France Travel Trips

5 France Travel Trips To Start Your French Vacation Right

Say the word France and everyone thinks of Paris. But there is more to France than Paris. For skiers, there’s the French Alps and Les Trois Vallees. For the religious, there’s Lourdes. For the passionate foodie, there is Strasbourg.

Yes, there is more to France than Paris. But whether you decide to check out only France after all or venture somewhere tourists normally don’t, use these France travel tips to help you make the best out of your French experience.

1. Look for the “I” sign. Whether you’re in Nice or in Nantes, you will find a tourist office that can help you with hotel bookings or give you the skinny on local sights and services. They’re easy to spot so don’t hesitate to check out the first one you see – they sport a blue “I” sign and usually sit right in the town or city center.
2. Plug up, plug right. The French use AC current of a different cycle and voltage. If you intend to charge anything from home, be sure to bring a plug adaptor and a voltage transformer with you.
3. Forget the bank, use ATMs. It’s strange that few people know this considering the number of tourists who walk in and out of France daily. But where exchange rates are concerned, it’s not French banks that provide the best exchange rate; it’s the ATM. Most take MasterCard and Visa and you will most likely find an American Express ATM in the major cities.
4. Look out for refunds. Staying in Lyons for a month? You’re in luck. Residents of the U.S who stay less in the country for less than 6 months can ask for a refund on their purchases’ value added tax. Of course, you’ll have to check out the conditions that apply first – how much to purchase to quality for refunds, for example. But if you qualify, all you need to do is ask the store you’re buying from to fill out a refund form each time you shop, and then present the forms to customs upon departure. Within a few months, expect refunds ranging from 13% to 19% of your purchase to be mailed to you or directly credited to the credit card of your choice.
5. Explore the country. Sure, you can’t miss out on Paris but don’t get stuck there. Explore other French cities. Check out Bordeaux’s vineyards. Sip cafe au lait in the college town of Montpellier. Take photos of the Roman ruins in Lyons. Guidebooks can show you where to go, as well as provide more France travel tips to help you along.

Remember, Paris is not the only French city that’s worth a visit. Arm yourself with these 5 France travel tips and venture out of the City of Lights. Outside Paris, equally beautiful and enchanting cities await.