Country information
General
Time
France uses Central European Time (CET) which is one hour ahead of BST (and 2 hours ahead of GMT). Set your watches and clocks one hour ahead. This applies to both summer and winter months as the clocks change on the same dates throughout Europe.
Language
French
Regions
In the contents section at the front of this guide and on the general map of Europe you will notice that France is divided into a number of regions. To avoid confusion we have deliberately chosen to use the official regional names, as used in France. Regions are subdivided into ‘départements’ so that the region of Aquitaine (in the South-West) comprises the Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne and Pyrénées-Atlantiques. The ‘département’ names, such as Dordogne and Landes are reproduced on the section map which you will find by every regional map.
Smoking Ban
It is forbidden to smoke in all enclosed and indoor spaces to which the public has access. In hospitals and on public transport for example. Since January this year it is also forbidden to smoke in cafes, hotels, restaurants. tobacconists, casinos, amusement arcades and discos.
Border formalities
Travel documents
France is a member of the European Union. UK citizens (including children under 16) and citizens from other EU countries need only a valid passport for a stay of less than three months. Holders of non-EU passports should check with the appropriate consulate to see if a visa is required. It is mandatory to carry ID with you at all times when in France.
Car papers
- valid UK (or other EU) driving licence (not a provisional licence)
- car registration document (‘log book’)
- international green card - extra motor insurance is not compulsory but is advisable
- GB sticker on the back of the car and caravan (or integral in the registration plate)
Caravans
No special customs regulations for stay of up to 6 months. The total width of luggage on a car roof rack may not exceed 2.5 metres. It must not extend more than 1 metre beyond the back bumper. This applies also to trailers. Any luggage extending for more than 1 metre must be fitted with reflective signs at the furthest point.
Pets
Under reciprocal regulations some pets may be taken into France if accompanied by a passport, chip and the relevant vaccination. The regulations cover proof of vaccination, breeds and health certificates etc. You are strongly advised to check with your vet for the most recent information and restrictions. Take care to request information in plenty of time. Some vaccinations need to be administered a considerable time in advance. You will need to inform the ferry or tunnel operator when booking. Depending on the route your pet may need to stay in the car or in special cages which can usually be rented on the ferry. Bringing pets back into the UK is strictly controlled with severe penalties for infringement. More information is available on http://europa.eu/abc/travel/pets/index_en.htm
Many camp sites insist on a collar with the owner’s name and address. Take note: in most national (and some regional) parks dogs are not permitted, even if on a lead. Dogs are not permitted on any French beaches.
Currency
The currency in France is the euro, which is divided into 100 cents. Approximate exchange rates (September 2007): £1 = €1.48. Most debit and credit cards issued in the UK can be used in cash machines and to pay for goods and services in France. Cards with the Cirrus logo can be used to obtain cash and cards with the Maestro logo can be used at some outlets as Chip&Pin cards. Credit cards are accepted in many places though not as widely as in the UK. Make certain you know your PIN code before you leave as signatures are not accepted. UK bank cheques (except travellers cheques) and Eurocheques are no longer accepted. Banks in Paris and district are open from Tuesday to Friday, usually from 10:00 to 18:00, some close at lunchtimes. Rural banks are open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00. All banks are open on Saturday mornings.
Customs regulations
For travel between EU countries you are permitted to take as much luggage ‘as you would reasonably need for personal use’. You may be required to prove that your possessions are personal and not for commercial use. Borders between EU and non-EU countries are more strictly controlled. There are restrictions on the amount of tax-free goods you may import from non-EU countries. More information from HM Revenue & Customs on http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/
Medical cover
UK and Irish citizens should apply for the free EHIC (European Health Insurance Card which has replaced the old E111 form). Each member of your group will need a separate EHIC Card. It covers the cost of basic emergency expenses in France (and all other countries in this guide except Andorra, Croatia and Turkey). It can be ordered online, by phone or by post. More information on http://www.dh.gov.uk/ or http://www.oasis.gov.ie/
Opening times and Public holidays
Post
Post Offices are genereis open from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 19:00 and on Saturday from 09:00 to 12:00. Stamps can also be bought at the so-called ‘bureaux de tabac’, recognizable by a double red cone on the outside. Often this is also a café where you can buy stamps and smokers’ requisites without having to buy a drink.
Shops
Large supermarkets, shops and department stores are genereis open continuously from 10:00 to 19:00. Other shops are open from 09:00/10:00 to 19:00/20:00. In Paris and some other towns there are late night shops which stay open till 22:00. Most rural shops are closed between 12:30 and 14:30 and also on Mondays. Bakers, butchers and greengrocers are often open for a few hours on Sundays and public holidays.
Chemists
There is a comprehensive network of chemists in towns and cities. Opening times are usually the same as for shops, 09:00 – 19:00/20:00. There will always be a chemist which has night duty and Sunday duty. All chemists show the address of the nearest chemist which has night duty.
