Tours in France

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s the best time of year to visit France?

   That depends on what you want. For good weather it has to be summer (June-August) when the southern coast will be smothered in sunshine and northern cities resplendent under clear blue skies. If you’re visiting Paris, avoid school holidays at all costs if you want to enjoy big attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre. The capital is a delight in spring and autumn, when the weather is ok but the crowds are much less suffocating. Ski season in the French Alps runs from December to April.

2. What’s the climate like?

   France has a temperate climate that rarely encounters any extreme weather conditions. The country does span a huge chunk of Europe, though, so expect wide regional variance. The southern coast is Mediterranean and much warmer, while the northern reaches are much more reminiscent of mild British weather. Expect windy winters on the Atlantic coast and snow in the high altitudes of the French Alps.

3. How many days are enough to explore France?

   That totally depends on how much you want to see. Five days is enough to do Paris pretty well, but if you want to add another city or a bit of countryside to your itinerary, then we recommend at least a week. If you want the full France experience, you’ll probably need between two weeks and a whole month to see the finest cities, quaint rural towns, luscious wine regions and the best of the southern Riviera.

4. What’s the currency in France?

   Euro

5. What language is spoken in France?

   French. There are also some regional languages still spoken today, including Alsatian on the German border, Basque on the Spanish border, and Breton – a Celtic language similar to Welsh – in the northwest.

6. What is the time difference in France?

   France follows Central European Time (UTC+1), which is one hour ahead of London, 6 ahead of New York and 9 ahead of Los Angeles.

7. Major Airports in France:

   • Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
   • Paris Orly Airport (ORY)
   • Nice Airport (NCE)
   • Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS)
   • Toulouse Blagnac Airport (TLS)
   • Marseille Provence Airport (MRS)

8. What are the five best cities to visit in France?

   • Paris – the capital is one of the great storied cities, full of romance, art and endless nighttime activity
   • Bordeaux – a gateway to France’s famous wine culture, and a beautiful city in its own right
   • Nice – for a splash of glamour along the glitzy Côte d’Azur coast
   • Annecy – one look at the “Venice of the Alps” is enough to make most swoon
   • Toulouse – the Pink City is one of France’s most underrated pretty cities

9. What are the top five French dishes to try?

   • Beef bourguignon – simple but oh so rich. Chunks of beef stewed in Burgundy red wine, onions, garlic and carrots
   • Escargots – yes, it’s snails, but the French use garlic butter, parsley and wine to make them delicious
   • French onion soup – the simplest of ingredients, taken to its full potential
   • Jambon-beurre – have you really been to Paris if you haven’t chomped on a ham baguette, sipped an espresso and watched the world go by?
   • Macaron – from croissants to mille-feuilles, plenty of patisserie is a must in France, and macarons might just steal the show