How To Plan Your Dream French Escape

World-renowned cities, iconic landmarks, history-filled monuments, charming villages of Southern France, stunning beaches of the French Riviera, and a rich culinary scene are some of the things that make France a dream destination.

With so many enticing offerings, it’s natural to feel a bit overwhelmed. But fear not, for France is a land of many offerings, and with a well-planned itinerary, you can navigate this destination with ease. Planning well not only ensures a smooth journey but also allows you to see and experience more, making your trip truly unforgettable.

Planning for that French vacation? Follow these 12 steps to ensure you see and experience more for less.

Table of Contents

Check for Travel Restrictions

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Before you plan your trip to France, be sure to check whether you need a visa. For Americans, Canadians, and UK citizens, a visa is not required if you will be in France for a maximum of 90 days within 180 days. If you plan to stay for more than 90 days, you will have to apply for a visa. If you are not from the Schengen area, you will need to check the visa requirements before you start planning your trip.

Besides, you want to check the validity of your passport and ensure it is at least three months old beyond your departure date. There is no need to start booking flights and lodging only to find that you may not be able to travel on the intended dates.

Choose the Perfect Time To Visit

Proceed to decide when you will be traveling through France. Are you a winter, summer, spring, or fall person? Every season has something to offer, so decide which season suits you best. If you want to explore beaches, coastal towns, lavender fields, and vineyards, plan for a summer vacation.

Skiers heading out to one of France’s numerous ski resorts would want to book their trips in the peak of winter, while people looking to hop from one town and village to another would be better off going with spring or autumn.

However, if you are comfortable braving the frigid weather, you can find great deals exploring French towns and small villages in winter.

We recommend that you consider booking for the next season rather than the upcoming ones. Booking way in advance almost always guarantees savings. Additionally, if you are more into saving while traveling, consider the shoulder season, which in most French destinations would be May/June and September/October.

Decide for How Long You Would Be Out There

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How long you decide to explore France will help you determine where exactly to go and how long you would spend on each destination. Whether you are spending 90 days or just a week in France, consider going slow in your exploration. Jumping from one city to another adds no depth and value to your trip.

You would be better off focusing on Paris if you have 4-5 days to 1 week. There is so much to see in Paris that first-timers need at least four days. You, however, can take day trips to nearby attractions like the Palace of Versailles and a few other cities just a few hours away from Paris.

Depending on your time, your budget, and travel preferences, you can spend 2-3 days in other French destinations like Strasbourg, Lyon, Marseille, Cassis, Nice, Normandy, Toulouse and Bordeaux. The good thing about being based in these cities is that they have much to offer, and they also provide opportunities to take quick day trips to smaller towns and villages nearby.

Define Your Budget

Defining your budget will come in handy in many ways. While the primary goal would be to make sure that you stay within your limits, setting your budget will let you decide what airline to fly with, what destinations to travel to, your eating habits, what activities to engage in, what destinations to visit, and even how long to stay.

Remember, if you do not use euros in your country, familiarize yourself with the exchange rates as you budget. This will help you budget appropriately and know when you’re getting ripped off or getting a good deal when you exchange currencies.

Research and Pick Destinations

Select destinations you would be exploring depending on the season you visit and your travel preferences. However, remember to prioritize some destinations; there is a good reason they are labeled as “must-visits.” If you are in France for at least a month, some destinations you cannot afford to miss include Paris, Provence, the French Riviera, Loire Valley, and Alsace.

However, to add more depth and value to your trip, go beyond the “must-visits” and explore hidden gems like Annecy, Carcassonne, and Dordogne.

Again, remember that the destination you choose depends on your preferences. A simple search like “fairy-tale villages in France,” “best beach destinations in the French Riviera,” or “best destinations for wine lovers in France” will help you find destinations that match your interests.

