Art de Vivre
cultureThe French philosophy of living well. Quality over quantity in all things.
- Meals are events, not fuel stops
- Quality ingredients over processed convenience
- Appreciation of beauty in everyday life
- Balance between work and pleasure
Create a trip called “Trip to France” and plan it from there.
67,800,000 Population
French Language
EUR Currency
C, E Plug Types
Before you go
Visa, plugs, customs and when to go
The essentials
- Plugs: type C, E · 230 V / 50 Hz
- Official language: French
Visa
Choose your passport to see whether you need a visa.
Part of Schengen Area. 90-day visa-free stays within 180-day period.
Reviewed on February 8, 2025. Always confirm with the official source before travelling. Official source
See all about before you go
French Meal Culture
protocolMeals follow a strict structure. Rushing or snacking is frowned upon.
- Lunch is 12:00-14:00, dinner 20:00-22:00
- Multi-course meals are normal
- Bread on the table, never on plate
- Cheese course before dessert
Intellectual Conversation
cultureThe French value debate and discussion. Disagreement is not personal—it is intellectual sport.
- Philosophy, politics, and ideas are dinner topics
- Playing devil's advocate is common
- Expressing opinions strongly is respected
- Avoid American-style positivity (seen as superficial)
Regional Identity
cultureFrance has strong regional identities. Each region has its own cuisine, wine, and character.
- Provence: Mediterranean, lavender, rose wine
- Lyon: Gastronomic capital, bouchons
- Bordeaux: Wine, elegance
- Normandy: Cider, cheese, D-Day history
France is the world's most visited country, celebrated for its art, cuisine, fashion, and art de vivre (art of living). The French take pride in their language, culture, and way of life. Formality and politeness are essential—always greet with "Bonjour." Life revolves around good food, wine, and intellectual conversation.
Do
- Always say "Bonjour" before any interaction serious
- Attempt French before asking if they speak English moderate
- Take time to enjoy meals moderate
- Dress neatly, especially in Paris minor
Don’t
- Skip the greeting or jump straight to requests serious
- Assume everyone speaks or wants to speak English moderate
- Rush meals or ask for the check too early moderate
- Be overly friendly/familiar with strangers minor
- Criticize French food, wine, or culture moderate
Etiquette Tips
La Bise
Friends greet with cheek kisses (2-4 depending on region). Start with right cheek. Don't actually kiss—touch cheeks and air kiss.
essentialFlowers or Wine
When invited home, bring quality wine, flowers (not chrysanthemums—funerals), or chocolates.
essentialDress Well
The French dress elegantly. Avoid athletic wear, flip-flops, or overly casual attire in cities.
recommendedWhen to go
April · May · June
Rating 5/5 Crowds: moderate Prices: moderate
Perfect weather, blooming gardens, outdoor cafe season begins.
Events: Cannes Film Festival (May) · French Open (May-June) · Fete de la Musique (June 21)
July · August
Rating 4/5 Crowds: peak Prices: expensive
Warm and festive. Many Parisians leave in August. Beaches are packed.
Events: Bastille Day (July 14) · Tour de France (July) · Summer festivals
September · October · November
Rating 4/5 Crowds: moderate Prices: moderate
Beautiful colors, wine harvest, fewer tourists. Paris at its most Parisian.
Events: Vendanges (grape harvest) · Nuit Blanche (Paris, October)
December · January · February
Rating 3/5 Crowds: low Prices: budget
Cold and grey in north, mild in south. Christmas markets, skiing in Alps.
Events: Christmas markets · New Year celebrations · Ski season
Climate: North is cooler and wetter. Mediterranean coast is warm. Alps have mountain climate.
Our editorial guide, reviewed February 8, 2025. Checked against: France Tourism · SNCF · RATP · Lonely Planet France
Money
Currency and tipping
The essentials
- Currency: Euro (EUR)
- Tipping at restaurants — 5-10%
See all about money
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Symbol: €
Tipping Guide
Restaurants
5-10%
Service is included (service compris). Small tip for excellent service appreciated.
Hotels
€1-2 per bag
For porters. Leave €1-2/day for housekeeping if you wish.
