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Travel and Tour World France Unites With Austria and More as New Ski Hotels Transform Europe Winter Travel in 2026-27AeroTime France’s new M51.3 nuclear missile makes first submarine launchHospitality Net Market Beat Greater Paris - H1 2026Travel and Tour World Lyon and More Surge as Europe’s Secondary Cities Capture Tourism Beyond Saturated CapitalsHospitality Net HVS Europe Hotel Transactions Bulletin - Week Ending 02 October 2026Travel and Tour World UK Expands Travel Links to Bulgaria and France as easyJet Adds Bristol Flights to Burgas and Montpellier in 2027Travel Daily News Ruby Hotels arrives in France with Ruby Lilou opening in MarseilleTravel and Tour World United Kingdom Unites France and Other Leading Markets as Washington DC’s Free Museums Boost TravelTravel and Tour World UK Powers Ahead with France and Germany as Spain Tourism Hits New Heights with 70.4 Million Visitors and Nearly €100 Billion SpendingConde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards: Top Hotels in Paris 2026Travel and Tour World Italy Joins Spain and More as Slow Tourism and Simpler Itineraries Rise Across Europe in 2027Travel Lemming The Eiffel Tower (A Local’s Guide to Visiting)Travel Lemming Notre Dame Cathedral (A Local’s Guide to Visiting)Travel and Tour World Marseille Gets New Ruby Lilou Hotel as Ruby Hotels Debuts in FranceTravel and Tour World France Unites With Austria and More as New Ski Hotels Transform Europe Winter Travel in 2026-27AeroTime France’s new M51.3 nuclear missile makes first submarine launchHospitality Net Market Beat Greater Paris - H1 2026Travel and Tour World Lyon and More Surge as Europe’s Secondary Cities Capture Tourism Beyond Saturated CapitalsHospitality Net HVS Europe Hotel Transactions Bulletin - Week Ending 02 October 2026Travel and Tour World UK Expands Travel Links to Bulgaria and France as easyJet Adds Bristol Flights to Burgas and Montpellier in 2027Travel Daily News Ruby Hotels arrives in France with Ruby Lilou opening in MarseilleTravel and Tour World United Kingdom Unites France and Other Leading Markets as Washington DC’s Free Museums Boost TravelTravel and Tour World UK Powers Ahead with France and Germany as Spain Tourism Hits New Heights with 70.4 Million Visitors and Nearly €100 Billion SpendingConde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards: Top Hotels in Paris 2026Travel and Tour World Italy Joins Spain and More as Slow Tourism and Simpler Itineraries Rise Across Europe in 2027Travel Lemming The Eiffel Tower (A Local’s Guide to Visiting)Travel Lemming Notre Dame Cathedral (A Local’s Guide to Visiting)Travel and Tour World Marseille Gets New Ruby Lilou Hotel as Ruby Hotels Debuts in France
France – FranceParis – FranceNice – FranceChamonix – FranceBordeaux – FranceSanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes – France
📍 France📷 Amaustan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
🌍 Europe🗓️ Best: Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct

France ✓

Paris

Iconic Paris, châteaux, vineyards and sunny Riviera beaches

🕒 –:– local time51 stories this week19 sources 6 top placesCapital Paris

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France📸 Photo album · 7 photos · Ultra-HD
France📜 History of France

The story of France

France's story begins with some of the world's oldest art: Ice Age hunters painted horses, bulls and deer on the walls of caves such as Lascaux and Chauvet tens of thousands of years ago. Later, Celtic Gauls built hill forts and trading towns until Julius Caesar conquered Gaul in the 1st century BC. Roman rule left behind arenas, aqueducts and theatres, most impressively in Provence at Nîmes, Arles and the Pont du Gard.

As Rome declined, the Franks gave the country its name, and their king Clovis converted to Christianity around 500 AD. Charlemagne was crowned emperor in 800, ruling much of Western Europe. The Middle Ages brought soaring Gothic cathedrals like Chartres and Notre-Dame, fortified castles and the long Hundred Years' War with England, in which Joan of Arc became a national heroine. Under the Bourbon kings, especially Louis XIV, France became Europe's dominant power, symbolised by the palace of Versailles.

Read the full history

The Revolution of 1789 overthrew the monarchy and spread ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity. Napoleon rose to power, reshaping laws and borders across Europe before his defeat in 1815. The 19th century saw further revolutions, an overseas empire, industrialisation and the artistic explosion of Impressionism, while Paris was rebuilt with grand boulevards and the Eiffel Tower. France suffered greatly in both World Wars and later went through decolonisation as its overseas territories gained independence.

