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France Travel FAQ: 50 Questions First-Time Visitors Ask

Planning a first trip to France generates a particular kind of anxiety. The questions range from practical (do I need a visa?) to cultural (will people be rude if I don’t speak French?) to logistical (how do I get from the airport to my hotel?). This FAQ answers the 50 questions first-time visitors ask most often, with 2026-current information.

Entry and Documents

1. Do I need a visa to visit France? US, Canadian, UK, Australian, and most EU citizens do not need a visa for stays under 90 days. Citizens of many other countries do. Check your country’s requirements at the French consulate website.

2. What is ETIAS and do I need it? ETIAS is a pre-travel authorization for visa-exempt travelers, launching in late 2026. It costs ~$8, takes 10 minutes to apply, and is valid for 3 years. Apply before departure. See our ETIAS guide.

3. How long can I stay in France? Up to 90 days within any 180-day rolling window under Schengen rules. This applies to all Schengen countries combined, not just France.

4. Does my passport need to be valid for a specific period? Yes. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date from the Schengen area.

5. Do I need travel insurance? It is not legally required for short stays but strongly recommended. France’s medical care is excellent but expensive for non-residents. A policy costs ~$50 to ~$120 for two weeks.

Getting There

6. How long is the flight from the US to France? Direct flights from the east coast are 7 to 8 hours. From the west coast, 10 to 11 hours.

7. Which Paris airport should I fly into? Charles de Gaulle (CDG) handles most international flights. Orly (ORY) handles some European and domestic flights. CDG has better public transit connections to central Paris via RER B.

8. How do I get from CDG airport to central Paris? RER B train: ~$12, about 50 minutes, runs every 6 to 15 minutes. Taxi: ~$55 flat rate to Right Bank, ~$62 to Left Bank. Private transfer: ~$80 to $120.

Money and Costs

9. What currency does France use? The euro. As of March 2026, ~$1 USD equals approximately 0.90 euros.

10. Should I exchange money before I go? No. ATMs in France offer the best exchange rates. Withdraw euros upon arrival. Avoid airport and hotel exchange counters, which charge higher fees.

11. Is France expensive? It depends on where and how you travel. Paris is expensive. Rural France can be remarkably affordable. Budget travelers spend ~$95 to ~$140/day outside Paris. See our trip cost guide.

12. Do I need cash in France? Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including small shops and markets. However, carry ~$30 to ~$50 in cash for small purchases, market vendors, and public restrooms.

13. How does tipping work in France? Service is included in all restaurant bills by law (service compris). Tipping is not required. Leaving a few euros on the table for good service is customary but optional. See our French dining etiquette guide.

Getting Around

14. Is the French train system easy to use? Yes. It is one of the best in Europe. TGV high-speed trains connect major cities, TER regional trains connect smaller towns, and metros run in six major cities. See our French train system guide.

15. Do I need to rent a car? Only if you are visiting rural areas (Dordogne, Provence villages, Loire Valley chateaux). For city-to-city travel, trains are faster, cheaper, and less stressful.

16. Can I use Uber in France? Yes, in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, and other large cities. Uber is often cheaper than taxis.

17. How does the Paris Metro work? Buy tickets at station machines, tap to enter, ride to your stop. A single ticket costs ~$2.15. Day passes and weekly passes (Navigo) save money for heavy use.

18. Is it safe to walk in Paris at night? Central Paris is generally safe at night. Avoid deserted areas, stay aware at major metro stations late at night, and keep valuables secured.

Language and Culture

19. Do French people speak English? In tourist areas of Paris, Nice, and other major cities, yes. In rural areas and smaller towns, much less. Learning basic phrases makes a significant difference.

20. Will people be rude if I don’t speak French? The “rude French” stereotype is largely a misunderstanding. Always greet with “Bonjour” before any interaction. This single word transforms the dynamic.

21. What basic French phrases do I need? Bonjour (hello), merci (thank you), s’il vous plait (please), pardon (excuse me), l’addition s’il vous plait (the check please), parlez-vous anglais? (do you speak English?). See our French phrases for travelers.

22. Is it true that the French take long lunches? Yes. Lunch is typically 12:00 to 2:30 PM and is a real meal, not a quick sandwich at a desk. Many shops close during lunch hours in smaller towns.

23. What should I wear in France? Smart-casual is the baseline. Avoid athletic wear outside of exercise. A pair of clean sneakers is fine, but flip-flops in restaurants are not. Black, navy, and earth tones dominate French wardrobes.

24. Should I bring a gift when invited to a French home? Absolutely. Wine (not from the host’s region — they will judge your choice), flowers (not chrysanthemums, which are for funerals), or quality chocolate are safe options.

Food and Drink

25. What time do French people eat dinner? 7:30 to 8:30 PM is standard. Arriving at 6:00 PM for dinner marks you as a tourist. Many restaurants do not open for dinner service until 7:00 PM.

26. Can I get tap water at a restaurant? Yes. Ask for “une carafe d’eau” — it is free. Bottled water is also available but costs ~$3 to ~$7.