Taxis
Round up
Not expected. Rounding up 1-2 euros is appreciated.
Service charge is included in all prices. Tipping is optional but appreciated.
Our editorial guide, reviewed February 8, 2025. Checked against: France Tourism · SNCF · RATP · Lonely Planet France
Getting around
Airports, buses, driving and apps
The essentials
- Traffic drives on the right
- Main airport: CDG — Paris Charles de Gaulle
See all about getting around
France has excellent transport. TGV high-speed trains connect major cities quickly. Paris has one of the world's best metro systems. Rural areas need a car.
Major Airports
CDG Paris Charles de Gaulle Hub 25 km to center
- RER B 35-45 min €11.80
- Roissybus 60-75 min €16.20
- taxi 45-75 min €56 flat rate to Right Bank, €65 to Left Bank
ORY Paris Orly 13 km to center
- Orlyval + RER B 35 min €14.10
- Orlybus 30-45 min €11.20
LYS Lyon-Saint Exupery 25 km to center
- Rhonexpress 30 min €16.30
Between cities
SNCF TGV (High-speed)
- Paris-Lyon (2h)
- Paris-Marseille (3h15)
- Paris-Bordeaux (2h)
Book early (90 days ahead) for best prices. Ouigo is budget TGV.
Book with SNCF TGV (High-speed)TER (Regional)
- Regional connections
- Often scenic routes
No reservations needed. Good for day trips.
FlixBus / BlaBlaCar Bus
- Major cities
- Budget option
Driving
Traffic drives on the right
EU license or International Driving Permit
Essential for countryside: Provence, Loire, wine regions. Avoid driving in Paris.
Useful apps
- SNCF Connect — Train tickets and schedules
- Citymapper — Paris public transport
- Bonjour RATP — Paris metro official app
- Uber / Bolt — Ride-hailing
Tips
- TGV is faster than flying when you count airport time
- Metro closes at 12:30am (2am Fri-Sat)—plan for night buses or Uber
- First class on TGV is worth it for long journeys if price is similar
- Validate TER tickets before boarding (compostez votre billet)
- Strikes (greves) can disrupt transport—check SNCF app
Our editorial guide, reviewed February 8, 2025. Checked against: France Tourism · SNCF · RATP · Lonely Planet France
Safety & health
Emergencies, official advice and health
The essentials
- Emergencies: 112
See all about safety & health
Embassies
- US U.S. Embassy Paris 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75008 Paris +33 1 43 12 22 22 Website
- MX Embajada de Mexico en Francia 9 Rue de Longchamp, 75116 Paris +33 1 53 70 27 70 Website
Staying safe
France is generally safe. Petty theft is the main concern in tourist areas. Protests can occasionally disrupt travel.
Areas to avoid
- Some Paris suburbs (banlieues) at night
- Gare du Nord area late at night
Common scams
- Petition scam (distraction theft)
- Gold ring scam
- Bracelet scam at Sacre-Coeur
- Unofficial taxi drivers at airports
- Women travellers
- Generally safe. Some street harassment in Paris. Use common sense at night.
- LGBTQ+ travellers
- LGBTQ+ friendly. Same-sex marriage legal since 2013. Paris has vibrant scene (Le Marais).
- Solo travellers
- Excellent for solo travel. Cafe culture is welcoming to solo diners.
Our editorial guide, reviewed February 8, 2025. Checked against: France Tourism · SNCF · RATP · Lonely Planet France
Food
What to eat and how to eat out
The essentials
- Croissant — Buttery, flaky pastry. A good croissant should shatter when bitten.
- Coq au Vin — Chicken braised in red wine with mushrooms and lardons. Burgundian classic.
- Boeuf Bourguignon — Beef stew in red wine. Another Burgundian masterpiece.
See all about food
French cuisine is UNESCO-recognized as world heritage. From haute cuisine to regional specialties, food is art and ritual. Each region has its own traditions. Quality ingredients and technique are paramount.
