Normandy, located in the north, is famous for its D-Day beaches and historic sites such as the Mont-Saint-Michel. This means plugging into a UK socket will deliver 220 volts at 50 hertz, which is very different from the 120 volts at 60 hertz you can expect in the US.

Type E sockets will accept ungrounded 2-prong Type C plugs, which have rounded or pointed ends like the one in the diagram above,as well as 2-prong 1-hole Type E plugs. The OREI European Power Adapter Plug is a no-frills, cost-effective solution for American travelers to Europe and Russia.The capital city, Paris, is the most popular destination in France, with its iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

If you’re constantly using your smartphone for the mapping app, camera, or flashlight, the battery will drain pretty quickly. Besides TripSavvy, Macdonald has written about her scuba diving experiences for Scuba Diver Life and is a two-time winner of The Telegraph's Just Back travel writing competition.The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Be wary of using curling irons, hair dryers, or hair straighteners, as Foval notes that it isn't safe to use with these tools. If you visit in December, the Christmas markets in Strasbourg, Montpelier, and Bordeaux are some of the best. You can plug in your laptop's AC charger to speedily juice it back up, but that means carrying the heavy charging brick around.