TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
U.S
Driving Permit accepted |
| Currency |
(EUR)
Euro |
| Electrical |
230 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 33, City Code Paris 1+8D, Northwest 2+8D, Northeast 3+8D,
Southeast 4+8D, Southwest 5+8D |
Time:
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity:
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are widely used; adaptors recommended.
Telephone:
Full IDD is available. Country code: 33. Outgoing international
code: 00. Card-only telephones are common, with pre-paid cards
bought from post offices and tabacs. International calls are cheaper
between Mon-Fri 2230-0800 and Sat-Sun 1400-0800. Calls can be
received from all phone boxes showing the sign of a blue bell.
Climate:
A temperate climate in the north; northeastern areas have a more
continental climate with warm summers and colder winters. Rainfall
is distributed throughout the year with some snow likely in winter.
The Jura Mountains have an alpine climate. Lorraine, sheltered
by bordering hills, has a relatively mild climate.
Mediterranean climate in the south; mountains are cooler with
heavy snow in winter.
The Atlantic influences the climate of the western coastal areas
from the Loire to the Basque region; the weather is temperate
and relatively mild with rainfall distributed throughout the year.
Summers can be very hot and sunny. Inland areas are also mild
and the French slopes of the Pyrénées are reputed
for their sunshine record.
Mediterranean climate exists on the Riviera, and in Provence and
Roussillon. Weather in the French Alps is variable. Continental
weather is present in Auvergne, Burgundy and the Rhône Valley.
Very strong winds (such as the Mistral) can occur throughout the
entire region.
Required
clothing: European, according to season.
Food
& Drink: With the exception of China, France has
a more varied and developed cuisine than any other country. The
simple, delicious cooking for which France is famous is found
in the old-fashioned bistro and restaurant. There are two distinct
styles of eating in France. One is of course ‘gastronomy’
(haute cuisine), widely known and honoured as a cult with rituals,
rules and taboos. It is rarely practised in daily life, partly
because of the cost and the time which must be devoted to it.
The other is family-style cooking, often just as delicious as
its celebrated counterpart. Almost all restaurants offer two types
of meal: à la carte (extensive choice for each course and
more expensive) and le menu (a set meal at a fixed price with
dishes selected from the full à la carte menu). At simple
restaurants, the same cutlery will be used for all courses. The
bill (l’addition) will not be presented until it is asked
for, even if clients sit and talk for half an hour after they
have finished eating. Many restaurants close for a month during
the summer, and one day a week. It is always wise to check that
a restaurant is open, particularly on Sunday. Generally speaking,
mealtimes in France are strictly observed. Lunch is as a rule
served from noon to 1330, dinner usually from 2000-2130, but the
larger the city, the later the dining hour.
Shopping:
Special purchases include lace, crystal glass, cheeses, coffee
and, of course, wines, spirits and liqueurs. Arques, the home
of Crystal D’Arques, is situated between St Omer and Calais,
en route to most southern destinations. Lille, the main town of
French Flanders, is known for its textiles, particularly fine
lace. Most towns have fruit and vegetable markets on Saturday.
Hypermarkets, enormous supermarkets which sell everything from
foodstuffs and clothes to hi-fi equipment and furniture, are widespread
in France. They tend to be situated just outside of town and all
have parking facilities. Shopping hours: Department stores are
open Mon-Sat 0900-1830. Some shops are closed between 1200-1430.
Food shops are open 0700-1830/1930. Some food shops (particularly
bakers) are open Sunday mornings, in which case they will probably
close Monday. Many shops close all day or Monday afternoon. Hypermarkets
are normally open until 2100 or 2200.
Tipping:
A 12-15 per cent service charge is normally added to the bill
in hotels, restaurants and bars, but it is customary to leave
small change with the payment; more if the service has been exceptional.
Other services such as washroom attendants, 10 ten to 15 per cent
of the meter fare.
Single
European currency (Euro): The Euro is now the official
currency of 12 EU member states (including France). The first
Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002; the French
Franc was still in circulation until 17 February 2002, when it
was completely replaced by the Euro. Euro (€) = 100 cents.
Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10
and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20,
10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Currency
exchange: Some first-class hotels are authorised to exchange
foreign currency. Visitors should also look for the ‘Crédit
Mutuel’ or ‘Crédit Agricole’, which have
longer opening hours. Shops and hotels are prohibited from accepting
foreign currency by law. Many UK banks offer differing exchange
rates depending on the denominations of currency being bought
or sold. Travellers should check with their banks for details
and current rates.
Credit
& debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, Visa
and MasterCard are widely accepted. Check with your credit or
debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other
services which may be available.
Travellers
cheques: Banque de France has put a block on all travellers
cheques.
