Basic Information for Trips to France Holidays

Basic information for trips to France holidays

Getting Local Information

Getting information in France is not hard as most towns and villages have a syndicat d'Initiative or Office de Tourisme, giving out free maps and local information. Some can book accommodation anywhere in France, and most can find you a local room for the night. In larger cities, resorts offices will be open all day, every day during high season and France holidays, though in winter the hours are generally shorter.

Banking in France

France is using the euro (€) as its standard currency. Banking hours in France are Monday to Friday (9am - noon & 2pm - 4.30pm). Some are even open on Saturday. The Banque Nationale de Paris often gives the best rates and charges the lowest commissions. However, you are advised to check out the other banks too. Currency exchange counters like those found in the railway stations in all the major cities and usually a few in the town center  have a longer business hours, though the rates may not be so attractive compared to the banks. Post offices and some tourist offices do have the services of currency exchange too. In France, ATMs could be found easily and conveniently where you could also withdraw cash directly from it when required. As for credit cards, most hotels, restaurants and shops generally accept all the major credit cards.

Communications in France

In terms of communications when having trips to France, the post offices (la Poste) are generally open on Monday to Friday from 8.30am - 6.30pm and Saturday from 8.30am - noon. You could also buy postal stamps from the tobacconist shops (tabacs). International phone calls can be made from any public telephone booth using phone cards which could be bought from the post offices, tobacconist shops or even the train station ticketing counters. You must dial all ten digits if you are calling within France irregardless of local or long distance. Internet access are available everywhere by the cybercafés, charging an hourly rate of about €4.

What to do during an emergencies while traveling in France

In France, there are two main types of police. The Police Nationale and the Gendarmerie Nationale. Both accepts reports on theft or other incident. When travel in France, always carry your passport as you can be stoped at any time by the police and asked to produce your ID. For every hospital visit, there is a charge for doctor's consultation and prescribed medicine. Consultation fees for a visit should be around €20-30 and in any case, you'll be give a statement of treatment (Feuille de Soins) so that you can make your insurance claim later. To find a local doctor, you can always stop by at any pharmacie and ask for an address. Prescriptions from the doctor should be taken to a pharmacie, which is also equipped and obliged to provide first aid (for a fee), and all towns and cities should have a 24-hour pharmacy on-call. For those minor illnesses, the pharmacists will dispense free advice and a wide range of medication.