The original do-it-yourself travel guide to Europe SM


FRANCE

Prime Travel Data

France is in western Europe. It is is bounded by Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany,
Switzerland, Italy, the Mediterranean Sea, Spain, Andora, and the Atlantic Ocean.

A page of the Prime Travel Data section from enjoy-europe.com with John Bermont


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Paris (Eyewitness Travel Guides) (Paperback) by DK Publishing
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Eyewitness Travel Guides
by DK Publishing


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Note: Italicized notations by the author.

Important information about this data sheet. Revised 20 July 2010
Native name France
Capital Paris
Postal code F
Telephone code +33
Language French
Currency €, Euro, divided into 100 euro cents
European Union Member
Schengen Agreement Member
Time zone GMT+1
Electricity 220 volts, 50 Hz. See chapter 11.


General open hours, often longer in major cities  
Restaurants 1200-1430, 1900-2300
Banks 0900-1200, 1300-1630 M-F
Post offices 0800-1200, 1400-1830 M-F
Stores 0930-1200, 1430-1900 M-S
City tourist offices 0900-1200, 1400-1730 M-S


Date Holiday Jour de Fête
Jan 1 New Year's Day Nouvel An
  Good Friday Vendredi saint
  Easter Monday Lundi de pâques
May 1 Labor Day Fête du travail
  Ascension Day Ascension
  Whit Monday Lundi de Pentecôte
Jul 14 Bastile Day Fête Nationale
Aug 15  Assumption Assomption
Nov 1  All Saints' Day Tousaint
Nov 11 Armistice Armistice
Dec 25 Christmas Noël


French Offices in the USA
Embassy
T: 202-944-6090    
F: 202-944-6167    
French Embassy
4101 Reservoir Road NW
Washington, DC 20007

Consulates

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco
Tourist Office
T: 212-757-1125
French National Tourist Office
444 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10020
  Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles


American Offices in France
Embassy
T:  (01) 43.12.22.22
F:  (01) 42.66.97.83
American Embassy
2 Avenue Gabriël 
75008 Paris

Consulates

Marseille: T: (04) 91.54.92.00
Strasbourg: T: (03) 88.35.31.04

American Presence Posts (APP)

Bordeaux: T: (050) 56.48.63.80
Lille: T: (03) 28.04.25.00
Lyon: T: (04) 78.38.36.88
Rennes: T: (02) 23.44.09.60
Toulouse: T: (05) 34.41.36.50

USA is known as: les États-Unis


NOTE TO READERS

I welcome questions and comments. If you have any concerns about your trip to France that have not been covered well enough in this chapter do not hesitate to write and ask.

My email address is johnbermont@enjoy-europe.com.

When you write please include as much detail as possible. I will reply in a day or two.

Don't forget to scroll through the Table of Contents below. All 30 chapters of HOW TO EUROPE are available, free to read on line. In addition, the Google search box below can locate specific subjects in any chapter or page on site.

For a check-off punchlist of everything go to The Finale, Packing List and Last Call: What You Need to Travel in Europe, All in One Place.

If you know of someone else who would appreciate reading this web page please send the URL link to him or her. To easily do that, click your "File" tab in the tool bar and scroll down to "Send" or "Send Link." Your friend will thank you, and I thank you.

Recommended books for further information:

There must be a thousand books on France. Michelin Red and Green guides are my favorites but there are many other good ones. In addition to the travel practicalities of guide books, maps, and dictionaries, I've added a few books to help give you a sense of life in France as experienced by un étranger, and a couple books on wine, of course. France features highly in music and movies so a few of my favorites are listed.

The books that you see listed here are those that I have personally used and am satisfied with, and/or are from publishers whose other travel books are reliable. I am a consumer when it comes to travel guides, and a critical one. Notice that I do not recommend any Frommers, Dummies, Steves, or other inferior guides. For some of the reasons please go to the hoi polloi.

As one example of a substandard guide, I have a 400+ page book titled Rick Steves' France, Belgium, & The Netherlands which has not a single mention of Marseille, Dijon, or Aix-en-Provence. That's like leaving Chicago, New Orleans, and Newport Beach out of a USA travel guide. But this "France" book did include enough pages to promote his whirlwind guided bus tours, videos, backpacks, sink stoppers, and Steves' other branded products. A page of sophomoric French phrases plus sort-of maps cap off the disaster. Steves is strong on self promotion but weak on meaningful content.

