France travel guide
France rewards travellers who like to mix culture, landscape and food in the same day. You can see the great museums and café terraces of Paris, taste wine among the vineyards of Bordeaux, swim off the Riviera at Nice and Cannes, and follow the Rhône south to the papal city of Avignon. The country is easy to build into regions. Paris is the obvious start, Lyon and Marseille are strong choices for food and character, Strasbourg brings Alsace's half-timbered charm, and Toulouse and Nantes offer a quieter, more local side of France. Each region has its own cooking, accents and pace, so a trip rarely feels repetitive, and rail links make moving between cities simple. Spring and early autumn are the most comfortable seasons for most itineraries, with summer best for the south coast and winter for Christmas markets and city museums. France suits first-time visitors and repeat travellers alike. Plan your itinerary city by city with Zippy Trips.
Capital: Paris.
Before you go to France
- Currency
- EUR €
- Emergency number
- 112 / 17
- Plug type
- Type E
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe
- Tipping
- Service charge included
- Bargaining
- Not expected
- eSIM
- Available
- Card networks
- Visa, Mastercard, Amex
- ATM fees
- Usually free at bank ATMs; avoid Euronet
Cities in France
- Paris The most visited city on earth and France's luminous capital — a living museum of art, fashion, gastronomy and romance. The Eiffel Tower,…
- Nice The jewel of the Côte d'Azur — a sun-drenched city where the French Riviera's blue sea meets Baroque architecture and Italy's culinary…
- Cannes The global capital of glamour — a Riviera resort city synonymous with its International Film Festival, hosted every May on the palm-lined…
- Marseille France's oldest and most visceral city — a brash, beautiful port founded by Greek settlers 2,600 years ago on the Mediterranean coast. The…
- Strasbourg The capital of Alsace and de facto capital of the European Union — a fairy-tale city of half-timbered houses, a soaring Gothic cathedral…
- Avignon A medieval walled city on the Rhône that served as the seat of the Catholic papacy for 70 years in the 14th century. The colossal Palais…
- Lyon France's gastronomic capital and UNESCO World Heritage city — a compact powerhouse of silk-weaving history, Renaissance traboules (hidden…
- Bordeaux The wine capital of the world — an 18th-century UNESCO-listed port city where grand neoclassical boulevards converge on the Place de la…
- Toulouse La Ville Rose — named for the rosy terracotta brick that glows pink in the southern light. Toulouse is a young, energetic city on the…
- Nantes The creative capital of western France and former ducal seat of Brittany — a sprawling, innovative city on the Loire estuary that blends…
Frequently asked questions about France
- What currency is used in France?
- The currency in France is the Euro (€). €1 is about ₹107.
- Can I use cards and ATMs in France?
- Accepted card networks: Visa, Mastercard, Amex. Typical ATM fees: Usually free at bank ATMs; avoid Euronet. Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card machines.
- Should I tip in France?
- Tipping in France: service charge included.
- Is tap water safe to drink in France?
- Tap water is safe. Tap water is safe to drink throughout France. Sparkling mineral water (Evian, Perrier, Badoit) widely available.
- What plug type does France use?
- France uses Type E plugs.
- What is the emergency number in France?
- Emergency: 112. Police: 17. Ambulance: 15. Tourist helpline: +33 892 682 685.
- Can I get a SIM or eSIM in France?
- SIM and eSIM available in France.
- What is the capital of France?
- The capital of France is Paris. Time there: IST - 3 h 30 min.