France is home to a wealth of ancient ruins and interesting architecture, including the iconic Roman amphitheater in Nimes, the well-preserved Roman theater in Orange, and the ancient Roman city of Glanum near Saint-Remy-de-Provence. The medieval …
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Backpacking France in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in France with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Visit France
Welcome to France, a timeless treasure trove for backpackers blending rich history, art, and culinary delights. Pros? Wander through iconic cities, explore charming villages, and indulge in world-class cuisine. France boasts an efficient transportation system, making it easy to navigate. However, it can be relatively expensive, especially in popular tourist areas. Yet, for backpackers seeking a diverse cultural experience, France offers a tapestry of landscapes and experiences, from the romantic allure of Paris to the sun-soaked vineyards of Provence, making it a classic and culturally enriching destination in the heart of Europe.
Why to go?Why backpacking in France
Architecture
Mountains
The French Alps are a great mountain range to explore in France. With its stunning peaks, picturesque valleys, and world-class ski resorts, it offers a wide range of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. The Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western …
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Beach life
France is great for beach life and snorkeling because it offers a diverse range of coastal landscapes. From the glamorous beaches of the French Riviera to the rugged cliffs of the Brittany coast, there are endless options for sunbathing and …
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Food
The food in France is so good due to the country’s rich culinary history, emphasis on high-quality ingredients, and commitment to traditional cooking techniques. French cuisine has been influenced by centuries of cultural exchange, resulting in a …
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💡 HighlightsTop-5 things to do in France
- Visit the Eiffel Tower: The iconic symbol of France, the Eiffel Tower is a must-visit attraction. It offers stunning views of Paris and is a great spot for photography.
- Explore the Louvre Museum: Home to the famous Mona Lisa, the Louvre Museum is the largest art museum in the world. It houses thousands of works of art, including ancient artifacts and masterpieces.
- Discover the Palace of Versailles: Just outside of Paris, the Palace of Versailles is a grand royal residence that showcases the opulence of the French monarchy. Its stunning gardens are a must-see.
- Experience the beauty of the French Riviera: With its glamorous resorts, beautiful beaches, and charming coastal towns, the French Riviera is a popular destination for sun-seekers and luxury travelers.
- Indulge in French cuisine and wine: France is known for its culinary delights, from croissants and baguettes to escargot and foie gras. Don’t forget to pair your meal with a glass of French wine, as France is one of the world’s top wine producers.
But France offers more...
🌤️ When to go?Best time to go backpacking France
The best time to visit France for backpacking would be during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) seasons. During these months, the weather is generally mild and pleasant, making it ideal for outdoor activities and exploring the country. Additionally, popular tourist destinations are less crowded compared to the peak summer months, allowing for a more immersive and authentic experience.
Risk level: medium (50%)Safety advice for France
- France's national terrorist alert warning (in French) is at the highest level. Expect high-level security nationwide, including at schools, places of worship, shopping centres and landmarks. Terrorists could target the LGBTQIA+ community, music and cultural events, festivals, tourist areas, shopping areas, transport hubs, sporting events and other public areas. Be cautious around locations known to be targets. Attacks could be indiscriminate and could occur anywhere without warning. There have been several attacks in France in recent years.
- Serious crime can occur especially in large cities, including Paris. These include violent robberies, muggings and assaults, including sexual assault (see Safety - Crime).
- Crime such as theft, including passport theft, pickpocketing, bag snatching, burglaries and muggings are common, particularly in summer. Groups of thieves also operate on public transport, including busy metro lines and trains to/from the airports. Take care to protect your belongings on public transport, in crowded tourist areas and at landmarks.
- Strikes are frequent across France. When they occur, expect demonstrations and significant disruptions, which usually affect public transport and other public services. Some result in clashes with police, resulting in the use of tear gas and arrests. Avoid demonstrations and areas with significant police activity.
source: smartraveller.gov.au
FranceMy tips to get you on the way!Does France sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for France. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. France may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for France. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. France may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into France, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into France, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
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Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 28 September 2024