France

Understand

France is known for its long turbulent history, unique flair and lifestyle, and picturesque old towns, châteaux and fortresses. It is also blessed with its landscapes, where the sun shines gold upon the connectedness of nature.

Climate and terrain

A geographically-diverse country, France has surprising variations of climate for its size. Generally, the climate becomes warmer the more south you go, and wetter the more west you go. Most of the country experiences temperate winters and warm and often humid summers, and this is especially true of Paris and the Loire Valley. Mild, wet winters and cool summers persist in the north and north west (Brittany, Normandy, Hauts-de-France) where the whole climate is similar to that of southern England. Along the eastern border (Grand-Est), there is a continental climate with cool to cold winters and hot summers. The Rhone Valley graduates from this to the warmer south, though the whole region experiences a strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as the mistral. The Mediterranean (Occitanie, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Corsica) enjoys short, mild winters and long, hot summers with high sunshine hours all year round. The south west (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie) has similarly hot summers but lots of rain in winter, affected by the Atlantic and mountains. Expect cold winters with lots of the snow in the mountainous regions: the Alps, Pyrenees and Auvergne. However, sometimes the winters can be mild, and business owners who rely on the annual winter sports boom are left staring at the sky hopefully.

The majority of central, western and northern France comprises flat plains or gently rolling hills, punctuated with many long river valleys. This large expanse of arable land, coupled with the near perfect climate, is wha

Getting there

For restrictions on imports, see European Union#Customs.

Entry requirements

France is a member of the Schengen Agreement. See Travelling around the Schengen Area for more information on how the scheme works, what countries are members and what the requirements are for your nationality. In summary:

There are normally no immigration controls between countries that have signed and implemented the treaty; there may be such controls temporarily, such as in connection with important events and various crises. The operators may carry out identity checks before passengers board international flights, ferries or trains, even between Schengen countries. Citizens of the EEA countries and Switzerland do not need visas to travel in the Schengen area, and may stay up to 90 days with no requirements other than having a valid ID card or passport. See European Union#EEA citizens. Normal visas granted by any Schengen member are valid in all countries that have signed and implemented the treaty (with exceptions for some overseas territories). The granting country may offer additional rights (such as longer stays or right to work) that apply only locally. In addition, citizens of Andorra and Monaco may enter and reside in France indefinitely without a visa. Citizens of Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Israel, Mauritius, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Taiwan and Uruguay, as well as British Nationals (Overseas), are permitted to work in France without the need to obtain a visa or any further authorisation for the period of their 90 day visa-free st

Getting around

By plane While no longer as ubiquitous as before due to ban on flights if a route is reachable by train within 2 1/2 hours, domestic flying remains a bookable option, especially between Paris and southern France, and if offered as a direct connection from or to an international flight. The following carriers offer domestic flights within France:

Air France has the biggest domestic network in France HOP!, a subsidiary of Air France, operates domestic flights with smaller aircraft easyJet, a low-cost airline, has the second biggest domestic network in France Ryanair, an Irish low-cost airline, serves mainly secondary airports Volotea has a network of domestic flights Air Corsica links Corsica with mainland France Twin Jet operates domestic flights with 19-seat Beech 1900D aircraft Chalair Aviation has a limited network of domestic flig