Coming soon to this entry... details and pictures from my December 2000 trip to France (Marseille and Nice). Until then, enjoy the following...

Unlike Belgium and the United Kingdom, I have been to France, unfortunately for me I was there at the end of my last trip - by which time I literally had no money left. My time in France consisted me siting around train stations wishing I had food. Sadly I didn't. I do plan on getting back to France when I have some money to enjoy it.

Essential Facts

The national language of France is French. While many French are in fact bi- and even tri-lingual, the belief that everyone should speak French may keep them for speaking to you in another language. The French are indeed known for being rude. While it is a generalization, at least in Paris it does tend to hold true - even ask (non-Parisian) French. The currency is the Franc, which stands at about 5 to the USD. The franc is scheduled to be replaced by the Euro soon. France, especially Paris, is not cheap, but on the same token it's not unusually expensive. Staying in hostels, and eating fruit and vegetables from the markets, and buying bread, cheese and wine and one should be able to get by reasonably cheaply. ATMs are prevalent and on all the major networks.

Getting there and away

France has been a major player in Europe since the times of Charlemagne.

Paris is extremely well-connected to the rest of Europe, befitting a stop on the "Typical Itinerary". I don't have room to detail all the connections, but rest assured that you can get to or from Paris from about anywhere in Europe, and from Paris into virtually any city, town or village in the country. Paris is also the starting point for many flights into Africa, especially to former French colonies (i.e. virtually all of West and Central Africa, with a few notable exceptions).

Paris

As a eluded to above, I had no money in Paris and was unable to see or do anything. I did ride the famed Metro, which indeed seemed as nice as it has been made out to be. Once I return with money in my pocket I will finally see the sites of the City of Lights.