France is one of my favourite travel destinations. Having spent 4 months in Paris I’m not surprised when it figures in most folks’ bucket lists. There are very varied experiences you can have in France – from visiting the beautiful cities such as Paris or Lyon to touring the stunning French Riviera.

Here’s a quick reckoner about France:

• Location: Western Europe. France is bordered by Switzerland and Italy to the East, Spain and Andorra to the West, Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg to the North-East
• Languages: French
• Currency: Euro
• Visa: Schengen
• Public transportation: Excellent public transportation comprising trains, trams, buses, cable cars. As a tourist, you can easily employ public transportation instead of renting a car
• Driving side: Right
• Electrical plug category: Power plugs and sockets are of type C and E. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz
• Major cities: Paris (capital), Lyon, Marseille
• Famous food: French cuisine is acclaimed as one of the finest in the world. France is the birthplace of the Michelin Guide.
• Famous souvenirs: Wine, Champagne, Macarons, Cheese, Lavender
• Useful phrases to know:
  • Hello – Bonjour
  • Thank you – Merci!, Merci beaucoup!
  • Yes – Oui
  • No – Non
  • Please – S’il vous plaît
  • Do you speak English? – Parlez vous anglais?

Here are some travel guides to get you started on planning your vacation in France!