France Visitor Etiquette: Greetings, Dress and Guided Tours

The short version: in France, greet people first, dress tidily rather than formally, and never rush a meal or a shopkeeper. Almost every awkward moment a visitor has comes from skipping a greeting or treating an exchange as purely transactional. Nothing here is a strict law, and habits vary by place, but these basics will serve you from a Paris museum to a Riviera market.

Say bonjour before anything else

Walk into a bakery, shop or small museum desk and say bonjour (or bonsoir in the evening) before you ask for anything. Say merci, au revoir when you leave. Opening with a question in English and no greeting can come across as abrupt, even if you are perfectly polite after that.

A few French words help, but you do not need fluency. Excusez-moi, parlez-vous anglais ? usually gets a warmer response than launching straight into English. With adults you do not know, use vous and Monsieur or Madame. Cheek kisses are for friends and acquaintances; as a visitor, let the other person lead and offer a handshake or a nod.

Restaurants and cafés: slow is normal

Meals are not rushed. Service is often unhurried, and the bill will not arrive until you ask for it (l'addition, s'il vous plaît). Catch a waiter's eye and call Monsieur or Madame rather than snapping fingers or waving.

• Timing: many traditional restaurants serve lunch around midday to early afternoon and dinner from the evening, and may close in between. Eating at odd hours limits your choices.
• Tipping: service is normally included in menu prices. Leaving a little extra for good service is appreciated, not required.
• Tap water: ask for une carafe d'eau if you do not want bottled water.
• Phones: keep calls short and quiet, in restaurants and on public transport.

What to wear

There is no national dress code. Most French city dwellers dress neat and fairly understated, so sportswear, beachwear and very short shorts stand out away from the coast. Even in Nice, swimwear belongs on the beach; in Monaco in particular, walking around town in it or bare-chested is frowned on.

For churches and cathedrals, such as the cathedral on the Rock of Monaco, cover shoulders and knees if you can, keep your voice low and do not walk around during services. Bring comfortable closed shoes: Paris museums, Èze's stone lanes and Old Nice's cobbles are all hard on thin soles.

Markets and food shops

At a market like Cours Saleya in Nice, do not pick through the produce yourself unless the stallholder invites you. Say what you would like and let them choose. Greet the vendor, taste what is offered, and ask before photographing people or their stalls.

On the Old Nice and Cours Saleya food tasting walk, the tastings happen at small family bakeries and shops, so arrive on time for the 10:30 start; it is a shared small-group tour of up to 12 guests. Mention allergies or dietary needs when you book rather than at the first stop, as small producers cannot improvise.

Guided visits: how to prepare

Timed tickets mean timed arrivals. On the Louvre highlights guided tour, a shared small-group tour of up to 15 that starts at 09:00, being late can cost you your slot. Expect security checks, bags that may have to be left in the cloakroom, and a crush at the Mona Lisa. Step aside after your photo so others can see, and keep your group in sight; the guide's pace is the point of the tour. Special temporary exhibitions are not included.

For a day out with several stops, the Èze and Monaco day trip from Nice is a shared small group of up to 8 that begins at 09:00. Lunch, drinks and entry to the exotic garden, the Prince's Palace and the casino are not included. Treat Èze's lanes as people's neighbourhood: keep your voice down, stay out of doorways and ask before photographing residents. Casinos and palaces set their own entry rules, so check them before you plan to go inside.

If you are heading to Versailles instead, our Versailles day trip guide covers timing. For seasonal packing and crowd questions, see Paris in October and Nice in October and November.

France etiquette FAQ

Do I need to speak French?

No, but a greeting and a few polite words matter more than fluency. Begin with bonjour, then ask whether the person speaks English.

Should I tip in France?

Service is normally included in restaurant prices. Rounding up or leaving a small amount for good service is a kind gesture, not an obligation. Tips on Helios tours are not included in the tour.

Is it rude to take photos?

Photography is fine in most public places, but ask before photographing people, stalls and residents, and do not block corridors or doorways for a shot. Follow signs and staff instructions inside museums and religious buildings.

What should I wear for churches?

Cover shoulders and knees where possible, remove hats and keep quiet. Services take priority over sightseeing.