What awaits travelers in France?
France stretches from the art metropolis Paris through the wine region of Bordeaux to the Côte d'Azur near Nice and the food city of Lyon. The TGV network connects these four legs in 2 to 6 hours, making it possible to combine several regions in one trip.
Between the Atlantic coast, the Mediterranean and the Alps lie more climate zones and landscapes than in almost any other Western European country: temperate-oceanic Paris, the mild wine country on the Gironde near Bordeaux, the continental Rhône valley around Lyon, and the Mediterranean south on the Côte d'Azur.
This page summarizes the four main legs Paris, Nice, Bordeaux and Lyon, along with the best time to visit, entry requirements, arrival by flight and TGV, and the advice of the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and BMEIA (as of September 2026).
Sources: France.fr, Atout France · Wikipedia
What kind of travel destination is France?
France combines 18 regions from the Atlantic coast to the Alps, plus overseas départements on three continents. Culturally, the country is shaped by the Roman era, medieval cathedrals, the royal châteaux of the Renaissance, and a diverse regional cuisine.
On the European mainland, France stretches from the chalk cliffs of Normandy through the vineyards of the Bordelais and the volcanic plateaus of the Auvergne to the glaciers of Mont Blanc, at around 4,807 m the highest mountain in Western Europe, on the border with Italy.
Culturally, the country carries traces of over 2,000 years: Roman arenas in Nîmes and Arles, Gothic cathedrals such as Notre-Dame and Chartres, Renaissance châteaux along the Loire, and a colonial history still visible today in overseas départements such as Guadeloupe and Réunion.
The official language is French; regional languages such as Breton, Occitan, Corsican and Alsatian are maintained without official status. With around 69 million residents, France is one of the most populous countries in the EU.
Which regions of France are worth visiting?
The four main legs are the capital Paris, the Côte d'Azur around Nice, the wine country of Bordeaux, and the Rhône metropolis of Lyon. Each region has its own international airport and can be connected to the others by TGV in 2 to 6 hours.
Paris
The capital on the Seine is one of the most visited cities in the world. The Eiffel Tower receives around 7 million visitors a year, 75% of them from abroad; the banks of the Seine with the Louvre, Notre-Dame and the Île de la Cité have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.
Around 20 km outside the city lies the Palace of Versailles with its gardens, a popular day trip by suburban train. Within the city itself, boulevards, arcades and museums such as the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay shape the scene; the Louvre is one of the most visited museums in the world, and those wanting to avoid crowds book a timed-entry ticket for early morning.
Nice and the Côte d'Azur
Nice lies on the Promenade des Anglais on the Mediterranean and, with Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) just 6 km from the center, is France's third-largest airport. The old town and the city's historic winter resort residences have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021 as "Nice, Winter Resort Town of the Riviera."
From Nice, Cannes, Antibes and the Principality of Monaco are a short drive away; the coastal road, the Corniche, links the towns with views over the Mediterranean. Cannes lies around 30 km west of Nice and is in high international demand during the film festival in May.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux lies on the Garonne at the heart of France's largest contiguous wine-growing area. The city's historic harbor, the "Port de la Lune," has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007; the reflecting pool in front of the Place de la Bourse is one of the most photographed spots in the city.
From Bordeaux, the wine towns of Saint-Émilion and the Médoc are less than an hour's drive away, and the Dune of Pilat and the Atlantic beaches of Nouvelle-Aquitaine are also within day-trip range. The growing region has over 60 of its own appellations; many wine estates (châteaux) offer tours with tastings.
Lyon
Lyon lies at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers and is considered by many to be France's culinary capital. The old town, Vieux Lyon, with its passages known as "traboules," and the hill of Fourvière have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998 as the "Historic Site of Lyon."
Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS) lies 20 km southeast of the city with a direct rail connection; from Lyon, the way to the Alps, the Beaujolais wine region and the rest of the Rhône valley is short. Around 500 traboules are documented in the old town, some of which are open to the public.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre · France.fr, Atout France · France.fr, Atout France
Destinations
Regions with their own page
When is the best time to visit France?
France can be visited year-round; the south on the Côte d'Azur is warmest and driest in July and August at over 28°C, while spring and autumn are mildest in Paris, Bordeaux and Lyon. Rain falls throughout the year, most heavily in late autumn on the Atlantic coast and in the Rhône valley.
