a large group of people in front of a large stone arch with Arc de Triomphe in the background

Europe

France

France suits travelers who want good food, wine and historic cities, with scenery that runs from Alpine peaks to Mediterranean coves, all in one trip.

Start with the essentials Where to stay Plan a trip to France

France is a country in Western Europe and the largest country in the European Union by area. It borders Spain, Andorra, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and Monaco, and it has coastline on both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Paris is the usual first stop, but the regions do most of the work: the vineyards around Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne, the Roman city of Arles, the coast from Marseille to the Côte d'Azur, and the Alps and Pyrenees for hiking and skiing. Each region has its own cooking, from the butter-and-cream dishes of Normandy to the olive oil and herbs of Provence.

A trip here suits people who like to eat well, walk old towns and change scenery every few days. Trains link most major cities, so you can base yourself in two or three regions within a week. Plan for at least a week, or two weeks to go deeper into one region. Spring and early autumn are the easiest seasons for weather and crowds. July and August are busy, and the south is hot.

Five things to know before France

Allow extra time at your first Schengen border
Landing at Paris-CDG first? Visitors from outside the EU register fingerprints and a photo at the first Schengen entry, so leave a longer connection than usual. EES explained
Book TGVs early, ride TER on the day
TGV fares rise as the train fills, like flights, and go on sale well ahead on SNCF Connect. Regional TER trains have fixed fares, so there is nothing to gain by booking ahead. Getting around
Book museum time slots
The Louvre, the Orsay and Sainte-Chapelle sell timed entries online, and each museum closes one day a week. Check the closing day before you plan a route. Paris
Take the TGV south for the sun
Lyon, Provence and the Riviera are a half-day from Paris by TGV, and a rental car opens the hill villages. Five days on the coast is a classic first loop. Côte d'Azur
Pick your Paris base by what you want at the door
The Marais is for walking, Saint-Germain for quiet, the 11th for bars and Montmartre for views. Each arrondissement keeps its own rhythm. Paris neighborhoods

France travel guides

Practical guides from writers who live there.

Paris

Museums, the metro and where to base

Read the guide Provence

Lavender, markets and hill towns by car

Read the guide Côte d'Azur

Nice, Cannes, Antibes and the hill villages

Read the guide Lyon

Food, old town and the Rhône and Saône

Read the guide Loire Valley

Châteaux and bike paths an hour from Paris

Read the guide EES explained

The Schengen border check and what to expect

Read the guide Getting around

TGV, regional trains and car hire

Read the guide

Top places to visit in France

See all attractions in France

Sight · Loire ValleyChâteau de Chambord

Sight · ParisLe Bateau-Lavoir

Museum · Aix-en-ProvenceVieil Aix

Museum · ChambéryLes Charmettes - Maison de Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Destinations in France

The Pont Alexandre III bridge illuminated at night in Paris, France

CityParisExplore

a large building with a clock tower on top of it

CityLilleExplore

CityHonfleurExplore

a stone bridge over a river next to a row of buildings

CitySt-Jean Pied de PortExplore

Where to stay in France

Neighborhood first, hotel second.

All stay guides

people sitting on chair near building during daytime

ParisWhere to stay in Paris: five neighborhoods compared

a group of boats floating on top of a body of water

Villefranche-sur-MerWhere to stay in Villefranche-sur-Mer: quay, station or hillside

Itineraries

a city street with a bunch of people walking down it

3 daysParis in 3 days: the islands, the Louvre and MontmartreA three-day Paris plan: Sainte-Chapelle and the Marais, the Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe, then Orsay, the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre, with closing days.

ItineraryVillefranche-sur-Mer in one day: chapel, old town and a swimA one-day Villefranche-sur-Mer plan: the Rue Obscure, the Cocteau chapel, the Citadelle and the bay, in an order that fits the opening days and a rain backup.

white and brown concrete building beside river during daytime

2 daysStrasbourg in 2 days: cathedral, Petite France and a choice for day twoA 2-day Strasbourg plan: the cathedral and Grande Île on day one, then Petite France and the canals, with Colmar or the Krutenau and Orangerie as the day-two choice.

a bunch of flowers that are by some buildings

2 daysAnnecy in 2 days: old town, lake day and a swimA two-day Annecy plan: canals, market and château on day one, a lake boat, bike or swim day on day two. Timed route, what to book ahead and a rainy-day fallback.

white concrete building under blue sky during daytime

2 daysAvignon in 2 days: the palace, ramparts and the river sideA two-day Avignon plan: the Palais des Papes, ramparts and market on day one, the river side and a wine or Roman half day on day two. Timed route and what to book ahead.

ItineraryFrench Riviera itinerary: 5 days by train from one baseA 5-day French Riviera itinerary from one base in Nice: Old Nice, Monaco and Èze, Antibes and Cannes, Menton and the Italian border, and a flexible last day.

