There’s no doubt about it: France is a must-visit country for each traveler. However, just like a lot of places on Earth, there are some unavoidable things that travelers need to deal with. More often, an enjoyable experience depends on how prepared you are on your travels. Before packing your bags, here are four things you need to know when visiting France.
1. It’s Better to Travel Off-Season
July and August are considered the “peak season” in France. It’s the time of the year when students are in the school holidays. The streets and establishments are very crowded at this time of the year. If you want a more enjoyable and hassle-free experience, visiting France during the off-season is optimal. Not to mention that you’ll likely get cheaper airfares and hotel rates.
2. Don’t Forget the Cash
After your flight from Montreal to Paris (or maybe a flight from Vancouver to Paris), you’ll likely want to eat something. When the meal was done, you give your card to the cashier to pay your bill. The cashier looks at your card, confused. It turns out, most establishments in France doesn’t accept cards as payments. In this country, cash is still the king. Although withdrawing in an ATM is an easier way to fix this, you don’t want to risk your card getting wallowed by the machine. Prepare your cash before entering the country.
3. Eat On Time
There’s no doubt that the best French cuisine you’d ever taste can be found on its home turf. However, you might not have the chance to taste these authentic dishes if you forget what time it is. French establishments serve meals at certain times, and once you missed it, you’ll miss it forever. Breakfast is served early, and lunchtime is between 12 PM to 2 PM. Dinner is strictly served from 7:30 PM to 8 PM. Set your alarm if you don’t want to miss getting set meals.
4. Don’t Pick A Sunday Visit
Sunday is considered a “family day” in France, and this tradition is taken very seriously by its citizens. Stores and establishments usually open for a few hours in the morning, but will ultimately close at lunch. A few stores open in places where there are a lot of tourists hanging out and when there are special holidays, but that’s it. If you want to enjoy the culture and the food all over France and not closing signs and limited stores, avoid visiting on Sundays.
5. Don’t Leave Anything Important Thing inside Your Car
Rental cars are easy targets for petty theft. If you left your phone or your laptop to see a great view, you’ll likely never see your device again. One of the most common advice of travelers who went to France is to take valuables with you and avoid leaving those things inside the rental car. Besides, be wary of Airport taxi theft, which is getting popular in some areas.