Station data show four distinct climate zones: temperate-oceanic Paris, Mediterranean Nice, the mild Atlantic climate of Bordeaux, and the continental Rhône valley around Lyon, which has the highest summer temperatures of the four cities.
Paris, Nice (Côte d'Azur), Bordeaux and Lyon throughout the year
| Paris | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 8 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 18 | 12 | 9 |
| Low °C | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Rainfall mm | 54 | 50 | 52 | 39 | 64 | 60 | 55 | 59 | 42 | 57 | 61 | 69 |
| Nizza (Côte d'Azur) | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 14 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 22 | 18 | 15 |
| Low °C | 6 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 15 | 10 | 7 |
| Rainfall mm | 55 | 53 | 62 | 56 | 48 | 29 | 17 | 23 | 47 | 88 | 123 | 81 |
| Bordeaux | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 11 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 22 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 25 | 21 | 15 | 12 |
| Low °C | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Rainfall mm | 82 | 58 | 63 | 58 | 66 | 56 | 41 | 46 | 46 | 68 | 85 | 80 |
| Lyon | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 8 | 10 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 25 | 19 | 13 | 9 |
| Low °C | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 5 | 2 |
| Rainfall mm | 62 | 50 | 61 | 66 | 84 | 71 | 69 | 73 | 60 | 85 | 87 | 73 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station PARIS-MONTSOURIS (5 km, 77 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station NICE COTE D AZUR (7 km, 4 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station BORDEAUX MERIGNAC (11 km, 49 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station LYON BRON (9 km, 201 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
Paris stays temperate, with highs around 24 to 27°C in June and July, and rainfall spread throughout the year. Nice reaches over 28°C in July and August with hardly any rain, while October to December brings the most rainfall of the year.
Bordeaux, with highs up to 28.5°C in August, is close to Nice, but has Atlantic rain year-round, most in November and December. Lyon shows the highest summer values of the four cities at 29.5°C in July, and colder winters than Bordeaux and Paris.
Major public events such as the Cannes Film Festival in May or the Tour de France in July/August draw additional crowds; on the Côte d'Azur, room prices rise significantly in midsummer.
Sources: France.fr, Atout France
What do you need to enter France?
Swiss, German and Austrian nationals do not need a visa for tourist stays: France is a Schengen member, and a valid passport or ID card is sufficient (as of September 2026). The current information from the official authorities remains authoritative.
- Switzerland: As a Schengen-associated state, Swiss nationals enter with a passport or identity card, without checks at the internal border; the FDFA refers detailed questions to the embassy.
- Germany: According to the Federal Foreign Office, a passport, provisional passport, ID card, provisional ID card or child's passport is sufficient; the documents may be expired for at most one year.
- Austria: According to BMEIA, a passport or ID card valid for the entire length of stay is sufficient; the document must be carried at all times.
- Other nationalities: Separate visa rules apply depending on the country of origin; French embassies and consulates provide information.
France is a full member of the Schengen area; border checks are waived within the zone, though the requirement to carry ID still applies. At the borders with Switzerland, Italy and Spain, France may temporarily carry out checks on persons.
The current information from the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office, BMEIA and the French authorities at the time of travel is authoritative.
Sources: Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria
What vaccinations and health precautions does France require?
No vaccination is required for entry. Healthytravel.ch recommends the routine vaccinations under the Swiss vaccination schedule and hepatitis A for stays in rural areas with basic hygiene conditions; malaria does not occur in France.
According to healthytravel.ch, all travelers should be vaccinated against poliomyelitis, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, measles-mumps-rubella and chickenpox; since measles continues to occur in Europe, all visitors should be immune to measles.
Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever and chikungunya are transmitted locally in France, regularly in southern départements and also in the Île-de-France region around Paris; healthytravel.ch recommends round-the-clock mosquito protection, even in cities.
In the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region around Lyon, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) occurs; vaccination is recommended for stays in endemic areas. The CDC additionally names rabies risk from animal contact and leptospirosis from freshwater contact.
Medical care is of a high standard throughout the country; the European Health Insurance Card is valid for emergencies. For mountain tours on Mont Blanc or in the Alps, travel insurance covering rescue costs is advisable.
Sources: healthytravel.ch, Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
How safe is France for travelers?
France is considered a safe travel destination, with the Vigipirate counter-terrorism plan permanently in force. Everyday risks include pickpocketing in Paris and on the Côte d'Azur, as well as robberies on night trains toward southern France. Check the current situation with the Swiss FDFA (EDA), the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA.
