France First Time Visitor Guide

Passports and visas

People from most countries need only a valid passport to enter and exit France. No other documents are necessary for visitors remaining in France for less than 3 months. It is mandatory in france to carry some form of identification at all times. If you lose your passport, the nearest U.S. consulate will issue a 3-month temporary replacement.

Customs

Travelers from countries outside the European Union must declare certain articles when entering France. Duty and import taxes must be paid on items not for personal use that individually or collectively exceed 1200 FR in value. The following are forbidden or subject to strict control: drugs, radioactive materials, firearms, plants, and ivory. Be sure to have prescriptions handy to authenticate any controlled substances. Sums over 50,000 FR (whether brought into or taken out of France) must be declared to customs. When in doubt, consult the french embassy or Consulate or the customs service in Paris, tel. 01.55.04.65.10.

U.S. and Canadian Consulates

The U.S consulate in Paris is located 2, rue St Florentin in Paris. Tel. 08.36.70.14.88. There are also U.S. consulates in Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, and Strasbourg.
The Canadian consulate in Paris is located 35 avenue Montaigne. Tel. 01.44.43.29.00. There are also consulates in Lille, Lyon and Nice.

Climate

France has 4 climatic zones: the humid coastal zone to the west of Lille – Bayonne (variable winters, cool to comfortably hot summers); the semi-continental zone of Alsace and Lorraine and the Rhone-Alps region (cold winters, hot summers); the intermediate zone in Paris, the North and central France (cold winters, hot summers); the mediterranean zone in southern france (mild winters, comfortably hot summers)

Electricity requirements

Electricity in France runs on 220-volt, 50-cycle AC current versus the 110-volt, 60-cycle AC current used in the United States. If you bring electrical appliances, you will need a voltage transformer (already included in most modern appliances) and a plug adapter. Voltage transformers and plug adapters are available at most electric appliances stores like Radio Shack, Circuit City, Best Buy, etc. If you are bringing a laptop computer, check for a voltage switch on the back. If ther is a switch, the computer has a built-in universal adapter and all you need is a plug adapter. If your computer is still under warranty, you may need to register it with the manufacturer’s international warranty department.

Tourist information

French government tourist in the U.S.A.: France on Call hotline: 410-286-8310. French government tourist in Canada: France on Call hotline: 514-876-9881.

In Paris: For information about Paris and surrounding areas, call or write to the Central Tourist Office – 127 Av des Champs Elysees – 75 008 Paris. Tel 01.49.52.53.54 or 01.49.52.53.56 – Open daily from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, except May 1st (Labor Day)

Throughout France: Almost every town in France has a tourist office (office de tourisme or syndicat d’initiative), usually in the city center and easily identified by a blue “I” sign.

Bringing your pets to France

Travelers may bring dogs and cats into france. Each family is limited to 3 animals, which must have valid rabies vaccination certificates.

Physically challenged

In France, special consideration is given to people with and wheelchairs. This thoughtfulness is observed in many public places and in such adaptations as special access ramps, lifts, toilets, parking spaces, and telephone booths.

Transportation from Roissy charles de Gaulle airport

Transportation from Orly airport

By car

Roads in France: Paris and the main provincial towns and cities are linked by 4,960 miles (8000 kilometers) of well-maintained highways (most with tolls). There are also good roads between the regions of France. Distances are in kilometers (1 km = .62 miles: 1 mile = 1.6 km). Unless a sign tells you otherwise, speed limits are 50 km/hr (31 mph) in towns, 80 km/hr (50 mph) on the Paris peripherique (beltway), 90 km/hr (56 mph) on main roads, 110 km/hr (68 mph) on two-lane roads, and 130 km/hr (81 mph) on highways.
Gas and highway tolls are about twice as expensive as in the United States and Canada.

Driving in France

A valid driver’s license is required. Minimum age for driver is 18. Proof of insurance coverage is necessary. Carry your license, insurance certificate, and vehicle registration with you. Seat belts must be worn in both the front and back seats. If you are on a motorcycle, scooter or moped, you are required to wear a helmet. Laws are strictly enforced.

Taxis

In Paris and other major French cities, taxi stands are plentiful and easily visible. Rates vary depending on the city or suburb and whether it is day or night: they are displayed inside the car as well as on meters. When called to pick up passengers, taxis add the cost of that journey to the fare. Extra fees for baggage, animals, or a fourth person are routine. Tipping is customary but completely at your discretion: generally 10-15% is acceptable.

By train

France’s SNCF national railroad has the most extensive rail network in Europe, and its trains are extremely comfortable and efficient. SNCF’s high speed trains serve more than 150 cities in France and their frequent departure make travel fast and convenient.

By public transportation

IN PARIS
The Metro: simple and safe, the Paris metro runs daily from 5:30 am to 12:30 am. A single ticket costs 8 FF, a carnet of 10 tickets 58 FF. Keep your ticket handy as you may be asked to show it to a transit inspector, and tickets are sometimes needed to exit metro turnstiles.

Buses

Bus maps and information are available from the Paris Convention and visitors bureau. Bus fare is 8 FF; metro tickets may be used.

Balabus

The balabus tourist bus, in service sundays from mid-april to the end of September, stops at selected rectangular bus stops (marked Bb) near the main Paris tourist sites: Gare de Lyon, St-Michel, Musee d’Orsay, Louvre, Concorde, Champs Elysees, Charles de Gaulle-Etoile, Porte Maillot and Neuilly. The fare is 8 FF (metro tickets may be used).

