FRANCE. Travel Documents, Health Care, Vaccinations, Electricity, Telephones and Internet, Money and Banks, Shopping, Typical Products

USEFUL INFORMATION FOR A TRAVEL TO FRANCE

FRANCE

Travel Documents: For citizens of European Union countries, a current valid identity card is sufficient. However, if you are a citizen of an other country, a passport is obligatory, with a visa for certain countries. Minors travelling alone must carry authorization for travelling signed by their parents. No vaccinations are required for entering France.

Health: Very good. Since 31 December 2005, the E111 is no longer valid. It has been replaced by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which has been available since September 2005. Just like the E111, the EHIC is free-of-charge and entitles European Union residents to reduced-cost, sometimes free, healthcare that becomes necessary whilst visiting most European countries. There is a wide network of pharmacies in most towns. Although their hours of business are usually the same as for stores (9am to 7pm or 8pm), there is always a pharmacie open nights, Sundays and on public holidays. All pharmacies display the address of the nearest one.

Telephones: Country Dialing Code 0033.

The network of public phones in France (operated by France Telecom) is very widespread, almost all public telephones accept only prepaid cards (no accepts coins). The card is on sale at tobacconists, newspeaper kiosk, change offices, post offices. In many phones you can use a credit card. In most public telephones, you can call it behind each is the corresponding phone number.

Many bars, restaurants and hotels offer access to the phone. There is a charge to the regular rate and the calls are more expensive but works with coins. There are also many small call center where calls and pay later. These call centers offer good prices, especially for international calls.

Mobile Telephones: France uses the GSM system. For mobile phones there are no problems, just that GSM 900 or 1800. Once entered French territory your operator will connect automatically to the French one with which it has close trade agreements. There are 3 main operators of mobile telephony in France: Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom.

Internet: Internet cafes are located in all French cities.

Money and Banks: Money is Euro.

Banking Hours: Banks are open Monday through Friday from 8.30-9.00 to 16.00-17.30.

Credit cards are accepted everywhere and massive is the presence of "distributeurs automatique" (ATM) used with any card enabled to international traffic.

Electricity: 220 V, 50Hz. The Continental two-round-pin plug is standard.

Shopping hours: The greater part of the shops, in the week days, are opened from 9,00 am to 7,00 pm. The shopping centers are open until at least 20, some up to 22.

Post Offices: Post offices are open from Mon to Fri from 8.00 to 18.00-19.00, and on Saturdays from 8.00 to 12.00. The only exception is the post office on Rue du Louvre in Paris, open 24 hours every day.

The Public Holidays in France are 10: 1 January (Jour de l'an), 1 May, 8 May (celebration of the end of World War II in Europe), Easter Monday, the Ascension Thursday, 14 July (National Day), 15 August, 1 November, 11 November (Armistice) and 25 December. During these days the offices, banks, shops are generally closed.

Cuisine: FRENCH CUISINE RECIPES.

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ÎLE-DE-FRANCE