France ranks among the most visited countries globally, and it is celebrated for its vibrant culture and lifestyle. French authorities have implemented extensive safety measures to protect both residents and visitors, ensuring that France remains a secure destination for short visits. Visa procedures for France have been streamlined for many countries, making it easier than ever to pack your bags and embark on your journey to France!
France is part of the Schengen area, which includes 26 countries, including EU members and nations like Norway and Switzerland, which are under EU trade agreements. A short stay in France grants access to the entire Schengen zone, offering opportunities to explore Europe.
France boasts an extensive network of air connections and high-speed train services linking Paris to cities like Brussels, Amsterdam, and various Italian destinations. The Train à Grande Vitesse (TGV) allows travelers to reach Italy or Belgium in just a few hours, operating at commercial speeds between 300 and 320 km/h. Additionally, Wi-Fi is now available onboard TGV trains, either free of charge or for a nominal fee.
How do I get to France?
As mentioned above, France has an excellent network of air links and major airports where flights from all over the world arrive. The country's ten largest airports are as follows:
- Paris Charles de Gaulle;
- Paris Orly;
- Nice Côte d'Azur;
- Lyon Saint Exupéry;
- Marseille Provence;
- Toulouse Blagnac;
- Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg;
- Bordeaux-Mérignac;
- Nantes-Atlantique;
- Paris-Beauvais-Tillé.
What's more, internationally renowned airlines arrive at these airports with direct or stopover flights, depending on where you're flying from and where you want to arrive. The main airlines in France are Air France, Ryanair, Easyjet, Vueling, Transavia, Lufthansa, Iberia, and Wizzair.
France is also well connected by train to the rest of Europe, with lines linking Paris to Brussels, Amsterdam, and Italian cities such as Milan and Turin, to name but a few. The UK and France are linked by the Channel Tunnel and the Eurostar, a train that connects London to Paris in 2 hours 17 minutes. Nothing could be more convenient for a short stay in France!
Last but not least, France is crisscrossed by major freeways from all the countries that border it, including Spain, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, and Italy. For example, it takes around 12 hours to get to Paris from Madrid, 5h30 to get to Paris from Geneva, and almost 11 hours to get from Paris to Berlin.
Do I need a visa to travel to France?
If you're planning a short stay in France, one of the initial questions to consider is whether you require a visa, and if yes, which type. Entry requirements and visa regulations vary among countries and are not uniform across all nations.
Firstly, certain nationalities are exempt from requiring a visa to visit France and the broader Schengen area. Typically, citizens of EU and Schengen countries can travel to France visa-free for tourist or business purposes, staying up to 90 days within 180 days.
In addition to EU and Schengen area citizens, certain other nationalities also benefit from visa exemption for short stays in France and the Schengen area. These nationalities may vary and are subject to bilateral agreements or specific visa policies. Among the countries that generally benefit from visa exemption for short stays in France are the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea, among others.
In addition, holders of diplomatic and official passports are covered by various types of policy and, therefore, do not require a visa for France.
Good to know:
The EU comprises the following 27 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. The European Economic Area includes the countries on the EU list, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. The Schengen area, on the other hand, comprises 22 of the 27 EU member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland (forming the European Free Trade Association [EFTA]).
A short stay is any stay of less than 90 days or any series of short stays of less than 90 days over 180 days.
On the other hand, nationals of certain countries must apply for a visa, even if they are only transiting through a French airport. For detailed information on this matter, please refer to the link provided in the "Useful links" section at the end of this article, which outlines specific requirements for transit in France.
Please be aware that visa regulations for short stays in France may change, so it's recommended to verify the current requirements with the French embassy or consulate before making travel arrangements.
The France Visas website offers regularly updated information on visas, exemptions, and airport transit. To quickly determine whether you require a visa for your short stay in France, use the official wizard. By providing details such as your nationality, age, current place of residence, type of visa needed, destination, and type of identity document, you can easily find out your visa requirements.
