How to Plan a First-Time Trip to France
Plan 10-14 days to see France's highlights: spend 4-5 days in Paris, 2-3 days in the Loire Valley or Normandy, and 3-4 days in either Provence or the French Riviera. Book flights 6-8 weeks ahead, reserve popular attractions in advance, and budget $100-150 per day including accommodation.
- Budget
- $100-150 per day estimate
- Duration
- 10-14 days recommended
- Best Time
- April-June, September-October for best weather and fewer crowds
- Visa Required
- No visa needed for US/EU/UK citizens under 90 days
Step by step
Choose your regions
Pick 2-3 regions maximum for a first trip. Paris plus one other region works for 7-10 days. Paris, Loire Valley, and Provence need 12-14 days minimum. Don't try to see everything—France rewards depth over breadth.
Book flights early
Fly into Charles de Gaulle (CDG) for most trips. Book 6-8 weeks ahead for best prices. If visiting southern France, consider flying into Nice and out of Paris, or vice versa, to avoid backtracking.
Reserve key attractions
Book Eiffel Tower visits, Louvre time slots, and Loire Valley château tours 2-4 weeks ahead, especially March-October. Palace of Versailles requires advance booking year-round.
Plan transportation
Buy train tickets between regions in advance for better prices. Paris to Loire Valley: 1.5 hours by train. Paris to Nice: 3 hours by TGV high-speed train. Rent a car only for Loire Valley châteaux or Provence villages—not needed in Paris.
Book accommodation strategically
Stay in Paris's 4th, 5th, 6th, or 7th arrondissements for central location. In smaller cities, book near train stations for easy arrival. Reserve 4-6 weeks ahead for peak season (June-August).
Questions people ask
Should I learn French before visiting?
Basic phrases help but aren't essential. Most tourist areas have English speakers. Learn 'bonjour,' 'merci,' 's'il vous plaît,' and 'excusez-moi'—locals appreciate the effort even if pronunciation isn't perfect.
Is it better to book train tickets in advance?
Yes, especially for TGV high-speed trains. Book 2-4 weeks ahead for 25-50% savings. Regional trains don't require reservations but advance booking still saves money.
How much should I tip in restaurants?
Service charge is included in bills. Round up to nearest euro for casual meals, add 5-10% for exceptional service at upscale restaurants. Tipping is appreciated but not expected like in the US.
Can I use my credit card everywhere?
Yes, but carry some cash for small purchases, tips, and markets. Contactless payment widely accepted. Notify your bank before traveling to avoid card blocks.
When do shops and restaurants close?
Many shops close Sunday and Monday mornings. Restaurants often close 2-6pm between lunch and dinner. Banks and post offices close for lunch 12-2pm. Plan around these hours.
Budget
Expect to spend $100-150 per day total including accommodation. Budget breakdown: accommodation $60-90/night for mid-range hotels, meals $35-50/day (lunch €15-20, dinner €25-35), attractions $15-25/entry, local transportation $5-10/day. Paris is most expensive, smaller cities cost 20-30% less. Train tickets between cities add $35-180 depending on route and advance booking.
Packing
- Comfortable walking shoes—you'll walk 15,000+ steps daily on cobblestones
- Light layers and waterproof jacket—weather changes quickly, especially spring/fall
- Reusable water bottle—public fountains throughout France for free refills
- Small day bag—many attractions have bag size restrictions
- Electrical adapter—France uses Type E plugs with two round pins
Itinerary
- 1 — Early dinner at a traditional brasserie. Sleep early to adjust to time zone. — Arrive at CDG, take RER B train to central Paris (45 minutes, €10). Check into hotel, walk around neighborhood to fight jet lag. — Light sightseeing: stroll along Seine, see Notre-Dame exterior, browse Latin Quarter. Have coffee at a sidewalk café. — Buy a Navigo weekly metro pass (€30) if staying 5+ days in Paris.
- 2 — Dinner in Le Marais district. Try classic French onion soup or coq au vin. — Louvre Museum with pre-booked time slot (9am recommended). Focus on highlights: Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory. — Walk through Tuileries Garden to Place de la Concorde. Window shop on Rue de Rivoli or Champs-Élysées. — Louvre admission: €22. Free first Sunday mornings October-March.
- 3 — Food market exploration: Marché des Enfants Rouges or evening stroll through Saint-Germain. — Eiffel Tower with pre-booked elevator tickets. Go early (9-10am) for shorter lines and better photos. — Seine river cruise (1 hour, €15) or walk along Left Bank to Latin Quarter. Visit Sainte-Chapelle for stunning stained glass. — Eiffel Tower elevator to top: €29. Stairs to 2nd floor only: €12.
- 4 — Return to Paris, light dinner near your hotel. — Day trip to Palace of Versailles. Take RER C train (45 minutes, €7 round trip). Tour palace and gardens. — Explore Versailles gardens, rent bikes to cover more ground (€8/hour). — Versailles admission: €20 palace, €27 including gardens. Closed Mondays.
- 5 — Check into hotel in Tours or Amboise. Dinner featuring local Loire Valley wines. — Take train to Tours (1.5 hours, €35-65). Pick up rental car or join château tour. — Visit Château de Chambord, Loire Valley's most famous castle. — Château de Chambord: €16. Open daily. Car rental: €40-60/day.
- 6 — Amboise town exploration, dinner at local restaurant. — Château de Chenonceau, the 'Ladies' Castle' built over water. — Drive through Loire countryside, stop at local vineyard for tasting. — Chenonceau: €18. Audio guide included. Wine tastings: €5-15.
- 7 — Dinner in Vieux Nice (Old Town), try socca (chickpea pancake) and local rosé wine. — Train to Nice (3 hours from Tours via Paris, or direct TGV seasonal, €120-180). — Check into hotel, walk Promenade des Anglais along Mediterranean coast. — Nice has small airport 20 minutes from center if flying home from here.
- 8 — Return to Nice, sunset aperitif overlooking the sea. — Day trip to Monaco (1 hour by train, €4). Visit Monte Carlo Casino and Prince's Palace. — Walk through Monaco-Ville, see changing of the guard at 11:55am. — Monaco is expensive—budget €20+ for basic lunch. Casino entry: €17.
- 9 — Return to Nice, farewell dinner with bouillabaisse (fish stew). — Train to Cannes (30 minutes, €7) to see film festival location and luxury shopping. — Beach time or drive to hilltop village of Grasse for perfume factory tours. — Grasse perfume tours: €15-25. Book ahead in summer.
- 10 — Departure day or extend trip. — Nice food market (Cours Saleya), buy picnic supplies. — Relax on beach or take final walk through city center. — Nice airport train connection: €2, 20 minutes from city center.