black travel days france 2023

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• Tours of Black Paris – Walking And Private Bus Tours
• Paris Walking Tours
• Do you just have to experience Paris & Beyond but feel overwhelmed by too many choices?
• In addition to the traditional sites, does it excite you to take  tours of Black Paris and connect to the rich Black heritage in France and across Europe?
• Is your ideal next trip celebrating a milestone and you’d love to have invaluable input from a travel professional who has actually lived in Paris and escorted groups through France?
• Are you adventurous and curious but have no time to research how to experience the best a Paris vacation or of France and Europe’s many world heritage sites and priceless experiences.
• Travel professionals, would it take the stress out of your trip planning to consult with a Paris and Black Heritage travel expert whose high-caliber Paris tours , itinerary design and full trip planning services guarantee peace of mind for you and wow factor and a warm welcome for your clients?
• Educators, are you searching for stimulating, informative Paris vacation & Beyond tours , resources, lectures and meetings that immerse your students in Afrocentric activities as well as fun, authentic French experience?

Who We Are – Your Paris and Black Paris & Beyond Tours And Vacation Experts

Black Paris travel expert Julia Browne founded Walking The Spirit Tours in 1994 and pioneered the genre of Black heritage tourism in Paris. Starting with just two African-American history tours, we now offer a full range of Black Paris & Beyond vacation and travel services that help share our passion for Black heritage and give travelers an authentic taste of traditional France and Europe.

Paris Vacation And Beyond Travel Consulting

We take the time to find out would make your or your client’s trip ideal by starting with complimentary travel consultation with company founder Julia Browne.

Paris And Beyond Itinerary Travel Planning

With years of residency and experience escorting groups under our belts, our aim also is to take the stress and uncertainty out of planning your full Paris and Beyond vacation package , tour and/or Black Paris trip or itinerary. We want to help you realize your dream whether it is :

• dining in a first class restaurant with a killer view of, or from, the Eiffel Tower ,
• learning from the masters in Champagne, Bordeaux and Cognac ,
• unearthing the perfect addition to your home decor in the colorful Saturday market where Josephine Baker did her shopping,
• or sampling gastronomical pleasures in picturesque Normandy towns where American soldiers and Richard Wright are still fondly remembered….

Black Paris Bus And Walking Tours

Choose from our Paris walking tours or signature tours of Black Paris, like our Black Heritage walking and private bus tours plus an exciting range of sightseeing, culinary, arts, music-oriented and historical activities.

And, if it’s your first time to Paris or Black Paris, our Paris travel guides will meet you for an Orientation Session that will help you feel immediately operational and confident in your new surroundings.

Benefits Our Clients Experience

• Your Paris trip planning begins with a complementary phone consultation with company founder Julia Browne and that personal communication and service continues until you return home, smiling.
• Your travel itinerary is designed and arranged by professionals who lived in France long term and are committed to making sure your wishes are heard and carried out, with excellence.
• We save you time and guesswork by organizing your full Paris vacation and beyond trip including air, accommodations, transfers, tours.
• Preferred pricing and exceptional service thanks to our long-term relationships with trusted suppliers.
• Stress-free planning before, peace of mind 24/7, access during your trip
• We make it easy and exhilarating for you to connect to Paris and Europe’s rich Black heritage through walking and private Black Paris bus tours, Diaspora dining, nightlife, specially created events, and through vacation packages.
• Through our Black culture tours you have the rare opportunity to meet Afro-Parisians.
• The addition of valuable insights into existing educational curriculum.
• Listen to the challenges faced by African-American intellectuals, artists, military and musicians in early 20th century Black Paris and the stunning outcomes.

Let's Get Acquainted!

Schedule your complimentary getting acquainted session using my convenient online scheduler.

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Helpful Travel Tips

• Gifts Travelers Love To Receive-A Few of My Favourite Things
• 10 Reasons to Mix Art, Politics and Travel in Paris
• Travel Photography on a Smartphone, Fancy Camera Optional
• 4 Things Online Booking Engines Don’t Tell You
• 10 Ways To Tame Jet Lag

What People Are Saying:

I have learned so much these two weeks from you and your marvelous network! The enthusiasm and deep knowledge of your impressive team was shared with our travelers making their experience rich and rewarding. Our travelers come to learn and all agreed that this trip was exceptional.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

This tour far exceeded our expectations. As a serious history devotee my appetite for local D.C. black history was more than satisfied in an amazing full-day experience with our guide. One tour highlight was the Frederick Douglass mansion in Anacostia. Our guide, along with being an expert in his field, is a warm, energetic individual who loves his work. This was one of the best tours we have ever taken and is highly recommended.

You’re the best!!! This is to reiterate our grateful thanks to you for such a wonderful trip/vacation in Paris. This was our first time in Paris and it was glorious . All of your well planned activities and meals were beyond our expectations. Plus, this was our first time traveling with members of our group.

I am submitting this on behalf of my client and myself, our experience working with Julia was amazing and very impressive. Her specialty tours are golden for Paris as in the words of my client "who would have thought"? She is very professional and provided a wonderful overview of the tours which actually have me excited and eager to book all clients who travel to Paris. Her services are definitely a great asset to Paris!!

"For Anyone and Everyone Interested in the Real History of France and the US!"  ​ Ricki Stevenson's Black Paris Tours® offers a richly unique cultural experience, providing travelers with information, insight and little known facts about the wealth of Black history in Paris! 

Discover 11 top suggestions to elevate your itinerary with a perfect blend of hidden gems and well-established dining, entertainment, and shopping options, exploring the best of black paris ... ​yesterday and today.

A special thank you to Blues Man Mighty Mo Rodgers for allowing us to use his " Black Paris Blues " in the video and website!

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If you would like more information or have questions, please contact us at [email protected] or fill out the online contact form below:

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Explore The History And Culture Of Black Paris With These Tours

Paris has a deep and interesting Black history, which includes numerous notable contributions and areas of influence from people of African descent . What better way to discover the city’s Black heritage than through a guided tour from the Afrocentric perspective? There are several reputable companies offering Black Paris tours on a variety of topics. Here are a few tour companies providing tours focusing on the Black experience in the City of Light .

