France travel guide (2026)
Paris anchors a country where high speed rail reaches the regional cities in two or three hours. Museums and cathedrals, the Mediterranean coast in the south, the Alps — the character shifts sharply within one country. Note first that European border procedure changed in 2026 and entry queues are not what they were.
Last checked September 2026
- Suggested length
- 5-8 nights recommended
- Budget guide
- About KRW 1,200,000-2,200,000 per person (excluding flights, 3-star hotel and local meals)
When to go
April-June and September-October are best: mild, and without the July-August crush. High summer raises lodging prices and many Parisian shops close for the holidays. November-February is short on daylight and often wet, but a museum-weighted itinerary is quieter then.
Getting between cities
TGV links the cities. Tickets open about four months ahead and are priced like air fares, so early is cheaper — Paris to Marseille swings roughly EUR 25 to 120. The low-cost OUIGO brand is cheaper but often departs from outlying stations, so weigh the time and fare to reach them. A seat reservation is built into every ticket; there is no turn-up-and-ride option.
What each region is for
The Louvre and Orsay, Notre-Dame and Versailles around Paris; Provence and the Mediterranean at Nice and Marseille; the Loire chateaux and Mont-Saint-Michel. Most regional bases are within three hours of Paris by rail, which makes day trips easy.
Food and eating culture
Regional ingredients decide the cooking. Paris means bistros and pastry, Lyon richer meat dishes, the south olive oil and seafood, Normandy dairy and apples. The set lunch (formule) costs far less than dinner, and a baguette sandwich from a bakery is a normal meal.
Before you go
European entry changed — what happens now?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) rolled out progressively from 12 October 2025 and has been fully operational since 10 April 2026. On your first entry into the Schengen area, fingerprints and a facial image are registered, replacing the paper passport stamp. Border queues lengthened noticeably during the rollout, so allow generous connection time in peak season. Visa-free stays are unchanged — 90 days in any 180 for most exempt nationalities — because EES changes how entries are recorded, not who may enter.
When will ETIAS be required?
It has not started, and the sources disagree on when it will. The official ETIAS portal still states a last-quarter-2026 start and no postponement has been announced, while the Financial Times reported a delay into 2027, attributed to the border congestion that followed EES. There is no basis to pick one, so no date is stated here. Check the official portal before you travel; when it does begin, expect an online application and a fee (EUR 20 as planned).
How much is the Paris tourist tax?
It rose sharply on 1 January 2026. Per person per night it runs about EUR 15.93 for palace-class hotels and unclassified short-term rentals, EUR 11.70 for 5-star and EUR 5.53 for 3-star. It is usually collected separately from the room rate, which makes it easy to leave out of a budget — a family of four staying five nights adds tens of euros depending on the class.
When and how should I buy TGV tickets?
TGV INOUI and Intercites tickets generally go on sale about four months before departure and rise with demand like air fares; Paris-Marseille can move from EUR 25 to EUR 120 within weeks. Book as soon as your dates are fixed. The budget OUIGO brand is cheaper but frequently departs from outlying stations, so compare including the time and cost of getting there.
How much cash do I need in France?
Cards work nearly everywhere and contactless is standard, so cash is rarely needed — EUR 50-100 per person is plenty. Markets, small bakeries, public toilets and some museum cloakrooms still want coins. Tipping is not obligatory: service is included on the bill (service compris), and leaving small change when pleased is enough.
When is the best time to visit France?
April-June and September-October balance weather against crowds best. July and August are peak: lodging jumps and many Parisian shops and restaurants close for the summer holiday. The southern coast is in season then, but correspondingly busy. November-February brings short days and frequent rain, though it suits a museum and indoor itinerary and is far quieter.
Cities in France
Pick a city and its sights, transit and costs sit on one page.
The capital of art and romance, unfolding along the Seine. Iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre-Dame are scattered across the city, which is captivating enough just for its cafés and strolls through its lanes.
Paris trip cost