
Guide to France


Read everything you need to know about visiting the country of England in our Guide to France. If you prefer to skip ahead to read articles about specific places in France, you can go directly to the bottom of this page.

About France
France is a country in Europe located on the western part of Europe. It’s bordered by Spain, Monaco, and Andorra to the south and Belgium to the north. To the west is the Atlantic Ocean and to the east is Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Italy.
Guide to France: France’s History
France has a long history going back to prehistoric times and is marked by significant cultural, political, and social evolution. France has gone through periods of multiple Empires and wars for control of power. Its history over many centuries can be described as a dynamic journey from ancient tribal lands to today’s modern and influential nation.
Prehistoric and ancient France
France has a rich prehistoric heritage that is evident with famous sites like the Lascaux Caves which showcases early human art that goes back 21,000 years. The discovery of the paintings in the Lascaux Caves changed what historians thought they knew about France’s history and people in prehistoric times.
The region known today as modern day France was once known as Gaul, inhabited by Celtic tribes. In 58 BC, Julius Caesar (The Roman Empire’s first “dictator for life”) led a conquest into Gaul and took advantage of the instability of the Celtic tribes. Gaul was integrated into the Roman Empire and its language (Latin), culture, and infrastructure influenced the region.
Early Middle Ages in France
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Franks, a Germanic tribe established control over the area. Clovis I, the first king to unite the Franks, converted to Christianity around 500 AD.
Between the 8th & 9th centuries Charlemagne expanded and consolidated the Carolingian Empire and crowned himself Emperor in 800 AD. The treaty of Verdun in 843 divided the empire among his grandsons, shaping modern France’s borders.
Late Middle Ages in France
From the 10th-14th centuries, France was controlled by the Capetian Dynasty which was founded by Hugh Capet in 987. This long period of ruling strengthened the French monarchy.
But that all changed with a series of conflicts between England and France over succession to the French throne in what is known as the Hundred Years’ War. The war actually lasted for 116 years off and on with periods of truces and intermittent external factors such as the Black Death.
The French monarchy changed hands multiple times when clear lineages were broken with the rule of females unable to take the throne. England’s rulers believed they were the rightful successors in the bloodline but France felt it needed to be someone on French soil.
Just when France was about to surrender, Joan of Arc came forward stating she had visions from God telling her how to win the war. In 1429 Joan convinced France to send her in and within days the war turned around in France’s favor. The Hundred Year’s War eventually ended but not before Joan of Arc was captured by the English and burned at the stake in 1431.
The Renaissance
In the late 1500’s The Valois and Bourbon Dynasties brought about the Renaissance and a period of cultural and intellectual growth. There were religious wars with conflicts between the Catholics and the French Protestants (the Huguenots), but 9 years later it culminated in the Edict of Nantes which granted religious tolerance.
Englightenment and the French Revolution
In the 18th century, philosophers like Voltaire and Rousseau promoted ideas of reason, equality, and democracy known as the Enlightenment. During this time the French Revolution in 1789 overthrew the monarchy and established a republic. This led to social and political changes and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Napoleonic Era and the 19th Century
Napoleon became Emperor in 1799 and expanded French territory across Europe. He was finally defeated at Waterloo in 1815 ending his rule and restoring the Bourbon monarchy. More political instability and revolutions followed leading to the establishment of the Second Republic and later the Second Empire under Napoleon III.
Guide to France: 20th Century and Modern Era
In the 1900’s, France played a major role in both World War I and World War II. The Treaty of Versailles ended WWI and after WWII and the end of Nazi occupation France emerged as a founding member of NATO, the United Nations, and the European Union. The Fourth Republic was replaced by the Fifth Republic under Charles de Gaulle which continues to this day.
Best time to visit France
France experiences all four seasons so when to visit depends on what you want to experience. Summers will be the most crowded and prices will be higher but it’s still the most popular time to visit.
Spring: From April to June the weather in France is mild across most of the country. The weather is starting to warm and there are fewer tourists during this time. Springtime in France will have occaisonal rain but overall it’s a good time to visit.
Summer: July to August is the peak tourist season in France and especially Paris. Expect very crowded tourist spots and higher prices. In August many businesses will shut down in Paris when the locals take off for their own summer vacations.
Fall: From September to October the weather begins to cool and the crowds disappear. It’s the perfect time to visit the countryside and enjoy autumn foliage. It’s also harvest season in the wine regions.
Winter: If you visit France between November and March be prepared for cold weather, especially in the north and the mountain regions. There will be fewer tourists and if you like to ski then you might want to experience skiing in the Alps. If skiing isn’t for you then you can head to the Christmas markets for some shopping instead.
Areas of Interest in France
