Landing in France
France is the world's most-visited country, and the landing is part of the pleasure: a high-speed train from Paris to Lyon, a metro tap in the capital, a market morning in Provence. This hub covers what holds true across the country — entry, money, staying connected, and getting around — then hands you off to a city guide for the first-hour detail.
In this guide
Entry & Borders
France is in the Schengen area. Visa-exempt visitors — US, UK, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, and other passport holders — can stay up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the whole zone. Days in each Schengen country add together; time in the UK or Ireland does not count.
The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational since 10 April 2026. It replaces passport stamps: on your first crossing you give fingerprints and a facial photo, and your entries and exits are logged digitally. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip.
ETIAS is not in operation. There is no announced launch date and no applications are being taken — pay no site selling one.
Your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and stay valid at least 3 months past your planned departure from the Schengen area. Entry rules vary by nationality — check the rules for yours before you go.
Money
France uses the euro. Cards — including contactless and phone tap — are widely accepted in cities, hotels, restaurants, and larger shops. Carry cash for markets, small cafés and bakeries, pay toilets at train stations, and tips. A €50–100 float in small bills covers the first day.
Get euros from a bank-owned ATM on arrival rather than a currency-exchange booth — the rate is usually better, and the big French banks charge no operator fee to international cards. Always choose to be charged in euros, not your home currency, and skip standalone ATMs with high fees in tourist areas.
Tipping is modest and optional. Service is included by law — menus say *service compris* — so nothing extra is owed. If the service was good, rounding up or leaving a few euros in cash is a genuine compliment, not an obligation. There is no US-style percentage expectation.
Staying Connected
The simplest setup for most visitors: buy a travel eSIM before you fly, install it on Wi-Fi at home, and switch it on when you land. Your phone must be unlocked and eSIM-compatible. Your home SIM stays in the phone for calls and texts.
A local prepaid SIM is usually cheaper per gigabyte for a long stay in one country, but buying one in France means showing your passport — identity registration is a legal requirement. Operator stores (Orange, SFR, Bouygues, Free) and airport kiosks sell tourist plans.
Roam Like at Home — using your home data allowance across the EU at no extra charge — applies to EU/EEA SIM holders only. It does not cover visitors on US, UK, Canadian, or other non-EU plans; check your home carrier's international rates before you rely on roaming.
Getting Around
Trains are the default for city-to-city travel. TGV high-speed trains are all-reserved: book early, because fares rise as trains fill, and rail-pass holders still need a paid seat reservation (roughly €10–20). TER regional trains need no reservation — board and take any free seat. Buy on the official SNCF Connect site or app.
In Paris, tap a contactless card or phone at metro and RER turnstiles, or load tickets onto a Navigo Easy card (€2). A single ticket is €2.55; the Navigo weekly pass (€32.40) runs Monday to Sunday, covers all zones including both airports, and pays off on heavy-transit weeks.
From Charles de Gaulle, the RER B runs direct into Paris for a €14 airport fare. Official taxis from the rank charge fixed flat rates: €56 to the Right Bank, €65 to the Left Bank (from Orly: €45 Right Bank, €36 Left Bank). Use the official rank outside arrivals — never a driver who approaches you inside the terminal.
Where to Land First
- Paris — The classic first landing: a huge airport network and a metro that reaches everywhere.
- Lyon — France's gastronomy capital, with a walkable old town between two rivers.
- Marseille — The Old Port, the calanques, and the Mediterranean from the first hour.
- Nice — Riviera base: promenade, old town, and day trips along the coast.
- Bordeaux — Wine country and an elegant riverfront centre, easy on foot.
- Toulouse — The pink city: terracotta old town, canal walks, and a relaxed southern pace.
- Lille — Flemish old town and a fast Eurostar/TGV arrival from London, Paris, or Brussels.
- Annecy — An alpine lake town: canals, a castle, and mountain air an hour from Geneva.
Back to the Region
Start wider: Landing in Europe covers the Schengen rules, money, SIM, and transport that apply across the continent.
Affiliate disclosure: hotel names, transfers, and experiences linked in this guide may earn After You Land a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and times were checked in Oct 2026 and change often — confirm before you book.