France

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

**Please check your own country's international travel advice as well as the airline requirements before travel.**

UK guests please see the UK Government Foreign Office Travel website for latest entry and exit advice; https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/entry-requirements 

US guests please see Travel State website; https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/France.html 

Visas:
France is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S., Canadian, Australian and European citizens may enter France for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. All other nationalities must check the visa entry requirements before your departure. You need sufficient funds and a return airline ticket.

Passports:

Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the period of stay. It is advised to have 1 blank page in your passport. Please be sure to fill out the "Emergency Next of Kin" section in your passport.

**Note: Visa and entry requirements, regulations, and restrictions can change. Ensure you check the current requirements well in advance of travel.

Travel Insurance
All passengers must have valid travel insurance before traveling, including health and cancellation insurance. Please ensure you have a copy of your insurer’s 24-hour emergency telephone number and your policy number.

Medical Conditions and Personal Medication:

Please advise us prior to travel if you have any medical conditions requiring special attention during your trip. If you have a specific medical condition, it is wise to carry the relevant doctor’s prescription with you.
Important:

• Pack a sufficient supply of any medications you are taking, copies of the prescriptions and the contact details of your doctor.
• Please note, some countries require that prescription drugs be carried in their original container, with the label clearly visible. In the event of you losing your medication, a qualified pharmacist should be able to source a replacement.

Travelling with CPAP or other Medical Machines:

Please inform The Big Journey Company that you are travelling with such a device as early as possible, and well before you travel. Please note, if you require distilled or ionised water, you must inform The Big Journey Company of this at the time of booking, so we are able to make preparations with our ground agents. There may be an additional charge for this.

LUGGAGE

• What to Pack and Wear
We would recommend comfortable clothes and shoes for this tour. Feel free to include a smart-casual outfit for dinner if you wish, however there is no pressure to follow a dress code.

The weather should largely be warm and sunny throughout the journey, however it is always good to be prepared for every eventuality, so make sure you pack a light jacket in case of rain and the fact that it may be cooler in the evening.

Insect repellent and sun cream are also essential items. Don't forget your camera, with charger/spare batteries and memory cards.

River cruises – For river cruises passing through France, please see the specific dress code information provided in your travel pack.

• Luggage Allowances
International airlines are often strict about the size and weight of checked in baggage and carry-on luggage. Prior to your departure, please contact your airline or visit their website for specific luggage requirements, as size and weight limitations may vary according to the airline and destination.

LANGUAGE

The main language of France is French. However, in Brittany in the north west, the Basque Country in the south west, Catalan region to the south east and in Alsace to the east, you will also find the local regional languages spoken as well as displayed on street signs. English is spoken widely across the country in tourist hotspots, but the French are not the most forthcoming at speaking it.

WEATHER
France is a vast country with varying climates and temperatures. In the north and Paris, winters are damp and can get very cold, whereas down in the south, a mild climate remains. In the mountains, winter clothing is essential, and snow is prevalent. Spring and autumn are great seasons to visit France, across all the country. Summer months are generally good, with warm weather from north to south. ON the Riviera, expect excellent temperatures across the summer months. In the past few years, France has seen a number of heat waves, with temperatures peaking around 40°C, so it is best to be prepared.

ELECTRICITY
In France, the standard voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50Hz. You will need a European plug adapter, and/or converter depending on which electrical appliances you bring with you.

MOBILES & INTERNET COMMUNICATION

Moblie coverage is widely avaliable across France, be sure to check with your mobile provider for coverage and rates, as data roaming can be extremely expensive.

MONEY

• Currency
The currency of France is the Euro € (EUR). Credit cards are widely accepted, but it is advisable to carry money in cash with you as well. Credit cards can be used for small transactions in a number of places, but some shops are cash only. ATMs are widely available in cities, but not so in smaller villages.
Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards however many places do not accept cards such as Diners Club or American Express. If you intend to use any of your debit or credit cards whilst away, please make sure that you contact your bank before you leave to inform them that you will be travelling in order not to cause any problems using your cards or whilst on the trip.

Important Note for US Travellers – France was the world leader in chip-and-pin credit cards, and they are used for almost all purchases nowadays. Cards with magnetic strips on the back (commonly used in North America) may not work with certain automated machines where contactless payment or chip and pin is the only option. It may be advisable to contact your card issuer to see if you can get a new chip and pin card. You might want to carry some extra cash in your wallet to use in these situations just in case. You may be asked to provide ID if you cannot pay by chip and PIN.

• Gratuities

After feedback from previous guests, we offer a group tipping package for this tour, more information on this will be shared in the 'Pre-Tour Emails'.

WATER

The tap water in France is generally of excellent quality. Unless otherwise advised, you can drink the local tap water. Bottled water can be bought at supermarkets, kiosks and many shops.

SAFETY & SECURITY

As visitors, tourists may be more vulnerable to petty crimes like pickpocketing and scams, so we recommend staying aware and taking simple precautions.

RELIGION

France is predominantly Catholic, home to some of the best cathedrals in the world. There is a large Muslim population in France, mainly from immigrants of their old colonial countries in northern and central Africa.

PHOTOGRAPHY
France offers photo opportunities one after another. You will return with many photos that can never be repeated. Remember to pack your camera, along with the charger, spare batteries and a spare memory card!

ARRIVAL IN FRANCE
Please note, standard hotel check-in is around 3pm, so should you arrive earlier than this, your room may not be available upon arrival. For those arriving early morning, we will do everything we can to work with the hotel to get you an earlier check-in subject to availability.

TOUR HOTEL INFORMATION
Please check your tour paperwork for hotel information attaining to your tour departure.

If you have any other questions that we have not covered here; then please send us an e-mail to: info@thebigjourneycompany.com

Disclaimer: The above information is provided as a guideline only. The Big Journey Company assumes no liability for any errors or omissions in this document.

Updated November 2024