Dreaming of stepping foot in France, exploring magnificent architecture, savoring exquisite cuisine, and immersing yourself in a romantic atmosphere? A self-guided tour of France is an excellent choice for you to freely discover the beauty of this country in your own way. However, for a smooth and memorable trip, you need to prepare thoroughly, from planning your itinerary, applying for a visa, packing luggage, to learning about local culture and cuisine.
This article will share all the essential experiences for a self-guided trip to France, helping you have a complete and memorable journey to explore the “Hexagonal country”.
Ideal Time to Travel to France on Your Own
The best time to visit France is during spring (March to mid-June) and autumn (September to November).
- Spring: The weather is warm and pleasant, plants sprout buds, and flowers bloom everywhere. This is a wonderful time to visit gardens, parks, and admire the beauty of French nature.
- Autumn: The weather is cool and pleasant, the leaves turn yellow and red, creating a romantic scene. This is an ideal time to explore ancient cities, enjoy wine, and participate in traditional festivals.
Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris during springtime
Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is one of the iconic Gothic architectural landmarks and a must-visit destination when traveling to France.
Essential Preparations for Your DIY France Trip
To ensure your self-guided trip to France goes smoothly, you need to prepare the following thoroughly:
- French Visa: This is the most important document to enter France. You need to prepare a complete dossier and submit it at the TLScontact Visa Application Center about 3 months before your intended departure date.
- Finances: The cost of traveling in France is quite high, so you need to prepare enough cash (Euro) and international payment cards. You should bring some cash for small expenses and use a Visa card for larger services.
- Luggage: Depending on the travel season, you need to prepare clothes suitable for the weather. If you intend to shop, bring less luggage to have space for souvenirs. Check the airline’s baggage regulations carefully to avoid incurring extra charges.
- 4G SIM card: For convenient communication and information lookup, you should buy a European 4G SIM card or register for an international roaming plan.
- Medication: Bring some basic medicines such as cold medicine, stomachache medicine, motion sickness medicine, etc., as buying medicine in France may be difficult due to the language barrier.
- Hotel information, transportation, attractions, and cuisine: Research hotels, transportation, and attractions in advance to plan your trip in detail. Don’t forget to learn about French cuisine and the specialties you should try.
Travel essentials for a self-guided trip to France
Cannes, a famous coastal city known for the Cannes Film Festival, is an ideal destination for those who love luxury and glamour.
Estimated Costs for a Self-Guided Trip to France
The cost of a self-guided trip to France depends on many factors such as length of stay, itinerary, choice of services, and personal spending habits. Here are some basic expenses you need to estimate:
- French Visa: Approximately 3,000,000 – 5,000,000 VND (including visa fees, translation and notarization fees).
- Round-trip air tickets: Approximately 25,000,000 – 40,000,000 VND.
- 4G SIM card: Approximately 500,000 – 700,000 VND.
- Hotel: Approximately 600,000 – 8,000,000 VND/night (depending on the type of hotel and location).
- Transportation: Approximately 50,000 – 200,000 VND/trip (depending on the means of transport and distance).
- Food: Approximately 500,000 – 2,000,000 VND/day (depending on restaurant choices and dishes).
- Entrance tickets: Approximately 150,000 – 700,000 VND/location.
Thus, a self-guided trip to France from 5 to 7 days can cost about 50,000,000 – 100,000,000 VND per person. This cost may vary depending on your spending level.
Cost breakdown for a self-guided France trip
Montrésor village, one of the most beautiful villages in France, offers ancient beauty and tranquility.
Transportation Options for Self-Guided Travel in France
In France, there are many public transportation options such as subway (metro), bus, tramway, and train. Metro is the most popular means of transport in Paris because it is fast and convenient.
- Metro ticket: Metro ticket price is about 2 euros/trip. You can buy single tickets or day/week passes to save costs.
- Bus: Bus is a good option for sightseeing around the city. However, travel time by bus is usually longer than by metro.
- Train: If you want to travel between cities, train is the ideal means of transport. You can buy train tickets online or at train stations.
Taxis and self-driving cars are not the best options in big cities like Paris because they are expensive and traffic jams are frequent.
Strasbourg city architecture
Strasbourg, a city located on the French-German border, is famous for its unique architecture blending two cultures.
Must-Visit Destinations for Your Self-Guided France Trip
France has countless attractive destinations, from glamorous cities to peaceful countryside. Here are some destinations you should not miss:
1. Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum is one of the largest and most famous museums in the world, displaying priceless works of art such as the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and many other masterpieces.
2. Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is the symbol of Paris and France, a unique and romantic architectural work. You can go to the top of the tower to admire the panoramic view of the city.
Eiffel Tower in Paris
The Eiffel Tower, symbol of Paris, is always a popular destination for tourists from all over the world.
3. Loire Valley
The Loire Valley is a beautiful countryside with ancient castles, vast vineyards, and charming villages.
Chateaux in the Loire Valley
The Loire Valley, home to ancient castles and vast vineyards, is an ideal destination for those who love history and wine.
4. Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is a magnificent architectural work, formerly the residence of French kings. The palace has beautiful gardens and magnificent exhibition rooms.
Palace of Versailles gardens
The Palace of Versailles, a symbol of the luxury and power of the French royal family, is a must-visit destination when traveling to Paris.
5. Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is an architectural symbol of the victories of the French army, located on the Champs-Élysées avenue.
Arc de Triomphe in Paris at sunset
The Arc de Triomphe, a symbol of victory and French pride, is a magnificent architectural work located on the Champs-Élysées avenue.
Discovering French Cuisine – Must-Try Dishes
French cuisine is world-famous for its sophistication and diversity. Here are some dishes you should try when traveling to France:
- Foie gras (duck/goose liver): A high-end dish made from duck or goose liver, usually served with toast and white wine.
- Baguette (French bread): A famous type of French bread with a crispy crust and soft crumb.
Foie gras with toast
Foie gras, fatty duck liver, is a French culinary specialty that you should not miss.
- Fromage (cheese): France has hundreds of different types of cheese, from soft cheese to hard cheese, with diverse flavors.
Variety of French cheeses
French cheese, with hundreds of different types, offers diverse and exciting culinary experiences.
- Bouillabaisse seafood soup: A specialty soup of the Marseille region, made from many types of fresh seafood.
Bouillabaisse seafood soup in a bowl
Bouillabaisse seafood soup, a specialty of the Marseille region, is a wonderful combination of fresh seafood and distinctive spices.
- Escargot (baked snails): A traditional French dish, snails are baked with garlic butter and other spices.
- French wine: France is one of the world’s leading wine-producing countries, with many famous wines such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Champagne.
Conclusion
A self-guided trip to France is a wonderful experience to discover the beauty of this country in your own way. Hopefully, the experiences shared in this article will help you have a smooth, memorable, and joyful trip. Don’t hesitate to plan your trip today and discover the wonderful things that France is waiting for you!