LesothoFrance: Visa required

LesothoFrance

Do Lesotho passport holders need a visa for France?

Visa required

Yes. Lesotho passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to France.

A visa must be obtained in advance, typically from an embassy or consulate, before travel.

Source: eur-lex.europa.eu (checked September 3, 2026).

RequirementVisa required

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-19

Distance9,072 km, straight line (~11h 10m nonstop)

Visa-free access to France126 of 230 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? France passport holders visiting Lesotho: Visa-free.

France drives on the right, the opposite side to Lesotho. If you're renting a car, budget extra care at first, especially at junctions and roundabouts.

Visa-free alternatives near France

Lesotho passport holders can visit these nearby destinations without a visa in advance:

Other visa-free destinations for Lesotho passport holders

See all Lesotho destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Lesotho passport holders need a visa for France?

Yes. Lesotho passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to France.

How far is France from Lesotho?

About 9,072 km in a straight line, roughly ~11h 10m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in France?

Euro (EUR).

What is the emergency number in France?

112 / 114 / 15 / 17 / 18.

Does France drive on the same side of the road as Lesotho?

France drives on the right, the opposite side to Lesotho. If you're renting a car, budget extra care at first, especially at junctions and roundabouts.

What time zone is France in?

Paris (UTC+2).

What is the nearest airport to Paris?

Paris-Orly Airport (ORY), about 14 km away.

How many countries can enter France without a visa?

126 of the 230 nationalities this site tracks can enter France visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

What nearby countries can Lesotho passport holders visit without a visa instead of France?

Andorra, San Marino.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About Lesotho

Lesotho, officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Surrounded by South Africa, it is the largest of the three sovereign enclaves. Lesotho is located in the Maloti Mountains, with the highest peak in southern Africa. It has an area of over 30,000 km2 (11,600 mi2), with a population of about 2.3 million. Its capital and largest city is Maseru.

CapitalMaseru

RegionSouthern Africa

Population2.4M

Area30,355 km²

CurrencyLesotho loti, South African rand (1 USD ≈ 16.46 LSL)

LanguagesEnglish, Sotho

Calling code+266

Drives on theleft

TimezoneMaseru (UTC+2)

Nearest airportMoshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU), 17 km

Emergency number112 / 114 / 115

UNESCO sites1

Income levelLower middle income

GDP per capita$1,089 (2025)

Tourist arrivals1.1M (2019)

Climate in Maseru

Warmest January, coolest June, driest May, sunniest January.

Monthly climate normals for Maseru, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	23.7°C	12.2°C	148mm	368h
February	22.6°C	11.6°C	138mm	311h
March	21.1°C	9.9°C	90mm	325h
April	16.9°C	6.2°C	102mm	285h
May	15.4°C	1.3°C	1mm	311h
June	12.6°C	-1.6°C	6mm	294h
July	14°C	-1.8°C	7mm	308h
August	15.2°C	0.1°C	4mm	329h
September	20.2°C	5.2°C	16mm	341h
October	24.3°C	9.6°C	68mm	348h
November	21.4°C	10.1°C	196mm	316h
December	22.8°C	12.4°C	248mm	358h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Lesotho is a small landlocked country entirely surrounded by South Africa. It is known as the "Kingdom in the Sky" because the entire country is at a high altitude. Its lowest point is 1,388 m (4,554 ft) above sea level; no other country in the world has its lowest point above 1,000 m (3,300 ft). Lesotho is a fantastic adventure holiday destination because of its smiling and resourceful people and bracing climate.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Maloti-Drakensberg Park

Upcoming public holidays

December 25, 2026Christmas Day

December 26, 2026St. Stephen's Day

January 1, 2027New Year's Day

Full source list on About.

About France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country primarily located in Western Europe. Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the North Atlantic, the French West Indies, and many islands in Oceania and the Indian Ocean. Metropolitan France shares borders with Belgium and Luxembourg to the north; Germany to the northeast; Switzerland to the east; Italy and Monaco to the southeast; Andorra and Spain to the south; and a maritime border with the United Kingdom to the northwest. Its metropolitan area extends from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean and from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea. Its 18 integral regions, five of which are overseas, span a combined area of 632,702 km2 (244,288 sq mi), with a total population estimated at over 69.1 million in 2026. Its capital, largest city and main cultural and economic centre is Paris, with a metropolitan population of over 13 million.

CapitalParis

RegionWestern Europe

Population68.7M

Area551,695 km²

CurrencyEuro (1 USD ≈ 0.89 EUR)

LanguagesFrench

Calling code+33

Drives on theright

TimezoneParis (UTC+2)

Nearest airportParis-Orly Airport (ORY), 14 km

Emergency number112 / 114 / 15 / 17 / 18

UNESCO sites71

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$48,986 (2025)

Tourist arrivals117.1M (2020)

Climate in Paris

Warmest August, coolest January, driest July, sunniest July. Best time to visit: July, August, September.

Monthly climate normals for Paris, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	8.9°C	2.9°C	32mm	138h
February	11.4°C	5.3°C	112mm	148h
March	12°C	3.8°C	70mm	236h
April	19.7°C	7.7°C	27mm	352h
May	20.6°C	9.3°C	30mm	357h
June	22.7°C	13.2°C	48mm	348h
July	25.4°C	14.2°C	12mm	362h
August	27°C	16.7°C	34mm	346h
September	23.3°C	13.3°C	33mm	293h
October	15.1°C	9.2°C	96mm	171h
November	12.9°C	5.8°C	20mm	175h
December	8.6°C	3.8°C	136mm	114h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

France is a country with which almost every traveller has a relationship. Many dream of its joie de vivre shown by the countless cafés, picturesque villages, and world-famous gastronomy. Some come to follow the trail of France's great philosophers, writers and artists, or to immerse in the beautiful language it gave to the world. Others still are drawn to the country's geographical diversity, with its long coastlines, massive mountain ranges and breathtaking farmland vistas. France is famously home to Paris, the enchanting City of Love, where romance dances in the air and every corner whispers sweet nothings.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Abbey Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe
Abbey of Fontenay
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe
Arles, Roman and Romanesque Monuments
Beaches of the D-Day Landings, Normandy, 1944
Belfries of Belgium and France
Bertrimoutier Franco-German war cemetery
Canal du Midi
Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau, Reims
Champagne hillsides, houses and cellars

Upcoming public holidays

November 1, 2026Toussaint

November 11, 2026Armistice 1918

December 25, 2026Noël

Full source list on About.