The first time I stepped off the train in Paris, I immediately did two things: butchered a simple “bonjour” to the ticket agent and then stood frozen, completely overwhelmed by the beautiful chaos around me.
Nobody had prepared me for how it would actually feel to be in France.
After six visits (and countless mistakes), I’ve learned that a trip to France is less about ticking off tourist sites and more about embracing a completely different approach to life – one croissant and unnecessarily long lunch at a time.
Let me share what I wish someone had told me before my first visit.
In this article...
The France Reality Check
France isn’t just a place – it’s a state of mind. And honestly, it’s probably not exactly what you’re picturing.
My mental image of Paris was straight out of a romance movie – all accordions and perfect sidewalk cafés. The reality included those magical moments but also:
- Scent of cigarettes and occasional urine in metro stations
- Waiters who seemed genuinely annoyed by my existence
- The most perfect bread I’ve ever eaten in my life
France contains multitudes. It will charm you, frustrate you, and surprise you – sometimes all within the same hour.
💡 Tip: Embrace the French pace of life immediately. Nothing good comes from rushing in France. I once tried to have a “quick lunch” in Provence and the waiter actually laughed in my face.
Beyond Paris: There’s a Whole Country Out There
My biggest travel regret is spending my entire first trip in Paris. Don’t make my mistake.
France is remarkably diverse:
- Normandy – Dramatic coastlines, WWII history, and apple everything
- Provence – Lavender fields, hilltop villages, and markets bursting with color
- The Alps – Snow-capped peaks and cheese-heavy cuisine
- Bordeaux – Wine country with elegant architecture
- Brittany – Wild beaches and the best crêpes on earth
For first-timers, I recommend spending half your time in Paris and half exploring one other region. My heart belongs to Provence, where the pace slows down and the tomatoes taste like actual tomatoes.
My embarrassing travel moment: I once confidently boarded a TGV train going the wrong direction and ended up three hours from my destination. The ticket agent took pity on me and didn’t charge for a new ticket, but my pride has never recovered.
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Speaking of Language…
Let’s address the elephant in the room: French people and their alleged rudeness.
After many visits, I’ve discovered a simple truth – it’s not that the French are rude; they just have different cultural expectations. The number one rule? Always, ALWAYS start with a greeting.
Walking into a shop and immediately asking for something in English is like walking into someone’s home and opening their refrigerator without saying hello.
Learn these phrases and use them religiously:
- “Bonjour” (hello)
- “S’il vous plaît” (please)
- “Merci” (thank you)
- “Excusez-moi” (excuse me)
- “Parlez-vous anglais?” (Do you speak English?)
My terrible accent has opened more doors than perfect English ever would. Making an effort matters enormously.
💡 Tip: Learn to say “Je ne parle pas bien français, mais j’essaie” (I don’t speak French well, but I’m trying). This single phrase has earned me patient smiles, free wine, and once, an impromptu French lesson from an elderly shopkeeper.
Getting Around: Trains, Planes, and Automobiles
France has spectacular public transportation, but it comes with quirks:
Trains: The TGV (high-speed train) network is magnificent but can be expensive. Book tickets on the SNCF website as far in advance as possible – prices increase dramatically closer to departure date.
I once waited until the last minute and paid €120 for a ticket that would have cost €45 if I’d booked earlier. Learn from my expensive mistake.
Paris Metro: Efficient, comprehensive, and occasionally smelly. Buy a carnet (book of 10 tickets) to save money. Just be prepared for stairs – lots of stairs. The Paris metro wasn’t designed with luggage in mind.
Rental Cars: Essential for exploring countryside regions like Provence, Dordogne, or Brittany. But beware – many rentals are manual transmission, and village roads can be terrifyingly narrow.
My embarrassing travel moment: I scraped my rental car against a medieval stone wall in a Provençal village. The damage was €600, but my travel insurance covered it completely. That coverage quite literally saved my vacation budget.
Eating in France: Timing Is Everything
My first day in France, I nearly starved because I didn’t understand French meal schedules.
