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Destinations > France

Destintations in France

France is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world – and for good reason. Hardly any other country offers such a variety of landscapes, culture, cuisine and activities. Whether beach vacation, city break, culinary discoveries or outdoor adventure: France has something for everyone.

France’s landscapes are so varied that they captivate every traveler. The sun-drenched Côte d’Azur beckons with turquoise waters, fine sandy beaches and glamorous cities such as Nice and Cannes. Those who are looking for more rugged nature will find what they are looking for on the Atlantic coast in Brittany or near Biarritz. Steep cliffs and wild waves await vacationers here. For mountain lovers, the Alps and the Pyrenees offer the perfect backdrop for hikes, winter sports or relaxing days in picturesque mountain villages. The French hinterland also has its very own charm. Provence enchants with its lavender fields and romantic little villages. In the Loire Valley with its majestic castles, you will feel like you are in a fairy tale. Whether you want to explore the vibrant city of Paris or seek peace and quiet in the vineyards of Bordeaux, France offers countless possibilities.

France

France is a country of gourmets, and no visit would be complete without sampling the famous French cuisine. Each region has its own specialties. Fresh croissants in Paris, crêpes and galettes in Brittany, ratatouille and bouillabaisse in Provence or hearty cheeses such as Brie, Camembert and Roquefort. France is also a paradise for wine lovers. The wine regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and Alsace are perfect for wine tasting and offer breathtaking views of the vineyards. Savoir-vivre, the art of enjoying life, is celebrated here – with a glass of wine, good food and relaxing hours in a charming street café.

France is rich in history and cultural heritage. The Loire Valley impresses with its magnificent castles such as the Château de Chambord or the romantic Château de Chenonceau. The medieval fortified city of Carcassonne, the Roman ruins of Nîmes and the famous Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey transport visitors back to times long past. Art and culture lovers will get their money’s worth in cities such as Paris. The Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay and the Centre Pompidou are home to some of the most important works of art in the world. But smaller cities such as Lyon, Marseille and Strasbourg also offer a fascinating mix of history, architecture and modern lifestyle.

Discover our travel destinations in France

Click on your desired destination and find out more:

300 stairs up to the dome of Sacré-Cœur
Paris

Paris the city of love, city of culture, city of history.The French capital is one of the most important cities in Europe. It is and was the political centre of France, where modern architecture meets historic buildings, where the French way of life lives alongside multicultural traditions - a cosmopolitan city with charm.

Paris   →
Korsika
Corsica holiday

Corsica, the ‘Island of Beauty’ (French: Île de Beauté), delights visitors with its variety of landscapes, cultures and activities and is located in the western Mediterranean.

Corsica holiday   →
Disneyland
Disneyland Paris Theme Park

The Disneyland Paris theme park in France is a small world of its own. It's not just children's eyes that light up during an unforgettable visit.

Disneyland Paris Theme Park   →
Normandie
Normandy Holiday

Normandy, located in the north-west of France, is a region full of contrasts and unforgettable experiences. It attracts visitors with its unique blend of cultural richness, historical significance and natural beauty.

Normandy Holiday   →
Okzitanien
Holiday in Occitania

Occitania, located in the sunny south of France, is one of the country's most diverse and fascinating regions. It combines spectacular landscapes, cultural highlights, culinary delights and a rich history that delights travelers from all over the world.

Holiday in Occitania   →

Travel information about France

Getting There

Arrival

By plane
The largest airports in the country are in Paris, Lyon and Marseille. In addition, there are numerous smaller airports, but these are often served by international flights.
Within France, smaller airports can often be reached via the Paris hub.

By train
The railway network in France offers attractive connections on some high-speed lines. Reservations are compulsory for the high-speed trains (TGV, ICE, Thalys, Eurostar).
Other routes are often used much less frequently. Here, buses are often offered which travel the same route in parallel and can also be used with the rail ticket.

By bus
From Germany it is easy to get to France by long-distance bus services.
There are bus connections to the Iberian Peninsula and even to Morocco.

By car
There are numerous motorways leading to and through France. The road network is well developed.
Most motorways are subject to tolls! The toll is calculated according to the number of kilometres driven. You pay at special toll stations – but beware, sometimes only cash payment is possible. There is also the possibility of paying via an electronic system (Télépéage system with an RFID transmitter on the windscreen) and subsequent settlement via credit card. The transmitter is available locally at the SANEF toll booths near the border.

The motorway network in Brittany is free of charge!

By boat
Many of France’s coastal towns have a port. There are connections to Algeria, Corsica, the United Kingdom and Ireland, for example.

