Gap Year in France

France, from tree-lined boulevards to delectable pastries, is just how the movies promised it would be. Head to the south for chicer-than-chic beaches, beautiful Bordeaux for wine that’ll knock your socks off and Paris for snooty service and splendid surrounds. Whether you want to see the famous sights, or actually live, study or work in France, you can find options for summer and all year round.

Best France Gap Year Programs

France Facts

• Capital City: Paris
• Currency: Euro, EUR
• Language: French
• Time Zone: +1 GMT
• Dialling Code: +33

France Backpacking Guide

Get essential tips and information for travelling to France.

Visas
EU citizens can visit France with only a passport or a national ID card; many others like Brits, Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians, Japanese and Americans can enter for up to 90 days without a visa. Other visitors will have to apply for a Schengen Visa (a type of visa that allows access to around 15 EU countries).

Best Time to Visit?
Northern France has much the same climate as the UK: wet winters and warm(ish) summers. The Alps are obviously very cold during winter months, which is what makes them so popular with skiers and snowboarders (pack your long johns). The south of France is milder still: nicely Mediterranean, with hot summers and not-too-chilly winters. Beware the Mistral wind, a cold, dry, fierce gale that blows down the Rhone and Durance valleys and spreads throughout the whole southern region; it does help clear the air, mind!

Getting There and Away
If you do fancy a gap year in Europe you won’t have a problem travelling to France; it has enough international airports to shake a stick at, including ones in the cities of Paris, Marseilles, Nice, Bordeaux and Lyon. The EuroStar connects Paris to London (to the north) and Brussels (to the south); book in advance as it can get quite pricey. Travelling via train or bus is convenient and straightforward; buses are usually much cheaper. Check France tours for more options.

Getting Around
Domestic flights are the quickest way of getting around the country and – especially if you book through a budget airline like Easyjet – can be very cheap. Train travel (the SNCF) is extensive and efficient, though can be pricey; travelling by bus is much cheaper.

Safety
France is a safe place to visit, but do be wary of pickpockets in major cities. Paris has poorer districts where crime has been steadily rising in recent years; as long as you don’t walk around on your own late at night and keep your valuables safe, you should be fine.

Vaccinations and Health
You shouldn’t need any vaccinations to visit France and the water’s safe to drink; no worries!

How do I fit in?
Taking long lunches is practically enshrined in law. The locals will respect you for it, especially if you attempt to order in French. They’re fiercely proud of their produce – so don’t disrespect the cheese.

Can I bend the rules?
The French are perceived to have a liberal attitude to alcohol, but if you supply a tipple to someone under 18 and they get drunk, a hefty fine may come your way.

Will I find myself?
You could, like many French ponderers, spend your time in an introspective haze before writing a world-changing thesis. Or you could concentrate on upping your tolerance to extremely stinky Camembert.

Can I drink the water?
This is the home of mineral water, of course you can.

France Gap Year Ideas

Don’t leave France without…

Twiddling your beard
Stare into the distance and stroke your goatee – imaginary or real – at an atmospheric café in one of France’s great cities. Even if all you’re thinking about is a bag of chips, there’s no better place to perfect that philosophical gaze.

Getting tipsy at a chateau
You may prefer cider, but the grape rules in these parts, and in the world-famous wine regions such as Bordeaux you can sample the goods in fairytale surroundings. Take a cellar tour, learn about vines and avoid chewing gum while you’re tasting.

Bombing down a mountain
Skiers flock to the Alps, but why not shun the crowds and get your thrill-seeking buttons pushed by exploring the imposing peaks of the Massif Central?

Doing a Brad Pitt
Don sunglasses and stroll along the waterfront in chic coastal resorts such as Monaco, St Tropez or Biarritz. You may be living out of a rucksack, but someone might just mistake you for a movie star.

Eyeing up some art
There are impressive museums in even the smallest towns. In Ceret, on the edge of the Pyrenees, you can marvel at Matisse and peruse Picassos at the Museum of Modern Art, then discuss it over baguettes and cheese.

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