First-Time in France Checklist: 15 Steps Before You Fly (Guida Pratica Francia)

90–60 Days Out: Passport, EES/ETIAS & SNCF Opening Windows

Confirm your passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned Schengen departure date (6 months recommended). SNCF TGV InOui and low-cost Ouigo ticket sales open 4 months in advance (up to 6–9 months for holiday periods) on SNCF Connect—booking early locks in €19–€39 fares between Paris, Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, and Bordeaux.

45–30 Days Out: Timed Monument Reservations

Book timed-entry tickets for the Louvre (closed Tuesdays), Eiffel Tower lift (opens 60 days out), Sainte-Chapelle, Musée d'Orsay (closed Mondays), and Palace of Versailles. If purchasing the Paris Museum Pass (2, 4, or 6 consecutive days), still reserve free €0 time-slot reservations on each museum's official portal.

7 Days Out: Bonjour RATP App, Offline Maps & Type E Adapter

Install the official Bonjour RATP or Île-de-France Mobilités app to load €2.50 Métro-Train-RER tickets directly onto your phone wallet, pack a Type E/C two-round-pin European adapter (230V / 50Hz), and download our French Dietary & Phrasebook Show-Cards.

Key Takeaways & Local Tips

• Verify schedules and book high-speed train tickets directly on SNCF Connect or the Bonjour RATP app.
• Save our offline French Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards on your phone before boarding your flight.
• Always greet staff with 'Bonjour' before asking a question in English or French.