Documentation
Mail/Shipping
Telephones
Transportation
Banking/Money/Purchasing
Travel Tips
Tourist Offices/Information
Public Holidays

PASSPORTS: Valid passport required by all, except: (a) 1. EU nationals holding valid national identification cards; (b) holders of national identification cards issued to nationals of Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino and Switzerland. Passports must be valid 3 months beyond length of stay.

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Mail/Shipping
In France, the post boxes are yellow, and can easily be found in public places and set into the walls of the post offices. Collection times are indicated on the box. Stamps are available in the post office or in Tabacs. The Tabac is a tobacco shop and often they sell newspapers, telephone cards, and other items. They can also be located within cafes. The stamps are the same price as at the post office. Post office hours are generally from 9-6 M-F, and Saturday morning. The post office at the Paris metro station Louvre is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Parcels can be sent home from France, and depending on what it is, it can be most convenient rather than carrying something bulky with you throughout your stay. Some merchants will also ship items for you for a charge. Be sure to complete customs forms and get any VAT refund owed on the spot with the merchant.

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Telephones
Public phones in France require a telephone card which can be purchased at any Tabac or post office (La Poste). They come in different denominations or units (unites). A call to America is dialed 00 plus 1 then the area code and number. To reach an English speaking operator in the U.S. dial 19, wait for the tone, then 0011 for AT&T, or 0019 for MCI, or 0087 for Sprint. La Poste is open 9-6 daily and 8-noon on Saturday. They can handle money orders, and other financial transactions, as well as faxes. Its a sure place to find a telephone. Stamps can be purchased here but are more conveniently found at Tabacs.

Emergency telephone numbers throughout France:
24 hour ambulance: 15
Police: 17
Fire: 18

Other telephone numbers in Paris:
24 hour doctor: 01.47.07.77.77
24 hour dentist: 01.43.37.51.00
English language crisis line: 01.47.23.80.80

American Hospital and Pharmacy
63 blvd. Victor Hugo 1, rue Auber
92202 Neuilly 75009 Paris
01.46.41.25.25 Tel: 01.42.60.72.96

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Banking/Money/Purchasing
Banks are generally open weekdays 9-4:30. In many cities outside Paris banks close for lunch, sometimes for 2 hours. Most banks are closed Saturday and Sunday and all holidays. There are many holidays too, so plan ahead. (May has 5 holidays!) Travelers checks can be exchanged at the banks for better rates than the change bureaus on the street, but the change bureaus are open much longer. The best way to exchange money may be to withdraw from an ATM against your credit card. It is by far the best exchange rate, however it depends on your personal finances and to avoid high interest you should plan to pay off that withdrawal in one payment upon return. Check with your credit card company before departure to know what rates and fees might be applicable. Also, memorize your PIN for ATM access, (and while you’re in the process check your automobile rental coverage for international rentals. Credit cards can be useful insurance alternatives). Paying for services and goods is most convenient by credit card. The large grocery stores accept them, as well as most restaurants and many merchants. Visa is most widely accepted. Very few places will allow you to pay directly with a travelers check in foreign currency (see notes below).

It is suggested you employ a secure method of transporting your money. A money belt works great, but may become sweaty. Keep paper money in ziploc bags inside your money belt to avoid soaking them. Simply take this with you at all times. Keep your traveler checks logs and receipts separate from your checks. Keep a photocopy of your passport and other identification separate as well.

If you purchase goods at one merchant worth more than 200 euros, be sure to ask for a VAT refund form, which can be submitted to the customs official at the airport when you leave. A credit will be issued for VAT (value added tax - TVA in French) for a range of 13-20 percent.

Money
The Euro: Starting January 1, 2002, this currency replaced the French Franc officially. 1 euro is equal to about 6.56 French Francs. 100 cents go into 1 euro.

Currency exchange: Some first-class hotels are authorized to exchange foreign currency. Also look for the French equivalent of the Trustee Savings Bank, ‘Crédit Mutuel’ or’Crédit Agricole’, which have longer opening hours. Shops and hotels are prohibited from accepting foreign currency by law. Travelers should check with their banks for details and current rates.

Credit cards: American Express, Diners Club, Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. Check with your credit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travelers checks: Travelers checks are accepted almost everywhere. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers checks in French Francs.

