Travel Advice for France

  • This is an A-Z Directory for Basics, Travel Essentials, Practicalities, Travel Advice and Travel Information in France.

The Directory

  • Admission charges
    Monuments and Museums in France all have admission charges.
    Paris has 2, 4 or 6 Day Museum Passes.
  • Avoiding crowds
    November to Easter is the Low Season. The busiest months are June and July. The French traditionally go on Holiday in August, when some small shops and restaurants may be shut.
  • Banks
    The Currency is the Euro. Banking Hours are usually 10.00-5.00 Monday to Friday and Closed on Public Holidays. Some Banks are now open on Saturdays but closed on Mondays.
  • There are 8 Main French High Street Banks: Credit Agricole, BNP Parisbas, Societe Generale, Caisse d’Epargne, Banque Populaire, Credit Mutuel, La Banque Postale, LCL.
  • Bureau de Change
    In Banks and Post Offices, Airports and Railway Termini.
  • Children
    Not all Restaurants have a children’s menu, check first.
  • Cycling
    There are many cycle lanes in Paris and a Pay-as-you-go bike rental scheme.
  • Currency Exchange
    May be done at Banks and the Post Office, Airports and Railway Termini.
  • Customs and Immigration
    You will need to check whether you need Immigration Visas for France.
  • You will need to check with French Customs for Alcohol and Tobacco limits.
  • Disabled visitors
    Be advised that not all Hotels have Lifts. In many Bars, the Toilet is down a flight of stairs. The Paris Metro has very few Lifts or escalators. Smaller Museums may not have access by wheelchairs.
  • Discounts
    Senior citizens, children under 18 and students: There are Discounts on domestic transport, Museums, Monuments and some Cinemas.
  • Driving
    On the Right hand side of the Road. The French Rule of Giving Way to traffic merging from the Right still applies, unless you see a sign showing Priorite, in which case they must Give Way.
  • Eating Out
    Restaurants offer either Menu Prix Fixe, which states whether it is 2 or 3 Courses with or without wine. Or ‘A La Carte’ which is more expensive. Cafe Prices depend on the location and whether you are inside the Cafe: standing at the Bar is the cheapest or sitting at a table outside is more expensive.
  • Electrical adaptors
    In France, the Voltage is 220 v, using plugs with 2 round pins.
  • Embassies and Consulates
    Most countries have representation in Paris, and some also in the metropolitan cities.
  • Emergency Telephone Numbers
    Ambulance (SAMU) 15, Police 17, Fire Brigade 18, All Services from a mobile 112.
  • Etiquette
    In France, when dealing with staff in Banks, Shops, Restaurants and Cafes, it is polite to first ask whether they speak English, as not everyone does.
  • Guided Tours
    Contact the local Tourist Information Centre for more information..
  • Health
    You will need Travel Insurance. Chemists (Pharmacie) have an illuminated Green Cross outside.
  • Hotels
    1 to 4 Stars, and 4L (L for Luxury). Checkin is from 12.00 onwards.
  • Internet access
    Wifi exists in most Hotels, Bars and cafes. You will need an adaptor to use a french electric socket.
  • Libraries
    These are called the Biblioteque Municipale, and are usually closed on Sundays and Mondays and during Public Holidays.
  • Loss
    Personal Items report to the Local Police Station.
  • Media
    TV: The Main Channels are TF1 and France 2; France 3 for Documentaries, classic movies and Debates; A Channel shared between Channel 5 and ARTE the franco-german channel for the Arts, Classical Music and Films; M6 for Rock and Pop Music; France 24 for the News in French.

  • Museum Opening Hours
    Usually 10 am to 6 pm. Closed Mondays or Tuesdays.
  • Newspapers
    National Daily Press: France Soir, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Liberation, L’Humanite.
    Magazines: Le Canard Enchaine is a weekly satyrical magazine.
  • Opening hours
    Shops and Businesses 9.00-10.00 am until 7.00-8.00 pm Mon-Sat. Shops are often closed Mondays and for the month of August. They are often closed for Lunch between 12.30-2.00 pm
  • Personal Security
    As a General Rule in Daytime, best to avoid political rallies and demonstrations. At Nightime in Paris avoid outlying suburbs and stay in or near the busy centres of other French towns.
  • Post Office
    Carries the yellow ‘La Poste’ sign. Opening Hours are usually between 8.00 am-7.00 pm Mon-Fri, Sat 8-12 am. Mail Boxes in the street are yellow. You may consult the Telephone Directories and make Telephone calls abroad. Chronopost is a separate overnight Parcels Courier delivery service.
  • Radio
    Radio France International has english speaking broadcasts on RFI.
  • RTL has music with chat shows on RTL.
  • Religious Services
    France is a Roman Catholic Country.
  • Shops
    Opening Hours 9.00-10.00 am and close 7.00-8.00 pm. Open Tuesday to Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Closed for Lunch between 12.30-2.00 pm outside of Paris. Tax is the TVA (VAT) at 20 % included in Prices.
  • Smoking
    Prohibited in Public Places such as Museums, Monuments, Cinemas, Restaurants, Bars and Cafes and on all Public Transport.
  • Student travelers
    Use the ISIC International Student ID Card to get discounts between 25-50% in Museums, Theatres, Cinemas and Public Monuments.
  • Summer Time
    Starts 02.00 am on the last Sunday in March when 1 hour is added. Winter Time: starts 03.00 am on the last Sunday in October when 1 hour is deducted.
  • Swimming Pools
    In France, male swimmers are required to wear speedos and a skullcap or they will not be permitted to enter the Pool. France still maintains separate changing Rooms for males and females, with pre-swim showers and a footwashing pool considered mandatory for hygiene.
  • Telephone
    PayPhone Boxes: You will need a Creditcard or Phonecard available from Newsagents and Post Offices.
  • Time Zone
    UK Time: + 1 Hour.
  • Tipping
    By Law, nearly all Restaurants, Cafes and Bars include Tax and 15% Service Charge ‘Service Compris’. It is customary to add 2-3% if the service was particularly good. (If the Service is not included ‘Service Non Compris’ then add 15% tip,  this very rare). In Hotels it is polite to tip 2-3 Euros per Bag and Chambermaids 1-2 Euros per day. Tip Taxi Drivers 10-15% of the Fare. Hairdressers 10% and their Assistants 5%. Washroom and Cloakroom Attendants, Ushers and Museum Tour Guides 1 Euro. Tour Guides 2-5 Euros and their Coach Drivers 1-2 Euros.
  • Tourism Tax
    In France, this is included in the Hotel Room Rate and varies from 0.20-4.00 Euros per person per night according to the type and cost of the room.
  • Tourist Information centres
    You can book Hotels if you turn up in person. Paris Expo has a 24hr English speaking tourist information service on 118 247.
  • Travel Insurance
    Recommended and essential if admitted to Hospital.
  • Telephones
    Payphones accept Credit Cards and Phonecards available from Newsagents and the Post Office. Mobiles: If you are on Roaming, France has nationwide coverage.
  • Walking
    Beware crossing the road as the Traffic is driving on the Right Hand Side.
  • Weather
    France is divided into four Zones: The South has Mediterranean Climate with mild winters and very hot summers. The East: Semi-Continental climate with Severe Winters and Hot Summers. The West: Oceanic Climate with wet, humid Summers and mild winters. Paris and The North: Intermediate climate with cold winters and hot summers.

 

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