Cheap Flights to France: Book Plane Tickets Online

French winter brings lower flight prices, especially in January and February. It's the perfect time to ski in the Alps or explore Paris without crowds. Christmas markets in December offer a magical experience, although flights are more expensive during this period. Temperatures range between 0°C and 8°C, milder than inland Portugal.

Spring is one of the best times for cheap flights to France, especially in March and April. Gardens bloom, terraces open and the weather is pleasant (10°C-20°C). It's the ideal time to explore Provence and the gardens of Versailles without the intense summer heat.

Summer is high season with higher flight prices, but offers the best weather (20°C-30°C) and iconic festivals. Book in advance to find promotional France flight tickets. Ideal for Côte d'Azur beaches and festivals like Avignon.

Autumn offers excellent opportunities for cheap flight tickets to France, especially in September and October. It's harvest season, golden foliage and still pleasant weather (12°C-20°C). Fewer tourists and more affordable prices make this time ideal for exploring.

France has an excellent public transport network. The TGV (high-speed train) connects major cities in just a few hours, with tickets from 25€ if booked in advance. In Paris, the Metro is efficient and economical (daily pass 8€), similar to Lisbon's Metro but more extensive. In cities, buses and trams work well. To explore the countryside, consider renting a car (from 30€/day), but watch out for tolls on highways. BlaBlaCar is popular for ridesharing between cities. Apps like Citymapper and RATP help with navigation. Important tip: always validate your ticket before boarding transport to avoid 50€ fines. The French walk a lot, so bring comfortable shoes. Shared bicycles (Vélib in Paris) are a great option for short distances.

France offers accommodation for all budgets. Hostels cost 20-35€/night in shared dormitories, ideal for young travelers. Budget hotels (Ibis, B&B Hotels) range from 50-80€/night, comparable to prices in Lisbon. Airbnb apartments are popular, especially for families (70-150€/night). For authentic experiences, try chambres d'hôtes (guesthouses) in rural areas. Book in advance during high season (June-August) and events like Fashion Week. The Marais and Montmartre neighborhoods in Paris are charming but more expensive. Consider staying in areas like Belleville or Bastille for better prices. In the south, avoid Saint-Tropez and Cannes if you're looking to save, opting for cities like Antibes or Menton. The tourist tax (taxe de séjour) of 1-4€ per person/night is additional.

France is generally safe, but pickpockets operate in tourist areas. In Paris, be careful on the Metro (lines 1 and 4), Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, and Champs-Élysées. Avoid groups asking for petition signatures or women with gold rings - these are scams. Never accept unsolicited help with luggage. Keep wallets in front pockets and backpacks in front in crowded places. Common scams include fake metro officials asking to see tickets and card games on the streets. At night, avoid areas like Gare du Nord and Châtelet alone. Compared to Lisbon, Paris has more pickpockets but less violent crime. Keep digital copies of documents. The emergency number is 112. On southern beaches, don't leave belongings unattended. Watch out for unlicensed taxi drivers at airports.

The French value courtesy and formality. Always greet with "Bonjour" when entering shops and "Au revoir" when leaving - it's considered rude not to. Use "Monsieur" or "Madame" when addressing someone. Unlike Portugal, the French are more reserved initially. At meals, keep your hands visible on the table (not in your lap like the Portuguese). Tips are not mandatory as service is included, but rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is appreciated. Avoid speaking loudly in restaurants and public transport. When shopping, don't touch products without asking. The French lunch late (1pm-2:30pm) and dine after 8pm. Sundays are sacred - many shops close. Learn basic French phrases; even trying will be better received than speaking English directly.

French cuisine is world heritage. Start the day with fresh croissants (1-2€) and coffee at a local boulangerie. Try crêpes (3-8€), quiches, and baguette sandwiches. For economical meals, look for daily menus (plat du jour) at bistros (12-18€), including starter, main course, and dessert. Local markets offer cheeses, charcuterie, and wines at reasonable prices. Try regional specialties: bouillabaisse in Marseille, cassoulet in Toulouse, tartiflette in the Alps. Wine is cheaper than in Portugal - decent bottles from 5€. Tap water is free in restaurants (ask for "une carafe d'eau"). Avoid restaurants near tourist attractions. Bakeries close on Mondays. Supermarkets like Carrefour and Monoprix have affordable gourmet sections. Don't miss macarons, éclairs, and tarte tatin.

To experience France authentically, avoid tourist traps. In Paris, forget the Eiffel Tower restaurants and explore neighborhoods like Belleville, Canal Saint-Martin, or La Butte-aux-Cailles, where Parisians actually live. Have picnics at Parc des Buttes-Chaumont instead of the crowded Tuileries Gardens. Visit street markets like Marché d'Aligre for fresh produce. In the south, avoid Nice in August and discover villages like Èze or Villefranche-sur-Mer. In Lyon, dine at a traditional bouchon, not tourist restaurants. Try apéro (aperitif) with locals at neighborhood bars. Use apps like La Fourchette for discounted reservations. Visit museums on free days (first Sunday of the month). Learn to say "Je voudrais" (I would like) instead of "Je veux" (I want) - it's more polite and you'll be treated better.

For a first visit, dedicate 4-5 days to Paris, exploring the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and Montmartre. Add 2-3 days for Versailles and Loire Valley (castles). For the south, reserve 5-7 days: Nice, Cannes, Monaco, Provence. Lyon deserves 2 days. Strasbourg and Alsace need 2-3 days. Normandy (D-Day beaches, Mont Saint-Michel) requires 3 days. Bordeaux and vineyards 2-3 days. French Alps (Chamonix, Annecy) 4-5 days. A complete 2-3 week itinerary allows combining Paris, the south, and another region. Travel between October-April to avoid crowds and high prices, except if seeking beaches. Book museums online to avoid lines. Buy Paris Museum Pass (2/4/6 days) if planning to visit several museums. Use Portuguese long weekends for short getaways. Consider overnight trains to save on accommodation.

For truly memorable moments, climb the Eiffel Tower at sunset (book online in advance) and stay for the light show at 10pm. Visit Montmartre early morning before crowds and watch street artists at Place du Tertre. For the perfect Paris photo, go to Trocadéro Gardens or Alexandre III bridge. In the south, walk the sentier du littoral between Cap d'Ail and Monaco for spectacular Mediterranean views. Try paragliding in Annecy over the alpine lake. Watch the sunset over Provence's lavender fields (June-July). Take a Seine river cruise at dusk. Visit Giverny to see Monet's gardens in spring. Taste champagne in Reims cellars. Ski in the Alps with views of Mont Blanc. These experiences will transform your trip from good to unforgettable.