Tipping: Almost all restaurants include tax and a 15 percent service charge with the bill. It is noted as "service compris". If you really appreciate the service and/or the meal, an additional tip is customary. (About FF 10 , or small change left from your bill.) If service is not included, a 15% tip is customary.

In hotels, a FF 10 for each piece of luggage is the norm for bellmen, and the same for housekeeping. Taxi drivers should receive about 10% to 15%, hairdressers 10%. Other times a FF 5 tip is appropriate for washroom attendants, coat room, ushers, museum tour guides, and bus drivers and tour guides get tipped after an excursion.

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Travel Tips
Jet Lag. When traveling to France from North America you will arrive the day after you left, generally in the morning. You will be somewhere between 6-9 hours ahead of North America. There are several methods to overcome the change, and many suggestions. may work for you, but trying to sleep on the plane will help you. Also, plenty of rest prior to departure will help. Upon arrival in Paris it will become difficult as the first day goes on to continue without sleep. If you cannot go on, take a short nap, with emphasis on short! Then go to bed early.

Upon return, you will no doubt carry a lag for a few days. You will arrive home (if you travel to North America) in the evening on the same day you left Paris. Just rest if you can, but don’t worry about it now, your trip is over and its just workdays ahead!

Electric current. Electricity in France runs on 220 volt, 50 cycle AC current. If you bring electrical devices, you will need to have a transformer and plug adapter.

Ear plugs. These can be very useful, both on the plane and in a hotel at night. They are light and easy to carry. Every traveler should have some whether they need them or not.

Arrive early for flights. International flights require you to be at the airport 2 hours in advance of your flight. Also, for return flight, the airlines prefer that you confirm 72 hours in advance of your flight. This is not critical, but good information to ensure your preparations to meet your flight time.

Arrival at Paris. Most international flights are now arriving at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport on the north end of the Paris suburbs. It is about 20 miles, and 40 to 60 minutes to the city center of Paris. A taxi may cost FF 220-250 for the ride. Air France has buses that goes to Opera, Porte Maillot, Arc de Triomphe (which depart every 15 minutes, FF51), and to Gare Montparnasse (hourly, FF68). Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the airport for the Air France Bus. There is also the R.E.R. B train which departs from Aerogare 2 and from the SNCF station. If you arrive at Aerogare 1, take the "navette" shuttle to the SNCF station. Tickets are FF 40. When you exit from customs you will be on the arrival level where you will find a Tourist Information desk. Ask the desk from which door (porte) the navette for SNCF leaves. Stops in Paris are at Gare du Nord, Chatelet, St. Michel, Luxembourg, Port Royal, Cite Universitaire, and Denfert-Rochereau. Finally, one of the least expensive options for going into the city is Roissybus which is a direct bus line to the Rue Scribe, near the Opera Garnier, departs every 15 minutes. Tickets are available at the airport. Private shuttle transfers are also available through Discover France. See Shuttle Info.

The SNCF station is also a terminal for the TGV with direct connections to the south of France.

If you arrive at Orly Airport, you are arriving south of Paris. Taxis are the quickest and cost about FF120-200. Orlyval is an automatic train that connects from the airport to the R.E.R. B line, going north into the city. The stops are the same as above coming south from Roissy-Charles de Gaulle. The cost is about FF52. Air France has buses that connect to Montparnasse, and Invalides for about 45FF each way, departures every 15 minutes. Another option is the Orlybus which goes directly to Denfert-Rochereau from Orly, with tickets about 35FF. (Depart every 15 minutes)

Once in Paris, the metro train system is a fantastic and extensive network under and around the city. You may choose to connect from the RER to the metro, or take a taxi from the RER station to where you disembark. Once free of baggage, the metro is the best form of transportation around the city.

Train Stations in Paris - to the provinces and Europe

Gare du Nord: North of France, Belgium, Eurostar to London
Gare de L’est: Champagne, Alsace
Gare de Lyon: Southeast, Provence
Gare Austerlitz: Loire Valley, Southwest France
Gare Montparnasse: Brittany, TGV to Loire and Southwest
Gare St. Lazare: Normandy, western coast

All train stations are reachable by Metro and taxi. Trains run on time, plan to be early. Some trains require advance seat assignments, but many do not. Tickets can be purchased in advance of your departure by Discover France Biking, but for reserved seats on specific trains the maximum advance is 60 days. If you purchase a French Rail pass, you may be able to transfer to the Paris airports with it - there is no guarantee, but worth a try.

International airports: Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG)

(Web site: http://www.paris.org.Accueil/Airport) is 23km (14.5 miles) northeast of the city (journey time – 30 minutes). It is also known as Roissy-Charles de Gaulle. There is a coach to the city every 15 minutes. Buses and trains run to Paris Gare du Nord or Châtelet every 15-20 minutes. There are also taxis to the city. Airport facilities include a bank, post office, duty-free shops, restaurants, shops and tourist information.

Paris-Orly (ORY) (Web site: http://www.paris.org.Accueil/Airport) is 14km (9 miles) south of the city. Coaches and buses run to the city every 12 minutes (travel time – 25 minutes) from outside Orly Ouest. Taxis are available. RER/SNCF Orly-Rail trains run every 15 minutes (travel time – 30 minutes).

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Tourist Offices/Information

Carrousel du Louvre
Place de la Pyramide Inversée
99, rue de Rivoli
75001 Paris

Metro : Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre (lines 1-7)

Open 7 days a week from 10am to 6pm.

Partnership with the Ile-de-France Tourist Office.

Tel : 0892 68 3000 (0,34 €/min)

Other locations throughout Paris include:
Pyramides welcome centre
Opéra - Grands Magasins welcome centre
Gare de Lyon welcome centre
Gare du Nord welcome centre
Anvers welcome center
Paris Expo / Porte de Versailles welcome center
Clémenceau welcome centre
Carrousel du Louvre welcome centre (Ile-de-France)
Montmartre Tourist Office

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Museum Passes are available for one, three, or five days, and which allow you to skip over lines waiting to get into the permanent collections of 70 museums and monuments in Paris and the surrounding area. The tourist office and main metro stations carry them, and as well Discover France can help you get them before leaving at this site: GotoParis.net Another tourist office can be found at the Caroussel du Louvre, at the entrance to the Louvre Museum in the underground shopping center. Take the metro to Palais Royale - Musee du Louvre.

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Transportation

Metro: One ticket is FF8, and a carnet of 10 tickets FF55. Paris Visite passes are good for unlimited travel within Paris on the metro, bus, and RER for either 1, 2, 3, and 5 days. They can be purchased to include airports and Disneyland Paris for a higher price. They are available at the airports, tourist office, and major metro stations. They can also be purchased in the United States - ask Discover France or go to GotoParis.net if you would like to purchase this in advance. The Visite Pass is a good value for those planning several days in Paris.

Metro tickets can be used on the bus as well. The Batobus is boat transportation on the Seine River which is a less expensive way to travel the Seine than the tourist boats. This service runs from April to September and stops at Tour Eiffel, Musee d’Orsay, Quai Malaquais (across from Louvre), Notre Dame, and Hotel de Ville. Cost is FF12 per stop or FF60 for all day. Tickets at GotoParis.net.

Rail: RER (fast suburban services). Line A: St Germain-en-Laye to Boissy-St-Leger or Marne-la-Vallée; Line B: Remy-les-Chevreuses to Roissy via Châtelet-les-Halles and the Gare du Nord; Line C: Gare d’Orleans-Austerlitz to Versailles. These lines are divided into fare stages and these vary according to distance, except within the metropolitan area where the ame system applies as on the métro. There is also an extensive network of conventional suburban services run by French Railways (SNCF), with fare structure and ticketing integrated with the other modes of public transport.

Bus: The same tickets are used as on the métro, but bus routes are divided into fare stages (sections). Inside Paris, one ticket covers up to two fare stages and two cover two or three stages or more. The first bus leaves at 0600 and the last bus at 2100, except on certain lines which run until 0030. Timetables are posted at bus stops and in bus shelters.

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Public Holidays

Jan 1 New Year's Day. Apr 5 Easter Monday. May 1 Labor Day. May 8 VE Day. May 13 Ascension Day. May 24 Pentecost. Jul 14 Bastille Day. Aug 15 Assumption. Nov 1 All Saints' Day. Nov 11 Remembrance Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2000 New Year's Day. Apr 24 Easter Monday.

Note: In France the months of July and August are traditionally when the French take their holidays. During these months tourist areas, coastal resorts, especially in the south, are very crowded.

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