Category

France

Category

 

From croissants in Paris to lavender fields in Provence: France is incredibly diverse. Taste wine in Burgundy or around Bordeaux, head to the beaches of Brittany or the Côte d’Azur, or go hiking in the Alps and the Pyrenees. And in between, discover cities like Lyon and Strasbourg and countless beautiful villages.


💰CurrencyThe euro. In October 2026, $1 got you about €0.89, but the rate changes fast. You can pay by card almost everywhere, even for small amounts. At markets, some cash comes in handy.
🗣️LanguageFrench. In the countryside, not everyone speaks English. Always start with “bonjour”, it makes a real difference.
⛪ReligionFrance is officially a secular country. More than half of younger French people have no religion. Of the whole population, about 29 percent is Catholic and 10 percent Muslim. Almost every village still has a centuries-old church.
🕒Time zoneFrance is on Central European Time, the same as Amsterdam. That’s 6 hours ahead of New York and 9 hours ahead of Los Angeles.
🛂VisaTravelers from the US, Canada, the UK and many other countries can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area without a visa. At the border, you may have to register your fingerprints and photo for the new Entry/Exit System (EES). The ETIAS travel authorization isn’t required yet, and is now expected in 2027.
☀️Best time to goMay through September. Want to see lavender? It blooms from mid-June and is harvested until the end of July, so go early. From early July, French schools are on summer break, and it gets busy everywhere. Spring and fall are quieter.
🔌Power outletsFrance runs on 230 volts with European round two-pin plugs. Coming from the US? Bring an adapter and check that your devices handle 230V (most phone and laptop chargers do).
🚗TrafficFrance drives on the right, and most highways have tolls (péage). On the A13, A14 and A79, there are no toll booths anymore: you pay online within 72 hours. About 25 big cities, including Paris, Lyon and Marseille, have low-emission zones where you need a Crit’Air sticker. Renting a car? Ask the rental company whether it has one.

France

I always love taking the time to eat out on holiday. In Brides-les-Bains, my stomach can’t keep up with my eyes. I want to taste everything! That would be fine regarding calories because they are closely monitored in Brides-les-Bains. But obviously, you don’t have to. I want to recommend a few good restaurants and outdoor cafes where you can definitely eat and drink well.

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