Are you planning your dream trip to France? Here are six things you need to know before you go! Number one: be prepared for a lot of walking. Many of the country’s attractions are concentrated in dense city centers, so you’ll definitely get your exercise during your stay. Second: French food is amazing, but it can be expensive. Make sure to budget appropriately and save room for those delicious Gallic meals.
Third: Speaking the language will make your trip much easier. Although English is also widely spoken, learning a few key phrases will help you get by without any problems. Fourth: Normandy and Paris are two popular tourist destinations, but there are plenty of other amazing places to explore as well. Be sure to do your research before arriving in France.
1. Road Laws
In France, when you drive in front of someone who was waiting to pull out from a side street onto the main road (for example) and the driver lets you go instead of them, they were giving up their right-of-way. In France, that driver would have priority over you. France is a ‘priority over the right-of-way’ country, meaning that when in doubt, you give priority to whoever goes second.
This means that if you’re driving down a street and there’s a car slowly driving towards you from the perpendicular direction, go ahead and let them drive by instead of obstructing their path. In France, it takes priority to not be an obstruction on the road, even if it may mean letting someone who came onto the road after you go before you.
2. Traffic Laws
Any time someone has a stop sign or red light for them, they have priority over anyone going through an intersection regardless of the way they were coming from. France is a ‘priority over right-of-way’ country. Meaning that the most important or best thing to do in France is not obstruct anyone on the road.
3. Tipping Etiquette in Restaurants
Cash is used more often than credit cards, so make sure you have some with you when you go there. Also, if someone does accept credit cards; They are likely to add an extra 5% or 15% charge on top of the price because of the high taxes. The price of anything before any taxes are applied and will be listed during all transactions done (at least restaurants and stores outside big cities). The country also does not have sales tax or use sales tax receipts like the US. So the price you see is what you’ll pay.
It is also required that all prices include TVA (value-added tax or sales tax) at 20% on most goods. As well as services sold, though 5% will be deducted for restaurant food if it’s a takeout/takeaway meal like sandwiches ( Pan Bagnet ) or pizza ( pizza au feu de Bois ). Restaurants do not give out receipts unless specifically asked for one; if they do, there may be an extra charge equivalent to 15% of the bill.
4. All Tips are Included in France
France has service compris, which means that each person who works in France gets paid at least 8€ per hour . Tips are considered part of the salary, so the price of any service will already include an amount for both tipping and taxes. France is an ‘all-inclusive’ country when it comes to paying after a meal. You do not need to pay anything extra like you would in the US (for example).
France does not separate tips from what you’d normally consider as your total bill. There are no added gratuities on top of what was advertised; everything one pays at a restaurant or store includes tax, tip, and TVA that works out into 20% of your total bill if it’s not already included. They also only give change back if you ask for it specifically. Otherwise, they would round up to give you exact change.
5. Bring Proof of Identity with you Everywhere in France
When going anywhere in France, make sure you have your passport on you at all times because French police can ask for ID anytime and will believe a foreign-looking person if he/she claims to be an American. France is different from America in that France may require a foreigner’s passport for identification even [especially] for routine things like public transit or bank transactions.
France is not like America: There are strong laws against discrimination that may get applied to anyone who claims to be American but doesn’t look it (especially if their French is bad). The country enforces its own system of laws very strictly and does not allow for any exceptions. So everyone visiting should make sure they have their passport, identification card, driver’s license, or whatever else may be requested by law enforcement on them at all times.
6. Tipping Etiquette with Taxi Drivers in France
Locals do not tip taxi drivers like the US because tips are already includes service compris in the price displayed. Tips are calculated into its taxes which are already included in the advertised amount; therefore France does not give any additional tips to taxi drivers. Taxi fares are included; so even if someone requests the whole amount, one does not owe more than what was displayed on the meter. Regardless of how high the taxi meter goes during travel, passengers are still only obligated to pay what was originally displayed at the beginning of their journey.
Conclusion
France is a beautiful country with many interesting things to do and see. The best way to plan your trip there is by doing some research beforehand, so you know what’s coming. We have compiled six things you should know before visiting this wonderful place for the first time! Read on if you want more information about French culture or just need help planning your next vacation destination from home. Our Facebook page, Pinterest boards, and Twitter has tons of great travel tips as well as pictures of our favorite places in Europe so follow us today!