By bike
The European long-distance cycle routes EuroVelo 3, EuroVelo 4 and EuroVelo 6 run through France.

Entry, Visa

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for EU citizens

EU citizens can enter France with a valid identity card or passport. The document must be valid for the entire duration of the stay.
EU citizens do not require a visa for stays in France.
EU citizens may stay in France for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without registration or authorization. Special regulations apply for longer stays.
For stays of more than three months, EU citizens must register with the French authorities.
It is recommended that you carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which covers basic medical care in France.

Entry requirements for non-EU citizens
A valid passport is required. The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the planned departure date.
Many non-EU citizens require a visa to enter France. The visa requirement depends on the country of origin. Some countries have visa exemption agreements with France. A Schengen visa is generally required for tourist stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The visa must be applied for at the French embassy or consulate in the home country before entering the country. Biometric data (fingerprints, photo) must be provided when applying for a visa.
Proof of the reason for the trip (e.g. hotel booking, letter of invitation) and proof of sufficient funds for the stay (at least 65 euros per day) may be required upon entry. Proof of the planned departure (e.g. return flight ticket) may be required.
Travel health insurance with a minimum cover of 30,000 euros is required. . It is important to note that entry requirements can change, especially in times of global health crises or due to political decisions.

Travelers should always check the current regulations shortly before their trip, either at the French embassy or on official government websites. In addition, further specific requirements may apply depending on the country of origin and individual situation. If in doubt, it is recommended that you contact the relevant French authorities or the French embassy in your home country directly to obtain all the necessary information and ensure that all entry requirements are met.

On the way in...

On the way in ...

By train
Rail transport is provided almost exclusively by the national railway company SNCF.
The route network is divided into the well-developed and frequently used high-speed network and the regional railway network.
The high-speed trains usually used their own railway lines and do not stop as often. It can even happen that they do not stop at the main station but only at a smaller station in order not to lose time. From there, shuttle buses take you into the city.
The regional trains connect the surrounding areas of large conurbations quite widely. There are even many small towns that are not connected to the railway network.

Public transport
The public transport network in France is very sparse. Buses and trams run very infrequently, especially in the evenings and at weekends.
Many cities have started to make their city centres car-free. There are large car parks on the outskirts of the city from where you can take the tram to the city centre.

By car
The road network is very well developed in most regions. In general, you can drive quite quickly. Unfortunately, they do not always stop at pedestrian crossings. However, a red light is not necessarily a sign to wait, even for pedestrians.

The following speed limits apply:

  • in the village 50 km/h
  • outside the town 80 km/h – in fog 50 km/h
  • motorway 130 km/h – in rain 110 km/h

The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 ‰ and 0.2 ‰ within the first three years of obtaining a driving licence.

Motorways in France are indicated with blue signs, blue symbols and blue distance boards. Péage means that the indicated motorway section is subject to tolls.
Routes Nationales, partly double-lane non-toll main roads, are signposted with green signposts.

In addition, there are some traffic regulations that deviate from the rules in Germany:

  • Trams always have right of way
  • the priority roads end at the place name sign
  • A cross-shaped red light sign at the rear of traffic lights of oncoming traffic indicates that this traffic has red and that a left turn is possible with its own green light.
  • Flashing yellow arrows at traffic lights that are red indicate that it is permissible to continue in the “yellow direction”, with cross-traffic having the right of way.
  • Vehicles entering the roundabout always have the right of way. Exception: the traffic sign “CÉDEZ LE PASSAGE” (Give way) is displayed at the roundabout. (Give way) is displayed at the roundabout
  • Limited and free parking is possible with parking discs in the Zones Bleues (blue markings on the kerb or on the road).
  • Parking is prohibited in yellow stripes at the edge of the road.

Toll

Toll

Most motorways are subject to tolls (always marked “péage” on signposts). Tolls must be paid according to the distance travelled and the type of vehicle.

The toll can usually be paid at counters via a ticket system. In the entry and exit areas of the toll booths, the lanes are not marked. The road widens beforehand and then narrows again. Open and closed passing points are clearly marked.

There are extra lanes marked in yellow for users of special payment methods such as the electronic Liber-t Box. Lanes with euro or coin symbols indicate cash payments. Here, payment can only be made with coins that are dropped into a funnel. There is always a lane for payment by credit card.

Best time to travel

Best time to travel

France is a versatile travel destination with different climate zones, ranging from the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean. The best time to visit depends on the region and the activities planned.

Spring (March to May)
Temperatures gradually rise in spring. In Paris, they range from 10°C in March to 18°C in May. In Provence, temperatures can reach 20°C in April. In the north (e.g. Paris) there are around 10-12 rainy days per month. In the south (e.g. Provence) it is drier, with around 6-8 rainy days per month.

