First time visiting France? Remember, do not join a group tour DO NOT FOLLOW

Who understands, family! To save trouble, I signed up for a group tour before going to France. After returning, I just want to say: never join a group tour! Shopping stops, rushing around like a duck, staying in the suburbs—these harsh truths can save at least one person. The plan was to leave at 9 AM, but we waited until 9:30 for everyone to arrive. The Louvre visit was limited to 40 minutes. Just after seeing the Mona Lisa, we had to leave. The advertised “four-star hotel in the city center” turned out to overlook a suburban parking lot. France isn’t a place to just “check off” but to truly “stay and experience.” This guide is sincerely put together. I suggest saving it directly 📍 · -- 🇫🇷 Quick location overview France is in Western Europe. Summer (June–August) average temperatures are 20–22°C, warm and comfortable, perfect for outdoor activities. But in Provence, Southern France, the summer sun is strong, so take care to avoid heatstroke and sunburn. July to September is peak tourist season, with lavender fields in full bloom, but also the busiest and most expensive time. · -- 🍽️ Food recommendations (from breakfast to dinner) Must-have breakfast croissants 🥐 — Pierre Hermé’s croissants are flaky to the point of falling apart. For baguettes, choose Poilâne, crispy outside and soft inside, getting more flavorful the more you chew. For main meals, don’t miss duck confit 🦆, with crispy skin and tender meat, perfect with potatoes. French onion soup with melted cheese is rich and warming. If you dare to try raw, beef tartare is well-seasoned and not gamey. Baked escargot with garlic butter is intensely flavorful. For dessert, go straight for macarons — Ladurée or Pierre Hermé are top choices. For crepes, Breizh Café offers both sweet and savory options. For ice cream, Berthillon is the most famous in Paris. Crack the caramelized sugar crust on crème brûlée for a soothing treat. · -- 🏨 Accommodation guide (by budget) Budget-friendly (students/backpackers) 🎒: Hostels or budget guesthouses in Valensole town, about 350–550 CNY per night, within walking distance to lavender fields. Comfortable (most people’s first choice) ✨: Courtyard guesthouses in Avignon’s old town, boutique hotels in the stone village of Gordes, 700–1,100 CNY per night, with a Southern France countryside courtyard, waking up surrounded by lavender scent. Premium (vacation and relaxation) 🏖️: Lakeside cabins in Verdon Gorge, 1,200–1,800 CNY per night, with emerald canyon river views from the window and a night sky full of stars. 💡 Tip: During peak season from July to September, mountain guesthouses and hotels increase prices by 50%–100%, so book early! Most European hotels don’t provide toothpaste, toothbrushes, or slippers, so bring your own. · -- 🗺️ 7-day 6-night itinerary (no backtracking) Day 1–2: Paris 🗼 Louvre (16 euros ticket, free on the first Sunday of each month) → Orsay Museum (converted train station, must-see Van Gogh self-portrait and Monet’s water lilies, closed Mondays) → Notre Dame Cathedral (reopening at the end of 2024, advance booking required) → Champs-Élysées walk from Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde → evening Seine river cruise Day 3: Giverny + Rouen 🎨 Depart Paris for Normandy, stop at Giverny to visit Monet’s house and garden — it’s truly Monet’s garden only when the sun is shining! → Then head to Rouen for a stroll through medieval streets and cathedral, with lunch Day 4–5: Provence, Southern France 💜 Take TGV high-speed train from Paris to Avignon (gateway to Provence), about 2.5 hours → Valensole (largest lavender fields in Southern France, filming location for the drama “Romance in the Rain”) → Gordes stone village → Sénanque Abbey lavender → Verdon Gorge (core of the Southern Alps), 40-minute drive Day 6–7: French Riviera 🌊 Drive from the gorge to Nice, about 2 hours → Angel Bay is free, stroll along the Promenade des Anglais to enjoy the Mediterranean → explore the old town market, with a Sunday flea market · -- 📸 Photo spots (original photos look great) · Valensole lavender fields 💜: endless purple ocean, every shot looks like a postcard. Softest light and fewest crowds at dawn and sunset · Monet’s garden 🎨: absolutely stunning when sunlight hits the pond · Gordes stone village 🏘️: Southern France countryside courtyard backdrop, perfect for photos · Montmartre, Paris 🌅: watch a full sunset · La Rochelle old port ⚓: red and white towers by the sea, every shot is a French-style masterpiece · Colmar “Little Venice” 🏠: cobblestone streets winding through pastel half-timbered houses · -- ⚠️ Pitfall guide (lessons learned the hard way) 1. Book attraction tickets at least 1 week in advance, Louvre and Versailles at least 1 month ahead! Long queues in peak season will test your patience 2. Keep bags in front on the subway, don’t put your phone in your coat pocket. Pickpockets are common in Paris. Avoid wearing large logo luxury bags; low profile is safest. Don’t spend too long on your phone near subway doors 3. Restaurant bills usually include a 15% service charge, no extra tip needed 4. Some shops close on Sundays, stock up on snacks in advance 5. Drive carefully in Southern France, mountain roads have many sharp turns; beginners should be cautious. Carry a valid Chinese driver’s license and translation 6. Copy or photograph your passport’s main and visa pages and save them on your phone in case of loss 7. Take care to avoid heatstroke and sunburn; the sun is strong in Southern France in summer 8. Prepare Schengen visa 2–3 months in advance; document checks are strict --- Summer in France means purple lavender fields in Provence, blue waters on the French Riviera, and the aroma of coffee on Paris’s Left Bank. While the lavender is in full bloom, make your plans for France 💜