France is the most visited country on Earth welcoming over 89 million tourists each year. It’s unsurprising as it happens to be one of the most beautiful and cultural places in the world.

If you’re planning a trip to France soon, you’re in for a treat. The food, the wine, the cities, and the countryside. It’s so full of amazing things you’ll never want to leave.

But like any trip abroad, there are things you need to be aware of when you visit France. To make sure your trip is successful, here are 9 things you need to know.

Things You Need to Know For Your Trip to France

France is one of the best European travel destinations and you’re sure to have a brilliant time there. But if you arrive completely unprepared, it could throw a spanner in the works. Follow these 9 tips to make your trip to France a success.

1. Learn Some Phrases

You don’t need to become fluent in French for your trip, but learning some key phrases can help a lot. You can’t expect the people there to speak your lingo, and some may flat out refuse to speak English.

Small phrases like asking for directions or ordering food can be very helpful. You’ll find that the locals will appreciate the effort too. If you can’t cast your mind back to high school French, here’s a useful post to help.

2. Dress Up a Bit

Cities in France are very fashion-conscious. After all, Paris is one of the fashion capitals of the world.

Don’t walk around wearing cargo pants or shorts when you’re in the city. Use your time there as a chance to dress up. The French often wear stylish and sensible clothing, so to blend in you should do the same.

3. Use the Trains

If you’re hitting up many spots when you’re in France, you’d better get the train. Its the safest and fastest way to get around the country.

Most train services run until the late hours of the night. You don’t need to worry about safety as there are security guards everywhere. Also, make sure to use the train to get into the city once you arrive. Don’t go for taxis, they’re overpriced and you’ll spend ages stuck in traffic.

4. Keep Cash On You

Unlike most places in the States, not everywhere in France accepts card payments. The last thing you want is an angry French waiter glaring at you as you try to hand over your credit card.

Instead, take out cash ahead of time and use it to pay for everything. Some of the places that do accept card have minimum spend charges. If you’re only getting a baguette, you might have to spend over the odds to buy it!

5. Keep the Volume Low

It’s a common conception across Europe that Americans are loud. Try to be the exception to that rule!

The French are a quiet bunch. If you have a loud voice which booms across the bar, you’ll draw unwanted attention to yourself. Don’t be surprised if you get looks of disdain your way. This applies to kids too, so if you’re traveling with the family, make sure they’re on their best behavior.

6. Bring a Gift

This one applies to anyone who gets invited to a dinner party in a French home. The French love to host guests for dinner. So, if you’re lucky enough to make French friends make sure to bring a gift.

It doesn’t need to be much, bring them a bottle of wine or some flowers and you should be good. It’s common courtesy to bring a gift for the host and they’ll appreciate it very much.

7. The Metro is Your Friend

When in a new country, the subway systems can be intimidating. But France is home to some big cities, and if you avoid the Metro you’ll be missing out.

It’s much easier to manage than you think. Use Google maps to plan your route and pick up a Metro map from your hotel. It’s well connected to all parts of the city and will save you walking for miles every day. Plus, day tickets are pretty cheap and definitely worth it.

8. Don’t Be in a Rush

France is a very laid back country where people aren’t in a rush. Try to be like them and chill out a bit.

When you’re at a meal, it’s ingrained into us to ask for the bill as soon as we finish and get out of there. France isn’t like that. Instead, you should sit and rest at your table after you finish a meal. Wait for at least 10 minutes before you ask for the bill.

Be patient and you’ll feel a lot calmer for it.

9. Bring Change for the Bathrooms

Public bathrooms in France can be hard to come by, especially in Paris. When you do manage to stumble across one, there’s a good chance you’ll find an attendant to pay.

Make sure to bring change for these occasions. It costs around 50 cents to go to the bathroom and can sometimes be as much as one euro.

To avoid this, try to go to the bathroom at your hotel before you leave and before you leave a cafe or restaurant. Museums are also a good place for bathrooms and they’re free once you’ve bought your ticket.

Planning a Trip to France is Easy with These Tips

Now that you know what to expect and what to prepare for, planning a trip to France is easy! Make sure you’re polite, friendly and considerate of customs and French culture. You’ll be sure to have an amazing and unforgettable trip.

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