Checked October 2026: Entry rules (including ETIAS and the EU Entry/Exit System), transport fares, museum prices and legal limits in these answers were checked against official sources in October 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm anything critical before you travel.

France Travel FAQ: 50 Questions First-Time Visitors Ask

A first trip to France raises questions of every kind: practical (do I need a visa?), cultural (will people mind if I don’t speak French?) and logistical (how do I get from the airport to my hotel?). These are short, checked answers to 50 common questions, with links to our longer guides.

Entry and Documents

1. Do I need a visa to visit France? EU, EEA and Swiss citizens never need a visa. Citizens of the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and many other countries can visit without a visa for short stays. Citizens of many other countries need a Schengen short-stay visa, applied for through France-Visas, the French government’s official visa portal (france-visas.gouv.fr).

2. What is ETIAS, and do I need it? ETIAS is the EU’s planned online travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors. As of October 2026, it is not in operation, and no applications are being accepted, so you do not need it yet. The EU says it will announce the start date several months in advance. Once it launches, it will cost €20 (applicants under 18 or over 70 will be exempt from the fee) and will be valid for three years or until your passport expires. Ignore websites that offer to sell you one now.

3. What is the Entry/Exit System (EES)? Since 10 April 2026, the EES has been fully operational across the Schengen area. On your first entry, border officers take your fingerprints and a photo, and your passport is no longer stamped. Registration is free, but border checks can take longer, so allow extra time, especially when you leave by air.

4. How long can I stay in France? Visa-exempt visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The limit covers all Schengen countries combined, not just France.

5. Does my passport need to be valid for a specific period? Yes. For non-EU visitors, it must have been issued within the previous 10 years and must be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.

6. Do I need travel insurance? Visa-exempt visitors are not legally required to have it, but it is strongly recommended. Visitors from outside Europe pay for medical care in France and may have to pay up front. Applicants for a Schengen visa must show travel medical insurance. EU and UK residents should also carry their EHIC or GHIC.

Getting There

7. How long is the flight from the US to France? Nonstop flights to Paris take roughly 7 hours from the US East Coast and about 10 to 11 hours from the West Coast.

8. Which Paris airport should I fly into? Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) handles most long-haul flights, and Paris-Orly (ORY) handles many European and domestic flights as well as some long-haul routes. Both are linked to central Paris by rail: the RER B runs from CDG, and since 2024 Métro line 14 runs from Orly.

9. How do I get from the airport to central Paris? By public transport, buy the Paris Région–Aéroports ticket, which costs €14 in 2026. From CDG, the RER B reaches central Paris in under an hour. From Orly, take Métro line 14. Official taxis charge fixed fares between both airports and the city, depending on whether your address is on the Right Bank or the Left Bank, so ask for the fixed fare (forfait) before you set off.

Money and Costs

10. What currency does France use? The euro (€). Exchange rates move daily, so check a live rate before you change money.

11. Should I exchange money before I go? Usually not. Withdrawing euros from a bank ATM in France, or paying by card, generally gives a better rate than exchange counters at airports and hotels. When a card machine offers to charge you in your home currency, choose euros, because the conversion offered is usually more expensive.

12. Is France expensive? It depends on where and how you travel. Paris is the most expensive place to stay, while smaller cities and the countryside cost much less. Some fixed costs are worth knowing: a Paris Métro ticket is €2.55 in 2026, and the Louvre charges €22 for EEA residents and €32 for visitors from outside the EEA. See our France trip cost guide.

13. Do I need cash in France? Contactless and chip-and-PIN cards are widely accepted, including at many market stalls, but carry a little cash for small cafés, markets and tips.

14. How does tipping work in France? By law, menu prices include service (service compris), so tipping is optional. Leaving small change or a little extra for good service is appreciated. See our French dining etiquette guide.

15. What is the tourist tax on my hotel bill? Most communes charge a taxe de séjour per person per night, set within a national scale that depends on the type and star rating of the accommodation. For 2026, the scale runs from €0.20 to €4.90 per person per night before surcharges. In Paris and the rest of Île-de-France, a 200% regional surcharge triples the base rate.