Ayah A. • Dec 30, 2021

Paris has a deep and interesting Black history, which includes numerous notable contributions and areas of influence from people of African descent .

What better way to discover the city’s Black heritage than through a guided tour from the Afrocentric perspective? There are several reputable companies offering Black Paris tours on a variety of topics. Here are a few tour companies providing tours focusing on the Black experience in the City of Light .

1. Entrée to Black Paris

Entrée to Black Paris is a company providing visitors a look at Black Paris and its legacy through its various informative tours. The company offers more than a dozen different tour options, including:

•   Black Paris After World War II , a walking tour highlighting the lives of various Black writers as well as contemporary Black French associations.
• The Spirit of Africa , which explores the Château Rouge area and its various African restaurants, shops, and food vendors.
• On the Grandest of Avenues , a tour taking you to the iconic Champs Elysées and the surrounding area, delving into its little known Black history.
• Josephine’s Suburban Paradise , a three-hour tour in the Parisian suburb of Le Vésinet, to visit Le Beau Chêne, the mansion that Josephine Baker owned and called home for eighteen years, as well as the church she attended.

2. Walk the Spirit Tours

Founded in 1994 by Julia Brown, Walk The Spirit Tours pioneered Black heritage tours in Paris. Today, the company offers various walking and bus tours, which include:

• The Entertainers in the 1920s Lower Montmartre , which transports you back to Black Montmarte in the 20s to hear the stories of Black artists and entertainers, such as Josephine Baker, Ada “Bricktop” Smith, and Sidney Bechet.
• Africa in Paris , during which tourists visit the city’s La Goutte d’Or neighborhood with its bustling and vibrant open-air markets, salons, cultural venues, and shops, to explore both the neighborhood’s past and where it is today.
• Black Images in the Louvre , a tour exploring and discussing depictions of Black people in art throughout time.
• Colonialism, Slavery & AntiSlavery walk , a tour visiting famous sites and  uncovering the stories behind the institutions of colonialism and slavery in Paris, as well as those who worked to end them.

3. Le Paris Noir

Le Paris Noir was created in 2013 by Parisian tour guide Kévi Donat. He was inspired to launch the company after seeing how many visitors seemed to be surprised and intrigued by the city’s Black populations.

Le Paris Noir offers a Right Bank tour, from the Moulin Rouge to Château-Rouge, and a Left Bank tour, from the Place du Panthéon to the Place de la Sorbonne.

• The Right Bank Tour begins in Pigalle, delving into the arrival of African American artists in France in the 1920s, and continues on to the Goutte d’Or district, with its incredible history and diversity, and continuous evolution over time.
• The Left Bank Tour visits places where some of the city’s most influential Black figures have gathered and made history, f rom the Place des Grands Hommes to Saint-Germains.

4. Black Paris Tours

Black Paris Tours CEO Ricki Stevenson founded her company in 1998. The former news anchor and talk show host holds a master’s degree in history, with an emphasis on African and African American studies.

Black Paris Tours’ full day tour is offered as a walking or bus tour, and allows tourists to get acquainted with the city and its rich Black heritage through interesting stories and little known facts.

The tour company also offers private tours as well as sit-down breakfast orientations for those who have difficulty walking.

5. American Concierge

Established in 2014, American Concierge ‘s Black history tours include several walking tours and a driving tour.

• Pioneers of the Left Bank takes visitors on a tour of what is now the city’s Latin Quarter. The neighborhood is the birthplace of the Pan-African literary and political movement known as “La Négritude.” From there, continue on to the Saint-Germain neighborhood, an area popular among many famous Black American expats after WWII.
• Swing of the Right Bank takes participants on a tour of Paris’ Piagalle neighborhood, once known as “Harlem sur Seine.” After delving into its early jazz scene, the tour ends in the city’s largest African neighborhood, La Goutte d’Or .
• Like Entrée to Black Paris, American Concierge also hosts a Black Paris Post World War II tour highlighting the lives of many Black literary icons. The company also offers special tours dedicated to individual writers like Langston Hughes, Richard Wright, and James Baldwin.

6. Colesville Travel

Colesville Travel ‘s Black Paris Tour is an 11-day adventure providing a complete immersive cultural experience. Beginning in Paris, the tour explores the lives of the city’s historically influential Black residents and neighborhoods.

From Black art, entrepreneurs, and jazz of the 20s and 30s to Black images at the Louvre, contemporary Black music, and dining at Black-owned restaurants , the tour is designed to give you the knowledge of the city’s vibrant Black past and present.

After leaving Paris, the tour continues in the Bordeaux wine region to explore vineyards , wine cellars, and the life and home of the legendary entertainer Josephine Baker.

Related:  Blackissime: A Travel Company That Celebrates Black Culture In France

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Sign up for essence newsletters the keep the black women at the forefront of conversation., black travel vibes: this couple's french riviera baecation is proof that france is for lovers.

Summer travel season is in full effect, which means there will be tons of opportunities for you and bae to share your #couplesgoal swag with the world. Everyone knows Europe is one of the best places to hang in the summer, with its endless parties, sparkling beaches and of course, romance.

Few places are as romantic as France, after all, Paris is one of the most romantic destinations for proposals in the world. So naturally, couples looking for a dreamy escape head to cities like Nice in the French Riviera for some one-on-one loving time.

One couple that knows firsthand about the romantic allure of the French Riviera is Fabrice and Sandy Choute (@travelwiththechoutes). The pair traveled to the Riviera for a super cute baecation that made us fall in love with the coastal vibes and of course, them! Check out our handy guide on the French Riviera then grab bae, because these photos will have you ready to catch flights and feelings tonight.

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Life in the Pyrénées-Orientales

Traffic in france: dates to avoid 2023, on the road in france in 2023.

Summer traffic is expected to be heavy as usual this year,  with several RED days (circulation très difficile) and a couple of BLACK days. (Circulation extrêmement difficile).

These are certainly days to avoid travelling on motorways and major roads, but also many local areas get snagged up too, as visitors come on and off motorways, or head into small towns and seaside resorts, so good days to stay at home, get out the bikes, or walk.