For the good stuff, the links below take you directly to a page at Amazon.com. That page details the guide book, map, or dictionary. In many cases the Amazon.com listing includes readers'comments and sample pages from the book. You then have the opportunity to add the book to your shopping cart and buy it. I buy virtually all of my books at Amazon.com and have had excellent service for years.

Also listed is a pair of my favorite authors, a couple of books on my favorite beverage, and a few of my favorite DVD movies set in France. These are American version.

Amazon.com pays a small commission to Enjoy-Europe.com when you click a title here and then order the book, if you buy it within 24 hours. You benefit when buying here because Amazon.com has a 20% to 30% discount on many items plus a free shipping deal. You win we win. Thanks for your support!

Note: emphasis in the titles is mine -- to help you in finding the information you need. Don't worry too much about publication dates. Many books are updated every three to six years. The monuments and cathedrals haven't moved in 500 years!
Guides
  Michelin Red Guide 2010 France
  Michelin Red Guide 2010 Paris: Restaurants & Hotels
  Michelin Green Guide France
  Paris (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
  Provence and Cote D'Azur (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
  Lonely Planet France
  National Geographic Traveler: France, 2d Ed.
  Lonely Planet Paris
  National Geographic Traveler: Paris, 2d Ed.
  Paris For Kids
  Michelin Green Guide Chateaux of the Loire
  Michelin Green Guide French Riviera
  Fodor's Provence and Cote d'Azure
  Michelin Green Guide Provence
  Michelin the Green Guide Burgundy Jura
  Drive Around Burgundy & the Rhone Valley (Thomas Cook)
  Michelin Green Guide Normandy
  Michelin Green Guide French Alps
  Loire Valley (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
  Lonely Planet Cycling France

Maps
  Michelin France Tourist & Motoring Atlas
  Michelin Paris Street Map
  Streetwise Paris
  Lonely Planet Paris City Map
  Michelin Bourgogne France
  Michelin Paris Pocket Atlas Map 16
  Michelin Loire Valley Map 232
  Michelin Cote d'Azure Map 245
  Eyewitness Paris City Map
  Michelin Battle of Normandy Map 102

Words
  Lonely Planet French Phrasebook and Audio CD
  Larousse Concise French/English-English/French Dictionary
  Berlitz French Phrase Book & Dictionary
  Oxford-Hachette French-English/English-French Dictionary
  Collins Gem French Dictionary
  Fodor's French for Travelers

The beauty of it all
     Ernest Hemingway
             A Moveable Feast
     Peter Mayle
             A Year in Provence
             Toujours Provence
             French Lessons: Adventures with Knife, Fork, and Corkscrew

A glass of wine, or two
  The Red Wines of France
  Michelin Green Guide The Wine Regions Of France

Movies on DVD
  The Day of the Jackal
  A Man and a Woman
  Jean De Florette / Manon of the Spring (two movies)
  French Kiss
  Patton
  The Longest Day
  Band of Brothers
  The Da Vinci Code
  A Good Year

A song or two before you go . . .
  The Voice of the Sparrow: The Very Best of Edith Piaf

Web site links
  Paris by Train. Schedules, Maps & Passes on Paris Trains, RER, & Metro.
 
 
http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/StPlacideMetroEntrance.jpg
A typical street scene in Paris — Metro entrance, post box, map, bakery, police, scarves.

http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/StPlacideMetroEntrance.jpg The Tour Eiffel in blue.
Travelers' Supplies
Shopping easy at

You will need one or more of these plug adapters for your appliances and chargers.
Electrical Plug Adapter USA to Continental Europe
Plug Adapter
USA to Continental Europe
by Samsonite


SIMRAN PLUG ADAPTER - CONVERTS GROUNDED USA PLUGS TO EUROPE PLUG-GERMAN SHUCKO PLUG (VP 11W)
SIMRAN PLUG ADAPTER
Converts grounded USA plugs to European plug


This is a universal plug adapter for the UK and Ireland.
Samsonite Grounded Adaptor Plug - United Kingdom, Ireland
Samsonite Grounded Adaptor Plug - United Kingdom, Ireland



Grounded Transformer
USA to Continental Europe
50 Watts, 220v to 110v


For charging the batteries of more than one gizmo at a time use this 250 volt universal power strip. It comes with a grounded Continental plug so it does not need an adapter plug for Europe. See the next item if you are going to the British Isles.
Universal Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip for AC 220V/240V Countries. Max Load 13A 250V 50/60HZ - 450 Joules. CE Certified
Surge Protector
Power Strip
6 Universal Outlets
220/240 Volt 50/60Hz



The Stormbreaker
by Turfer Sport


Womens's Light Weight Endurance Jacket
Womens's Light Weight Endurance Jacket


Make sure that your electrical appliances are dual voltage so they will work in Europe.
Conair's Dual-Voltage Ionic Hair Dryer
Vagabond Compact Styler
Conair's Dual-Voltage Ionic Hair Dryer


Save money on auto, SUV, and RV rentals.



Who wrote this?

Home and general index.
Table of Contents
HOW TO EUROPE
The Complete Travelers Handbook

All of the text, updated to May 2010, is available on line, FREE. Updated photographs with captions are available on line for those chapters as noted "with illustrations."
The entire book, copyright 2003, can be purchased by clicking Amazon.com.
Chapter 1, with illustrations.
What's It All About?
In Europe, Travel Like a Native


Chapter 2
On Budget in Europe
Travel Costs


Chapter 3
Passport and Visas for Europe
Identity and Travel Documents


Chapter 4
Flying to Europe
Travel Starts at the Airport


Chapter 5
What to Wear in Europe
Travel Clothes for all Occasions


Chapter 6
Your Packing List for Europe
A Short List of Travel Accessories


Chapter 7
Luggage for Europe
Travel Light, Travel Light, Travel Light


Chapter 8
Cash, ATMs, Credit Cards, Personal Checks
Travel with Each in Europe


Chapter 9
Your Travel Diary of Europe
Notes Supplement Your Photos


Chapter 10
Guide Books, Maps, Dictionaries
Travel in Europe with a Good Guide Book


Chapter 11
Electricity in Europe
Travel Voltage Fundamentals


Chapter 12, with illustrations.
Photography in Europe
Travel with Your Camera


Chapter 13
Bring a Smile
Travel Europe in Good Attitude


Chapter 14
European Hotels, Hostels, B&Bs, Private Homes
Sleep Options for Travel in Europe


Chapter 15
Eating Your Way through Europe
Travel on Your Belly


Chapter 16
Getting Around Town in Europe
Travel by Bus, Streetcar, Subway, Taxi, Bike, and Shoe


Chapter 17, part 1,
with illustrations.
Trains in Europe
Travel Europe by Train, Bus, and Ferry


Chapter 17, part 2,
with illustrations.
Trains in Europe
European rail details


Chapter 17, part 3,
with illustrations.
Night Trains in Europe
Travel Europe by Train, Bus, and Ferry


Chapter 17, part 4,
with illustrations.
European Bus and Ship Services
Travel Europe by Train, Bus, and Ferry


Chapter 18
Driving in Europe
Travel by Car, Van, or Motorcycle


Chapter 19, part 1
Telephoning to, from, and within Europe
Codes, 10-10, telephone cards, cellular phones, PTT


Chapter 19, part 2
Sending Mail to & from Europe
Air Mail, Priority, PTT, Poste Restante, Amex


Chapter 19, part 3
Internet and Email in Europe
Cyber Cafes, Keyboards, Password, Your Laptop


Chapter 19, part 4
Telegrams
Wiring Cash and Keeping in Touch


Chapter 20
Health and Safety in Europe
Travel in Confidence but with Caution


Chapter 21
Working in Europe
Travel for Free


Chapter 22, part 1
Moving to Europe
Travel to the Max as an Expatriate


Chapter 22, part 2
Living in Europe
Travel to the Max as an Expatriate


Chapter 23, with illustrations.
Shopping in Europe
Buy Your Souvenirs, Gifts, and Necessities


Chapter 24
Shipping Your Treasures Home from Europe
Travelers Have a Number of Options


Chapter 25
Passing Customs in Europe
Know the Rules When Crossing Borders


Chapter 26
Languages, Numbers, Alphabets
Encounter The Tower of Babel in Europe


Chapter 27
The Metric System in Europe
Traveling with Grams, Meters, Liters, and Celsius


Chapter 28
Time and Dates in Europe
Travel in a Different Time Zone


Chapter 29
The Weather in Europe
Travel with Your Umbrella


Chapter 30
Melding with Europe
Travel Is Interesting and Entertaining




The Finale
Packing List and Last Call
What You Need to Travel in Europe,
All in One Place
Learn the basic infrastructure:

Prime Travel Data
Elementary Travel Information for Europe
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland

France
Germany
Greece
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom

Utilize John Bermont's exclusive:

TRAVELERS YELLOW PAGES
A Directory of Links to Products, Services, and Information
Airlines to Europe
National Tourist Offices
City Tourist Offices
City Information and Tours
Country Information and Tours
Luggage and Backpacks
Discount Air Travel
Villas and Homes for Rent
Hostels in Europe
Hotels in Europe
Auto Rental in Europe
Rail Services of Europe
Eclectic Travel Sites
Internet Search Engines
Photography
Guide Books for Europe
Educational Programs
Newsletters from Europe
Personal Travel Pages
Personal Trip Planning

Get open hours, costs, locations, and more:

Travelers Portfolio
Essential Visitors Information for the Top Sights of Europe
       Amsterdam       
Anne Frank Huis
Rijksmuseum
Van Gogh Museum
       London       
British Museum
Buckingham Palace
National Gallery
Natural History Museum
Palace of Westminster
St. Paul's Cathedral
Tower of London
Westminster Abbey
       Paris coming soon       
Arc de Triomphe
Tour Eiffel
Hôtel des Invalides
Musée de l'Armée
Opera
Montmarte
Cathédrale Notre Dame
Musée d'Orsay
Musée du Louvre

Exchange rates, weather, maps:

Up-To-The-Minute
Be informed before you go.
       Money Exchange
Currency exchange rates, including the euro, British pound, Swiss Frank.
       Weather in Europe
Current European weather conditions and forecasts. Good luck.
    Maps and Time Zones
Free online maps of Europe. Guide to setting your watch ahead.

Captioned photos from Europe

PhotoLog
Pictures of what we do in Europe.
       Queen's Day
Holland hosts a great one-day party, annually on April 30. Here is the action in Haarlem and Amsterdam.
       Keukenhof
A beautiful huge tulip garden blooms during middle spring. We made a leisurely bike ride from Haarlem.
       Bull Flight
My daughter Stephanie enters the ring and encounters a baby bull in Spain, then flies for her life!

Didn't find what you need yet?
Google It !!
 

Copyright
Internet edition
© 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001 James J. Broad
© 1987, 1986, 1984, 1982 Murphy & Broad Publishing Co.
All rights reserved. Tous droits réservés.
This is copyrighted material. Do not reproduce, copy, plagiarize, store, modify, extract,
transmit, or purloin any part of this publication in any nation in any form or by any means
or for any purpose whatsoever without permission in writing.

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Travelers:
You may print one copy of this chapter for your personal use. To order the complete book with all of the captioned photographs see the next section below.

Permissions:
If you want to copy any of this material to your web site, book, article, or term paper please ask first. Note that plagiarism includes paraphrasing text and even copying ideas. Everything on this page is original. Students, professors, journalists, and writers are outed almost every day, caught stealing the works of others and presenting it as their own work. Then they make excuses when caught. Then they are thrown out of school or fired, or they run for Vice President when they get away with it. At least one other travel writer has plagiarized heavily from my work, claiming and getting credit for writing a few dozen books every year. Some of his books have included my work for years on end, without credit. For honorable people, permissions are freely granted so you don't need to cheat, steal, and lie. Just say where you found the information and ideas. For permissions contact: publisher@enjoy-europe.com.

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No personal information is collected when you visit this site. To read the complete privacy policy go to Privacy Policy.

Site Map:
To see everything on this site in one compact listing go to Site Map


Buy it here:

The original
do-it-yourself
travel guide to
Europe.
SM


470 pages
7" x 10" softcover
345 b/w photos
Last Call checklists
and detailed index
© 2003
ISBN 0-940792-69-9
$28.50


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HOW TO EUROPE
The Complete Travelers Handbook
2010 — Our 28th Anniversary!


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FLAGS of EUROPE

Flag of Austria
Austria
Flag of Belgium
Belgium
Flag of Czech Republic
Czech Republic
Denmark flag Denmark
Flag of Estonia
Estonia
Flag of Finland
Finland
Flag of France
France
Flag of Germany
Germany
Flag of Greece
Greece
Flag of Hungary
Hungary
Flag of Iceland
Iceland
Flag of Ireland
Ireland
Flag of Italy
Italy
Flag of Latvia
Latvia
Flag of Lithuania
Lithuania
Flag of Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Flag of Monaco
Monaco
Flag of the Netherlands
Netherlands
Flag of Norway
Norway
Flag of Poland
Poland
Flag of Romania
Romania
Flag of Russia
Russia
Flag of Sweden
Sweden
Flag of Switzerland
Switzerland
Flag of Turkey
Turkey
Flag of Ukraine
Ukraine


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Prime travel data for independent
budget travel in France.