France in Pictures
The country everyone imagines. The trip that actually lives up to it.
Getting to France from Nairobi
Around eight hours in the air with one connection. One of the most rewarding journeys you can take from JKIA.
There are no direct flights from Nairobi to France, but the route is extremely well-served through Middle Eastern and European hubs. Most travellers fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), which is France's main international gateway and one of the busiest airports in Europe. Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE) is a good alternative entry point if the French Riviera or Provence is your primary destination, and Lyon (LYS) makes sense for central and southern France itineraries. Paris CDG connects to the entire country via France's exceptional TGV high-speed rail network.
The most popular routing for Kenyan travellers to France. Emirates connects through Dubai to Paris Charles de Gaulle and Nice with strong daily frequency. Dubai Airport makes for a comfortable transit. Flying into Nice directly is the better option if the Riviera or Provence is your focus — it saves you the Paris connection and puts you in the south immediately.
Qatar Airways connects through Doha to Paris, Nice, and Lyon. A premium option for travellers who want a high-quality experience on both legs. Hamad International Airport is spacious, modern, and comfortable for a long layover. Qatar's Business Class on the Doha–Paris route is excellent.
France's national carrier — flying AF into Paris CDG gives you the full French experience from departure. Air France and KLM operate as a joint venture and share routes extensively; checking both together often surfaces better fares. The AF cabin product on long-haul routes is consistently strong.
Ethiopian Airlines connects through Addis Ababa to Paris Charles de Gaulle. Often one of the more affordable options on the Nairobi–Paris corridor and a familiar carrier for East African travellers. A reliable option for budget-conscious travellers who are flexible on journey time.
Paris alone can fill a week without repeating yourself — the museums, the markets, the arrondissements, the day trips to Versailles and Mont Saint-Michel. Beyond Paris, France is a country of completely different regions: the lavender fields of Provence, the vineyards of Burgundy and Bordeaux, the glamour of the Riviera, the châteaux of the Loire Valley, the mountains of the Alps. France's TGV train network connects most of these regions in 2–4 hours from Paris. Tell us which parts of the country interest you and we will build an itinerary that does them properly.
Entry Requirements for France
France is part of the Schengen Area. Here is what Kenyan travellers need to know before they book.
Kenyan passport holders must apply for a Schengen Visa (Short Stay, Type C) before travelling to France. The visa allows a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across all 27 Schengen member states — meaning a French Schengen visa also covers travel to Italy, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and 22 other European countries in the same trip. Apply at the French Embassy or VFS Global in Nairobi. Processing typically takes 15–30 working days. Apply a minimum of 6–8 weeks before travel. The application fee is currently EUR 80. Do not book non-refundable flights before your visa is approved.
Important: A Schengen visa does not cover the United Kingdom. If your trip includes both France and the UK, you will need two separate visa applications.
Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from the Schengen zone. In practice, ensure 6 months of validity from your return date to satisfy both embassy and airline requirements. You must also have at least two blank pages available for the visa sticker and entry stamps.
A French Schengen visa application typically requires: completed application form, recent passport photos to Schengen specifications, original passport plus copies of all used pages, a detailed cover letter, confirmed or provisional return flight details, hotel bookings for the full stay, travel insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 medical and repatriation cover, 3 months of bank statements showing sufficient funds (typically EUR 60–120 per day), and proof of employment or strong ties to Kenya. A well-organised, complete application significantly improves approval chances.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is an upcoming entry requirement for visa-exempt travellers visiting the Schengen Area. As Kenyan passport holders require a full Schengen visa, ETIAS does not apply to you — your visa covers your entry authorisation. We will update this page when the system launches. No action is needed from you at this stage.
1 USD ≈ 0.92 EUR. Cards and contactless payments are accepted virtually everywhere in France — Paris in particular is highly cashless. Carry EUR 50–100 in cash for markets, bakeries, smaller towns, and the occasional cash-only establishment. ATMs are widely available. Avoid exchanging at hotel desks or airport kiosks where rates are poorest. Exchange in Nairobi before you leave or withdraw from an ATM at CDG on arrival.
Spring (April–June) is France at its most beautiful — Paris is radiant, Provence is approaching lavender season, and crowds are manageable. July is Provence lavender peak and the Tour de France — spectacular but crowded. August: Paris empties of locals but fills with tourists, and the Riviera is at absolute capacity. Autumn (September–October) is finest for wine country and the south — harvest season, warm evenings, thinner crowds. Winter in Paris is cold but atmospheric — Christmas markets, fewer queues at the Louvre.
The French Embassy and VFS Global in Nairobi process a high volume of Schengen visa applications. During peak travel planning periods (particularly January–May when travellers are booking summer trips), appointment slots fill quickly and processing times can exceed 30 working days. Start early. Do not book non-refundable flights or hotels until your visa is confirmed. A strong, complete application submitted well ahead of time is the single best thing you can do to protect your travel plans. We offer full Schengen visa assistance — document checklist, cover letter guidance, and application review — for clients booking their France package through us.