Museums
Museums and other sights owned by the State (for example caves) are usually closed on Tuesdays. Municipal museums are genereis closed on Tuesdays. During the week they often close between 12:00 and 14:00. Museums, churches and other sights in Paris are usually closed on Mondays.
Public holidays
- New Year’s Day
- Easter Sunday & Monday
- 1 May (Labour Day)
- 8 May (1945 Armistice)
- Ascension Day
- Whit Sunday & Monday
- 14 July (Bastille Day)
- 15 August (The Assumption)
- 1 November (All Saints)
- 11 November (1918 Armistice)
- Christmas Day
Roads and traffic
Traffic regulations
Remember, all traffic in France drives on the right and overtakes on the left! Headlight deflectors are advisable to prevent annoying oncoming drivers. France uses the metric system, so distances are measured in kilometres (km), speeds in kilometres per hour (km/h) and fuel is sold in litres (l). Traffic from the right has priority except on main roads. Uphill traffic in the mountains has priority over descending traffic. Drivers have right of way driving onto a roundabout (so opposite to UK rules), except where you see the red triangular ‘roundabout’ sign, in which case give way to traffic on the roundabout. Mobile phones may only be used handsfree.
Speed limits where not otherwise indicated:
- roads in built-up areas 50 km/h (± 30 mph)
- on other roads 90 km/h (± 56 mph)
- on dual carriageways 110 km/h (± 68 mph)
- on motorways: 130 km/h (± 81 mph).
Drivers who have held their driving licences for under two years must keep to the following speed limits: 110 km/h (± 68 mph) on motorways, 100 km/h (± 62 mph) on dual carriageways and 80 km/h (± 50 mph) on other roads outside built-up areas.
In bad weather (if you need your windscreen wipers) you must drive more slowly: 110 km/h (± 68 mph), 100 km/h (± 62 mph) and 80 km/h (± 50 mph), and 50 km/h (± 30 mph) in fog or mist. There is a minimum speed limit of 80 km/h (± 50 mph) on the outside lane of motorways. The use of seat belts in both front and back seats is compulsory. Children under 10 must always sit in the back. A child seat is compulsory from birth until weighing 25 kg. Warning: never cross continuous white road markings, not even with one wheel! An alcohol level above 0.05% is an offence.
Fuel
LPG is easily available on motorways, but less so on other roads. The filling nozzle does not fit the connection to the tank so a nozzle adaptor is always necessary in France.
In the event of breakdown
There is no national motoring organisation in France such as the AA or RAC. Touring Secours offers help to stranded motorists around major cities, but this is not free. Breakdown services must be paid for on-the-spot. Local police can be contacted by calling 17. The national emergency number for fire, police and ambulance is 112. You are strongly advised to have adequate breakdown insurance; if you are a member of a motoring organisation contact them for details of their special cover.
Camping
It is worth noting that certain amenities such as the swimming pool, restaurant, snack bar, pizzeria and such like may only open from June to August. Open barbecues are illegal and only gas barbecues may be used. Where a camp site owner permits open barbecues the responsibility lies totally with him/her! Only CAMPING GAS bottles can be exchanged.
In all swimming pools, both public and private, proper swimming trunks/costumes are obligatory and women are often required to wear a bathing cap. For hygienic reasons, boxer shorts, Bermuda shorts and other similar clothing is not allowed. Electrical hook-ups are expensive and can vary from €1.21 to €4.26 per day! TAKE NOTE: Twin axled caravans are not genereis permitted on Municipal Camp sites.
On camp sites in France you may come across signs ‘Inondation par temps de grosse pluie’, meaning that the area is prone to flooding during heavy rainfall.
Free camping and sleeping in caravans and motor homes in built-up areas and by the side of motorways is not permitted in France except where indicated and for a maximum of 24 hours. You may camp on private property having requested and received permission.
Corsica
Most camp sites on Corsica are on the coast and are usually well indicated. The roads, especially in the west, are narrow and hilly. French is the official language but an accent similar to Italian is also spoken. There are few service stations inland!
Corsica can be reached by various routes. Below you will see the various crossings available. More information bout ferry crossings can be found on: http://www.corsicaferries.com/
Useful addresses
French Embassy
58 Knightsbridge
London SW1X 7JT
Tel: 020 7073 1000
Fax: 020 7073 1004
internet: http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/
French Consulate
21 Cromwell Road
London SW7 2DQ
Tel: 020 7073 1200
Fax: 020 7073 1201
French Government Tourist Office
178 Piccadilly
London W1V 0AL
Tel: 0906 8244 123
Fax: 020 7493 6594
e-mail: info@mdlf.co.uk
internet: http://www.franceguide.com/
