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France
Marble, gilt and velvet at the opera house on Place de l’Opéra.
See tickets in France
Where to go
Start in Paris.
Our France guide begins in Paris, at the Palais Garnier, with self-guided visits and guided tours of the opera house.
Read the Paris guideTickets
Things to do in France.
Each attraction has its own page with opening hours, directions and tickets. Entry times are always shown in the attraction’s local time.
How booking worksVisitor guide
Know before you go.
Practical information for travelling in France: money, language, time and staying safe.
Checked 7 November 2026. Prices, apps and advice change; check the sources before you travel.
Quick facts
- Currency
- Euro (€).
- Language
- French.
- Time
- Central European Time: UTC+1 in winter, UTC+2 in summer.
- Plugs
- Type C and E (European two-pin), 230 V.
- Emergencies
- 112, or 15 for an ambulance, 17 for police and 18 for fire.
About France
- About 69 million people lived in France at the start of 2026.
- The national motto is “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité”, and the anthem is “La Marseillaise”.
Staying safe
The UK government does not advise against travel to France. It notes a high threat of terrorism, and that protests can disrupt transport at short notice. Australia’s Smartraveller advises a high degree of caution (updated 6 November 2026).
- Pickpocket gangs work on the metro, the RER and at main stations; carry your bag across your body.
- Card skimmers are sometimes fitted to cash machines.
- Be wary of strangers offering a free drink or show at a private club.
- Keep your transport ticket until you leave the network; inspectors fine on the spot.
Emergency numbers
Sources for this guide
- UK Foreign Office: France travel advice (updated 22 October 2026)
- UK Foreign Office: France safety and security
- UK Foreign Office: getting help in France
- Smartraveller (Australian Government): France (updated 6 November 2026)
- INSEE: France’s population on 1 January 2026
- Constitution of 4 October 1958
- WorldStandards: plugs and voltage in France
Photography credits
- Palais Garnier Paris June 2010 001 by King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Avenue de l'Opéra Paris by Jebulon, CC0.
- Opera Garnier Grand Escalier by Benh LIEU SONG, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images have been resized and cropped for this guide.
