- Ideal trip length
- 7 to 12 nights
- Best time to go
- April to June; September to October
- Time zone
- GMT+1, GMT+2 in summer (Central European Time)
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
Entry update
The EU's Entry/Exit System is now in use at Schengen borders: travellers from outside the EU have fingerprints and a photo taken at their first entry, which can mean longer queues at busy times. ETIAS, the pre-travel authorisation, has no confirmed start date and is not yet needed.
About France
Paris has more palace hotels than any other city, and each has its own personality: grand and floral on Avenue George V, fashionable on Avenue Montaigne, legendary on Place Vendôme. Where you stay shapes your days, so I start with what you want to walk to, whether that is the shops, the museums or the Left Bank cafés.
Beyond Paris, the Riviera combines beach clubs and old villages with easy day trips to Monaco and Èze, while Provence and the wine regions suit slower days. Fast trains reach Bordeaux, Lyon and the south in a few hours, and a short flight connects Paris with Nice.
When to go
Paris is good year round, at its best in spring and autumn, and festive in December. The Riviera's season runs from about May to September, with July and August the busiest and priciest; some resort hotels close in winter. Harvest season in September and October suits Champagne, Burgundy and Bordeaux.
Places to go
Paris
Palace hotels, museums and cafés, with each neighbourhood a different city.
See hotelsCap-Ferrat and the Riviera
Clifftop hotels, beach clubs and hill villages between Nice and Monaco.
See hotelsProvence
Lavender in early summer, hilltop villages and long lunches in the Luberon.
Ask me about hotels hereChampagne
Cellar visits and grand houses, an easy train ride from Paris.
Ask me about hotels hereMy picks in France
The hotels I'd start with, and who each one suits.
3 MICHELIN KeysForbes Five-Star
Four Seasons Preferred Partner
Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
Paris, France
3 MICHELIN KeysForbes Five-Star
Dorchester Collection Diamond Club
Hôtel Plaza Athénée
Paris, France
3 MICHELIN KeysForbes Five-Star
Virtuoso
Ritz Paris
Paris, France
3 MICHELIN KeysForbes Five-Star
Four Seasons Preferred Partner
Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel
Cap-Ferrat, FranceBefore you go
Arriving
Getting there
Paris has direct flights from Singapore. Nice is a short flight from Paris or an easy connection through other European hubs.
Getting around
Fast trains link Paris with Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille and Champagne. On the Riviera and in Provence, a private driver makes the most of the villages.
Visa and entry
Singapore, UK, US, Australian and many other passports get visa-free stays of up to 90 days in any 180 days across the Schengen area. The EU's Entry/Exit System now takes fingerprints and a photo at your first entry, so allow extra time at the border. ETIAS pre-travel authorisation has no confirmed start date yet. Check the official source before you travel.
Checked November 2026
Money and culture
Money
Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including contactless. Hotels add a small city tax per person per night.
Tipping
Service is included by law. Leaving a few euros, or up to 5 to 10 percent for excellent service, is a kind gesture.
Local customs
A 'bonjour' on entering a shop or restaurant goes a long way. Dinner reservations at the best restaurants open weeks ahead.
On the ground
Language
French. English is spoken in hotels and the main tourist areas, and a few French words are appreciated.
Plugs and power
Type E, with Type C also used. Bring an adapter from Singapore.
Safety
France is safe for visitors. Watch for pickpockets on the Metro and around major sights, and keep phones out of reach on café terraces.
France: quick answers
When is the best time to visit France?
April to June; September to October. Paris is good year round, at its best in spring and autumn, and festive in December. The Riviera's season runs from about May to September, with July and August the busiest and priciest; some resort hotels close in winter. Harvest season in September and October suits Champagne, Burgundy and Bordeaux.
How long should I spend in France?
7 to 12 nights is a good length for a first visit. Tell me what you enjoy and I'll shape the route around it.
Which luxury hotels do you recommend in France?
My picks are Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, Hôtel Plaza Athénée (Paris), Ritz Paris and Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel. Each hotel page has my write-up, what guests say and the benefits I can add.
Do I need a visa for France?
Singapore, UK, US, Australian and many other passports get visa-free stays of up to 90 days in any 180 days across the Schengen area. The EU's Entry/Exit System now takes fingerprints and a photo at your first entry, so allow extra time at the border. ETIAS pre-travel authorisation has no confirmed start date yet. Check the official source before you travel.
Updated November 2026
More ways to experience France
I match the Paris neighbourhood to how you like to spend your days first, then add the Riviera or wine country at a slower pace.
- Benefits arranged before you arrive.
- One point of contact from start to finish.
- Hotels matched to how you travel.