France Travel Guide
Tourist season
Are November and December good months to visit France?
November
Shoulder
season
December
Off
season
Did you know?
The surface area of France is 210 thous. mi², which puts the country in position number 50 in terms of the area in the world.
How far is it?
1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings
The distance between Paris (FR) and Washington D.C. (US) is 3830 miles
To calculate distance between your location and Paris click here
Time • Timezone
Safety
General travel safety level in France on a scale of 1 (safe) to 4 (unsafe).
Level 2 • Exercise a high degree of caution.
Update: 13 Oct 2024Currency
Euro (EUR) - rate compared to selected currencies
GBP 
USD Get ready for your next trip
With just a few clicks you can find the best accommodation, airline tickets, or buy insurance that provides comprehensive protection for your next journey.
Cities and Top Tourist Attractions
From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to France
| Miles | Paris | Lyon | Marseille | Toulouse | Strasbourg | Nice | Lille | Bordeaux |
| Paris | - | 244 | 411 | 366 | 248 | 428 | 127 | 310 |
| Lyon | 244 | - | 173 | 224 | 238 | 186 | 346 | 270 |
| Marseille | 411 | 173 | - | 198 | 383 | 99 | 519 | 314 |
| Toulouse | 366 | 224 | 198 | - | 458 | 291 | 492 | 131 |
| Strasbourg | 248 | 238 | 383 | 458 | - | 338 | 253 | 471 |
| Nice | 428 | 186 | 99 | 291 | 338 | - | 518 | 396 |
| Lille | 127 | 346 | 519 | 492 | 253 | 518 | - | 434 |
| Bordeaux | 310 | 270 | 314 | 131 | 471 | 396 | 434 | - |
A Brief History of France
Important historical events that significantly shaped the nation's trajectory throughout the centuries
58 - 51 B.C.
Julius Caesar conquers GaulRoman emperor Julius Caesar conquers Gaul, which is now France.
486 - 511 A.D.
The FranksA tribe called the Franks rules the region. The land is named for them.
1429
Hundred Years' WarJoan of Arc leads French troops against the English at Orléans, ending a siege by the British during the Hundred Years' War between France and England.
1643 - 1715
The Sun KingLouis XIV, the Sun King, reigns longer than any other French ruler. In this era, France gains power throughout Europe.
1789
French RevolutionOn July 14, citizens storm the Bastille, a Paris prison. The French Revolution begins. Each year, France celebrates Bastille Day, the event that led to the royal family being overthrown.
1804
Napoleon BonaparteMilitary hero Napoleon Bonaparte crowns himself emperor after leading France to victory over Europe's strongest nations. In 1815, Napoleon is finally defeated at Waterloo in Belgium.
1903
Tour de FranceHenry Desgrange founds the Tour de France, the world's most popular and important bicycle race.
1914 - 1918
World War IFrance battles Germany in World War I.
1919
Treaty of VersailleVersaille, France is the location of the signing of the Treaty of Versaille, which ends World War I.
1940
World War IIGermany invades France during World War II. In 1945, Britain, France, the U.S. and other allies defeat Germany, Japan and Italy.
1944
Provisional governmentAfter four years, Paris is freed from German occupation. General Charles de Gaulle heads a provisional government in Paris.
1946 - 1954
French-Indochina WarThe French-Indochina War results in France losing control of colonies in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam.
1958
The Fifth RepublicDeGaulle becomes the President of the Fifth Republic. He is reelected in 1965.
1962
France lost AlgeriaAfter a long struggle, France gives up control of Algeria, in Africa.
1981
Longest-serving presidentFrançois Mitterrand is elected president. He is in office for 14 years, becoming the longest-serving president in French history.
1991
First female Prime MinisterEdith Cresson becomes France's first female Prime Minister.
1994
EurotunnelThe Channel Tunnel opens, connecting Britain and France under the English Channel.
2002
New currencyEuro bills and coins are introduced. The euro now is used for all transactions in 12 participating European Union countries.
2007
President Nicolas SarkozyNicolas Sarkozy is elected President in May. He appoints women to half of the positions in his cabinet.
2011
Burqa banFrance implements a ban on covering one's face in public. This ban includes garments worn by some Muslim women.
2012
President François HollandeFrançois Hollande is elected President. Hollande is the country's first Socialist President in 17 years.
Best Ways to Experience France
- Cuisine
- Art
- Animals
Practical Information for Travelers
- Budget
- Currency
- Vaccinations
- Visa
- Electricity
Determine the expenses for your travel or vacation budget, as well as the expenditures associated with residing in another country
MoreBackpacker's budget
Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).from
Tourist's budget
Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel (they share the cost of a hotel room, taxis, etc.) to a standard close to 3 stars. Costs for a solo traveler will be higher.from
Currency
MoreEuro (EUR)
- EUR
- GBP
- USD
- EUR
- GBP
- USD
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Vaccinations
MoreAll travelers
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in France.
Some travelers
Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Eat and drink safely
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Avoid sharing body fluids
- Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment
With or without a visa?
Visa requirements for citizens of
- United States
visiting 
France for tourism
A visa is not required.
- Allowed stay: 90 days
- 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area
- A bilateral agreement pre-dating the Schengen area may allow 90 days of stay in France regardless of days spent in other Schengen countries.
Electricity
230V (50 Hz)
In France the standard voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type C, E sockets are used.
Click on the socket icon to see more information
Type C
Type EFacts and Figures
Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country
Population | 22 / 231 Ranking | 65 273 511 Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities |
Area | 50 / 230 Ranking | 210 thous. mi² It is approximately 6% of the territory of United States. |
Life expectancy | 15 / 196 Ranking | 82.4 Life expectancy expressed in years.men 79.3women 85.6 |
Median age | 131 / 157 Ranking | 41.7 Average age of population expressed in years.men 40women 43.4 |
Population growth | 127 / 172 Ranking | 0.33% The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss. |
Literacy | 11 / 131 Ranking | 99% Ability to read, write and count.men 99%women 99% |
GDP | 26 / 194 Ranking | 46 712 INT$ GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population. |
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