A typical first trip here runs about $1,000 to $1,350 per person for 7 days at a mid-range style, before flights. Get your own number from the Budget Calculator.
- Croissants, baguettes, and pain au chocolat for breakfast
- Regional specialties: coq au vin, bouillabaisse, ratatouille
- World-renowned wine regions (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne)
- Strong café culture and leisurely dining
- Bastille Day (July 14) - National celebration with fireworks
- Tour de France cycling race (July)
- Christmas markets in Alsace region
- Cannes Film Festival (May)
French is the primary language. English is spoken in tourist areas, but learning basic French phrases is appreciated.
"Bonjour" (hello) and "merci" (thank you) go a long way.
- Always greet with "Bonjour" when entering shops
- Tipping: 5-10% is customary, service charge usually included
- Dress well - French appreciate good style and presentation
- Avoid loud conversations in public
- Paris: Romance, world-class art and museums, haute cuisine, fashion capital, and iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre
- Provence & Côte d'Azur: Lavender fields, sun-drenched villages, rosé wine, and glamorous Riviera coastline from Nice to Saint-Tropez
- Bordeaux: Premier wine estates, a UNESCO-listed medieval city, and exceptional cuisine in the Périgord and Dordogne areas
- Normandy: D-Day beaches and WWII memorials, the iconic tidal island of Mont Saint-Michel, and apple calvados orchards
- Alsace: Half-timbered villages along the wine route, legendary Christmas markets, and a distinctive Franco-Germanic culture in Strasbourg and Colmar
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