Getting Around

16. Is the French train system easy to use? Yes. High-speed TGV INOUI and low-cost OUIGO trains link the major cities, regional TER trains serve smaller towns, and six cities (Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, Toulouse and Rennes) have metro systems. On TGV INOUI and Intercités trains, you can take up to 2 large bags plus 1 hand bag, each labelled. See our French train system guide.

17. Do I need to rent a car? Only for rural areas such as the Dordogne, the villages of Provence or the Loire Valley’s smaller châteaux. Between cities, trains are usually faster and less stressful.

18. Can I drive in France with my licence? Yes, for a short stay, but a non-EU licence that is not written in French must be accompanied by an international driving permit or an official translation (UK licences are exempt). Drivers must stay under 0.5 g of alcohol per litre of blood, or 0.2 g/l on a probationary licence.

19. Can I use Uber in France? Yes. Uber and other ride-hailing apps operate in Paris and other large cities, alongside licensed taxis.

20. How does the Paris Métro work? Buy a ticket from a station machine or the official Île-de-France Mobilités app, validate it at the gate and keep it until you exit. A single Métro-Train-RER ticket costs €2.55 in 2026. If you are staying a week, the weekly Navigo pass (€32.40 for all zones, Monday to Sunday) can be better value.

21. Is it safe to walk in Paris at night? Central Paris is generally safe at night. As in any big city, avoid deserted areas, stay alert in large stations late at night, and keep valuables secure.

Language and Culture

22. Do French people speak English? In tourist areas of Paris, Nice and other big cities, many people do; in rural areas and small towns, far fewer. A few French phrases make a real difference.

23. Will people be rude if I don’t speak French? The “rude French” stereotype often comes down to etiquette. Always greet people with “Bonjour” before asking anything, in shops, cafés and on the street. Skipping the greeting is what comes across as rude.

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

25. Is it true that the French take long lunches? Lunch is typically served from about noon to 2 pm and is often a proper sit-down meal. In smaller towns, many shops close for lunch.

26. What should I wear in France? Neat, smart-casual clothing is the norm in cities. Clean trainers are fine; flip-flops in restaurants are not. Cover your shoulders in churches.

27. Should I bring a gift when invited to a French home? Yes, a small one: a bottle of wine, flowers or good chocolates are all usual. Avoid chrysanthemums, which in France are associated with funerals and graves.

Food and Drink

28. What time do people eat dinner? Usually between 7:30 and 9 pm. Many restaurants start dinner service around 7 to 7:30 pm, and outside big cities few kitchens serve between lunch and dinner.

29. Can I get tap water at a restaurant? Yes. Ask for une carafe d’eau: tap water is free with a meal. Bottled water is available but charged.

30. What is a “formule” or “menu”? A set-price meal of two or three courses, usually chosen from a short list. A lunch formule is usually the best-value way to eat in a restaurant.

31. Do I have to order several courses? No. Ordering a single main course is perfectly normal. Starters and desserts are optional.

32. What are the must-try French foods? Croissants and pain au chocolat, croque-monsieur, duck confit, coq au vin, bouillabaisse in Marseille, raclette in the Alps, crêpes and galettes in Brittany, and the regional cheeses. See our French cuisine guide.

33. Can I find vegetarian food in France? Increasingly, especially in Paris and other cities, where many menus include a vegetarian dish (plat végétarien). In rural areas, choice is more limited, so it helps to ask.

Accommodation

34. Should I stay in a hotel or a rental apartment? Both work well. Hotels offer daily service, and apartments give you a kitchen and a neighbourhood feel. Many cities regulate short-term rentals, and both pay the tourist tax. See our France Airbnb regulations guide.

35. Which Paris neighbourhood should I stay in? The Marais (3rd and 4th arrondissements) for a central, historic base; Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th) for cafés and classic Left Bank streets; the Bastille area (mainly 11th) for nightlife and better value; Montmartre (18th) for village atmosphere. See our Paris neighborhood guide.

