Updated text as of 3/23/16
Don’t pack too soon. It’s just too easy to keep remembering and adding more stuff that might come in handy if you work too long on it. Remember that you are not
moving your household, just your barest necessities. Pack as if packing for a 6-year-old’s
overnight birthday party and you'll still be inclined to take too much. Don't weigh yourself down physically and psychologically-- and airlines have made extra weight and baggage expensive.
Assuming you're not bicycling, cutting down to one overhead sized carry-on for a week isn't crazy. If you are on a longer trip find clothes that weigh less (so you can pack more). I highly recommend silk (hand washable) and casual clothing sold by stores such as Patagonia. If you are flying within France or to Switzerland, you may be told that your overhead luggage is too heavy-- in your planning for the trip, check on the details before packing or something might have to be left behind in the airport.
If you need medication with you, make sure you don't check it into baggage! You can be separated from it for days if problems come up with the flight. Don't assume you can buy a bottle of over the counter "anything" in France. If you find the same item you use in the U.S., it's often limited to 10 tablets at a time (yes, you can waste time going to multiple pharmacies to overcome the system but why not bring the aspirin with you?).
Look for the "i" and the word renseignements (not "information") to find the information bureau. Colors and fonts might vary on the symbol. In my experience, there is always an English speaker at the information counter.
| TGV fast trains: a village on the way to Lyon |
By my count, I have traveled to France at least
10 - 15 times over the past 30 years. I have also traveled to many other countries as well.
Thirty years ago in France, there were legitimate reasons to worry about finding a toilet, finding someone that spoke English, exchanging money conveniently, and understanding the transportation system. Now in the new century, France (especially in Paris and the larger cities) has caught on to the idea that they will benefit from the many economy-building tourists that don't speak French and need a conveniently located, clean, toilet. In most situations, ATMs have solved the money exchange issues.
Good walking shoes are the best transportation. If not, the trains, count on the Metro and buses. Look for the information "i" to ask for details. (see text below).There is a shortage of taxis available in Paris so you might need to order one in advance. Uber exists, but may not be legal. It's been my experience that taxi drivers in Paris rarely speak much English. The Cote d'Azur drivers are more likely to have worked on their English.
Thirty years ago in France, there were legitimate reasons to worry about finding a toilet, finding someone that spoke English, exchanging money conveniently, and understanding the transportation system. Now in the new century, France (especially in Paris and the larger cities) has caught on to the idea that they will benefit from the many economy-building tourists that don't speak French and need a conveniently located, clean, toilet. In most situations, ATMs have solved the money exchange issues.
Good walking shoes are the best transportation. If not, the trains, count on the Metro and buses. Look for the information "i" to ask for details. (see text below).There is a shortage of taxis available in Paris so you might need to order one in advance. Uber exists, but may not be legal. It's been my experience that taxi drivers in Paris rarely speak much English. The Cote d'Azur drivers are more likely to have worked on their English.
Here are some of the practical things I've learned through the years about traveling in France:
First:
Pack as little as possible. It seems
obvious, but years of refining this idea have paid off very well in making trips easier. The most
dramatic demonstration of how little I actually need was my first trip to
France in 1982-- we bicycled across a good part of it, in combination with hopping on
and off trains when attempting to traverse difficult terrain or we when were behind schedule (“Train plus velo” it was called in the early ‘80s).
| The way people dress in Lyon, France at the summer sales. |
For that trip, we set out with our bicycles from Lyon and finished at Amsterdam Station. Prior to beginning out bicycle adventures (because I'd just finished a 6 week graduate program in Lyon) I shipped unneeded clothes and books to the Amsterdam Central Train
Station where they were held for me. We sent some things directly home to the U.S. by surface postal service (surface mail =
a long ride on a boat). All that we had left, we stuffed in the panniers on our bicycles.
It didn’t take long for me to discover unnecessary weight still hindered my cross-country advance. We again forwarded the excess to Amsterdam for later pick up. I essentially pared-down
to some underwear and one other alternate set of clothes for bicycling.
Bottom line: For
clothing, I learned that if you can’t wash it out in a sink and hang it up to
dry overnight, it's not essential. Your most important asset besides money or
credit is a map/GPS. Sun block, a toothbrush and your own soap
are important. Reduce reading material to disposable newspapers or a reading device like a
Kindle. (Yes, Kindle sells you all kinds of stuff through wi-fi while traveling in France.) Retain a paper map in case your electronic devices fail or go missing. Cell phone use can be "iffy"... your phone service in your home country will tell you it will work (but it might not). Learn to use skype at cafés).
Second:
Assuming you're not bicycling, cutting down to one overhead sized carry-on for a week isn't crazy. If you are on a longer trip find clothes that weigh less (so you can pack more). I highly recommend silk (hand washable) and casual clothing sold by stores such as Patagonia. If you are flying within France or to Switzerland, you may be told that your overhead luggage is too heavy-- in your planning for the trip, check on the details before packing or something might have to be left behind in the airport.
