How much does it cost to visit France?

A direct round-trip flight from the USA (e.g., JFK) to France (CDG) typically starts around $650–$1,000 in Economy Class, including one checked bag up to 50 lb (23 kg) and one carry-on. Prices peak in July and August (and around holidays). You’ll often save by flying in the shoulder seasons, being flexible with dates, using low-cost carriers, or choosing connecting flights—especially if you’re continuing beyond Paris to cities like Nice, Marseille, or Corsica.

Prices for a 4* hotel in France start at about $250 per night. You can also stay in 2–3* accommodation from around $120 per night. In the low season, rates are typically up to 25% lower.

For luxurious 5* hotels or Riviera/Paris palace properties, there’s virtually no upper limit, as premium rooms and suites can easily exceed $1,500 per night in peak months. Whenever possible, we recommend choosing a locally owned hotel or boutique property over a large chain.

Small, often owner-run hotels and chambres d’hôtes are hallmarks of an authentic French vacation. Rooms are usually simple but welcoming, with a relaxed atmosphere, regional character, and genuinely personal service.

Prices for popular guided tours in France typically range from $25 to $90 per person. With this budget, you might join a Paris food tour, take a small-group Seine cruise, explore the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay with a guide, or sample wines in Bordeaux or Burgundy.

Tickets to major sights generally cost $15–$35 per visitor—think the Louvre, Eiffel Tower summit options, Versailles (palace and estate), or Mont-Saint-Michel abbey. By contrast, private boat or yacht charters along the French Riviera can run several hundred to several thousand dollars per day, depending on size and season.

France also offers plenty of free experiences: stroll the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, hike marked trails in the Alps or Calanques (seasonal access rules apply), wander historic quarters like Le Marais or Vieux Lyon, enjoy open-air markets, and relax in city parks and riverside promenades.

Car rental prices in France vary by season and location, starting around $65–$90 per day for a small car in peak months (Riviera, Paris, Provence). In the low season, rates can drop by 30–50%. Fuel adds a significant cost (expect roughly $1.90–$2.20 per liter). Inventory tightens during holidays and summer, so it’s wise to book early to avoid price spikes.

France’s public transportation is an excellent alternative. High-speed TGV and TER regional trains connect major cities and towns, while urban networks (metro, tram, bus) are extensive (Paris single rides are about $2–$3). Along the Riviera, local trains between Nice, Antibes, and Cannes are frequent and affordable (often $6–$18). Ferries mainly serve Corsica and select coastal routes. Taxis and rideshares are convenient but pricier; airport–city trips in Paris run about $55–$75, and short inner-city rides typically $10–$25, depending on traffic and time of day.

Prices for a meal in a French restaurant typically range from $18 to $35 for a main course, while a 3-course prix-fixe (menu du jour) often costs $45 to $90. Pastries and snacks are delightfully affordable, usually $2 to $5 for a croissant, pain au chocolat, or a crêpe from a street stand. Many bistros offer complimentary bread, and water (carafe d’eau) is free on request.

To explore French cuisine, try regional favorites like boeuf bourguignon, duck confit, steak-frites, bouillabaisse in Marseille, galettes made with buckwheat in Brittany, and a rotating board of cheeses with baguette. For the most authentic experience, seek out local bistros and brasseries, or a bouchon in Lyon, where seasonal menus shine and the plat du jour is often the best value. In big cities, some kitchens serve late, but typical dining hours are 12 to 2 pm and 7 to 10:30 pm, so plan ahead.