Page 243 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  241

For contraceptive advice, go antiseptic treatment for DIRECTORY
to a GP or a gynaecologist (no mosquito bites and wasp
referral is necessary); to find one, stings if applied immediately. Consulates
ask at a pharmacy or look in the Occasionally hornets and Australia
Yellow Pages (Pages Jaunes). scorpions can be a problem, 4 rue Jean Rey, 75015 Paris.
Pharmacies are also excellent so get into the habit of always Tel 01 40 59 33 00.
sources of advice and can checking shoes and clothing ∑ france.embassy.gov.au
dispense the morning-after before getting dressed. Also
pill without a prescription. check your bedding before Ireland
going to sleep. Beware of the 69 ave Roi Albert, La Californie,
heat, especially with children, 06400 Cannes.
Outdoor Hazards and seek immediate medical Tel 06 77 69 14 36.
Forest fires are a major risk advice for heat stroke. ∑ embassyofireland.fr
in Provence. High winds and During the hunting season UK
dry forests mean that fire (Sep–Feb, especially on Sundays), 24 ave du Prado,
spreads rapidly, so be vigilant wear brightly coloured clothes Marseille.
about putting out cigarette when out walking. Signs on trees Tel 04 91 15 72 10.
butts. Camp fires are banned usually denote hunting areas ∑ ukinfrance.fco.gov.uk
in the region. If you (reserve du chasse). USA
witness a fire, contact 12 place Varian Fry,
the emergency Marseille.
services at once Travel and Tel 04 91 54 92 00.
Health Insurance
and keep well away. ∑ marseille.usconsulate.gov
The Mediterranean Check that your
Sea is safe for travel insurance is Emergency Numbers
swimming, although valid in France, and AIDS Helpline
there can be strong note that you will Tel 0800 84 08 00.
currents off the Cap need extra insurance Ambulance (SAMU)
d’Antibes and the Fire-hazard poster to cover winter Tel 15.
Camargue. Public sports. EU residents
beaches usually have a lifeguard are entitled to medical treat- Centre Anti-Poison
and indicate safe areas for ment with the European Health (Marseille)
swimming; some display Insurance Card. You will need Tel 04 91 75 25 25.
European blue flags as a sign the doctor’s and pharmacy Drugs/Tobacco/Alcohol
of cleanliness. If you are stung receipts (feuille de soins) to Hotline
by a jellyfish or sea urchin, seek apply for reimbursements. Tel 0800 23 13 13.
advice from a pharmacy. If you Fire (Sapeurs Pompiers)
are sailing, keep up to date with Medical Treatment Tel 18.
the weather reports, and carry
ID and a radio or mobile phone. Pharmacists can diagnose and Police (Gendarmerie)
Weather conditions in the suggest treatments for simple Tel 17.
mountains can change very conditions; they can be recog- Rape Hotline
quickly and without warning. nized by the green cross outside. Tel 0800 05 95 95.
In winter, be sure to advise There is usually one pharmacy SOS Médecins
the local authorities of your open at night and at weekends. Nice. Tel 08 10 85 01 01.
projected route; in summer, Hospital accident-and-emergency
pack warm clothes and some units will deal with accidents Hospital
provisions in case of sudden and unexpected illnesses. Emergencies
storms. Altitude sickness can In rural areas, the pompiers
occur in the southern Alps, so (firefighters) are also trained Avignon
climb slowly, pausing regularly paramedics and can be called Hôpital Général Henri Duffaut,
to acclimatize. in an emergency. In major 305 rue Raoul Follereau.
In the mountains behind Nice cities, a 24-hour doctor service Tel 04 32 75 33 33.
and Cannes, you may encounter (médecin de garde) is available. ∑ ch-avignon.fr
the grey-brown Montpellier Marseille
snake. Despite its size (up to La Conception,
1.5 m/5 ft), it is very shy and Public Toilets 147 blvd Baille.
will likely flee. Vipers also live Modern automatic toilets are Tel 04 91 38 30 00.
in the region. Mosquitoes are widely available in cities. You ∑ fr.ap-hm.fr
common, and repellents and may also come across public Nice
antidotes can be bought from toilets of the squat variety, in Hôpital St-Roch,
supermarkets or pharmacies. which case you might prefer 5 rue Pierre-Devoluy.
The local lavender oil is an to use the services in a café Tel 04 92 03 77 77.
excellent repellent and a good or department store.