Paris and far beyond — the Riviera, the Loire châteaux, the Alps and one of Europe’s largest African diasporas. Art, gastronomy and an enviable transport network. Here is the essential, verified.

Travel essentials

This destination is part of the Schengen area, and entry rules depend on your passport. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens move freely. Brazilians enter visa-free for up to 90 days per 180 — and, from the last quarter of 2026, will need the ETIAS electronic authorisation (see below). Passports from Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal need a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa; Cape Verde does too, but under the EU Visa Facilitation Agreement (simpler and cheaper). Important note: since 10 April 2026, the new Entry/Exit System (EES) records biometric data at the border — allow some extra time on arrival. Always confirm at the official source before travelling.

⚠️ Border rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source (consulate, immigration, travel.state.gov, gov.uk, Portal das Comunidades) before travelling.

ETIAS is an electronic travel authorisation (not a visa) for nationals of visa-exempt countries — such as Brazil. It is expected to start in the last quarter of 2026; it costs about €20 (free for under-18s and over-70s), is valid for 3 years (or until the passport expires) and allows multiple entries for stays of up to 90 days per 180. The Q4 2026 start is followed by a transitional grace period, with ETIAS becoming mandatory in 2027. Those who need a Schengen visa (most African passports in the corridor) do not use ETIAS — they use the visa. Apply online, well ahead, before travelling.

Health

No vaccinations are required. EU residents should carry the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for necessary healthcare during the stay. Those travelling on a Schengen visa must show travel insurance with minimum medical cover of €30,000, valid across the Schengen area. Health, drinking-water and medical standards are high.

Passport

For third-country nationals, the passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended departure date from the Schengen area. EU/EEA citizens may travel with a valid national ID card.

Arrival & Safety

Airport

Paris has two big airports: Charles de Gaulle (CDG), the main hub, and Orly (ORY), to the south. Both link to the centre by RER/train (metro line 14 reaches Orly). Nice (NCE), Lyon (LYS) and Marseille (MRS) serve the south. The TGV links cities at high speed.

Getting in

Uber and Bolt operate in Paris and the big cities, with fixed fares. The Paris metro is dense and cheap — the Navigo Easy pass or t+ tickets simplify it. Beware unofficial taxis at the airports: use the official rank or the app. The RER B links CDG to the centre.

Safety

Money

Currency: euro (€). Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere — transport, restaurants and small shops — and cash is increasingly optional. ATMs are plentiful; Apple Pay and Google Pay work widely. Avoid airport currency-exchange desks (poorer rates).

Connectivity

Four operators with very good 4G/5G coverage: Orange (the largest), SFR, Bouygues Telecom and Free Mobile. For travellers from Brazil or Africa, the Verde Wave eSIM avoids expensive roaming and activates on arrival. EU citizens have free roaming.

Arriving with data on lets you order Uber/Bolt, buy metro/RER tickets and reach your contacts without hunting for Wi-Fi — handy in Paris, where the airports are far from the centre. An eSIM activated before departure saves time and roaming.

Coverage is excellent in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and most cities, and good across the regions and the coast. WhatsApp is universal within the diaspora. Free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, hotels and on TGV/SNCF trains.

Practical tips

Best time

Spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) are ideal in Paris and the centre. Summer peaks on the Riviera (and many Parisians leave on holiday in August, closing shops). The Alps shine in winter for skiing.

Languages

French is the official language and a connection point for much of the West-African diaspora (Senegal, and communities across the region). English is spoken in tourism, but an effort in French — “bonjour”, “merci” — is much appreciated. Always opening with “bonjour” is a rule of courtesy.

Etiquette

Courtesy is central: open any interaction with “Bonjour, madame/monsieur” before asking for anything — skipping it reads as rude. Meals are an art with set hours (lunch 12–2pm, dinner from 7:30pm). Service is included in the bill; rounding up is kind but not required.

What to see & culture

Places

The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre-Dame in Paris; Versailles and the Loire châteaux; Mont-Saint-Michel; the Riviera (Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez); Provence’s lavender fields; and the Alps with Mont Blanc.

Culture

A world capital of art and fashion, with unrivalled museums and a strong café-and-debate culture. The African and Maghrebi diaspora has left a deep mark on music (from rap to Francophone afrobeats), food and urban life. Cinema and the language are sources of national pride.

Food

Bakery baguettes and croissants, the cheese and wine of every region, steak-frites, Breton crêpes and Marseille’s bouillabaisse. French cuisine is UNESCO heritage. And there’s the diaspora’s legacy: Senegalese thieboudienne and Maghrebi couscous are part of everyday life.

Sources

1. União Europeia — ETIAS oficial (travel-europe.europa.eu)
2. União Europeia — Sistema de Entradas/Saídas (EES), operacional desde 10 Abr 2026
3. Comissão Europeia — Política de vistos Schengen (quem precisa de visto)
4. UE–Cabo Verde — Acordo de Facilitação de Vistos de curta duração
5. US State Department — France Travel Advisory (Nível 2)
6. France-Visas — Portal oficial de vistos