Travel Tips for the European Countries: France

About the country

The country that brings in the most tourists then any other is France. Between the breathtaking Alps and the glistening beaches it's easy to see why. Combine that with France's great reputation for fine wines, good food, high fashion and relaxed lifestyle you have yourself a fantastic destination. While France is undoubtedly a place to eat and drink, there's so much more to this mesmerizing country.

Spring is an ideal time to be here and yes if you came for the winter sports you can be dropped off at the Alps and Pyrenees with your polar gear! The summers are very hot and winters are pretty moderate. Your best bet will be an all-weather coat and pair of comfortable shoes. Women should be sure to have a cocktail dress since some of the restaurants will ask for it. When visiting any religious site, refrain from wearing sleeveless shirt and shorts, they are definitely frowned upon.

Culture

Even though French is the official language, English is spoken as well. So you should be ok if you haven't memorized the English – French dictionary yet! Handshaking is a
customary greeting here and when you are greeting a woman they should be kissed on both cheeks. They should also be addressed as Monsieur or Madame. The French are known for their obsession for stylish sportswear and of course perfumes. Nudism is allowed on only some of the beaches – so be sure to check and look around before you disrobe. You could be saving yourself from a very embarrassing vacation memory! Social functions, fine restaurants, and clubs call for formal dressing. When at a formal dinner, wait until the host gestures to start the dinner. Smoking is banned in public places.

Sightseeing

Paris, the city of love, is a colossal city with countless attractions, all in which are easily accessible thanks to the highly efficient public transport system. It has more than 80 museums and 200 art galleries. A trip to Disney land and the magnificent Eiffel tower will make the trip worthwhile. The popular tourist spots are the Arc de triomphe, which spans over the tomb of an unknown soldier, the forbidding gothic architecture of the Notre Dame cathedral, the picturesque Sacre Coeur, to Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the Moulin Rouge and boat tours along the Seine. A good idea is to get the Carte Musees-Monuments pass, which will give you access to 70 monuments and museums.

Shopping

Although service tax is included in the bill, a modest tip would be appreciated. An extra dollar can always be given as tip to the waiter. A tip of $2 can be left for the bus drivers.

Electricity

220-volt, 50-cycle AC current.

Getting There

The national airline here is Air France. A lot of budget friendly airlines provide services from UK. Paris-Charles de Gaulle, also known as Roissy-Charles de Gaulle, is the major airport of France, which is 23km away from the city. Coaches, taxis, and limousines services are provided at the airport. The railway facility that is at the airport is said to reach all the terminals within eight minutes and they run 24 hours. That itself is almost reason enough to add another stamp to your passport! The other airports that offer flight services are Paris-Orly, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, Lyon and Toulouse.

Ferry and cruise trips can be made from ports such as Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean, and Havre.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco
2. 1liter of spirits over 22 per cent or 2liter of alcoholic beverage up to 22 per cent
3. 2liter of wine
4. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
5. 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract
6. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract

Food and agricultural products should be avoided.