Buzz
France is often described with countless praises, as its beauty is felt everywhere. It boasts beautiful beaches, exquisite wines, rich history, and much more. For Vietnamese travelers, when it comes to European travel, France is the first destination that comes to mind.
The travel experiences shared below are compiled from various journeys, offering comprehensive insights into transportation, attractions, and experiences in the land of romance.
Where to Go When Traveling in France?
There are numerous destinations for travelers to explore in France, and each visit can offer a different experience, even if revisiting the same place.
Below are some notable destinations in France:
Paris
The capital city of France, Paris.
Paris, the capital of France, is the epitome of elegance and the heart of economic and political activities in the land of romance. Paris is an essential destination in any European journey, offering visitors the opportunity to admire and explore famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Palace of Versailles, or simply stroll along its picturesque streets, immersing themselves in the vibrant atmosphere.
Normandy
Mont-Saint Michel Island
Normandy, situated in the northwest of France, boasts numerous beaches, sandy shores, and islands. Among its notable attractions, Mont-Saint Michel stands out as the most iconic. This small island resembles a town from a fairy tale with its seascape, ancient monasteries, and unique ambiance. Due to its tidal nature, visitors should consider the tide schedule before planning their visit.
Experience the charm of Provence
From June to August, Provence blooms with vibrant lavender fields. Explore vast fields and rolling hills painted in hues of purple. Besides admiring the lavender, visitors can tour lavender distilleries or partake in lavender festivals. Another highlight of Provence, aside from lavender, is its unique ancient villages like Venasque, Uzès, and Gordes…
Discover the allure of Alsace
Alsace seamlessly blends French and German cultures
Alsace is a border region between France and Germany, a land that has changed hands between France and Germany for many centuries. It is precisely because of this that Alsace embodies both French and German cultural traits. This place is renowned for its specialty wines. It is said that wine production in Alsace dates back to the 2nd century. There is a wine route in Alsace that stretches about 105 miles with over 800 vineyards. Alongside wine, Alsace is also famous for its cuisine with delicious dishes.
Bordeaux is renowned for its ancient and famous vineyards.
Bordeaux is a famous wine-producing region in France with around 6,000 vineyards and a long history. The city of Bordeaux is an interesting tourist destination with cultural and historical landmarks dating back to the 18th century. The suburbs are home to ancient and famous vineyards. Even if travelers may not be fond of wine, visiting Bordeaux will evoke a sense of tranquility and gentleness.
The Champagne region in France is synonymous with luxury and celebration.
Burgundy is a serene countryside with sprawling hills.
Burgundy is also renowned for its grapes and wines. It invites travelers into a tranquil countryside with lush green hills covered in vineyards, meadows, interspersed with charming canals. Visiting Burgundy offers opportunities to admire Renaissance-era architectural marvels and indulge in exquisite local dishes like Epoisses cheese, escargots (snails), beef bourguignon, and more.
In addition to the mentioned spots in France, there are many other famous tourist destinations such as Languedoc, Dordogne, Champagne, and more.
The Loire Valley in France is synonymous with picturesque castles and stunning landscapes.
Best Time to Visit France?
For Vietnamese travelers, any month of the year is suitable for visiting France as each season offers unique experiences and discoveries, despite certain weather changes. Generally, France is busiest during the summer - considered the peak tourist season; Autumn (September - October) and Spring (March - May) offer beautiful weather and are less crowded; Winter (November - February) is the season of Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Autumn in France
Modes of Transportation to France
Travelers from Vietnam can reach France by air. The most popular route is to Paris (Charles de Gaulle Airport – CDG), specifically:
Currently, there are several airlines operating flights from Vietnam to Paris including Vietnam Airlines, Emirates, Air France, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, etc. These flights are commonly direct or have 1-2 layovers.
In case travelers don't fly to Paris, they can opt for destinations like Nice, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, etc. These routes typically involve 1-2 layovers.
Some travelers may choose not to fly directly from Vietnam to France but instead fly to another European country and then either fly or take a train/bus to France.
Transportation in France
Airplane
Air France and its subsidiaries like Hop (hop.com) or Transavia (transavia.com) dominate the domestic flight market in France. Some low-cost airlines operating domestic flights in France include EasyJet (www.easyjet.com), Twin Jet (www.twinjet.net), and Air Corsica (www.aircorsica.com).
Train
France has a convenient railway network connecting its cities, which is often more convenient for travelers than flying or taking the bus. There are regular trains and high-speed TGV trains in France. For information on train routes, schedules, and ticket booking, visit: sncf.com
Bus
Buses are primarily used for short trips or within a region. In addition to public bus companies, popular long-distance bus companies in France include Eurolines, Flixbus, Isilines, Ouibus, etc.
Self-drive Car Rental
Self-drive car rental in France, as well as in Europe in general, is quite convenient, with many companies providing this service. If traveling with family or in a group, this mode of transport is convenient and cost-effective. According to regulations, the renter must be over 21 years old, have held a driver's license for at least 1 year, possess a credit card,... Some companies offering self-drive car rental in France include Avis (www.avis.com), Budget (www.budget.fr), EasyCar (www.easycar.com), Europcar (www.europcar.com), Hertz (www.hertz.com), Sixt (www.sixt.fr), ADA (www.ada.fr), DLM (www.dlm.fr), France Cars (www.francecars.fr), Locauto (www.locauto.fr), Renault Rent (www.renault-rent.com), Rent a Car (www.rentacar.fr),...
How many days should you self-tour France?
Saying 'you can't see all of France in a month' isn't wrong. With its vast expanse and numerous enticing destinations to explore, rich in cultural, historical, and culinary delights, it's truly challenging to answer how many days one should spend touring France. However, with limited time, travelers can choose to explore according to their availability. Typically, a minimum of 1-3 days is needed for sightseeing, with Paris being the main tourist destination. If there's more time, travelers can explore other destinations in France from the aforementioned list.
Dining in France
A meal with wine
Meal prices vary depending on quality and dining location. A regular meal costs 10-15 euros. If wine is included, prices range from 20-35 euros.
Accommodation
Dormitory rooms range from 15-40 euros per person per night depending on the location (prices are higher in Paris). Private rooms in guesthouses or hotels are relatively expensive, usually over 60 euros.
Sightseeing
Most attractions require an entrance fee, with an average daily sightseeing cost of around 90-100 euros per person.
How much money do you need for a trip to France?
France is a popular destination, and the cost of traveling in France is not cheap compared to other European countries. Typically, for budget travel (saving money, staying in dormitories), travelers spend around 70-100 euros per day; higher budgets range from 150-180 euros per day; and for luxury travel, it can exceed 450 euros per day.
Safety and Security in France
France is a safe country for tourists; however, pickpocketing and tourist scams often occur at tourist spots. Travelers should be cautious to avoid pickpocketing or falling victim to scams.
Protests, if they occur, generally do not impact tourist activities.
Travel Tours to France
European Tours with France as a Destination typically include interconnected tours where France is a major tourist destination on the tour. Basic routes include:
Tours usually depart weekly, with tour durations of approximately 7 - 10 days (depending on the tour), featuring 4-star flights and 3-4 star hotels.
Posted by: Hiếu Nguyễn Văn
Keywords: Most Comprehensive 2020 Solo Travel Experience in France
