Visiting France: A Quick Guide to Planning Your French Travel

Planning your French travel? You absolutely should — and not just on a whim.

France isn’t just another destination to tick off your list.

It’s a place that captures your senses, steals your heart, and keeps calling you back.

With its rich culture, stunning landscapes, world-famous cuisine and timeless charm, it’s no wonder so many people dream of visiting at least once in their lives.

But let’s be honest: planning a trip to France isn’t always straightforward, especially if you’re coming from far away.

Between the logistics, the language barrier, the regional quirks and the sheer number of things to see, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — or worse, underprepared.

And trust us, winging it in France? Not always a great idea.

That’s why a little bit of planning can go a long way.

In this article, I’ll walk you through a few essential tips to make sure your French getaway starts on the right foot — and doesn’t turn into a travel tale you’d rather forget. Let’s dive in!

4 Tips for Planning Your French Travel

1. Sort Out Your Travel Arrangements

Let’s start with the basics: how are you getting to France?

Depending on where you’re coming from, this could mean booking a flight, hopping on a train, or even catching a ferry.

The best option really depends on your location, your budget, your schedule… and your preferences.

If you don’t like flying, for instance, that narrows things down quickly — and that’s totally fine.

Some people prefer to drive. Others enjoy the scenic route by train. If you live in Europe already, the Eurostar is a brilliant option.

And if you’re just across the Channel, taking the ferry can turn travel into part of the adventure.

Our advice? Look into all the available routes.

Compare prices, travel times, and comfort levels.

Choose the option that fits you best.

A stress-free journey is the perfect way to start your French adventure.

2. Plan Entertainment for Your Travel

Once your transport is booked, don’t forget to plan for the journey itself. Long trips can drag if you’re not prepared.

Bring a good book. Download a podcast. Load up your favourite playlist.

Some travellers enjoy reading about French culture on the way, getting into the spirit before they even land.

Others prefer distraction — think solitaire or other games to ease the nerves.

And hey, why not practice a bit of French en route? Even a few basic phrases can go a long way once you arrive.

Locals really do appreciate the effort, and you’ll feel more confident navigating cafés, markets, and train stations.

So… headphones, snacks, a little French vocab. Voilà — you’re all set!

3. Look Into Public Transport

Now let’s talk about getting around once you’re in France.

In big cities like Paris, Lyon, or Marseille, walking is king.

Streets are made for strolling, and the architecture alone makes it worth your while. But when you want to save time or energy, you’ve got great options.

Public transport in France is efficient and generally easy to use.

Trains and buses are reliable, even in smaller towns. The TGV (high-speed train) is perfect for longer trips across the country.

And don’t overlook the fun alternatives — like renting a bike or even catching a river shuttle in certain regions.

Yes, you can rent a car. And if you’re planning a countryside road trip — especially in Provence, Alsace, or the Loire Valley — that can be a fantastic choice.

But in the cities? Not ideal. Traffic is dense, parking is scarce, and you’ll miss out on the charm of slow exploration.

So, take a breath, grab a transit map… and enjoy the ride.

4. Take Safety Precautions

France is a safe country overall, but like any popular destination, it has its share of pickpockets — especially in touristy spots like Paris.

The key? Stay aware. Not paranoid, just alert. Don’t leave bags open. Keep valuables close. Avoid flashing expensive items in crowded areas.

Simple habits can save you a lot of stress.

Crossbody bags with zippers are your friend. Don’t leave your phone half-sticking out of your back pocket (yes, it happens!).

If it makes you feel more secure, some travellers carry small personal alarms or use money belts — not glamorous, but practical.

And remember: this advice applies pretty much anywhere in the world.

A little caution means a lot more peace of mind… and lets you focus on enjoying everything France has to offer.

4 Great Places to Start Planning Your French Travel

There’s so much to see in France — especially when you’re planning your very first trip. I’ve picked four great locations to give you a first taste of the country, including one that’s perfect for kids.

Exploring Paris

If the whole reason that you are hoping to visit France is because you want to go to Paris, you are not alone.

There are so many wonderful things in Paris, so many incredible cultural experiences, and that’s what draws so many here.

For example, the most popular attraction is, of course, the Eiffel Tower, and it would be virtually impossible to go to Paris and not experience this.

You can ride the elevator right the way to the top, and get the most breathtaking view ever while you’re up there.

As well as this, you can experience some incredible coffee at the local cafés, food to die for in their local restaurants, and immerse yourself in the art scene.

There is so much to see and do in Paris that you could spend weeks here and never get bored.

Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is an incredible experience for people of all ages.

Despite what some people think, Disney is not just for kids, and if you want to visit this incredible place, you should.

The magic feeling the second you step on Disney property is not something that you will ever forget, nor is it something you will ever experience anywhere other than the various locations around the world.

With some of the best rides, character meets, and memories that will last a lifetime, you will never regret coming here.

As long as you are aware before you get there that there will be large queues and people everywhere, that might be something that you need to prepare yourself for.

Either way, it’s an experience that you don’t want to miss, and everyone coming to Paris should make time for.

The French Alps

The French Alps are a portion of the Alps mountain range, and are a popular tourist spot for those who love to ski.

Skiing holidays often take place here, and you can stay in one of the nearby towns or cities, meaning that you can easily access them.

For example, some of the more notable places nearby include Chamonix and Grenoble, so it’s worth looking into these options.

If you’ve never been skiing before but you would like to, there are lessons on offer in the area.

You can even stay in the Alps in a chalet if this is something that appeals to you on your French vacation.

Nice and the Riviera

Welcome to Nice in the Riviera, a wonderful place to visit, even just for a weekend.

There’s so much to see, from the beachfront (La Promenade des Anglais) to the narrow Italianate streets of the old town.

If you are travelling from England, it won’t take long to fly here.

If you are a fan of museums, then you won’t be disappointed on your trip over to Nice, as there are a total of four main ones to see.

The old town has plenty in the way of nightlife, if you love going out at night to drink. 

Why not get yourself booked onto one of the excursions or bike tours that will take you around the city?

Make sure you check reviews from previous travellers to see what they did and who they booked with.

The last thing you want is to get there and not have anywhere nice (in Nice!) to stay. 

We do hope you found this article on planning your French travel helpful and that it gave you some idea of what to do if you find yourself visiting France.

France is a wonderful country, so be sure to visit and make lots of memories.