Food and drink highlights of France 🥕

  • Tipping - Don't tip - the 15% service charge is included in the bill under the word “Service Compris”. However, it is customary to leave an additional few euros, if the service was exceptional.
  • Eating hours - Restaurants serve lunch only between 12 pm and 2 pm ( stores are closed at this time). French dinner is usually after 8 pm.
  • Shopping hours - Stores and shopping centers are closed on Sundays. You can shop from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm.
  • Discount shops - Wine and liquors are also available in grocery stores called 'Monoprix'.
  • Cuisine type - Today, French cooking is a mix of centuries-old peasant dishes( like ratatouille) and haute cuisine of French chefs. Culinary traditions remain rooted in eating what is fresh and seasonable. French cuisine has been recognized as a cultural heritage by the United Nations.
  • Savoir Vivre - Etiquette during a meal includes the following rules: do not? keep your hands on the table, do not crunch loudly, do not slice the baguette with a knife( use hands instead).
  • Main ingredients - 10 essential ingredients of French cuisine are olive oil, dijon mustard, Fleur de sel (natural sea salt), Crème fraîche (thick cream), truffles, herbes de provence, shallots, French bread, wine and French cheeses.
  • Important info - Separating dish ingredients or asking to serve a dish without some, may be treated as we do not enjoy the service. Do not have your phone on the table while eating or drinking.
  • Warning - In a restaurant, you shouldn't: refill your own glass because that's the waiter's role, drink before everyone is served, share the bill, or wave to the waiter.
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Foods to try in France 🥘

  • Soupe à l’oignon
    Hot, aromatic onion soup served with delicious cheese croutons. It consists of broth, lots of butter, flour and, of course, onion.
  • Boeuf Bourguignon
    It is a delicious, thick beef stew with mushrooms and red wine.
  • Crepes
    French pancakes! Very large, paper thin, served both as sweet (for example with powdered sugar and strawberries) or savory This dish is especially popular in Brittany.
  • Quiche Lorraine
    A French version of fast food! It is a shortcrust pastry with ham, bacon, cheese, and eggplant.
  • Croque monsieur and croque madame
    These are toasts with ham or with an egg.
  • Mussels and other seafood
    The French are true champions when it comes to preparing exquisite seafood dishes! If you like such dishes, be sure to try the fresh mussels in white wine or in a Provencal sauce. They taste best in the north of France!
  • Cassoulet
    Cassoulet is a dish, which consists of white beans stewed slowly with meat. The dish typically includes pork or duck but it can be replaced with sausages, goose or mutton.
  • Coq au vin
    The dish consists of chicken braised with wine, mushrooms, salty pork or bacon , mushrooms, onions, garlic and sometimes even a drop of brandy.
  • Chocolate soufflé
    This is a light, airy dessert with crispy outside and liquid chocolate inside. The crispy chocolatey crust is perfect for letting the creamy chocolate ooze out for a rich surprise. However, it doesn’t have to be sweet. In fact, cheese soufflé, which is a savory version of this cake.
  • Ratatouille
    This dish consists of fried vegetables , which are then baked in a casserole dish. It can be a side dish, appetizer or a main course. Ratatouille tastes great with red wine and fresh, crusty bread.
  • Cheese
    France is famous for its excellent quality cheese. Each region has its own specialties. The most famous French cheeses are camembert, brie and roquefort (cheese with blue mold made from sheep's milk). They are served on platters with nuts, figs, grapes, baguettes and wine. Cheese is served at the end of the meal, because it contains conjugated linoleic acid, which accelerates the metabolism.
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Unusual facts about food in France 🥘

