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Traveling in a foreign country can sometimes be challenging. We hope these tips will make your travel experience a little easier.
We invite our France: Homestyle clients to contact us with personal tips or useful suggestions for our website.
Want the insiders' scoop on the best places to shop in Paris? Savvy shopper Susan Spano describes her favorite Parisian stores: "A Parisian Present—Pour Moi?"
Before you leave, read a French native's recommendations for car rentals, road signs, road maps, and other driving tips: "Driving in France"
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The Euro
The euro began circulation on January 1, 2002. There are 15 countries that have adopted the euro: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.
Credit/Debit cards vs Travelers Checks
Every business in France seems to accept credit and debit cards as payment. They are more convenient than travelers checks or cash. In general, using a debit card to get cash from an ATM machine is cheaper than getting it from travelers checks, as well as much faster, and is usually cheaper than putting small cash transactions on your credit card. Savvy travelers bring more than one major credit card, each from a different bank, because sometimes an approval for a purchase by credit card will be inexplicably denied, while a credit card from another bank is accepted for the same transaction. Do not forget to notify your issuing bank before your departure that you will be traveling in Europe. Check with them regarding whether your card will be subject to daily withdrawal restrictions while abroad.
You can use the local ATM for cash, "un distributeur". You will find them outside most banks and post offices. Check with your issuing bank before you leave to see if there is an extra charge for overseas withdrawals; mostly likely there will be a small one so you might choose to withdraw larger amounts less frequently and keep it stashed at your rental property or well concealed in a small money belt under your clothing.
If you don't want to use credit, a debit card with a major credit card logo will work just as well. (Be sure to remember your PIN!)
French credit cards use a microchip. If the merchant refuses your card or seems to have trouble, ask them to swipe your card, or point out the magnetic stripe and indicate that you will have to sign for the charge. "Avec cette carte, je dois signer". Or: "C'est une carte étrangère, il faut une signature".
Most credit card companies such as Visa and Mastercard charge a standard 1% foreign currency conversion fee for cash withdrawals and transactions. Bank and credit card issuers will often add their own unspecified percentage to that 1% , typically around 2%. Be aware that they may not cite their rate on your credit card bill. In order to avoid unpleasant surprises, please contact your credit card company ahead of time to know what currency conversion charges they add, and for which types of transactions.
Of course it is still a good idea to have some cash in the local currency.
Credit card use on freeways and highways
Until quite recently, it was easy to use a card on freeways at tollbooths. You simply had your card ready when you approached a 'Gare de Péage' or simply 'Péage'. At Péages, you didn't have to sign. We have heard from readers, however, that credit cards from foreign countries may be rejected by some French tollway machines. According to one reader, "I drove from Calais to Reims with no problem, but Reims-Besancon was a mess as the machine would not accept any VISA cards from Australian or US banks that I offered it. The agent at the next tollbay could not get any of them to work either. There was a little printed sign on his window (that he was unaware of) stating that some foreign cards were not accepted." Although your card may be accepted at some tollbooths, be prepared to pay for tollways with cash.
When you buy gas, you may be unable to use a foreign card at the pump. Then you will go to the counter and sign the slip the clerk will give you.
Toll booths
Get into any lane at toll stations except those in orange marked "télépéage". They are for daily commuters using a prepaid monthly card. There are a lot more ordinary lanes for everyone else than for commuters. The other lanes take cards or cash.
Driving Tips
At an intersection, always give priority to the car on your right unless otherwise indicated. This basic rule applies in the USA but is strict on French roadways. It is the one rule French people observe consistently, perhaps because there are fewer Stop signs, and Four Way stops do not exist there.
Another basic rule, stay in the right lane on freeways except to pass. If you see an impatient driver in your rear view mirror, don't worry, just maintain your driving speed and let them overtake when it's safe. Don't take it personally, they have no idea you are American.
