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Cars 4 Rental Information on France

General

Area: 543,965 sq km (210,025 sq miles).

Population: 59,481,919 (official estimate 2002).

Population Density: 109.3 per sq km.

Capital: Paris. Population: 2,125,246 (1999).

GEOGRAPHY: France, the largest country in Europe, is bordered to the north by the English Channel (La Manche), the northeast by Belgium and Luxembourg, the east by Germany, Switzerland and Italy, the south by the Mediterranean (with Monaco as a coastal enclave between Nice and the Italian frontier), the southwest by Spain and Andorra, and the west by the Atlantic Ocean. The island of Corsica, southeast of Nice, is made up of two dpartements. The country offers a spectacular variety of scenery, from the mountain ranges of the Alps and Pyrnes to the attractive river valleys of the Loire, Rhne and Dordogne and the flatter countryside in Normandy and on the Atlantic coast. The country has some 2900km (1800 miles) of coastline.

Government: Republic since 1792. Head of State: President Jacques Chirac since 1995. Head of Government: Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin since 2002.

Language: French is the official language, but there are many regional dialects. Basque is spoken as a first language by some people in the southwest, and Breton by some in Brittany. Many people, particularly those connected with tourism in the major areas, will speak at least some English.

Religion: Approximately 77 per cent Roman Catholic with a Protestant minority.

Time: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are widely used; adaptors recommended.

Communications:

Telephone

Full IDD is available. Country code: 33. Outgoing international code: 00. Card-only telephones are common, with pre-paid cards bought from post offices and tabacs; coin boxes are being phased out throughout the country. International calls are cheaper between Mon-Fri 1900-0800 and all day from Sat-Sun. Calls can be received from all phone boxes showing the sign of a blue bell.

Mobile telephones

GSM 900 and 1800 networks cover most areas. The use of mobile telephones is prohibited at petrol stations.

Fax

Services are widely available; many hotels and all post offices have facilities.

Internet

Public access is available at Internet cafes. There are numerous local ISPs including wanadoo (website: www.wanadoo.fr).

Post

Stamps can be purchased at post offices and tabacs. Post normally takes a couple of days to reach its destination within Europe. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1900, Sat 0800-1200.

Press

There are many daily newspapers, the most prominent being Le Monde, Libration, France-Soir and Le Figaro. The main English language daily is the International Herald Tribune. Outside the Ile-de-France, however, these newspapers are not as popular as the provincial press. International newspapers and magazines are widely available, particularly in the larger cities.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

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Money

Single European currency (Euro): The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states (including France). The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002; the French Franc was still in circulation until 17 February 2002, when it was completely replaced by the Euro. Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Currency exchange: Some first-class hotels are authorised to exchange foreign currency. Visitors should also look for the ‘Crdit Mutuel’ or ‘Crdit Agricole’, which have longer opening hours. Shops and hotels are prohibited from accepting foreign currency by law. Many UK banks offer differing exchange rates depending on the denominations of currency being bought or sold. Travellers should check with their banks for details and current rates.

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

Travellers cheques: In 2002 the Banque de France stopped dealing in foreign currencies so therefore no longer handles travellers cheques.

Currency restrictions: The import and export of local and foreign currency is unrestricted. Amounts over €7622 must be declared.

Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Euro against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Nov ’03 Feb ’04 May '04 Aug '04
£1.00= 1.46 1.46 1.50 1.49
$1.00= 0.87 0.80 0.84 0.81

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1200 and 1400-1630. Some banks close Monday and some are open Saturday. Banks close early (1200) on the day before a bank holiday; in rare cases, they may also close for all or part of the day after. Some banks in Paris are open Mon-Fri 1000-1700.

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Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required
Yellow Fever No 1
Cholera No No
Typhoid and Polio No N/A
Malaria No N/A

1: A yellow fever certificate is required for travellers coming from South American and African countries.

Other risks: Visitors to forested areas should consider vaccination for tick-borne encephalitis.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care: There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK. On presentation of Form E111 (which must not be more than 12 months old to avoid the possibility of bureaucratic non-acceptance) at an office of the Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (Sickness Insurance Office), UK citizens are entitled to a refund of 75 per cent or more of charges incurred for dental and medical (including hospital) treatments and around 35-65 per cent of charges incurred for prescribed medicines. Application forms for Form E111 are obtainable from post offices. The standard of medical facilities and practitioners in France is very high but so are the fees, and health insurance is recommended – even for UK citizens.

