Page 553 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - France

cancellation and delays. To receive discounted information on accessibility, contact the
or free emergency medical care in France, EU French disability advocacy group GIHP.
citizens should ensure they have an EHIC GIHP
(European Health Insurance Card). Visitors from ∑ gihpnational.org
outside the EU must arrange their own private Jaccede
medical insurance. ∑ jaccede.com
EHIC Les Compagnons du Voyage
∑ gov.uk/european-health-insurance-card ∑ compagnons.com
Office du Tourisme et des Congrès
Vaccinations ∑ parisinfo.com
SNCF
No specific vaccinations are required for France. ∑ accessibilite.sncf.com
Vianavigo
Money ∑ vianavigo.com

Most establishments accept major credit, debit Language
and prepaid currency cards, but it’s always a
good idea to carry some cash too (which may be French is the official language, but English is
expected for purchases under €15). Contactless increasingly understood, especially among the
payments are widely accepted in all major cities. young. A few niceties will go a long way – try to
say at least “bonjour” before switching to English.
Booking Accommodation
Closures
France offers a huge variety of accommodation,
comprising luxury five-star hotels, family-run Lunchtime Some shops and businesses close
B&Bs, budget hostels and private apartments. for an hour or two from around noon.
The country is busiest during Christmas, New Mondays Some museums, small shops,
Year and France’s school breaks. It is wise to restaurants and bars are closed for the day.
book ahead during these peak seasons and Tuesdays Most national museums are closed
in ski resorts and seaside towns. Hotels offer for the day, except Versailles and the Musée
sub stan tial discounts for advance online d’Orsay, which are closed on Monday.
bookings. Local tourist offices are helpful for Sundays Most shops are closed.
accommodation on farms and gîtes. Public holidays Public services, shops,
museums and attractions are usually closed.
Travellers with Specific Needs
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
A number of organizations are working to
improve accessibility across the country. The 1 Jan
Office du Tourisme et des Congrès has a useful New Year’s Day
guide that lists easily accessible sights and Apr Easter Day and Easter Monday
routes for visitors with mobility issues, while 1 May Labor Day/May Day
Jaccede has details of accessible museums, 8 May Victory 1945
hotels, bars, restaurants and cinemas in Paris 30 May Ascension Day
and other cities. Vianavigo provides detailed
informa tion on accessible public transport, 10 Jun Whit Monday
including a route planner that can be tailored 14 Jul Bastille Day
to your specific needs. Rail operator SNCF pro- 15 Aug Assumption of Mary
vides information about train travel (including 1 Nov All Saints’ Day
book lets at train stations) and a booking service
for free assistance on TGVs. Les Compagnons 11 Nov Armistice Day
du Voyage will provide an escort for persons 25 Dec Christmas Day
with limited mobility or visibility on any form 31 Dec New Year’s Eve
of public transport, for a small fee. For further

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