When to Go & Travel Tips
There isn’t a bad season for this route, but each one changes the trip. Trains, museum days and entry for Canadians are here too.
When to go
Spring (April to June)
Mild weather, long days and gardens in bloom. May and June are busy but still one of the most comfortable times for walking both cities.
Summer (July and August)
The warmest and busiest stretch. Many Parisians take holidays in August, so some smaller, independent shops and restaurants close for part of the month.
Autumn (September and October)
Harvest season in Alsace, softer crowds, and generally comfortable city weather. A strong choice if you want wine villages without the summer rush.
Winter (November to February)
Cold and often grey, but December in Strasbourg is the whole point for many travellers. January and February are quieter in Paris outside the holidays.
Getting there
- Non-stop flights to Paris run from several Canadian cities. Strasbourg is usually reached by high-speed train rather than a connecting flight.
- Paris to Strasbourg is about 1 hour 50 minutes by TGV from Paris Gare de l’Est.
- Book long-distance train tickets early — French high-speed fares generally rise as the departure date gets closer.
Getting around
- Check museum closing days before you build the week: the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays and the Musée d’Orsay on Mondays.
- Pickpocketing is common around major Paris sights and on the Métro. Keep bags zipped and in front, and walk past anyone with a clipboard asking for a signature.
Practical notes
- The currency is the euro (€). Plugs are type C and E, 230 V — bring an adapter.
- French hotels add a small city tourist tax (taxe de séjour) per person, per night — usually paid at the hotel.
- Dinner often starts later than at home, around 7:30 or 8 p.m., and popular restaurants are worth reserving.
- 112 is the emergency number in France and across the EU.
- Canadians do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in any 180 days in the Schengen Area. The questions below cover the Entry/Exit System and ETIAS.
Entry rules and advisories change. Before you book and again before you fly, check travel.gc.ca.
France planning questions
How many days do I need for Paris and Strasbourg?
Seven nights is a comfortable minimum for both: about four in Paris and three in Strasbourg. With ten nights you can add Colmar or a wine village without rushing. If you only have five nights, I would usually keep you in Paris.
Is Strasbourg worth adding to a Paris trip?
If you want a second, slower chapter, yes. It is under two hours by high-speed train, the old town is compact and walkable, and the Alsace villages are close. It feels distinct from Paris — the architecture, food and place names all reflect the region’s French and German history.
Do Canadians need a visa or ETIAS for France?
Canadians do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area. Since April 2026, the EU Entry/Exit System records your fingerprints and photo at the border on your first entry. ETIAS, the EU’s planned travel authorisation, is not in operation yet and has no confirmed start date, so be wary of any site offering to sell one. Check travel.gc.ca before you go.
When are the Strasbourg Christmas markets?
They usually run from late November until December 24. Exact dates are set each year, and hotels in Strasbourg and Colmar book up early, so a December trip is best planned several months ahead.
Let’s plan your France trip
Tell me how long you have, whether Paris is a first visit or a return, and if December markets are on the list. I’ll plan the route and book the stays and trains.
The initial 30-minute consultation is complimentary. The professional research fee is $50 per traveller aged 2 or older, paid before research begins.