Today France is a founding member of the European Union and the world's most visited country. Travellers can trace its history from prehistoric caves and Roman ruins to Loire châteaux, D-Day beaches and modern Paris museums, while its regional cuisines, wines and village markets make every journey a feast.

Timeline

  1. c. 17,000 BCLascaux cave paintings created
  2. 52 BCCaesar defeats the Gauls at Alesia
  3. 800Charlemagne crowned emperor
  4. 1429Joan of Arc lifts the siege of Orléans
  5. 1682Louis XIV moves the court to Versailles
  6. 1789French Revolution begins
  7. 1889Eiffel Tower unveiled for the World's Fair
  8. 1957France co-founds the European Economic Community
France 🛂 Visa & entry

Entry rules depend on your passport and change often.

  • Schengen Area – Part of the Schengen Area – 29 European countries with no passport checks between them. Short visits are usually counted under the 90-days-in-any-180 rule across the whole area.
  • European Union – EU member – EU/EEA citizens can travel and stay freely.
  • Eurozone – Uses the euro.

Before you book, check the official rules for your passport:

The latest visa and entry news for France appears below as soon as publishers report it.

France✨ 10 best things to do in France

Things to do in France

  1. Climb the Eiffel TowerWatch Paris sparkle from the top as the tower's lights twinkle on the hour after dark.
  2. Explore the LouvreWander the world's largest art museum, from the Mona Lisa to ancient Egyptian treasures.
  3. Tour the Loire châteauxCycle between Renaissance castles like Chambord and Chenonceau through vineyards and forests.
  4. See Mont-Saint-MichelCross the bay to a medieval abbey rising from tidal flats.
  5. Drive through ProvenceFind lavender fields, hilltop villages and Roman ruins under a bright southern sun.
  6. Ski or hike in the AlpsGaze at Mont Blanc from Chamonix, a classic base for mountain adventures.
  7. Taste wine in Bordeaux or BurgundyVisit cellars and vineyards in some of the world's most famous wine regions.
  8. Walk the D-Day beachesPay respects at Normandy's landing beaches, museums and cemeteries.
  9. Soak up the Côte d'AzurSwim in turquoise water and stroll the promenades of Nice and Antibes.
  10. Shop a village marketFill a basket with cheese, bread, fruit and local specialities.
France🗺️ Where to visit in France

Where to go in France

  • ParisÎle-de-France · capitalIconic monuments, world-class museums, cafés and neighbourhoods to wander for days.
  • 📍
    ProvenceSouth · villages & lavenderHilltop villages, lavender fields, markets and Roman cities like Arles and Avignon.
  • 📍
    French RivieraSoutheast · coastNice, Cannes and Monaco's neighbour villages set on a glittering coast.
  • 📍
    Loire ValleyCentre · châteauxA UNESCO-listed valley of grand castles, gardens and vineyards.
  • 📍
    NormandyNorthwest · history & coastMont-Saint-Michel, D-Day beaches, half-timbered towns and Monet's garden at Giverny.
  • ChamonixAlps · mountainsA legendary base for skiing, hiking and cable cars beneath Mont Blanc.
  • BordeauxSouthwest · wine cityElegant 18th-century streets and easy access to famed vineyards.
  • 📍
    Strasbourg and AlsaceNortheast · villagesHalf-timbered towns, a soaring cathedral and wine routes with a Franco-German flavour.
France✨ Must-do experiences
  • See Paris from the Eiffel Tower and visit the Louvre
  • Tour the Loire Valley châteaux by bike
  • Taste wine in Bordeaux or Burgundy
  • Picnic with fresh bread, cheese and fruit from a local market
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France🍽️ Taste of France
  • Croissant – buttery, flaky breakfast pastry
  • Coq au vin – chicken slow-cooked in red wine
  • Ratatouille – Provençal stew of summer vegetables
  • Crêpes – thin pancakes with sweet or savoury fillings
France🌦️ Weather & best time to visit France

Best time to visit France

France has a temperate climate with mild, wet conditions in the northwest and a sunny Mediterranean climate in the south. The Alps and Pyrenees have cold, snowy winters.

