France is a fascinating country that has so much to offer. Whether you’re an adventure junkie, a history buff, or a cultural fiend, you’ll definitely fall in love with it right away. This enchanting destination is known for its stunning architecture, ranging from ancient Roman structures to modern skyscrapers, rich history, scenic landscapes, exquisite cuisine, and world-class shopping. You may probably know that Paris hosts the Paris Fashion Week show, which brings together top designers from across the globe twice a year and where they showcase their most recent creations. There are undoubtedly plenty of reasons why France is worth putting on your travel bucket list, but if it’s your first time visiting the country, it may feel daunting to start planning for it. But fret not – we’ve got you covered! In this article, we offer our top 7 tips on traveling to France and making the most of your adventure, so read on!
Decide When You Will Go
Some regions in France are highly seasonal; for example, Provencal Living is most suitable to visit in spring and summer, while the French Alps are better in winter because of skiing. Paris, on the other hand, is popular all year long. It’s important to take the time to consider what you want to get from your trip to France and plan your visit accordingly. Also, keep in mind that traveling in the off-season or shoulder season will allow you to take advantage of better prices. If you visit France in summer, that’s the peak season, so expect to see higher prices and limited availability for beach clubs, hotels, dinner reservations, and so on.
Establish a Budget
Here’s the thing: France is expensive compared to other European countries, so you’ll need to set a budget before creating an itinerary, choosing accommodation, and deciding what kind of activities you will do once you get there. When establishing a budget, keep in mind that some destinations are less costly in the off-season, so you may want to plan your trip around that time to get the most out of your adventure there.
Get a SIM card
You want to get a SIM card when traveling to France, as this will help you stay connected and ensure you can use your phone seamlessly to book train tickets, navigate cities, call Uber, and so on. If you are from the EU, there’s no need to worry because your data plan will function when going to France. However, if you’re from a non-EU country, you’ll need to get a local SIM, or even better, an eSIM with unlimited data for your trip to France, ensuring you won’t overpay for data. You can purchase a SIM card when you arrive in the country or order an e-SIM in advance and activate it as soon as you get there.
Make A List Of The Destinations You Wish To Visit
France is not an overrated country for planning a trip, and it has many breathtaking places worth exploring. However, many travelers make the mistake of visiting only Paris when, in fact, there’s more to this country than just the capital city. If you book accommodation in Paris, you shouldn’t spend all your time there- you can take the train and visit many beautiful towns, which are only 2 hours away.
For example, some of the most underrated spots are Toulouse, Lyon and Montpellier. Besides, France has some stunning villages, and you don’t want to miss out on them – consider taking a day trip to Saint Emilion from Bordeaux or to Riquewihr from Strasbourg; you won’t regret it!
Think Of How You Will Get Around The Country
After choosing the places you want to see while in France, you also need to figure out how you will get around. Don’t worry – you don’t need a car, as public transport is accessible. However, if you travel long distances, it’s a good idea to take the train – just keep in mind that it can be quite expensive, so book your tickets in advance. If you aren’t on a strict budget, don’t take buses when going on a long-distance trip because it could take as much as 10 hours to travel from Paris to Bordeaux. With a train, that’s only 2 hours away! However, if you think a car will bring you more freedom when you get around France, here’s the good news: renting a car is possible, and driving isn’t complicated because the rules are similar throughout the continent.
Avoid Overpacking
The good news when traveling to France is that you can go anywhere with just a carry-on baggage – even in winter! Although France is known as a country of fashion, that doesn’t mean you have to overpack; in fact, you don’t want to stand out a lot by being too dressed up. Since you’ll probably walk a lot while visiting France, it’s best to avoid bringing heels with you – nobody really wears them in general anyway.
Consider Learning A Few Basic Words And Phrases
While you can get around in France without knowing the language at all, you’ll have a better experience if you make an effort to speak some French words. It doesn’t have to be anything complicated – learning to say Hello, Please, Thanks, and Goodbye will go a long way.
As far as you won’t visit rural France, knowing these basic words will be enough, especially in tourist areas. Keep in mind that if you need help from someone in a bank or a post office, you will likely have a hard time talking with them, as they probably won’t want to speak English with you.
Final Thoughts
Now you’re ready to book your flight to France! This country is among the most visited places in the world, and it’s excellent for solo female travelers and first-time travelers alike. It has many hidden gems, so it’s a good idea to spend several weeks there. To be honest, you will likely have a hard time deciding where to go when planning your trip to France because there are just so many stunning places! So, what will your itinerary look like?
