U.S. citizens on tourist status should thus have a valid passport, as the French officers do not recognize other identification documents. And in rare cases, those on visa status must present their visa documentation alongside their passports.
People Also Ask
So, should you carry your passport with you in France? Yes, and no. French laws require that citizens and foreigners have valid identification documents when moving around. Moreover, they may also require evidence of legal status, which law officers can request at any time.
You'll need your passport in store. At the airport, remember to scan the forms or have them stamped before you check in and go through customs, as sometimes they ask to see the goods in person. Basically, this is a crucial way to justify buying things.
Moreover, when you get to Europe, you will still need your passport as it is your identification document. You can use it to book hotels, get local SIM cards, prove your identity to the authorities, and move from one region to another.
Many European hotels check your passport in addition to asking for a credit card for incidentals. In most cases, you only need to show your passport at check in, or, rarely, leave it overnight.
Unless you are crossing a border or going through customs, you won't need it. Pickpockets love to steal passports from tourists and they are exceedingly good at taking them. I advise my clients to carry a photo I.D., such as a driver's license, while they are out and about; but not the passports.
Skip the baseball caps, white socks, sneakers, large colorful backpacks, and fanny packs. Instead, opt for dark skinny jeans, plain shirts without logos, and leather shoes. Use tote bags or earth-toned simplistic bags if you really want to dress in France to fit in with the locals.
Passport checks used to be carried on the international Eurostar train, but all formalities are now carried out before boarding. At some border crossings, the train stops twice. First on one side of the border for checks and then on the other side for a second set of checks.
It is quite common for hotels in Europe to take the details from your passport when you check in. They have to regiter the details with the local authorities. In my experience they take your passport, sometimes photocopy it, take the details they need and then hand it back to you.
The answer, in many places, is yes. Sometimes hotels may legally demand that you hand over your passport when you check in. In some countries, hotels may be required under local law to retain copies of guests' passport information, a U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed with me.