During my trip to France, I didn't have any preconceived notions and only conducted minimal research about the country. Fortunately, having some French friends proved to be a valuable resource as they provided me with tips on navigating France, as well as some insights gleaned from the popular TV show Emily in Paris. France boasts a wealth of history and culture, and everywhere you go feels like walking through a museum. It is also a fashion hub and a popular romantic destination, as portrayed in the aforementioned show.

I highly recommend France as a vacation destination and believe that everyone should visit at least once. This blog aims to give you a better understanding of French culture and the country as a whole, helping you to prepare for your upcoming trip.

Travel Time and Climate: When to Go and What to Expect

If you are flying from the US, and you are on a budget, make sure to pick your time wisely. July and August are the busiest months in France and in Europe in general. Airfare tickets and accommodations are very expensive, and some cities are very busy which may make your trip unenjoyable.

Yazy Tip: Travel during the shoulder months April- June, and September- November. Major cities may still be busy, but you will save some $$

This will lead me to talk about France's Climate:

France has a cool winter and mild summer. Southern France's climate is hot in the summer and mild in the winter. During the shoulder months, the weather in France is very mild. I haven’t been to France in the winter to judge but depends on where you are, the weather can be cold or mild. Southern France for example has a nice mild winter.

Yazy Tip: Check the weather before traveling. Bring a scarf, to warm yourself up when you get cold (The French always have a scarf in their bag).

Language and Culture: Tips for Showing Respect and Communicating

In France, it's important to show respect for the culture, country, and language. One major faux pas is to enter a store and immediately start speaking English without greeting the shopkeeper with a "Bonjour" first (this applies to any country, really). While English is a universal language, it's best not to assume that everyone you encounter will speak it.

You don't need to be fluent in French, but knowing a few key phrases can go a long way. In my experience, people were very kind to me when I made an effort to speak the language, even if my skills were limited. By attempting to communicate in French, you show that you respect the country and its citizens. If someone speaks English, they will likely switch to it to accommodate you.

As a helpful tip, try to learn phrases such as "Good morning," "How are you," "Do you speak English," "Excuse me," "I need help," "How to order coffee," "Pay," "check," and "bye." Additionally, you can download the "French" language on Google Translate to help with communication in situations where someone doesn't speak English.

Paris: Why It's a Must-See Destination, but Not the Only One

Many French people have negative feelings towards Paris, finding it too busy, overwhelming, and overrated compared to other parts of France. Personally, I share this sentiment. During my trip to France, I visited six different cities, and Paris was my least favorite.

However, that's not to say that Paris isn't worth a visit - it absolutely is a must-see destination if you're traveling to France. The key is to explore other cities and regions as well, and not judge the entire country based solely on Paris.

As a helpful tip, I recommend including other cities in your itinerary such as Lyon, Brittany, Annecy, Toulouse, Chamonix, Nice, or any city on the French Riviera. By doing so, you'll get a more well-rounded experience of what France has to offer beyond just Paris.

Food: Where to Eat, What to Try, and How to Avoid Tourist Traps

France is known for its incredible cuisine, and in my experience, I didn't have a single bad meal during my time there. The food was always fresh, delicious, and prepared simply, even in Paris. However, it's important to be mindful of tourist trap restaurants, which can be prevalent in the more touristy areas of the city.

One thing to note is that the French typically eat dinner quite late, usually starting around 8 PM. Many restaurants close for a break after lunch and reopen at 7 PM for dinner service.

For Muslim readers, it's worth noting that halal food is widely available throughout France. If you only eat halal zabiha, you shouldn't have any issues finding suitable options.

As a helpful tip, I recommend checking out Google reviews and TripAdvisor before visiting any restaurants. Be sure to filter the reviews by newest so you can get a good sense of the restaurant's current quality and service. Ultimately, it's important to make your own judgment based on the reviews you read.

