France — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“Romantic Paris, Loire châteaux, and the Riviera”
France is the most-visited destination in the world — the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in Paris, the châteaux of the Loire Valley, the lavender of Provence, the beaches of the French Riviera, and the Alps, all paired with world-class food, wine, and croissants.
France at a glance
Choose a city in France
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Paris
Lyon
Marseille
Bordeaux
Nice
Toulouse
Nantes
Strasbourg
Cannes
AnnecyDecide — is France right for you?
Why people love France, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Paris of your dreams
The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, and sidewalk cafés — the most romantic city of all.
Châteaux and history
The Palace of Versailles and the exquisite châteaux of the Loire Valley.
Food and wine
The Bordeaux and Burgundy wine regions, cheese, and Michelin-level cuisine.
Lavender fields
Purple Provence in summer and beautiful hilltop villages.
Varied landscapes
The Alps, the Riviera beaches, and Mont-Saint-Michel.
France vs its neighbors
| France | Italy | Spain | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $85–155 | $80–145 | $65–130 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | Schengen | Schengen | Schengen |
| Getting around cities | Metro + TGV link every major city | Trenitalia is good but some lines run on time | Renfe + metro work well |
| English | Workable in tourist areas · better in Paris than the regions | Limited, but other travelers can help | Workable in tourist areas |
| Known for | Fashion · food · wine · art | The Colosseum · food · history | Flamenco · beaches · architecture |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
First time in Paris
Base yourself in Paris for 4–5 nights for the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Montmartre, then take the TGV down to Nice or Bordeaux.
See this plan → 🍷Food and wine
Wine tasting in Bordeaux, Lyon the food capital of France, and the morning markets of Provence — this route is for serious food lovers.
See this plan → 🌊French Riviera
Nice, Cannes, and Monaco — clear blue seas, great sun, and seafood by the beach, all easily reached by the coastal train.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
13 ranked reviews
Reviewed12 Best Hotels in Annecy, France (2026) — Reviews & Price Comparison
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ReviewedThe 11 Best Hotels in Cannes for 2026 — Reviews & Price Comparison
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Reviewed12 Best Hotels in Strasbourg, France for 2026 — Reviewed & Price-Compared
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Reviewed8 Best Hotels in Toulouse: Capitole & Matabiau Picks 2026
8 hotels · Read review →
Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Lyon — Part-Dieu & Old Town Access (2026)
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Reviewed8 Best Hotels in Nantes — Bouffay & Gare Centrale (2026)
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Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Marseille: Saint-Charles & Vieux Port 2026
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Reviewed10 Best Bordeaux Hotels: Gare Saint-Jean & Tram C (2026)
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Reviewed8 Best Hotels Near Nice-Ville Station — Cote d'Azur Base
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Reviewed8 Best Beachfront Hotels in Nice — Promenade (2026)
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Reviewed8 Best Eiffel Tower View Hotels in Paris (2026)
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Reviewed10 Best Hotels on Champs-Elysees Paris (2026)
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Reviewed10 Best Hotels Near Gare de Lyon Paris (2026)
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City-by-city food guides — standout dishes and places to try, with real photos
🍜 EatAnnecy Food Guide
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🍜 EatBordeaux Food Guide
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🍜 EatCannes Food Guide
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🍜 EatLyon Food Guide
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🍜 EatMarseille Food Guide
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🍜 EatNantes Food Guide
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🍜 EatNice Food Guide
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🍜 EatParis Food Guide
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🍜 EatStrasbourg Food Guide
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🍜 EatToulouse Food Guide
Read the guide →Signature dishes across France
- 1🥐
Croissant & pain au chocolat
Buttery pastries from the bakery — a classic French breakfast.
📍 Nationwide - 2🥖
Baguette & cheese
Crusty-outside, soft-inside bread with all sorts of cheese — the heart of French food.
📍 Nationwide - 3🐌
Escargot
Snails baked in garlic butter — a renowned treat for the adventurous.
📍 Burgundy - 4🥘
Ratatouille & boeuf bourguignon
Provençal vegetable stew and beef braised in Burgundy red wine.