  • In France, small breakfasts are eaten, and rather hearty lunches and dinners.
  • It is said that France has one of the best cuisine in the world, which proves to own more than 600 Michelin star awards.
  • French rather drink pints of beer than the half a liter mug.
  • Prix Fixe is a type of menu consisting of a starter, main course, and dessert and often comes with fixed prices.
  • French usually order a “pichet” of wine, which is a carafe, and it comes in different sizes such as 25 cl. (250 ml) or 50 cl. (500 ml).
  • So-called 'Cafe au lait' (coffee with hot milk) is usually drunk only during breakfasts.
  • French tend to spend a lot of time eating a meal (even up to 2 hours).
  • Paid breakfasts at hotels are expensive and small. Better go to the traditional bakery.
  • In France, cheese is often served at the end of a meal but before the dessert.
  • Adding a little flavored syrup to the water before drinking is a French habit.
  • The brasserie serves smaller portions of dishes than the restaurant, where usually a whole dinner consists of at least two main courses.
  • Wine sometimes can be cheaper than a bottle of water.
  • Behind the popularity of frog legs is a medieval legend about changing the diet of the French clergy and limiting the amount of meat consumed - and frogs were classified as fish at the time. Today, dishes made of frog legs can be found in more expensive restaurants.
  • Very popular in French cuisine are also snails. They taste best when kept on a salt diet.
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Place to stay in France 🛏️

  • Best booking sites - The best rates bring you About-France.com site which cooperate with Booking.com, Hotels.com and others.
  • Rating system - Hotels in France can only have between one and four stars.
  • Seasonality - Traveling out of season (late spring and autumn), can ensure some nice weather and better room rates.
  • Cost-effective - Budget accommodation can be found in all regions of France, from quaint guest houses in the countryside to city center hostels. Campsites are a cheap alternative to other types of holiday accommodation.
  • Formalities - Your booking (by phone or for example by e-mail, ), room rate and receipt of deposit should be confirmed in writing, by the hotelier.
  • Air conditioning - In France air conditioning is not commonly used.
  • Parking - Most of the hotels offer an hour of free parking.
  • Payments - Electronic payments upon booking are usually accepted, but by card on the spot. Booking in cash is unlikely to be possible. Check the hotel website.
  • Local names - Gite' is a French word that has gained acceptance in English. You can find for example Gîte équestre', 'gîte d'étape';.
  • Camp - There are campsites all over the country. They are often located near larger cities. Similarly to hotels, have a four-star system of evaluation.
  • Important - Accommodation in France is not one of the cheapest.Without booking it in advance, it may be very pricey.
  • Warning - You can pay your bill with cash. That's still done all the time. But if you have no credit card when you arrive, the hotel is likely to ask for a cash bond that is significantly higher than the daily room rate.
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Accommodation in France 💡

  • Chain hotels located at motorway exits and on the outskirts of major towns are good alternatives when you are looking for accomodation late at night. You can usually count on a decent and reliable standard there.
  • Hostels and cheaper hotels may not have bathrooms in a room (they offer shared bathrooms at the end of the hall).
  • It rarely happens that a room does not have a central heating system.
  • In some hostels, regardless of the class (lower or higher), there are age restrictions, eg check-in is only possible for guests aged 18-55.
  • Book a room in advance to save money (at least two days earlier).
  • Make sure you are not camping in a private area or ask earlier for permission to do so.
  • Assuming you are flying home from Paris, book your last night at a hotel at the airport so that you don’t have to get up extra early and have the stress of getting to the airport. Beauvais-Tille Airport is approximately 85 km from Paris, and the journey takes at least 75 minutes.
  • Hotels outside of the city center are usually a little cheaper, but on the other hand trips to city center from there can be time and cost -consuming. Make sure that transport costs do not exceed the price of a room in the center.
  • If you dream of spending Christmas in France, book your room well in advance. Especially if you are thinking of visiting the Christmas market in one of the Alsace villages.
  • France has an extensive range of different holiday accommodation options (hotels, holiday villas, campsites to backpacker, hostels and family friendly places).
  • A gite is a most commonly a small rental hause or room in a renovated traditional country cottage in a village or in the countryside.
  • A 'gîte d'étape' is something like a youth hostel, basic overnight accommodation on a long-distance or popular hiking or cycling route.
  • A 'gîte équestre' is usually the same kind of accommodation but for riders trekking on horseback.
  • With so much opportunity for camping, France is a camper's paradise, and there are campsites to suit all tastes - from the exclusive up-market sites offering full comfort for caravans and even ready-to-use tents, to the most basic rural campsites offering little more than the essentials.
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Getting around France 💡

  • Cost-effective - Trains, the slower ones, are also the cheapest option to travel in France. If you have a Eurail pass, even TGV will be a little less expensive.
  • Time-efficient - Trains are the fastest and most comfortable way to travel to distant locations and major cities.
  • Traffic safety - Roads in France are almost always in good or excellent conditions. In mountainous areas, roads may be damaged by frost or landslides, but such dangers are always signposted.

