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 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 ...

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

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

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

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

Money

In France, you pay with the euro.

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

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.