📍 Nationwide - 5🍮
Macarons & crème brûlée
Legendary French sweets — colorful and delicately delicious.
📍 Nationwide
City-by-city sightseeing guides — real photos, locations and unmissable highlights
📸 SeeAnnecy Things To Do
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📸 SeeBordeaux Things To Do
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📸 SeeCannes Things To Do
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📸 SeeLyon Things To Do
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📸 SeeMarseille Things To Do
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📸 SeeNantes Things To Do
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📸 SeeNice Things To Do
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📸 SeeParis Things To Do
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📸 SeeStrasbourg Things To Do
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📸 SeeToulouse Things To Do
Read the guide →Top sights across France
- 1🗼
Paris
The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Champs-Élysées, and Montmartre — worth several days and never dull.
📍 Île-de-France - 2🏰
Versailles
An opulent royal palace with the Hall of Mirrors and vast French gardens.
📍 Near Paris - 3⛪
Mont-Saint-Michel
An abbey on a tidal island — a fairytale-like World Heritage site.
📍 Normandy - 4🏖️
Nice / French Riviera
Mediterranean beaches, with Cannes and Monaco close by.
📍 Côte d'Azur - 5💜
Provence
Lavender fields, hilltop villages, and local produce markets.
📍 The South - 6🍷
Bordeaux
A world-class wine city with vineyards and 18th-century architecture.
📍 Southwest
🚆 Getting around France
TGV high-speed rail
Links Paris, Lyon, Nice, and Bordeaux fast — book ahead for cheap fares.
Paris metro
Covers the whole city — buy a book of tickets (carnet) or a Navigo pass to save.
Regional trains (TER)
Reach small towns and the countryside, like the Loire châteaux and Provence.
Airports
Reach central Paris from Charles de Gaulle via the RER B or the Roissybus.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in France
Schengen/euro
France is in the Schengen area and uses the euro, making onward travel to other European countries easy.
Greet in French
Always start with 'Bonjour' before asking — the French take politeness seriously.
Schengen visa
Thai travelers must obtain a Schengen visa in advance, which is valid for several countries in the zone.
Meal times
Lunch is around noon and dinner around 7:30 pm or later — many places close in the afternoon.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Hostel / 2–3★ hotel $30–50
Eat baguette and cheese from the supermarket, and a Navigo pass for the metro and RER is great value over several days.
Comfortable
🛏️ 3–4★ hotel near the metro $55–100
Mix local bistros with one or two special meals, and the TGV between cities is affordable when booked ahead.
Premium
🛏️ Luxury hotel in the 8th / 16th / Saint-Germain $170+
Dine at a Michelin restaurant, shop the Champs-Élysées, and cruise the Seine.
🗓️ When to visit France
Spring
Apr – JunFlowers in bloom and pleasant weather — the loveliest time to visit Paris.
Summer
Jul – AugProvence's lavender in bloom and the Riviera beaches buzzing — crowded and hot.
Autumn
Sep – OctGrape-harvest season, cool, comfortable weather, turning leaves, and fewer crowds.
Winter
Nov – FebCold, with the Christmas markets of Alsace and skiing in the Alps.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in France — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.4👑 Great for your trip
★ 9.3💑 Great for your trip★ 9.2👑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in France?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting France
How many days do I need in France?+
5–6 days for Paris plus Versailles; add 3–4 days for the south (Provence–Nice) or the Loire châteaux.
Do Thai travelers need a visa?+
Yes, you need a Schengen visa in advance, which lets you visit several countries in the Schengen zone — prepare your financial, accommodation, and travel-plan documents.
When should I visit the lavender fields of Provence?+
Mid-June to early August is peak lavender bloom, especially on the Valensole plateau and at the Sénanque Abbey.
Tips before you go to France
- Apply for a Schengen visa in advance (you can travel on to other European countries)
- Book TGV tickets ahead for much cheaper fares
- Always open a conversation with 'Bonjour' — manners matter
- Watch for pickpockets at tourist sites and on the Paris metro