🚇 Metro

  • Metro can be found in cities such as Paris, Marseille, Lillie, Lyon, Rennese, Rouen and Toulouse.
  • Metro does not run during the night, so check what time the last train leaves. The first one usually starts between 5:30 and 6:00 a.m.

Plane

  • Strikes in France often concern the air carriers, so check if there are no limitations on flights.

🚗 Car

  • Renting a car is cost-efficient only if you want to travel between smaller towns and not within one city.
  • The prices for car rental are lower, if you rent it in advance (best to do it before arriving in France).
  • You need to have a passport, credit card and driving license and be at least 21 years old to rent a car.
  • Some car rental agencies require the driver to have a driving license for at least one year.
  • Only the premium cars have automatic gearboxes.
  • Children under the age of 10 are not allowed to sit in front of the car.
  • Car sharing is a popular alternative to renting a car in this country and the most commonly used app is Bla-Bla Car.
  • Permitted speed: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h in undeveloped areas on a two-way road without a separator, 90 km/h in undeveloped areas, 130 km/h on the highway (110 km/h in the rain).
  • If the speed limit is exceeded by more than 30 km, the driving license is immediately stopped.
  • Tolls are also levied for traveling through tunnels and bridges.
  • For safety reasons, cars with LPG installation cannot be transported through the Channel Tunnel.
  • Tolls can be paid in cash or by credit cards.
  • Permissible blood alcohol concentration is 0.5 prom. If you have a driving license for less than two years, only 0.2 prom.
  • The French don't have a good reputation as drivers - they are known for their arrogance and aggressiveness.
  • In France, you drive on the right-hand side of the street.
  • Some companies have additional restrictions or fees for drivers under the age of 26.
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🚆 Train

  • The France national railway is called SNCF - you can buy the tickets on their website: www.thetrainline.com/en/train-companies/sncf.
  • One of the fastest trains globally is the TGV, but it is also very expensive compared to other train options.
  • Booking the ticket in advance gives discounts and helps you save time.
  • Seniors (at least 60 years old) and youths (below 26 years old) can purchase the tickets with discounts even up to 50%.
  • Tickets need to be validated before entering the train platforms.
  • Train carriers also go on strikes from time to time - check the official website to see if there are any problems with your trip.

🚲 Bicycle

  • To rent a bike in Paris, you can use an online subscription for several days. Check www.velib-metropole.fr/en/offers#subscription for more information.
  • When traveling in France by bike, you can follow the directions on the 'France Vélo Tourisme' website.

🚌 Bus

  • They are generally slower than the trains, but they are significantly cheaper.
  • Long-distance buses depart from the outskirts of the cities.
  • The main bus carries are Flixbus, Eurolines and Ouibus.
  • The night route of the city bus may be different from the one which rides during the day.
  • They are generally slower than the trains, but on the other hand they are much cheaper.

🚕 Taxi

  • Always take a taxi from the designated ranks because - they are always legal (licensed).
  • Taxis are sometimes cheaper than Uber and they are allowed to use bus lanes to reach places faster.
  • In Taxi G7, you can always pay with a credit card, but this does not necessarily apply to other taxi companies.
  • It is a good style to tip the taxi driver.

👍 Hitchhiking

  • Hitchhiking in France is very safe.
  • There are many friendly car and truck drivers.
  • Usually you don't have to wait long for a ride.

