How to plan a trip to France

If you’re thinking of visiting France, you’ll want to devote time to deciding exactly what you want from your trip — and the best places to deliver those wants — along with a whole of other factors, from costs and crowds, to the weather, and getting around. To help you navigate all that — and more — here’s a complete guide to how to plan a trip to France.

How to plan a first-time trip to France

Before moving to the finer details of how to plan a trip to France, we’ll take a little time to consider some important general trip-planning tips.

Firstly, to give yourself time to research all the options and make informed decisions about the likes of where to go, how to get there, what to do and where to stay, it’s always wise to plan trips over an extended period.

Getting ahead of the game like this will also give you a better chance of keeping costs down, and making sure you don’t miss out on popular experiences. 

Traveling with others? Set up a Google doc and WhatsApp group so everyone in your party can share ideas and keep track of plans.

Finally, while it’s good to aim high and try to cover a range of locations and experiences — not least many of the best things to do in France — don’t over pack your itinerary. 

It’s better to give yourself a decent amount of time in each location to simply enjoy being in France, experiencing the joy of travel. This is, after all one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Step 1: Establish your parameters 

When to go to France

When it comes to deciding when to go to France, that depends on where you plan to visit, what kind of trip you want, and your budget — it goes without saying that increased demand for flights and accommodation in the peak summer season months heralds increased costs. 

In our view, for overall balance, the best time to visit France is in spring (April to June) or fall (September to October). During these months, the weather is pretty pleasant, and crowds are smaller, as are costs.

These months are also ideal for a range of trip types, whether you want to explore significant urban centers, such as Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, Strasbourg, or Nice, or want a more rural vacation in, for example, Provence.

At the same time, if you want a beach break, the Cote d’Azur remains warm and sunny in early fall.

How many days are enough in France?

If it’s your first time visiting France, we suggest working to a 10-14-day itinerary. 

This will give you time to explore 2-3 cities, and their respective wider regions, through a mix of day trips and transfers, without feeling too rushed.

If you’re limited to a 7 days itinerary, you’d be wise to stick to a single city, two at most.

That said, as revealed a little later, France is easy to get around, with fast train connections covering the country. 

How much does a trip to France usually cost?

The cost of a trip to France will depend entirely on your travel style, accommodation choices, how fancy you like to dine, and the number of trips and tours you take. 

With that caveat, here’s a ballpark overview of costs for a 10-day trip to France, assuming mid-range travel choices, and excluding international flights.

• Accommodation: expect to pay between $130 to $275 per night to stay in 3-star hotels, depending on the city and season.
• Food: $50-$80 a day to eat set menus in bistros and mid-range restaurants.
• Transport: if you plan to visit multiple cities by train, or hire a car, budget for a total cost of around $220 to $440 for the trip.
• Attractions and activities: expect to pay a total of $220 to $440 for entrance fees and tours. Of course, this will vary if you opt for upscale wine-tasting experiences in vineyards, for one example of a pricier tour.

Do I need a visa?

France is part of the Schengen Area, which allows visa-free travel for up to 90 days within any 180-day period for citizens of many countries.

Citizens of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and several other countries — including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand — can travel to France for tourism, business, or family visits without a visa for stays up to 90 days.

Nationals from countries not listed as visa-exempt are required to obtain a short-stay Schengen visa prior to their trip. 

Regardless of nationality, if you plan to stay in France for more than 90 days, you must apply for a long-stay visa (visa de long séjour) before entering France. 

Also note that starting in 2025, visa-exempt travelers — including those from the U.S. and U.K — will need to obtain a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) authorization before entering Schengen countries, including France. This is an online application process designed to enhance security. 

How to get around France

Getting around France is easy, and often very affordable. 

To help you plan your trip — and kick-start your research into getting from one place to another — read on for a run-down of transport options.

Trains

High-Speed Trains (TGVs) connect major cities like Paris, Lyon, and Marseille efficiently. Book in advance to secure better fares.

TER regional trains are on hand to serve regional destinations, including smaller towns and rural areas. 

Buses

Companies such as FlixBus and Ouibus offer cost-effective travel between cities and towns, though as is to be expected, journeys are usually longer than rail travel.

Urban transport

Cities like Paris, Lyon and Marseille are served by efficient metro and tram systems, with multi-day passes available for convenience and cheaper travel. 

Car hire

If you’re planning to explore rural regions, or to cover bigger distances, considering hiring a car for flexibility, and to access areas that are less served by public transport.

U.S. travelers can use their valid driver's license in France. While not mandatory, you could also obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) — this will provide a French translation of your license.