BestMay-June and September – pleasant weather, long days and fewer crowds than summer.
ShoulderApril and October – cooler, good for cities and wine harvest season.
AvoidNo bad time – but August is crowded and hot in the south, and many Parisians take holidays.
7°💧Jan
8°💧Feb
12°💧Mar
16°💧Apr
20°💧May
23°💧Jun
25°💧Jul
25°💧Aug
21°💧Sep
16°💧Oct
11°💧Nov
8°💧Dec

Typical daytime highs and rain in Paris (approximate averages).

France🎉 Festivals & events in France
  • February
    Nice CarnivalGiant floats and flower battles fill the streets of Nice.
  • May
    Cannes Film FestivalStars walk the red carpet at the world's most famous film festival.
  • June 21
    Fête de la MusiqueFree concerts spill onto streets across the country on midsummer's day.
  • July 14
    Bastille DayNational Day brings a military parade in Paris and fireworks nationwide.
  • July
    Festival d'AvignonA huge theatre and performing arts festival in Avignon's medieval streets.
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France🧭 France itinerary ideas

How many days in France?

5 daysParis and Normandy

Day 1-3 Paris: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Montmartre and the Seine. Day 4 Versailles, Day 5 Mont-Saint-Michel or the D-Day beaches.

12 daysGrand tour of France

Day 1-3 Paris, Day 4-5 the Loire Valley châteaux, Day 6-7 Bordeaux and its vineyards. Day 8-10 Provence and Avignon, Day 11-12 Nice and the Riviera.

France🎒 Backpacking France – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $60–90 a day

  • Book high-speed trains early for cheaper fares, and use long-distance buses or ride-sharing for budget trips.
  • Picnic with a baguette, cheese and fruit from markets and supermarkets – it's cheap and very French.
  • Many national museums offer free entry to EU residents under 26, and some are free on certain days.
  • Look for the 'formule' or menu du jour at lunch for good-value set meals.
  • Paris hostels cluster around Belleville, Canal Saint-Martin and Montmartre.
France🛡️ Safety & money in France

Stay safe

  • France is generally safe, but pickpocketing is common at major sights, metros and trains in Paris.
  • Beware of petition and friendship-bracelet scams near tourist hotspots.
  • Strikes and demonstrations can disrupt transport – check local news.
  • In the mountains, follow weather forecasts and marked trails.

Money

  • France uses the euro; cards and contactless payment are almost universal.
  • Some small shops and markets prefer cash, especially for small amounts.
  • Service is included in restaurant bills; leaving small change is a kind gesture.

Emergency: 112 general · 15 ambulance · 17 police · 18 fire

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France🛬 Getting to France

Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly are the main hubs, with Nice, Lyon and Marseille also busy. High-speed trains link France with the UK via the Channel Tunnel, and with Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Spain.

✈️ Cheap flights to France: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

France💡 Did you know? 5 facts about France
  • France is the world's most visited country by international arrivals.
  • France has more time zones than any other country, thanks to its overseas territories.
  • There are said to be over a thousand varieties of French cheese.
  • The Louvre was originally a royal fortress and palace.
  • Mont Blanc, at around 4,800 m, is the highest mountain in Western Europe.
France❓ France travel FAQ

France travel questions

Is France safe for tourists?

Yes, France is generally safe. The main risk is petty theft in crowded tourist areas and public transport, so keep valuables secure.

When is the best time to visit France?

May, June and September offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Summer suits beaches, and winter is ideal for skiing in the Alps.

How many days do you need in France?

Allow at least four or five days for Paris and a day trip. Ten to fourteen days lets you add Provence, the Riviera or the Loire Valley.

Do I need a visa for France?

It depends on your passport. Check the official government site or embassy before you travel.

Do people speak English in France?

English is widely understood in Paris and tourist areas, but learning a few French greetings is appreciated. Always start with 'Bonjour'.

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France💰 What a trip costs
$$$price level
$60–90backpacker / day
$150–260mid-range / day

Approximate daily cost per person (stay, food, local transport).

France🚌 Getting around

High-speed TGV trains connect the big cities quickly, and Paris has a dense Métro. A car is handy for the countryside.

France🛕 Sacred & spiritual places
  • Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes – Catholic pilgrimage site drawing millions to its grotto each year
  • Chartres Cathedral – Gothic masterpiece famous for its medieval stained glass
  • Notre-Dame de Paris – Iconic Gothic cathedral, reopened in 2024 after restoration
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France🤝 Local etiquette
  • Always say 'Bonjour' when entering a shop
  • Keep your voice low in restaurants and on trains
  • Meals are relaxed – don't rush or ask for the bill too early
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📰 Older France stories Everything our agents ever found – keeps loading as you scroll

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