Medical Info

MEDICAL FACILITIES

Medical care comparable to that found in the United States is widely available.

MEDICAL INSURANCE

Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties.

Please check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation, and for adequacy of coverage. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to your country can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.

Other Health Information

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international traveler's at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via CDC's Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov.

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Safety & Security

Violent civil disorder is relatively rare in France. But occasionally, student demonstrations, labor protests or other routine demonstrations turn into violent confrontations between demonstrators and police. Tourists are advised to avoid street demonstrations.

In recent years, France has experienced closely targeted political assassinations and random bombings. No U.S. citizens have been killed, and only one has been injured. The bombings have resulted in an increased police presence at places where the public congregates. All passengers on subways and trains are urged to be aware of their surroundings and to report any unattended packages to the nearest authority.

The Basque Separatist Party (ETA) and the National Front for the Liberation of Corsica (FLNC), continue to operate in the south of France and occasionally bomb local government institutions, banks, travel agencies, etc. Cautious travel is advised in these areas.

France and Monaco both have relatively low rates of violent crime. But crimes involving larceny are common. Pickpocketing, theft of unattended baggage and theft from rental cars or vehicles with non-local license plates are daily occurrences. Criminals frequent tourist attractions such as museums, monuments, restaurants, hotels, beaches, trains, train stations, airports and subways. Tourists in France and Monaco should be particularly alert to pickpockets in train stations and subways. Travelers should carry limited cash and credit cards, leaving extra cash, credit cards, passports and personal documents at home or in a hotel safe. Although thieves may operate anywhere, Paris receives frequent reports of theft from several particular areas.

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Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

Safety of Public Transportation: Good Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good Availability of Roadside Assistance: Good

Roads in France are generally comparable to those in the United States, but traffic engineering and driving habits pose special dangers. Usually, lane markings and sign placements are not so clear. Drivers should be prepared to make last-minute maneuvers, as most French drivers do. French drivers usually drive more aggressively and faster than Americans. One particularity of the French traffic code is that of the right-of-way. Drivers entering intersections from the right have priority over those on the left (unless specifically indicated otherwise) even when entering relatively large boulevards from small side streets.

Paris, the capital and the major city in France, has an extensive and efficient public transportation system. The interconnecting system of buses, subways, and commuter rails serves more than 4 million people a day with a safety record comparable to or better than the systems of other foreign major cities. Similar transportation systems are found in all major French cities. Between cities, France is served by an equally extensive rail service, which is safe and reliable. High-speed rail links connect the major cities in France. Many cities are also served by frequent air service.

Drivers in France tend to exceed the posted speed limits. On the major highways, service stations are situated every 25 miles or less. Service stations are as plentiful on secondary roads as in the United States.

For specific information concerning French and Monegasque driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, please contact the French and Monegasque National Tourist Office hotline at (202) 659-7779.

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Aviation Safety

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of France's civil aviation authority as Category 1 - in compliance with international aviation standards for oversight of France's air carrier operations.

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Best Time to Travel

Weather-wise, France is at its best in spring ('April in Paris', remember?), with the beach resorts beginning to pick up in May. Autumn is pleasant, too, but the days are fairly short and the temperatures get chilly toward the end, even along the Côte d'Azur. Winter is great for snow sports in the Alps, Pyrenees and other mountain areas, though the Christmas school holidays send hordes of tadpoles in uniform scurrying for the slopes. Mid-July through the end of August is when most city dwellers take their annual five weeks' vacation to the coasts and mountains, and the half-desolate cities tend to shut down a bit accordingly. Likewise during February and March.

Events

The French are a festive bunch with many cities hosting music, dance, theatre, cinema or art events each year. Rural villages hold fairs and fêtes honoring everything from local saints to the year's garlic crop. Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in Provence is the venue for a colorful gypsy festival in late May honoring Sarah, patron saint of the gypsies. Frenzied singing and dancing characterize this extravaganza. Prominent national days off are May Day (1 May), when many people buy muguet (lily of the valley) - believed to bring good luck - to give to friends; and Bastille Day (14 July), which is celebrated by throwing firecrackers at friends. Regional events include the primping and preening prêt à porter fashion show in Paris (early February); the glittering and often canned Cannes Film Festival (mid-May); the International Music Festival in Strasbourg (first three weeks of June); the mainstream and fringe theatre of the Festival d'Avignon (mid-July to mid-August) and the Jazz Festival in Nancy (9-24 October).

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Important Numbers

Ambulance: 15
Fire: 18
Police: 17

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Reminders

V.A.T. REFUND
  • Keep your receipts so that you can claim V.A.T. refund.
    Conditions: You can get a refund back on the V.A.T. if you are over 15, you will be spending less than 3 months in France and your purchases goods worth at least 1.200 FF.

RAIL TICKETS IN FRANCE

  • Every passenger must validate his own ticket before boarding the train -- failure to do so can result in a fine. A large number of orange machines are located at the entrances to the platforms as well as in other train station locations. Once validated, the ticket is only good for that day. On board a conductor will check your ticket.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

  • Avoid street demonstrations.
  • In recent years, France has experienced closely targeted political assassinations and random bombings. The bombings have resulted in an increased police presence at places where the public congregates. All passengers on subways and trains are urged to be aware of their surroundings and to report any unattended packages to the nearest authority.
  • The Basque Separatist Party (ETA) and the National Front for the Liberation of Corsica (FLNC), continue to operate in the south of France and occasionally bomb local government institutions, banks, travel agencies, etc. Cautious travel is advised in these areas.
  • Tourists in France and Monaco should be particularly alert to pickpockets in train stations and subways.
  • Travelers should carry limited cash and credit cards, leaving extra cash, credit cards, passports and personal documents at home or in a hotel safe.
  • If worse comes to worst, have these numbers handy: Ambulance: 15, Fire: 18, Police: 17

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Three Simple Steps to V.A.T. Refunds

Step 1

Make your purchases duty-free.Shop at stores displaying the "Cash Back" logo and ask for your Cah Back Invoice when you make yours purchases (in French : Facture Cash Back France). The amount of the refund appears on your invoice after (Montant de la détaxe :).

Step 2

Have your invoices validated by Customs.When you leave France, remember to present all your Cash Back invoices and your passport to Customs, together with the goods purchased. Custom will the stamp your Tax-free invoices.

Step 3

Claim your V.A.T. Refund. Before taking your plane or leaving France, don't forget to mail to Cash Back the pink form of your stamped invoices in the special envelop you received with your invoices. Do not stamp the envelop. After few days, you will receive your V.A.T. refund according to the refund mean you chose upon your purchase, in the form of a direct transfer to your credit card account or a Bank cheque.

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