How to travel in France 🚗

  • France has a greatly developed transport system, so it is easy to travel across the country.
  • The French motorway network has about 10,000 kilometers. Tolls are collected for driving on motorways.
  • Parking in major cities is rather expensive and time-consuming.
  • Eurail France Pass allows traveling across the country without limits for a certain amount of days (minimum 3 days, up to 8 days).
  • While using public transportation, keep the tickets and do not fold them, because they are sometimes required to leave the station.
  • Cars won’t always stop at the pedestrians' crossings, so to cross the street, signal it by rising your hand.
  • While walking in Paris, mind your steps as the streets are rather dirty and filthy.
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Best time to visit France 💡

⏱️ When to go

  • The best time to visit France is late spring (mid-May to mid-June) and early autumn ( September). The summer (mid-June to August) is also a good time, but sometimes it can get hot.
  • If you want to visit Brittany, Normandy or the Atlantic coastal areas, choose summer (June to August) for your trip. In the Mediterranean regions, the best time is spring and autumn, especially in May and June and the first half of September.
  • If you want to go on a beach holiday on the Mediterranean coast, go to France in July or August.

🌡️ Temperature

  • Average annual temperatures decline to the north( for example: Nice on the Côte d'Azur at 15 °C and Lille on the northern border at 10 °C).

Rainfall

  • Rainfall is brought on by westerly winds from the Atlantic. The highest annual rainfall is in the higher areas (mountain areas) and is over 1270 mm.

🌱 Spring

  • Spring (March - May) is characterized by mild temperatures and sunshine, which compensates for frequent rainfall.

🍂 Fall

  • Autumn in France is quite mild, but often clear days are disturbed by light rainfall.

☀️ Summer

  • In the summer, from June to September, it may be hot, especially in the South, but it rarely gets above 35 °C.

❄️ Winter

  • Winters in France are quite cold. It is often snowing and the temperature sometimes goes below 0°C.

France weather Insights ☁️

  • France is located in 2 main climate zones - temperate and Mediterranean.
  • The temperate climate is located in the north and central region, and the Mediterranean climate is located on the south coast.
  • It is warmer in the south than in the north of the country.
  • In the north, there are hot summers and mild, wet winters.
  • In the south, there are very hot, dry summers and wet winters.
  • If you want to go skiing , February and March are the most recommended months. Summer is a good period to go hiking in the mountains, although there may be some thunderstorms in the afternoons.
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Savoir-Vivre in France 📝

  • Greetings - Shake hands with acquaintances or 'air kiss' ( la bise) those who are close to you when you are greeting them. The number of kisses depends on the region.
  • Punctuality - Being on time is considered as a sign of good manners, so try to be punctual, because only five-minute delay is tolerated.
  • Bargaining - Bargaining is tolerated only at the markets, but it is still not so common.
  • Dress code - Wear casual, but on the other hand neat clothes - forget about sweatpants, leggins or flip flops.
  • Temple entrance - If you're planning to visit some churches, remember to cover your knees and shoulders.
  • Home invitation - If you are invited to a French house, you should always remember some rules - take a small gift, do not take your shoes off and help the host if it is possible.
  • Etiquette - As a general rule, you should address others by using either the Madame or Monsieur form until prompted to speak by name. Remember to say 'hello' and 'goodbye' with the words 'bonjour' and 'au revoir'.
  • Drones - We recommend using this map to easily check the applicable restrictions. If you are looking for more specific information take a look here.
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Things not to do in France ⚠️

  • Use the word 'Vous' instead of 'tu' while talking in French to other people, unless they are very close to you.
  • Do not touch the products or food located in the area outside of the market stall. Indicate to the seller what you want.
  • Do not ask others about their incomes, children, and family-related things, because those questions refer only to close friends and family.
  • Do not take pictures of people shopping in stores or the markets.
  • Avoid shouting or drawing attention to yourself in public because this is viewed as a lack of self-control and manners.
  • A girl walking alone in Paris is exposed to constant and extremely intrusive harassment from the opposite sex, especially in the evening. They can effectively spoil the mood.
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Interesting facts about France 🤓

