Tips and Tricks to Make the Most Unforgettable Trip
To enter France, you do not need a passport if you are an EU citizen. No vaccination is necessary if you already have the mandatory ones, but always check the government website before leaving for any country-specific risks.
The currency of the country is the Euro, which is easy and intuitive to exchange within the country. You can withdraw cash directly from banks or use numerous exchange services available in cities.
Here are some last-minute tips before you leave:
- We recommend traveling light and using a backpack to move easily in large cities and blend in with the local population.
- Be cautious, as there may be people who will try to take advantage of your naivety. If you rent a car, document its initial condition with photos and videos, and do the same when you return it to avoid any disputes.
- Opt for local and typical accommodations to have unforgettable experiences with the local population.
- French people are not known for their English proficiency, so it’s better to learn basic French or use gestures to communicate.
- When it comes to food, avoid eating in the city center of big cities as they are often tourist traps with higher prices, lower quality, and fake recipes. Paris can be challenging to navigate, but with some luck and experience, you can discover good spots.
- Avoid visiting big cities during the summer when the weather is extremely hot and the number of tourists is high.
Of course, always remember that there are many international tourists, which also means it’s a pickpocketer’s paradise. Familiarize yourself with common scam techniques by reading our article on Scams of the World.
We have visited France on several occasions, yet we still feel there is so much more to explore and experience in the country. We highly recommend visiting the north for its spectacular views and the south during the low season to enjoy various cities. We particularly loved Bayonne. A road tour of at least 2 weeks would be ideal to explore different regions of France. Save the big cities for a weekend getaway, preferably during the off-peak season. For example, Paris is best visited between February and early March when it’s less crowded and more enjoyable due to the cold weather and absence of holidays and long weekends.
Responsible Tourism
Explore our blog, where we are dedicated to disseminating information, sharing experiences, and fostering debates on responsible tourism. We believe in constructive dialogue and aim to shed light on topics often overlooked or superficially covered by traditional communication sources.
When it comes to France, there is much to discuss. However, one aspect that disappointed us was the excessive tourism in Paris. We don’t use the term “excessive” lightly. Paris was completely overrun, with long queues for bars, restaurants, toilets, street markets, and shops, except surprisingly, not for the Louvre.
During our visit in early December, we expected some level of tourism, but we were not prepared for what we encountered. Accommodations were exorbitantly priced, with dormitory beds in hostels starting from 60 euros per night, and transportation was also very expensive.
It is evident that these high prices cater to the economic capabilities of the daily influx of tourists, but we must not forget that this approach excludes travelers, explorers, students, and citizens who can no longer afford the expenses and stress of a city dominated by intrusive tourism.
What kind of city do we envision for the future? This is a question we should ask ourselves if we ever consider visiting destinations where we spend our holidays, behaving like locusts that ravage crops. We aspire to a city that is open to all, respects the needs of everyone, and prioritizes the well-being of the most vulnerable members of society over the interests of the wealthy.