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Climate

A temperate climate in the north; northeastern areas have a more continental climate with warm summers and colder winters. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year with some snow likely in winter. The Jura Mountains have an alpine climate. Lorraine, sheltered by bordering hills, has a relatively mild climate.
Mediterranean climate in the south; mountains are cooler with heavy snow in winter.
The Atlantic influences the climate of the western coastal areas from the Loire to the Basque region; the weather is temperate and relatively mild with rainfall distributed throughout the year. Summers can be very hot and sunny. Inland areas are also mild and the French slopes of the Pyrnes are reputed for their sunshine record. Mediterranean climate exists on the Riviera, and in Provence and Roussillon. Weather in the French Alps is variable. Continental weather is present in Auvergne, Burgundy and the Rhne Valley. Very strong winds (such as the mistral) can occur throughout the entire region.

Required clothing: European, according to season.

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Passport

Passport Required Visa Required Return Ticket Required
British 1 No No
Australian Yes No Yes
Canadian Yes No Yes
USA Yes No Yes
OtherEU 1 No Yes
Japanese Yes No Yes

Note: France is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement. For further details about passport/visa regulations within the Schengen area, see the introductory section How to Use this Guide.

PASSPORTS: Passport valid for three months beyond length of stay required by all, except:
1. nationals of EU countries, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino and Switzerland holding valid national ID cards.

VISAS: Required by all except the following for a period not exceeding three months:
(a) nationals of countries referred to in the chart and under passport exemptions above;
(b) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR; blue passport holders only), Iceland, Israel, Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein, Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela;
(c) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. The following nationals always require an airport transit visa when not leaving the airport, unless they are permanent residents in the UK: Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem Rep), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, holders of Palestinian travel documents issued by the Egyptian, Lebanese or Syrian authorities, and Indian passport holders who hold a valid visa for the UK.

Note: Pupils travelling on a school trip may also be exempt from visa regulations if their names are entered on a 'List of Travellers' obtainable from the British Council (tel: (0161) 957 7755), for those resident in the UK.

Types of visa and cost: A uniform Schengen visa, is issued for Short-stay visits (tourist, business and students), Airport transit, Transit and Long-validity (circulation) visits. Visa application fees must be paid at the time of application. No visa application fee can be refunded, whatever the result of the application.
All Schengen visa applications are now charged at €35, irrespective of the duration of stay requested. The fee remains payable in Pounds Sterling only, approximately £22-26.

Note: (a) Prices change with the prevalent exchange rate, so visitors are advised to check the exact price before travelling. Payment is by cash or by credit/debit card (excluding American Express and Diners), and in Pounds Sterling only. (b) Spouses and children of EU nationals can obtain a visa free of charge on presentation of relevant documentation.

Validity: Short-stay visas are valid for a maximum of six months from date of issue for single or multiple entries of maximum 90 days in total. Transit visas are valid for single or double entries of maximum five days per entry, including the day of arrival. Long-stay visas are valid for up to three years for a maximum stay of 90 days in every six-month period. Visas cannot be extended; a new application must be made each time.

Application to: All persons wishing to apply must make an appointment by telephone before attending and submitting their documents in person at the consulate. An automated telephone appointment booking service is available; see Contact Addresses section. Travellers visiting just one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of that country; travellers visiting more than one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of the country chosen as the main destination or the country they will enter first (if they have no main destination).

Application requirements: (a) Passport valid for at least three months longer than validity of the visa with blank pages to affix visa stamp. (b) One completed application form. (c) One passport-size photo. (d) Evidence of sufficient funds for stay. (e) Proof of occupation with letter from employer, accountant, school or university (less than one month old), or last three payslips. (f) Return ticket to country of residence, and visa for next destination if required, or confirmed booking from travel agent. (g) Evidence of hotel reservations, a certificate of board and lodging to be obtained by your French host from the local town hall, means of support or proof of official invitation from host or company. (h) Evidence of medical insurance. (i) Fee; payable by cash or credit/debit card. (j) For business travellers: a letter of invitation from a French company. (k) For student trips: a letter from school stating dates of trip, address in France and name of persons responsible for student.

Note: Postal applications are only acceptable for certain nationals; consult the Consulate (or website: www.frenchembassy.org.uk) for further information.

Working days required: 24 hours to several weeks, depending on nationality.

Temporary residence: A Work Permit may have to be obtained in France. For full details, contact the long stay visa section of the Consulate General; see Contact Addresses section.

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