Check out these dates.

(CLICK ON THE LINK FOR A LARGER VERSION)

1 ile-de-France 2 Grand-Ouest et Nord 3 Bourgogne et Est 4 Auvergne – Rhône-Alpes 5  Sud-Ouest 6 Arc méditerranéen

This crossover of the “juilletistes and aoutiens” (see below) sees millions of people moving across the country and traffic monitor Bison Fute issues just TWO of its rare ‘black alerts’ this year, forecasting nevertheless several hundred kilometres of potential jams.

Motorways along the Mediterranean coast, and main routes from north to south and vice versa are expected to be very busy at these times. Check out BISON FUTE, government funded advice agency which monitors traffic and gives useful tips and advice for avoiding the hotspots, with a ‘realtime’ map and info constantly updated.

Check out other periods and real time hotspots to avoid at bisonfute. or ring 0 800 100 200 for real time info. (0033 892 68 78 88 from abroad)

MORE ROAD INFO IN ENGLISH

‘Le chassé-croisé des juillettistes et des aoûtiens’……..

… describes the traffic chaos on the roads of France late July/early August as the whole world and his wife heads off to or home from their hols, and the end of both months when the hols are over.

A chassé-croisé is actually a dance step where dancers criss cross and change partners.

‘Juillettistes’ describes holiday makers heading off or home in July and ‘aoûtiens’ are August travelers.

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What to the numbers refer to and ‘Depart’ from where?

Good question. 🙂 Numbers and corresponding regions now added below image.

chart too small to read

Hi Jocelyn Thanks for bringing this to our attention, we’ve uplaoded a different image with higher resolution so when you zoom, the details should be clearer.

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• Driving in France

Everything you need to know before driving in France

• Explore France ►
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A guide to the roads and motorways of France

• COVID .  Covid vaccination is recommended for all potentially "at risk" people, notably the elderly (over 60s). Masks may remain recommended  or obligatory in some places, notably hospitals, doctors' surgeries and some other places. Visitors are recommended to  carry a Covid vaccination status attestation (vaccination certificate on paper or on mobile phone). UK NHS or EU covid attestations are accepted,
• Summer 2024 - PARIS OLYMPICS . . The Olympic Games are being held in and around Paris from 26 July to 11 August 2024. Drivers are particularly advised to avoid the Paris area during this period.
• Driving license . Drivers from the UK,  EU countries, Switzerland,and EEA countries. Your national drivers license is valid in France for tourism travel up to twelve months, and for students studying in France for the duration of their student visa. Drivers with licenses from other countries must have a valid national license PLUS either an official translation into French or an IDP ( International Drivers Permit) ), which can be obtained ► here . An IDP is recommended, though not required, for drivers with a license issued in the USA (though it is required in some other parts of Europe).
• Low Emission Zones - A growing number of French cities, including all big cities, now have ZFE's – LEZ Low Emission Zones – from which more polluting vehicles are excluded... as are all vehicles not showing an air-quality sticker, known as a Crit'Air badge. Among cties concerned is Rouen, which is right on the route for many drivers heading south from Calais or Dieppe. Currently access to Rouen, or through Rouen, is forbidden to vehicles classed Crit'Air 4 or 5 - essentially diesels older than 2006 and petrol cars from before 1997. Crit'Air stickers for French or foreign registered vehicles can be obtained online from the French Government Website (in English) and cost €4.76. Visit the site to apply for your sticker. Even if you have an electric vehicle, you must display a Crit'Air sticker to drive into or through any city with a low emission zone - or face a fine.

PLAN YOUR JOURNEY...... AVOID THE BUSIEST WEEKENDS Summer 2024

Official traffic density forecasts:.

MOTORWAYS OR NOT ?

►french motorways:, principal signs on french motorway toll gates:  .

• X -  Red cross : closed -

2024 Motorway tolls in France  - 

► free motorways and routes avoiding tolls .

• ►  toll-free route to Southwest France and northern Spain ►   toll-free route the Alps and the Mediterranean

• two thirds of the section on the A16 - A28 route between Calais and Rouen
• the A 84 from Caen to Rennes
• 275 km of the A20 from Vierzon to just south of Brive la Gaillarde (the longest stretch of free motorway in France, and the main Paris-Toulouse route).
• 340 km of the A75 motorway between Clermont Ferrand and Beziers - an alternate route for people driving to Languedoc and the Spanish border. Note however the Millau viaduct has a toll ( Toll prices ). Mountain motorway not recommended for caravans or in winter.
• the motorway between Dunkerque and Lille .
• Most urban and suburban autoroutes in France are also free; and even when they are not, it makes more sense to pay the toll and avoid miles of traffic lights and congestion.
• Main arterial roads west of Rennes, in Brittany
• The N 10 from Poitiers to Bordeaux . See map of routes through France.

► TRUNK ROADS  - arterial roads:

Road numbering in france.

Avoiding main roads in France

"bison futé" and driving on the byways of france.

"Routes bis"

► avoiding paris, night driving in france, ►hgv restrictions in france, ► petrol (gas) stations in france, fuel prices in france :, ev (electric vehicle) recharging in france :, ► overnight stops., driving in france -  maps.

► South from Calais - best routes to the south of France

► Real time  map   showing traffic congestion and hazards on French roads. Zoom in.

  ► French motorways map

► Southwest :  A10 Tours - Bordeaux - E5

► Southeast :  A26  via Reims - E17, E15

► East - West :   E19 - E44 from Belgium

►  to SW France and N Spain

►   to the Alps and the Mediterranean

► Driving in Spain

New speed cameras.  

• January 1st, New year's day
• Easter Monday (though not Good Friday except in Alsace),
• May 1st, Labour Day, Fête du Travail
• May 8th, Armistice Day
• Ascension Thursday
• July 14th, Bastille Day, Fête Nationale
• August 15th, French August bank holiday
• November 1st, Toussaint, All Saints' Day
• November 11th, Armistice, first world war.
• Christmas (though not Boxing Day)
• Driving in Spain
• Driving in Britain for foreign visitors
• Driving in Quebec (and Canada)
• Driving in the USA  

Home Explore France Official Tourism Board Website

• Explore the map

Entry Requirements for American Travelers to France

Inspiration

Reading time: 0 min Published on 4 January 2023, updated on 16 April 2024

PASSPORTS AND VISAS

All U.S. and Canadian citizens, including infants, need a valid passport to enter France. Visas are not required for American and Canadian visitors staying in France for up to 90 days. For more information, contact your nearest French Consulate. See a list of local French consulates in the U.S.

