TICE TRAVEL TIME • FRANCE

France

Filled with grand palaces, world-class museums, and charming streets, France is full of experiences worth building a trip around.

Most of my France content is focused on Paris: practical itineraries, budget tips, museum planning, and the places to visit.

Explore Paris
WHY FRANCE BELONGS ON YOUR LIST

France has so much more to discover than one trip can hold.

I first went to France in 2015 on my very first trip abroad. I enjoyed it, but everything about international travel was still new to me, and Tice Travel Time did not exist yet.

Years later, while I was living in Spain, I returned to Paris for Christmas. That trip felt completely different. I had more confidence as a traveler, more curiosity, and more time to notice the city itself. Paris really is magical, and that second trip is when France started to feel like somewhere I wanted to keep coming back to.

Colorful historic buildings and streets in Riquewihr, France.
Illustrated map of Alsace showing Strasbourg, Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg, Riquewihr, and Colmar in eastern France.
Historic architecture and streets in Strasbourg, France during a 2016 trip.

These photos are from 2016, when I traveled through Europe with American Music Abroad. During the France portion of the trip, we explored Strasbourg, wandered through the colorful streets of Riquewihr in the Alsace region, and visited Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg, a hilltop castle overlooking the surrounding countryside.

Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg castle in the Alsace region of France.
Travel scene from Paris, France during a winter trip.

You could spend days inside the Louvre and still only see a fraction of its collection. It’s home to more than 35,000 works of art.

Illustrated map of France showing the location of Paris in north-central France.

Note: This map is for general visualization only. Locations and geographic details are approximate and may not be perfectly to scale.

KEY TIPS FOR YOUR TRIP

Best Time to Visit

Spring and fall are great for milder weather and long days without the peak-summer crowds. Christmas in Paris is beautiful too, but expect colder weather and busy holiday attractions.

Weather

Paris weather can change quickly. Pack layers and a small umbrella. Winters are cold and often damp, while summers can be warm and occasionally hot.

Language

You can get by with English in many tourist areas, but a simple “bonjour,” “merci,” and “s’il vous plaît” goes a long way. Always greet people before asking a question.

Getting Around

Paris is easy to explore by Metro, RER, and on foot. The RER also connects central Paris with Disneyland Paris, so you do not need a rental car for a typical city trip.

Currency

France uses the euro. Cards are widely accepted in Paris, but I still like having a little cash for small purchases, markets, or places with minimum card amounts.

Book Ahead

Reserve major attractions when you can, especially the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, popular museums, and Disneyland Paris. It can save a lot of time once you are there.

What to Eat

Make room for croissants, crêpes, macarons, cheese, fresh baguettes, and a café stop. Some of my favorite Paris moments have been the simple food stops between sightseeing.

START WITH THE CLASSICS

Paris Travel Guides

Start here for itineraries, budget advice, museum planning, and ideas for making a short trip count.

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BEYOND PARIS

Discover More of France

Watch one of my France videos for another look at this incredible country.

Paris Through My Lens

A magical city
Maia smiling in front of the Eiffel Tower during a winter trip to Paris, France.
Travel scene from Paris, France during a winter trip.
Maia standing in the cobblestone courtyard at the Palace of Versailles near Paris, France.
Travel scene from Paris, France during a winter trip.
Maia browsing a colorful flower market in Paris with seasonal flowers and hanging decorations.
Maia standing in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris.
Travel scene from Paris, France during a winter trip.
Travel scene from Paris, France during a winter trip.
Travel scene from Paris, France during a winter trip.
CHRISTMAS AT DISNEYLAND PARIS

Experience Disneyland Paris at Christmas

I spent Christmas Day at Disneyland Paris. It was festive, crowded, and completely different from a normal Christmas at home, in the best way.

This is an informative guide and walk through for planning your trip to Disneyland Paris. If you’re deciding whether Disneyland Paris is worth adding to your trip, you can hear what we have to say about the experience.

Watch on YouTube
Start Planning Your Trip

Explore more of Europe

Head back to the Europe page for Spain, Portugal, Greece, and the rest of my Europe travel guides.

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