My introduction to France began in Nice. I used the city as a base, took trains to Cannes and Monaco, and worked out the transport, beaches, and distances as I went. Here I have collected practical information about the country and links to more detailed guides to southern France.

The essentials
- France belongs to the EU, the eurozone, and the Schengen Area.
- The standard Schengen limit applies to short tourist trips: up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- Russian citizens without a valid Schengen visa or a Schengen-country residence permit need a visa.
- TGV trains are convenient between major cities, while TER trains serve regional routes.
- For a first trip, choose one major city and one region instead of trying to cross the whole country in a week..

France at a glance

France consists of 18 administrative regions: 13 in Europe and 5 overseas. Its capital is Paris, its official language is French, and its currency is the euro. These details come from the European Union's France profile.

112 is the shared European emergency number. France also uses 15 for medical emergencies, 17 for police, and 18 for the fire service. Service-Public.fr publishes the full list.

Which region should you choose for a first trip to France?

Start with the reason for your visit: a large city, the sea, wine regions, castles, or mountains. The official French tourism portal has separate sections for Paris, Normandy, the Loire Valley, Burgundy, Alsace, Provence, Corsica, the Alps, and the French Riviera.

The blog currently covers the French Riviera in the greatest depth. For a first visit, I would make Nice the main base. It is easy to travel along the coast from the center without changing accommodation every day or two.

When is the best time to visit France?

There is no single best month for the whole country. Timing depends on the region and purpose: comfortable temperatures matter for city walks, the sea needs time to warm up, and mountain trips depend on snow and lift schedules.

For Nice, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez, I would choose June or September. The sea is warmer in July and August, but so are the prices and crowd levels. Spring is good for walks and train journeys, though proper beach weather still depends on conditions.

Do you need a visa for France?

France is part of the Schengen Area, which includes 29 countries in 2026. The standard short-stay limit is no more than 90 days in any 180-day period. Time spent in France is combined with time in other Schengen countries. Use the European Commission's official calculator to check the count.

The France-Visas short-stay page lists general exemptions for residence-permit and long-stay-visa holders. It also explains that French overseas territories may follow different rules. A Schengen visa does not always allow entry to them.

Important information for Russian citizens

Russian citizens need a Schengen visa for an ordinary tourist trip unless another document exempts them. If France is the only or main country on the itinerary, apply through the French system.

Since April 14, 2025, France has not recognized ordinary Russian non-biometric international passports. Passports belonging to children under 15 are exempt. The rule appears on the Russian-language France-Visas page for Russia.

Visa requirements depend on citizenship, country of residence, passport type, purpose, and trip length. Check your circumstances on the official France-Visas portal before booking nonrefundable tickets. This section was verified on August 23, 2026.

How EES and ETIAS work in 2026

The Entry/Exit System, EES, has been fully operational at the Schengen Area's external borders since April 10, 2026. It records passport and biometric data for non-EU citizens arriving for a short stay. The European Commission explains the difference between EES and ETIAS.

ETIAS is intended for citizens of visa-exempt countries, not ordinary Schengen visa holders. As of August 23, 2026, its launch is planned for the last quarter of 2026, but no exact date has been announced. The official site says travelers do not yet need to apply. Current status is published on Travel Europe.

Which documents may be checked at the border?

A visa or visa-free status does not remove the other entry conditions. Border officials may request evidence of the purpose and arrangements for your trip.

The France-Visas arrival page publishes the list. Save accommodation and insurance documents somewhere accessible offline, not only on your phone with an internet connection.

Getting around France

Train travel is usually the best option between major cities. High-speed TGV services cover the main routes, Intercités operate on several long-distance lines, and TER trains connect towns within regions. Schedules and tickets are available through SNCF Connect.

A car is not always necessary on the French Riviera. Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Monaco, Menton, Antibes, and Cannes share one rail line. In my case, the train was simpler: I did not have to search for parking or return to wherever I had left the car. Detailed routes appear in the guide to day trips from Nice.

A car is more useful for villages, mountain roads, and places with infrequent public transport. Before entering cities, check low-emission zones. Some require a Crit'Air environmental sticker, including for foreign-registered cars. Order it only from the official Crit'Air website.

What to see on the French Riviera

The French Riviera is easy to explore from one base. For a first trip, I would stay in Nice: it has an airport, central station, trams, and direct trains along the coast. Cannes and Monaco work as day trips and do not require moving with luggage.

In Cannes, decide in advance whether you want only the center or an island as well. One day is enough for Palais des Festivals, Le Suquet, the Old Port, and the Croisette. Ready-made plans are in things to do in Cannes in one, two, three, or four days.

For time by the sea, use the separate Cannes beach guide. It covers free sections, private clubs, showers, dog rules, and the real cost of a beach day. If you want to continue west, see my Saint-Tropez guide.

Monaco is not part of France, though it fits easily into a French Riviera trip. Practical information on neighborhoods, transport, and a one-day route is collected in the Monaco guide.

What to eat in France

French cooking changes by region. Burgundy cooks with wine, Brittany makes buckwheat galettes, and Provence leans toward vegetables, herbs, and fish. In Nice, look for socca, salade niçoise, and pissaladière. In 2010, UNESCO added the gastronomic meal of the French to its intangible heritage list, recognizing the tradition of sharing a meal rather than one national dish. UNESCO publishes the description here.

I have collected more dishes and regional differences in what to eat in France. Check the ingredients before ordering a regional specialty: the same name can refer to quite different recipes.

How to build a France itinerary

Do not combine regions that are too far apart on a short trip. Time on the train or plane is only part of the cost: add the journey to the station, waiting, luggage, and checking into a new hotel.

A convenient week on the French Riviera could mean three days in Nice, one in Monaco, one in Cannes, one in Antibes or Menton, and one free day for the sea or weather. You can keep the same hotel throughout.

If both Paris and southern France matter, take a train or flight between them instead of adding intermediate cities simply to increase the count. One relaxed region is usually more memorable than five stations in seven days.

Frequently asked questions about traveling to France

Do Russian citizens need a visa for France?

Yes. Russian citizens need a valid Schengen visa for a standard tourist trip unless they hold a residence permit or another exempting document. Since April 14, 2025, France has also stopped recognizing ordinary Russian non-biometric international passports, except those belonging to children under 15.

Do you need a separate French visa with a Spanish residence permit?

No separate French visa is required for a short trip if you hold a valid Spanish residence permit. Carry a valid international passport and the original residence card. Entry still depends on valid documents and compliance with travel conditions.

How long can you stay in France with a Schengen visa?

The general short-stay limit is 90 days in any 180-day period, though a particular visa may allow fewer. Days are counted across the entire Schengen Area, not separately for France. Check the number of permitted days on the visa sticker.

Do you need a car to travel around France?

In Paris, major cities, and along the French Riviera, a car is often a burden because of parking and urban restrictions. It is useful for villages, natural parks, and mountain roads. Check low-emission zones and Crit'Air requirements before renting.

How many days do you need for a first trip to France?

Allow 3-4 days for one city and a week for a city plus its surrounding region. To combine Paris and the French Riviera, plan 10-14 days and resist adding several more distant areas.

What to check before booking

Choose the region first and the airport second. Then check visa status, passport validity, transport between the selected cities, and major event dates. Festivals and conferences can push up accommodation prices on the French Riviera even outside July and August.

For a southern route, begin with the Nice guide, add Cannes, and choose one trip toward Monaco or Menton. This leaves room for the city itself, the sea, and inevitable changes in weather without turning a holiday into a connection timetable.