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DESTINATION GUIDE: FRANCE

France

France – the City of Light, City of Love and the city of incredible food, wine and architecture.

Long known as the gateway between Europe’s northern and southern regions, France attracts over 85 million tourists every year, coming to experience the nations incredible food, wine and tourist attractions for themselves.

Known as the home of Frogs Legs, Escargot, French Onion Soup and Pastries, alongside several of the world’s most famous monuments including the Eiffel Tower and Arch de Triomphe, France has plenty of allure to travellers of all types.

POPULATION: 64.6 million

PRIMARY LANGUAGE: French

PRIMARY CURRENCY: Euro (EUR)

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Visit the French Government website for more information.

Climate

France is made up of several different regions spread throughout the country – and throughout the world. While the climate is temperate overall, the weather you will experience may depend on which region of France you’re travelling to.

In Metropolitan France, the temperature typically doesn’t change too significantly, but the weather will change with the seasons. Make sure you pack a jacket so you’re ready for every season.

In the West of France, expect an oceanic climate – mild winters, moderate temperatures but frequent rain due to the coastal setting. If you’re visiting Western France, bring an umbrella or raincoat with you to save your clothes and any business wear.

The Eastern France is where you’ll want to visit if you want to see snow – while the summers are warm, the winters can drop below 0 degrees, and mountainous regions frequently get dustings of snow, making the towns look magical.

The most stable part of France is Southern France – while the summers are hot and the winters bring thunderstorms, the climate is mediterranean and often quite comfortable for a trip.

Capital Cities

France has one Capital City – Paris – located in the Northern part of France and known as the country’s political, cultural and economic centre. While Paris is the most popular city to visit when visiting France, there are also several other major cities that make up this European nation:

Marseille
Lyon
Toulouse
Nice
Nantes

From here, the country of France is also made up of 18 administrative regions, with 13 located in mainland Europe, and the remaining 5 spread out in France’s regions overseas. These regions consist of:

French Guiana
French Polynesia
Guadeloupe
Martinique
New Caledonia
Reunion
St Pierre and Miquelon
Wallis and Futuna Islands

GET INSPIRED

Want to visit the places less travelled? Or want to learn the most popular spots? Check out some of our top recommendations below!

Paris Travel Guide: Where To Stay, Best Places To Eat, Must-See Experiences

Paris – a vibrant, bustling city where elegance meets modernity, art and culture combine, and millions of people visit each year. By far one of the most popular tourist cities to visit within France – and Europe as a whole – Paris welcomes over 50 million tourists, and with the city recently in the spotlight [...]

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Discover our range of French holiday packages perfect for your European adventure!

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

France is a beautiful country, with incredible scenery and mouth-watering food. If you’re planning to visit, here are some local tips & tricks to make sure your visit runs smoothly:

Reconsider travel in August – Like how Australian’s disappear to the beach over December and January, many French take their holidays in July and August. While this won’t stop you having a good time, it does mean that many smaller businesses will be closed for the month, and the city is likely to be much quieter.
Book in advance – As France is such a busy country all-year round, we recommend booking restaurants and any popular tours in advance, as you may have difficulty getting in otherwise!
Always say bonjour – Similar to how Australian’s expect a “please” and “thank you“, the French expect you to say “bonjour“, and you may face less-than-exceptional service if you fail to be polite and do so.
Educate yourself on coffee culture – the French have a very different coffee culture compared to the rest of the world, and it pays to get an understanding of what you can and can’t order. While a Cafe au lait (Latte) is available in the morning, you’re often only likely to get espresso or long black in the afternoon and onwards.

FAQ’s

When is the best season to visit France?

The best times to visit France are in July and August, when the weather is the warmest and there is plenty going on. However, visiting during these months will have you paying premium for accommodation as this is peak tourism season – to avoid this, visit in May and June, or September and October. If you want to enjoy snow sports, we recommend visiting in January and February.

Where are the best places to visit in France?

Being the capital city and home to majority of the nation’s popular tourist attractions, Paris is the top place to visit when visiting France. However, the nation also has several other popular cities worth visiting if you’re a fan of history, great food and exceptional wine, including Normandy, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Provence, Lyon and the French Riviera.

If you’re unsure about where you want to go while visiting France, get in touch with our experienced Leisure Travel team.

Where else should I visit while visiting France?

Being located on mainland Europe, it’s easy to visit other nations while visiting France. France is lucky to be well-connected via rail, boat and air to nearby European countries, with several popular destinations including England, Italy, Spain, Greece, Switzerland and Germany.

A Pulse Travel Agent can recommend the best itinerary for you, and pair your trip to France with a visit to other nations for a European adventure.

What should I do on my trip to France?

France is a country of rich history, mouth-watering cuisine and incredible culture. While no visit to France is complete without a visit to the popular attractions including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre, we also recommend attending a local culinary tour, visiting the local wineries for a wine tasting or soaking up the sun on one of the French Riviera’s many beaches.

A full guide of things to do, see and experience while in France is also available.

What food should I try while in France?

France is incredibly well-known for its mouth-watering cuisine, and so making a point to include a food tour in your itinerary is a must. While just about any cafe, restaurant or bistro is guaranteed to have exceptional food, we recommend trying to get your hands on a Croque Madame or Croque Monsieur, Macaron, or a slice of exquisite French cheese.

What documents do I need to enter France?

France has a handful of Border Security laws that travellers into the country will need to abide by, including:

Ownership of a valid passport
A valid visa, if required
Proof of accommodation covering the duration of your stay
Proof of sufficient financial means
Proof of appropriate medical insurance
A return ticket

More specific information can be found on the French Government website – your Travel Agent can also advise you.

Is France safe to visit?

France is a safe place to visit for singles, couples, families and elderly travellers alike. We always recommend caution and remaining vigilant while travelling overseas, however no specific safety measures are required, and French Hotel staff will be able to assist you with any questions you may have.

Is English spoken in France?

French is the primary and most commonly spoken language in France; however many citizens are also fluent in English. You’ll most likely encounter French when out and about on signage, in restaurants and in hotels, however staff should be able to assist you where an English translation is not available.

Is France expensive?

France is a reasonable place to visit in terms of price, and you can make your trip as cheap or as expensive as you want. Travelling in peak tourist season, staying closer to the city and eating out at higher-end restaurants will inflate your expenses further, while choosing to visit outside of peak season and stay in less populated areas will help to lower costs.