France Travel Guide - Travel Insights and Tips

Paris is the capital of France. It is the most visited city in the world, whose stunning architecture, rich culture, delectable cuisine, and vibrant art scene continue to attract people from all over the world. The city of love is also home to the Eiffel Tower and Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of Monalisa.

Metropolitan France covers 551,695 km². Although it’s one of the largest countries in Europe, the excellent road network and sophisticated transport system make it easy for tourists to move about without any hassle.

+33 is the country code for France when making a call from another country.

The Euro (€) is the official currency in France having fully replaced the Franc. ATMs and currency exchange booths are available all over the country, though ATMs tend to offer cheaper rates. Most French service providers also accept US dollars.

Charles de Gaulle Airport is the main international gateway to France. It is in Paris, 26 kilometers from the city center. Code: CDG. Closest City: Paris

As part of the Schengen zone, most travelers can enter France for up to 90 days without a visa. However, some nationalities need a Schengen visa. We recommend checking your country’s travel advisories in advance of booking a trip.

The official language of France is French. Although the country has about 75 spoken languages, an overwhelming majority of residents speak French, and many of the other languages are only popular in the border areas. English is also widely spoken in major cities across the country. Learning a few native words and phrases, however, goes a long way. Start with "Bonjour," a customary local greeting.

The phone numbers to call in case of an emergency are 112 for the police, ambulance, and fire service.

The French love their wine, and at 11 million glasses per year, they are the second largest wine consumers in the world. France is also known for creating some of the most expensive wines in the world.