Paris, FrancePhoto: Uoaei1, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in France
France, made simple: long lunches, fast trains and villages full of light
France gives you Paris and its museums, lavender and hill villages in Provence, the blue sea of the Riviera, Lyon's legendary food, châteaux along the Loire and vineyards in every direction, all joined by fast TGV trains. It is easy and rewarding to travel, but strikes, pickpockets in Paris, Sunday closures, the new European entry systems and timed tickets reward a little planning. This guide takes the guesswork out so you travel with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyEntry rules, seasons, safety advice and health, answered
- LandingAirports, trains into town, SIM cards, euros and your first night, explained
- Your days in FranceCities, coasts, villages and vineyards, planned with care
- Home againDeparture tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain cards, cash, tourist taxes, train fares and typical budgets so costs never catch you off guard.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
France should feel like a long, happy lunch from the first croissant, not a puzzle. We answer the questions about entry, money, trains, strikes, tipping and pickpockets before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Coming back from Montreal, London, Dakar, Algiers or Los Angeles to see family, or bringing your children to France for the first time? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your FranceParis, the Riviera, Provence, Lyon or the Loire: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialsEntry rules, the right season and current travel advice, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for bistros, bakeries, markets, museums and stays across the country.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to link Paris and the regions by TGV at a realistic pace.
Everything your France trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Paris, the French Riviera, Provence, Lyon and the Loire Valley, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred bistros, cafés, markets, museums, walks and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Paris, Nice, Lyon and Bordeaux, and stays in every region.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic France trip
Paris, Provence and the Riviera by TGV
Most first trips start with four nights in Paris for the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre and long evenings in the cafés of the Marais. A TGV runs south to Avignon in under three hours for Provence's markets, Roman ruins and hill villages, then on to Nice for the old town, the Promenade des Anglais and day trips along the coast. Ten days covers a good taste; two weeks lets you add Lyon or a few days of châteaux in the Loire.
- The Louvre, Orsay and Montmartre in Paris
- Markets, lavender and hill villages around Avignon
- Old Nice, Èze and Monaco on the Riviera
- Bouchons and the old town in Lyon
Plan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
France rewards a little preparation: entry rules checked for your passport, Louvre and Eiffel Tower slots booked ahead, TGV seats bought early, and a season that suits you, since August is crowded on the coast and quiet in Paris while May, June and September feel ideal. Our free planner helps you shape it.
- Realistic train times between cities
- The right season for beaches, lavender or city breaks
- Where to base yourself in each city
Where to go in France
From the boulevards of Paris and the bouchons of Lyon to Provence's lavender, the Riviera's turquoise coves and the fairy tale châteaux of the Loire.
Île-de-France
Paris
A city of world famous museums, grand boulevards, village neighbourhoods and cafés where lingering is the whole point.
Read the guidePhoto: Uoaei1, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
French Riviera
The glittering Mediterranean coast of turquoise bays, pastel old towns, hilltop villages and art museums, with Nice as an easy base.
Read the guidePhoto: Cayambe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Provence
The sun soaked south of lavender fields, golden villages, Roman ruins and lively morning markets.
Read the guidePhoto: Christian Ferrer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Lyon
A handsome riverside city of Renaissance lanes, secret passages and the warm bouchons that define French comfort food.
Read the guidePhoto: Benoît Prieur, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Centre-Val de Loire
Loire Valley
The garden of France, where royal châteaux, vineyards and quiet cycle paths line a wide, lazy river.
Read the guidePhoto: Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is France safe to visit?
France is a safe country for visitors. The main risks are pickpockets and phone snatching in Paris and Nice, occasional protests and strikes, and a national terrorism alert that means visible security. Read your own government's travel advice before you go.
Do I need a visa for France?
It depends on your passport. France is in the Schengen area, so many nationalities visit visa free for short stays while others need a Schengen visa. Check France-Visas, the official site, and note the new EES border system and upcoming ETIAS.
How many days do I need in France?
Allow four days for Paris alone. Ten days fits Paris plus Provence and the Riviera, and two weeks lets you add Lyon or the Loire Valley at a calm pace.
What is the best time to visit France?
May, June and September are the sweet spot, with warm weather and fewer crowds. July and August are hot and busy on the coast, and December brings Christmas markets in Alsace.
Do people speak English in France?
In Paris, hotels and tourist areas, many people do. Elsewhere it is patchier. Always start with "Bonjour", it changes the whole conversation.
What currency does France use?
The euro. Contactless cards work almost everywhere, but carry some cash for markets, small bakeries and rural cafés.
Ready to find your Bliss in France?
Use the free trip planner to shape your days, or send us a question through the contact page.