France Travel Guide (2024) | Everything you need to know

Tourist Information About France

Useful Information About France

Cost of Living in France

Quality of Life in France

General Etiquette, Cultural Insights and Tips

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  Greetings: In France, it's customary to greet with a light handshake or, more commonly, cheek kisses (bisous), even when meeting someone for the first time. The number of kisses varies by region.

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  Punctuality: Punctuality is appreciated, but not as strict as in some other countries. Being a few minutes late is generally acceptable, especially in social settings.

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  Bargaining: Bargaining is not a common practice in French stores but is more acceptable at flea markets or open-air markets.

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  Dress Code: French people are known for their fashion sense. Dressing well and appropriately for the occasion is valued.

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  Personal Space: Personal space is respected, but in social settings, French people may stand closer than what some cultures are used to.

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  Formality in Language: Use 'vous' for formal situations or with seniors, and 'tu' for familiar people or after being invited to do so. Use “Monsieur” for men and “Madame” for women, especially in formal situations.

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  Art Appreciation: France has a deep appreciation for the arts. Visiting galleries, attending theater performances, and understanding the country's artistic heritage can enhance your cultural experience.

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  Historical Significance: Many French towns and cities are steeped in history. Showing interest in local history and heritage can be a great conversation starter.

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  Environmental Consciousness: France is increasingly environmentally conscious. Demonstrating respect for the environment, like recycling and avoiding waste, is appreciated.

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  Values and Misconceptions: French people deeply value their culture, history, and language. The perception of being "rude" or "arrogant" is often a misunderstanding of cultural differences. Directness in communication is common and not meant to offend.

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  Debate and Discussion: Engaging in debates and discussions is a part of French culture. Don't be surprised by lively debates; it's a way of connecting and communicating.

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  Respecting Etiquette: Always greet people upon entering a shop or establishment and use polite phrases like “Excusez-moi,” “Bonjour,” or “Bonsoir.”

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  Religion: France is a secular country, home to various religions. Being mindful in religious discussions and observing modesty and decorum in religious places is important.

Dining and Culinary Etiquette in France

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  Café Culture: When at a café, take your time. It's common to sit for hours with a single coffee. Rushing is frowned upon.

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  Dining Etiquette: Meals are a leisurely affair. Remember to keep your hands on the table (but not your elbows) and wait for everyone to be served before starting.

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  Wine Etiquette: Wine is a big part of French culture. Let the host choose and pour the wine. It's polite to wait until everyone's glass is filled before drinking.

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  Cheese Course Etiquette: If you're dining and a cheese board is presented, it's customary to take a small amount of each cheese in the order they are arranged, usually from the mildest to the strongest.

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  Bread Etiquette: In France, bread is often placed directly on the table, not on a separate plate. It's customary to tear bread with your hands rather than using a knife.

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  Tipping: Service charge is usually included in the bill, but it's customary to leave small change or round up to the nearest euro, especially for excellent service.

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  Table Manners: The French often use utensils for most foods, including items that might be eaten by hand in other cultures, like pizza or burgers.

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  Speaking with Servers: It's polite to say "bonjour" (during the day) or "bonsoir" (in the evening) to servers when entering a restaurant and "merci, au revoir" when leaving.

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  Order of Courses: A typical French meal follows a specific order: appetizer (entrée), main course (plat principal), cheese course (fromage), and dessert.

Public Behavior and Expectations in France

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  Gift Giving: When invited to someone's home, it's polite to bring a small gift, like wine, chocolates, or flowers (but avoid chrysanthemums as they are associated with funerals).

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  Smoking Etiquette: While smoking is quite common, always ask permission before lighting a cigarette in someone's presence, especially in enclosed spaces.

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  Conversation Style: French people often enjoy deep, philosophical conversations and debating. Don't be afraid to engage, but remain respectful and open-minded.

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  Public Transport Etiquette: It's customary to say "Bonjour" when entering a taxi or a small shop, and "Au revoir" when leaving. On public transport, offering your seat to the elderly or pregnant women is expected.

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  Respect for Quiet Spaces: In places like libraries, museums, certain parks, and public transport, it's expected to maintain a quiet demeanor.

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  Metro: On the Métro, let passengers exit before boarding, move luggage out of the way, and stand on the right on escalators. Doors may require manual operation; be ready to assist if near a door.

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  Conservative Dressing: Dress conservatively, avoiding overly casual attire in formal settings. At the beach, topless sunbathing is normal, but full nudity is reserved for designated areas.

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  Swimming Pool: Public swimming pools have strict rules regarding swimwear and hygiene, including the use of swim caps.

Health and Safety in France

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  Tap Water: Tap water in France is generally safe to drink, except in specific locations where it's marked as non-potable. Bottled water is widely available.

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  Pharmacies: Easily identified by a green cross, pharmacies sell medicines, contraceptives, and beauty products. Ask the pharmacist for non-prescription medicines or recommendations.

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  Medical Treatment: Healthcare in France is high quality. EU residents are partially covered by French social security, while non-EU travelers should have travel insurance.

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  Emergencies: Dial 15 for medical emergencies. Other important numbers include 17 for law enforcement, 18 for firefighters, and 112 for general emergencies. Hospitals have emergency services signposted as "Urgences."

