11+ things to know before visiting France for the first time

What do you need to prepare, what to know when traveling to France and note when traveling to France for the first time? Let us tell you a guide to traveling to France for “newbies” with 11+ things to know before traveling to France (things to know before visiting France) below!

Traveling to France on your own sounds romantic, but if you are not well prepared, the trip can be “as confusing as a bowl of escargot noodle”. The train system is complicated, visa procedures are not simple, wifi is not always available – and pickpocketing in Paris? Absolutely true! To avoid unpleasant surprises and make the most of your journey to explore France, you needs to equip yourself with a little “travel life capital” before departure.

• What to do before flying?
• How to avoid being “confused by Parisian style”?
• And practical experiences from those who have traveled so you don’t have to learn from scratch.

Prepare Google Translate, eSIM, some basic French and… let’s go!

Apply for a Schengen Visa Early to Be Proactive in Your Itinerary

As a Vietnamese citizen, you need to apply for a Schengen visa to enter France and EU countries. The procedure is not too complicated, but requires careful preparation and timely submission of documents.

You need to prepare a passport with at least 6 months of validity, a standard ID photo, a detailed travel itinerary, a round-trip air ticket confirmation, a hotel reservation, and financial documents such as bank statements, employment contracts, or business licenses.

The review period usually lasts 15 working days, but it may take longer during peak seasons. Therefore, you should submit your application at least 4 weeks before departure to avoid risks. Make an appointment through the TLScontact center – the official application receiving unit in Vietnam.

If you do not have much time to prepare or this is your first time applying for a visa, you can use the visa support service on Klook for step-by-step instructions.

Being Good at French Is Not a Must, But It Will Be a Great Weapon

The French are known for their politeness, and in communication, they appreciate even small efforts from visitors to use French. You don’t need to speak fluently, but a timely “Bonjour” or “Merci” will bring a clear sense of sympathy.

In Paris and other big cities, English is quite popular, especially in the service industry. However, in rural areas or small localities, you may encounter some barriers. That’s when a few simple sentences like “Parlez-vous anglais?” (Do you speak English?) become useful.

In addition, you should have Google Translate installed in offline mode, or download a basic French learning app like Duolingo to get used to the pronunciation. With just a little initiative, your journey will become much smoother and more enjoyable.

Getting Around Paris: Metro Is Your Best Choice

Paris’ metro system is renowned for its extensiveness, convenience and affordability. It’s the perfect way to get around the city – from famous landmarks to small cafes in the alleys.

However, the first time you use it, you may be a bit overwhelmed by the dense network and many intersecting lines. For more convenience, you should install the Bonjour RATP app – the official app that helps you look up routes, train times, and change lines.

You can buy individual tickets, or if you’re traveling a lot in a day, consider buying the Paris Visite Pass – a ticket that allows unlimited travel for 1–5 days on the entire public transport system.

(*) Note: paper tickets should be kept after going through the checkpoint as they may be randomly checked. At the same time, you should be wary of pickpockets at crowded stations. Carrying your bag in front of you and staying away from train doors will help keep you safe.

Mobile Networks in France: Don’t Let a Lack of Connection Disrupt Your Journey

In France, the Internet is an important companion: from looking up trains, translating French, ordering food to confirming sightseeing tickets. Therefore, preparing a SIM or eSIM in advance is a must – especially if you travel a lot or are traveling alone.

You can buy a SIM at the airport, but it will be more expensive and not all types have stable coverage in smaller cities. The solution chosen by many travelers is to pre-order an eSIM or physical SIM on Klook, which is quick to activate, reliable, and supports tourists.

Tourist Tickets in France: Book in Advance to Don’t Miss Out on Worthwhile Experiences

France has many iconic destinations, and most of them require admission tickets – sometimes days in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons. Major museums like the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles often limit the number of visitors per day. Buying tickets in advance not only helps you manage your time, but also helps you avoid waiting in long lines, saving you maximum travel time.

On Klook, you can find e-tickets for most major attractions – including skip-the-line options or city passes that combine multiple destinations. Some tickets also include audio guides or experience information so you can easily follow your schedule without depending on a fixed tour.

Museums in France are Worth Visiting, and Many Are Free to Enter

France is a country of art – where you can go from Renaissance paintings to contemporary works in just a few blocks. The Louvre, Orsay, Centre Pompidou… are familiar names, but besides that, there are dozens of local museums with equally attractive content.

A special thing is that most national museums in France have free admission on the first Sunday of every month, except in the summer (usually from July to the end of September). People under 26 with EU nationality also get free admission to many places.

