Travelling to France in 2025? Here's what most travel blogs won’t tell you — but should.

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You’ve probably seen the Eiffel Tower, croissants, and Champagne on Instagram a thousand times. But there's way more going on under the surface. France is packed with strange laws, mind-blowing stats, and random facts that will make your trip 10x more interesting.

Let’s get into it — no fluff, just facts that’ll stick in your head.

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1. The Eiffel Tower Actually Grows Taller in Summer

Heat does weird things to metal.

Every summer, the Eiffel Tower expands by around 6 inches (15 cm) because of thermal expansion. Steel heats up, molecules spread out, and the tower literally stretches.

Want to see it happen? Visit during July or August. The sun does the heavy lifting.

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2. Baguettes Are Protected by Law

French bread isn’t just food — it’s regulated.

A real baguette has to follow very specific rules:

• Length: 55 to 65 cm
  
  
• Ingredients: Just flour, water, salt, and yeast
  
  
• No preservatives, no shortcuts
  
  

And yes, there’s a national competition every year to crown the best baguette in Paris. That’s how serious they are about it.

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3. The Statue of Liberty Came from France

This one shocks a lot of people.

The Statue of Liberty was built in France, packed into crates, and shipped to New York in 1886 as a gift. French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi built it to celebrate friendship, democracy, and vibes.

So yeah, you’ve probably already seen French culture — even if you’ve never been there.

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4. France Has More Castles Than Any Country in the World

Over 40,000 castles and châteaux.

From medieval stone towers to massive Renaissance palaces — you’ll find castles in every region. The Loire Valley alone has over 300, including the iconic Château de Chambord.

Pro tip: Skip the crowds at Versailles and do a château road trip.

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5. Not Every Sparkling Wine is Champagne

Don’t get it twisted.

Only sparkling wine made in the Champagne region — using the traditional méthode champenoise — can legally be called Champagne.

If it’s made in Bordeaux, Burgundy, or Provence? It’s just sparkling wine. Good, maybe. But not Champagne.

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6. France Has Over 1,600 Types of Cheese

You could eat a different cheese every day for over 4 years and never repeat one.

The French government recognizes 8 official cheese families, from soft-ripened to blue-veined to washed-rind.

Want to blend in? Learn this phrase:
🧀 "Un fromage par jour, c’est la vie." (One cheese per day — that’s life.)

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7. Paris Is the First City That Used Street Lights Properly

It’s not just called the “City of Light” because it’s beautiful.

Paris was one of the first cities in Europe to install gas streetlights on a large scale in the 1600s. That’s where the nickname started. Later, it became the center of science, philosophy, and revolution during the Age of Enlightenment.

Either way — it lit the way for the rest of Europe.

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8. Public Transport Was Invented in Paris

Back in 1662, a guy named Blaise Pascal launched the first organized public transport service: the carrosses à cinq sols (coaches for five sols).

It was the start of urban transport as we know it.

Now in 2025, Paris has one of the most advanced metro systems in the world — with smart-ticketing, app integration, and real-time AI route optimizers in major hubs.

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9. France Had a King Who Ruled for 20 Minutes

Louis XIX holds the record for shortest reign ever — 20 minutes.

His dad, Charles X, abdicated in 1830. Louis took the crown... and gave it up right away. All within the time it takes to boil pasta.

It’s the royal version of rage-quitting a job.

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10. The Louvre Is Still the Most Visited Museum on Earth

The Louvre Museum in Paris is home to:

• The Mona Lisa
  
  
• The Venus de Milo
  
  
• The Winged Victory of Samothrace
  
  
• Over 35,000 pieces of art and artifacts
  
  

In 2024, it drew in 9.1 million visitors, beating every museum on the planet. Even in the age of TikTok, people still line up for hours to see a tiny smiling woman behind glass.

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🧭 Planning Tips for Travelling to France in 2025

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If you’re heading to France this year, here’s what you really need to know:

📅 Best Time to Visit France

• Spring (April–June) – Perfect weather, fewer crowds
  
  
• Fall (September–October) – Wine harvests, golden views
  
  
• Summer (July–August) – Busy, hot, expensive
  
  
• Winter (December–February) – Snow in the Alps, Christmas markets
  
  

📜 EU Travel Changes for 2025

• ETIAS Visa Waiver: US travelers need to apply online before arrival
  
  
• Biometric Entry: Facial scans + fingerprints at entry gates
  
  
• No more passport stamps – It’s all digital now
  
  

Source: europa.eu

🏡 Accommodation Tips

• Use esimo.io for comparing verified stays
  
  
• Airbnb is still huge but more regulated in major cities
  
  
• Rural stays (gîtes) give a more local experience — and way more cheese
  
  

🚄 Public Transport in 2025

• SNCF (trains) now have smart route planning built-in
  
  
• Paris Metro accepts tap-to-pay from phones/cards
  
  
• Uber and Bolt both work in major cities — prices vary wildly
  
  

💸 Cost of Traveling

• Baguette: $1.30
  
  
• Glass of wine: $4–7
  
  
• Hotel room: $90–200/night
  
  
• Train Paris to Lyon: $45–90
  
  
• Museum Pass (4 days): $82
  
  

🙋‍♂️ FAQs 

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Is France worth visiting in 2025?

Yes — especially with new digital travel tools, flexible visa rules, and big cultural events. Spring and fall are the best times to go.

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What’s new in France for travel in 2025?

You’ll need an ETIAS visa waiver, use biometric scanning at borders, and digital passes are replacing paper tickets almost everywhere.

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Is English widely spoken in France?
In big cities and tourist areas — yes. But learn a few French phrases if you’re heading into the countryside.

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What’s the best way to get around France in 2025?
Train for long distances. Metro and rideshare in cities. Rent a car only if you're going rural.

What’s one thing most tourists don’t know?

 France has hidden cheese museums, wine fountains, and an annual snail racing championship. Seriously.

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📱 Staying Connected with eSIMs in France

One thing that makes travelling to France in 2025 way smoother is eSIM tech. Instead of hunting down a SIM card at the airport, you can grab a plan online before you fly. I recommend checking  our flexible France eSIM plans that cover Paris, the rest of France, and even wider Europe if you’re country-hopping.

It takes a few clicks to activate, no paperwork, no queues, and you’re online the moment you land at Charles de Gaulle. Plans are designed for tourists — short stays, long trips, or even digital nomads. If you’re streaming maps, booking Ubers, or translating menus, having data the second you step off the plane is a game-changer.

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Travelling to France in 2025 is nothing like it was even five years ago. With AI-powered metro maps, baguette laws, and royal drama that lasted shorter than a TikTok, you’re stepping into a country that mixes old-school culture with new-school tech.

And yeah — if you’re going, pack light. But leave room for cheese.

Travelling to France in 2025 might just be the smartest trip you make this year.