Signature Dishes
Croissant
Buttery, flaky pastry. A good croissant should shatter when bitten.
budgetCoq au Vin
Chicken braised in red wine with mushrooms and lardons. Burgundian classic.
moderateBoeuf Bourguignon
Beef stew in red wine. Another Burgundian masterpiece.
moderateQuiche Lorraine
Savory tart with eggs, cream, and lardons. From Lorraine region.
budgetCheese
FromageOver 400 French cheeses. Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, Comte, Chevre...
moderateFondue Savoyarde
Melted cheese dish from the Alps. Dip bread into bubbling cheese.
moderateEtiquette Tips
-
Hands on Table
Keep both hands visible on the table (wrists, not elbows). Hands in lap is considered rude.
-
Bread Etiquette
Break bread with hands, never cut it. Place bread directly on tablecloth, not on plate.
Our editorial guide, reviewed February 8, 2025. Checked against: France Tourism · SNCF · RATP · Lonely Planet France
Local slang
How people talk, and words worth knowing
The essentials
- Bonjour — Hello / Good day
- Bonsoir — Good evening
- Merci — Thank you
- S'il vous plait — Please
See all about local slang
The Bonjour Rule
communicationAlways say "Bonjour" when entering any establishment or speaking to anyone. This is non-negotiable.
- Say Bonjour when entering shops, restaurants, elevators
- Add Madame or Monsieur for formality
- After 6pm, switch to Bonsoir
- Failure to greet is considered extremely rude
Learn more
The Bonjour is not optional—it is the entry ticket to any interaction in France. Skipping it marks you as rude and will result in poor service. The French see this greeting as acknowledging the other person's humanity. Make eye contact, smile, and say "Bonjour, Madame/Monsieur" before any request.
Formal vs Informal (Tu/Vous)
communicationThe French language has formal (vous) and informal (tu) forms. Using the wrong one is a faux pas.
- Always use "vous" with strangers and elders
- "Tu" is for friends, family, children
- Wait to be invited to use "tu"
- In doubt, use "vous"
Common Phrases
Essential words and phrases in French
Bonjour
/bon-ZHOOR/
Hello / Good day
Essential greeting (daytime)
Bonsoir
/bon-SWAHR/
Good evening
After ~6pm
Merci
/mehr-SEE/
Thank you
Add "beaucoup" for emphasis
S'il vous plait
/seel voo PLEH/
Please
Formal, essential
Excusez-moi
/ex-koo-zay MWAH/
Excuse me
Getting attention
Parlez-vous anglais?
/par-lay voo on-GLEH/
Do you speak English?
After Bonjour!
L'addition, s'il vous plait
/lah-dee-SYON seel voo PLEH/
The bill, please
Restaurants
Un cafe, s'il vous plait
/uhn kah-FAY seel voo PLEH/
A coffee, please
Ordering
Sante!
/sahn-TAY/
Cheers!
Toasting (make eye contact!)
Au revoir
/oh reh-VWAHR/
Goodbye
When leaving anywhere
Our editorial guide, reviewed February 8, 2025. Checked against: France Tourism · SNCF · RATP · Lonely Planet France
Top Highlights
Must-see attractions and experiences
Eiffel Tower
Paris
The iconic symbol of Paris and France. Best at sunset or sparkling at night.
2-3 hours € 29.4
- Book online weeks ahead
- Stairs are cheaper and faster
Louvre Museum
Paris
World's largest art museum. Home to Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and 35,000+ works.
4-6 hours € 17
- Enter via Carrousel entrance (shorter lines)
- Free first Sunday of month
Mont Saint-Michel
Normandy
Medieval abbey on a tidal island. One of France's most stunning sights.
Full day € 11
- Stay overnight to experience without crowds
- Check tide times
Vieux Lyon & Traboules
Lyon
Renaissance old town with secret passageways (traboules). UNESCO World Heritage.
3-4 hours
- Explore traboules (hidden passages)
- Eat at a traditional bouchon
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Chamonix
Alpine town at the base of Mont Blanc. World-class skiing and mountaineering.
2-3 days € 68.5
- Take Aiguille du Midi for stunning views
- Mer de Glace glacier worth visiting
Provence Lavender Fields
Valensole
Rolling purple lavender fields. Best in late June to early August.
Full day
- Sunrise is best for photos
- Combine with Verdon Gorge
More places
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