France travel guide: 8 Useful tips to help American travelers plan your trip in France

Are you planning a trip to France from New York, Seattle, San Francisco, or other states of America, and finding it can be an exciting but overwhelming task? From researching visa requirements to packing up luggage, there are a lot of details to keep in mind. But don't worry, with a little bit of planning and preparation, you can ensure that your trip is a success. Here are some essential tips for American travelers on planning the journey to France, so you can make the most of your time in this beautiful country.

1. Check your passport

Make sure you have a valid passport before you book your trip. Your passport must have at least three months left beyond the date of departure from the Schengen area, or you might not be able to travel to any EU countries. The 12-page US emergency passport is not valid for visa-free entry into France. It can take several weeks to process a new passport, so it's best to take care of this well in advance.

As an American traveler, you may enter the Schengen area, including France, for up to 90 days for tourist and business purposes without a visa. If you would like to stay more than 90 days, you will have to get a visa or travel permit. Check the French embassy website to see if you need a visa and how to apply.

2. Plan your itinerary

France is a large and diverse country with a lot to see and do. Decide what you want to do and plan your itinerary accordingly. Research the popular tourist sites and decide which ones you want to visit. For example, in Paris, you might want to visit the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and the Seine River.

If you’d like to do lots of shopping, then you’ll be sure to leave some time for The Galeries Lafayette, Le Bon Marché, Le Marais, and Champs-Elysées. Check our blogs if you’d like to get more tips for shopping in Paris.

France has an extensive public transportation system, including trains, buses, and the metro. Research the options available in the cities you'll be visiting, and plan your transportation beforehand.

There’s also a wide range of accommodation options from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels in France. Decide on the type of accommodation that best suits your taste and book in advance.

3. Get travel insurance

Travel insurance can provide peace of mind in case of emergency or unexpected events, so getting the right travel insurance is even more important. Some health insurance policies in America may provide coverage for medical expenses while you're traveling abroad. Check with your insurance provider to see if your policy covers you while you're in France.

You can also look for a policy that covers trip cancellation or interruption in case you need to cancel or cut your trip short due to unforeseen circumstances.

French authorities may ask for proof of insurance before providing medical treatment. Make sure your policy complies with French regulations, and that you have the necessary documentation with you.

4. Get a SIM card

Having a local SIM card can make it easier to navigate and stay connected while you're in France. France has several mobile network providers, including Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom. Research the different providers and compare their plans and coverage to find the one that best suits your needs and budget.

You can purchase a SIM card at the airport or in local phone stores, or consider ordering a prepaid eSIM card online to save you some trouble. Just make sure your phone is compatible.

Before you depart from America, check with your carrier about international roaming charges. Some providers may offer international roaming plans that can be more cost-effective than using a local SIM card.

5. Learn some French

Learning some basic French before you travel to France can make your trip more enjoyable and will help you navigate the country more easily. Even though they’ll most likely help you out by speaking English, they’ll appreciate you attempting it as it shows some respect whilst you’re in France! Especially if you travel to more rural areas in France, you can’t expect everyone to speak English fluently.

Some basic phrases for greetings such as "Bonjour" for ”hello“, "Merci" for ”thank you“, and "Au revoir" for “goodbye”. And some common-used words: “Sortie” for ”Exit“, “Toilette” for “Toilet/ restroom”, “Madame” or “Femme“ for “Women”, “Monsieur“ or “Homme” for “Men”.

6. Pack smart

Packing smart is essential when traveling to France, as the weather and customs can be different from what you're used to in America.

Walking is one of the best ways to explore cities like Paris. Pack comfortable shoes that are suitable for walking on cobblestone streets, and can withstand the changeable weather. The weather in France can change quickly, so it's best to dress in layers. A light jacket or sweater that you can easily add or remove is needed. The power outlets in France are different than in America as well, so bring a power adapter. And pack a photocopy of your passport and other important documents, in case they get lost or stolen.

7. Know the currency

It's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the exchange rate. France uses the Euro as its currency. Before your trip, check the current exchange rate between the US dollar and the Euro, which will help you budget your trip and make sure you have enough money to cover your expenses.

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in France, so you can use them to pay for most expenses. But also get some Euros before you leave America or make sure you have a way to withdraw or exchange currency when you arrive. You may need cash on hand for small expenses like transportation and tips.

Be aware of any exchange rate fees or foreign transaction fees that your bank or card issuer may charge. These fees can add up quickly, so it's best to use a card that has no or low foreign transaction fees.

8. Download the Wevat tax-free shopping app

Apart from taking advantage of the exchange rate between the US dollar and the Euro, getting a VAT refund is also a strong way to save money on purchases in France for American travelers.

Goods in European countries, such as France, contain VAT (value-added tax). VAT is a type of consumption tax that is applied to the sale of goods and services, similar to the sales tax found in many US states and localities. This tax is automatically added onto your shopping and is imposed by the national government, and can be as much as 20-25% of the net price. Therefore, non-EU tourists can get a refund on the tax that they've paid if they're shopping abroad and take the purchases home to enjoy.

There are two main ways you can get a VAT refund – using a traditional in-store paper method, or a mobile app like Wevat. The main perk of using a digital method like Wevat is the higher refund rates you can enjoy compared with the traditional in-store method, not to mention the convenience of not having to deal with paper forms ever again.

In the past, you’d have to bring your passport around with you when shopping and show it to the store every time you buy something to get a tax refund form. With Wevat, all you need to do is to ask for a business invoice addressed to Wevat at the till – no more hassle and waiting around at the checkout. Using Wevat also means your passport can stay in your hotel safe, away from pickpockets, giving you the peace of mind to stroll along the beautiful streets of Paris without fear of theft or losing your passport.

When departing, traditional methods require you to undergo complicated airport procedures with customs, and you’ll have to wait up to 8 weeks to get your money back. Wevat’s scan-and-go system makes it so much faster and easier. (See these articles to learn more about what you need to do at the airport you’re leaving from).

Check out our other blogs and help section for more information on tax-free shopping in France. We also have a helpful video about how to use Wevat step by step on our YouTube channel.

So, these are the top tips we provide for you to plan your next trip from America to France. By following these tips, you can ensure that your trip to France is as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. Bon voyage!

About Wevat

Wevat is a digital tax refund app that makes it easy for travellers to save money on their shopping in France! We are a community of people who love traveling, shopping, and saving money. Since our launch in 2019, we've helped refund travellers from 88 countries more than €18 million on their shopping.

Compared with in-store VAT refund providers, Wevat gives you up to 23% more VAT back with no minimum spending requirements on each purchase. With Wevat, you can simply snap a picture of your purchase invoices and then generate and scan your barcode when you leave France. There are no paper forms, repeated scanning, or dropping off forms required with us. Our super-friendly, multilingual customer support team will be always on hand to support you throughout your trip via our app.

We are fully regulated by both French and UK customs and tax authorities.

Download our app now to start saving money on your shopping in France!

Download Wevat