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France Travel Guide
From the grand sights of Paris to the half-timbered streets of Alsace — practical guides to help you plan France with less guesswork.
France rewards a little planning: the right ticket, the right train, the right neighbourhood. Start with a city guide below and build your trip from there.
City guides, attraction tickets, Christmas markets and day trips — all written to save you time and money.
City Guides
Pick your base. Each guide covers what to see, where to stay and how to get around.
Seasonal Guides & Events
France’s most popular seasonal draw — plus live events in the capital.
Strasbourg Christmas Market Guide
Where to go, what to eat and how to plan the 2026 season.
Colmar Christmas Market Guide
A fairytale Alsace market town, an easy trip from Strasbourg.
Christmas Market Dates in Europe
Opening dates for the major markets across the continent.
Céline Dion Paris Tickets
All 26 residency dates and concert-weekend planning.
Planning Your Trip to France
The basics that shape every itinerary.
Best time to visit
Spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–early October) balance weather and crowds. Summer is busy and hot; late November to December brings the Alsace Christmas markets. Check forecasts at Météo-France.
Getting around
High-speed TGV trains link Paris to Strasbourg in under two hours. Book ahead on SNCF Connect for the best fares, and use metros and trams in the cities.
How long to stay
Allow 4–5 days for Paris, and 2–3 days for Strasbourg and Alsace. Add a day each for Versailles or Mont Saint-Michel.
Eating well
Lunch menus are the best value in France. Book popular restaurants ahead, and expect most kitchens to close between lunch and dinner.
France FAQ
Quick answers to the questions we hear most.
What is the best time to visit France?
April to June and September to early October give the best mix of mild weather and manageable crowds. July and August are hot and busy in Paris, while late November to December is the season for Alsace’s Christmas markets.
How many days do you need in France?
A first trip works well with 4–5 days in Paris and 2–3 in a second region such as Alsace. Add more days if you want to include day trips like Versailles or Mont Saint-Michel.
How do you get around France?
Fast TGV and other high-speed trains link Paris with Strasbourg in around 1 hour 50 minutes, and book-ahead fares are much cheaper than same-day tickets. Within cities, walking and metro or tram cover most sights.
Is France expensive to visit?
Paris is the priciest stop, mainly for hotels. Booking skip-the-line tickets, staying slightly outside the centre and eating the set lunch menu keeps costs down.
Where should I go first in France?
Most first-time visitors start with Paris for the big sights, then add Strasbourg for a different feel — half-timbered streets, a Gothic cathedral and Franco-German food.
Official Resources
Official sites worth bookmarking for opening hours, events, transport and the latest travel information.
France.fr
The official French tourism site — regions, themes and inspiration.
Paris Info
The Paris tourist office: events, openings and practical advice.
Visit Strasbourg
The Strasbourg tourist office: sights, events and Christmas market news.
SNCF Connect
Train times and tickets for TGV and regional services.
RATP
Paris metro, RER, bus and tram maps and fares.
Coming to France
Official entry, visa and travel-requirement information.
Exploring beyond France?
Browse our guides to Spain, Italy, Belgium and more European destinations.
Spain Travel Guide