Will I be able to enter France without having booked a return ticket from Europe yet?

To pass French immigration with a Schengen visa or waiver, you need:

• A valid passport issued less than 10 years before and valid for at least 3 months after the envisaged departure date;
• Proof of accommodation covering the whole duration of the stay (hotel reservation and/or certificate of staying with a relative validated in the town hall);
  However, if you do not present any proof of accommodation, the consequence is that your minimum amount per day will increase.

• Sufficient financial means. The means of subsistence shall be assessed according to the duration and purpose of the stay and by reference to the average prices for accommodation and food in the Member States;
  For France, this amount (per day) is:

  • 32.50 euros per day if you are hosted by an individual, supposing you presented the certificate of staying validated by the town hall;
  • 65 euros per day of stay in the case of presentation of a hotel booking;
  • 120 euros per day in the case of non-presentation of a hotel booking;
  • In the case of a partial hotel booking: 65 euros per day for the period covered by the booking and 120 euros per day for the remainder of the stay.

• Your return ticket or the financial means to acquire one at the envisaged return date;
  Note that the financial means are defined by R211-31 (see link below) as:

  • a declaration of a financial institution translated to French, if not already, that guarantees the return of the alien if ever he cannot afford his return.

• For stays not exceeding 90 days (unless exempt), trips for tourism or business require valid travel insurance covering any possible costs for medical repatriation, and emergency and/or hospital treatment. This is mandatory. This insurance must be valid throughout the Member States’ territory in the Schengen area, which fully apply the provisions of the Schengen accord and for the duration of your stay. It must allow you to access services in the Schengen area. This insurance must also provide coverage of €30,000 minimum including medical repatriation, and emergency and/or hospital treatment.

• Any document providing details on the profession or the capacity of the traveller as well as on the establishments or organisations located in France which are expecting you, if you are on a professional trip.

Sources:

• https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en_US/web/france-visas/your-arrival-in-france
• https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1765 (in French)
• https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en_US/web/france-visas/faq
• https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCode.do?idSectionTA=LEGISCTA000006180217&cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006070158 (in French)