What to pack for France
France spans several climates: mild and changeable in Paris and the north and west, Mediterranean on the Riviera and in Provence, and alpine in the mountains, where winters are snowy. Rain is possible in most regions in any month.
That is the long-term pattern, not a forecast. Weather in any given week can be warmer, colder or wetter than usual, so check the forecast a few days before you leave — Wayfold does this automatically and adjusts the packing list for your actual dates.
Pack with France in mind
- Layers you can add and remove — city weather changes during the day
- A packable rain jacket or umbrella
- Comfortable shoes for long museum and walking days
- Ski or snow gear for the Alps in winter
Start from a full checklist
Combine the points above with a complete list for the kind of trip you are taking:
- City break packing list · 48 items
- Ski trip packing list · 55 items
- Wedding guest packing list · 45 items
- Paris packing list · by season
What to eat in France
These are dishes most visitors to France will meet, with the usual recipe’s diet flags. Use them as a starting point for menus and for asking questions — not as a guarantee of what is in a particular plate.
Croissant
Buttery, flaky breakfast pastry.
Vegetarian-friendlyGlutenDairyEgg
Bœuf bourguignon
Beef slowly braised in red wine with mushrooms and onions.
Contains alcohol
Coq au vin
Chicken braised in wine, often with lardons.
Contains porkContains alcohol
Croque monsieur
Toasted ham and cheese sandwich, often with béchamel.
Contains porkGlutenDairy
Ratatouille
Provençal stew of courgette, aubergine, peppers and tomato.
Vegetarian-friendly
Crêpes
Thin pancakes, sweet or savoury; galettes are made with buckwheat.
Vegetarian-friendlyGlutenDairyEgg
Moules-frites
Mussels, often cooked in white wine, with fries.
Contains alcoholShellfish
Avoiding pork? In this list, Coq au vin and Croque monsieur usually contain pork.
Meal times, tipping and water
| Breakfast | 07:30–09:30 |
|---|---|
| Lunch | 12:00–14:00 |
| Dinner | 19:30–21:30 |
| Tipping | Service is included on the bill (service compris). Leaving a little extra for good service is optional. |
| Tap water | Generally safe to drink |
| Halal food | Moderate |
| Vegetarian food | Moderate |
Many kitchens close between lunch and dinner.
Local chains you will see
Well-known local names — handy for a quick, predictable meal or coffee:
- Brioche Dorée — Bakery-café chain for pastries and sandwiches.
- Hippopotamus — Steakhouse chain.
- Buffalo Grill — Family steakhouse chain.
- Léon — Restaurants known for mussels and fries.
- Flunch — Self-service cafeteria chain.
General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens. Checked 30 September 2026. In the app, the food guide marks which dishes fit each traveller’s diet and can show a diet and allergy card in the local language.
Entry rules for US and UK passport holders
A summary of the passport and travel-authorisation rules Wayfold reminds travellers about for France. Rules change, and your exact situation (other nationalities, long stays, work or study) may differ.
US passport holders
- Passport valid 3 months beyond departure. Check the expiry date on every passport in your group before you book — airlines can refuse boarding if a passport does not meet the rule. European Commission (opens in a new tab)
- Up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa. Short stays for tourism or business are visa-free for your passport. Days in all Schengen countries count together. European Commission (opens in a new tab)
- ETIAS — not required yet. The EU travel authorisation (€20, valid 3 years) is not live yet; launch is now expected in 2027. We will remind you when it starts. European Union — ETIAS (opens in a new tab)
- Entry/Exit System at the border. Your fingerprints and a photo are taken at your first entry. Allow extra time at passport control. European Union — Entry/Exit System (opens in a new tab)
UK passport holders
- Passport valid 3 months beyond departure. Check the expiry date on every passport in your group before you book — airlines can refuse boarding if a passport does not meet the rule. European Commission (opens in a new tab)
- Up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa. Short stays for tourism or business are visa-free for your passport. Days in all Schengen countries count together. European Commission (opens in a new tab)
- ETIAS — not required yet. The EU travel authorisation (€20, valid 3 years) is not live yet; launch is now expected in 2027. We will remind you when it starts. European Union — ETIAS (opens in a new tab)
- Entry/Exit System at the border. Your fingerprints and a photo are taken at your first entry. Allow extra time at passport control. European Union — Entry/Exit System (opens in a new tab)
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules change — always check the official source before you travel. Rules last reviewed 29 September 2026. For the bigger picture, read what ESTA, the UK ETA and ETIAS are.
Quick answers
Is tap water safe to drink in France?
Generally safe to drink. Tap water is generally treated to a safe standard, though some travellers prefer bottled water for taste. General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens.
Do you tip in France?
Service is included on the bill (service compris). Leaving a little extra for good service is optional.
Is it easy to eat halal or vegetarian in France?
Halal food: moderate. Vegetarian food: moderate. Vegetarian-friendly classics include Croissant, Ratatouille and Crêpes. Recipes vary between kitchens, so always ask.