If you want to save time and optimize your experience, you can consider buying a Paris Museum Pass or a skip-the-line single ticket on Klook. This will help you avoid long lines, especially at popular attractions like the Louvre or Versailles.

Inter-City Travel: Prioritize TGV High-Speed ​​Trains

With a modern high-speed train network (TGV), traveling between cities such as Paris – Lyon – Marseille or Bordeaux becomes quick and easy. Travel time is significantly shortened, and you also have the opportunity to enjoy beautiful scenery on both sides of the road if you choose a seat near the window.

However, train tickets in France are flexible in price, meaning the earlier you book, the cheaper it is. Therefore, plan ahead and book tickets early on reputable platforms such as Klook to avoid paying high prices at the last minute. In addition, you can also consider buying a France Rail Pass if you plan to travel to many cities in one trip.

When arriving at the station, be there at least 30 minutes in advance, as some major stations are quite crowded and require time to check in. Passports may be checked when boarding the train, so carry them with you instead of leaving them in your checked luggage.

France Is Safe, But Be Careful

The “most romantic country in the world” is a safe destination for tourists, but like any other European country, you should still be careful in crowded areas – especially at train stations, popular attractions and the metro. Pickpocketing is common and often targets unsuspecting tourists.

Keep valuables in an inaccessible place (a front crossbody bag or a wallet tucked into a jacket), and avoid keeping your phone, passport or cash in your back pocket or backpack. When sitting at a sidewalk cafe, don’t leave your phone on a table close to the road.

Also, if a stranger tries to attract your attention or asks you to sign an autograph/petition on the street, just smile and walk away, don’t react too much. Although most people are friendly, a little caution is always necessary.

Shopping in France: Take Advantage of Tax Refunds for International Tourists

France is a shopping paradise, from high-end fashion brands to cosmetics, perfumes and exquisite souvenirs. What many visitors don’t know is that if you are a non-EU citizen and make a purchase of €100.01 or more in a single store on the same day, you can get a VAT refund of up to 12%.

To get a tax refund, simply ask the sales staff for a tax refund form at the time of purchase. When returning to the airport, go to the PABLO kiosk (available at most major airports such as CDG or ORY) to scan the tax refund code and return the form to the tax refund mailbox.

Some stores support tax refunds on the spot in cash or by credit card – you should ask carefully before buying. If you plan to shop a lot, bring your original passport on the day of shopping.

Traveling to France Does Not Have to “Run to Shows” – Make a Schedule That’s Good for Your Health!

With a tight schedule, it’s easy to fall into the “KPIs” cycle – check in at a certain number of places, visit the Louvre for 1 hour, Eiffel for 1 hour, then run to Versailles. But in fact, the best part of traveling to France lies in the seemingly ordinary moments.

A morning strolling around the farmers’ market near the hotel. A cup of coffee on the sidewalk watching Parisians passing by. An afternoon reading a book under the shade of a tree in Jardin du Luxembourg. These things are not on the schedule, but they bring a very real feeling of connection with France.

Instead of trying to visit all the famous landmarks, choose the ones that suit your interests and set aside at least 1–2 “purposeful free time” sessions. Because sometimes, it’s when you’re doing nothing that you feel the most.

France can overwhelm you at first – because of its vastness, sophistication, and somewhat formality. But these are the things that will make your trip memorable if you prepare carefully. From visas, internet access, sightseeing tickets, to how to order free drinks at restaurants – every little thing contributes to a smooth, economical and rich experience journey.

And don’t forget, Klook is always here to accompany you – with sightseeing tickets, day tours, eSIM, shuttle services, city passes and countless utilities to make your independent trip to France easier and more memorable.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Paris you can refer to

• Paris Museum Pass
• Paris Pass with 1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
• Bruges Day Tour from Paris
• Paris Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tours (Open-Top)
• Paris Open Tour Bus Pass
• Eiffel Tower Skip-the-Line Ticket
• The Louvre Museum Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
• 4G SIM Card (Paris/Airport Pick Up) for Europe from Orange
• Disneyland® Paris Ticket
• Eiffel Tower Skip-the-Line Ticket
• [Sale] Seine River Sightseeing Cruise in Paris by Bateaux-Mouches
• Mont Saint Michel Full Day Tour from Paris
• Paris: 1-Hour River Seine Cruise
• Paris: Eiffel Tower Direct Access Tour to Summit by Elevator
• Disneyland Paris 1-Day Ticket
• Paris: 1-Hour Illuminations River Cruise
• Louvre Museum: Tour
• Paris: Moulin Rouge Cabaret Show Ticket with Champagne

Are you looking for more top things to do in Paris: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Paris travel blog — The fullest Paris travel guide blog for a great budget trip to Paris for the first-timers. And let’s check it out more here.