If you need medication with you, make sure you don't check it into baggage! You can be separated from it for days if problems come up with the flight. Don't assume you can buy a bottle of over the counter "anything" in France. If you find the same item you use in the U.S., it's often limited to 10 tablets at a time (yes, you can waste time going to multiple pharmacies to overcome the system but why not bring the aspirin with you?).
Bottom Line: In Europe, there is always a drugstore around the corner (hours can be quite limited), a
laundry, ATMs of choice, and if you really need to dress up: bring simple, inexpensive
jewelry, a pair of nicer shoes, and definitely a multitasking silk scarf. Women still generally don't wear shorts in France--it sends a message you don't want to put out. As
usual, men need only to present themselves as clean, tidy and with clothing and
shoes that bear no holes. The French have learned to tolerate casual dressing in most cases. If you suddenly have a need for something dressier, buy it there. If you can,
research the neighborhoods you’ll be in for ATM options
that work with your card.
Third:
Double check that you have all of your identity papers,
visa if required, enough cash in your banking account to withdraw at foreign
ATMs, and be sure to call your credit card companies to give them information about your
trip. Make a check list for this at least a week in advance and take
action on these things at least 3 days in advance to keep what little hair you
may have left from falling out or turning gray as you grab that taxi to the
airport. Read the fine print in your agreement with your bank card: if they charge fees for foreign purchases, find a bank card that doesn't. Get a credit card using chip technology which is what all of Europe runs on. Others may cause you delays and aggravation if you don't have the chip or payment problems if someone steals it.
Bottom Line: The
worst consequences of failing to use this advice are being sent home by security at the airport or
missing your flight connection because of a lack of organization.
Fourth:
Memorize the name and address of the friend you’ll be
staying with or your hotel name and address for passing through immigration. Preferably, give a plausible itinerary to describe your trip even if you don’t follow it. (Act
like a grown-up.) I have often been asked where I am staying by authorities and have at times almost
drawn a complete blank just because I was surprised by the question.
Security: Never show up at the last advisable minute for a flight or a train. We all know there are good reasons for extra security so do yourself a favor and arrive at departure an extra hour in advance. We have found that lines can be shorter...
Security: Never show up at the last advisable minute for a flight or a train. We all know there are good reasons for extra security so do yourself a favor and arrive at departure an extra hour in advance. We have found that lines can be shorter...
Bottom line: It
makes you look suspicious if you don’t know where you are going or how long you
are going to stay there. Especially in France, a land in which no one ever
admits to not knowing something-- and in which personal identification carried on
your person at all times is required by law-- present yourself as capable and as
knowledgeable as possible without telling falsehoods. This can make traveling in
France a lot easier.
Fifth (and a warning):
Never, ever drive a car after drinking alcohol. France now has the toughest laws in Europe for driving drunk. With all the other
transportation options available to everyone, there is just no excuse. Click here for Driving and Alcohol in France
Bon voyage (happy travels)!
P.S. If you are learning French, you may find the locals keep switching you to English. This is not as likely in certain smaller cities and rural areas. (Tours was good, Villefranche-sur-mer is excellent.) I've found insisting on speaking French can work if you are friendly and show that you really are interested in the local culture. Mention (en française) that you are an élève (student of French). Most people soften up.
Bon voyage (happy travels)!
P.S. If you are learning French, you may find the locals keep switching you to English. This is not as likely in certain smaller cities and rural areas. (Tours was good, Villefranche-sur-mer is excellent.) I've found insisting on speaking French can work if you are friendly and show that you really are interested in the local culture. Mention (en française) that you are an élève (student of French). Most people soften up.
These are useful survival tips and I’m sure they’ll really help anyone who is visiting France for the first time. There are even some helpful points for if you’re planning School Tours To France since these are things students could benefit from knowing at any age.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. Traveling as a student can be so different than traveling as an independent adult. For one thing, in France there are no student discounts to museums and such over the age of 25 (even if you are a student). So don't buy a discount card if this applies to you. Instead, make reservations for tickets to museums online for discounts and easier entrance to places like the Louvre. Research and organization saves money. Also, there will be no one to figure out how to access the medical system for you as an adult unless you have purchased a traveler's medical plan and/or have assistance from an organization such as American Express. You may be too sick to get to the American Embassy if there is one near or as happens, the embassy closes when there are certain important dignitaries visiting it (this happened to someone I know). With the availability of GPS and downloading maps onto an i Pad or similar, make a point of having access to this travel information. Paris might not be London or Rome, but it still has confusing parts and you can help a taxi driver to find your destination. Although they are very useful, my husband and I found purchasing and using cell phones in France difficult because you have to have a local bank card and a local address. Also, you have to be able to follow instructions on the phone in French (no other languages offered by pressing #2). We have acquired a credit card with a "chip" in it (few American banks offer this option and often don't even know what you are asking for). This is the type of card required of locals in France for most transactions. You can skip long lines at the train ticket window if you have this kind of card to use at the ticket machines.
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