France

Europe · 24+ destinations to browse

Boulevard cafés and Alpine peaks, Loire châteaux and lavender fields — the world's most visited country, and it earns it.

Best time

April – June, September – October

Daily budget

₹8,000 – ₹20,000/day

Visa

Visa required

Safety

4 / 5

Practical information

Currency

Euro (€, EUR)

Languages

French

Time zone

CET (UTC+1)

Emergency

112 (EU-wide), 15 medical, 17 police

Internet

Excellent; free Wi-Fi common in cafés.

SIM cards

Orange/SFR prepaid or an EU eSIM.

Getting around

TGV high-speed rail, dense metros, cheap intercity buses.

Visa details

Schengen visa required for Indian passport holders.

Know before you go

Popular foods

Croissant
Coq au vin
Cheese & baguette
Macarons
Bouillabaisse

Famous festivals

Bastille Day
Cannes Film Festival
Fête de la Musique

Etiquette

Greet with 'Bonjour' before anything else
Keep voices low in restaurants
Service is usually included

Packing suggestions

Smart-casual clothes
Comfortable walking shoes
Umbrella
Type E adapter

Travel tips

Book major museums online to skip queues
Many places shut Sundays/August
Watch for pickpockets in tourist crowds

Popular cities

ParisNiceLyonBordeauxMarseilleChamonix

Destinations in France197 total

Showing the 24 most popular of 197 — search or pick a tag above to find a specific place.

📍 Château

4.5

Palace of Versailles

Versailles

Palace in Versailles, France and location of the Museum of the History of France. It lies in northern France, at its finest under long, warm summer days.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Château de Montsoreau

Montsoreau

Castle in the Loire valley France and location of château de montsoreau-museum of contemporary art.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Bastille

4th arrondissement of Paris

Former fortress in Paris, France. It lies in northern France, at its finest under long, warm summer days.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Château de Chambord

Tour-en-Sologne

Castle in Chambord, Centre-Val de Loire, France. It lies in northern France, at its finest under long, warm summer days.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Palace of Fontainebleau

Fontainebleau

Palace in Fontainebleau, France. It lies in northern France, at its finest under long, warm summer days.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Château de Chenonceau

Francueil

Castle spanning the River Cher in the Loire Valley, France. It sits in France's mild Atlantic west, greenest and most comfortable from late spring to early autumn.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Château de Vincennes

Vincennes

Château de Vincennes is a notable château in Vincennes, France. It lies in northern France, at its finest under long, warm summer days.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Château de Blois

Blois

Residence in Blois, France. It lies in northern France, at its finest under long, warm summer days.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Vaux-le-Vicomte

Moisenay

Nicolas Fouquet's castle in Maincy. It lies in northern France, at its finest under long, warm summer days.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Château d'Amboise

Amboise

Château located in Amboise, France. It sits in France's mild Atlantic west, greenest and most comfortable from late spring to early autumn.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Louvre Palace

1st arrondissement of Paris

Former royal palace, now hosting the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. It lies in northern France, at its finest under long, warm summer days.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye

Saint-Germain-en-Laye

Castle housing the national archeology museum near Paris. It lies in northern France, at its finest under long, warm summer days.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Château d'Azay-le-Rideau

Azay-le-Rideau

French castle. It sits in France's mild Atlantic west, greenest and most comfortable from late spring to early autumn.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Château de Villandry

Villandry

French Renaissance castle in the Loire Valley. It sits in France's mild Atlantic west, greenest and most comfortable from late spring to early autumn.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Chinon Castle

Chinon

Castle in France. It sits in France's mild Atlantic west, greenest and most comfortable from late spring to early autumn.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Château de Chantilly

Chantilly

Opulent chateau in Chantilly, France rebuilt after the Revolution, with a major art collection, equine museum & gardens.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Clos Lucé

Amboise

Castle of Amboise, France. It sits in France's mild Atlantic west, greenest and most comfortable from late spring to early autumn.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Château d'Angers

Angers

Castle in Angers, France. It sits in France's mild Atlantic west, greenest and most comfortable from late spring to early autumn.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Château de Malmaison

Rueil-Malmaison

Historic estate and mansion near Paris, France. It lies in northern France, at its finest under long, warm summer days.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg

Sélestat

Castle in Alsace, France. It lies in northern France, at its finest under long, warm summer days.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Château de Saumur

Saumur

Château de Saumur is a notable château in Saumur, France. It sits in France's mild Atlantic west, greenest and most comfortable from late spring to early autumn.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Château de Loches

Loches

Château de Loches is a notable château in Loches, France. It sits in France's mild Atlantic west, greenest and most comfortable from late spring to early autumn.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Castle of Pierrefonds

Pierrefonds

French castle. It lies in northern France, at its finest under long, warm summer days.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore

📍 Château

4.5

Château Gaillard

Les Andelys

French medieval castle in Les Andelys, Normandy. It lies in northern France, at its finest under long, warm summer days.

April – October (gardens in bloom, long days)2 – 3 hoursExplore