The Federal Foreign Office warns of pickpocketing and scams in Paris and other major cities, as well as organized attacks on vehicles; overnight stays at highway rest areas are advised against. Night trains to southern France are considered particularly at risk of theft.
BMEIA names attacks by moped riders on vehicle occupants, particularly on the Côte d'Azur, and warns of unrest at demonstrations in major cities. In the summer months, forest fire risk also rises in the south and west.
France sometimes reintroduces checks on persons at the borders with Switzerland, Italy and other neighboring countries. Official taxis or app-based ride services are recommended, along with heightened vigilance in busy public places.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria
How do you get to France and travel around the country?
International flights mainly land in Paris (CDG, ORY), Nice (NCE), Bordeaux (BOD) and Lyon (LYS); with nonstop connections to 286 destinations in 110 countries, CDG is one of the busiest airports in Europe. TGV high-speed trains running up to 320 km/h connect the major cities.
| Route | Mode of transport | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Paris – Lyon | TGV | around 1 h 55 min |
| Paris – Bordeaux | TGV | around 2 h 02 min (fastest connection) |
| Paris – Nice | TGV | around 5 h 40 min |
| CDG Airport – Paris center | RER B, bus, taxi | around 30–50 min |
| Nice Airport – Nice center | Tram, bus, taxi | 6 km, around 15–20 min |
With nonstop destinations on every continent, Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is one of the largest airports in Europe; the longest nonstop route goes to Perth in Australia. From North America there are numerous connections, for example to New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta; from the Middle East, among others, from Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi; and from Asia, from Tokyo, Shanghai and Bangkok.
Nice-Côte d'Azur (NCE), around 6 km from the center, is France's third-largest airport; Bordeaux-Mérignac (BOD) lies 12 km west of Bordeaux, and Lyon-Saint-Exupéry (LYS) 20 km southeast of Lyon with a direct rail connection.
The Inoui-brand TGV trains reach up to 320 km/h and connect Paris with Lyon in under 2 hours and with Bordeaux in a good 2 hours; toward Nice the trains run on the high-speed line only as far as Marseille, then slower, so the total journey takes around 5 hours 40 minutes.
At the land borders with Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, France may temporarily carry out checks on persons; a passport or ID card is nevertheless sufficient for rail and road border crossings.
Sources: FlightConnections · France.fr, Atout France · Trainline · Federal Foreign Office, Germany
What money do you need in France and how do you pay?
The national currency is the euro; card payment is possible practically everywhere, even for small amounts, and ATMs are available in every city. Tipping in restaurants and cafés is already included in the bill as "service compris"; extra coins are a voluntary gesture.
Since 1980, a service charge of around 15% has been legally included in the price at restaurants and cafés; a separate tip is therefore not obligatory. It is nevertheless common to leave one or two euros or small change on the table when leaving, or 5 to 10% of the bill for especially good service.
Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere; contactless payment without entering a PIN is standard for amounts up to 50 euros. ATMs (distributeurs automatiques de billets) can be found at train stations, airports and on shopping streets.
Taxis, hotels and smaller shops in the countryside sometimes still ask for cash; outside the major cities, a small reserve of euros in cash is therefore worthwhile.
Sources: France.fr, Atout France
Where is the best place to stay in France?
In Paris, most travelers stay centrally near the Seine or around the Marais and Montmartre; on the Côte d'Azur, directly on the promenade in Nice or in quieter neighboring towns. In Bordeaux and Lyon, the old towns themselves are at the center of the respective region.
Paris offers accommodation from simple hotels to luxury properties in practically every arrondissement; those wanting to stay central choose neighborhoods near the Seine or around the Marais and Montmartre.
In Nice, most hotels lie along the Promenade des Anglais or in the old town; those preferring somewhere quieter stay in Villefranche-sur-Mer or Cap Ferrat. In Bordeaux, the old town itself sits on the banks of the Garonne; in Lyon, between the Rhône and Saône in the Presqu'île district or in Vieux Lyon.
What do you eat in France?
French cuisine has been recognized as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage since 2010 ("the gastronomic meal of the French"); regionally it ranges from oysters and entrecôte in Bordeaux to Lyon's bouchon cuisine to Mediterranean cooking with olive oil and fish on the Côte d'Azur.
Lyon is considered by many to be France's culinary capital: the traditional "bouchons" serve quenelles, andouillette and coq au vin. Bordeaux is known for oysters from the Arcachon Bay, entrecôte "à la bordelaise," and the wines of the surrounding region.