It is mandatory in France to carry some form of identification at all times. If you lose your passport, the nearest U.S. Consulate will issue Americans a limited-validity replacement if travel is imminent, or a full-validity passport if further travel is not within two weeks. When in France, please carry a photocopy of your passport separately from your passport. The copy will facilitate issuance of a replacement ($75 fee for adults, $85 for children). The American Embassy in Paris is at 2, avenue Gabriel, tel. 01 43 12 22 22. The Passport Section is nearby at 4, avenue Gabriel (open 9a.m.-noon, Monday- Friday). There are other Consular Offices in Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Rennes, Strasbourg and Toulouse that provide assistance to American citizens.

Entering France : Travelers from countries outside the European Union (EU) must declare certain articles when entering France. Duty and import taxes are levied on items not for personal use that individually or collectively exceed 175€ in value. Certain categories of items for personal use (tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, perfumes, coffee and tea, etc.) may be brought in untaxed up to certain authorized amounts. The following are forbidden or subject to strict control: drugs, radioactive materials, firearms, endangered species, plants, ivory and food, meat and dairy products. Carry prescriptions to authenticate any controlled substances. “Monetary instruments” equal to more than 10,000€ (whether brought into or taken out of France) must be declared. When in doubt, consult the French Embassy , a French Consulate or the French Customs and Excise Service's “ Info Douanes Service ” in Paris at tel. 08 20 02 44 44 (8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday)

Re-entering the U.S. : Returning U.S. citizens who have been away for 48 hours or more are allowed to bring back, once every 30 days, $800 worth of merchandise duty-free. You're charged a flat rate of duty on the next $1,000 worth of purchases, and any dollar amount beyond that is subject to duty at whatever rates apply. On mailed gifts, the duty-free limit is $200. Have your receipts or purchases handy to expedite the declaration process. Note: If you owe duty, you are required to pay upon your arrival in the United States, using cash, personal check, government or traveler's check, or money order; some locations also accept Visa or MasterCard.

BRINGING YOUR PETS TO FRANCE

Travelers may bring dogs, cats and ferrets into France. Each family is limited to five animals, which must have valid rabies vaccination certificates and be identifiable by a microchip or tattoo. For more information, including details about travel with pet rodents, reptiles, birds or other species, visit www.ambafrance-us.org or contact the French Embassy.

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Best Black Friday Travel Deals of 2023: Save on Your Next Vacation

Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partners’ links. This content is created independently from TIME’s editorial staff. Learn more about it.

If more travel is at the top of your New Year’s resolution list, start planning before the ball drops by shopping for Black Friday travel deals on all-inclusive resort and hotel stays, cruises, flights, group tours, planned excursions, and more. Take advantage of these end-of-year opportunities to save big on the trips you’ve been dreaming about. 

Best Black Friday travel deals on beach locations

Sandals and beaches resorts.

Both offer up inflight and resort credits if you book between 11/13 and 12/1 during its Black Friday timed holiday sale. 

Sandals offer up inflight and resort credits

• Beaches Resorts

Best Black Friday travel deals on cruises

• Celebrity Cruises

Grab a friend or loved one to cruise the seas with Celebrity. The Black Friday deal offers 75% off a second passenger’s ticket, plus up to a $300 onboard credit. This offer is valid for new sailings only from 11/10 to 12/5. Destinations include Caribbean and Mediterranean routes. 

75% off a second passenger’s ticket, plus up to a $300 onboard credit

Oceania cruises.

Oceania is offering two-for-one fares on selected cruises, free roundtrip airfare, free shore trips, plus free dining and drinks. Choose from 100 cruises and make 2024 your year of setting “sail” on open waters. Kids cruise free, too! 

Two-for-one fares on selected cruises, free roundtrip airfare, free shore trips, plus free dining and drinks

Msc cruises.

This is another opportunity for your kids to cruise with you for free. During this Black Friday sale, you can get up to $500 onboard credit to enjoy drinks, specialty dining, shore excursions, and spa treatments. Cruise the Caribbean, Bahamas, or Mediterranean, just to name a few great destinations. 

Get up to $500 onboard credit

Hurtigruten cruises.

Get up to 30% off sustainable boating destinations to Antarctica or up to 50% off cruises to the Galapagos Islands. 

Get upto 50% off

Princess cruise lines.

This Black Friday, get up to 50% off cruises for 2023 to 2025 on Princess Cruise Lines, plus third and fourth guests are free, which means you can bring friends and family for less.

Get up to 50% off cruises for 2023 to 2025

Best black friday travel deals on resorts and hotels.

• Sandals Resorts

Sandals is offering credits to travelers that plan their trip from 11/13 through 12/21. Use code GOB2023 to receive up to $750 in-flight credits and up to $250 in resort credits for properties in Jamaica, St. Vincents (coming March 2024) and Curacao. Keep in mind that these stays are for adults only, but its partner resort, Beaches (see under “Best Black Friday deals”), welcomes kids of all ages.

Sandals is offering credits to travelers that plan their trip from 11/13 through 12/21. Use code: GOB2023

• Extra Holidays

Book your next getaway with Extra Holiday and receive 30% off stays at a variety of Wyndham resorts and hotels in Taos, New Mexico, Las Vegas, Williamsburg, Virginia, and Daytona Beach, Florida. The offer runs from 11/1 until Cyber Monday on November 27th and the site offers new deals weekly, so sign up for emails or bookmark the site to find out about new locations.

Book your next getaway with Extra Holiday and receive 30% off stays at a variety of resorts!

Best black friday deals on flights.

