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handy tips for traveling to france

France is famous around the world for its tourism, it is the nation that has the Eiffel Tower. There are many things that make France extremely famous around the world and that includes art, culture and food. There are a lot of places with high tourist value and hence there is every reason to keep France on the list of top countries that you should definitely visit. Book a flight today at Cathay Pacific.

All in all, if you are a tourist, there's always something to do in France, you will not be disappointed. Moreover, if you are a foodie or simply love art and fashion, then this country definitely has a lot in store for you to experience.

Nevertheless, as a tourist, you definitely need to keep a check of a few things here and there before you set your mind on traveling.

Following are a few traveling tips that could help you enjoy your way around France.

Travel tips to visit France

While visiting a foreign country, there's always a few things that you need to be careful of. Understanding a country's culture and mannerisms is crucial for a tourist, otherwise they can become a menace for the locals. One such example is that French people dislike being loud in public places. Another example is that museums are closed on Tuesdays. Reading a few tips can save you from the trouble of experiencing them later.

Learn a few French words and phrases:

If you are a tourist with no basic knowledge of the French language, then it is better that you prepare a few words and phrases beforehand. Learning a few basic words is only polite. Filling your language with basic French phrases even if you are using English can really make you seem much nicer. If you start a conversation in English right away with a French person, things might not necessarily sound too good. Besides, it is quite easy to learn a few greetings here and there. You can of course shift your language later back to English. However, using French words in the start can be a really good icebreaker.

Keep your possessions safe:

You might want to watch out for your wallet and other belongings. Pickpocketing is a natural scenario especially in bigger tourist venues. You might not want to carry your precious belongings all the way to the museums or restaurants. Watching out for your valuable items is your own responsibility. Traveling safely is the most crucial step of traveling.

Keep some good French pharmacy products for a longer use:

France is a country with high quality products. You can find fragrance free products quite easily. If you are a beauty addict, then you might want to stock up on these French products before 7 pm, which is the closing time.

Don't use subways when it's inconvenient but use subways when it is:

When it comes to the French roads, they are well connected. Getting a MetroCard is one economical way to move around the country. This doesn't even require you to make any bookings. You can simply get the tickets from vending offices or self-service machines. However, don't take the subway from the international airport. Remember that these subways stations have a lot of stairs and carrying all the luggage alone can be a huge burden for you. Especially on your first days, after a long flight, it can be a nightmare using subway routes.

Emergency numbers:

The emergency number in European countries including France is 112. In case of any kind of emergency, you should directly contact 112. This number is available on all phones including payphones. For medical emergencies you can dial 15 and 18 for police or fire brigade. Keeping your own emergency contact numbers on you is also crucial so that in case you have some kind of emergency, there is some way to contact your loved ones or emergency numbers. Keeping a travel diary is one way to do this. In any case, keep emergency numbers with you while traveling abroad.

Perfect place for shopping!

France and shopping go hand in hand. France is one of the biggest fashion hubs around the world and they are literally well known around the world for their fashion. Being able to visit Paris around the fashion week is a luck of its own. You may also want to visit the iconic stores and check out the famous brands as well. Not just shopping, you may also have to dress yourself up well especially if you have plans outside. French people are generally into fashion and hence you may see the locals practicing many styles and trends. So, you might need to shop for your own things according to your own requirements. It might not be very common to see people in jeans or sweatpants on the streets unlike other western countries.

Keep your passports and IDs safe

As a rule, keeping your passports and IDs safe as a tourist is quite crucial. Having your ID on you at all times is quite important for you and can save you a lot of trouble. This also includes having your passport on you considering you may from time to time find yourself in a situation where you might have to cooperate and handle questions or verifications. Either way it is quite important for you to keep your basic documents safe as they might come in handy.

Cheese and wine

France is all about its varieties of cheese and wine, which mean a lot more to French people then you can imagine. Moreover, you may find varieties that you may not  have heard about. There’s a lot to try when it comes to French food, especially cheese and wine.

Carry your adapters with you

The adapters in France are a little bit different considering the devices work at 230 V and 50 Hz. This means that it is important for you to have an adapter for yourself. Normally you should be able to find these adapters in airport shops, so it is better to get one right after you get into the country. This can save you from the hassle of charging devices over and over and at the same time staying connected.

Conclusion

France is a country with good tourist spots that you must visit at least once in your lifetime. However, before you decide to go anywhere you should do some research about that country’s culture and customs. Customs might differ across continents as well, for example if you are going to a south Asian country like India and fly into Chennai  then you may need to have different things that you would need to understand in comparison to going to a European country.



Note: This information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the businesses in question before making your plans.

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