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What You Need To Know Before Visiting France

When most people think of France, they think of romance. The country indeed has a romantic feel, which draws thousands of tourists each year. Many couples only dream of visiting France because they believe the trip is out of their financial range. On the contrary, there are many ways to make your dream vacation a reality on a budget. But, before you start planning your trip, you need to know some very important information about the country. Below, you will discover a list of important things you need to know about France.

Roissy-Charles de Gaulle

Even though you have never visited France before, you need to become familiar with its extensive public transportation system. There are several ways, including rail, plane, and ferry, to enter the country. If you are going to be traveling by plane, you will most likely land at the Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport (IATA). The airport is the entry point for all countries outside Europe. It is recommended to become as familiar with IATA as possible. 

There are several terminals that you need to focus on the most. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are utilized for intercontinental flights. So, if you are going to be flying the Dutch KLM, Alitalia, Korean Air, Aeromexico or Delta Air Lines, you will most likely be utilizing Terminal 2. However, you will also be directed to Terminal 1. It is not recommended to switch terminals because it can cause a delay in gaining clearance through security.

Visa

If you currently reside in a country that is a member of the Schengen Agreement, you do not need to worry about customs or border control. You can freely pass from one country to another as long as they are Schengen members with a few exceptions. If you reside in Croatia, Ireland, Norway, United Kingdom, Romania, Cyprus, and Switzerland, you will need a visa to gain entrance to France. 

If the country you live in is a member of the European Union, with the exceptions listed above, you also will not need to be concerned about immigration checks. Of course, you may need to endure a few spot customs checks. Knowing the possibility of these checks will help you prepare and give you an idea of what to expect.

Railway

Many travelers who visit France have an extensive itinerary. For example, your itinerary will include a trip to Paris, Calais, Lille, and IZY. All of these cities are accessible by train and only a few hours ride from each other. So, if you plan on visiting multiple cities during your trip, you may want to opt for rail travel.

If you want to skip all of the hooplas, you should consider renting a car. There are several car rental services near the IATA. And, those that are not close will gladly drop off and pick the rental car at your convenience. Keep your iPhone near, so you can play pokies at Casino Guru.

Learning Words And Phrases

There is no denying that translation software programs have come a long way. Heck, there are even some people skilled enough in the language to get by in a foreign country with a simple translation book. There are plenty of resources available to you, but even speaking clear French can be confusing to locals. It is true that English has grown to be a second language in most countries, but there are some parts of France where the locals only speak French. And, the dialect in these areas can be thick and confusing for all parties involved. This is why it pays ahead of time to learn and know a few key phrases by heart.

Bonjour, Merci, Oui, Pardon, S’il Vous Plait, and Au Revoir all are excellent examples of phrases that will come in handy during a stint in France.

Knowing How To Greet People

It might seem pretty easy to greet strangers in your own country. You are probably used to shaking an individual’s hand while maintaining direct eye contact. Well, this is not the way that French people say hello. This is especially true in areas like Paris. You will find that in these areas most individuals like to do a double kiss on each cheek while shaking hands. This is also a practice that you will probably find pretty common when traveling from small village to small village. Do not be shocked if you are approached in this manner or don’t be shocked if you don’t get a response at all. Some French people just do not like to mingle with strangers and that is probably not a practice that will change anytime too soon.

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