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France

The world's greatest food culture, extraordinary wine and a countryside that rivals any in Europe.

Europe
🥐 Boulangerie Culture🍷 Wine Regions🏰 Châteaux🚲 Cycling

Backpacking France

France is the most visited country on earth for reasons that remain completely valid. Beyond Paris: the Loire Valley châteaux, the Burgundy wine villages, the lavender fields of Provence, the mountains of Chamonix and the medieval cities of the south (Carcassonne, Avignon, Arles) are all extraordinary. France rewards those who leave Paris.

£55–£90/day avg daily budget
Key Info
Euro (€)FrenchType E/FDrive Right
Not obligatory — 5–10% appreciated at sit-down restaurants
Weather
Best: May–Jun & Sep–Oct
Summer (Jul–Aug) — Côte d'Azur packed, Paris quiet as locals leave
May–June is the best month across most of France. Vendanges (harvest) in September is special.
Health
Tap water safe throughout France — excellent quality
No vaccines required
Transport
TGV trainBusVélib bike
✈️ CDG Paris (RER B, 35 min) / NCE Nice / LYS Lyon
TGV high-speed trains are the best way between cities. Cheap with advance booking.
Emergency
👮 Police17
🚑 SAMU15
🔥 Fire18
The Highlights

8 Things to Do in France

01
Take a TGV to Lyon — France's gastronomic capital with bouchons (traditional restaurants) serving quenelles and coq au vin
02
Drive the Route des Vins d'Alsace — 170km through wine villages between Strasbourg and Mulhouse
03
Walk the Calanques national park near Marseille — turquoise coves accessible only on foot
04
Visit Mont Saint-Michel at high tide — the island abbey in the bay off Normandy
05
Cycle the Loire Valley — flat paths between châteaux, excellent value gîtes to stay
06
Eat a proper boeuf bourguignon in Burgundy — the wine village of Beaune is the base
07
Canoe the Dordogne River through the Périgord — medieval castles on every bend
08
Watch the Tour de France by the roadside — free, extraordinary and uniquely French
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Insider Knowledge

What Most Guides Don't Tell You About France