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Free Resources For Your France Travels!
You'll find some free resources below, little tips I've prepared for you that might help you during your travel planning. If you like what you see and want to be alerted each time I prepare a new one, make sure you subscribe to Beyond the Baguette, my newsletter, published every other Tuesday.
Resources for you
Just click the image to download the lists!
ESSENTIALS FOR FRANCE
WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO GET AROUND FRANCE?
๐ If you're in a city, use the excellent public transportation systems.
๐ If you're going between cities or to smaller towns, you can usually take the train (I buy my tickets through RailEurope or Omio).
๐ In rural areas, train stations are rarer so you might want to rent a car, which is easy in France (I use Discovercars).
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR FRANCE?
It depends. If your travel insurance already covers you in France, then you're all set. If not, head for VisitorsCoverage for everything travel.
WHAT ABOUT IDENTITY THEFT AND ONLINE SECURITY?
That's easy! Just get a VPN, which cloaks your online presence (I use ExpressVPN everywhere).
WILL MY PHONE WORK IN FRANCE? WHAT ABOUT MY CHARGER?
You can use your roaming plan in France. If you don't have one, you can do one of several things (just make sure you have an unlocked phone).
๐ฒ You can order a SIM card before you get to France.
๐คณ You can buy a SIM card from a shop in France.
โก๏ธ You can buy an e-SIM.
WHAT SHOULD I PACK FOR FRANCE?
Here are a few essentials you should NOT leave home without:
๐ Comfortable walking shoes. You'll be on your feet a lot, and... cobblestones.
๐ Plugs are different in France.
๐ An anti-theft purse (this is the bag I use).
๐งฃ An infinity scarf, for evenings when you don't want to carry a purse. In Paris and other major cities, there isn't much violent crime but there are plenty of pickpockets.
WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO BOOK A PLACE TO STAY IN FRANCE?
โ I use booking.com for my own travels around France. Listings are extensive, including apartments, and cancellation policies generous.
๐ซ๐ท
Bonjour! Iโm Leyla! I was born in Paris and now live in the bucolic mountain foothills of Eastern France between Lyon and Annecy.
I'm rediscovering my own back yard after years of living abroad in Canada, Spain and Switzerland as a journalist and a diplomat ๏ผ and I'm loving every minute.
Passionate about history and culture, Iโve created Offbeat France to seek out my countryโs mysteries and legends, less-traveled destinations, along with plenty of food stops and many castles ๏ผ I am French, after all!
๐ซ๐ท
Booking.comWhat's New!
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Affordable Michelin-Starred Dishes At The Lyon Street Food Festival
Jun 17, 24 01:54 AM
The Lyon Street Food Festival, an exciting yearly event with street food, of course, plus affordable creations by famous chefs. -
Chateau D'Anet: The Love Nest Of Diane And Henri II Of France
Jun 15, 24 02:17 PM
This is where the love story of King Henri II and Diane de Poitiers played itself out, a fascinating slice of French history. -
Visiting The D Day Beaches? This Is The Only Guide You'll Need
May 21, 24 01:06 AM
This is an uncomplicated guide to visiting the D Day beaches in Normandy, especially for the first time. -
3 Fascinating Castles Near Paris That Are Way Under The Radar
May 19, 24 07:23 AM
Looking for uncrowded castles near Paris? I have three glorious yet utterly underrated ones for you. -
La Maison Picassiette In Chartres: The House Of A Million Pieces
May 12, 24 12:49 PM
How a single man created the Maison Picassiette out of broken bits of glass and ceramics.