Nationalities requiring a visa for a short stay in France
If you are from a country whose citizens need a visa or if your stay exceeds the visa exemption period, it's advisable to contact the consulate of the country where you plan to apply for the visa. Each consulate follows slightly different procedures, and the processing times can vary significantly between consulates.
Short-stay visas for France are issued for purposes such as tourism, specific business activities, family visits, or certain training courses. Long-stay visas, which are for periods exceeding three months, are categorized for study, work, or family reunification purposes. Long-stay visa requirements include registration with the French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII) and with the prefecture of the intended stay region in France. For more details, it is recommended to visit the government website.
Good to know:
For nationals of countries exempt from needing a visa to enter France, a valid identity card or passport is sufficient. The passport must remain valid for the entire duration of your stay in France. Starting from April 7, 2021, France no longer requires foreign travelers to have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond their intended departure date to enter French territory.
When and how do I apply for a visa to France?
You can submit your visa application online and track its progress as it gets processed. However, please be aware that the French online visa portal may not be accessible in all countries yet. Therefore, we recommend reaching out to the appropriate administrative services in your home country if you need guidance on what steps to take.
If you want to apply for a visa online, you'll need to first create a personal account. Then, you must fill out the required forms, print the completed file, and submit it along with all requested supporting documents to the relevant consulate. These required documents can vary depending on the country. However, the primary requirement is that you demonstrate sufficient financial resources (cash, traveler's cheques, international bank cards) to cover your expenses during your short stay in France.
It's advisable to apply well ahead of your planned travel dates since waiting times can vary significantly based on your nationality. Keep in mind, though, that you cannot apply more than three months before your intended travel dates.
In certain cases, it may be possible to extend your visa. Extensions are granted on an exceptional basis in three cases:
- for family reasons concerning a close relative (serious accident, for example);
- for humanitarian reasons due to force majeure (unforeseeable circumstances affecting you);
- for professional reasons related to unforeseeable events occurring at the time of visa application. In this case, your employer will request an extension.
Only short-stay visas (type C) issued by France or another Schengen country, as well as transit visas (type B), are eligible for extension. The length of the extension is determined by the reason provided but cannot exceed 90 days. The extension process takes place in France at a prefecture and requires the submission of supporting documents. Additionally, a processing fee of 30 euros is applicable.
To find out where to submit your visa application, visit the France Visas website. The site is available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Russian.
Visit France in a few days
Once you've obtained your visa, you can plan your visit to France and explore everything this culturally and historically rich country has to offer to curious tourists.
The country offers a wide variety of tourist attractions, from the famous monuments of Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, to the magnificent beaches of the Côte d'Azur, the châteaux of the Loire Valley, the vineyards of Bordeaux, the mountains of the Alps and much more.
Because France is relatively compact, its various points of interest are easily accessible, although there is plenty to see. If you only have a few days to explore France, consider focusing on a single region or a major city such as Paris. This way, you can explore the main attractions and fully experience the city's atmosphere.
Here are a few examples of tours that can be completed in just a few days:
- a weekend in Paris to discover the capital's emblematic sites;
- a few days on the Côte d'Azur to enjoy the beaches and glamour of the region;
- a short stay in the Loire Valley to visit magnificent châteaux and taste fine wines;
- a short break in Provence to explore charming villages, lavender fields, and delicious southern cuisine;
- a quick trip to Alsace to discover its beautiful towns and typical architecture.
The various regions of France are as follows:
- Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes;
- Burgundy-Franche-Comté;
- Brittany;
- Centre-Val de Loire;
- Corsica;
- Grand Est;
- Hauts-de-France;
- Île-de-France;
- Normandy;
- Nouvelle-Aquitaine;
- Occitania;
- Pays de la Loire;
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
In addition, the French overseas territories are divided into departments, regions and communities:
- Guadeloupe and Reunion: overseas departments and regions;
- French Guiana, Martinique, and Mayotte: single local authorities. French Guiana and Martinique are territorial collectivities. Mayotte is a department;
- Saint-Barthélemy, French Polynesia, Saint-Martin, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna, and Terres-australes-et-antarctiques-françaises: overseas collectivities;
- New Caledonia is an overseas collectivity with special status.
