France travel guide

Overview

France rewards both careful planners and people who just want to wander. Paris is the obvious first stop for most visitors, but the country's real range shows once you leave the capital — the Loire Valley's châteaux, Provence's lavender fields and hill towns, the Alps, and the Mediterranean coast around Nice and Marseille are all a fast train ride away.

Spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) tend to offer the best balance of mild weather and manageable crowds, particularly in Paris. August is when many French businesses close for the traditional summer holiday, which can affect smaller shops and restaurants outside major tourist areas.

Getting around

• TGV high-speed trains connect Paris to most major cities in two to three hours
• The Paris Métro is extensive and inexpensive; buy a Navigo Easy card for multiple journeys
• Regional trains (TER) reach smaller towns that the TGV network skips
• Renting a car makes sense for rural regions like Provence or the Dordogne, less so in cities with limited parking

Mobile data and connectivity

Compare country or regional BrisqNet eSIM plans for France on brisqnet.com/esim. If your trip also takes in neighbouring countries — Spain, Italy, or a wider European itinerary — a regional plan can be simpler than buying separate country plans for each border you cross.

• Install your eSIM before you fly so it's ready the moment you land at Charles de Gaulle or Orly
• 4G and 5G coverage is strong in cities and along major rail corridors; rural mountain regions can have gaps
• If you're travelling on to other EU countries, check whether a regional BrisqNet plan covers your full route

Practical tips

• The currency is the euro; contactless card payment is standard almost everywhere, including small cafés
• A polite 'Bonjour' when entering a shop goes a long way — it's considered basic courtesy, not optional small talk
• Tipping is not obligatory; a service charge is usually already included in restaurant bills
• Many museums and attractions offer reduced or free entry on certain days — check official sites before you go

FAQs