France travel guide for Americans

US citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays up to 90 days in France. From 2026, you must have an approved ETIAS travel authorisation before you fly. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from the Schengen area. Check the latest rules on the official ETIAS site before booking.

France is part of the Schengen Area, so US citizens can enter without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180‑day period for tourism, family visits or short business. The 90‑day clock counts all Schengen countries together, not just France. If you plan to stay longer, work, study or retire, you need a different visa or permit.

From 2026, travellers from visa‑exempt countries including the US must apply for ETIAS before departure. It is an online authorisation, not a visa; you fill in a form, pay a fee and usually get approval within minutes. Once approved, it is valid for three years or until your passport expires. Apply well before your flight and carry a copy of the approval.

Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the date you leave the Schengen area. Border officers may ask for proof of return travel, accommodation and enough money for your stay. Keep those documents handy.

The US Embassy is in Paris and there are consulates in Marseille, Lyon, Strasbourg and Nice. They handle passport renewals, notarials and emergency assistance for US citizens. If you lose your passport or need urgent help, call the embassy or consulate; the emergency line is answered 24/7. For routine services, book an appointment online; walk‑ins are not accepted.

A typical trip to France costs roughly $150–250 per person per day for a mid‑range traveller, including accommodation, meals, transport and sightseeing. Budget travellers can get by on $80–120 a day with hostels, bakeries and walking. Luxury stays and fine dining push the daily figure well above $400.

Paris is the most expensive city; smaller towns and the countryside are noticeably cheaper. A café coffee runs about $4–6, a basic restaurant meal $15–25, and a metro ticket in Paris about $2.50. Museums often charge $10–20 for entry, with free days for some.

Direct flights from New York (JFK, EWR) to Paris take about 7–8 hours. From Los Angeles or San Francisco, plan on 10–11 hours nonstop. Chicago, Miami, Boston and Washington also have nonstop options. The main arrival airport is Paris‑Charles de Gaulle (CDG); Orly (ORY) serves some airlines. From CDG, the RER B train reaches central Paris in about 30–40 minutes, and taxis take 45–60 minutes depending on traffic.

France uses 230 V, 50 Hz electricity with Type C and Type E sockets. US devices (120 V) need a voltage converter if they are not dual‑voltage; most phone and laptop chargers are dual‑voltage, so you only need a plug adapter. Check the label on your device before plugging in.

Service is included in the bill by law, so tipping is not required. For good service, round up the bill or leave 5–10 % in cash. Taxi drivers appreciate rounding up to the nearest euro. In restaurants, check the bill: if it says 'service compris', the tip is already included.

Dial 112 for any emergency in France; it works from any phone and operators speak English. For a medical emergency, call 15 (SAMU ambulance). For police, call 17. For fire, call 18. Deaf or hard‑of‑hearing callers can text 114. Save these numbers in your phone before you travel.

Information on this page is based on official government sources and the parent country facts. Check the official ETIAS site and the US State Department travel page for the latest updates before you travel.