27. What is a “formule” or “menu”? A set-price meal, usually two or three courses. Lunch formulas are the best value in French dining — often ~$15 to ~$25 for two courses at mid-range restaurants.

28. Do I have to order multiple courses? No, but the French dining experience encourages it. A starter plus main, or main plus dessert, is the minimum at a sit-down restaurant.

29. What are the must-try French foods? Croissants, pain au chocolat, croque monsieur, duck confit, coq au vin, bouillabaisse (in Marseille), raclette (in the Alps), crepes (in Brittany), and any regional cheese. See our French cuisine guide.

30. Can I find vegetarian food in France? Increasingly yes, especially in Paris and large cities. Rural areas are more limited. Ask for “plats vegetariens” or look for the V symbol on menus.

Accommodation

31. Should I stay in a hotel or Airbnb? Both are excellent options. Hotels offer consistency and daily housekeeping. Airbnbs offer kitchen access and neighborhood immersion. Note: some French cities have strict Airbnb regulations. See our France Airbnb regulations guide.

32. Which Paris neighborhood should I stay in? The Marais (3rd/4th) for charm and central location. Saint-Germain (6th) for romance. Bastille (11th) for nightlife and value. Montmartre (18th) for atmosphere. See our Paris neighborhood guide.

33. Do I need to book hotels far in advance? For summer (June to August) and major events, book 2 to 3 months ahead. For shoulder seasons, 2 to 4 weeks is usually sufficient.

Practical Matters

34. What type of electrical outlet does France use? Type E (two round pins with a grounding pin). Bring a Type E adapter. US devices that are dual-voltage (most phone chargers, laptops) only need the adapter, not a converter.

35. Is tap water safe to drink? Yes. French tap water is safe and high quality throughout the country.

36. Can I use my cell phone in France? Most US carriers offer international plans. Alternatively, buy a local SIM card upon arrival (~$15 to ~$25 for 2 weeks of data). Free Wi-Fi is available at most hotels and many cafes.

37. What are French store hours? Most shops open 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. Many close on Sundays, and some close for lunch (12:30 to 2:00 PM) in smaller towns. Supermarkets often stay open later.

38. Are public restrooms available? Self-cleaning public toilets (sanisettes) are free in Paris. Department stores, museums, and restaurants have restrooms. Some tourist-area restrooms charge ~$0.50 to ~$2.

Safety

39. Is France safe for tourists? Yes. The US State Department rates France “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution” primarily due to terrorism risk in public areas, but day-to-day safety for tourists is comparable to any major Western European country.

40. What is the biggest safety risk? Pickpocketing in tourist-heavy areas: metro lines 1 and 4 in Paris, around the Eiffel Tower, Sacre-Coeur, and the Louvre. Use a crossbody bag with zippers.

41. Are there scams I should know about? The petition scam (someone asks you to sign a petition then demands money), the friendship bracelet scam (someone ties a bracelet on your wrist then demands payment), and the shell game (street gambling). Walk past all of them.

Planning and Logistics

42. How many days do I need in France? 4 to 5 days for Paris only. 7 to 10 for Paris plus one region. 14+ for a multi-region tour. See our France travel guide 2026.

43. What is the best time of year to visit? April to June and September to October. See our best time to visit France.

44. Should I book a guided tour or travel independently? Independent travel is easy in France for English speakers with basic French. Guided tours add value for wine regions (insider access), cooking classes (hands-on learning), and D-Day beaches (historical context).

45. What should I pack? Comfortable walking shoes, a light scarf, a waterproof outer layer, and a Type E adapter. See our France packing checklist.

Beyond Paris

46. What is the easiest day trip from Paris? Versailles (30 minutes by RER C). Giverny (75 minutes by train). Chartres (1 hour by train). See our Paris day trips guide.

47. Is the French Riviera worth visiting? Yes, especially from May through September. Nice is the best base — affordable by Riviera standards, with excellent beaches, food, and day trip options. See our Nice travel guide.

48. Can I visit multiple regions in one trip? Yes. The TGV network makes it practical. Paris to Lyon: 2 hours. Paris to Bordeaux: 2 hours. Paris to Marseille: 3 hours. See our best regions guide.

49. What about visiting France beyond the mainland? Corsica offers Mediterranean beauty with a distinct culture. Accessible by ferry from Nice or Marseille (6 to 12 hours) or by flight (1 to 1.5 hours).

50. When will I stop wanting to go back to France? Based on the data: never. France’s repeat visitor rate is among the highest in the world. First-time visitors become lifetime returnees.

Sources

Full Suitcase, “Paris Travel Tips & Tricks: 2026 Guide for First-Time Visitors”
Schengen Traveler, “Travel to France: Entry Requirements, Tips & What to Know (2026)”
Happy to Wander, “30+ France Travel Tips for First Timers”
Ophorus, “Ultimate Guide to Traveling in France in 2026”

Sources

France.fr Official Tourism — accessed March 2026
SNCF Train Services — accessed March 2026