  • Public restrooms are not free - they usually cost around 0,30 - 0,40 euros.
  • Many French people do not speak English - the only way to communicate with them will be French.
  • Movies in cinemas labeled as VOSTF have original dubbing.
  • In France, cheques are still commonly used in everyday situations.
  • Getting through formal procedures in official offices takes a lot of time as France's bureaucracy is a real inconvenience.
  • Many French spend their free time sitting in cafes and talking.
  • Religion is a private thing - the French are not keen on sharing such information with others.
  • Strikes in France are a very common phenomenon and may cause problems e.g. in public transport.
  • In France, Valentine’s day is only for people in love. Do not send all your French friends a friendly Valentine’s day card, because they may get the wrong impression!
  • If you want to celebrate Valentine's day in the most romantic city in the world - choose Paris! You can book a cruise on the Seine or eat dinner in a gourmet restaurant.
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Best souvenirs from France 💝


France is a dream destination for many tourists! No wonder that we want to keep the magic of French elegance and chic for a long time after returning from a trip or give our loved ones souvenirs from our trip to the country of wine and fashion. We have prepared for you a list of the best souvenirs from France - check it out!

🍺 Beverages

Cider 💲 💲 💲 💲

Not only France, but also the United Kingdom and Spain are the leading countries in terms of production and consumption of cider made from fermented apples.

📌 Region: Normandy, Brittany

🛒 Where to buy: liquor stores, supermarkets

💰 Price range: 4 - 10 EUR

💡 Pro tip: Avoid cheap bottles of cider for around 1-2 euro.

🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends, spouse

Cider

Kir Royal 💲 💲 💲 💲

Kir Royal is an alcoholic cocktail made from a combination of Creme de Cassis and white wine, usually champagne. Creme de Cassis is a liqueur based on black currant. Kir Royal is not bought in a bottle - to prepare this drink at home, you need to buy Creme de Cassis and champagne separately.

🛒 Where to buy: liquor stores

💰 Price range: 7 - 12 EUR

💡 Pro tip: Check the labels before buying Creme de Cassis, do not buy the ones with blackcurrant extract instead of common blackcurrants.

🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends, spouse

Kir Royal

Wine 💲 💲 💲 💲

French wines are called the best in the world - it is France that produces it most! Try Bordeaux or Merlot wines, they will surely taste it!

📌 Region: Bordeaux, Champagne

🛒 Where to buy: grocery stores, restaurants, wine shops

💰 Price range: 15 - 100 EUR

🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends, spouse

Wine

👚 Clothes

Béret 💲 💲 💲 💲

No cap is as characteristic as the French beret, which has become a source of many stereotypes. It is usually made of wool and has a tiny tip in the middle. Nowadays, it is a sign of style - both ladies and gentlemen can wear it.

📌 Region: Ile-de-France

🛒 Where to buy: clothing stores

💰 Price range: 60 - 200 EUR

💡 Pro tip: Watch out for the cheap chinese imitations.

🎁 For whom: friends, spouse

Béret

Garments 💲 💲 💲 💲

The capital of fashion - this is how often Paris is referred to as the home of many luxury clothing brands such as Louis Vuitton, Arpenteur or A.P.C. Brands such as Claudie Piero, Cleo Maison or Musier offer slightly more affordable prices for ordinary tourists.

📌 Region: Ile-de-France

🛒 Where to buy: clothing stores

💰 Price range: 50 - 500 EUR

🎁 For whom: spouse

Garments

Marinière 💲 💲 💲 💲

The shirt was traditionally worn by French sailors. It is characterized by a pattern in blue and white stripes.

📌 Region: Ile-de-France

🛒 Where to buy: clothing stores

💰 Price range: 30 - 80 EUR

🎁 For whom: spouse

Marinière

🛍 Collections

Asterix Comic Book 💲 💲 💲 💲

Not everyone knows that behind the series of popular comics about Asterix and Obelix is Frenchman Rene Goscinny. To this day countless comics, fairy tales and films about the adventures of the brave Gauls have been published.

📌 Region: Ile-de-France

🛒 Where to buy: dedicated shops, libraries

💰 Price range: 5 - 30 EUR

🎁 For whom: friends, kids

Asterix Comic Book

Pétanque boules set 💲 💲 💲 💲

Bule is the national sport of the French! The set will remind you about your journey. Who knows, maybe it will turn into your new hobby?

