I wish you could really tour France with me. I promised I would share posts about my 10-day trip to France in April, and this is the first entry in that series. My plan is to recreate some of the foods I ate there and pair those recipes with photos and recounting of what we did each day. This introduction sets the scene—no recipe today, just the story.
I wanted to visit France since elementary school. The food, history, language, and culture fascinated me, and I was sure I would tour France someday. Life’s circumstances made me think that dream was unlikely for a while—especially after my divorce at age 50. Never give up on your dreams, though. I remarried a kind man who made it part of his mission to help me accomplish them.
From early on we talked about celebrating my birthday in Paris, but timing and finances didn’t align—until February, when he told me we were going that year. We would leave on the 13th and return on the 22nd, and I would be spending my birthday in Paris.
We joined a tour that formed a loop from Paris through Giverny, Rouen, Honfleur, Deauville, the Normandy landing beaches, Bayeux, Mont Saint-Michel, Rennes, the Loire Valley, and back to Paris. I was hesitant at first because I’m shy and an introvert. I’m comfortable online, but in-person social settings make me nervous. I worried about a PTSD flare-up or embarrassing myself, and I feared the trip would feel like a 10-day school outing where I couldn’t do my own things.
None of that came to pass. Only one person on the tour reminded me of someone from my difficult past, and I was able to avoid close interaction. Mostly, my fears were unfounded. I met several people I genuinely liked and enjoyed the company.
Guided Tours
If you are planning to tour France for the first time, I recommend a guided tour. There’s something comforting about boarding a bus and letting the landscape roll by while someone else handles logistics. Our tour director was knowledgeable and shared historical anecdotes that enriched each stop. Local guides in specific locations brought places to life in ways we wouldn’t have experienced on our own.
At the airport we were met by a driver who took us to our first hotel. Once our luggage was in the van, we didn’t worry about it until we left for home ten days later. Luggage was typically left outside our room and collected for the next morning’s departure. Hotels and many meals were included in the package; a few excursions required separate fees. Bring some extra cash for incidentals and for tipping the guide and driver at the end of the trip—tours often suggest a per-day amount.
Language Barriers? Nah.
I studied French long ago but had let my spoken skills lapse; I could read the language but speaking was a challenge. A few weeks of online practice helped, and thankfully most people we encountered spoke good English. By the end of the trip I could make myself understood. If you don’t speak French, don’t worry—you’ll manage fine. Enjoy the experience and don’t stress about imperfect pronunciation.
Subway Passes Are Ideal for Travel in France
We arrived a day early and had two full days to explore Paris on our own. We bought two-day subway passes that gave us unlimited travel, which was perfect. If we took the wrong train, no problem—we got off and switched. People warned us about pickpockets, particularly around major tourist sites like the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Élysées. We had one approach where someone asked us to sign a petition—likely a distraction tactic—but we declined and stayed alert.
Parisian subways and some urban areas had abundant graffiti. I found it fascinating: murals and tags appeared in unexpected places, sometimes where the artist had to take real risks to create them. I love architecture, so my photos capture a lot of buildings as well as scenes from the countryside, which was stunning.
Tips for Your Trip
- Contact your credit card company before you leave to check for foreign transaction fees and to notify them of travel dates. We used a card with no foreign transaction fee most often.
- Exchange some money in the U.S. before you go; exchange counters in Paris can charge high commissions.
- Carry more than one card (Visa, American Express) and have some cash for small purchases or places that don’t accept cards.
- Check the typical weather for the time of year you’ll travel and pack accordingly.
- Research destinations and make a list of must-see sites—Paris alone offers an overwhelming number of choices.
- Hotel Wi-Fi may be slow; don’t count on fast internet everywhere.
- Hotel rooms tend to be small compared to some countries; plan accordingly.
- Some public restrooms charge a fee and may have an attendant; European restroom facilities vary, and you may encounter squat toilets in some locations.
- Wine is often inexpensive compared with soft drinks—an amusing and pleasant discovery if you enjoy wine.
- Be open to new foods and experiences; staying curious enhances the trip.
- Know your meeting points and times if you’re on a guided tour—missing instructions can leave you behind.
- Security and safety: I felt secure throughout the trip and didn’t experience significant worry about terrorism or safety issues.
- Jet lag: I did not experience it significantly on the way there or back.
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