36. Do I need to book hotels far in advance? For July and August, school holidays and major events, book as early as you can. In spring and autumn, you have more flexibility.

Practical Matters

37. What type of electrical socket does France use? Types C and E (two round pins), at 230 V and 50 Hz. Most phone and laptop chargers are dual-voltage (check for “100–240 V”), so a plug adapter is enough.

38. Is tap water safe to drink? Yes. Tap water is drinkable throughout France unless a local notice says otherwise.

39. Can I use my mobile phone in France? With an EU mobile plan, you pay domestic rates in France under the EU’s “roam like at home” rules. From elsewhere, compare your carrier’s international plan with a local or international eSIM. Many hotels and cafés offer free Wi-Fi.

40. What are typical shop hours? Many shops open from about 10 am to 7 pm, Monday to Saturday. Many close on Sundays, except in tourist areas and some city centres, and in smaller towns some close for lunch. Supermarkets usually stay open later.

41. Are there public toilets? Yes. Paris’s on-street self-cleaning toilets (sanisettes) are free, and museums, department stores and cafés (for customers) have toilets. Some railway-station toilets charge a fee.

Safety

42. Is France safe for tourists? Generally, yes. The US State Department rates France at Level 2, “Exercise Increased Caution”, citing terrorism and civil unrest, and the UK Foreign Office publishes similar advice; check the current version of both before you travel. For most visitors, the realistic risks are petty theft and occasional disruption from strikes or demonstrations.

43. What is the most common problem for visitors? Pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas: busy Métro lines serving the main sights, and around the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur and the Louvre. Use a bag with zips, worn in front of you.

44. Are there scams I should know about? Common ones include the “petition” scam (someone asks you to sign, then demands a donation), the “friendship bracelet” (someone ties a bracelet on your wrist, then demands payment) and street shell games. Walk past them all.

Planning and Logistics

45. How many days do I need in France? Four to five days for Paris alone, 7 to 10 for Paris plus one region, and two weeks or more for several regions. See our France travel guide 2026.

46. What is the best time of year to visit? April to June and September to October usually offer the best balance of weather, prices and crowds. See our best time to visit France guide.

47. What should I pack? Comfortable walking shoes, a light scarf or layer, a waterproof jacket and a Type C/E plug adapter. See our France packing checklist.

Beyond Paris

48. What are the easiest day trips from Paris? Versailles is under an hour away by RER C or by train from Montparnasse or Saint-Lazare. Chartres is about an hour by train from Montparnasse. Giverny takes about an hour and a quarter, by train to Vernon and then a shuttle bus. See our Paris day trips guide.

49. Can I visit several regions in one trip? Yes. On the fastest TGV services, Paris to Lyon takes about 2 hours, Paris to Bordeaux a little over 2 hours, and Paris to Marseille a little over 3 hours. Nice makes a practical base for the Riviera, with its airport and frequent coastal trains; see our Nice travel guide and best regions guide.

50. What emergency numbers should I know? Dial 112 (the European emergency number, which works from any phone), 15 for medical emergencies (SAMU), 17 for the police and 18 for the fire brigade. For a minor illness, a pharmacy (marked by a green cross) can advise you and tell you where to find a doctor.

Sources

1. European Union: What is ETIAS? (not yet in operation; fee, validity)
2. European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs: Main differences between the EES and ETIAS (EES fully operational since 10 April 2026)
3. UK Foreign Office: France entry requirements (passport validity, 90/180-day rule)
4. Service-Public.gouv.fr: Driving with a foreign licence and Alcool au volant
5. Service-Public.gouv.fr: Train luggage rules (July 2026)
6. Entreprendre.Service-Public.gouv.fr: Taxe de séjour, 2026 rates
7. Musée du Louvre: Hours and admission
8. France Transactions: Paris transport fares from 1 January 2026
9. Défense-92: 2026 Navigo and ticket prices, including the airport ticket
10. France.fr: Official France tourism website