Restaurants typically serve:
- Lunch: 12:00-2:00pm (and they mean it – kitchens close promptly)
- Dinner: 7:30-10:00pm (showing up at 6:00pm will mark you as a tourist)
Outside these hours, you’ll struggle to find proper meals. This is why cafés and boulangeries (bakeries) are so important – they’ll save you during those in-between times.
💡 Tip: The prix fixe menus (set menus) are usually an excellent value and showcase what the restaurant does best. I’ve had some of my most memorable meals from the €25 three-course options.
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Money Matters and Tipping Culture
France uses the euro, and while credit cards are widely accepted, always have some cash:
- Small bakeries sometimes have minimum card amounts
- Some rural vendors and markets are cash-only
- Public toilets often require small coins
Tipping is much simpler than in America. Service is included in your bill (look for “service compris”), so extensive tipping isn’t expected. For good service:
- Cafés: Round up or leave €1-2
- Restaurants: Leave 5-10% for exceptional service
- Taxis: Round up the fare
My embarrassing travel moment: I overtipped extravagantly at my first French restaurant (American habits die hard). The waiter actually followed me outside to ask if I’d made a mistake and needed some of my money back.
Accommodation: Hotels vs. Apartments
For first-time visitors, where you stay dramatically impacts your experience:
Hotels provide ease and service but less immersion. They’re ideal for shorter stays or if you’re nervous about language barriers.
Apartment rentals offer a more authentic experience – shopping at local markets and living temporarily as a resident. I prefer these for stays longer than 3-4 days.
Whatever you choose, location matters enormously:
- In Paris, stay in a central arrondissement (1-8) for a first visit
- In countryside regions, staying in a smaller village often provides more charm than the main tourist towns
💡 Tip: In Paris, check if your hotel room has air conditioning if visiting in summer. Many charming older buildings don’t have it, and Paris can get surprisingly hot.
When Things Go Sideways: My Insurance Reality Check
France is generally safe and well-organized, but things do go wrong. From my experiences:
Transportation strikes: They happen with impressive frequency. During one visit, a surprise rail strike left me stranded in Lyon. My travel insurance covered the emergency hotel and rental car I needed to make my international flight.
Medical mishaps: French healthcare is excellent but not free for visitors. When I developed a nasty sinus infection in Nice, the doctor’s visit and antibiotics cost €105. My travel insurance reimbursed me completely.
Theft issues: It happens, especially in tourist areas. My phone was snatched at a café in Montmartre when I carelessly left it on the table. Insurance covered the replacement within two weeks of my claim.
Weather disruptions: During a spring trip to Normandy, flooding closed several D-Day sites I’d specifically traveled to see. My insurance’s trip interruption coverage helped pay for my revised itinerary.
Travel insurance for France isn’t just about catastrophic coverage – it’s about protecting all the smaller expenses that can add up quickly when plans change.
What Every First-Timer Should Know About France
After all my trips (and numerous mistakes), here’s my essential advice:
Lunch is the main event. The French take their midday meal seriously. My best experiences have come from multi-hour lunches where I’ve abandoned all plans and just embraced the moment.
Sundays are quiet. Many shops and restaurants close, especially outside tourist areas. Plan accordingly or embrace the forced relaxation.
Museum passes save time. The lines at major Paris museums can be soul-crushing. The Paris Museum Pass lets you skip ticket lines and save money if you’re visiting multiple sites.
Pharmacies are amazing resources. French pharmacists can help with minor medical issues and recommend treatments without a doctor’s visit. Look for the green cross sign.
The best experiences are often unplanned. My most magical French moments have come from getting lost, saying yes to unexpected invitations, and abandoning my carefully crafted itinerary.
France rewards those who slow down, embrace imperfection, and leave room for serendipity. My first visit was a frantic attempt to see everything; my most recent was about savoring long lunches and wandering without purpose.
Guess which one I remember more fondly?
Whether you’re dreaming of climbing the Eiffel Tower, sipping wine in a Bordeaux vineyard, or simply sitting in a café watching the world go by, France will reward your efforts to embrace it on its own terms.
Just remember to always, always say “bonjour” first.
What specific part of France are you most excited to visit? I’d be happy to share more detailed advice for whatever region is calling your name.
When traveling, make sure you get travel insurance.
Buying it online can save up to 30%!