Summer (June to August)
It gets warm in France in summer. In Paris and Bordeaux, temperatures average 24-26°C, while in Provence and on the Côte d’Azur it can be up to 30°C. In the north, there are around 8-10 days of rain per month, while the south is much drier, with only 2-4 days of rain per month.

Fall (September to November)
Autumn begins mildly, with temperatures around 20-25°C in September (especially in the south). In November, temperatures drop to 10-15°C. The likelihood of rain increases in the fall. In the north there are about 12-15 rainy days per month, in the south about 8-10 rainy days.

Winter (December to February)
Winters in France are mild, especially in the south. In Paris, temperatures range from 3-7°C, while in Provence they rarely fall below 5°C. In the Alpine regions, however, it can get much colder, with temperatures below 0°C.
In the north, there are around 15-18 days of rain per month, while in the south it remains somewhat drier, with around 8-10 days of rain.

Language

Language

The main language in France is French. There are numerous regions where a wide variety of dialects are spoken.

Money

Money

In France, you pay with the euro.

Plug

Travel Adapter

Type C and E plugs are used in France. Type C is compatible with sockets in Germany – but the coverage is not 100%. If you want to be on the safe side, get a travel adapter in advance.

Tip

Tip

In France, a service charge of 15% is included in the bill for bistros, cafés or restaurants. Nevertheless, it is appreciated if the guest voluntarily leaves a tip of 10% of the bill amount on a small plate or in a basket. If you pay by credit card, leave an additional tip on the table. The tip is not simply added to the bill amount, as the amount shown must be taxed and often does not reach the waiter.

For taxi rides, a tip of 10% of the fare is usually given.

In hotels, a few euros are also given to the chambermaid and, in expensive hotels, to the porter or the luggage porter.

All our experiences in France

Toulouse – our top 2 for a city tour

Toulouse – our top 2 for a city tour

Do you know Toulouse? We were a little unprepared when we arrived but explored some really lovely places on our discovery tour through the city. I’d like to introduce our two favourite ones.

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The aeroscopia Toulouse – the Airbus Museum

The aeroscopia Toulouse – the Airbus Museum

Coming to Toulouse automatically means being around Airbuses. You already get to see the first Airbus machines that are waiting to be delivered when you arrive at the airport.

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Okzitanien

Carcassonne is more than a board game

The train takes a little over an hour from Toulouse to Carcassonne. We are huge fans of the board game of the same name and so we simply had to go. We set off on our excursion on a Saturday morning.

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lily pond

Claude Monet – A visit to the famous lily pond

I don’ t really know a lot about art but I know who Monet was. That Monet lived near Paris and that one can visit his famous garden I was told by the daughter of a friend. She recommended a trip and followed her advice. Thanks, it was awesome!

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Through Ajaccio with a Choo Choo Train

Through Ajaccio with a Choo Choo Train

The first stop on the AidaPerla’s Mediterranean cruise is Corsica. After a day at sea, we are looking forward to our brief visit to Ajaccio.

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Disneyland Paris

One full day, two half days – Disney fun until complete exhaustion

This is how I would sum up our Disneyland trip: heavy legs, non-stop laughter, dodgy stomach, fun, queuing, wanting to have another go, asking when we are going to come back to Disney. If you want all the details, just keep reading!

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Disney characters

When and how to get up close to the Disney characters

My generation’s associations with Disney are Mickey Mouse, Pluto and Donald. Today, Anna, Elsa, Cars or Dorie are much more trendy. But who would we meet in Disneyland? What character experiences would we have in the park?

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Disneyland Paris – staying at a Disney Hotelel

Disneyland Paris – staying at a Disney Hotel

Oh, you are going to Paris? You know that’s where Disneyland is, right? Don’t you want to… , you know? Yes! Yes, we did want to go to Disneyland. So I started the planning process by gathering some information. I decided that we would stay at a Disney Hotel. Was it worth it? Would I do it again?

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2 nights in Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe

2 nights in Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe

After we thought about it long and hard we finally decided to stay in Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe. We booked almost half a year in advance on the Disneyland Paris website.

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A walk through the Jardin de Luxembourg

A walk through the Jardin de Luxembourg

It was hot in Paris and we felt far too lethargic for a city tour. However, we conjured up enough motivation to get up and go for a walk in a park. So we went to the Jardin du Luxembourg.

