France

What to see: The Louvre is a massive commitment and now costs 32 euros for most visitors, so book a slot weeks in advance. If the crowds there are too much, the Musée d'Orsay offers a better experience in a stunning old train station.
Worth a trip: A day trip to Versailles is essential, but it takes 6 to 8 hours to do properly.
Where to go: For the best views of the Paris skyline, the Sacré-Cœur dome is much cheaper than the Eiffel Tower summit.
Can you do it in a day: Mont-Saint-Michel is reachable from Paris, but it is a very long day involving a train and a shuttle bus.
Overrated: The Champs-Elysées is often just a crowded strip of global chain stores and heavy traffic.
Nature picks: The lavender fields in Provence are only worth seeing from mid-June to July.

Cards: Most shops and restaurants prefer tap-to-pay cards, but note that some non-European credit cards might fail at unmanned gas stations or ticket kiosks. Always have a backup.
Tipping: Service is already built into the bill by law, so you don't need to add a percentage. Leaving a couple of small coins is a nice gesture for great service but is never expected.
Taxes: Every city charges a nightly stay tax that you usually pay at checkout. In 2026, Paris 3-star hotels charge 5.53 euros per person per night, so factor this into your final budget.
Cash: Keep some euros for small bakeries or local markets that might have a ten-euro minimum for card payments.

Item	Price (USD)
Louvre Ticket	35
Eiffel Summit	40
Metro Journey	3
TGV Paris-Lyon	50
Midday Formule	24
Dinner with Wine	60
Classic Baguette	1.6
Butter Croissant	1.5
Espresso at Bar	2.5
Pint of Beer	8
Glass of Wine	7
Budget Hotel Room	130
Weekly Metro Pass	38
Airport Train	15
Street Crepe	6

Trains: High-speed TGV lines are the gold standard for crossing the country quickly. Booking three months early can save you sixty percent compared to last-minute fares.
Budget Rail: OUIGO is a low-cost high-speed option, but they are strict about luggage sizes and often use suburban stations.
City Travel: In Paris, the Navigo Easy card has replaced paper tickets for the Metro and buses. You can load journeys onto the card using an app on your phone.
Regional Rail: Use TER trains for shorter trips like exploring the Loire Valley or moving between Riviera towns. These tickets have fixed prices and don't require seat reservations.
Air Travel: Flights within the country are rarely faster than the train once you factor in airport security and travel.
Walking: Most city centers are compact enough that your own feet are the best way to explore.

Booking: The best rooms in Paris and Nice disappear months in advance for the summer season. Use flexible booking sites to secure a spot early.
City Taxes: Be aware that the advertised price online often excludes the local stay tax which varies by hotel star rating.
Hotel Size: Historic city hotels often have very small rooms and tiny elevators. Don't expect much floor space if you are staying in the center.
Location: Staying slightly outside the tourist core but near a Metro station can save you forty euros a night.
Apartments: Short-term rentals are great for families but check for extra cleaning fees that can spike the total cost.
Check-in: Many smaller guesthouses don't have 24-hour reception, so always message your arrival time in advance.
Guesthouses: Look for family-run guesthouses for a more authentic and affordable stay than global hotel chains.

Lunch Strategy: Most restaurants offer a fixed-price midday menu called a formule which is the cheapest way to eat well. You can get three courses for the price of one evening main dish.
Local Eateries: In Lyon, look for certified bouchons which serve heavy, traditional local specialties. Avoid the tourist traps near the cathedrals.
Free Water: Never buy bottled water in a restaurant. Ask for a "carafe d'eau" to get a pitcher of perfectly fine tap water for free.
Dining Times: Kitchens usually close between 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM. If you are hungry in the afternoon, bakeries or crepe stands are your only options.
Bakeries: A fresh baguette from a boulangerie is a daily ritual and costs less than two euros.
Tipping: Service charge is included in the menu price, so a tip is purely a bonus for the waiter.
Coffee: Standing at the bar for an espresso is always cheaper than sitting at a table.

