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Visas & entry
France is in the Schengen Area. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can enter with a valid national ID card or passport; visitors from visa-waiver countries such as the US, Canada, UK and Australia can generally visit for up to 90 days in any 180-day Schengen period, while many other nationalities need a Schengen visa. Check the current French government rules and any ETIAS requirement before travel, as entry systems change.
Getting in
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport: The main long-haul gateway and the best choice for a Paris-first trip; it has direct rail links into Paris and a TGV station for some onward journeys.
- Paris Orly Airport: Useful for European and domestic arrivals, especially if CDG fares or schedules are poor; allow time to reach central Paris or connect onward by rail.
- Nice Côte d’Azur Airport: The practical southern gateway for the Riviera, Monaco and nearby Provence, and a sensible open-jaw alternative to taking the long train from Paris.
- Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport: A strong arrival point for Lyon, Burgundy, the Alps and the Paris-to-Mediterranean rail corridor; use it when eastern or central France is the actual focus.
- Marseille Provence Airport: Useful for Provence, Marseille, Avignon and the Luberon; it avoids backtracking through Paris for a south-focused itinerary.
Getting around
Use TGV and intercity trains for the big-city spine: Paris to Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille, Strasbourg and Nantes is efficient, while Paris–Nice is a much longer commitment. Rent a car for villages, vineyards, the Dordogne, Brittany, much of Provence, mountain areas and Corsica; trying to force those regions into a rail-only trip means taxis, thin bus schedules and wasted time. Book high-demand long-distance trains early in summer, around school holidays and on major event dates.
Money
France uses the euro. Contactless cards are accepted almost everywhere, but carry a small amount of cash for markets, small rural businesses and backup; service is included in restaurant prices, so tipping is optional and usually modest.
Book before you land
Eiffel Tower summit tickets · Palace of Versailles timed-entry tickets · Louvre timed-entry tickets during busy periods · Lascaux IV admission · Aiguille du Midi cable car in Chamonix during peak season · Corsica ferries and rental cars in summer
- Do not build an itinerary around Paris day trips to Mont-Saint-Michel or other far-flung regions; transfer time is real and often eats the day.
- Reserve named vineyard or Champagne-house visits in advance; prestigious estates commonly do not accept casual drop-ins.
- Expect strikes and engineering works to affect rail and urban transport occasionally; check operators shortly before travel, especially on transfer days.
- Pickpocketing is most common in crowded tourist areas and on public transport in Paris and other major cities; keep phones and bags controlled rather than relying on visible anti-theft gear.
- French dining is not built around rapid turnover. At smaller restaurants, reserve dinner, arrive on time and do not expect all-day kitchen service.
- In summer, plan outdoor sightseeing early and late in Mediterranean and inland cities; heat can be more consequential than rain.
Entry rules change — verify visa requirements for your passport before booking this country.