2 daysLyon in 2 days: Vieux Lyon, Fourvière, the Presqu'île and a bouchonTwo days in Lyon on foot, metro and funicular: Vieux Lyon and Fourvière on day one, the Presqu'île, markets and the Croix-Rousse on day two, with a bouchon lunch.

What a day costs in France

Per person, in EUR

Work out your trip

Budget€84a day≈ $94 · per person

Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.

Bed a night: €45
Food: €30
Transport: €9
Sights: Free

Mid-range€232a day≈ $259 · per person

A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.

Bed a night: €110
Food: €75
Transport: €25
Sights: €22

Comfort€510a day≈ $569 · per person

A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.

Bed a night: €190
Food: €150
Transport: €70
Sights: €100

Checked Oct 3, 2026 by Camille RouxA source for every line on the trip cost page. Flights not included. Rates By Exchange Rate APIWork out your trip

When to go

Rainy days
Snowy days

Best

JanuaryRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low2°Cold, sales
FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh10°Low3°Grey, quiet
MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Early spring
AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°Blossom, showers
MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Mild, long days
JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Long evenings
JulyPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Warm, busy
AugustPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Locals away
SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Warm, back to work
OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Crisp, autumn color
NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Grey, quiet
DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh8°Low4°Lights, markets

Average daily high and low in Paris, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to FrancePut the places you like in France on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Right now in France

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 8°
Humidity: 83%
Wind: 14 km/h
Chance of rain: 53%

Paris

09:36 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today12°9°53%Monday: Rain. High 12°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 53%.
Tue11°6°3%Tuesday: Rain. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 3%.
Wed10°4°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu10°3°4%Thursday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 4%.
Fri12°5°5%Friday: Fog. High 12°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 5%.
Sat11°5°5%Saturday: Fog. High 11°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 5%.
Sun10°2°11%Sunday: Rain. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 11%.

Updated 05:19 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in France

Big events, festivals and concert tours

Events calendar

NovemberStrasbourg Christmas marketNov 27 – Dec 24, 2026

MayCannes Film FestivalMay 11 – 22, 2027

MayRoland-GarrosMay 17 – Jun 6, 2027

Festivals by month

JanLa Folle JournéeNantesCarnival of LimouxCarcassonne
FebFête du CitronMentonNice CarnivalNice
Mar
Apr
MayCannes Film FestivalCannesRoland-GarrosParis
Jun24 Hours of Le MansLe MansJazz à VienneLyon
JulNice Jazz FestivalNiceFestival d'AvignonAvignon
AugVisa pour l'imagePerpignanFestival Interceltique de LorientBrittany
SepFête de l'HumanitéParis
Oct
NovStrasbourg Christmas marketStrasbourg
DecRencontres Trans MusicalesRennesFestival of LightsLyon

On tour in France: Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour Paris, Nov 15, 2026 · Muse The Wow! Signal Tour Nanterre, Pérols, Floirac, Décines-Charpieu, Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 17, 2027 · Rush Fifty Something Tour Nanterre, Feb 19, 2027 · ENHYPEN World Tour 'BLOOD SAGA' Nanterre, Feb 27, 2027 · Sabaton The Legendary Tour Part 2 Nantes, Toulouse, Apr 12 – 13, 2027 · Olivia Rodrigo The Unraveled Tour Nanterre, Apr 23 – 24, 2027 · Karol G Tropitour Nanterre, Décines-Charpieu, Jul 1 – 21, 2027 · Harry Styles Together, Together 2027 Nanterre, Jul 16 – 24, 2027 · Oasis Live '27 Saint-Denis, Jul 20 – 23, 2027

Before you go to France

TGV and regional ticketsFares rise as seats fillRead the guide

Museum and attraction ticketsTimed slots for the Louvre, OrsayBook timed entry

eSIM for FranceData for SNCF tickets and the metroRead the guide Travel insurance for FranceCheck strike cover for rail tripsRead the guide

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Rules for France, checked

US passports: a bilateral agreement adds 90 days in metropolitan France after the Schengen 90 days; the visa checker shows your passport's ruleChecked Oct 3, 2026 · Read more

France FAQ

What is EES?

The EU Entry/Exit System. Visitors from outside the EU register fingerprints and a photo at their first Schengen border, and the record replaces passport stamps.

Do I need to book trains ahead in France?

For TGVs, yes: fares rise as the train fills. Regional TER trains have fixed fares and do not need booking.

Is Paris enough for a first trip?

For five days, yes. With ten, add Provence or Lyon by TGV and come back through Paris for your flight.

Do I need to speak French in France?

No, but a bonjour before any question changes the exchange in shops and cafes. Staff in big cities and tourist areas usually speak some English, less so in small villages.

When is the best time to visit France?

May, June and September are mild and open everywhere. July and August are hot and busy, with many Parisians away in August; winter suits Paris museums, Christmas markets in Alsace and skiing in the Alps.