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  Smoking Laws: Smoking is banned in all enclosed public spaces. Fines can be imposed for violations. Hotels may offer designated smoking rooms. The legal age for purchasing tobacco is 18, and ID may be requested.

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  Condom Availability: Condoms and personal lubricants are available in supermarkets, pharmacies, and vending machines in public restrooms.

Things Not to Do in France

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  Don't Rush Your Meal: Eating quickly or on the go is not the norm. Take your time and enjoy the food.

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  Avoid Loud Conversations: Speaking loudly in public, especially in restaurants, is considered rude.

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  Bread Etiquette: Don't put your bread on your dinner plate. It belongs on the tablecloth next to your plate.

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  Don't Skip the Greeting: Always greet the staff when entering and leaving a shop or restaurant.

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  Be Cautious with Language: Even if you speak French, be mindful of regional dialects and accents. Some phrases or words might have different connotations in different regions.

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  Don't Ignore Local Customs: France has a rich tapestry of regional customs and traditions. Be aware and respectful of local practices, especially in rural areas.

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  Avoid Overly Casual Attire in Formal Settings: Wearing shorts, flip-flops, or other beachwear is frowned upon in cities, especially in more formal settings like nice restaurants.

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  Be Discreet with Money Talk: Discussing personal wealth or income is considered impolite and invasive in French culture.

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  Religion: Avoid discussing religion with strangers. Respect France’s secular culture (laïcité).

Useful French Words and Phrases

Learning a few keywords or phrases before traveling to France will help you connect with local people and serve as a starting point for acquiring the language much easier.

• 🗣️ General French Travel Words:

  • Hello: Bonjour

  • Please: S'il vous plaît

  • Thank You: Merci

  • Welcome: Bienvenue

  • Excuse Me: Excusez-moi

  • Goodbye: Au revoir

  • Sorry: Désolé

  • Yes: Oui

  • No: Non

  • Home: Maison

  • Do you speak [English]?: Parlez-vous [anglais]?

  • I don’t understand: Je ne comprends pas

  • I need help: J'ai besoin d'aide

  • Time: Temps

  • Day: Jour

  • Night: Nuit

• 🚶‍♂️ French Phrases for Getting Around:

  • Train Station: Gare

  • Airport: Aéroport

  • Bus: Bus

  • Taxi: Taxi

  • Bathroom: Toilettes

  • Where is…?: Où est…?

  • Does this go to…?: Est-ce que cela va à…?

  • Which way to…?: Quel chemin pour…?

• 🥘 Food and Dining French Travel Phrases:

  • Water: Eau

  • Food: Nourriture

  • I would like… : Je voudrais…

  • What do you recommend?: Que recommandez-vous?

  • The bill, please: L'addition, s'il vous plaît

Interesting Facts About France

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  First Public Zoo: The Paris Menagerie, founded in 1794, is considered the world's first public zoo.

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  Birthplace of Cinema: France is the birthplace of cinema, with the Lumière brothers holding the first public movie screening in Paris in 1895.

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  The Sun King's Palace (Versailles): The Palace of Versailles, built by King Louis XIV, is one of the largest and most opulent castles in the world.

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  Declaration of the Rights of Man: France was pivotal in developing modern democracy with the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen in 1789.

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  Largest Area in EU: France is the largest country in the EU by land area and includes overseas territories and islands.

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  Cheese Variety: France produces around 1,600 different types of cheese.

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  Invention of the Stethoscope: The stethoscope was invented by French physician René Laennec in 1816.

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  Language Diversity: While French is the official language, regions like Brittany and Alsace have their own regional languages.

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  Fashion Capital: Paris is considered the fashion capital of the world, hosting several important fashion weeks throughout the year.

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  Wine Production: France is one of the largest wine producers in the world, known for its variety of wines from different regions.

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  World's First True Department Store: Le Bon Marché in Paris, opened in 1838, is considered the world's first modern department store.

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  First Recorded Traffic Accident: The world's first recorded car accident occurred in France in 1771, involving a steam-powered automobile.

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  Mont Blanc Tunnel: The Mont Blanc Tunnel was one of the first major trans-Alpine tunnels and remains one of the longest road tunnels in the world.

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  The Catacombs of Paris: Beneath Paris lies a vast network of tunnels adorned with the bones of over six million people, making the Paris Catacombs a historical site.

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  Champagne Exclusivity: The Champagne region is the only place legally allowed to produce Champagne.

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  Impressionism Birthplace: France was the birthplace of the Impressionist art movement in the 19th century, with artists like Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

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  National Anthem's Origin: The French national anthem, "La Marseillaise," was composed in one night during the French Revolution in 1792 by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle.

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  Statue of Liberty’s French Connection: The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States in 1886, designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi.

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  Louis Pasteur’s Discoveries: France was home to Louis Pasteur, a pioneering scientist who made groundbreaking discoveries in vaccination and pasteurization.

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  Guiana Space Centre: France hosts the European Space Agency's primary spaceport, the Guiana Space Centre, in its overseas territory of French Guiana.

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  Michelin Guide: The Michelin Guide, awarding stars for culinary excellence, originated in France to boost car travel and tire sales.

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  The Great Dune of Pyla: Located in the Arcachon Bay area, the Dune of Pyla is the tallest sand dune in Europe, offering spectacular views.

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  License Plate System: France was the first country to introduce a system of vehicle registration plates, in 1893.