Frankreich

Top 5 Orte

1. Eiffel Tower · Paris

   The city's symbol; book timed tickets online to skip long queues.

2. Louvre Museum · Paris

   One of the world's largest art museums; timed entry booking is strongly advised.

3. Palace of Versailles · Versailles

   Royal palace and gardens, an easy RER C trip from Paris.

4. Mont-Saint-Michel · Normandy

   Medieval abbey on a tidal island; check tide times for the best views.

5. French Riviera · Nice / Cannes / Antibes

   Mediterranean coast with old towns, beaches and easy regional trains.

Unterwegs vor Ort

• Öffentlicher Nahverkehr

  Bonjour RATP / IDF Mobilites

  Official Paris region apps for routes and tickets. Since 2025 a metro/RER/train ticket costs about 2.50 EUR and a bus/tram ticket about 2 EUR (varies). Load tickets onto a Navigo Easy card (2 EUR) or your phone; paper ticket books are being phased out.

• Öffentlicher Nahverkehr

  Navigo Decouverte / weekly pass

  Weekly pass (Monday to Sunday) covering all zones including airports; good value for stays of 4+ days. Needs a passport photo.

• Fahrdienst-App

  Uber / Bolt / Heetch

  Uber and Bolt work in Paris and other big cities; Heetch is a cheaper local option, popular at night. Prices surge at peak times.

• Taxi

  G7 / FREENOW

  G7 is the largest Paris taxi company with its own app; FREENOW books licensed taxis. Paris airport taxis use fixed fares: CDG to the Right Bank about 56 EUR, to the Left Bank about 65 EUR (2026 rates).

• Bikesharing

  Velib' Metropole

  Paris bike share with classic and e-bikes; day and 3-day passes available. Note that Paris banned rental e-scooters in 2023, but Lime, Dott and others still run e-bikes.

• Züge

  SNCF Connect

  Official app for TGV, Intercites and regional TER trains. Book TGV early for lower fares; OUIGO is the low-cost high-speed option.

Geld und Bargeld

Währung: EUR · Euro

Cards and contactless phone payments work almost everywhere, including bakeries, cafes and most taxis. Some small shops and markets have a card minimum or prefer cash, so carry 20-40 EUR. Use bank ATMs and always choose to be charged in EUR.

Wechselkurs nach EUR prüfen

Trinkgeld

Tipping in France is optional. By law, restaurant and cafe prices must include service (service compris, about 15%), and staff receive a regular wage. Locals often round up or leave a few euros for good service; tourists are not expected to add 15-20%.

Nützliche Sätze

• L'addition, s'il vous plaît. The bill, please.
• Le service est compris ? Is service included?
• Gardez la monnaie. Keep the change.

Umgangsformen

• Always say 'Bonjour, madame/monsieur' when entering a shop, cafe or bus, and 'Au revoir' when leaving. Skipping it is seen as rude.
• Greet friends with 'la bise' (light cheek kisses); handshakes are normal for strangers and business.
• Waiters will not bring the bill until you ask for it; lingering at the table is normal.
• Speak quietly on public transport and in restaurants.
• Dress modestly in churches: cover shoulders, remove hats.
• Meal times are fixed outside big cities: lunch about 12:00-14:00, dinner from about 19:30. Many kitchens close in between.

Maschen und wie du damit umgehst

• Gold ring trick

  Wo: Paris: Seine quays, Tuileries, Eiffel Tower, Louvre

  So funktioniert’s: Someone pretends to find a gold ring next to you, offers it as luck, then asks for money. The ring is worthless brass.

  So vermeidest du es: Say 'Non, merci' and keep walking. Do not take anything handed to you.

• Petition clipboard

  Wo: Paris: Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysees, Louvre, train stations

  So funktioniert’s: Groups ask you to sign a fake petition for a deaf or disabled charity, then demand a donation; the distraction is often used to pickpocket.

  So vermeidest du es: Do not stop or sign. Keep a hand on your bag.

• Friendship bracelet

  Wo: Paris: steps of Sacre-Coeur in Montmartre

  So funktioniert’s: Men tie a string bracelet on your wrist and then demand payment, sometimes surrounding you.

  So vermeidest du es: Keep your hands in your pockets and walk past firmly.

• Shell game (bonneteau)

  Wo: Paris: bridges near the Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars

  So funktioniert’s: A street game with cups and a ball; fake winners in the crowd encourage you to bet. You cannot win, and pickpockets work the crowd.

  So vermeidest du es: Do not play or watch closely.

• Unlicensed taxi drivers

  Wo: Paris CDG and Orly airports, Gare du Nord

  So funktioniert’s: Drivers approach you inside the terminal or station and charge far above the official fixed fare.

  So vermeidest du es: Only use the official taxi rank (taxis have a lit 'TAXI PARISIEN' sign and meter) or book via an app.

• Metro ticket 'helpers'

  Wo: Paris metro and RER stations, especially Gare du Nord and airport stations

  So funktioniert’s: People offer to help at ticket machines, then sell used or invalid tickets or watch your PIN.

  So vermeidest du es: Buy tickets in the official app or at machines yourself; ask staff at the counter.

• Distraction pickpocketing

  Wo: Paris metro lines 1 and 4, RER B and D, crowded sights

  So funktioniert’s: Groups block doors, bump into you or ask questions while an accomplice takes phones and wallets.

  So vermeidest du es: Carry your bag across your body, keep phones out of back pockets, and stand away from doors.

Sicherheit

• Pickpocketing is the main risk, especially on the Paris metro, RER lines B and D and at mainline stations.
• Serious assaults have been reported on RER B (airports, Gare du Nord) and RER D (Stade de France); be alert, especially at night.
• Keep passports and cards in separate inside pockets and carry bags across your body.
• Drink spiking is reported in bars: buy your own drinks and keep them in sight.
• Do not leave valuables visible in cars; break-ins and thefts in slow traffic happen.
• Strikes and demonstrations are common; check RATP/SNCF apps and avoid protest areas.

Wie verbreitet Englisch ist

Fair in Paris and tourist areas, especially among younger people; limited in rural areas. Starting with 'Bonjour' and a few words of French makes a big difference.

Quellen

• GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: France, safety and security
• Service-Public.fr: new Ile-de-France transport tariff from January 2025
• Paris Aeroport: taxis at Charles de Gaulle
• NPR: Paris rental electric scooter ban takes effect
• The Local France: Five street scams to avoid in Paris
• Rick Steves forum: Tipping in restaurants (France)
• Expat Focus: France taxis and ride-hailing services

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