France-Bed-and-Breakfast.com |
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France-Bed-and-Breakfast.com |
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General Information for France
Public Holidays - There are 11 public holidays in France. These are the 1st January, the 1st and 8th May, Easter Monday, Ascension day, Whit Monday, the 14th July, the 15th August, the 1st and 11th November and the 25th December. On these days government departments, banks, shops and companies close but many museums and restaurants remain open.
Weather forecasts - For uptodate weather www.meteo.fr/meteonet/
French Time - From the end of March until the end of October, French time goes from Greenwich Meridian Time plus one hour to Greenwich Meridian Time plus two hours. Summer Time starts on the last Sunday in March at 2 am when one hour is added to the current time. Summer Time ends on the last Sunday in October at 3 am when one hour is subtracted from the current time.
Roads - To find out about the road signs, click here. The legal driving age in France is 18 years. All passengers must wear seat-belts. All riders of scooters, mopeds and motorcycles must wear helmets.You are required to carry the vehicle's registration document and the current insurance certificate. A green card is not compulsory but remains internationally recognized and helpful. A sticker identifying country of origin is required. For more information consult the website www.ambafrance-us.org The road network is very well developed in France with nearly a million kilometres, of which almost 8,000 kilometres are motorways. There is usually a toll for motorways. To find out everything about motoways and their services, and for journey planning, consult the website www.autoroutes.fr
Speed Limits - In France are increasingly strictly enforced with heavy penalties for those who are caught in contravention. Speed limits are as follows: Motorways: 130kph. Dual Carriageways: 111kph. Other roads: 80kph. Speed limits in towns and villages is 50kph unless otherwise stated.
Eurotunnel - Eurotunnel's car carrying service runs via the Channel Tunnel from Folkestone to Calais/Coquelles. Taking as little as 35 minutes platform to platform, it is a fast, if more expensive way to travel France. The service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with up to 4 departures an hour at peak periods. Consult the website www.eurotunnel.com or phone 08705 35 35 35.
Journey Planning - There are numerous guides and road maps available. Try www.viamichelin.com or www.mappy.fr Peak times traffic periods are 7.30 to 9.00am and 5.30 to 7.30pm. Some problems can also be found at "sensitive" places at the start of holiday periods particularly at the end of July and the beginning of August and at the end of the summer break.
Traffic Conditions - To find out about tfaffic conditions visit: www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr or tune your car radio to the Autoroute FM radio station on frequency 107.7.
Parking - Authorized parking spaces are shown by road markings in the form of white dotted lines. Bus lanes are reserved exclusively for buses, taxis and bicycles. Remember that you can only park on white spaces; those marked "payant" are pay-for-parking spaces and unmarked spaces are free. Yellow markings indicate spaces reserved for utility vehicles and other markings (GIC-GIG) for people with the relevant card. Dotted yellow lines on the edge of a pavement indicate that brief stops are authorized (for dropping off passengers). Many parking spaces in major cities are regulated by parking meters that can be found along the edge of pavements. Your ticket must be displayed clearly inside your car.
Types Of Roads - Autoroutes (marked with an A on maps). Routes Nationales - marked with an N on maps National motorways for which there are no tolls, often with several lanes. Routes Departementales - marked with an D on maps. These are minor country roads..
Autoroute tolls - Cash and all major credit cards are accepted.
Rail - The rail system in France is operated by SNCF. For information on train services visit www.sncf.fr
Eurostar - Details of the services on www.eurostar.com
Ferries - There are many connections to France by sea. The main cross channel companies and crossing routes are: P & O www.poferries.com Portsmouth – Le Havre
Dover – Calais
Portsmouth – Caen Weymouth - Jersey Hoverspeed www.hoverspeed.co.uk Dover - Calais
Dover - Dunkerque SpeedFerries www.speedferries.com Dover – Boulogne
Airlines - flying to France. Ryanair - www.ryanair.com Easyjet.com - www.easyjet.com British Airways - www.ba.com Air France - airfrance.com
Culture and the Arts - Information on festivals in France - www.festivalissimo.com Information on cultural events - www.web.culture.fr
Currency - For exchange rate calculations visit www.xe.com
Health - No vaccinations of any kind are required by visitors to France. All EU citizens are entitled to the same access to health services as French nationals provided the correct documentation is provided. UK citizens require the form E111 available from post offices in Britain. Non EU citizens are required to pay for medical services.
Disclaimer - the information given above is provided in good faith but should be used as a guide only. We cannot accept liability for any inaccuracies or any consequences arising from these inaccuracies.
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