Travel Information
France is a diverse and rich nation, filled with destinations to suit any taste. The French, while often stereotyped as rude or snobbish, are actually a proud but friendly people. The key is to understand the cultural differences. The food in France is among the finest in the world, and it is the largest wine-producing nation in the world.
The French value cuisine, arts, culture and history. Each region has its own flair and uniqueness. You are about to embark on an enticing adventure, but there are certain things you should know before you go.
Weather
Spring offers the best weather to visitors, with beach tourism picking up in May.
Temperatures aren't too bad in autumn, although the short days mean limited sunlight and the cold starts to make itself felt towards the end of the season, even along the Côte d'Azur.
Winter means playing in the snow in France's Alps and Pyrenees, though the Christmas school holidays send hordes of tadpoles in uniform scurrying for the slopes.
Mid-July through to the end of August is when most city dwellers take their annual five weeks' vacation to the coasts and mountains, and the half-desolate cities tend to shut down a bit accordingly. The same happens during February and March.
Visa
Depending on your nationality, the duration and the reason for your stay in France, it may be necessary for you to obtain a visa before leaving. In this case, you should apply to the French consulate in your country. For citizens of European Union countries, a current valid identity card is sufficient. However, if you are a citizen of another country, a passport is obligatory, with a visa for certain countries.
Minors travelling alone must carry authorization for travelling signed by their parents. No vaccinations are required for entering France.
Getting Around In France
There are many economical and handy ways to get around France. You need to examine where you will be going and how flexible you are. If you plan to visit villages not accessible by train, a rental car is ideal. The French drive on the right-hand side of the road. While traffic lights are commonplace in many parts of Australia and the USA, many intersections in France and the rest of Europe are traffic roundabouts instead. These are actually much more efficient, but might take getting used to. Also, it becomes far more crucial to have good maps if you will rent a car (try asking for directions in a foreign language… not so easy).
If you are visiting cities with train stations, rail is convenient and can be inexpensive. The key is to determine whether you will just buy point-to-point tickets (preferable if you will be taking few trips or short trips), European rail passes (if you plan to go country to country) or a France Rail Pass (if you will travel often and long distances, all on one country).
TGV: http://www.tgv.com/homepage/index_uk.htm
S.N.C.F.: http://www.sncf.com/indexe.htm
EUROSTAR: http://www.eurostar.com/dctm/jsp/index.jsp
If you plan to visit French cities that are far apart (say Strasbourg and Carcassonne), you might want to check into flying within the country. It's relatively cheap, and spending an hour on a plane is preferable to an 8-hour overnight train ride for speed and convenience. In some cases, a plane ticket might cost the same as a point-to-point rail ticket.
In addition, many cities also have their own transportation system (such as Paris' metro). Even many smaller villages have a bus system. France's transportation system is very extensive.
The TGV (train à grande vitesse, French for "high-speed train") is France's high-speed rail service developed by GEC-Alsthom (now Alstom) and SNCF, the French national rail operator, and operated primarily by SNCF. Following the inaugural TGV service between Paris and Lyon in 1981, the TGV network, centred on Paris, has expanded to connect cities across France and in adjacent countries. It holds the record for the fastest wheeled train, having reached 574.8 km/h (357 mph) on 3 April 2007,[1][2] and also holds the world's highest average speed for a regular passenger service. TGV is a registered trademark of SNCF.
Also, their website is valuable for doing research, such as seeing timetables, finding out what the tickets would cost you at the station, etc. For instance, you may not need a rail pass if your individual tickets are cheaper.
VAT (Value Added Tax) refund
Here's how -- after making a minimum purchase of 175€ in the same store, ask the store for your detaxe papers. Make sure that on the paperwork you request that your refund be applied to one of your credit cards (this can be done even if you made the purchase in cash). Fill out the forms before you arrive at the airport for departure. Be sure to have the forms stamped at the clearly indicated airport customs desks. The customs official may ask to see your purchases so it's best to have them in your carry-on bag. Mail the stamped forms at the airport (the store provides an envelope) and the refund process has begun (note - this is only if France is your final point of departure back to Australia.). For additional information on the VAT refund click here.
Important reminder: The VAT can be refunded for goods, but not services.
Tourism Tax
Visitors are usually asked to pay a tourism tax or a flat-rate tourism tax, the rate of which is fixed by the local authority and varies from €0.15 to €1.07 per person per day, according to the quality and standard of the accommodation.
Where the tourism tax is not flat-rate, children aged less than 4 years are exempt from this tax, and those aged less than 10 years pay half-rate.
This tax is collected by the owner of the accommodation and will be included in your hotel bill, rent, etc…
Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs
Smoking is prohibited in public places (museums, monuments, cinemas…) or on public transport. Restaurants are divided into smoking and non-smoking areas.
Any driver under the influence of alcohol seriously compromises the safety of passengers and other road users. As a result, driving with a level of alcohol in the blood equal to or higher than 0.5g per litre of blood (instead of 0.7g before 15 September 1995) is prohibited. The police and gendarmerie can test for alcohol levels in a driver's blood.
It is prohibited to travel (even on foot) under the influence of alcohol along a public highway. Anyone who allows a minor to drink until they are in a state of drunkenness is committing a crime. It is prohibited to sell or offer alcoholic drinks to minors aged under 16 years old (in drinks outlets, shops and public places).
The use of drugs and bringing them into France is strictly forbidden, including "soft" drugs.
Duty-free shopping
If you live outside the European Union, you are entitled to a 12% reduction in duty on certain articles, provided that the amount of your purchases should be higher than or equal to €175including tax, and that these purchases are made on the same day in the same shop. Check the terms and conditions before making your purchases.
Food Shopping
In large towns, bakers and food shops open very early in the morning and close around 7.00pm or 8.00pm (or even later in Paris). They are usually closed on Sunday afternoons, the afternoons of Public Holidays and one day in the week.
Other shops
Other shops open at 9.00am or 10.00am and close between 7.00pm and 8.00pm.
In the regions, they often close between 1.00pm and 2.00pm. They are usually open from Tuesday to Saturday (except public holidays). Large supermarkets are usually open until 9.00pm or 10.00pm. In the regions, hypermarkets are usually situated outside of towns, in retail parks.
In the regions
The town centre often has a number of clothes shops which are just as good as those in Paris. Some towns have second-hand clothes shops with keen prices or very trendy shops.
Every town or village in the regions also has its weekly market; here you will find lots of regional products, whilst making the most of a completely different atmosphere to that of the capital.
Shopping in Paris
Paris - For some of us the words Paris Ile de France will always mean one thing in particular: shopping! It has never been a better time to take your credit cards to the French capital with the city's main department stores and chic shops all trying to outdo one another.
For the winter sales, the two giants on Blvd Haussmann are as popular as ever.
Galeries Lafayette
Galeries Lafayette, located in the heart of Paris next to the Opera house, is the largest, most famous and trendiest department store in France and has become a top tourist attraction for its unique architecture and its prestigious selection of merchandise. It is now a symbol of Parisian fashion and chic all over the world and offers the most renowned names in fashion, beauty, accessories, home décor and lifestyle goods!
Lyon
Lyon, a shopper's paradise: Lyon rivals Paris for designer shopping. But don't shop only for clothing: local produce, including saucisson sec and St-Marcellin cheese, are found at the open-air markets in the City.
The Carré d'Or district will keep the most exacting shoppers happy with more than 70 luxury banners concentrated in an area where it is pleasant to stroll, between Place Bellecour and Cordeliers. The rue du Président Herriot, with its elegant 19th-century buildings, makes an ideal setting for the luxury boutiques of Cartier, Hermes, Gucci or Louis Vuitton.
Fine antiques and old books can be found on rue Auguste Comte or at La Cité des Antiquaires near the Parc de la Tête d'Or. Rue Auguste Comte is a lively street with some 80 shops devoted to antiques. La Cité is open on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 0930-1230 and 1430-1900.
Marchés
To really understand the link between Lyon and good food, a visit to one of major markets is a must. Every morning from Tuesday to Sunday, there is a market on quai St-Antoine on the banks of the river Saône and another market on boulevard de la Croix-Rousse, in one of Lyon's liveliest districts. In the third arrondissement (quarter), 102 Cours Lafayette, there is the covered market, Les Halles de Lyon, which is open every day. There is a craft market on quai Fulchiron, on Sunday morning 8000-1300.
Most shops are usually open from Monday to Saturday between 0930 and 1930 but closed on Sundays.
Le vieux Lyon - And if you are looking for exotic purchases, the stores in Vieux Lyon offer a superb selection of traditional art and craft objects and textiles from around the world with the perfume of incense in the air.
Little Soho - For those looking for something unusual, Passage Thiaffait on the Croix Rousse slopes is home to the Creators' Village, Lyon's little Soho in the historical district abandoned by the silk producers. It groups young creators and banners wishing to assert their originality, attracting customers looking for unique « single copy » clothes, delighted to escape the standardisation of contemporary clothes! The Creators' Village is also a venue for exhibitions focusing on fashion and creation open to the world's cultures.