Take a flight on the Great White North’s favorite airline, Air Canada. For its early Black Friday sale, you can save in cash or points on flights to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. For example, you can fly one-way from Los Angeles to Toronto for only $155 or San Francisco to Tokyo (round trip) for only $889. This highly-rated airline is a great choice for booking your flights for your upcoming vacations.

Get on board with Black Friday savings

Best black friday deals on group travel packages, go ahead tours.

You can save up to $600 on tour packages when you shop by 11/16 during this pre-Thanksgiving, Black Friday sale. This special offer includes packaged tours and trips to France, the U.K., Ireland, and other European destinations. 

You can save up to $600 on tour packages when you shop by 11/16 during this pre-Thanksgiving, Black Friday sale.

This family-friendly brand is offering travelers that plan fast credits from 11/13 through 12/21. Use code GOB2023 to receive up to $750 in-flight credits and up to $250 in resort credits. Turks and Cacaos, Negril, and Ocho Rios, Jamaica resorts offer families private beaches, swimming pools, deep-water excursions and ocean sports, like snorkeling and paddleboarding. Plus, each resort has a kid’s club and/or camp in addition to on-site babysitting services to give the parents some downtime from all the family fun. 

Use code GOB2023 to receive up to $750 in-flight credits and up to $250 in resort credits.

Best black friday deals for families, atlantis bahamas.

Cyber Early Access sale from this behemoth resort in the Bahamas is a great gift for your family this holiday season. Save up to 20% off and receive a $500 credit when you commit to staying five nights at one of its resort hotels between January 2, 2024, and April 30, 2024. But you must book by November 21, so before you start shopping for Thanksgiving, set up your next winter or spring break at Atlantis.

Save up to 20% off and receive a $500 credit

Best black friday deals for solo travelers.

If you are between 18 and 35 and dream of traveling the world, but have some budget constraints, Contiki can help you make it happen. The Black Friday sale runs from 11/17-11/30 and offers 25% off over 60 organized trips in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Latin America, and North America. Hike and safari in South Africa, paddleboard in Thailand, trek the Australian Outback and explore 13 European cities. These are just a handful of adventures that await you. Contiki does the planning, so you can have all the fun. 

25% off over 60 organized trips in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Latin America, and North America.

What you need to know for black friday, when is black friday .

Black Friday is always the day after Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November) in the United States. This year, 2023, Black Friday falls on November 24, and while many retailers consider it the official start date of the holiday season, you can find early Black Friday deals ahead of Thanksgiving. 

What deals should I expect on travel? 

You can expect to find deals on hotels, all-inclusive resorts, and cruises. Some airlines will mark down ticket prices, and if you are looking for a group travel adventure with a planned itinerary, you might encounter that, as well. 

What kind of travel deals did they have last year?

Bookings.com and Expedia offered travelers 30% off all stays overseas. Within the US, Celebrity Cruises offered up to 75% off a guest ticket. Marriott offered 20% off its resort hotel stays. Sandals offered guests special spa credits when they booked during a Black Friday sale. Airlines like JetBlue also offered $750 off travel packages (including airfare). 

How to get a good deal on travel on Black Friday

If you are looking for a great deal on travel during this shopping holiday, you should definitely follow travel blogs and websites like TripAdvisor , Travel Market Report, CheapoAir , Expedia, Priceline, and Bookings.com. Sign up for Google alerts, check the airlines you love for information about upcoming sales, and stay vigilant about deals on your preferred destinations. 

How do you choose the best travel deal for you?

Consider the following factors before you begin your Black Friday hunt for sales. 

Destination

First, decide where you want to go. During Black Friday sales, like any other sale, retailers may limit items or, in this case, destinations. If your goal is simply to just get away, you could narrow choices by general preferences, like whether you want to ski or visit sun-friendly spots. Do you prefer cities to the countryside? Will you be traveling domestically or abroad? 

Travel time flexibility

This brings us to another important flexibility factor; travel time. Do you have to fly, cruise, or drive according to a school or work schedule? The more flexible your timing, the better your chances of snagging a great deal. 

Even Black Friday sales can get pricey if you add extras or choose an all-inclusive package or tour instead of a couple of nights at a three-star hotel. Consider what you can afford beforehand, and then dive into the deals. 

Where to find Black Friday deals on travel

Check these sites and sign up for emails and alerts to find deals during Black Friday and the holiday season, starting in November. 

The information presented here is created independently from the TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About page.

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France Traffic

France traffic report

France traffic in winter.

During the winter season the busy roads in France are:

• A6 Paris – Lyon: at Châlon-sur-Saône.
• A40 Mâcon – Chamonix: near Bourg-en-Bresse, Chamoise tunnel and Chamonix.
• A43 Lyon – Chambéry: near Bourgoin-Jallieu and Chambéry.
• N85 Grenoble – Gap: near Grenoble and near Gap.
• N90 Albertville – Bourg St. Maurice: near Moûtiers.
• D1091 Grenoble – Briançon: between Le Bourg d’Oisans and La Grave.
• Paris region: Fri from 15-22 hours.
• French Alps: Sat from 10-14 hours.
• Regions Lyon, Dijon and Paris: from 16-20 hours.

France traffic information

Traffic jams on the highways are reported every fifteen minutes on Radio Vinci, FM 107.7.

• Current traffic information in Paris and surroundings: sytadin.fr
• Bison Futé: bison-fute.gouv.fr . With a weekly traffic forecast France.
• French toll roads and tolls: autoroutes.fr .

Bison Futé posts (Traffic information services posts)

The French government mans special Bison Futé posts along the highways during busy holiday weekends, where traffic information and route advice are given. There is also a free road map with alternative routes available.

The Bison Futé posts can be found along the A31 near Toul and just before Dijon, on the A6 just past Auxerre, near Beaune and just before Mâcon. On the A43 you can find the traffic information services post near Bourgoin-Jallieu. Follow the green signs with a yellow ‘i’ and the announcement ‘Information Bison Futé’.

France traffic in summer (Périphérique, Bordeaux and Orange)

• In the summer period it is busy on all roads in France on the Saturdays. It is very busy on black Saturdays 5 August. On this Saturday there are usually hundreds of kilometers of traffic jams. It is therefore recommended not to travel through France on those days.
• The best days to travel during the busy summer period are often on the Thursdays and Sundays.