Most rental agencies require drivers to be at least 21 years old.

How many days should you spend in one place?

At the very least, you’ll want to spend 2-3 days in each place on your France itinerary.

Alternatively, you could just have one or two bases for your entire trip, and spend time really getting to know your temporary home, and taking day trips — more on those later.

What are the best regions to visit in France?

The following covers regions of France that best align with different types of vacation — from culture and food-focussed trips, to beach breaks. As such, it might just help you decide where to visit.

Cultural vacations

Paris and the Île-de-France

Centered around Paris, the wider area of the Île-de-France is a great region to explore if you want a vacation focussed on history and art, with a touch of urban grit and rural charm.

While the capital of France is packed with iconic attractions — including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral and world-class museums like the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay — we also suggest taking day trips to the opulent Palace of Versailles and the Château de Fontainebleau UNESCO World Heritage site.

Provence

Located in south-eastern France, Provence is packed with historic sites, among them the Palais des Papes in Avignon and the Roman amphitheater in Arles. 

Add to that the region’s beautiful lavender fields and charming villages, and Provence is the perfect place to soak up a host of authentic French experiences, and flavors.

Wine and food-focussed vacations

Bordeaux

Renowned globally for its exceptional wines, the Bordeaux region boasts some of the best vineyards in France — which is really saying something, If that wasn’t enough, the city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site, celebrated for architecture and gourmet dining 

Burgundy

Thanks to regional specialties like coq au vin and Dijon mustard, Burgundy is a top destination for gourmands, with vineyards and historic towns enhancing its many allures.

Like your wine to be bubbly? Read up on champagne-tasting in Reims.

Outdoor and rural vacations

Loire Valley

Hailed as the Garden of France, the Loire Valley serves scenic landscapes of rolling vineyards and majestic châteaux, easily explored on leisurely walks, drives and bike rides.It’s also a wonderful place to go wine tasting. 

French Alps

If you’re into epic scenery and adventures like hiking, skiing and mountaineering, head to the French Alps.Here, the likes of Mont Blanc, Chamonix and Annecy offer breath-taking alpine scenery and a range of outdoor activities.

Beach vacations

French Riviera (Côte d'Azur)

Stretching along the Mediterranean coast, the French Riviera sparkles with glamorous beaches, upscale resorts and lively nightlife. 

Corsica

Located off the south of France — it’s actually closer to Italy’s coast — the small, mountainous island of Corsica is incredibly pretty.

Boasting 200+ beaches, including many of the best beaches in France, it’s a wonderful location if you’re looking to relax, mixed with opportunities to hike.

Want to do a deep dive into particular regions of France? Take inspiration from our dedicated Southern France and Northern France itineraries.

What are the best cities in France? 

By no means exhaustive, here we present an overview of some of the best cities in France to consider using as a base for your French itinerary.

As with our run-down of regions to visit, we suggest the types of vacation they best align with.

Best cities for culture

Paris

As covered above in our run-down of the best regions of France, Paris is a joy for lovers and art and culture. At once romantic and gritty, it’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Beyond seeing it’s obvious landmarks, and galleries be sure to explore Paris off the beaten track, and check out local listings for shows and concerts happening during your trip. And fear not if you're on a tight budget — there are plenty of ways to enjoy Paris on a budget, and plenty of free things to do in Paris.

Lyon

Easily accessed from Paris, Lyon is ideal for a weekend getaway during a longer France. Itinerary. 

Located in France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, the city’s history dates back to Roman times. Famous for its Renaissance architecture in Vieux Lyon and traboules (hidden passageways), the city’s food scene is top-notch. In fact, Lyon might be described as the French city that has it all.

Best cities for food and wine 

In addition to Bordeaux and Lyon, the following French cities are ideal for lovers of food and wine.

Toulouse

Located in Languedoc region, Toulouse has the delightfully romantic nickname of La Ville Rose" (The Pink City), thanks to the hue of its terracotta architecture.

Alongside being a beautiful city to wander at leisure, Lyon’s food and wine offerings are divine — think hearty cassoulet stews and the celebrated Toulouse sausage. Or how about succulent Magret de Canard duck breast?

While Toulouse itself isn't a wine-producing city, its proximity to notable wine regions like , Gaillac makes it a haven for oenophiles.

Dijon

Capital of France’s Burgundy region, and gateway to the Burgundy wine region, there’s much more to Dijon than its famous mustard.

Other culinary specialties around these parts include boeuf bourguignon and coq au vin, as served in traditional restaurants throughout the city, with Les Halles market a must-visit for foodies.

