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Travel tips for France - what to prepare in advance and what to obey

1. Paris is the main tourist city in the world, however it is rather small. You can walk through it on foot, even if you are located in one of the remote quarters. Walking around Paris will be a fascinating excursion and will allow you to best feel the true spirit of France.
2. In large cities and especially Paris, one should beware of neighborhoods and areas where immigrants live. Because of the high unemployment rate, some of them lead a criminal way of life. At night, robberies are common in such areas.
3. When visiting popular tourist places as the Louvre, the Champs Elysees, the Eiffel Tower, the Latin Quarter, it is worth being extremely attentive. In such places, the concentration of pickpockets is the highest.
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4. Most museums offer flexible prices. On some days they work for free.
5. The older generations of French residents do not speak English. If you do not know French, communicate better with young people in English.
6. Active leisure activities are very popular in France. Tourists can choose any route independently and go on a trip without a tour operator. However, it is important to remember that the entrance to the national parks can be paid.
7. Fishing in France is possible only after purchasing a special license. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
8. Summer in France is very hot. The weather varies greatly depending on the region. The best time for a sightseeing trip is May and September-October.
9. Seacoast recreation in the country is concentrated on the resorts of the Azure coast of the Mediterranean Sea; high season is July-August. At this time in the cities are the famous film festivals and cultural events.
10. Public transport runs round the clock in France: between 12. 30 and 4AM. Also special night buses run through the streets.
11. In the small and resort towns of France, there is a very high level of security. Tourists can freely stroll through the streets even at night.
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12. In Paris, there is a highly developed accommodation system not in hotels, but in small studio apartments. You can choose an option for posting like on special Internet portals.
13. Rooms in hotels and apartments in Paris are incredibly close. Tourists with children should be prepared for it.
14. Sundays are days off for most establishments. Monday morning is also often a non-working day for organizations and stores.
15. When choosing a place to stay, especially with children, it is best to stop the choice on the places far away from the stations and the Moulin Rouge area.
France guide chapters 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Colorful and unique places in France

Pont du Gard

From the series “The Most Interesting UNESCO Sites in France”
Several aqueducts built during the Roman Empire have survived in the world. The highest of them is in France. It's called the Pont du Gard. This ancient bridge is 275 meters long and 47 meters high. The bridge passes over the Gardon River. It is located in a very picturesque natural area. As recent studies have shown, the construction of the aqueduct took place in the 1st century AD.

It is noteworthy that lime was not used in the construction of the bridge. This did not prevent the bridge from being built incredibly strong and reliable. The aqueduct is three-tiered. It has a rather complex architectural style. Each tier has a different number of arches. They differ in width. Originally, the bridge was built to provide water to the surrounding cities. It was used as a regular transport … Read all

Abbey of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe

From the series “The Most Interesting UNESCO Sites in France”
Abbey of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe became famous throughout the world due to its unique frescoes. They were created by craftsmen in the 11th-12th century. These works of the art managed to preserve their original beauty after hundreds of years. The collection of frescoes is considered the largest in France today. All the murals are made in the Romanesque style. The history of the Abbey of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe dates back to the 9th century. The first religious monuments were built on its territory much earlier.

The remains of the martyrs were discovered by chance here in the 9th century. The construction of the monastery began on the order of Charlemagne at the burial site. Representatives of the royal family made large donations to the abbey for hundreds of years. This allowed the … Read all

Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay

From the series “The Most Interesting UNESCO Sites in France”
The Abbey of Fontenay is the oldest surviving Cistercian monastery in France. It was founded in 1118. Its foundation was due to the rapid growth of the order. The 12th and 13th centuries were the heydays of the monastery. It has been falling into disrepair since the Hundred Years' War. The monastery was sacked by the army of the English conquerors during the war period. It lost almost all of its valuables. Less than 20 monks lived in the dilapidated monastery at the beginning of the 18th century.

The monks themselves destroyed some buildings of the large-scale abbey as unnecessary during this period. There were no funds for the maintenance of a large architectural complex. The Abbey of Fontenay was closed during the French Revolution. The historic building was sold in 1791. The … Read all
All unique sightseeing France
 

Advices for popular cities of France

Paris
1. Travelers are not recommended to rent a car, because driving through the streets of the city may be very difficult due to heavy traffic jams. 2. Subway is the best way to move around the city. Tourists also have an opportunity to rent a bike. 3. Local markets ... Read further »
Nice
1. Fans of shopping should not forget to should visit «degriffes» shops, in which they can buy clothes and shoes of famous brands. These shops sell unsold merchandise from department stores, and prices are several times lower than in regular shops. 2. Service ... Read further »
Cannes
1. Almost all shops, restaurants and entertainment venues accept payments by plastic cards. Only tourists, who plan to make many purchases in open markets and small shops that are located in the suburban area, will need a sufficient amount of cash. 2. The most ... Read further »
Lyon
1. The period from early May to late September is considered a high season. At this time, the weather is the most favorable; it’s good for walking, as rains are very rare. Tourists, who plan to visit Lyon during this period, have to take care about booking a room in ... Read further »
Toulouse
1. You can make a trip literally at any time of year, as Toulouse has a very mild and pleasant climate. The hottest months of the year are July and August, when the average daily temperature is around 26 degrees Celsius. In winter, the temperature rarely drops below 8 ... Read further »
Marseille
1. The La Canebière street hosts a perfect tourist information center. All the guests of Marseille are recommended to start their city tours from this place. The center offers city maps absolutely free. One may book a city tour there, learn the schedule of upcoming ... Read further »
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