Pickpockets: The biggest threat is theft in crowded spots like the Metro or near the Eiffel Tower. Keep your phone in a front pocket and never leave bags on the back of your chair.
Marseille: The city is generally fine, but avoid the northern housing estates in the 13th through 16th districts. Stick to the Vieux-Port and the southern coast.
Scams: On Montmartre, ignore anyone trying to tie a "friendship" string around your finger. This is a common tactic to demand money.
Walking: Most central areas are well-lit and safe for solo travelers at night. Just stay aware of your surroundings as you would in any major city.
Demonstrations: Protests are common in Paris and can lead to sudden Metro closures. Check local news if you see large crowds and just walk the other way.
Luggage: On trains, keep an eye on your bags during intermediate stops to prevent anyone from walking off with them.

Greetings: Always say "Bonjour" when entering a shop or starting a conversation with a stranger. It is considered rude to ask a question without this basic polite opener.
Sunday Closures: Most supermarkets and shops close on Sundays, especially outside of Paris. Plan your shopping and errands for Saturday to avoid being stuck without supplies.
Dress Code: Locals tend to dress smart-casual even for basic errands. You will feel less like a traveler if you avoid wearing gym gear or flip-flops in city centers.
Dining Pace: Eating is a slow ritual that shouldn't be rushed. Don't expect the check to arrive the moment you finish your meal; you often have to ask for it.
Politeness: Using "S'il vous plaît" and "Merci" goes a long way in getting better service.
Local Markets: Visiting a neighborhood market on a Saturday morning is the best way to see local life.
Etiquette: Keep your voice down in public spaces and on transport, as loud talking is often viewed as intrusive.

Phone Data: Buying an eSIM is much cheaper than paying roaming fees from your home carrier. Most major cities have shops like Free Mobile where you can get a SIM from an automated kiosk.
Public Wi-Fi: Most cafes and parks offer free internet, though it can be slow during peak hours.
Language: In big cities, most young people speak some English, but older residents might not. Learning five basic phrases will change how you are treated.
Mobile Apps: Download the SNCF Connect app for train tickets and RATP for navigating the Paris transit system.
Translators: Offline translation apps are helpful for reading menus in smaller towns.
Charging: France uses the standard European two-pin plug, so bring the correct adapter for your devices.
Train Connectivity: Wi-Fi is now standard on high-speed trains, making it easy to plan your next stop while you travel.

English	French	Pronunciation
Hello	Bonjour	bon-ZHOOR
Please	S'il vous plaît	seel-voo-PLAY
Thank you	Merci	mair-SEE
Sorry / Excuse me	Pardon	par-DOH
Goodbye	Au revoir	oh-ruh-VWAR
The check, please	L'addition, s'il vous plaît	la-dee-SYOHN seel-voo-PLAY
A carafe of water	Une carafe d'eau	een ka-RAF doh
Yes / No	Oui / Non	WEE / NOH
How much?	C'est combien?	say kohm-BYA
Where is...?	Où est...?	OO ay
I don't understand	Je ne comprends pas	zhuh nuh kohm-PRAH pah
Help!	Au secours!	oh suh-KOOR
It's cool (slang)	C'est ouf	say OOF
No problem (slang)	Pas de souci	pah duh soo-SEE
Food (slang)	La bouffe	la BOOF
Work (slang)	Le boulot	luh boo-LOH
It works (slang)	Ça marche	sa MARSH
Let's go! (slang)	C'est parti!	say par-TEE
Very good	C'est très bon	say tray BOH
Do you speak English?	Parlez-vous anglais?	par-lay voo ahn-GLAY

Navigation: Google Maps is generally reliable for city walking, but use the RATP app for the most accurate Metro schedules.
Luggage Storage: Most major train stations have paid lockers where you can leave your bags for the day.
Restrooms: Public toilets in cities often cost a few coins, so keep some change handy.
Water: Drinking fountains called Wallace Fountains are scattered around Paris and offer free clean water.
Museum Passes: The Paris Museum Pass is only worth it if you plan to visit at least two major museums every day.
Peak Season: July and August are incredibly hot and crowded, while May and September offer the best weather.
Holiday Closures: Many restaurants close for the entire month of August when owners go on vacation.
Laundry: Look for "Laverie" shops in residential areas if you need to wash clothes during a longer trip.