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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
South African citizens require a visa to enter the Schengen territory, i.e. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
At which Embassy/Consulate/ Visa Issuing Authority should you apply? Read More
– If you intend to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority of that country.
– If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority that is your main destination (i.e. your longest stay).
– If you intend to visit several countries but do not have a main destination, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority of the country of your first point of entry.
VISA INFORMATION
WEATHER
France experiences a temperate climate with four distinct climatic zones:
- Western France: Oceanic climate with consistent, moderate rainfall and relatively stable temperatures. Includes regions like Brittany, Normandy, the Atlantic Loire, and the Loire Valley.
- Central and Eastern France: Continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. Seen in Champagne, Burgundy, and Alsace.
- South-Eastern France: Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and rainfall from October to April. Includes Provence, Côte d’Azur, and Corsica.
- Mountainous Regions: Heavy rainfall and snow, lasting between three to six months annually at altitudes above 600-800 meters.
- Ideal Visiting Times: April to mid-June and September to October.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Country: | France |
Capital City: | Paris |
International Airports: | Paris Charles de Gaulle & Orly (Paris) Nice Côte d’Azur (French Riviera and Monaco) Lyon Saint Exupéry (Lyon & Alps Region) Marseille Airport (Marseille & Provence region) Bordeaux Airport (Bordeaux & Aquitaine region) |
Area: | 643 801 km² |
Population: | 66,548,530 (2024 est.) |
Time Zone: | GMT+1 |
Religion: | Secular Country |
Language: | French is the official Language, more and more often complemented with English in the principal tourist centres and in the hotels. |
Currency: | Euro (€) |
Exchange Rate: | Please consult your local bank as exchange rates fluctuate. |
Credit Card Payment Availability: | MasterCard, American Express, and Diner’s Club are widely accepted in shops and restaurants In rural areas, carrying some cash is recommended |
ATM Accessibility: | Easily accessible. |
Dialling Code: | +33 |
TRAVEL TIPS
Electricity: | 220 V, with two pin plugs |
Water: | Tap water is safe to drink. |
Business Hours: | Shops: 09:00 – 18:30 or 19:00, Monday to Saturday, with late-night shopping in department stores Museums and Monuments: 09:00 / 10:00 – 17:00 / 18:00, except Tuesdays (and occasionally on Mondays or weekends) |
Banking Hours: | Mon – Fri 09:00 – 16:30. |
Photography Restrictions: | None |
Tipping: | Common to round up drink bills with small change Leave a couple of euros after a meal Museum and tour guides: about 10% Cab drivers: around 5-10% |
Vaccination Requirements: | No vaccinations required; consult your medical practitioner or travel clinic |
Dress Code Restrictions: | Casual dress acceptable in inexpensive restaurants. Jacket and tie recommended in smart venues |
Peculiar Customs to Observe: | Do not bring wine to a dinner party; your host has selected the wine for the evening Ask for ice as it is not commonly provided; the French prefer their drinks at room temperature or lightly chilled April Fools’ Day is marked by “poisson d’avril” (April Fish), where children prank adults by attaching paper fish to their backs and shouting “poisson d’avril!” |
FESTIVALS
- Le Corso Fleuri: Traditional flower parade – February
- Nice Carnival: Mardi Gras, parades, and fireworks – February / March
- Lemon Festival: February / March
- International Garden Festival: April – October
- Cannes Film Festival: May
- Great Roman Games: May
- Night of Museums: Museums stay open late and for free – 18 May
- Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix: May
- Joan of Arc Festival: May
- D-Day Festival: May / June
- Nuits Sonores: May / June
- Versailles Festival: May – July
- Fête de la Musique: 21 June
- Bastille Day: 14 July
- Festival d’Avignon: July
- Tour de France: July
- Paris Plages: July to August
- Paris Quartier d’été: July / August
- Rock en Seine: August
- Les Chorégies d’Orange: August
MAP
“Paris is always a good idea.”
– Audrey Hepburn