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Panthéon Paris

Panthéon Paris – impressions and information

The Panthéon Paris is located in the 5th Arrondissement on the hill of St. Geneviève. Originally, the building was intended to be a church but today it serves as the National Hall of Fame of France and as a final resting place of many French celebrities.

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La Défense

Modern Paris – we take a walk through La Défense

The Metro or, even quicker, a regional train connects Paris to La Défense. The modern neighbourhood with its highrises doesn’t belong to Paris as I thought it might, it is to the west of the city and instead part of Courbevoie, Nanterre and Puteaux.

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Top 5 places in Paris

Top 5 places to visit in Paris

Paris – a wonderful city. We made a list of our top 5 places to visit in Paris. There are certainly many other great places to see in Paris, but we think that these five should absolutely not be missed on the first visit to Paris.

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300 stairs up to the dome of Sacré-Cœur

300 stairs up to the dome of Sacré-Cœur

A visit to Sacré-Cœur was one of my pre-planned and definite items on the itinerary. When we were in Paris last, in 2003, our visit was rather short but this time I really wanted to make time for a proper tour of the church and a visit to the dome.

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architecture in Paris

Futuristic architecture in Paris: Centre Pompidou and Fondation Louis Vuitton

Modern architecture is omnipresent in Paris. Whether or not one actually likes this style is a different story. What is certain, though, is that this almost futuristic looking style is something quite special. We picked two buildings that we particularly liked and that are well worth a visit even if one isn’t even into the exhibitions that are shown inside of those buildings.

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A golden moment at the Opéra Garnier (Palais Garnier)

A golden moment at the Opéra Garnier (Palais Garnier)

We are the sort of travellers that don’t have to visit everything that can be visited. Especially the churches that all kind of look the same we usually skip. With the Palais Garnier, we were unsure whether or not to go see it. From the outside, it isn’t all that spectacular and after all, it is just an opera.

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Paris for free

Paris for free

Paris is expensive, this realisation hit us time and again. But there is still a ton to do in Paris without you having to whip out the wallet all the time.

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Canal Saint-Martin and Bassin de la Villette

A place to meet after work for the Parisians: Canal Saint-Martin and Bassin de la Villette

An evening walk brought us to Canal Saint-Martin and Basin de la Villette. This area is a popular place to meet after work for Parisians when the weather is nice.

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Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower and Palais du Trocadéro – A must see in Paris?

This is a question we asked ourselves before we came to Paris. The view from the Eiffel Tower is grand, that much we know, but so are the wait times to get up there.

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bouquinistes of Paris

The booksellers along the Seine in Paris – the Bouquinistes of Paris

Tradition is nice, especially when it can stand its ground against modern media. One can still find them even today, the traditional booksellers along the Seine in Paris.

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Seine in Paris

The Seine in Paris – a relaxing walk along the embankment

The embankment of the river Seine is very inviting for a walk on a hot day in Paris. As the opportunity presented itself we used it and strolled from Île de la Cité to the Eiffel Tower and back on the other side of the river.

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questions about Paris

My 8 Paris related questions that I sought to have answered

On some of the days, I walked through Paris vigorously shaking my head in response to the habits of the Parisiens. So what I decided to do was to write down all of my questions about Paris in the hopes that I would later find some answers.

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An apartment in Paris

An apartment in Paris

It is not easy to find reasonably priced living space for a longer stay in Paris. We found a small but very neat apartment in Paris in which we felt very comfortable.

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Père Lachaise Cemetary in Paris – time travelling through French funeral traditions

Père Lachaise Cemetary in Paris – time travelling through French funeral traditions

Good that the sun is out. I don’t want to be here on a foggy autumn morning – on the Père Lachaise Cemetary in Paris.

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Free guided tour through Paris Marais

Free guided tour through Paris Marais

Paris is huge and many of its beautiful spots can only be discovered with a little expert help. We found a free guided tour by two locals through Paris Marais to join.

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Getting to Paris

Tips for Paris: Getting to Paris, using the metro in Paris, food and drinks in Paris

Before the eager traveller embarks on their journey to Paris it is recommended to slow down a bit and take some time for planning the trip. Getting there, accommodation, public transport … exact planning will make navigating the city of love a lot easier.

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Arc de Triomphe – a must visit in Paris

Arc de Triomphe – a must visit in Paris

The Arc de Triomphe, like the Eiffel Tower, is a must in Paris. We, like so many other tourists, have moved there too. But is it really worth the visit, or is it just a check on the list of attractions in Paris?

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Park in Paris

A Green oasis in Paris – Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

In the 19th Arrondissement, we found a charming park: The Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. It is not a naturally grown landscape, it was artificially created on the grounds of a slate mine next to a former landfill.

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