On the Côte d'Azur, Mediterranean dishes such as salade niçoise, ratatouille and bouillabaisse shape the menus. Paris offers the greatest variety, from classic bistros with steak-frites to Michelin-starred restaurants.
Cheese is part of the food culture: France counts well over 300 recognized varieties. From a restaurant's cheese trolley, it is customary to take only 2 to 3 small pieces.
Sources: France.fr, Atout France
What culture and festivals shape France?
With 56 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in total, France is among the countries with the most worldwide, from the banks of the Seine in Paris to the port of Bordeaux. Major annual events include the Cannes Film Festival in May and the Tour de France in July.
The national holiday on July 14 commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789 and is celebrated nationwide with military parades and fireworks. In Nice, carnival lasts two weeks each February with flower parades along the Promenade des Anglais.
French cuisine was recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage in 2010, and the Cannes Film Festival is among the most significant in the world. In Lyon, the "Fête des Lumières" in December marks the city's history with light installations.
Regional identities remain strong: from Breton music to the Occitan language in southern France to Basque culture on the Spanish border.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre
What experiences are worthwhile in France?
Highlights include the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in Paris, a day trip to Versailles, the beaches and mountain villages of the Côte d'Azur, wine tastings around Bordeaux, and the old town and gastronomy of Lyon.
Paris and surroundings
The Eiffel Tower receives around 7 million people a year; those wanting to avoid waiting times book tickets online in advance. The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world; the Palace of Versailles with its gardens lies around 20 km outside the city and is reachable as a day trip by suburban train.
Côte d'Azur
From Nice, Cannes, Antibes and the Principality of Monaco are just a few train minutes away; the coastal road, the Corniche, offers views over the Mediterranean. The old town of Nice and its historic winter resort residences have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021.
Bordeaux and wine country
Wine tastings in Saint-Émilion or the Médoc are reachable in less than an hour's drive from Bordeaux. The Cité du Vin is dedicated to the cultural history of wine, and the harbor, the "Port de la Lune," is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lyon
The old town, Vieux Lyon, with its Renaissance façades and the secret passages known as "traboules," is explorable on foot; the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière on the hill of the same name offers a view over the city at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône.
- Mont Blanc: at around 4,807 m the highest mountain in Western Europe, on the border with Italy, a starting point for hiking and mountaineering from Chamonix.
- Loire châteaux: reachable by train from Paris, including Chambord and Chenonceau.
- Corsica: its own Mediterranean island with mountains and beaches, reachable by flight or ferry from the mainland.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Wikipedia
How do you travel responsibly in France?
The dense TGV network often makes train travel between the major cities faster than short-haul flights and considerably more climate-friendly; since 2023, some domestic flight routes with a TGV alternative under 2.5 hours have been legally banned.
- Cover short routes such as Paris–Lyon or Paris–Bordeaux by TGV instead of by plane where possible.
- Travel to overcrowded places such as Mont-Saint-Michel or the old town of Nice outside peak season.
- Take forest fire risk in the south seriously: no open fires during dry periods, and respect closures.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany
Which countries can France be combined with?
The most obvious options are the neighboring countries along the TGV network: Italy via Nice-Ventimiglia, Spain via Bordeaux, and Switzerland via Lyon-Geneva, plus Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany to the north and east. Mont Blanc lies directly on the border with Italy.
From Nice, Liguria and the Italian Riviera are reachable in a short train or car ride; from Lyon, TGV connections run toward Geneva and the rest of Switzerland. Bordeaux lies on the route toward Spain and San Sebastián.
At the borders with Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, France may temporarily carry out checks on persons; a valid passport or ID card is sufficient there as well.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Wikipedia
Who is France suited for, and who less so?
France suits travelers who want to combine art cities, wine, gastronomy and Mediterranean beaches in one trip and travel between legs by TGV. It is less suitable for anyone wanting to avoid busy hotspots such as the Eiffel Tower or the Côte d'Azur in midsummer.
France is a good fit for culture and gourmet tours, for wine enthusiasts, and for families wanting to combine city trips with beaches. Those seeking mountains will find genuine high-mountain landscape at Mont Blanc and in the Alps.
The high season in July and August on the Côte d'Azur is less ideal: crowded beaches, high prices and heavy traffic. Anyone wanting to travel spontaneously without reservations will find fully booked accommodation in Paris and Nice during peak season.