Entry into France for short-term tourism (90 days) or business requires that your passport be valid for at least three months beyond your intended date of departure from the Schengen Area.

No, a U.S. citizen cannot travel to France from the United States without a valid U.S. Passport. France is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area, which requires all non-EU citizens to present a valid passport for entry. Furthermore, the passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended date of departure from the Schengen zone. In 2026, American travelers also need to be aware of the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System). This is a mandatory electronic travel authorization that Americans must apply for online before they fly. It is not a visa, but a security pre-screening. Without both a valid passport and an approved ETIAS, an American will be denied boarding by the airline. The only exception where an American might not need a physical passport specifically at the French border is if they are already within the Schengen Area (e.g., traveling from Germany to France) where there are usually no internal border checks, but they still must have their passport on their person as a legal form of identification.