France Travel Guide
We are Erin and Lisa, two Americans who moved to Europe in 2017 and have been driving across France ever since. We lived in Italy for five years and now call Rotterdam home, which puts us within a long afternoon's drive of Paris, Champagne, Normandy and the Loire Valley. France is not a bucket list destination for us. It is the country we keep coming back to on long weekends, slow weeks off and any time we need to remind ourselves why we chose to live here.
We have visited with Dylan, with Rex, in every season and across almost every region on this page. Some of these trips became podcast episodes. Most of them became posts. All of them involved at least one exceptional meal and one glass of wine we should not have had before getting back in the car.
This guide collects everything we have published about France in one place. Use it to plan a first trip or to find the parts of France most visitors never get to.
Île-de-France:
Paris and Beyond
Paris is an easy drive from Rotterdam and one of the cities we visit most. But Île-de-France is more than the capital. Versailles is 40 minutes by train, Fontainebleau is a full day in the forest and the Seine Valley has stretches of countryside that most visitors never see. We have a full Paris Travel Guide that covers where to stay, what to do with a teenager and how to bring your dog without any stress. Read our full Paris Travel Guide →
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté:
Burgundy’s Wine Country and Historic Villages
Burgundy is the kind of place that slows you down immediately. The villages are quiet, the wine is world-class and the food is the kind that makes you want to stay another night. We spent a fall there driving between Beaune and Dijon with no real itinerary and it became one of our favourite France trips. If you are a wine person this region is essential. If you are not a wine person, Burgundy will change that.
Read our Burgundy travel guide →
Grand Est:
Champagne Vineyards and Storybook Alsace
The Grand Est region covers two very different worlds. In Champagne you can explore world-famous houses like Veuve Clicquot, Mercier and Pommery or plan a tasting in Épernay and Reims. Alsace feels completely different with its half-timbered houses, cobblestone lanes and some of France's most charming Christmas markets. From wine routes to small cafes this part of France is full of experiences worth slowing down for.
Read our Champagne travel guide →
Nouvelle-Aquitaine:
Bordeaux, Biarritz and Dordogne
Nouvelle-Aquitaine combines world-class wine regions, surf towns and quiet countryside retreats. Bordeaux is the heart of France’s wine culture and will have its own full guide soon. Biarritz offers sandy beaches and surf spots while Dordogne is home to castles and peaceful river valleys. Read our Bordeaux travel guide →
Normandy:
Exploring Normandy’s Villages and Coastlines
Normandy is the France trip most people do not think to plan and then never stop talking about afterward. The D-Day beaches are as moving in person as you would expect. Honfleur is one of the most photographed harbour towns in Europe and worth every photo. Monet's gardens in Giverny are genuinely stunning in late spring. The food is outstanding: apple-based everything, local cheeses and some of the best butter on earth. Normandy works well as a road trip and pairs naturally with a night or two in Paris. Read our Le Havre travel guide →
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur:
Exploring Provence and the French Riviera
Provence blends natural beauty with laid-back living. In spring fields of lavender stretch for miles while summer brings sunny coastal escapes and charming market towns. Visit villages like Gordes and Roussillon, explore the Gorges du Verdon or spend time along the French Riviera between Nice and Menton. From outdoor adventures to slow afternoons at a cafe Provence covers everything. While you are in this part of France Monaco is worth a half-day as a side trip from Nice. Tiny, fascinating and completely unlike anywhere else.
Read our Provence travel guide →
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes:
From Lyon to the Alps
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes blends incredible landscapes with rich food culture and historic towns. From the culinary capital of Lyon to the lakeside charm of Annecy and the Alpine slopes of Chamonix, this region has something for every traveler. Spend your days exploring medieval villages, hiking volcanic valleys or relaxing in thermal spas. Whether you're here for outdoor adventures or unforgettable meals, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes offers endless ways to experience France at its best. Read our Annecy travel guide →
Corsica:
Beaches, Mountains and Coastal Villages
Corsica feels like its own world with turquoise beaches, rugged mountains and scenic coastal towns. Spend your days exploring the historic streets of Ajaccio, hiking through the forests of Bavella or relaxing on the white sand beaches of Calvi. The island blends French and Italian influences, making it perfect for travelers who want both outdoor adventure and cultural discovery.
Read our Corsica travel guide →
Why We Keep Coming Back To France
France is the most visited country in the world and yet it manages to feel unhurried once you get away from the main tourist circuit. That is the thing we try to capture in every guide we write here: the version of France that rewards slowing down.
We have driven through Champagne with the windows down in October, eaten bouillabaisse in a fishing port in Provence in July, watched Rex swim in a river in Corsica and stood at the D-Day beaches in Normandy on a grey November morning with almost nobody else around. Every one of those trips felt completely different. That is France.
The guides on this page are all based on places we have actually been, things we have actually done and honest opinions about what is worth your time and money. If something did not work for us we say so. If something surprised us we say that too. France has enough generic travel content. This is not that.
Know Before You Go: France
Each region of France feels completely different, so plan enough time to explore more than one area. Paris is not Provence. Champagne is not Normandy. The best France trips combine at least two regions and give each one room to breathe.
Best Time to Visit
April to June and September to October for mild weather and fewer crowds. July and August are peak season with higher prices and busy sights. December is ideal for Christmas markets, especially in Alsace and Paris.
Currency
Euro (€)
Language
French is the official language, but English is widely spoken in major cities and tourist areas.
Getting Around
France’s high-speed trains (TGV) connect most major regions quickly and efficiently. Regional trains and buses reach smaller towns, while renting a car is best for exploring the countryside, vineyards, and coastal areas.
Travel Tip
Each region feels unique, from Paris and Champagne to Provence and the French Riviera — so plan enough time to explore more than one area.
France FAQs
Do you need to speak French to travel in France?
Not fluently, but a few basic phrases make a real difference. Bonjour when you walk into any shop or restaurant, merci on your way out and s'il vous plait when ordering is genuinely appreciated and tends to change how you are treated. In Paris and major tourist cities English is widely spoken. In rural areas and smaller towns a translation app helps but patience goes further than any app.
Is France good for road trips?
It is one of the best countries in Europe for road trips. The roads are well maintained, the scenery changes dramatically from region to region and distances between interesting stops are manageable. We have driven across Normandy, through Champagne, around Corsica and along the Provence coast and every route was genuinely enjoyable. Having a car also opens up villages and viewpoints that trains simply do not reach.
Is France dog-friendly?
Very. France is one of the most dog-welcoming countries in Europe. Dogs are allowed in most restaurants, many hotels and on some trains. We have traveled with Rex across multiple regions of France and have rarely had a problem. Corsica was particularly brilliant for dogs with beaches and rivers where Rex could swim freely. Always check individual hotel policies in advance but France in general is far more dog-friendly than most countries.
What is the best time to visit France?
It depends on the region. For Paris and northern France, April through June is ideal: mild weather, long days and manageable crowds. Provence and the south are best in May or September when the heat is not punishing and the summer crowds have thinned. Normandy and Brittany work well in spring and early autumn. Alsace and Champagne are beautiful in October for the harvest season and again in December for the Christmas markets.
How long do you need to see France properly?
France is too big and too varied to see in one trip. Most visitors do Paris plus one or two other regions in ten to fourteen days and find that feels about right. If you have less time, pick one region and go deep rather than rushing across multiple destinations. Our guides are built around specific regions precisely because we think depth beats breadth every time.