The Best Hotels to Stay at in Paris
From budget hotels to luxury stays with a view of the Eiffel Tower, here are the best hotels to stay at in Paris!
Read More >Popular travel and lifestyle blog featuring travel tips, fashion, food and photography from around the world. Follow Kiersten on her adventures!
When it comes to tourism in France, Paris is at the top of many travelers’ bucket lists and for a good reason. The city is full of incredible history, architecture, art, charm, and distinct cuisine. Whether you have a day, a week, or a month to explore, Paris is a travel experience in its own.
Paris sure does dominate the headlines, but this doesn’t mean other French cities should be overlooked! Be sure to visit the French countryside, the region of Provence, Bordeaux, the island of Corsica, and the French Riviera—my favorite spot in France! The French Riviera (or Côte d’Azur) is the Mediterranean coast of southern France, and comprises the charming resort towns of Marseille, St. Tropez, Cannes, Nice, and the tiny nation of Monaco!
The best time to visit France is during its shoulder seasons—from April to June and September to November! During this time, you’ll encounter fewer tourists, have an easier time finding cheap flights from the US, and hotels typically lower their rates.
If you’re planning to visit France over the summer months, from June to August, be sure to book your accommodation well in advance. It’s the busiest time of year for the country, especially in Paris and Cannes.
Check out my guide The Best Time to Travel to France for all the details!
Language: The official language in France is French.
Currency: The currency in France is the Euro. 1 USD is equivalent to about 1,14 EUR.
Credit Cards and ATMs: If you see a blue CB logo (it stands for Carte Bleue Visa/MasterCard), that means the shop takes international Visa and MasterCards. You will struggle to find places that accept American Express around the country. ATMs are easy to find.
Plugs: The plugs in France are Type C and E. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter (make sure it has surge protection) and using a converter for hairdryers and hot tools.
Safety: France is generally a safe country to travel to especially as a solo female traveler. However, pickpockets and tourist scams are common, especially in the capital city of Paris.
*European Travel Alert*
Starting sometime around November 2023, US travelers between 18-70 years old will need to fill out an ETIAS visa-waiver form prior to their trip, and pay a €7 ($7.25) entry fee, to travel to European countries within the Schengen Area. It’s a quick form, and you will most likely receive instant approval—but it’s important to plan and submit ahead. Your ETIAS travel authorization is valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
I used to live in Paris, and visit France almost every year. As a plus size traveler, I learned very quickly that there are still far fewer plus size clothing stores there compared to the US. Do not count on being able to buy affordable plus size clothing easily. Now I pack one of each ESSENTIAL (swimsuit, jeans, jacket, etc) in my carry on. This way if my luggage is lost, I’m not stuck with just toiletries.
From budget hotels to luxury stays with a view of the Eiffel Tower, here are the best hotels to stay at in Paris!
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Read More >When it comes to France, and particularly eating like a local whilst touring the country, I’m dishing up the goods! Here is your ultimate guide to eating like a local in France. Bon appétit!
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Read More >To make your itinerary planning for a little easier, I’ve put together my ultimate guide to Provence with all the can’t miss spots!
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