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France Travel Guide
Curated by Our Guild Explorers · Updated July 2026
The country that set the standard for the good life — Paris and its icons, the Renaissance châteaux of the Loire, lavender fields and Roman ruins in Provence, the glamour of the Riviera and the peaks of the Alps. From a croissant at a zinc counter to a long lunch in the vineyards — this is the Guild's chapter on France.
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The Eiffel Tower over the rooftops of Paris. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Where to stay & when to go
Guild guides to the best places to stay in France's headline destinations — and the best time to plan your trip.
Where to Stay in Paris ›
Best arrondissements and hotels — the Marais, Saint-Germain, the Latin Quarter and near the Eiffel Tower.
Nice & the French Riviera ›
Where to stay along the coast — Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Villefranche and the road to Monaco.
Best Time to Visit France ›
Month-by-month weather, crowds and prices — and the shoulder-season sweet spots.
Why visit France
Few countries pack this much history, art, landscape and sheer pleasure into a single trip — or wear it all so effortlessly.
Layers of history
Roman arenas and medieval abbeys, the château at Versailles, the Renaissance palaces of the Loire and the beaches of Normandy — centuries of it, all still standing.
Art at every turn
The Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay, the Mona Lisa and the Impressionists, Monet's garden at Giverny and the Matisse and Chagall of the south.
The food and wine
Every region has its table: Parisian bistros, Lyonnais bouchons, Provençal markets and the great vineyards of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne.
Coast and countryside
The Riviera and the Atlantic beaches, the lavender of Provence, the vineyards of Burgundy and the peaks of Mont Blanc — beauty in every direction.
The regions of France
Each region is its own trip. Full Guild city guides are on the way; for now, every city links straight to hotels through our Trip.com partner.
The capital and its surrounds — the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, the palace of Versailles and Monet's garden at Giverny.
- Paris guide
- Versailles soon
- Fontainebleau soon
D-Day beaches and Mont-Saint-Michel, the wild Breton coast and the Renaissance châteaux of the Loire Valley.
- Mont-Saint-Michel soon
- Rouen soon
- Tours & Amboise soon
- Nantes soon
Lavender fields and Roman ruins, hilltop villages and the glamorous Mediterranean coast from Nice to Cannes and Monaco.
How the country divides up
Paris & Île-de-France
Almost every trip begins in Paris, and it should. The Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, Notre-Dame and the Musée d'Orsay, the cafés of Saint-Germain and a walk along the Seine — the city rewards both first-timers and returning devotees over a handful of walkable days. On its doorstep lie the palace and gardens of Versailles, the forest and château of Fontainebleau, and Monet's water lilies at Giverny.
Normandy, Brittany & the Loire
West of Paris, Rouen keeps its half-timbered old town and soaring cathedral, and the Normandy coast holds the D-Day beaches and the island abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel. South along the river, the Loire Valley strings together the great Renaissance châteaux — Chambord, Chenonceau and Amboise — with Tours and Nantes as easy bases.
Provence & the French Riviera
The south runs on a warmer, slower rhythm. Provence is lavender fields and Roman ruins, hilltop villages and the papal city of Avignon, with buzzing Marseille on the coast. East lies the French Riviera: Nice and its Promenade des Anglais, film-festival Cannes, and the glittering road on to Monaco.
Lyon, the Alps & the southwest
Lyon is France's gastronomic capital, all bouchons and river quays between Burgundy and the Rhône. West, Bordeaux anchors the country's greatest wine region and the surf beaches of Biarritz; east, Chamonix sits beneath Mont Blanc, gateway to the French Alps and their ski resorts.
Top things to do in France
The experiences worth building a trip around.
The icons of Paris
The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Mona Lisa, Notre-Dame and a sunset cruise on the Seine. Book timed tickets and go early.
Palace of Versailles
The Hall of Mirrors, the state apartments and the vast formal gardens — the grandest royal palace in Europe, an easy day trip from Paris.
The French Riviera
Nice's seafront and old town, glamorous Cannes and Antibes, the corniche roads and a day in the tiny principality of Monaco.
Provence in bloom
Lavender fields in summer, Roman Arles and Nîmes, the Pont du Gard and the honey-stone hill villages of the Luberon.
Loire châteaux & Mont-Saint-Michel
Renaissance palaces along the river — Chambord and Chenonceau — and the abbey rising from the tidal flats of Normandy.
Eat and drink your way
Bistros and bakeries, a Lyon bouchon, cheese and charcuterie, and the vineyards of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne.
Best time to visit & getting there
When to go
April–June and September–October are the sweet spots: mild, bright and either side of the summer peak, ideal for Paris, the châteaux and the countryside alike.
July–August is hot and busy, especially on the Riviera — and many Parisians leave town in August, so some city restaurants and shops close for the holidays.
November–March is low season: cool, quieter and cheaper, perfect for museums, food and Christmas markets, with the French Alps open for skiing.
Getting there
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Paris Orly (ORY) are the two main gateways, with direct flights from across the world.
Nice (NCE), Lyon (LYS), Marseille (MRS) and Bordeaux (BOD) also take international flights, and France's TGV trains link the major cities so quickly — Paris to the Riviera in about three hours — that many visitors skip domestic flying altogether.
The currency is the euro. Cards work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for small cafés and rural spots. Always check your current visa and passport-validity requirements before booking.
France travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit France?
April to June and September to October are the sweet spots — mild, bright and either side of the summer peak, ideal for Paris, the châteaux and the countryside. July and August are hot and busy, especially on the Riviera, and many Parisians leave town in August so some restaurants and shops close. November to March is low season: cool and quieter, perfect for museums, food and Christmas markets, with the Alps open for skiing.
What currency is used in France?
The euro (EUR, symbol €). Cards, including contactless and phone payments, are accepted almost everywhere — hotels, restaurants, shops and even many market stalls and bakeries. Carry a little cash for small cafés, tips and rural spots. ATMs are widespread and usually the best way to get euros, though watch for machines that offer to charge you in your home currency, which costs more.
Paris, Provence or the Riviera — which should I choose?
Paris is the grand all-rounder: the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, world-class food and enough to fill many days, with Versailles and the Loire châteaux within easy reach. Provence is slower and sun-soaked — lavender fields, Roman ruins and hilltop villages around Avignon and Aix. The French Riviera is the glamorous coast: Nice, Cannes, Monaco and the beaches. Fast TGV trains link Paris to the south in about three hours, so many trips pair the capital with either Provence or the Riviera.
How many days do you need in France?
For a first trip, ten to fourteen days is ideal: three or four days in Paris with a day at Versailles, then time in the Loire, Provence or the Riviera, linked by high-speed train. With only a week, focus: three or four days in Paris plus a short southern add-on such as Nice and the Riviera, or the châteaux of the Loire, rather than trying to see the whole country.
Is France safe for travellers?
France is one of the most-visited countries in the world and is generally very safe for travellers. The main thing to guard against is petty theft — pickpockets work crowded stations, the Métro and busy tourist sights in Paris and on the Riviera, so keep valuables secure. Use licensed taxis or official apps, keep an eye on bags in cafés, and check your government's current travel advisory before you go.
Ready to plan your France trip?
Compare hotels, flights and tours across France — booked through Trip.com.
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