France traffic – Périphérique, Bordeaux and Orange

On the ring road of Paris, the Boulevard Périphérique, it is always very busy. In addition, in the summer period the biggest problems are to be expected on the A10 Paris – Bordeaux – Spanish border and on the A7 /A9 Lyon – Orange – Spanish border.

Furthermore, during the rush hour and beyond, especially in the summer period, extra pressure is being exerted on the following roads:

• A6 Paris – Lyon. Bottlenecks at Dijon, Beaune, Macôn, Villevranche sur Saône, and Lyon.
• A7 Lyon – Orange. Bottlenecks at Vienne, Valence and Montélimar
• A8 Aix-en-Provence – Italian border. Bottleneck at Aix-en-Provence.
• A9 Orange – Spanish border. Bottlenecks at Montpellier, Béziers, Narbonne, and at the Spanish border.
• A10 Paris – Bordeaux. Bottlenecks at Orléans, Poitiers, Niort and Bordeaux.
• A31 Luxembourg – Nancy. Bottlenecks at the Luxembourg border, Thionville, Metz, and Nancy.
• A46 /N346 Lyon ring road. Bottleneck between Mions and connection A7 Chasse-sur-Rhône.
• A61 Bordeaux – Narbonne. Bottleneck at Narbonne.
• A63 Castets – Spanish border. Bottlenecks at St.-Geours-de-Maremne and the Spanish border.
• A71 Orléans – Clermont-Ferrand. Bottleneck at Clermont-Ferrand.
• A75 Clermont-Ferrand – Montpellier. Bottlenecks at Millau and Lodève.

France traffic – routes national

• N11, at La Rochelle.
• N20, at Foix.
• N136, ring road Rennes.
• N165, between Vannes and Nantes.

Busy border crossings with Italy and Switserland

• Frejus tunnel.
• Mont Blanc tunnel.

With Switzerland

• Bardonnex /Geneva.

France traffic – busy days in spring and summer and black Saturday 2023

• On the following days and peak hours (independently of the date (!)) the roads in France can be packed and the risk of traffic jams and delays increases:
• In the summer period it is busy on the roads in France on all Saturdays. As far as known, it will be very busy in 2023 on black Saturday 5 August. On this Saturday there are usually hundreds of kilometers of traffic jams. It is therefore recommended not to travel through France.
• The best days to travel in the summer period are often Thursdays and Sundays.

Tour de France

• The 110th edition of the Tour de France will start on Saturday 1 July 2022 and finish on Sunday 23 July in Paris. No highways are closed during the passing of the caravan and the peloton. It is always very busy in the center of Paris during the finish.

France traffic – peak hours

• Friday from 3 to 10 pm, especially around Paris.
• Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm, especially on the roads in the Rhone Valley, West France, the Alps and the South of France.
• Sunday from 4 to 8 pm, especially around large cities and in the Rhone Valley.

France traffic – roads and routes

• For the destination Paris, the west coast, the Dordogne and the Auvergne the fastest route is via Gent / Lille or Mons / Valenciennes.
• For directions East, South and Mediterranean the best route from the North is via Luxembourg / Nancy (in connection with the cheap fuel in Luxembourg and because toll is only charged after Nancy).

France traffic – alternative routes

Several alternative routes are available to avoid the busy traffic. Note that in busy and peack season also these alternative routes are likely to be packed.

• For the route A1 – A6: the A26 (from Belgium via Lille: take the A1, at Arras follow the signs A26 Reims /Lyon).
• For the Boulevard Périphérique: A86 east of Paris, or the A104 and the N104.
• For the A6 Paris – Beaune: the A5 between Melun and Langres.
• For the A6 Dijon – Lyon: the A39 Dijon – Bourg-en-Bresse.
• For the A7 Lyon-Marseille direction Spain: via A71 /A75 Clermont-Ferrand or via A10 /A71 or A20 Limoges.

France traffic – bison Futé

Bison Futé is an initiative of the French government to relieve the main road network. These are alternative routes that run via secondary and local roads. The route will be longer but with less chance of traffic jams.

Bison Futé routes are signposted with (old) green direction signs with the word ‘Bis’ or Itinéraire Bis next to the place name in a yellow box. The newest signs are black with yellow letters ‘Bis’.

During the busy summer weekends, there are special posts along the highway where you can get route advice. Ask here for the free road map with alternative routes. You will find the Bison Futé posts along the A31 near Toul and just before Dijon, on the A6 just past Auxerre, near Beaune and just before Mâcon. On the A43 you can go to Bourgoin-Jallieu. Follow the green signs with a yellow ‘i’ and the announcement ‘Information Bison Futé’.

More information: bison-fute.gouv.fr .

• A10: Construction of the 4th lane at Orléans (16 km). Completion 2025.
• A355: Strasbourg western ring (24 km). Delivery at the end of 2021.

France traffic – road works

• A10: At Veigné and Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine (south of Tours), in both directions. Completion 2023.
• A11: Northern ring road Angers (6 km). Completion 2023.
• A61: Toulouse <> Narbonne between Villefranche-de-Lauragais and Castelnaudary. And between Lézignan-Corbières and the connection with the A9. Until 2023.

France traffic – tunnels

France traffic – driving restrictions trucks.

• In France, a driving ban applies to lorries from Saturday 10p pm to Sunday 10 pm. This driving ban also applies from 10 pm on the eve of a public holiday until 10 pm on the holiday itself. The driving ban applies to all French roads including the Fréjus and Mont Blanc tunnel. In July and August a driving ban for trucks is also in effect during the daytime on Saturdays (the black Saturdays), usually from 7-19 hours.
• On the toll-free sections of car routes around Paris, there is also a driving ban on trucks on Fridays and Saturdays, and on public holidays and days prior to a public holiday, in addition to the regular Sunday driving ban.
• In the winter period, a driving ban for trucks on Saturdays also applies in the Rhône-Alpes region.
• The website bison-fute.gouv.fr lists the exact dates and times and the road sections where a driving ban is in force.

