Trip Tips and What to Pack For Your
France Singles Vacation

Passport and Visas:

Visas are not required for US, Canadian and European citizens. To enter France, a passport valid for at least three months beyond the length of stay is required by all nationals. South African citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival, and a valid Schengen visa, to enter Italy. All other citizens please check with your local embassy

Local Currency:

Currency in France: Euro
Euros come in both paper and coins. Paper Euros come in different colors and sizes depending on the face value, 500 bills are violet, 200 bills are yellow, 100 are green, 50 are orange, 20 are blue, 10 are red and 5 are grey. The coins are either 1 Euro or 2 Euros, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. The bigger the coin the bigger the value... the 1 cent coin is very small.

Local Time:

France is Central European Time (CET).
6 Hours ahead of EST / 9 Hours ahead of PST - During daylight savings: 5 Hours ahead of EST / 8 Hours ahead of PST

Electric Plugs:

Electricity in Italy, as in the rest of Europe, comes out of the wall socket at 220 volts alternating at a 50 cycles per second. In North America, electricity comes out of the wall socket at 110 volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second. Not only the voltages and frequencies, but the sockets themselves are different. Italy's outlets are two (or three) round-prong socket. You will need an electric converter.

Weather:

France's weather is very diverse and changes from region to region and city to city..

Paris and Lyon are located in the Central and Eastern part of France and share some of the country’s coldest winters, with frequent snow and frost. Summers are usually warm, with temperatures in the mid 70s F in Paris and the low 90s F in Lyon. Expect a quick thunderstorm in July and August.

A Mediterranean climate can be found along the French Riviera: Marseilles, Nice and Corsica. Summer is the best time to enjoy the sun, beach and nightlife. The average temperature is around 85 F. Even though the climate is a little dry, a comfortable sea breeze always comes in from the Mediterranean.

What to Pack for Your France Vacation

The French are all about the fashion. Our vacations are casual, so dress for comfort, Of course wear what makes you happy!

Pack clothing that can be layered depending on the day's weather. Neutral colors are always easy to match. Add a sweater or lightweight jacket that you can carry with you in case it gets chilly
If you don’t want to look like a tourist then don’t wear any of the following: white sneakers and white socks - baseball caps - fanny packs - sweatshirts or sweatpants

One suitcase and an overnight bag are allowed – please check with individual airlines for weight limits.

For what to pack on all singles vacations and more tips - Click Here

Phones:

Nowadays it’s relatively easy to use your own mobile phone in France, however, the costs of both making and receiving phone calls can be high. Texting is a more economical way to contact others. Please check with your carrier for availability and rates.

While in France, if you would like to use your phone for the internet, only when there is free internet, turn your phone to airplane mode.

France Country Code - 33

Shopping in France:

The most important word to know when shopping in France is SOLDE - English translation - SALE

As is the custom throughout Europe, prices displayed in shops in France always include sales tax ("la TVA" - value added tax). The price on the label is the price you will be pay/

Paris is one of the world's top shopping cities. Even people who hate shopping enjoy shopping in Paris. You can find something for everyone, whether it's haute couture, flea markets, perfume, comic books, outdoor markets, or whatever. Today most of the stores on the Champs Elysées are international chains, from Hugo Boss to Disney to Zara, and of course McDonalds. With a few exceptions such as Lacoste, Sephora, Cartier and Louis Vuitton, French shops are long gone.

The top French fashion designers such as Yves St. Laurent, Dior and Chanel have their own shops in Paris, plus they also have retail outlets in major department stores throughout France.

Stores in Nice are usually open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 7pm , some close for lunch. Most of the stores are closed on Sunday except in the Old Town where the shops stay open longer.

Local Foods:

France is world-famous for its cuisine and no French meal is complete without wine.
Try some of the country’s most famous dishes while in Paris. like boeuf à la bourguignonne or crêpes Suzette. French Onion Soup is on the menu at almost every restaurant and you can find yourself a quality Artisan Boulanger (bread shop) and enjoy a baguette, pain au Chocolat, or some pastries. Macarons are delicate, sweet, meringue-like shells that sandwiches some sort of ganache, buttercream, or jam filling.
France is known for great cheeses and each region has its own collection of cheeses, so be sure to give the regional specialties a try.
Food on the French Riviera more strongly resembles northern Italian than French food. The cuisine revolves around olives, olive oil and herbs, tomatoes and garlic. The emphasis is also placed on fresh seafood and local produce. Bouillabaisse is a fish stew that originally comes from Marseille and contains various kinds of fish and shellfish, and in the summertime Salad Nicoise is available everywhere.

Don’t Leave Home without your Passport!