Travelling To France: How To Plan Your Journey
France is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, attracting over 80 million visitors per year. With its magnificent cities, stunning countryside, world-famous cuisine and wine, fascinating history and vibrant culture, it’s easy to understand why. Planning your trip properly is key to making the most of your time there. This guide will walk you through the key steps for travelling to France.
Author:Jane RestureJan 25, 2024154 Shares12.8K Views
France is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, attracting over 80 million visitors per year. With its magnificent cities, stunning countryside, world-famous cuisine and wine, fascinating history and vibrant culture, it’s easy to understand why. Planning your trip properly is key to making the most of your time there. This guide will walk you through the key steps for travelling to France.
Getting There
France is well connected to the UK, with a number of transport options to choose from. The quickest and most convenient ways to reach France from Britain are by ferry or via the Channel Tunnel.
Ferry
You can easily travel by ferrysince several ferry operators offer regular crossings between the UK and France, including Dover to Calais/Dunkirk, with journey times from around 90 minutes to 2 hours. Ferries offer great views of the coastlines, and you can take your car. Cabins are available for overnight crossings.
Eurotunnel
The Eurotunnel allows you to drive your car or take a coach directly from Folkestone to Calais via an underground tunnel in just 35 minutes. You stay with your vehicle the whole time. Eurotunnel ticket costs are usually a bit higher than the ferry, but the convenience and shorter crossing time balances this out.
Onward Travel Options
Once in France, your onward journey will depend on your destination. While it is possible to get around France by coach, the most flexible and popular option is self-drive. Renting a car in France is also quite affordable and gives you freedom to explore off the beaten track. France’s extensive rail networkis another excellent option, particularly for visits to major cities like Paris or Nice. High-speed TGV services mean rail travel is quick and efficient.
When to Go
One of the joys of France is that it offers appeal in all seasons. Spring and autumn provide moderate temperatures that are ideal for sightseeing city and countryside. Summers can get very busy with tourists, but you’ll get the best beach weather and festivals. Winters offer Christmas charm and good skiing opportunities in the Alps or Pyrenees.
Accommodation
France offers every kind of accommodation you could want. Choose from hotels ranging from luxury boutique properties to budget chains like Premiere Classe, which offer reliable comfort without breaking the bank. Alternatively, renting a holiday home (gite) is popular in rural areas, or look into bed and breakfast (chambres d’hôtes) for a homely stay with hosts who’ll cook your breakfast.
Things to Do
It’s impossible to get bored in France with so many outstanding sights and activities on offer across its diverse regions. Must-see highlights include the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the French Riviera beaches and resorts, Loire Valley chateaux, Mont-Saint-Michel island monasteryand Disneyland Paris. That’s before you’ve explored captivating French cities like Lyon, Nice and Marseille or idyllic countryside villages. Foodies will relish dining on classic French cuisine and wine tasting is always a treat.
Other Tips
- Check your passport’s validity as you’ll need at least 6 months before expiry
- Having some basic French phrases will help greatly in interactions
- Carry medicines, appropriate clothing and insurance
- Look up visas if you will be staying over 90 days
With great connections to France, stunning destinations, and wonderful food and culture, a trip here makes for an unforgettable travel experience. Advance preparation on transport, accommodation and the key things you want to see will ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible. Now it’s time to say “bon voyage” as you embark on your French adventure!
Jane Resture
Author
Since she embarked on her first world trip in 2002, Jane Resture spent the past decades sharing her personal journey and travel tips with people around the world. She has traveled to over 80 countries and territories, where she experienced other cultures, wildlife she had only read about in books, new foods, new people, and new amazing experiences.
Jane believes that travel is for everyone and it helps us learn about ourselves and the world around us. Her goal is to help more people from more backgrounds experience the joy of exploration because she trusts that travel opens the door to the greatest, most unforgettable experiences life can offer and this builds a kinder, more inclusive, more open-minded world.
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