atlas•

Before you go to France: what to know

Must know

  • Schengen: non-EU visitors are fingerprinted and photographed in the EES at first entry; ETIAS is not yet live (expected 2027).
  • Smoking is banned on beaches, in public parks and gardens, at bus stops and near schools since 1 July 2025 (fine EUR 135).
  • Driving into Paris, Lyon, Grenoble and other low-emission zones needs a Crit'Air sticker, ordered only at certificat-air.gouv.fr.
  • Pickpockets work the Paris metro, Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Montmartre; watch for petition and "found ring" scams.

Entry and visas

France is in the Schengen area. Non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) on first entry: fingerprints and a facial photo, no passport stamps. Visa-free visitors may stay 90 days in any 180 across all Schengen states. ETIAS is not operating yet: its launch is now expected in 2027, so ignore sites selling "ETIAS" approvals.

Passport validity: Non-EU passports: valid at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area and issued within the last 10 years.

At the border you may be asked for

  • EES registration at the first Schengen border: fingerprints and face photo (children under 12 give no fingerprints). Allow extra time at passport control.
  • Border guards may ask for a return ticket, accommodation proof, travel insurance and funds for your stay.
  • Your 90/180 days are counted across all Schengen states together; use the EU short-stay calculator to check.

Customs

  • From outside the EU: 200 cigarettes, 1 L spirits or 2 L fortified wine, 4 L wine, 16 L beer; other goods up to EUR 430 by air/sea (EUR 300 by land).
  • Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products from non-EU countries are banned (small exceptions for infant food and medical needs).
  • Declare cash of EUR 10,000 or more (or equivalent) when entering or leaving the EU.
  • Prescription medicines: carry the prescription; narcotic or psychotropic medicines need a Schengen certificate (Article 75) or a doctor's letter.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu ↗, travel-europe.europa.eu ↗, home-affairs.ec.europa.eu ↗, home-affairs.ec.europa.eu ↗, taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu ↗, finance.ec.europa.eu ↗

Money

Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Cards are widely accepted.

Payment networks: Visa, Mastercard, Amex

Apple Pay — works · Google Pay — works

Where to exchange money

  • Withdraw euros from a bank-owned ATM in town, or bring euros from home.
  • Pay by card or phone in euros; contactless is near-universal.
  • Bank ATMs (BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole, La Banque Postale) usually charge no local fee.

Where not to exchange

  • Airport and station exchange bureaux (poor rates, high commission).
  • Independent ATMs such as Euronet in tourist zones: high fees and currency-conversion offers.
  • Exchange counters on the Champs-Élysées and near big sights.

ATMs: Most French bank ATMs charge no local fee; your own bank may. Always choose to be charged in euros. Many shops take cards for any amount.

Tipping: Service is included by law ("service compris"). Leave 5-10% or round up for good service; tip taxis by rounding up.

  • When a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in local currency: dynamic currency conversion adds roughly 3-10%.
  • Cards issued by Russian banks (Visa, Mastercard and Mir) do not work here because of sanctions; bring enough cash or a card from a non-Russian bank.
  • Some US credit cards without chip-and-PIN fail at unattended machines (fuel, tolls, ticket machines).

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: france.fr ↗, gov.uk ↗, banque-france.fr ↗

Rules and bans

Prohibited

  • Smoking on beaches, in parks, public gardens, at bus shelters and near schools and sports venues: fine EUR 135 (since 1 July 2025).
  • Full face coverings (niqab, balaclava) are banned in public places: fine up to EUR 150.
  • Flying drones over Paris and near airports, crowds and monuments is banned without authorisation.
  • Buying counterfeit goods is an offence for the buyer too: heavy fines and seizure.
  • Riding public transport without a validated ticket: on-the-spot fines (around EUR 50+).
  • Swimming in the Seine only at the official bathing sites in summer.
  • Low-emission zones (ZFE) in Paris, Lyon, Grenoble, Strasbourg and others: Crit'Air sticker required, fines from EUR 68.

Laws visitors break unknowingly

  • Carry your passport or a copy; police can check ID.
  • Drivers must carry a reflective vest and warning triangle; drink-drive limit 0.5 g/l (0.2 g/l for new drivers).
  • Using a phone while driving is banned, even with a headset.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, service-public.gouv.fr ↗, certificat-air.gouv.fr ↗

Culture and clothing

Religion: Secular republic; Catholic heritage, plus Muslim, Protestant and Jewish minorities.

Clothing: Smart-casual in cities. Cover shoulders and knees in churches. Beachwear only at the beach; many municipal pools require tight swim trunks and caps.

Etiquette

  • Always say "Bonjour" when entering a shop and "Au revoir" when leaving.
  • Greet staff before asking a question; start in French if you can.
  • Lunch is usually 12:00-14:00 and dinner from 19:30; kitchens close between services.
  • Keep your voice down on public transport and in restaurants.
  • Ask for the bill ("l'addition"); it will not come automatically.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: france.fr ↗, gov.uk ↗

Climate

Temperate in the north (Paris), Mediterranean in the south (Nice, Marseille), alpine in the mountains. Figures are Paris average highs/lows.

Month by month
  • January: Jan: 7/3°C, grey, damp
  • February: Feb: 8/3°C, cold, ski season in Alps
  • March: Mar: 12/5°C, cool, showers
  • April: Apr: 16/7°C, mild, changeable
  • May: May: 20/11°C, pleasant
  • June: Jun: 23/14°C, warm, long days
  • July: Jul: 25/16°C, hot spells, busy
  • August: Aug: 25/16°C, hot; Paris quiet, coast crowded
  • September: Sep: 21/13°C, warm, good season
  • October: Oct: 16/10°C, mild, more rain
  • November: Nov: 11/6°C, cool, wet
  • December: Dec: 8/3°C, cold, Christmas markets

Best season: May-June and September for cities and the countryside; December-March for skiing.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: meteofrance.com ↗, france.fr ↗

What to pack

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Light rain jacket or umbrella
  • Type E/F plug adapter (230 V)
  • Cross-body bag with zip against pickpockets
  • Scarf or layer to cover shoulders in churches
  • Reusable water bottle

Do not bring / prohibited to import

  • Meat and dairy from outside the EU (confiscated).
  • Large amounts of undeclared cash (EUR 10,000+).
  • Drones unless you know the local no-fly zones.

Practical

Plugs: Type E (Type C fits); 230 V, 50 Hz

Water: Tap water is safe to drink; ask for "une carafe d'eau" free in restaurants.

Traffic: drives on the right

Mobile and eSIM: EU roaming: SIMs from any EU/EEA country work at home prices (fair-use limits). Ukrainian and Moldovan SIMs too since 1 Jan 2026. Swiss, UK, Serbian and other non-EU SIMs pay roaming; an eSIM data plan is cheaper.

Apps: Bonjour RATP, SNCF Connect, Citymapper, Uber / Bolt / G7, TheFork

Internet: Free Wi-Fi in cafés, stations and many public spaces; 4G/5G coverage is good.

Health: EU/EEA/Swiss and UK (GHIC) cardholders get state healthcare at local rates with their EHIC/GHIC. Others pay in full, so bring insurance. Pharmacies (green cross) handle minor issues.

Insurance: Schengen visa applicants must hold travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000 valid in all Schengen states. Everyone else: strongly advised.

Emergency: 112 (all), 15 medical (SAMU), 17 police, 18 fire, 114 by text

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: europa.eu ↗, europa.eu ↗, digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu ↗, gov.uk ↗

Entry rules change. Before your trip, check the website of the embassy or immigration service of the country.