40 Facts American Tourists Need To Consider Before Visiting France

Delicious food. Great wine. Stylish people and beautiful architecture — France really is the ideal spot for a vacation. But before you rush off to book your flights, there are a few things you should know. You see, the French do some things quite differently to Americans, including tables at restaurants and cheese on the table. Even the phrase “you get what you pay for,” doesn’t necessarily apply — when it comes to some beverages, anyway. Not to worry, though, mes amies, this article will have you prepped in no time!

40. Carry your ID at all times

This can catch a lot of tourists off guard, but it’s actually the law for everyone in France to take their IDs along everywhere they go. So if a cop stops you on the street and asks to see your identification, you have to show it to them. Or you’ll have to face the consequences. Yikes!

39. Reservations are key

French cuisine is famous the world over, so you have to experience it for yourself if you’re visiting the country. But make sure you make a reservation for your chosen restaurant in advance, or maybe you’ll miss out. It’s just the done thing in France, and the best places can book up real quick.

38. Place a reservation by phone

Ideally, you’ll want to pick up the phone to make a restaurant reservation. Even if the eatery you want has a good website with an online booking facility, it’ll just be smoother to call. The old ways are best sometimes — but make sure to speak clearly when providing your details.

37. Speak some French!

Don’t expect anyone in France to make accommodations for you — so that means speaking in French. If you don’t have the luxury of being fluent, educate yourself and memorize a few phrases before your departure date. You’re visiting these people’s home country, after all, so it’s only reasonable that you make an effort.

36. Don’t expect a children’s menu

Unlike at home, French restaurants aren’t really known for offering a kids’ menu separate to the main one. You can find them sometimes, but as a rule you shouldn’t expect them. That means children can choose from the same selection as the grown-ups. Think of it as a culinary education. And hopefully it doesn’t end in tears. 

35. Know the coffee culture

We’re all familiar with images of well-dressed people sitting out on a French cobbled street, sipping from a steaming mug. But there are a few things you need to know about France’s approach to coffee. It’s generally served black, with less flourishes than you might expect in a typical American hipster coffee shop. Basically, it’s less about the coffee itself in France than about the wider act of sitting there sipping it.

34. Long lunches

Lunch is a big deal in France, and you’d better get on board with it. Many stores are known to shut for up to two hours as their workers take their leisurely break. So if you need to get something done, try and do it before midday and after 2:00 p.m. Not in between.

33. Put your phone away

This is good advice for wherever in the world you are, but the French are arguably more sensitive to it than others. They really don’t like when you leave your cellphone on top of the table during a meal. It’s considered really rude, which, well, it pretty much is. Even if waiting for a call, keep it hidden. 

32. Remember your manners

Manners are important no matter where in the world you are, but that can mean different things in different places. In France, it’s always polite to say hello to anyone you meet. And if you don’t, you’ll come off as seeming like a rude person. So break out your finest bonjour!

31. Don’t bail on bookings

If you’ve phoned a restaurant and secured a reservation, you’d really better honor it. Mealtimes can last a long time in France, so that means customer turnover can be pretty slow. So if you book a table and then don’t show up, the restaurant will financially suffer. If you really do need to cancel, give the place as much notice as you can, and they can try to get someone else in.

30. Sundays can be quiet

If you’re wandering around in France and everywhere seems ghostly quiet, fear not. It might just be a Sunday. Traditionally, Sundays were a day for families to spend time together, so a lot of places would be closed. This trend is arguably changing nowadays, though, with more places keeping their doors open.

29. Be complimentary

It’s always nice to compliment people, and in France there’s so much good stuff to highlight. The fashion sense of the country’s inhabitants, the fine food and wine, the wonderful architecture — all of these things should make good compliments. Let the French know how lovely you think their country is. And err, if you don’t, you might occasionally get cursed at. 

28. Cross the road carefully

The rules of the road are a little different in France. If you see a pedestrian crossing, for instance, don’t presume you’re safe to cross. A car might stop for you, but they don’t feel obliged to. So keep your wits about you as you make your move across the road. Your, err, life could depend on it. 

27. See the countryside

The cities of France are up there with the most beautiful on Earth. But there’s far more to the country than its urban metropolises. See the countryside, and you’ll be blown away by the sheer variety of landscapes around you. There are snow-capped mountains, beautiful farmlands, rich forests — it’s all there.

26. Don’t assume the bill’s coming

When you’re in a restaurant and your meal is at an end, don’t just sit idly by waiting for your bill to come. Because frankly, it’s probably not going to. No, you’ll need to ask for it yourself. Otherwise the waiter will probably just assume you don’t want to leave yet.

25. Don’t wave at the waiter

When you’re calling for a waiter in a restaurant, don’t shout out to get their attention and most certainly don’t wave your arms in their face. Be more gentle. Raise your hand a little, try to engage in eye contact. You don’t want to seem crass, because they won’t appreciate it.

24. Plan your sightseeing

This is a good rule-of-thumb for visiting anywhere, but it’s especially relevant for Paris. The French capital is a hugely popular destination, so the lines for the biggest tourist attractions can be enormous. If you want to beat them, invest in some skip-the-line tickets before you show up. It’ll save you a lot of time and your sanity.

23. Dress to impress

It’s definitely a cliché to say French people dress well, but it’s also true a lot of the time. Try to pick up some tips while you’re there and don’t dress like a tourist. If you’re wearing your shorts, flip-flops, and socks, you’re going to announce yourself as an unstylish outsider.

22. Be mindful of tolls

Renting a car can be a great way of seeing more of France than you’d otherwise be able to — but there’s a catch. Car rentals can be really expensive in their own right, but in France there’s another expense that can catch you out. Toll booths are everywhere, so be prepared to dish out to use the highways.

