Do France passport holders need a visa to visit BT?

French passport holders need an e-Visa to visit Bhutan. You apply online before travel, pay a one-off US$40 visa fee, and must also pay the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of US$100 per person per night. France is not on Bhutan's short visa-exempt list (only India, Bangladesh and the Maldives enter without a visa). All other nationalities, including French ordinary passport holders, must obtain an e-Visa before arrival. The application is made on the official portal (visit Bhutan / Department of Immigration) or via a licensed tour operator or hotel, who can apply on your behalf. The process requires a passport copy (valid 6+ months), a recent photo, and confirmed arrival/departure dates, and includes signing a "Pledge of Friendship." Two charges apply: a non-refundable US$40 visa application fee and the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of US$100 per adult, per night of stay (50% reduced rate for children 6-11; under 6 exempt). The SDF is the defining cost of a Bhutan trip and is charged for the full duration. Applications are typically reviewed within five working days; the approved visa is linked to your declared travel dates and confirmed/stamped on arrival. Bhutan is not in the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply. From 1 January 2026 a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) applies to tourism services (the SDF itself is excluded). Because there is no confirmed visa-free or visa-on-arrival channel for French nationals, the correct classification is e-Visa.