France
About
| France is a country of contrasts with a multitude of landscapes, offering holidays to suit all tastes and budgets. It's the world's premium tourist destination. France's romantic capital is full of famous sights, including the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Cathedral on Ile de la Cité, the Arc de Triomphe leading to Champs Elysées, the Sacré Coeur in the heart of Montmartre and the Louvre's Pyramid. Dining out in Paris is a treat not to be missed. Paris has 80 museums and 200 art galleries. Visit the Musée d'Orsay located in a beautifully restored railway station, the Palais du Louvre, the Georges Pompidou Centre of Modern Art or the new Quai Branly Museum. The Disneyland Resort Paris theme park is in Marne la Vallée. |
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| Capital: | Paris (PAR) |
| Currency: | Euro (EUR) |
| Language: | French. Local dialects are also spoken. English is widely understood and spoken. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 33 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa) |
| Daylight Savings Time: | From last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October: UTC / GMT +2 (same time as South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Right. |
| Best Time to Go: | Spring (Apr-June) or Autumn (Sept-Nov). Summer is very busy. |
| Best for: | Wine Route, Architecture through the ages, Skiing, Eiffel Tower, Disneyland |
| Plugs: | 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are widely used. |
| Drinking Water: | Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. Outside of the main towns, water may be contaminated. Bottled water is available. |
| Health: | There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. Doctors will require cash payment regardless of whether you have health insurance. If you require any medication on your travels it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it. If you are bringing a prescription with you, ensure that your doctor uses generic names of medication. |
| Customs: | French are very proud of their heritage, and appreciate attempts to speak a few words of their language. Foreigners often perceive the French as rude, but this is often just a lack of understanding of French culture. Meals are leisurely, so do not expect fast service at restaurants. Punctuality is not observed. People are generally addressed as Monsieur or Madame without a last name or first name. Topless sunbathing is allowed at most beaches, but nude sunbathing is restricted to a few beaches. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | Unattended luggage will be removed and destroyed by security staff. Smoking in public places is banned and carries heavy fines. |
| Duty Free: | France is within the European Union. If you are travelling from the UK, you are entitled to buy fragrance, skincare, cosmetics, Champagne, wine, selected spirits, fashion accessories, gifts and souvenirs - all at tax-free equivalent prices. If you are travelling from within the EU, there is no limit on the amount or value of goods you may import, providing your goods are for personal consumption. Goods imported for commercial purposes are subject to duty and the following guideline amounts are in place to determine whether this is the case: • 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco. • 10L of spirits over 22%, 20L of alcoholic beverages less than 22%, 90L of wine (no more than 60L of sparkling wine) and 110L of beer. If you are arriving from a non-EU country, the following goods may be imported into France by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. • 4L of wine and 16L of beer and 1L of spirits over 22% or 2L of alcoholic beverages less than 22%. • Other goods up to the value of €430 for air and sea travellers and €300 for other travellers (reduced to €150 for children under 15). |
| Prohibited Imports: | Items which are either prohibited or require a licence include weapons and ammunition, drugs (other than those prescribed for personal use), live animals, plant products, cultural artefacts and endangered species. |
Issuing Authorities
French Embassy in Pretoria
250 Melk Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, 0181 Pretoria
Tel: 012 425 1600
web: za.ambafrance.org
French Consulate-General in Johannesburg
Rosebank Corner Building, 3rd floor 191, Jan Smuts Avenue - Parktown North
Tel: 011 778 5600
Email: info.johannesburg-fslt@diplomatie.gouv.fr
Web: johannesburg.consulfrance.org
French Consulate in Cape Town
78 Queen Victoria Street, Gardens, Cape Town
Tel: 021 423 1575
E-mail: consulat.le-cap-fslt@diplomatie.gouv.fr
Web: lecap.consulfrance.org
Visa and Travel Enquiries:
Directed to the French Consulate-General in Johannesburg
Email: visas.johannesburg-fslt@diplomatie.gouv.fr
Visa Information:
Web: https://france-visas.gouv.fr/
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1; Apr 21; May 1, 8, 29; Jun 9; Jul 14; Aug 15; Nov 1, 11; Dec 25
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1; Apr 6; May 1, 8, 14, 25; Jul 14; Aug 15; Nov 1, 11; Dec 25
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by SA passport holders.
France is a member of the Schengen Agreement.
- If you intend to visit only France, you must apply at the Embassy of France / Visa Application Centre.
- If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate that is your main destination / longest stay.
- If you intend to visit several countries but are spending an equal number of days in each, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country of your first point of entry.
Visas For Monaco
- Holders of Schengen visas may enter Monaco. If Monaco is the main destination, the Schengen visa will be issued by the relevant French Authorities.
VISA APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Complete your visa application online at https://france-visas.gouv.fr/. You can create groups of up to 6 applicants, with a maximum of 50 groups per account. The completed form must be printed
2. The completed visa application form and supporting documents must be submitted at Capago. The visa fee and any applicable service fees will be payable. Biometrics will also be taken (if applicable).
CAPAGO
Tel: 087 231 0313
Email: infofrance-za@capago.eu
Web: fr-za.capago.eu/
Hours: Mon - Fri 8:00-17:00
JHB: 5th Floor, Fredman Towers, 13 Fredman Drive, Sandown, Sandton
CPT: 19th Floor, The Towers South, Hertzog Blvd, Foreshore
DUR: 2 Ncondo Place Ridgeside, Umhlanga Ridge, Durban
Applications by appointment.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
In addition to general requirements:
- Application form must be filled in online at https://france-visas.gouv.fr/
- 2 recent passport photos
- Any additional supporting documents as indicated on the online application.
- Copies of all original documents.
Visa Processing Time
Usually 15 days. Applications cannot be submitted more than 6 months in advance.
Visa Validity
Up to 90 days over a period of 180 days.
Visa Cost
Adults: EUR90
Children (6-12): EUR45
Children (under 6): Free
Capago service fee: EUR 31
SA Representative
SA Embassy in Paris
59 Quai d’ Orsay 75343, Paris, Cedex, 07
Tel : 01 53 59 23 23
Email: info.paris@dirco.gov.za
Web: dirco.gov.za/paris
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | None |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio |
