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Cash
The currentcy in France is the euro. ATMs are widely available. All common international credit cards are accepted and English instructions are usually available. Banks are open from 9-12 and 2-4 Monday through Firday. In urban areas some banks may have extended hours.
Driving
Front and rear seat belts are obligatory in France. Although it is not illegal to talk on a hand-held mobile phone while operating a motor vehicle in France, you will be fined if you are involved in an accident while using a cell phone and may forfeit insurance coverage. Umfulana recommends that drivers refrain from talking on mobile phones while driving.
Speed limits:
In towns: 50 km/h (30 mph)
On motorways: 130 km/h (80 mph)
On highways: 90 km/h (56 mph)
Speed limits are regorously enforced in France and speed traps are frequent. Fines must be paid on the spot (ask for a receipt). Drivers caught exceeding the speed limit by over 25 km/h may have their licences confiscated.
At intersections cars approaching from the right generally have the right-of-way unless you are travelling on a “priority road” marked by a yellow diamond, so always be prepared to yield to motorists approaching from the right. At roundabouts (traffic circles) cars already in the circle normally have priority.
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Be careful about drinking and driving: A driver whose blood alcohol level exceeds 0.5 will be considered legally intoxicated.
Children under 10 are not allowed to sit in the front seat. Children who weigh between 9 and 15 kg (20-33 lbs) must sit in a properly restrained child seat.
Very little free parking is available in downtown areas. Parking along the street often requires feeding a parking meter, which may be located some distance from the car. After you’ve deposted the required fee, the meter will produce a ticket that must be placed in the front windshield.
Watch for no-parking signs, as violations may result in your car being towed away. The two main parking signs are:
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In case of breakdown/accident
An emergency telephone number will be included in the documents you receive from Avis. Emergency phone calls can be made free of charge from any public telephone. Emergency phone numbers are:
- Police: 17
- Ambulance: 25
- Fire: 18
- Operator: 13
- Directory assistance: 12
Fuel
Various grades of unleaded fuel are available at filling stations. Be sure to find out what grade of fuel is required for your car during pickup.
Directions
Although brief directions are included in your travel documents, we recommend buying a good road atlas.
Electricity
Outlets in France are 220 volt. Most appliances will require adapters, which can be purchased at airports and locally.
Health insurance
Check to make sure your health insurance covers travel abroad. If not, you would be wise to take out travel insurance.
Smoking
A ban on smoking in public places was implemented in France in 2008.
Stamps
Stamps can be purchased in all post offices and many tabacs.
Time zone
France is located in the Central European Time Zone. European Summer Time is used between the end of March and the end of October, meaning clocks are moved forward an hour during that period.
Time differences:
UK: - 1 hour
Canada/USA
East coast: - 6 hours
West coast: - 9 hours
Tipping
Service is normally included in the restaurant check. Nevertheless, a small tip is often given in recognition of good service. A tip of around 10% is customary in bars and small cafés where no service charge is applied.
Although hotels also include a service charge, a small tip is frequently offered to the doorman or porter and the chambermaid. Taxi drivers and hairdressers expect a tip of approx. 10% of the fare/price. A tip for public lavatory attendants is often left on a saucer near the door.
Using the telephone
Most public phones require telephone cards (télécartes), which can be purchased at a tabac.
Country codes for calls placed from France:
UK: 00 44 + phone number
USA/Canada: 00 1 + phone number
Country codes for placing calls to France:
UK: 00 33 + phone number
USA/Canada: 011 33 + phone number (not including the leading zero).
Weights and measures
Long distances are measured in kilometres in France. A kilometre equals about 2/3 mile.
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Shorter distances are measured in metres. A metre is 3.28 feet (1.09 yards).
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Weights are measured in kilos. One kilo equals 2.20 pounds.
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