Trip readiness checklist for France

What to pack

France rewards looking like you tried. Pack a notch smarter than your usual travel uniform — and shoes that survive both cobbles and a long museum day.

• Comfortable shoes that still look decent

  You'll walk miles on cobblestones and stand for hours in galleries. City sneakers are fine; flip-flops mark you as a tourist instantly.

• One smarter outfit

  Nicer restaurants, wine bars, and evenings out lean dressy. A single put-together outfit covers it.

• A light scarf

  Warmth on breezy evenings and shoulder cover for cathedrals like Notre-Dame.

• A reusable water bottle

  Paris has free public Wallace fountains — fill up rather than buy.

When to go

Summer (Jul–Aug) is hot, busy, and the month Parisians flee — many small shops shut in August. Late spring (May–Jun) and September are the sweet spot: warm, open, and a little less elbowing at the Louvre.

Money & getting around

France runs on the euro (€), and cards work almost everywhere — even the boulangerie. Service is included by law ('service compris'), so tipping is optional; rounding up or a euro or two for good service is plenty. The TGV covers city-to-city faster than driving, and it's the better view.

Local quirks worth knowing

France runs on small courtesies. Master one word — bonjour — and the whole country softens.

• Say bonjour before anything else

  Walking into a shop or café without it reads as rude. It's the password; service genuinely improves.

• Meal times are real

  Lunch roughly 12–2, dinner from 7:30pm. Kitchens actually close in between — plan or go hungry.

• Keep your voice down

  Restaurants and the métro run quiet; the loud table is always the tourist table.

• Sundays shut

  Many shops and restaurants close Sunday (some Mondays too). Sort your food plan on Saturday.