Guides & tips from real French experts

Voila Notes

Voila Notes

Voila Notes

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Practical guidance for travelers and expats in Paris: useful phrases, local etiquette, urgent situations, and small decisions that make France easier.

Practical guidance for travelers and expats in Paris: useful phrases, local etiquette, urgent situations, and small decisions that make France easier.

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Etiquette

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Paris café table
Paris café table

Etiquette

Tipping in France: What's Expected, What Isn't

Tipping in France: What's Expected, What Isn't

Service is already included — but that’s not the whole story. The actual rules of tipping in France, from cafés to taxis to hotel staff.

Rencontres d’Arles exhibition image
Rencontres d’Arles exhibition image

Culture

Rencontres d'Arles 2026: The 5 Exhibitions Worth the Trip From Paris

Rencontres d'Arles 2026: The 5 Exhibitions Worth the Trip From Paris

Europe’s biggest photography festival runs in Provence until October 4. Here are the five shows to prioritize — and how to plan the day trip from Paris.

Paris café terrace
Paris café terrace

Etiquette

Restaurant Etiquette Mistakes Tourists Make in France (Without Knowing It)

Restaurant Etiquette Mistakes Tourists Make in France (Without Knowing It)

Nobody explains these rules — you’re just expected to know them. Here’s what actually matters at a French restaurant table.

Paris lifestyle scene
Paris lifestyle scene

Etiquette

파리 여행 자주 하는 실수 5가지 — 한국인 여행자를 위한 가이드

파리 여행 자주 하는 실수 5가지 — 한국인 여행자를 위한 가이드

한국인 여행자가 파리에서 특히 자주 하는 실수 5가지 — 미리 알아두면 훨씬 여유로운 여행이 됩니다.

Paris transport and taxi scene
Paris transport and taxi scene

Transport

CDG to Central Paris: Taxi vs. Train vs. Private Transfer — Real Costs Compared

CDG to Central Paris: Taxi vs. Train vs. Private Transfer — Real Costs Compared

Flat-rate taxis, the RER B, buses, and private transfers — what each really costs, how long it takes, and which one fits your situation.

Signing documents
Signing documents

Practical Info

Opening a French Bank Account as a Foreigner: What You Actually Need

Opening a French Bank Account as a Foreigner: What You Actually Need

The documents, the timeline, the traps — a realistic guide to getting a French bank account, whether you’re an expat or a newcomer.

Paris pharmacy at night
Paris pharmacy at night

Emergency

Finding a Pharmacy at Night or on Sunday in Paris

Finding a Pharmacy at Night or on Sunday in Paris

It’s 11pm, you need medicine, and every pharmacy looks closed. Paris always has one open — here’s how to find it.

Luggage at the airport
Luggage at the airport

Emergency

Lost Luggage at CDG or Orly: What to Do in the First Hour

Lost Luggage at CDG or Orly: What to Do in the First Hour

Your bag didn’t show up on the carousel. Here’s exactly what to do before leaving the airport — and why that first hour matters more than you think.

The Seine in Paris on a sunny summer day
The Seine in Paris on a sunny summer day

Practical Info

Where to Cool Off in Paris During a Heatwave: Pools, Rivers, and Free Swimming Spots

Where to Cool Off in Paris During a Heatwave: Pools, Rivers, and Free Swimming Spots

A practical guide to swimming in and around Paris during a heatwave, from free river zones to municipal pools and nearby lake beaches.

Woman looking at paintings in a museum
Woman looking at paintings in a museum

Culture

The Best Art Exhibitions to See in Paris This Summer

The Best Art Exhibitions to See in Paris This Summer

A curated guide to the best Paris exhibitions this summer, from classic masters to contemporary art, fashion, photography, and ancient history.

Busy Paris restaurant interior
Busy Paris restaurant interior

Etiquette

パリのレストラン予約マナー — 知っておきたい6つのポイント

パリのレストラン予約マナー — 知っておきたい6つのポイント

パリでレストランを予約するときに知っておきたい、電話予約、時間帯、キャンセル、会計などの基本マナーを6つに整理しました。

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