Plan Your Itinerary

After you have chosen all your destinations, plan your itinerary. Start by listing all major attractions, activities, and experiences you want in the selected cities. Check out what is there to see, how long it takes, and how crowded the place gets. This will help you allocate the right amount of time.

Be realistic while planning your itinerary. However tempting it may sound, avoid planning for every second; leave some room for spontaneity and unexpected issues such as long lines. Allocate enough time for each destination and consider travel time between them. To execute this perfectly, read both positive and negative reviews for the attractions and activities you will be pursuing.

Book Flights

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We compare all airlines with this search engine to get the lowest price possible for flights. You can also set ‘Everywhere’ as destination and it gives you the cheapest flight anywhere on any given day or find out when is the lowest price to fly to a specific destination.

Search for flights here

Remember, booking your flights earlier can help you save money. Also, if possible, remain flexible with your travel dates to take advantage of cheaper flights.

Depending on your city of departure and preferences, you can choose to fly into Nice, for example, and fly out from Paris. This is an especially great option to consider for people whose focus is the French Riviera. You can start by exploring your area of interest and finish with Paris as you fly out back home or to your next destination. Simply put, you do not have to start with Paris; it can come last.

Arrange Accommodation

As you travel through France, you have diverse accommodation options. Depending on your budget and travel habits, you can choose from hotels, Airbnb, hostels, or boutique stays. We book almost all of our stays with Booking.com, as it is reliable and there is variety for all budgets and tastes.

🏨 Explore all your accommodation options here

Whatever you choose, check whether the neighborhood is safe and how far it is from major attractions. Many French cities are well connected with public transport, so you do not need to stay super close to major attractions. For more serenity and value, even in terms of restaurants, stay at least 10- 20 minutes away from major attractions.

Organize for Transportation Within France

Consider getting public transport passes for the days you will be in major cities like Paris, Marseille, and Lyon. For traveling from one destination to another, consider getting rail passes. Rail passes are, however, the best option for people staying longer or those who will be exploring many destinations during their trip.

We use this search engine to find the best deals in train tickets. You can compare and book journeys by train, bus and flight.

Search for train tickets here

If you are planning a short trip or will be visiting 2-4 destinations, rail passes may not be economical. If this is the case, you can book your train tickets early or even buses with Omio. Renting a car might be more convenient for exploring rural areas or regions like Provence. Weigh your options depending on where you will be going before choosing what suits you best.

Plan Activities and Tours

Reserve tickets for popular attractions like the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Orsay Museum, or Château de Versailles to avoid long lines. Remember, some of these tickets get sold out weeks in advance, so do it early.

You may also want to consider booking guided tours to different attractions. Guided tours offer a deeper understanding of historical sites and local culture. Just be sure to read some reviews before booking tours with local companies.

We usually book tickets and tours with Get Your Guide or Viator.

Learn Basic French Phrases

Yes, there is no doubt that you will meet some English-speaking people. However, that will mostly be in major cities and touristy areas. Also, we know that you can pull your phone out and use translators. You, however, will be better off learning a few essential French phrases.

Learn to say hi (the French take greetings seriously), thank you, please, excuse me, and other etiquette and essential day-to-day phrases.

Good for you if you already speak some French! It will come in handy if you decide to interact with locals.

Pack Smart

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Pack clothing according to the season and activities planned. Remember not to underpack or overpack. Just bring what you are sure you cannot do without. If you do not wear heels in your daily life, you will not suddenly want to wear them on your vacation—leave them at home. If you do not read frequently, you will not do it on the train rides from one destination to another—leave the book at home. Pack smart by ensuring you bring only the things you will use. To make sure you leave no essentials behind, work with a packing list.

Unless you use particular brands you are sure you will not find in France, plan to buy your toiletries when you arrive. You could also check if your accommodation will provide some.

Now, onto the most essential parts – do not forget to park important travel documents. These include your passport (of course), driver’s license, tickets for events and activities you have booked, and travel insurance plan details. Bon voyage!