Whether you decide to visit the City of Light, Paris, or the Côte d'Azur or take a road trip all over the country, from Brittany to Provence, your stay is sure to be unforgettable.
Despite the occasional negative reputation the French may have regarding language barriers or perceived rudeness, rest assured that, in most cases, you'll encounter open-minded individuals who are eager to engage with tourists.
During your brief stay in France, you'll have the opportunity to explore the country's renowned traditional dishes in gastronomy, including delightful cheeses, pastries, and wines available nationwide. Additionally, be sure to try the local specialties in small regional towns. You can discover excellent products at supermarkets, organic stores, and weekly markets, where craftsmen, farmers, and traders offer their produce and harvests at reasonable prices.
Where to stay for a short break in France
Travelers to France can take advantage of a wide choice of accommodations.
Whether you prefer luxury hotels or picturesque guest houses in the countryside, you're sure to find the right accommodation for you. Here are the different types of accommodation available in France:
- hotels (from one to five stars);
- bed & breakfast;
- gîtes;
- vacation homes and apartments;
- camping (bungalow or tent pitch);
- B&B;
- guest house;
- vacation villages;
- farm stays;
- villas;
- chalets.
We suggest conducting your research on Booking.com and Airbnb, the leading platforms for finding and renting accommodation in France. Alternatively, consider contacting accommodations directly, as they sometimes offer competitive rates for direct bookings.
Accommodation prices in France fluctuate based on factors such as the type of lodging, its location, and the time of year. For instance, a luxury hotel on the Riviera during the peak summer season will differ greatly from a gîte in the Normandy countryside. The diversity ensures there's something suitable for everyone, whether traveling solo, as a couple, with family, or with friends.
Good to know:
In certain municipalities, tourists may be required to pay a tourist tax during their stay. The accommodation provider, whether a landlord, hotelier, or owner, must display the tax amount and include it on the guest's bill. The tax varies from 0.20 euros to 4.60 euros per day (2024 rates), depending on the region where you are staying.
What to do in an emergency during a short stay in France?
When traveling in France, even for a brief visit, it's wise to have essential medical information readily available in case of emergencies. Accidents can occur unexpectedly, so being prepared for any situation is important.
In case of an emergency, remember the universal phone number: 112. If you don't speak French, someone who speaks your language will be available to assist you.
Although this global number is a great help, it is always a good idea to know the other French emergency numbers:
- medical emergencies: 15;
- Emergencies for the deaf and hard of hearing: 114;
- fire department: 18;
- police rescue: 17;
- sea rescue: 196.
If you need to go to the hospital, all hospitals have emergency services open 24 hours a day.
If you're from an EU member state, simply present your European Health Insurance Card for coverage. Non-EU citizens should have private insurance, which is often required when applying for a French visa, and be ready to show before departure.
As far as expenses are concerned, you will certainly have to pay them at the time of the event and then claim reimbursement from your home country's health insurance scheme or your private insurance. You'll need to keep all the documents provided by the hospital, emergency service, or doctor you consulted.
Other important information for short-stay travelers to France
Finally, here's some information to remember for a short stay in France.
Electrical outlets
In France, the most common electrical sockets are type C and E. CEE 7/16 sockets, also known as "euro plugs", are used to connect low-power devices. If necessary, we advise you to bring an adapter.
Card payments and ATMs in France
France is a modern country. Card payments are accepted almost everywhere, even for small amounts, but you can also pay in cash. Contactless payment is also very common, as is payment via smartphone or connected watch. You'll be asked whether you'd like a receipt, but to save paper and reduce waste, it's no longer compulsory to give one if the customer doesn't want one.
You'll find cash dispensers everywhere; banks are plentiful, so you'll have no trouble withdrawing money if you need to.
Pets in France
If you plan to bring your dog or cat to France, please be aware that they can only enter the country if they have a European-standard microchip implanted for identification. If not, you must have the necessary equipment to read the chip. Additionally, the animal must be vaccinated against rabies, and you must provide proof of vaccination.
Useful links:
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
