FR46.0°N · 2.0°EPhoto: Amaustan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Western Europe travel guide

France

Paris, Provence and the Riviera

Your passport Visa-free90 days Full requirements →

France is the world's most visited country. Most first trips centre on Paris, then add the Loire châteaux, Provence's lavender fields, the French Riviera or the Alps.

Places worth your time

Photo: Benh LIEU SONG · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Eiffel Tower
Paris
Book summit tickets online; it sparkles for five minutes every hour after dark.
Photo: Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Louvre Museum
Paris
Book a timed slot and pick two or three wings rather than everything.
Photo: Ikmo-ned · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Mont-Saint-Michel
Normandy
Abbey on a tidal island, a long day trip from Paris.
Photo: Tobi 87 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
French Riviera
Nice to Monaco
Coastal towns linked by a scenic train line.
Photo: Myrabella · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Palace of Versailles
Near Paris
The Hall of Mirrors and enormous gardens.

Know before you go

Many museums are free on the first Sunday of some months.
Watch for pickpockets in metros and tourist areas.
A short 'Bonjour' when entering shops goes a long way.

Get trip-ready for France

France eSIMData the moment you land. Skip the SIM queue and roaming bills.See data plans →Things to do in FranceTours, attraction passes and airport transfers, often cheaper booked ahead.Browse experiences →Flights to FranceCompare hundreds of airlines and agencies in one search.Find cheap flights →Flight delayed or cancelled?You could be owed up to €600. Check your flight in two minutes.Check compensation →

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Key facts

Official name: French Republic
Capital: Paris
Currency: Euro (EUR €)
Languages: French
Calling code: +33
Area: 5,51,695 km²
Region: Western Europe

Who can get in easily

93 of 198 passports can enter France without arranging a visa in advance.

Visa-free
Visa on arrival
eTA
eVisa
Visa required

Visa requirements for France by passport

IndiaVisa required
United StatesVisa-free90 days
United KingdomVisa-free90 days
United Arab EmiratesVisa-free90 days
ChinaVisa required
SingaporeVisa-free90 days
PakistanVisa required
BangladeshVisa required
Sri LankaVisa required
NepalVisa required
NigeriaVisa required
PhilippinesVisa required
CanadaVisa-free90 days
AustraliaVisa-free90 days
GermanyVisa-free

Pick any passport above to see the full requirements, or use the selector at the top.

Nearby countries

Source: Wikipedia contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0). Updated weekly. Cover photo: Amaustan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons.