Page 368 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Paris

366  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Communications and Media which can work out better
value for money.
The main French telecommunications agency is Orange If your phone is unlocked, you
(formerly France Télécom). The postal service is La Poste. Both can insert a local SIM card into
work efficiently. Public telephones are located in most public it, which can be obtained in
places and usually require a phonecard (télécarte). Post offices Paris from one of the local
have “hot stations” for customer information, and automatic providers such as Orange,
Bouygues Télécom, SFR, Free or
vending machines for stamps and weighing packages. There La Poste Mobile and topped up
are numerous post offices (bureaux de poste), identified by the as required. This way, you get a
blue-on-yellow La Poste sign, scattered around the city. French phone number and pay
Foreign-language newspapers can be bought at newsagents normal, local mobile rates.
throughout Paris, and some TV channels and radio stations
broadcast foreign-language programmes. Internet Access
Internet access is widely
available in Paris. There are a
French Telephone international calls, the huge number of Internet cafés.
Numbers International Telephone Card Public libraries also provide
Telephone numbers in France provides good value for money. Internet access. There are many
have ten digits. The first two If using a credit card, you will free Wi-Fi spots around the city,
digits indicate the region: 01 receive credit for calls up to €15. including in parks, gardens and
and 09 are for Paris and the Ile When the limit is reached, the town halls. Thanks to the Pass
de France; 02 for the northwest; call is cut off. Most telephone Paris-Wi-Fi, a free wireless broad-
03 for the north east; 04 for the boxes can also receive calls – band service set up by the Paris
southeast; 05 for the southwest. the box number is displayed City Council (Mairie de Paris),
French mobile numbers begin above the phone unit. you can connect instantly to
with 06 or 07; 08 indicates a the Internet by selecting the
special rate number. Toll-free option “Paris wi-fi 2h” with your
numbers (numéro vert) begin Mobile Telephones navigator. The Mairie de Paris
with 0800. For useful telephone In order to use your mobile has a list of 260 free Wi-Fi sites
numbers and codes, please see phone in France, it must be (Localisation des points Wi-Fi)
the box below. compatible with a minimum on their website (www.paris.fr),
of GSM 900 or 1800 MHz while www.cafes-wifi.com lists
frequencies. It is best to cafés with Wi-Fi Internet access.
Public Telephones
contact your provider before Many hotels offer Wi-Fi connec-
Paris has a large number of leaving home to check your tions, but these are rarely free.
public telephones. To use phone’s compatibility.
one, you need a phonecard Alert your network before
(télécarte), although some do travelling so that they can
accept credit cards. Sold in set your phone to allow
tabacs, post offices, France “roaming”. If you don’t do this,
Télécom agencies and some your phone may not work.
news agents, there are two kinds Always check roaming charges
of télécartes – smart cards, with your service provider
available in 50 or 120 telephone before travelling, as making and
units, which you simply insert in receiving calls can be very
the phone, and code cards for expensive. Some companies
which you tap in a code. For offer “packages” for foreign calls Using the Internet in a library

Useful Telephone Numbers • To make a reverse charge call (PCV), dial
and Codes 0800 99 00 followed by the country code.
• To call the police, dial 17; for an ambulance, 15; • Country telephone codes: Australia: 61;
European emergency line (English spoken), 112. Canada and USA: 1; Ireland: 353;
New Zealand: 64; UK: 44.
• Directory enquiries, dial 118 712. • Low-rate period: 7pm–8am Mon–Fri & all day
Sat, Sun and public holidays.
• International directory enquiries, dial 118 700.
• To telephone France from your home
• To make direct international calls, dial 00 country, dial: from the UK 00 33; from the US
followed by the country code, area code (omit the 011 33; from Australia: 00 11 33. Omit the first 0 of
initial 0) and the number. the French area code.

366-367_EW_Paris.indd 366 03/04/17 10:58 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.1)
Date 13th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm