In France, summer is a great period to visit many regions. You can stay beside the beach, enjoy romantic getaways in vineyards, visit castles with your family, explore charming towns and cities, climb mountains and have an authentic stay in the countryside. Many places that have been still all year long are waking up to offer tourists a warm welcome and a lively life. This is also the season of the year when many festivals and events are organized.
As an international tourist, you definitely want to avoid tourist traps and live the local life without missing anything. If you are considering visiting France this summer, here is a list of what you need to know.
With the current situation
To come: As you may know already, the president of France has laid out a reopening plan that allow foreign visitors to enter the country on June 9. You need to have a Pass Sanitaire (health pass) showing that you are fully vaccinated or a negative COVID-19 PCR test. Several airlines are operating flights from various U.S. cities including Delta, Air France, American, Lufthansa, Finn Air, Iberia, United, Swiss, and TAP Portugal.
On the spot: Masks are still required in all public places, even for those who are vaccinated (except when practicing sports) and in the bigger streets of major cities (fines can be given by police of up to €135, the equivalent of $165). Gatherings of more than six people are forbidden. Museums and monuments are now open. Disneyland Paris will open on 17 June with pre-booked tickets. The Eiffel Tower will open on 16 July and the Moulin Rouge on 10 September. Restaurants, bars and cafes are now allowed to serve inside and outside with no more than 6 people on any one table. The curfew is pushed back to 11pm
To depart : Before returning to the United States, you need to show a laboratory-generated negative COVID-19 test result procured no more than three days prior to departure to the U.S. Tests are free in France (for all nationalities) and you can easily take an appointment with a local doctor via Doctolib. Results often take less than 24 hours if it’s for a PCR test.
In general....
Be aware of bank holidays and celebration days!
Why be aware of bank holidays?
First, in some areas, bank holidays might mean that places normally open to the public will be closed. You might want to check opening times and days before driving two hours to realize that the place you wanted to visit so much is closed for the day. Sometimes, it means on the contrary that places will be extremely crowded... if you want to get a nice dinner with view on July 14 you might want to book it in advance! Finally, you need to check out the events organized on these days as there usually are plenty of things to see and do : concerts, fireworks... join the French and celebrate with them!
Here are the main dates:
June 21 - International Music Day : many concerts and musical events can be organized or take place in the streets. Everybody can play, sing or dance! It is usually also the end of the school year for our little ones.
July 14 - Bastille Day (our national day) : concerts and fireworks are organized almost everywhere! many towns and villages have their own celebration.
August 15 - Assumption Day : also an occasion to celebrate with concerts and fireworks. If you like fireworks, get in touch with us or the closest tourist office to know where and when it will take place. It can be on July 13 or July 14 and usually starts at 10.00pm.
Do not miss any exciting event organized in the area
As I said before, many events and festivals are organized during summer: it can be music festivals, traditional dances, dates and events celebrations, artistic or sport events... It can be international events such as Avignon international arts festival but also annual celebrations organized by small villages and towns. So, during your stay, get in touch with the local tourist office to see what the region has to offer. You wouldn't like to miss an unforgettable experience to share with the locals! You can also book your dates according to the events organized in the region you want to discover. Do not hesitate to contact us to see what would be the best period to visit a region if you are interested in live music and celebrations.
Avoid the crowds and traffic
French people usually take their holidays from July 15 to August 15 and they usually go on the Mediterranean or the Atlantic coast. Resorts are then becoming extremely busy with French people coming from the rest of France but also with international visitors from Northern Europe. Life is vibrant for sure, but it also means huge traffic jams on motorways and resorts fully booked in advance.
My advices: first, book your accommodation as soon as you can, you will get more choice. We know how staying in a lovely place meeting your expectations can have a positive impact on your stay and your vision of the visited region!
Then, if you want to go on the Mediterranean coast during summer, try to avoid travelling between July 15 and August 15.
Otherwise, you might want to go to the beach early in the morning or plan an evening picnic there. You will see that the atmosphere is very different than during the day. Why not get tempted by a bath under the moon? the Mediterranean sea can even be warmer after a long sunny day. In any case, avoid leaving the beach between 5.00pm and 6.30pm as everybody does and this means much traffic. Remember: French people do not eat dinner before 7.30pm-8.00pm and during summer it can be until 10.00pm !
Finally, if you are allergic to crowd and still want to discover France this summer you can visit another region, further from the sea, and enjoy water activities on the many rivers and lakes that the countries has to offer.
The weather
It can be very different from one region to another! If the Atlantic coast can have rainy days during the summer, the Mediterranean coast is usually extremely hot. In any case, double check that your hotel has air conditioning and take an umbrella with you. You can always contact us to check the specific region you are going to. Although we do not manage weather yet, we will be able to give you statistics about previous years ;-)
Avoid tourists traps
As in every other destination, there are tourists traps everywhere! before you go, get to know the approximate prices for the services you might be using such as a cab from the airport to the city for instance. Also, contact us if you want a list of restaurants recommendations. If you only see tourists on a restaurant's terrace, it is probably not a good restaurant. A good restaurant is where you will find locals!
And, finally, (of course!), the best way to experience a great stay is to get in touch with your local expert ;-)
To plan your next vacation: info@inland-travel.com
We are here for you !
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