📌 Region: Provence

🛒 Where to buy: dedicated shops, workshops

💰 Price range: 50 - 80 EUR

💡 Pro tip: Make sure have enough space in your baggage to pack this set.

🎁 For whom: parents, friends, spouse

Pétanque boules set

💄 Cosmetics

Perfumes 💲 💲 💲 💲

The most appreciated and recognizable French perfume brands are Channel, Yves, Dior and Chloe.

📌 Region: Ile-de-France

🛒 Where to buy: drugstores, perfumeries

💰 Price range: 40 - 150 EUR

🎁 For whom: spouse

Perfumes

Soap 💲 💲 💲 💲

French soaps can be found all over the country, but the ones worth paying special attention to are soaps from the Provence region. Handmade from natural oils, they are great skin care products!

📌 Region: Provence

🛒 Where to buy: supermarkets

💰 Price range: 2 - 4 EUR

🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, spouse

Soap

🥗 Food

Cheese 💲 💲 💲 💲

France has a huge selection of cheeses - more than 300 kinds, each with a different taste. They are made from cow's, sheep's and goat's milk. There are 3 main groups of cheeses - mild, mouldy and pressed. Cheeses such as Brie, Camembert, Comte, Roquefort, Munster or Gaperon are on the list of obligatory cheeses to taste!

📌 Region: Normandy, Comte, Ile-de-France, Auvergne, Burgundy

🛒 Where to buy: grocery stores, cheese shops

💰 Price range: 2 - 50 EUR

💡 Pro tip: Buy it just before departuring home in order to keep it fresh. Read articles about french cheese because the variety is huge.

🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends, spouse

Cheese

Fois Gras 💲 💲 💲 💲

Food that tastes strange to some, and others love it. Made from duck liver, foie gras you can eat is on bread, cracker or just straight from the pack! Foie gras is especially popular at Christmas time!

🛒 Where to buy: grocery stores, food stalls, supermarkets

💰 Price range: 5 - 20 EUR

🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends

Fois Gras

Lavender honey 💲 💲 💲 💲

Honey that is made with the addition of regional lavender can be found at food stands. Apart from lavender honey, you can also try thyme honey, another local delicacy.

📌 Region: Provence

🛒 Where to buy: food stalls, markets, grocery stores

💰 Price range: 7 - 10 EUR

🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends, spouse

Lavender honey

Macarons 💲 💲 💲 💲

Macarons are a French dessert that looks like a colorful mini burger or sandwich. Macarons are made from egg white, sugar and almond milk. Finally, they are colored with special colors. You can buy them separately or in special boxes.

📌 Region: Ile-de-France

🛒 Where to buy: dedicated shops, confectioneries

💰 Price range: 2 - 20 EUR

🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends, spouse, kids

Macarons

Mustard 💲 💲 💲 💲

A bottle or jar of French mustard can be a good idea for a food souvenir with a longer shelf life. A wide selection of mustards can be found in every local supermarket. One of the more common is Dijon mustard.

📌 Region: Burgundy

🛒 Where to buy: grocery stores, supermarkets

💰 Price range: 1 - 3 EUR

🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends

Mustard

Salt 💲 💲 💲 💲

The most famous salt from France is the so-called "Fleur de Sel" and "Sel de Guerande". Both are unique for their unique taste and quality!

🛒 Where to buy: grocery stores

💰 Price range: 5 - 10 EUR

🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents

Salt

🖖 Handmade

Plush stork 💲 💲 💲 💲

Storks are majestic birds, very common in the Alsace region where they can be seen in summer. Local residents claim that storks bring luck and success, so it is worth considering buying a souvenir, which may have a similar effect.

📌 Region: Alsace

🛒 Where to buy: gift shops

💰 Price range: 5 - 15 EUR

🎁 For whom: friends, spouse, kids

Plush stork

🏡 Home Decor

Ceramics 💲 💲 💲 💲

Plates and dishes are the most popular French ceramic products. They can be easily found all over the country, but the most popular ones can be found in the Provence region.