Also, keep food simple. Visit a local bakery (boulangerie) to pick up a fresh, traditional baguette. Then, head to a cheese shop (fromagerie) to select some delicious French cheese, and grab some fresh fruit from a local farmer's market or supermarket. With these simple ingredients, you can create a satisfying and delicious meal.

It's worth noting that the Baguette traditionnel is protected by French law, which requires it to be made with only four ingredients: whole wheat flour, water, salt, and yeast, without any additives or preservatives. Additionally, the baguette should be baked on the premises. While our French friend mentioned that the price of a baguette shouldn't exceed 1 Euro, we couldn't verify this through online sources. As a general rule, it's always a good idea to take information with a grain of salt and do your own research.

Coffee: French Coffee Culture

French popular coffee is espresso or, espresso with milk (as it is known in France: cafe au lait). Coffee is usually served with a piece of chocolate.  If you are used to the US coffee sizes, you may need 10 cups of espresso shots to wake up. The best thing to do is to order a cup of coffee at a coffee shop, sit outside, and enjoy people-watching.

Yazy tips: If you are staying for longer than 5 days, bring your coffee filter and make your own coffee. This will give you your daily dose of caffeine and save you some $$$

Hotels and Accommodations

Europe, in general, is ancient, and many hotel buildings were built back in the 18th and 19th centuries. Don’t expect a big entrance and huge rooms. Expect very small rooms with very small elevators and some may not even have an elevator. You may also have to pay city tax after checking out (applicable to Paris). The same thing is true for Airbnb. Most of the buildings are old and the elevator was added to the building or it is a very old one. I would suggest staying at a hotel in Paris but staying at an Airbnb in other cities.

Yazy Tip: Travel light! take a carry-on or small luggage.

Transportations: How to move between cities

Transportation in France is very reliable and public transportation can take you anywhere you need to go. We used the TGV train between cities. For a cheaper rate, you need to book them in advance. Check the train website here

For the metro in Paris, most of the touristy areas are within the 1-3 zones, you can book 5 days or weekly passes for a cheaper rate. Make sure to keep your ticket as you need it to exit the train station.

Please note, that tickets for zone 1-3 will not include airports and Versailles. You will need another ticket to go to the Versailles Palace and the airport which are both located in zone 4 and 5 respectively. Check the metro website here

Also, you can rent a car and explore the French countryside but it is recommended to have either a translated and notarized driver's license in French (with your US driver's license) or an international driver's permit (with your US driver's license). Source from here

Yazy Tip: Get an unlimited ticket for your trip duration for zones 1-3 and buy a separate ticket for Versailles Palace.

Public Bathrooms

It is important to note that public bathrooms in France are not free, even in train stations, which can come as a surprise to visitors. The cost of using these facilities is typically 1 Euro, though it may be higher in some areas, such as the Champs-Élysées in Paris, where it can be as much as 8 Euros.

To save some money, consider visiting coffee shops, as they often have small bathrooms available for customers. Purchasing a cup of espresso, which typically costs around 1.5 euros, can give you access to the bathroom. Additionally, TGV trains also have bathrooms available for use.

Sunday in France

Almost all the stores close on Sundays except restaurants, bars, and some shops in the tourist zones on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. It is a day to enjoy with family and friends. Also, usually, stores close at 6 or 7 PM during the week. This allows the family to gather for dinner. I found this very beautiful as it is valuing family time.

Yazy Tip: Make sure to not wait until Sunday to buy any goods you may need

Safety

France is a safe country. Paris like any other big city has its safety issues; mainly pickpocketing. The French stay up late so you will see people walking in the street late at night on weekdays. Overall, I felt very safe and I was cautious in Paris.

In each country I visit, I find some unique features and that’s why I love traveling. Traveling makes me aware of the different cultures around the world and makes me appreciate our differences and respect them more. I hope you find this information useful. Don't hesitate to add any comments or tips in the comment section below.

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