How to Plan Your Trip to France
Kristine Hansen | February 13, 2020
Paris may get all the glory, but France is filled with many angles for travelers that lie outside of the City of Lights. History buffs can easily fill two days in Normandy (the site of of the D-Day landings in 1944 during World War II), while winos can sip centuries worth of viticulture and oenology knowledge, in both in Champagne and the Loire Valley. Come summer, the southern seaside towns of Marseille and Côte d'Azur welcome locals and tourists alike.
Where Is France?
France is located in mainland Europe (just north of Spain and immediately west of Germany). Italy touches the country on its southeastern side. While most U.S. travelers fly into Paris (via Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Europe’s second-busiest airport), you can also find direct flights into other regions of France by first landing in a European city, such as Madrid, Spain; London, England; or Frankfurt, Germany.
What Is the Currency in France?
Since 1999, France has used the euro as its main form of currency. This can make a traveler’s experience quite easy if bundling several European countries into one trip — that is, provided the other destinations also use the euro.
Tipping in France
Let’s start with hotels. Just like in the U.S., there are suggested tipping guidelines for bellhops (two euros per bag) and housekeepers (two euros per night). Dining out is where tipping tends to differ. In France, a 15-percent tip is typically already built into the bill as a service compris (service charge). It’s not required to tip more, but if you received exceptional service, tack on an extra five to ten percent. For a cab driver, tip between five and ten percent of the total fare.