📌 Region: Provence

🛒 Where to buy: dedicated shops

💰 Price range: 50 - 100 EUR

🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, spouse

Ceramics

Eiffel tower figure 💲 💲 💲 💲

It may be an obvious souvenir, but it is worth thinking about buying this miniature version of one of the most recognizable monuments in the world. The figurine is usually made of metal in the color brown.

📌 Region: Ile-de-France

🛒 Where to buy: gift shops

💰 Price range: 25 - 40 EUR

🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends, spouse

Eiffel tower figure

Linen 💲 💲 💲 💲

If you are looking for high quality decorations for your home, flax from Nice will be a hit! In Nice you will find such products as tablecloths, bedding and towels.

📌 Region: Provence

🛒 Where to buy: dedicated shops

💰 Price range: 8 - 100 EUR

🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, spouse

Linen

France flag France - Souvenirs

Macaroons, wine or a beret - whatever souvenir you choose, with this guide, you'll be sure to choose the best gift for your budget!

France packing list 💡

  • Camera and camcorder - Necessary elements to capture wonderful monuments, beautiful landscapes.
  • Sunglasses and cream with a UV filter - It can get hot in the south of France, the region boasts 300 sunny days a year.
  • Headgear - Necessary to protect against heat stroke.
  • Shoes - Forget about high heels, uncomfortable sandals and pool flip-flops. Light, good quality sneakers will be perfect for your French trip. You can also take comfortable sandals for the evening.
  • Comfortable light clothes - Take sport clothes with you, if you plan a lot of hiking in Cevennes or national parks.
  • A warm coat, hat, scarf and gloves - If you decide to visit France in the fall, these wardrobe items may be useful.
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Local prices

Average cost of food, tickets and accommodation

Things to do in France ⭐

  • Most popular sports: 🚴 Cycling, 🤿 Scuba diving, 🥾 Hiking
  • Most popular activities: 🏖️ Sunbathing, 🥽 Snorkeling, 🍷 Wine tasting
  • Must see places: 🗼Eiffel Tower, 🏝 Menton, Antibes, Cannes, 🏰 Palace of Versailles

Top attraction in France 📸

Tourist information about France 🤓

🏳 Country France
🌆 Capital Paris
💸 Currency European euro
💭 Language French
Timezone GMT+1
🇬🇧 English speaking Widely spoken (basic)
🏳️‍🌈 LGBT tolerance Very high
👫 Gender ratio (overall) 👩 52% | 👨 48%
👩🏻‍🤝‍👨 Population 65.3 mln
✈️ Visitors per year 89.4 mln

Useful information about France 🤖

💳 Card payments Yes, almost everywhere
🏧 ATM Availability Widely available
🏦 Suggested ATM takeout 100 EUR
🍺 Drinking in public Mostly legal
🚰 Tap water Drinkable
🌐 Internet speed (avg.) 50 Mbps
🔌 Socket type Type C Type E C / E
🚕 Best taxi app Uber
🚾 Public toilets Popular & Paid
📱 Top mobile providers Orange, Bouygues Telecom, SFR, Free Mobile
✈️ Best internal air carrier Air France
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Cost of living in France 💸

🌮 Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
13 EUR
13.75 USD
10.79 GBP
55.49 PLN
🥘 Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant
50 EUR
52.88 USD
41.5 GBP
213.44 PLN
🍺 Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
6 EUR
6.35 USD
4.98 GBP
25.61 PLN
Gasoline (1 liter)
1.49 EUR
1.58 USD
1.24 GBP
6.36 PLN
🎫 One-way ticket (public transport)
1.7 EUR
1.8 USD
1.41 GBP
7.26 PLN

Quality of life in France 💚

💚 Quality of life High
☺️ Safety Index Moderate
👨 Healthcare likability Very high
☁️ Climate likability Very high
💰 Costs of living Moderate
😷 Level of pollution Moderate

Important numbers ☎️

General emergency number (mobile phone) 112
Fire 18
Police 17
Ambulance 15

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References 📎