Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit France! We’ve been to France several times over the years and we keep coming back! France is more than just Paris; you really have to get out and explore the country on a trip to France. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate when you visit France.
Hate #1: Your Grasp of the French Language
Not to say that they don’t speak English in France, but knowing just a little bit of French can entirely change the experience you have on your trip to France. If you know a few French phrases, it will really get people to open up and be more welcoming to you. So, if you don’t know any French, we recommend brushing up a bit before you go so you can improve the experience you have in France.
Hate #2: Hotels in France
Hotels in France are small and expensive. A lot of times if you are looking for budget accommodation, you’ll have shared bathrooms. It’s kind of quaint the first few hotels you have, but after a while, it becomes a bit annoying. It’s worth asking at the hotel before you make reservations to find out if you have shared accommodations or not. You will have to pay more for private room and bath, but sometimes it’s worth it, especially if you’re traveling for a long time. Expect to spend about 20% more on hotels in France than you would pay for a similar hotel in Germany.
Read: Everyday Annoyances of Long-Term Travel
Hate #3: Service in France
Service in France can be …offhand. The people in France are super friendly and are happy to make recommendations for you while you travel through France. Somehow, though, this friendliness does not translate to the service industry. A lot of times when you are receiving a service, it can feel like you are a huge burden to the person serving you. This is a big reason why France has a reputation for being rude; it’s just from service interactions, while the everyday residents are perfectly pleasant.
Hate #4: Tourists in France
France is the number one visited country in Europe, so be prepared to deal with a lot of tourists. Tour groups can easily overwhelm a place like Versailles, but you just have to know going in that you’ll be dealing with crowds and be prepared to just get out of their way. Either try to get ahead of them, or just take a break, let them go through and then continue your sightseeing.
Hate #5: Traffic in France
Whether you are driving or walking, the traffic in France is a pain. If you rent a car in France, make sure you get the extra insurance that will cover you for bumps and scratches, because they are inevitable. As a pedestrian, always keep an eye out when crossing the streets and never cross right away when you get the light, as someone is always going to zip through and run their light. Wait a few seconds before crossing or better yet, watch what the locals do and take note.
Love #1: Food & Wine in France
France has some of the best food and wine in the world. Even simple basics like the bread and cheese in France is better than 50% of all the food in Europe! Each region of France has different food, but it’s all incredible. From foie gras to frog legs and duck, make sure you branch out and try the regional foods wherever you travel in France. I recommend getting the daily special, because it usually comes with an appetizer, entree and dessert for a good price.
Read: What to Eat in Normandy, France
Love #2: French People
Outside of the service industry, the people in France are fantastic! Just walking down the street, or riding the Metro, you will meet the most helpful people in France. If you ask for travel advice, they love to share their favorite spots in France with travelers!
Love #3: Atmosphere in France
Whether you are strolling the boulevards of Aix-en-Provence or walking the beaches of Nice, there’s just a special atmosphere in France that you can’t find anywhere else. For the most part, people make a good wage, they live in a beautiful country surrounded by art and culture, and it’s just a really cool thing to experience.
Love #4: France Attractions
Between the chateaux and world-class museums, there are so many cool things to do in France. It’s not just Paris with the Musee d’Orsay or the Louvre, there are great museums all over the country. Of course, there’s Versailles and Fontainebleau in Paris, but there are castles all over France, especially the Loire Valley. You could visit France many times and never run out of things to do.
Love #5: Regions of France
There are so many unique, distinct regions of France. From Normandy, Provence, Bordeaux or elsewhere, the food and the people are totally different. Each region of France almost feels like a new country that you are visiting, which is another reason it’s so important to see more than just Paris when you come to France. Even if you feel like you’re short on time, you can visit another region as a day trip from Paris on the TGV.
France is a great country and we love visiting over and over again. The “hates” are really just a few things to keep a head’s up on rather than a reason not to visit France. Are you ready to start planning a trip to France? Check out these other blog posts: