Welcome to France 😊

Quick Facts About France

Money and Finances

The currency in France is the euro (EUR), which is divided into cents. Coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents, as well as 1 and 2 euro coins. Notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros.

ATM Network

ATMs are widely available throughout France, including in both urban and rural areas.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are widely accepted throughout France, especially Visa and Mastercard. American Express is less commonly accepted, but still offered at many major establishments. Overall, credit cards are easily usable for most transactions.

Internet and Phones

France has a good internet infrastructure with an average download speed of 33 Mbps and an average upload speed of 14 Mbps. There is no government interference with internet use in the country.

Phone Plans and SIM Cards

France has several telco companies, including Orange, Free, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom. The average cost of a mobile phone plan is around 20 euros per month. There are no sim compatibility issues in France.

Dialling to France

To call France from another country, dial the international code (usually + or 00) followed by 33, the country code for France. When dialling within the country, use the area code followed by the local number.

Transport Around France

Air Travel

France has many major airports, including Charles de Gaulle airport and Orly airport in Paris, as well as Nice Côte d'Azur airport and Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport. The country also has regional airports throughout the country.

Train Travel

France has a well-developed inter-city train network, known as the TGV, with frequent and fast services between major cities. Journey times between Paris and Lyon, for example, take just 2 hours. Ticket prices start around 25 euros.

Metro / Local Trains

Many of France's major cities, including Paris, have local train systems known as metros. These are efficient and cheap ways to get around the city.

Buses

France has an extensive bus network, with many routes connecting smaller towns and villages. Ticket prices vary depending on the distance of the journey, but a typical one-way fare is around 10 euros.

Rideshare

France has several rideshare companies, including BlaBlaCar and Uber. Prices vary depending on the journey, but a typical ride from Paris to Lyon costs around 50 euros.

Driving by Car

Driving in France is relatively easy, with well-maintained roads and clear signage. The speed limit on French motorways is 130 km/h, and in built-up areas it is usually 50 km/h. France drives on the right-hand side of the road.

Local Customs

In France, it is common to greet people with a kiss on the cheek, even if you are meeting them for the first time. Tipping is not expected, as service charge is usually already included in the bill. When speaking with strangers, it is polite to address them with their formal title (Monsieur/Madame) until they invite you to use their first name. Men and women address each other using formal titles in professional settings, but informally outside of work. Bowing is not a common custom in France.

Health and Diseases

Medical System

France has a universal healthcare system called Assurance Maladie, where all residents are required to have health insurance. The costs for visiting a doctor are usually around €25-50. Private healthcare is also available, but can be expensive.

COVID Situation

France has experienced a high number of COVID-19 cases and deaths. The government has implemented measures such as lockdowns, mandatory masks in public places, and social distancing rules to control the spread of the virus. As of now, the vaccination campaign is ongoing and the rates of coronavirus have been decreasing.

Common Health Risks

Some common health risks in France include food poisoning and tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease. Visitors should also be aware of the risk of air pollution and the impact it could have on their health, especially in urban areas.

Laws and Regulations

Alcohol Consumption

In France, the legal age for buying and consuming alcohol is 18 years old. However, it is common for parents to allow their children to drink a small amount of alcohol with meals from a younger age. It is illegal to drink alcohol in public places, and driving under the influence of alcohol is strictly prohibited.

Recreational Drugs

Recreational drug use is illegal in France, even for soft drugs such as cannabis. Possession or consumption of drugs can result in heavy fines and imprisonment. Selling drugs is prosecuted and penalized severely.

Pre-Marital Relationships

There are no specific laws affecting pre-marital relationships in France, and sexual relationships between consenting adults are legal and accepted.

LGBTQ and Same-Sex

France legalized same-sex marriage in 2013, and the law also recognizes LGBTQ parenting. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is strictly prohibited. French law also allows transgender people to change their legal gender without undergoing surgery.

Firearms / Guns

Gun ownership is strictly regulated in France, and only certain types of guns are allowed. Applicants for gun ownership must pass a background check, undergo a medical examination, and complete a mandatory training program. The use of firearms is restricted to certain circumstances, such as hunting or sport shooting, and carrying a gun in public places is illegal.