France offers a wealth of diverse attractions, ranging from historical landmarks to natural beauty and cultural experiences. Here are some areas of interest for exploring France.
- Paris: Definitely the most popular destination in France and the capital, Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Known as the City of Light, there are many popular sites to visit there. Some of Paris’ major attractions are the The Eiffel Tower, the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the largest museum in the world, The Louvre.
- Mont Saint-Michel: This island commune located in Normandy is renowned for its unique and dramtatic setting rising out of the tidal waters of the Couesnon River. It was a strategic fortification founded in the 8th century and is home to a major pilgrimage to its abbey dedicated to the Archangel Michael.
- French Riviera: Also known as the Cote d’Azur, the French Riviera is a picturesque Mediterranean coastline in southeastern France. It stretches from the Italian border in the east to Saint-Tropez. Some notable places to visit along the French Riviera are Nice, Cannes and Monaco.
- Bordeaux: Located in southwestern france, Bordeaux is renowned for its wine and architecture. Bordeaux is one of the world’s most famous wine regions producing red, white, and dessert wines. The Port of the Moon is in Bordeaux’s historic center and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Strasbourg: This picturesque city in northeastern France is located near the German border. Some of it’s famous landmarks are the Strasbourg Cathedral, a stunning example of Gothic architecture and La Petite France, a historic district with narrow streets and canals. It’s also home to the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in Europe.
Passport & Visa Requirements for France
If you’re traveling to France you must have a valid passport and you should have at least 3 months remaining on your passport from your planned departure date. Depending on your nationality, you might need a visa to visit France and should check France’s government site for guidance.
For most people coming for short stays of less than 90 days, including those from the United States, they will not need a visa to enter France.
Getting to France
Most people arriving by air to France will arrive through one of its many airports. Paris has two major International Airports that most people flying from the United States will first land: Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports.
If you’re traveling from another country in Europe you also have to option of taking a train to your France destination. Europe has an extensive train network and taking a train to your destination is a possibility.
Guide to France: Budget
France’s currency is the Euro and is the only currency used there. Budgeting for a trip to France varies widely depending on your travel style, length of stay, and activities.
Most businesses do accept credit cards but it’s always a good idea to have some cash for smaller purchases you make, especially with a small business. There are ATM’s throughout all of France.
Accomodations in France
You can expect to pay more for accommodations in major cities such as Paris. Other popular destinations in France will also cost more than smaller less visited cities. There are major name brand hotels throughout France (Radisson, Holiday Inn, etc…) but you can also find smaller boutique hotels throughout the country. Costs will range from about $20-$50 at a hostel or a budget hotel on up to $400+ a night for luxury.
Food & Drink in France
Eating at restaurants near popular tourist sites will always cost more than eating a few streets away. You can expect to pay around $15-25 a day if you eat at smaller cafes, street food, or going to the grocery store.
If you eat at mid-range restaurants or cafes it will run around $40-60 a day while upscale establishments can run up to $150 a day.
Activities in France
There’s a lot of things that you can do in France that is free or costs little money but you can expect to pay around $10-35 to enter places such as the Louvre or Eiffel Tower. There are still some things that are free though such as parks and public places.
Guide to France: Getting Around
If you plan on exploring France outside of Paris then you may need to rent a car. If you are traveling to another larger city outside of Paris you might want to get there by train. France has an extensive network of trains including high speed trains that can get you somewhere fairly quickly.
If you’re just staying in Paris then you definitely won’t need to rent a car. Paris has subways that will get you across the city in 15-20 minutes.
Guide to France: Staying Connected
France, and Europe in general, has a very good cell network and you won’t have a problem with cell service while there. You’ll likely have free WI-FI in places like your hotel or at restaurants. You can also use an international plan with your cell company. Most cell phone companies do have an international plan but that can get expensive if you’re there more than a week.
We like to use e-sims when we travel overseas. They are very affordable and we don’t have to worry about using up our daily data quota. The company we like to use is Airalo. It’s really easy to install the e-sim right before you leave home and as soon as you land you can activate it. You can pay less than $10 for up to 15 days of service while there. If you run low on data it’s easy to just top up and add more.
Having service when traveling is almost essential these days. Just for the GPS alone and being able to use Google maps, it’s worth it.
Safety in France
France is a safe country to travel in but stay alert and aware of your surroundings. You’ll want to watch out for pickpockets and scammers. Make sure you keep your belongings secure.
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Guide to France: Bucket List Ideas


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