Travel Insurance for France
What Canadians need to know before travelling to France
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At a glance
- World Nomads offers four travel insurance plans for your trip to France. Plans range from standard to higher-limit protections.
- Coverage may apply to popular activities in France like skiing, sailing and hiking.
- Policies for Canadians include protection for medical emergencies, trip delays and lost luggage.
France comes second only to Mexico as the country Canadians visit most. Paris is easy to love, of course once you've ticked off the must-visit sights, there are countless neighbourhoods, museums and markets to explore. As for nightlife, Paris offers everything from underground clubs to cabaret at the Moulin Rouge. France’s rivers lead to cities like Lyon, Strasbourg, Bordeaux and Nice, each with a storied past to uncover. Indulging in the food and wine of Alsace, Burgundy and Champagne is a given, and art lovers wanting to walk in the footsteps of their favourite artists can do so in the rolling countryside, towns and hilltop villages of Provence – you can even have a croissant and cafe au lait at the same Arles cafe Van Gogh painted. With any luck, the worst you’ll deal with is a hangover after a night out – but it pays to be prepared for more serious surprises with travel insurance.
Plan Comparisons
Choosing the right travel insurance coverage depends on your trip type and planned activities. We offer four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – each with different coverages or levels of coverage.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your trip to France. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Get a quote |
Travel insurance for adventure activities in France
If you’re all about getting outdoors, France has plenty on offer. In winter, hit the slopes in the French Alps, then come back in summer for hiking, climbing and paragliding over alpine valleys. Down south, the French Riviera is made for life on the water, from sailing and kayaking to swimming in clear Mediterranean coves. Ready to ride? Cycle through Provence’s countryside or take on longer routes through the Loire Valley. If you’re feeling adventurous, go canyoning in southern France, bungee jump off the highest bridge in Europe, ride horses on the beaches of Normandy or sky dive over Cannes.
Coverage for 250 activities you love + more
Common insurance considerations for France
Accidents and emergencies
No one likes imagining the worst, but if you do get seriously sick or have an accident that sends you to hospital, you’ll be thankful you purchased travel insurance before you left home. Hit by a car crossing the street in Marseille? Took a tumble on the ski slopes of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and ended up in hospital? Ate a seafood galette at a dodgy Parisian bistro and ended up with food poisoning? Emergency assistance is a phone call away.
Trip Cancellation
The best trips are often the ones you’ve planned months in advance, but you can’t predict the future and unexpected situations can sometimes happen before you even set off. Trip cancellation coverage is included in all single-trip and annual travel insurance plans offered by World Nomads and gives you the opportunity to cancel your trip before you depart – but only for covered reasons. Optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to cancel for any reason that’s not otherwise covered by your plan. Broke up with your partner? You can cancel your trip. Sick dog? You can stay home to care for your fur baby. Change your mind about travelling? There’s no judgment here. Just make sure you purchase Cancel For Any Reason insurance cover within 15 days of making your first trip payment (like booking a hotel or flight).
Emergency evacuation
If you get seriously sick or injured but you’re far from appropriate medical facilities, emergency evacuation and repatriation insurance can help get you the care you need. It may cover, up to the policy limits, the cost to get you to the closest appropriate medical facility or to your home province for further treatment. Under your World Nomads plan, emergency evacuation may be covered if it’s recommended by the attending physician and pre-approved by our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team. This benefit could include transportation costs and any related medical services or supplies. If you’re in hospital for three days or more, it may also include the transportation of a family member or companion to your bedside or the return of a dependent child back to your home.
Trip interruption
No matter how good of a time you’re having in France, things can happen that mean you have to finish your trip early or you’re unable to participate in your full planned itinerary. If you get severely injured or sick while you're travelling, or you get a call from back home and learn that an immediate family member has unexpectedly passed away, you may not be able to complete the rest of your planned trip. World Nomads offers trip interruption coverage that may help you get reimbursed for prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if your plans change for a covered reason.
Tips for travelling to France
- Book ahead for major attractions like the Louvre and Eiffel Tower to avoid long queues and sold-out time slots
- Be mindful of pickpocketing in busy areas and on public transport, especially in Paris
- If you don’t speak French, try not to get offended at restaurants and shops if busy people get frustrated with your attempts to communicate. Use Google Translate
- Avoid locking valuables in your rental car and use luggage locks.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for France. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Do Canadians need a visa to visit France?
Canadians don’t need a visa for short stays in France (up to 90 days within a 180-day period), but must apply for ETIAS authorisation before arrival. Check current requirements before you travel.
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Is France safe for tourists?
France is generally safe for travellers, though petty theft can occur in busy areas and on public transport, particularly in Paris. Stay aware of your surroundings and keep valuables secure. You may want to consider travel insurance for those unexpected situations that can arise.
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What is the best time to visit France?
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) offer mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer is popular but can be crowded, especially in Paris and along the coast.
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Can I drink tap water in France?
Yes, tap water is safe to drink across France.
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What is the best way to get around France?
France has an excellent train network, including high-speed TGV services connecting major cities. Car hire is useful for exploring rural regions like Provence and the Loire Valley.
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Do I need to tip in France?
Service is usually included in restaurant bills, so tipping isn’t expected, though rounding up or leaving a small amount for good service is appreciated.
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What currency is used in France?
France uses the euro (EUR). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but it’s useful to carry some cash for smaller purchases.
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Do I need travel insurance for France?
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended. Cover for accidents, medical emergencies, cancellations, delays and lost luggage can help protect you against unexpected costs. Whether you’re in a major city or off adventuring in a more remote location, it’s reassuring to know you can get the help you need – especially when it comes to an accident or sudden illness.
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How do I make a travel insurance claim?
You can make a claim online 24/7. Have your documents and receipts handy to upload, and get started. If you get stuck, you can call us collect on +1 416 646 3723 or send an email to worldnomads@travelguard.com and we will assist you with your claim.
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What do I do if I need emergency assistance?
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 Emergency Assistance partners at Travel Guard are ready to help – 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whether it’s a medical emergency, stolen gear, missing bags, or a natural disaster, they’re the first call to make. Need a translator? They can help with that too.
When you call, you’ll be asked if you are experiencing a travel emergency. If you are having a medical emergency, you’ll be connected with Emergency Assistance right away. If your situation is not urgent and you are calling outside of normal business hours, you’ll be able to leave a message and be called back.
The contact information for medical emergency assistance is:
Phone: +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.); or
Phone: +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Insurance protection for your hard earned vacation in the event of unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- AMT Plan: $10,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $250,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $750,000
- Annual Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Gear & Baggage Protection
Coverage for the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $5,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
Protect your health
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Return of Remains
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
Protect your trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Exchange (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
- Rental Vehicle Damage (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
Protect your stuff
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services
- 24/7 Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Personal Security Assistance
- Adventure Traveller’s Hotline
- Bag Trak
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.