Two Week TripTravel news & blogs

France

France travel news and blogs: Paris, the regions, high-speed rail, cycling routes and food, gathered from travel publishers worldwide.

Planning a trip to France

What this page covers

This page collects travel stories about France and its cities, including Paris, from news publishers and travel blogs. France is one of the most visited countries in the world, and the stories here cover everything from rail and cycling routes to food, festivals and travel news.

Before you go

France is part of the Schengen area, so short stays for many visitors are governed by shared Schengen rules. The EU is introducing new digital border checks and pre-travel authorisation for non-EU visitors, so check the current requirements for your passport on official EU and French government sources before you travel.

Getting around

High-speed TGV trains link Paris with most major cities, and regional TER trains reach smaller towns. Fares on high-speed routes usually rise as the travel date approaches, so book early for the best prices. Driving is the easiest way to explore the countryside; most motorways charge tolls, and the smaller national and departmental roads are slower but free and often more scenic.

Seasons and holidays

Summer is peak season on the coasts and in the mountains. August is when many French people take their own holidays, so beaches and campsites fill up while some city businesses close. Late spring and early autumn bring pleasant weather and thinner crowds, and the Alps have a separate ski season in winter.

Beyond Paris

Paris deserves its reputation, but much of France's character is in the regions: wine country, Alpine valleys, the Mediterranean coast, Brittany and the villages of the southwest. Pairing a few days in Paris with one region, rather than trying to cover the whole country, tends to make for a better trip.