Road Signs for France
Driving Tips for France
Paris
Wondering what to do and see in Paris? Here are websites to help you plan.
Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau.
City of Paris.
Discover Paris - Travel plans specifically tailored to your desires.
Paris Sweet Paris - English-speaking guided tours of Paris neighborhoods, historical districts, museums and gastronomical walks, by gourmet licensed guides.
Regional Information, and things to do
Provence Web - Explore the many exciting options for a vacation in Provence. This site offers a wealth of information and has an English option.
The Languedoc Page - A comprehensive guide to visiting and living in Languedoc, France.
Rick Steves - Rick Steves Planning tips to help maximize your time and money spent in Europe.
Institut de Francais - Learn to speak French with an immersion program at the famous Institute de Francais, located in a luxurious Provençal villa, two miles from Nice and only a short drive to Cannes and Monte-Carlo.
Chef Yvan Gilardi - In the Saint Rémy de Provence area, the well-respected chef Yvan Gilardi at your service - ready to come to your vacation home and cook for you!
DomResto - La cuisine à domicile - Professional chefs available to come to your vacation rental, throughout Metropolitan France.
Chef Service - The savoir-faire of a French chef at your table; chefs available throughout France.
History
Leonard de Vinci (French) - a short biography of the famous Renaissance artist.
Leonard de Vinci (English)
Insurance
CSA Travel Protection - Insure your vacation against cancellations, delays, lost luggage, etc.
Maps and Directions
ViaMichelin - Maps and directions to help you choose the best itinerary by car in Europe.
Airport Transportation
Paris Airport Service - Airport shuttle service takes you straight from the airport to the front door of your France: Homestyle accomodation. A very affordable alternative to taking a Taxi.
RATP - Get around town like a true Parisian using the bus, Metro/RER (subway system). Includes maps, timetables and fares
Car rentals
Travel tip: Car rental upgrades may not be a good idea. The vehicle will be of larger proportions and harder to negotiate through some of the tiny roads and parking spaces you are likely to come across. Many French families travel in vans but they are familiar with their itineraries.
France Car Hire - Do you need a car for just a couple of days or weeks? Want to pick up at one location and drop off at another?
Car Repurchase Program
Auto France - Want a brand new car to drive in France? This is the service that we use because they are quick, flexible, efficient and more affordable than car rentals for longer stays (17 days minimum).
Public Transportation in Paris
RATP - Get around town like a true Parisian using the bus, Metro/ RER (subway system). Includes maps, timetables and fares.
Rail in France and Europe
Travel by train is one of the most popular and efficient ways to get around Europe. The Paris/Nice route only takes five and a half hours by TGV (Train a Grande Vitesse; which means "High Speed Train"). Travel Times by TGV:
- Paris - Lyon: 2 hours.
- Paris - Avignon: 3 hours
- Paris - Marseille: 4 hours 30 minutes.
- Paris - Nice: 5 hours 30 minutes
Rail Europe - Eurorail and Eurail passes, Single or double country passes, Eurostar tickets and point-to-point tickets can all be reserved and purchased on the Rail Europe site. Full fares and schedules are also available.
SNCF - timetables and itineraries for train travel in France and Europe. However, you may only purchase tickets from this site if you are a resident of Europe. American travellers must use the Rail Europe site to book and purchase tickets.
Die Bahn - This is a German site that lists all the departure and arrival times of trains between any two points (click on the timetable on the left side of the screen). Print out the schedule before you go.
Taxi
Michel Jouclas, our favorite Parisian Taxi driver will be waiting when you arrive at the airport. Can take up to eight passengers. We will make the arrangements (or send him e-mail directly, as long as you can write it in French).
Email : Michel Jouclas
Website : http://www.jouclas.com
Partner links
The French Bilingual Association - The French Bilingual Association of Seattle's Eastside is partnering with the Bellevue School District to offer bilingual education suited for middle school children with native or near-native abilities in French.
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