FRANCE
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This information has been supplied with the kind help and assistance of the France Tourist Office. For further information please contact them on 0171 399 3503
France is bordered by four seas, each with their own character, and resorts with a particular ambiance. There are two main choices: the West with its tides and its infinite stretches of sandy beaches, and the Mediterranean, bathed sunshine...
Regions
Paris and the Splendor of the North
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2,000 years ago it was called Lutce. In 508 Clovis made it the capital-city of his kingdom.. then there came a succession of sovereigns whose reigns left their mark of splendour. As for prestige, the city also owes this to the people of Paris; its symbolic sites will stand out as landmarks of your holiday. The Ile de France, in all its beauty, persists in its creation of our modernity. The North, where English, Dutch, Flemish and Spanish influences have left their mark on its architecture, its windmills, and even its folklore. Gentle Picardy with its impressive succession of writers... Jules Verne in the North and, in the south, Alexandre Dumas, Racine and La Fontaine whosefables are recited by children all over the world, and its north wind in the light of the Baie de la Somme blowing towards the English Channel thousands of rare birds.
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The Lights of the West
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This region abounds with treasures, whether they be natural such as the coastline of Normandy,Brittany, the Vende and Charentes or the peaceful
authenticity of the areas of Sologne, Berry, and the Marais Poitevin... or whether they be the fruit of man, an immense heritage from ancient times such as the mysterious menhirs of Carnac, the Roman abbeys, and, along the Loire, the finest chateaux..
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The Magnificence of the East
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Fields of golden wheat in Champagne, the massifs of the Ardennes, Morvan, the Vosges, the summit of the Jura. But also peaceful rivers - the Meuse, the Rhine, the Marne. Mighty forests, the gently sloping mountains of the Vosges. The romanticism of the landscape of Alsace, the profound charm of the vineyards of Burgundy. Land of dukes and of counts, a mark of grandeur, sacred land; there is so much culture here.
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Vastness of the Center and the Alps
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First the plateaux, of Millevaches and the gentle Limousin, and then the Massif Central with its range of volcanoes, its lakes in the craters, and the Auvergne... over there the Rhne passes by, caressing the banks of Lyon, town of refinement, and then a most promising discovery: to the west the immense Alps, the greatest area for skiing in the world!
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The Accents of the South
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A wonderful climate in an exceptional land... From the Alps to the banks of the Rhone, from the perfection of Ventoux to the superb coasts of the Var.. from Provence to the Camargue, such a variety of riches throughout so many regions, seemingly inexhaustible. Your arrival in the Languedoc, heralding the arrival of the Pyres, a journey in the mountains as far as the Aquitaine. The Prigord with its wonderful fragrance and Bordeaux the capital of wine provide other great moments...
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France in Figures
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Total area: 551 100 km2
Coastline: 3120 km (including inlets and bays) 1600 km as the crow flies.
The largest beach in Europe (12 km): La Baule, (Loire Atlantique dpartement of the Western Loire)
The highest sand dune: Dune de Pilat - 150 m (the Gironde dpartement of Aquitaine)
The highest peak in France (4807 m): Mont Blanc, in the Savoy Alps
The highest altitude inhabited village - 2200 m: Saint-Vran (Hautes-Alpes)
6000 species of plant life (200 specific to France)
340 different sorts of cheese, almost one for every day of the year About 450 AOC wines!
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Bank and Store Hours
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THE CATHEDRAL
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AT TOULOUSE Most major international banks have offices in Paris. Banks are open weekdays, 9:00am to 4:30pm. They are closed Sundays, holidays, and the afternoon before holidays. Some of them are closed Saturdays and open Mondays. Others are open Saturdays and closed Mondays instead. In the Paris outskirts and in the provinces they are closed, like the majority of shops between 1 and 3 p.m.
The stores are generally open non stop between 10 a.m and 7 p.m. In certain large towns and in Paris, some shops remain open until 10 p.m. In the provinces, most shops close between 1 p.m and 3 p.m and all day on Mondays.
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Money
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In France bank cards are accepted for amounts above 80F or 100F, sometimes more. In any case, this should be clearly indicated in the shop.If you wish to change your money there are numerous "bureaux de change" in most larger towns. There are no controls over the exchange rate but rate should be displayed.
Ticket dispensers are becoming more and more widespread; they sometimes give change.
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Tax-free Shopping
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If you reside outside the European Union you can claim a tax refund on purchases of 1200 FF or more at any single store. The discount ranges from 10 to 22 percent, depending on classification of goods. You can combine purchases in departement stores. At time of purchase you will be given forms which you should present to Customs official for processing.
BORDEAUX
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French customs will keep both pink pages, mailing one in the envelope provided by the store, and will give you the validated green page which you should keep in case of dispute. You should receive reimbursement within a month. Note: Shopping with a credit card makes the paperwork easier.
Useful numbers:
Cashback France SA: (0)1 48 27 24 54
Customs information centre: (0)1 40 24 65 10
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Using Telephones
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Most public telephones no longer accept coins but "tcartes": The tcarte is a telephone card which enables you to phone from any telephone booth. There are two types of cards: 50 units (40 F) or 120 units (96F). They can be purchased in post offices, cafs/tabacs or in any Paris metro station.Telephone booths are located in all SNCF and RER stations, and in all main metro stations, large stores, airports and in the roads of each town. As a general rule, there is a telephone booth in each public place. To call outside France dial 00 + country code National directory inquiries: 12
Interl directory inquiries: 00 33 12 + country code
Emergency numbers:Fire:18Police:17SAMU ambulance:15
Useful numbers:
WEATHER FORECAST:
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Paris:(0)836680275
Whole of France: (0)836680101
Mountains and snow:(0)836680404
Coastal:(0)836680808
Talking clock:(0)83699
IN PARIS SOS Doctors:(0)147077777 SOS Dentists:(0)143375100
Poison antidote:(0)140370404
American Hospital
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63,blvd Victor Hugo in Neuilly: (0)146412525

FrancoBritish Hospital
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(Levallois-Perret):(0)146392222
British & American Pharmacy
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1,rue Auber:(0)147424940
Pharmacy Anglaise
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62,avenue des Champs-Elyses:(0)143592252
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Post Office
DIJON For your postcards or letters (up to 20 g) you should attach a stamp in the following amounts:
European Union, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein : 3,00F
Other European countries, Africa : 3.70F
North America,Middle East,Central Asia: 4.40F
Central America,Caribbean,South America,Asia : 4.70F
Oceania : 5.30F* Post offices are generally open from 8:00am to 7:00pm weekdays and from 8:00 to noon on Saturdays.The main post office in Paris, 52 rue du Louvre 7500l is open 24 hours a day.
*Tarifs applicable on 1 October 1996
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Loss or Theft
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In cases of loss or theft, you must fill in a statement of loss or theft and present it to the following:
FOR A PASSPORT
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the nearest police station and the nearest Consulate to get a 3-month temporary passport.
FOR AN ANIMAL
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the Society for the Protection of Animals (SPA)

FOR A HANDBAG OR PERSONAL OBJECTS
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The Lost Property Office
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FOR A CAR
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nearest pound in large towns or nearest police station

FOR A CREDIT CARD
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you must ring the emergency service (below) and make a statement at the police station.

American Express :(0)147777200
Eurocard-Mastercard :(0)145678484
Visa:(0)442771190
Dinner's Club:(0)147627500
American Ex Trav Cheques :(0)800908600 (freephone)
Lost Property Office:
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Prefecture de Police - 36 rue des Morillons - 75015 Paris - Tel:(0)145311480
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TIPPING
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In restaurants and cafes the service charge is included. It represents 15% of your bill. This has nothing to do with tipping; you may leave a tip as a mark of appreciation. It is customary to give porters and doormen, theatre and cinema usherettes, tour guides, taxi drivers and hairdressers a tip of 5 or 10 francs.
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Living on French Time
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Meal Times
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Breakfast is served between 7 a.m and 9 a.m. Continental breakfast usually includes coffee, tea or chocolate accompanied by the traditional croissant, bread, butter and jam.
Lunch is the largest meal of the day; it is served between noon and 2:00pm.
Dinner is served between 7:30 pm and 9:00 pm. Restaurants are busier in the evening than at lunch time; it is best to book a table in advance.
Supper: some restaurants serve food late (until 2 a.m), which enables people to have dinner after the theatre or the cinema.
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Winter Time, Summer Time
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Summer time: from the end of March until the end of September local time changes from GMT+1
to GMT+2.
