanwhile and you’ll want to dress light and bring your sun lotion – temperatures can regularly reach up to 30 degrees Celsius.
Check the weather in advance so that you know what type of clothes to bring. Much of the north of France has a temperate climate, so it’s worth packing for the sun and rain. Most hotels have heating and air conditioning, however if you’re planning to stay in an old guest house or chalet you may want to double-check this.
Make sure to apply for a visa
Fellow EU citizens don’t have to apply for a visa when travelling to France. However, residents from many other countries do have to apply for some kind of visa in order to enter France – forget to apply for a visa and you won’t be allowed into the country.
Right now UK citizens don’t have to apply for a visa, however an ETIAS visa waiver will be made compulsory some time in the next couple years. This is something to look into if you’re planning a trip in a year or two.
This Europe Visa website has more information on visa requirements. Different visas may be required depending on whether you plan to travel short-term, stay long-term, study or work in France – make sure that you’ve applied for the right visa. Visas typically take a few days to process.
Convert some cash into Euros
France has been using Euros since 2002. It’s best to convert some cash before you arrive in France – this will typically get you the best rates.
You can shop around for rates online at various currency exchanges. While you may be able to buy currency from a local post office, fees could be more expensive. Avoid transferring currency at the airport as you’re likely to get ripped off in most cases.
On top of using cash, there’s the option to use a pre-loaded card. This allows you to pay by card without charging a fee. Some people find it easier to carry a card than cash. If you’re travelling to Paris or any other major city, most places will accept card. However, if you’re travelling to rural villages, you may still want to carry some cash.
Take the right adaptor
Different countries around the world use different styles of plug socket. This catches many tourists out when travelling abroad – it can be quite frustrating to get to your hotel room with an almost dead phone, only to find out that you can’t charge up your device because your charger doesn’t fit the socket.
A plug adaptor will allow you to plug your charger into the socket. Try to buy one of these online before you travel as they could be quite hard to find once you’re there. France primarily uses the two pin socket (type C).
Parlez-vous Français?
France has a low percentage of English speakers compared to many other European countries. In cities and resorts, you may find a few more fluent English speakers, however the majority of French residents are likely to only know the basics. For this reason, it’s important to learn some of the lingo.
This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to take French lessons before you go, however it could be worth learning a few handy phrases such as ‘c’est combien’ (how much is it?) and ‘l’addition s-il vous plait’ (please can I have the bill), on top of the fundamentals like ‘bonjour’, ‘merci’ and ‘au revoir’. Audiobooks and online audio guides can be useful for teaching pronunciation – French words are rarely pronounced the way they’re spelt.
There are translation apps you can download to help you with translations. Alternatively, you could go old-skool and pack a French/English dictionary or phrasebook.
Know the laws when driving
Planning to drive in France? There are a few rules worth noting when driving a car in France:
- French drivers drive on the right side of the road.
- You must be over 18 to legally drive in France.
- Speed limits are typically 130 kph (80mph) on motorways, 110kph (68mph) on dual carriageways and 80kph (50mph) in built-up areas.
- Wearing headphones while driving is illegal.
- You’re required to carry a breathalyser and reflective jacket in your car at all times.
- Many French motorways require paying a toll – so make sure that you have cash on you.
- Some cities such as Paris have a low emissions zone in which certain vehicles are banned, while other cities require drivers to display a Clean Air Sticker. Look into this beforehand to avoid a fine when travelling to these cities.
You can hire a car or bring your own. Make sure to bring your driving license and any car hire booking confirmation documents. Check that you’re insured to drive abroad first.
Book attraction ahead to avoid disappointment
For many popular attractions, it’s recommended that you book tickets online well in advance. For example, you can’t buy tickets for the Louvre on the door – you have to buy them online in advance. It’s worth booking a couple weeks ahead as only a limited number of visitors are allowed per day.
In the case of other attractions like Disneyland Paris, you can buy tickets at the gate, but you’ll likely end up queuing for hours. By booking tickets in advance online, you can reduce time spent queuing.
Queues are still inevitable for many attractions (especially whilst Covid restrictions are still in place), however booking ahead will ensure that you don’t waste half the day in a queue.
Check what’s open on a Sunday
Over here, everywhere is open on a Sunday, but in France a lot of stores and attractions close their doors for the day. This is particularly the case in rural towns and villages, but even in cities you could find that many stores are closed. This is actually due to an old law that forbids certain types of shops opening on a Sunday.
It’s best to avoid planning activities on a Sunday without doing prior research. This could be a great day for planning a walk or spending a few hours by the pool.
Take your Speedos when swimming
This is a weird one but true! Men aren’t allowed to wear loose-fitting swimming trunks in French public pools. Because such trunks can double-up as shorts, they’re considered unhygienic. Consequently, if you’re a guy and you’re planning to use a public swimming pool, be prepared to wear tight-fitting Speedo-style trunks.
This is not the case on the beach – you can wear whatever swimwear you fancy in the sea. If you’re renting a villa with a private pool, you may also be able to get away with standard trunks. However, most hotel and resort pools will only allow tight-fitting trunks.
