If you are planning a trip to France this year, you might be surprised to learn that business class tickets to France can be more affordable than previously thought. Before you set firm travel dates, compare the cost of first class, business class, and economy flights to France.
A business class ticket to France will get you a lot of comfortable benefits without the higher ticket price associated with first-class travel. Paris has several major airports to choose from and this added flexibility can help you source the best deal for business class tickets to France. International first class flights to France can be booked to The Charles de Gaulle Airport – CDG, Orly Airport – ORY, Nice Cote d’Azur Airport – NCE, and Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport – LYS which used to be called Lyon Satolas Airport.
There are business class tickets available at many different price points. You can use a website or a travel agent to shop for different airlines, departure days and times until you find a fare that works with your budget. Cheap and discounted tickets are available and deals are often found even for last-minute travelers.
Why Business Class?
International Business Class flights to France will get you shorter lines at the airport, which is really nice because who has time to wait in lines? It also can get you extra checked in bags at no additional cost. This benefit varies by airline and destination, so check before you pack, but an extra bag or an added few pounds without paying a steep penalty can really make packing a snap!
You can preboard and avoid the rush to stow your belongings. Your seat will be larger, more comfortable, and will recline into a bed, so you can sleep on your flight, which is amazing. You will have added privacy in business class too. The food on your flight will be really good and you will also get appetizers, desserts, and snacks.
Alcohol and sodas are included with your airfare, so feel free to have that glass of champagne or that martini! Additionally, your flight attendants are the best in the business and seasoned travelers, so ask them questions about what to see in France and what to skip. They know the ins and outs of this cosmopolitan city, hit them up for tips!
Blankets, pillows, and movies are available as well. Traveling business class to France can save you a day recovering from jetlag in France, so definitely consider this saved day into your cost analysis before you buy your ticket. There are so many amazing things to do in France, that you won’t want to waste a day recovering from uncomfortable travel and the time zone change at your hotel. Business class travel provides you with amenities so you can rest while flying and arrive at your destination feeling refreshed.
10 Really Great Things to See While you are in France
- Les Arenes- Located in Nimes is a twin-tiered amphitheater that was built around 100 BC and has been extremely well preserved. The Les Arena once seated 24,000 and was the main gathering area for public executions and gladiator fights. The structure of the amphitheater is still largely intact and numerous events are still held here.
- Orsay Museum- Right up there with the Louvre is the Orsay Museum. The Orsay Museum is located in the former Gare d’Orsay railway station. The Orsay is the home of France’s national collection of art. It includes pieces from the 1800’s to the mid-1900’s. The Orsay houses collections from the impressionists, post-impressionists, and art nouveau movements. All the masters have works here like Monet, Manet, Renoir, Cezanne, Degas, Picasso and Van Gogh.
- Vieux Nice- Centered around the Cours Saleya, which is a massive town square filled with vendors, is the Vieux Nice area. Vieux Nice is a collection of narrow, winding alleyways filled with bars, cafes, and restaurants. Many of these establishments have great outdoor seating. The layout has not changed much since the 1700’s. When you think Parisian’s streets and al fresco living, you think of Vieux Nice. The market includes items like locally grown food, fresh flowers, and bakery items which makes for a great day of shopping and eating.
- Picasso National Museum- Located inside the mid-17th-century Hotel Sale, which is a city-owned mansion, is the Picasso National Museum. The collection is fully dedicated to Pablo Picasso who spent much of his life in Paris. There are over 5,000 works of art from Picasso ranging from paintings to sculptures. The entire collection was donated to the French government in lieu of the Picasso family paying inheritance taxes when Pablo passed away.
- Promenade des Anglais- A great beachside 4 kilometer stretch of seafront property with a paved promenade for bikers, runners and skaters. There are plenty of hotels, restaurants, and cafes along the stretch as well. There are also a few art sculptures along the promenade.
- Mer de Glace- France’s largest glacier. The Mer de Glace is 200 meters deep. It has deep crevasses that have been formed by the massive pressure of moving water. You can step directly inside the glacier through a tunnel of ice called the Grotte de Glace.
- Public Transportation- Paris might have the best public transportation of any city in Europe. You can catch a bus, subway or overhead rail and trams, all organized under one French authority. Taxis can be complicated. It’s all licensed but taxi drivers are known for taking unnecessary detours to run up the tab on foreigners.
- Sporting Events- There are numerous big-time sporting events in France. The Tour de France is the premier cycling event in the world and goes from the Alps and ends in the Champs-Elysees in Paris. Tennis’ French Open is one of the four major tennis events and held in Roland Garros every year. And, the Le Mans 24 hour race takes to the streets of France for this motorsport wonder of an event.
- Coffee in Paris- Part of experiencing the French culture is to take a break at a café and enjoy an espresso on a sunny terrace. Drinking and people-watching is standard practice in France. There are literally thousands of cafes. However, Le Select is one of the most popular and historic. Located in Montparnasse, it has an impressive past guest list of regulars like Henry Miller, Hemingway, Picasso, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
- Bistrot Paul Bert- An old-school vibe restaurant. A classic French bistro. A mix of tourists and locals typically eat here. Steak Frites is the typical classical entrée but they also serve French dishes like Cote de Boeuf and a praline-buttercream filled pastry. And, of course, the waiters appear to have a bad attitude. They are not interested in answering any questions or dealing with any special orders. But, it is a fine dining experience and they’ll make sure you enjoy yourself.
With so much to see in France, it makes sense to burn the candle at both ends and pack your trip full of lots of stops. Traveling via a business class ticket to France will allow you to use your vacation days and arrive back home ready to get back to work and your daily routine. So, do your research before you book your next trip to France and give business travel a try. You won’t regret it!