France traffic – road network

France has a fairly close network of good highways, many with toll. From the ring road around Paris (route Périphérique), highways run to all corners of the country. Most have, besides a number, also a name: Autoroute du Nord, l’Océane, la Languedocienne, la Provençale, Autoroute du Soleil, etc.

In addition, there are many two- and four-lane roads of national and regional importance: the routes nationales (N) and the routes départementales (D).

The narrow country roads are generally of good quality. Unpaved roads are very rare and then only in rural areas.

France traffic – plan Palomar

Environmental zones france, france traffic – breakdown assistance.

Safety first!

• Stop in a safe place . If possible, stop to the right in the roadside or on the emergency lane as far as possible (make sure there is enough room to turn right). Turn your front wheels towards the verge or crash barrier.
• Turn on your alarm lights ; this is mandatory. Have the warning lights on your car flash and leave it on after you have placed a warning triangle.
• Put on a safety vest . As a driver you are obliged to wear a safety vest during the day as well as at night if you leave your car in case of breakdown or accident. This also applies to drivers of motorcycles, and mopeds. Put on the safetty vest preferably before you leave the car, and also have your passengers put on a vest.
• Carefully get out of the car , and also get all passengers off, on the side where there is no traffic, and find a safe place behind the crash barrier or on the roadside. Never cross a highway .
• If necessary, place a warning triangle . Only if your car is on a driving lane you must place a warning triangle at least 30 m behind your car, unless this is dangerous for your own safety. If your car is on the emergency lane, you do not have to place a warning triangle. Note: On the highway you may not place a warning triangle because it is too dangerous . It is also forbidden to walk on a highway. It is also not mandatory on other roads to place a warning triangle if your life is at risk.

Breakdown service

France does not have a national breakdown service. In the event of a breakdown on highways, call the police via an emergency telephone or via 112. The gendarmerie will then ensure that a towing service (dépannage) comes to you. They will then drag you to a garage.

Note: Call the emergency number 112 in the event of an acute danger or if the car is in a dangerous location (with a breakdown).

Do it yourself repair

It is forbidden in France to repair your vehicle along a toll road (péage). For safety reasons it is also strongly advised to not repair a car yourself along the other (non-toll) highways.

Towing the car yourself is prohibited on the motorway (or on the emergency lane thereof). When your car can no longer leave the highway or national road on its own, you have to call in a salvage company to have your car towed away.

On other roads, towing over a short distance is allowed. The maximum speed when towing is 50 km /h.

France traffic – Accident

• Call the emergency number 112 . In the event of an accident that has caused significant damage or personal injury, call the emergency number 112. You are obliged to call in the event of personal injury. In the event of a collision with only limited eye damage, it is sufficient to exchange information in France. However, in case of doubt or disagreement between parties, always call the police.
• Provide first aid . If you are involved in, or witness to, an accident, you are obliged to provide assistance to the wounded insofar as you are capable of doing so and can do so without endangering yourself or others. Note: In France, if you arrive at the scene of an accident where no help is being provided, you are obliged to stop and provide assistance to the wounded. In that case, park your car safely and at some distance from the accident to keep space free for emergency vehicles and turn on your emergency lights to warn other traffic.
• Exchange data . All involved in an accident are obliged to exchange their personal details and insurance details.

France traffic – how to submit your location?

• Every 2 kilometers there is an emergency phone (with geolocation function) along the highways in France.
• You can use the app SOS Autoroute for Apple or Android on many car routes to call in the help of the highway police. Your location can then be automatically transferred.

Travel information France

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Long Weekends for 2023 in France

In France, long weekends are a sort of national religion. The times when we all worship at the altar of taking time off work and enjoying life. To say that everyone looks forward to them is an understatement. Some of these occasions have roots in the Catholic religions, others are secular. But they are  the opportunity to escape from the everyday life and gather with friends and family no matter the season.

Why should fans of Join Us in France care? It’s quite simple: if you are planning to visit France on these dates, be sure to check the availability of the activities you want to do to avoid unpleasant surprises!

LUNDI DE PAQUES

This year, the first long weekend comes on Monday, April 10. Easter Monday find its origins in a religious Christian celebration. It commemorates Jesus Christ’s resurrection three days after its crucifixion. During the Middle Age, the eight days following Easter Sunday were off, called l’Octave de Pâques (Easter octave). In 1801, under Napoleon, and for economic reasons, they stopped giving the whole week off and trimmed it down to just getting Monday off. I’m surprised there wasn’t a revolution over that change!

Nowadays, on Easter Monday, children love going out in gardens to look for easter eggs, chocolate rabbit and other chocolate treats, all brought by the Easter Bells.

Many castles and stately mansions have a Easter egg hunt in the garden. Whether or not you travel with kids, this is a great opportunity to visit and have a different look on these historical buildings.

L’ASCENSION

Forty days after Easter, comes l’Ascension. In 2023 it will be on Thursday, May 18 (it always falls on Thursdays). It is our first four-days weekend, the first “pont” (bridge over Friday) to enjoy! Thu, May 18 through Sunday, May 21 are going to be busy everywhere!

This religious day celebrates the elevation of the Christ to heaven, which symbolizes eternal life. According to the bible, the Christ disappeared under the apostles’ eyes. It is celebrated since the 4 th century, initiated by the Pope Leon the First.

The well-known and so longed-for “Pont de l’Ascension”, marks a turning point: rainy days are over, the sun shines again, and days are getting longer. This makes it a prized long weekend.

Travel Tip: French people book trips months before the date to make sure to have pleasant accommodation and a delightful stay. That is why, if your trip to France includes this weekend, you should probably book earlier than you would have normally. If you don’t, you’ll only find the most expensive accommodations and some venues will be all booked up.

In France, May 1 st is Labour Day. In 2023 May 1 st is on a Monday. It is one of the only day off where the country almost shuts down. In 2023 it’ll be a 3-day weekend, but in 2024 it’ll be a 4-day weekend.