21. Don’t be scammed

Like everywhere, scammers have been known to operate in France. Be mindful of that, and don’t be taken in. One common ruse, apparently, involves a person picking up a ring from the ground and placing it into your hand, telling you that it’s yours. They’ll then harass you into coughing up for their act of “generosity.” The ring, of course, will be basically worthless.

20. Know the important dates

The United States and France both celebrate things like Christmas and New Year’s, but not all holidays are the same. July 4 is obviously a big date for Americans, but for the French it’s just any other day. July 14, however, is another story. That’s Bastille Day, which will see the whole country celebrating and coming to a halt. Be prepared for that, if your trip is booked for that date.

19. Kiss or a handshake?

French greetings can be a nightmare for Americans to deal with. What are the rules? One kiss on the cheek, or two? Or is it just a handshake? This whole thing can be a can of worms, so take your cues from other people. If they’re going for a handshake, definitely don’t lean in for a peck on the cheek.

18. Avoid the crowds

If you don’t like crowds of people, maybe give France a miss until the summer’s over. Or maybe go before the season even begins. July and August can be incredibly hectic in France, as it’s a really popular tourist destination. Visiting a month or so either side of this time period should be perfect.

17. Ask for tap water

When you’re in a restaurant, don’t be afraid to ask for water from the tap — ideally in French, of course. That’s because you might end up shelling out an outrageous amount of money for the bottled variety. You don’t want to pay more for water than your wine, so stick with tap just to be safe.

16. Don’t get wasted

Drinking is certainly a part of French culture, but most people don’t overdo it. They’ll enjoy a tipple with their meal, perhaps, yet they generally won’t get stark drunk. Make sure you don’t either, otherwise you’ll be a major embarrassment. Maybe stick to the half-pints, which are actually pretty common in French bars.

15. Research ATM withdrawals

Using ATMs on holiday can be cripplingly expensive, so do your research. Speak to your bank beforehand and just be mindful of your finances at all times. It might also be worth your while bringing a second card, in case you lose the first one. You don’t want to be stranded in France with no access to your finances.

14. Dine at the correct time

Mealtimes are pretty much set in stone across France, and variations to the schedule aren’t easy to come by. Generally speaking, lunch takes place from around midday to 2:00 p.m., whereas dinner is from around 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. If you want to eat outside those hours, it might be best to try less fancy places.

13. Keep it down!

Vacationing in France is stimulating, but make sure you keep a lid on your excitement by not speaking too loudly. If your voice is over-the-top, you could end up annoying the locals. Just relax and speak in a more breezy, softer way. And if you have kids, try to encourage them to do the same — if you can.

12. Leave a tip... sometimes

The rules of tipping in France aren’t very clearcut. Rather than being an absolute necessity, it’s sort of a gesture. So if you have a really good meal, then that might call for a decent tip. If it was just a quick bite in a cafe or something, then maybe nothing will do.

11. Strike out

The French have a long history of going on strike when they feel they need to, and it continues to this day. But if you find one’s going on during your visit, it might disrupt your plans. So keep an eye on the internet to see if a strike has been announced, and more importantly, where. 

10. Cheesy rules

The French love and respect cheese — and there are rules for consuming it. While some countries serve the stuff at the very start or the very end of a meal, the French do so during. It’ll arrive at the table just after the main course is finished, but before the dessert shows up.

9. Lots of people smoke

As a general trend, smoking does appear to be less popular in France today than it was in the past. According to Statista, the rate has gone from around 30 percent of the population in 2000 to a bit over 25 percent in 2020. That’s still quite a lot of people. If smoking bothers you, just try and accept it, or ensure you dine indoors. 

8. The farmer’s market is best

If you’re staying in a place that’s self-catering during your French vacation, make sure you visit a farmer’s market for your dinner’s ingredients. As a rule, the products you’ll find there will just be miles better than anything you’d find in a supermarket. Plus, it might even be cheaper, too.

7. Listen to the food experts

If you’re a fussy eater, you should be prepared to loosen up a bit. French chefs are experts, and they take pride in their work. If you show up to their restaurant and ask for a meal with certain ingredients taken out, they may not be happy. After all, they chose those ingredients specifically, because they think it makes the dish better. And they would know!

6. Research your train journeys

The train can be a great way to get around France, but it doesn’t come cheap. Tickets can set you back an arm and a leg, but if you do your research online you might be able to find some good deals. It’s definitely worth a look, because it might save you a ton of money.

5. Order three courses

When the French visit a restaurant, they go all out. Generally speaking, you won’t find people ordering one or two courses — it’ll be the whole hog. Do the same and order three courses. Or, if you can’t handle that, maybe visit a wine bar that does food. Your reluctance to eat three dishes will be less glaring in a place like that.

4. Share a ride

If you’re on a solo trip to France, you’re going to want to save money wherever you can. Transport costs can be pretty high over there, so maybe you should try ridesharing? It’ll be much cheaper to get around that way, and who knows? You might even make some friends.

3. First floor

When you get to the hotel and you’re told your room is on the first floor, just stop for a moment. Think about what that means, because it might not be what you think. In America the first floor refers to the space at ground level, but in France it’s the floor above that. So don’t walk into someone else’s room by mistake, okay?

2. Even cheap wine can be amazing

You might be used to thinking that the more money you pay for wine, the better the product will be. Well, over in France, that’s not necessarily true. Even cheaper wine in that country can be delicious, so you shouldn’t feel the need to spend too much money on it.

1. Choose your own seats

When you go into a restaurant in America, you’ll generally wait for a host to show you to your table. But in France, Paris especially, that’s really not the case. No, you’ll be responsible for finding your own spot. Just make sure you don’t choose a place that’s clearly reserved. That would be a rookie mistake.