Dijin is also loaded with historic attractions, including the Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne, the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy — which houses the Musée des Beaux-Arts — and the grand Place de la Libération.

Want more ideas for your itinerary long-list? Read up on the best places to visit in France.

Step 3: Book the basics

When to start: 5 months ahead of travel

To spread costs and secure your ideal accommodation — while also standing a better chance of bagging a bargain — it’s advisable to book your main travel components around five months ahead of your trip.

At this stage, book:

• Flights and transport
• Accommodation

How to get to France 

As revealed in our guide to getting to France, the best way to travel to France from the US is to fly direct to Paris. 

Several airlines, including Air France, Delta and American Airlines, operate frequent non-stop flights from major US cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport.

It takes around 7-10 hours to reach Paris from the East Coast, and around 10-12 hours from the West Coast.

From the UK, numerous airlines (including British Airways, Air France, Ryanair and Aer Lingus) offer direct flights from London to various destinations in France, with Paris being the most popular and frequently served.

From London, you could also hop on the high-speed Eurostar and reach Paris in just over two hours.

Step 4: Book your top activity choices

When to do this: at least 4 months ahead of your trip

Paris

• Eiffel Tower: to avoid long queues, especially to the summit, it's advisable to book tickets ahead of time.
• Louvre Museum: given its vast collection and popularity, reserving an advance time slot is recommended.
• Musée d'Orsay: securing tickets beforehand will help bypass the big lines.

Provence

• Palace of the Popes (Avignon): this UNESCO World Heritage site is very busy during peak summer seasons; 
• Lavender field tours: if visiting during the blooming season (June to August), it’s best to book your tour a few months ahead of arriving.

Bordeaux

• Wine-tasting tours: many prestigious wineries require prior bookings for tastings and tours.

What day trips are worth taking?

Once you’ve decided on your base — or bases — and have booked the main tours and entrance tickets you want to take, it’s time to research what day trips you might want to do from said base/s

That way, your itinerary will be more fully-formed, and you can sort out how you’re going to get to your day trip destinations — whether that’s checking out trains and buses (and perhaps buying tickets in advance), or joining tours (which you should book in advance).

For example, if you’re staying in Paris, you could consider taking day trips to the Palace of Versailles (just a short train ride from Paris), Giverny (home to Claude Monet's house and gardens) and Reims. 

Less than an hour by train from the capital, the latter is famous its champagne houses and the historic Notre-Dame Cathedral. 

Step 5: Finesse fine details

When to do this: three months in advance

To avoid last minute panics — and give yourself time to weigh up different options — take care of things like insurance a few months ahead of your trip.

Decisions to make:

• Do I need travel insurance?
• How will I get online and stay connected?

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is totally recommended for peace of mind.  

If you don’t already have something in place, take time to research and compare options a few months ahead of your trip, and get a policy that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost luggage. 

While Wi-Fi is widely available in French cities and towns, and in the likes of cafés, bars, airports and stations, you might want to buy a local SIM card to enjoy reliable internet access throughout your stay. 

Do I need to bring cash?

When traveling to France, it's advisable to come armed with a combination of payment methods.

While credit and debit cards are widely accepted, having some cash on hand will be useful when visiting the likes of local festivals and markets, and buying from street vendors.

For better exchange rates, check options in your home destination and pre-order euros. 

If you need to top up while you’re away, note that while ATMs are plentiful in most places, if you’re based in a small village, it’s best to check how much cash you have before heading to said village. 

What should I pack for France?

It goes without saying that what you pack will need to align with your destination type — are you heading to a city, the coast or the countryside? — and the time of year you’re visiting.

For city breaks in spring, bring light layers, a waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and a scarf for variable weather. Come summer, while the temperatures are hot and you’ll want sunscreen and light clothing, evenings are cooler, so bring a light sweater.

In fall and winter, you’ll want a warm jacket or coat, and an umbrella

The same pretty much applies to vacations on the coast, with the addition of packing swimwear, beach gear, attire, sandals and extra sun protection if you’re visiting in late-spring through to early-fall.

If you’re planning to spend time in rural areas, bring footwear that’s suitable for long walks or hikes, and consider insect repellent for outdoor activities in summer.

In addition, note that France uses Type E plugs, so check you have the appropriate adapters for your devices.

Another way to increase your chance of relishing every moment of your trip is to have our local travel experts curate your ideal France itinerary. 

That way, you won’t have to worry about following our guide to how to plan a trip to France — our experts will have done all the hard work for you including booking transfers, accommodation and tours.