This secular day off finds its origins back in 1884 in the US. Trade and Labor Unions decided to go on an unprecedented strike on Monday, May 1 st 1884, to ask for an eight-hour work day. More than 300.000 workers peacefully demonstrated in the streets. A few years after in France a first and shy demonstration led by the socialist party, took place in Paris. The Labour Day as we know it, was officially established by le Marechal Petain in 1941. Don’t say nothing good came out of the Petain regime! 😉

On this day you will not find a lot of activities to do. Many museums and venues that normally attract visitors will be closed. Check websites! It is a good time to wander around, discover villages or little towns and buying some “brins de muguet” (Lilly of the valley) alongside roads. City parks are also open and quite busy on that day. It will for sure make you appreciate a slower and calmer pace after the bustle of bigger cities. Public transportation does not run on May 1 st in most cities in France.

In 2023 May 8 is on a Monday allowing people to have another 3-day weekend. Some of you may guess why it is a national day off. In France, it refers to May 8, 1945 which symbolizes the end of the second world war in Europe.

Nowadays, in every French city, several commemorations are held to pay tribute to the commitment of the soldiers who died for France, the Nation or the Republic. If you happen to be in Paris on this date, you may assist/attend the review of military troops by the president. Small towns and villages hold their own celebrations.

LE LUNDI DE PENTECÔTE

One more long weekend in May! Monday May 29, known as le Lundi de Pentecôte or Whit Monday. Fifty days after Easter, Christians celebrate the decent of the Holly Spirit among the apostles. As for Easter, the celebration is held on a Sunday and covers the following Monday. Whit Monday has been a day off since Mars 8, 1886 but details have changed over time.

Following the 2003 heat waves that killed more than 15,000 people in France, the Prime Minister at that time decided to abolish the holiday. He transformed Le Lundi de Pentecôte into a day of solidarity “in favor of the autonomy of the elderly or disabled”. In consequence, employees worked but were not paid. Five years after, the choice was given to employers to cancel any day off in a year so that people wouldn’t have to work on Whit Monday. Today about one third of employees work on Whit Monday.

The vast majority of shops and activities will remain open and it’s a big shopping day.

LE 14 JUILLET

14 th of July also known as Bastille Day in some English-speaking countries is the national day in France. This date became a holiday in 1880. It commemorates not only the Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, but also the first anniversary of the Federation the following year. The first event is a keystone of the French Revolution and the popular uprising against the monarchy, which led to the declaration of the first Republic. The second event emphasizes the link between the Republic, Human Rights and the weakening of a central power (To learn more about the French revolution, check out episode 366 of my podcast “Misconception about the French Revolution”).

To put it in a nutshell, on July 14, the French celebrate freedom in all forms, that is why this day found its meaning and commemorations always adapted to the historical context throughout the years.

In 2023 you will have the chance to enjoy a 3-day weekend as it falls on Friday. If you are in Paris don’t miss the “Défilé militaire du 14 juillet” (a military parade), led by the President. It takes place in the Champs-Elysée between l’Arc du Triomphe and la Place de la Concorde. You will be able to witness the incredible acrobatic moves performed by l’Armée de l’air et de l’espace’s planes (Air Force), get caught by the rhythm of live performed military anthems and maybe, at the end, shed a tear after hearing a breathtaking interpretation of the Marseillaise, who knows?

If you are in another city, ask the local tourism office, there are always concerts, republican balls and feasts, fireworks and other celebrations.

Back to more formal celebrations: l’Assomption, different from l’Ascension (40 days after Easter). This religious event commemorates the ascent to heaven of Mary, Jesus’ mother. According to the Christian faith, the Virgin Mary was “taken to heaven” in body and soul. But for a vast majority of people it’s just another day-off.

In 2023 Aug 15 th falls on a Tuesday. Folks who didn’t take August off will have a 4-day weekend! Thius is a great time to visit Paris or other cities without those pesky locals who are on their own vacations.

Beware, many activities might not be accessible because everyone is in holiday, so make sure to book everything before your trip.

LE 25 DECEMBRE

25 th of December is of course Christmas Day! Whether or not you are Catholic, you probably have your way to celebrate it. In 2023, luckily Christmas day is on Monday which will give you more time to spend with your friends and family. In France, people are split between two traditions: opening the presents on Christmas Eve right after the feast, or opening them in the morning of the 25. Whatever the tradition, everyone enjoys a good meal on the 25, often followed by a walk or a good rest before going back to work on the 26.

Travel Tip: Christmas Day and January 1 st are the only time in the year where everything is closed. Hospitals are open for emergencies only. If you’re in France on that day remember this: it’s a family holiday. Nobody wants to put on fancy meals in restaurants. Plan on enjoying Middle Eastern or Asian food because locals will be enjoying their holiday feat with family.

More holidays for the Alsace Region

In the Alsace, near the German border (the region is called Grand-Est today) they have more holidays inherited from their German past!

After France lost the war against the German Empire in 1870, the lands of Alsace and Moselle (called Alsace-Loraine at that time), were given back to Germany. In order to include these regions faster and squish French culture, the Empire offered two extra days off. Le Vendredi Saint and la Saint-Etienne ( 26 of December).

In 1918 after World War one, as a consequence of the German defeat, Alsace and Moselle were returned to France. However, after several decades of German influence, the French Republic encountered many difficulties to integrate these regions. They wanted to keep their extra days off!

Today, in Alsace and Moselle, people are still celebrating. In 2023 Vendredi Saint will be on Friday, 7 April (it always preceeds Easter), and la Saint-Etienne falls on a Tuesday. People from these Departments have the opportunity to extend their long weekends. As a matter of fact, I am not sure that it can compensate the bad weather they are facing 😉

Mark your Calendars!

• Friday, April 7: Vendredi Saint (Alsace and Moselle only)

–> weekend from Friday to Sunday

• Monday, April 10: Lundi de Pâques

–> weekend from Saturday to Monday

• Thursday, May 18: Ascension

–> weekend from Thursday to Sunday

• Monday, May 1: La fête du travail
• Monday, May 8: Victoire de la Seconde guerre mondiale (WW2 Victory)
• Monday, May 29: Lundi de Pentecôte
• Friday, July 14: Fête Nationale
• Tuesday, August 15: Assomption

–> weekend from Saturday to Tuesday

• Monday, December 25: Noël

–> weekend from Saturday to Tuesday (Alsace and Moselle only)