France Travel Notes
My Normandy stops, real opinions and places to explore.
- Languages
- French · Some English
- Currency
- Euro · EUR
- Cash
- Keep Euros For Smaller Purchases.
- Cards
- Yes At Most Larger Businesses.
- Tap To Pay
- Common At Equipped Venues.
- WiFi
- Available. Quality Varies.
- Mobile Data
- SIM Or eSIM · Check Coverage
- Small Shops
- Varies. Keep Cash Handy.
- Tipping
- Optional. Service Included.
What To Wear
What To Pack
For Normandy, pack a windproof rain layer and shoes for wet coastal walks. A sunny Paris forecast does not describe the Channel coast. Church visits call for respectful coverage.
Money And Payments
Cash And Cards
Cards are useful for hotels, rail tickets, supermarkets, and most established restaurants. Carry some euros for Normandy markets, small cafés, and a direct cash thank you. Do not assume a rural stop has the same payment options as a Paris department store.
Travel Cards
Compare euro conversion fees. For a rural Normandy stay, keep enough cash for small purchases rather than depending on every merchant accepting the card’s network.
Tipping Culture
Restaurant prices include service. A few euros or rounding up is a thank you for good service, rather than an American style percentage obligation. Example: on a €40 restaurant bill, service is included. Leaving €2 for particularly good service is a voluntary thank you, not a required extra percentage.
Getting Around
Getting Around Locally
Normandy’s larger towns have rail links, but landing beaches and rural sights are spread out. Compare a local tour or car with actual bus schedules rather than assuming every stop has frequent transit.
Traveling Between Stops
Book the correct Paris station for your Normandy destination. Rouen, Caen, Bayeux, and Mont Saint Michel access are different journeys. Check the last local connection before booking the main train.
Staying Connected
Using T Mobile In France
France is listed for international roaming on eligible T Mobile plans. Data allowances, speeds, and call charges depend on your plan. Check before you travel.
Mobile Data For This Trip
Save Normandy driving or local bus directions offline. Coast and rural travel are different from a Paris city day; keep accommodation arrival instructions accessible without depending on a café connection.
Where To Stay
Choosing Your Area
Bayeux can suit landing beach visits; Rouen suits a city stay; Mont Saint Michel needs its own access plan. These are researched starting points. My saved France content is centred on Normandy.
Before You Arrive
Before You Fly
France is in Schengen. Count your permitted stay across the whole zone, not separately in France. Use official EU border guidance for current EES and ETIAS arrangements and your passport’s requirements.
Sources And My Visit
Practical information was researched and checked on 22 October 2026. My reviews describe my own visits. Area comparisons are planning advice, not hotels I claim to have inspected. Entry advice must match your passport, residency, route, and travel date.
Normandy
My Travel Stories
