French law states you must always carry some official form of ID on your person. Official means recognized by the French authorities. That typically means a passport or a National Identity Card. That is the law.
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Leave Your Passport at the HotelAlthough your passport is required as an ID when travelling abroad, you don't really need to carry it around with you everywhere. Consider moving around the city with your driver's license instead, and leave your passport behind in the hotel safe.
Consider moving around the city with your driver's license instead, and leave your passport behind in the hotel safe. A screenshot of your passport, or any other form of ID will usually suffice in most scenarios.
Hotels do not keep your passport during your stay. They often will ask to see your passport when you check in. The reason is twofold: Hotels are required by state law to maintain a register of their guests, and keep that record for a certain time.
If your room has a safe, definitely leave the passport there. I once had a passport stolen, and getting temporary travel papers was a big hassle. I carry a driver's license on me and a photocopy of my passport on my phone. That plus looking like a tourist should be enough.
Do they stamp your passport in France? They no longer stamp passports when traveling within the EU -- many of the border crossings no longer even *have* stamps. Your passport will be stamped when you enter the European Union, and again when you leave it, but not when you cross borders within the Union.
In Paris, you will see many locals, women, and men, carrying beautiful backpacks to go to work or for their daily travels. Again, we recommend an antitheft backpack for safe travels and peace of mind, especially if you are going to take the metro of Paris.
Is Paris friendly to American tourists? Yes, Paris is generally friendly to American tourists. But French culture is very different from American culture so it's best to be aware and respectful of the local customs.
Passport Validity for FranceEntry 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.
You want a copy of all your identification – one for each checked bag. Keep a hard copy of your documents in your carry-on and each checked bag of luggage with which you are traveling, in case any of them go missing during the trip. These copies can help you in multiple situations.