Loading…
Visas & entry
France is in the Schengen Area. U.S., UK, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, Japanese, South Korean and many other visa-exempt passport holders can generally visit for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period; many other nationalities require a short-stay Schengen visa. ETIAS is expected to be introduced for visa-exempt travelers after its official launch date, so verify current entry rules, passport validity and any authorization requirement through France-Visas before booking.
Getting in
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport: The main long-haul gateway and the most useful airport for Paris plus rail connections across France. It is outside central Paris but linked by RER, airport buses and rail services.
- Paris Orly Airport: Useful for European and domestic flights, especially when Paris is your first or final stop. It is closer to the city than CDG but has fewer long-haul options.
- Nice Côte d’Azur Airport: The practical international gateway for the Riviera and Monaco, with quick access to central Nice and coastal trains.
- Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport: A strong option for Lyon, Burgundy, the Alps and southeast France, avoiding a Paris backtrack.
- Marseille Provence Airport: Useful for Provence, Marseille and the Calanques; onward travel to Marseille or Aix requires a transfer rather than a walk-out city arrival.
Getting around
Use TGV and intercity trains for Paris-to-city corridors; they are fast, comfortable and often beat driving once parking and tolls are counted. Rent a car for Normandy beyond the main towns, the Loire château circuit, Provence villages, Burgundy vineyards, Brittany, Dordogne and Corsica. Domestic flights are rarely worth it on mainland routes served by TGV, but flying is usually the sensible way to reach Corsica unless the ferry is part of the trip.
Money
France uses the euro. Contactless cards and mobile payments work almost everywhere, including for small purchases, but carry a little cash for markets, rural cafés and occasional card failures. Service is included in restaurant prices; rounding up or leaving a few euros for good service is normal, not obligatory.
Book before you land
Eiffel Tower summit access · Louvre timed-entry tickets, especially in high season · Palace of Versailles timed entry · Popular Champagne house cellar tours in Reims and Épernay · Lascaux IV tickets · Aiguille du Midi cable car in Chamonix during busy periods · Top Calanques boat trips and guided hikes in summer
- Do not expect every museum, restaurant or small business to open every day; Monday or Tuesday closures are common, and August annual closures are real.
- Book intercity trains early for the best fares, especially Fridays, Sundays, school holidays and major festival periods.
- In cities, validate or correctly activate local transit tickets where required; ticket inspections are routine.
- A rental car is an asset in rural France and a liability in central Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Nice because of traffic, restricted zones and parking costs.
- Summer Mediterranean hiking needs heat planning, water and attention to wildfire closures; the Calanques can be restricted or dangerous in hot, windy conditions.
- Keep valuables close in crowded stations, Paris tourist areas and busy Riviera or Marseille transit zones; routine security checks at major attractions are normal.
Entry rules change — verify visa requirements for your passport before booking this country.