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Travellers with Special Needs
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METZ Most guide books indicate by way of pictograms the hotels and restaurants accessible to disabled persons. Each year the SNCF publishes the Supplement to the practical guide for the traveller, aimed at those with restricted mobility. This guide book can be obtained from all SNCF stations. The CNRH publishes a guide book on Paris & its Region available from CNRH, tourist offices, and certain bookshops at the price of 50 Francs. CNRH: 236 bis rue de Tolbiac - 75013 Paris -Tel: (0)1 53 80 66 66
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Smoking Law
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Every restaurant or bar has smoking and no smoking areas. It is forbidden to smoke in public transport and public places (museums, monuments..)
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Electric Current
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Current in France is 220 volts AC and current alternates at 50 cycles, not the 60 in use in the U.S. The sockets cannot accommodate American plugs. You will need an adaptor.
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Bringing Animals to France
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Travellers may bring their animals into France under the following conditions: Each family is limited to three animals, only one of which can be a puppy or kitten between three and six months of age. Animals should be at least 3 months old and have certificates for anti-rabies vaccinations, a certificate of good health, a tattoo and collar bearing the name and address of its owner.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------THINGS TO DO
Sand Yachting
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Along the beaches of the North Sea, kites fly and sand yachts are blown along by the wind. Enjoy the thrill of speed in le Touquet, the Baie de la Somme, Hardelot or in Flanders in Zuydcoote. The famous resorts and their beaches are two hours from Paris.
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Sea Fishing
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On the western coasts... Why not set out to sea with the local fishermen for some unforgettable catches; this is possible... crayfish, lobster, scallops..When the tide goes out, take the children to pick up shellfish, crabs, shrimps and mussels!
In the Mediterranean, when the sun rises over the bays, a fishing trip will remain for you an unfor- gettable experience:grey mullet, sea bass, mackerel bream, sardines, and sea urchins in season.
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Sweet Idleness in Crystal Bays!
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The Mediterranean...Nice, Saint-Tropez, Le Lavandou or Hyres..Areas of beauty and delight; make the most of the warmth and tremendous charm of this coastline with its sunny beaches that guarantee a long-lasting tan. Why not dive into the warm water, grab a windsurfing board, set off for some water-skiing and slip into a world of which dreams are made in the emerald sea. And in the evening? Here, the atmosphere is of celebration, whether café terraces, ice cream parlours or restaurants where you can taste the famous bouillabaisse - who could resist? A string of resorts stretch along the Catalan coastline - Barcars, Saint-Cyprien, Collioure with its immense charm. Here the sailing ports are truly appealing and on caf terraces you can drink Banyuls, and sip the sweet wines of Rivesaltes to the sounds of summer jazz, after active days on the beaches.
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Sailing in the Mediterranean
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You might choose to sail from port to port, cast anchor in a creek: spend some delightful hours swimming, diving..Your eyes will gaze at the greenness of the eucalyptus and olive trees, at the red rocks of the creeks. The sky is as blue as the painting by Klein..The very beautiful Cassis is a point of departure for a boat trip to the Creeks of En-Vau, of Port-Pin and Port-Miou, superb land - scapes! Go to Corsica by sailing boat,yield to the temptation of going round the island in the turquoise waters.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Child's Play!
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In Grau du Roi, the children will be enchanted by the Seaquarium with its 15 pools which reconstruct underwater scenery. And you will be carried away by the aquatic games! Fans of giant toboggans, make your way to the numerous water amusement parks, not forgetting that of Narbonne !
A great way to glide over the water - surfing.
Surfers worldwide, your rendez-vous is on the coast of Biarritz; here the great surge of the Atlantic crashes down over the shallows. Autumn is the ideal season for professionals...amateurs can hire equipment on site. Go along to the great summer competitions at Carcans, Maubuisson, Lacanau, Hossegor and do not miss the masters of Biarritz!
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Skin Diving
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When the coast is rocky, put on a mask & a snorkel and look.Do you want to go further? In a perfect setting, try skin diving: the sea beds are exceptional, especially in Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Corsica where you can explore coral reefs...
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The Wind in your Sails!
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The English Channel and the Atlantic are favourites for sailing.. A truly exciting experience! Fans of sailing and windsurfing, this is your kingdom, A region of sailors, here each port has a great seafarer; you will thus discover a legendary heritage as you make your way around; enjoy the old rigs with their purple and brown sails, climb aboard one of the old hulls on the isle of Batz or Douarnenez. The coasts offer you a whole range of excursions towards superb islands. When the wind rises, sailing becomes a sport to enjoy: try your hand with a sailing dinghy, a catamaran, a windsurfing board, and, of course, sea canoeing, a real treat.
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