Batobus

From april to October, the city of Paris operates a boat service on the Seine river called Batobus, with stops at the Eiffel Tower, Musee d’Orsay, St-Germain-des-Pres (Quai Malaquais, on the left bank, opposite the Louvre), Notre Dame, Hotel de Ville, Louvre, and Champs Elysees. Cost: 20 FF for one stop, 10 FF for each additional stop, 65 FF for an all-day pass (35 FF for children under 12); 80 FF for a 2-day pass (40 FF for children under 12).

TRANSPORTATION IN OTHER CITIES

Lyon, Lille and Rouen have good subway systems with stops at major tourist sites. Cities throughout the country have efficient bus service. Maps and information are available at local tourist offices.

By plane

The fastest way to get around France is by plane; an average flight lasts one hour. Air France, Air Liberte, AOM, and other regional airlines offer domestic flights. Reservations can be made in the United States, Canada, or in France. airports are often beyond city limits, but are well served by shuttle services. Senior discounts, for those of age 62 or over, of up to 10% are available in all classes of domestic flights; proof of age is required. Youth or student discounts are also available on many domestic flights – inquire when making reservations. Air France: www.airfrance.com

Banks

Banks are usually open weekdays 9am to 4:30pm. In many cities outside of Paris banks close an hour or two at lunchtime. Most Paris banks are closed Saturdays and Sundays: Provincial Banks are often Saturdays and closed Sundays and Mondays.

ATMs

ATMs often have the best exchange rates. Virtually all ATMs in France take MasterCard and Visa, and many are linked to the Cirrus and Plus Systems. American Express has ATMs in major cities also. Note: Most French ATM keyboards have numbers only, so if your PIN contains letters, make note of the number equivalents prior to leaving home. Four and Five-digit PINs are acceptable in France.

Exchange

Banks and change bureaus generally charge at least a 1% commission on currency exchanges; those charging no commission often use very unfavorable exchange rates. Traveler’s checks are safe, but many banks charge a service fee to cash them, and not all hotels, restaurants, and shops accept them for payment, even if they are in French Francs.

Credit Cards

Credit card are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, stores and shops; the exchange rate is favorable. For information or to report lost cards, 24-hours-a-day, 7-days a week: Euro card-MasterCard, Tel. 01.45.16.65.65;Visa Tel. 08.36.69.08.80 ;or call collect to the United Sates 410-581-3836. Diner’s Club, Tel 01.49.06.17.17 (customer service) or 01.49.06.17.50 (lost or stolen cards). American Express, Tel 01.47.77.70.00 (customer service) or 01.47.77.72.00 (lost or stolen cards).

The Euro

Although the European Union’s common currency, the Euro, officially came into existence in January 1999, its currently being used only for governmental, bank, and trading exchanges. Actual bills and coins will not come into circulation until 2002.

Tipping

Almost all restaurants include tax and a 15% service charge (service compris) in their prices. If a meal or service has been particularly good, leaving another FF 10 ( or 2-3%) is customary, as is leaving the waiter the small change from your bill if you want pay cash. If service is not included (service non compris) a 15% tip is appropriate. In hotels, tip porters FF 10 for each bag and chambermaids FF 10 a day. Taxi drivers should be given 10-15% of the metered fare. Tip hairdressers 10%, assistants 5%. Small tips of around FF 5 are reasonable for cloakroom and restrooms attendants, ushers and museum tour guides. It is standard practice to tip tour guides and bus drivers after and excursion, generally FF 10-20, depending on the level of satisfaction.

Tax free shopping

Non-European Union residents who stay in France or the rest of the European Union (EU) less than six months can get a refund of the value-added tax (VAT, or TVA in French) on purchases amounting to FF 1,200 or more at any single participating store. In most cases, the refund represents 19.6% of the purchase amount. When making purchases, ask the store to complete a VAT refund form, then submit the form to customs when laving France or the last EU country you visit. If leaving from an airport, arrive before your check-in time and be prepared to show the goods. Customs will stamp the form, which then must be mailed to the store where purchases were made. Refunds are credited to your credit card account are sent by mail within a few months.

Post offices

Post Offices are marked La Poste and are open from 8 am to noon on Saturdays. In smaller towns, weekday hours may be 9 a.m to 12p.m and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. In addition to normal services, major post offices can cash or send international postal checks or money orders, and have fax, telex and telephone facilities. In Paris, the main post office at 52, rue du Louvre is open 24 hours. Tamps can also be purchased at tabacs, hotels and some newsstands . For additional information, see www.laposte.fr.Mailboxes in France are yellow. They are easy to find in public places.

Using telephones

Most public telephones only accept phone cards, called telecartes , which are sold at post offices or cafe-tabacs for FF 49.00 or FF 97.50. To call the United States and Canada from France, dial 00 then 1 plus the area code and phone number. When using long distance phone companies, do not dial 00 then 1 before the area code and phone number: for AT&T Direct dial 0-800-99-01-11; for Sprint 0-800-99-00-87; for MCI 0-800-99-00-19. All French telephone numbers now have 10 digits, starting with a 0. To call within the country, just dial the 10 digits. To call France from the United States or to Canada, omit the initial 0 of the French number. For example , dial 011 ( the international access code), then 33 ( the country code for France), and then the telephone number minus the initial 0( 9 digits instead of 10).

Tel 888-902-5322

www.tv5.org.

France 2 news also broadcasts its evening news in New York (at 7:00pm EST on channel 25); Washington, DC; Chicago; Miami; St Paul; New Orleans; Boston; Salinas and Los Angeles; Denver; McLelland; and Saint-Louis. www.france2.fr

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