France

France is compact enough to explore in one trip, but rich enough that you’ll want to choose a focus: Paris and châteaux, Provence and the Riviera, wine regions like Bordeaux and Burgundy, or Alps and countryside. Start by sketching routes between a few key bases rather than hopping to a new town every day.

Use Hello’s trip planning tools to map out train journeys, museum slots, and restaurant reservations in one place, then adjust on the go if a market or village catches your eye. Aim for 3–4 nights per stop so you can enjoy long lunches and evening strolls instead of living out of your suitcase.

Book timed-entry tickets for major sights such as the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and the Palace of Versailles, especially in summer. For flexibility, mix famous icons with slow days in neighborhoods like Le Marais in Paris or the old town of Nice.

If you’re visiting multiple regions, consider the fast TGV trains rather than internal flights. They’re usually more comfortable, city-center to city-center, and better for the environment.

Finally, keep an eye on your overall costs with Hello’s budget tracking in euros, so you can see how your spending on food, transport, and activities is balancing against your plans in real time.

France’s public transport is a traveler’s dream. High-speed TGV trains link Paris to cities like Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille, and Lille in just a few hours, often from city center to city center. Book in advance for better fares, especially on busy routes and weekends.

In cities, the metro and tram systems are usually the fastest way to move around. Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, and others have easy-to-use networks; buy a day pass if you expect to ride several times. Always validate your ticket before boarding and keep it until you exit.

Renting a car works best in regions like Provence, the Dordogne, Normandy, and Alsace, where villages and countryside are the main draw. Reserve an automatic if you don’t drive manual—there are fewer of them and they cost more. Many historic centers have narrow lanes and limited parking, so check in advance where your hotel suggests you park.

To navigate all this smoothly, activate a Hello eSIM before you land so you have data for maps, real-time train schedules, and rideshare apps without worrying about roaming charges. Save your tickets, hotel addresses, and car rental details into your Hello trip planning area so they’re always at hand.

Eating in France is a highlight, whether you’re grabbing a flaky croissant from a corner boulangerie or lingering over a multi-course dinner. Breakfast is often simple—pastry, coffee, maybe a tartine (bread with butter and jam)—so don’t be surprised by light hotel offerings.

At lunch, look for prix fixe menus (set menus) in bistros and brasseries; they can be excellent value, often around €18–€25 (about US$20–$28) for two or three courses. In the evening, locals tend to dine later, so a 20:00 reservation is perfectly normal.

Regional dishes are worth seeking out:

• Bouillabaisse in Marseille
• Coq au vin and escargots in Burgundy
• Crêpes and galettes in Brittany
• Raclette or fondue in the Alps

Tap water is safe to drink; ask for “une carafe d’eau” if you prefer not to buy bottled water. For tipping, service is included in restaurant bills, but rounding up or leaving a few euros for good service is appreciated.

Use Hello’s expense splitting feature when sharing big meals or wine tastings with friends—no mental math after a long dinner—and track how much you’re spending on dining with the app’s budget tracking so you know when to splurge on that special Michelin-starred experience.

France uses the euro (€), and cards are widely accepted, including in smaller towns, though it’s wise to carry some cash for markets and tiny cafés. Many places use contactless payment, and you’ll often enter a PIN for chip cards. ATMs (“distributeurs”) are easy to find in cities and larger villages.

Daily budgets vary, but as a rough guide:

• Budget travelers: around €70–€100 (US$80–$110) per day
• Comfortable mid-range: €130–€200 (US$145–$220) per day
• High-end: €250+ (US$280+) per day

These estimates cover accommodation, meals, local transport, and some sightseeing. Use Hello’s budget tracking to categorize what you spend in euros and see where you might want to scale back or treat yourself.

To avoid hefty roaming fees, set up a Hello eSIM before you fly so you land with data ready to go. That makes it easy to access mobile boarding passes, translation apps, and maps the moment you arrive, and to check live metro disruptions or train changes.

When traveling with others, Hello’s expense splitting keeps shared costs—like rental cars, apartments, and tasting menus—organized, so no one has to play accountant during your trip.