Page 200 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

198  FR ANCE AND THE L OW C OUNTRIES

Practical Information Opening Hours
Generally, opening hours
France is justifiably proud of its many attractions, for which for tourist sights are from
it has good tourist information facilities. Both in France and 10am–5:40pm, with one late
abroad, French Government Tourist Offices are an invaluable evening per week. Most close
source of reference for practical aspects of your stay, on public holidays.
National museums and
especially for those with special needs. If you are unfortunate sights are normally closed on
enough to need medical or emergency assistance, France Tuesdays, with a few exceptions
has excellent hospitals, ambulance, fire, and police services. which close on Mondays.
The country also has a modern communications network, Municipal museums normally
making it easy to keep in touch by telephone, post, or email. close on Mondays. Churches are
open every day, but sometimes
shut at lunchtime.
Visa Requirements town headings in this guide) or
and Customs the appropriate CRT (Comité Facilities for the Disabled
Currently, there are no visa Régional de Tourisme) – ask the Facilities for the disabled vary in
requirements for EU nationals FGTO for the address. France. Details of services in
or visitors from the United most towns can be obtained
States, Canada, Australia, or from the GIHP (Groupement
New Zealand who plan to Personal Security pour l’Insertion des Personnes
stay in France for under three Violent crime is rare in France – Handicapées Physiques). The
months. Visitors from most even a major city such as Paris Association des Paralysés de
other countries require a tourist is surprisingly safe. However, France provides information
visa. Non-EU visitors can, with muggings and brawls do occur, on wheelchair access.
some exceptions, reclaim the so avoid isolated or poorly lit
French sales tax (TVA) on places, especially at night. Medical Treatment
goods if they spend more than Women should take extra care,
a certain amount in one shop especially when traveling alone. All EU nationals are entitled to
and get a détaxe receipt. Also beware of pickpockets, French social-security coverage.
who are active in large cities. However, treatment must be
paid for at the time, and
Tourist Information hospital rates vary widely.
Police
All major cities and large towns Reimbursements may be
have offices de tourisme. Small There are two types of police obtained if you have the correct
towns and even villages have in France. The Police Nationale documents before you travel,
syndicats d’initiative. Both will look after large towns and but the process is long and
give you town plans, advice cities. If you need to contact complicated.
on accommodations, and them, find the Commissariat All travelers, particularly non-EU
information on regional de Police (police headquarters). nationals, should, therefore,
recreational and cultural activities. Small towns, villages, and consider purchasing travel
You can also get information country areas are policed by insurance before they arrive.
before you leave for France from the Gendarmerie Nationale. In the case of a medical
French Government Tourist If you need to report a crime emergenc,y call SAMU (Service
Offices, or by contacting local in these places, go to the d’Aide Médicale Urgence).
tourist offices (see individual nearest local gendarmerie. However, it is often faster to
The Climate of France
PARIS NICE
Set on Europe’s western edge,
France has a varied, temperate
climate. An Atlantic influence °C/ºF °C/ºF
prevails in the northwest, with 24/75 27/80 21/70
westerly sea winds bringing 14/58 15/59 16/61 19/67
humidity and warm winters. 7/44 9/49 7/44 17/63 13/55 5/41
The east experiences 2/35 10/50 13/55
Contin ental temperature 6 8 4.5 2 7.5 11 6.5 5
extremes with frosty, clear hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs
winters and often stormy 50 58 55 55 62 16 108 83
summers. The south enjoys a mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
Mediterranean climate, with hot,
dry summers and mild winters. month Apr Jul Oct Jan month Apr Jul Oct Jan

198-199_EW_Europe.indd 198 14/07/16 10:14 am