What are the most useful mobile apps for getting by in France?
Your phone can be your portable guidebook for restaurants, culture and travel
Mobile apps can be a great way to practise your French and engage with others
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Mobile phone apps can be incredibly useful for life in France, whether as a guide to restaurants, culture, travel or for everyday living. Here are our picks of some of the best.
Food and drink
Step
The Step app is designed for food and travel lovers, providing personalised recommendations and an organised way to share and discover restaurants, cafes, and other notable spots.
Users can save and map out favourite places around the world, tag locations with categories (like "eat," "drink," or "shop"), and add photos and comments to remember details.
The app is fairly new but growing quickly, and is a great way to discover new hotspots to enjoy food and drink.
Nestor
A food delivery app focused on delivering high-quality, chef-prepared meals, often with a focus on French and international cuisine.
Nestor differentiates itself by offering a single, curated menu each day, aimed at working professionals in major French cities.
WineAdvisor
This app is like Vivino, focused on wine tasting and rating. WineAdvisor allows users to scan wine labels, read reviews, and discover local wines.
It also provides pairing suggestions and information on wineries in France.
Read more: Smartphone SOS alert saves driver's life in France after crash
Language skills
Kialo
Kialo is a debate platform that allows users to engage in structured debates on various topics.
It is a great way to practise your French and engage with others on important social, political, and cultural issues.
Word Reference
The Word Reference app is a very thorough online dictionary.
The different meanings of words are all listed, as well as example sentences and commonly used phrases including the word being searched.
Read more: What is the France Identité app and can foreigners use it?
Fitness
Jiwok
While this may be a fitness app, it also provides the perfect opportunity to work on your French skills.
It offers personalised training programs for various fitness goals and includes audio coaching and training plans tailored to your needs.
Géovélo
An app for cyclists, Géovélo offers bike-friendly navigation and route planning tailored for France.
It provides safe and scenic cycling routes, real-time navigation, and insights on local cycling infrastructure, helping cyclists navigate cities and towns across France.
Culture
Le Bonbon
Known for local tips and events in Paris, Le Bonbon has extended to cover several French cities, including Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux. It highlights cultural events, concerts, and unique spots.
Fever
Fever offers curated experiences across several cities in France, from secret pop-up events to immersive experiences, concerts, and a wide range of activities. It often has exclusive events as well.
Travel
Génération Voyage
This French app offers travel inspiration and recommendations tailored for France.
It provides guides to popular destinations within France, from major cities to hidden villages, with specific tips on transportation, things to do, and unique regional events.
OuiCar
A peer-to-peer car rental app popular in France, OuiCar allows people to rent their cars to others.
It is an affordable and flexible option, especially in regions where traditional car rentals are limited or costly.
