Weather
Temperate and continental climate in the north, Mediterranean in the south, mountains are cooler with heavy snows in the winter.
Time difference
GMT +1
Currency
Euro (€) = 100 cents.
Get foreign currency onlineFrance holidays
France people & place
France facts
Capital: Paris
Language: French.
People: French, North African, German, Breton.
Religion: Roman Catholic. Protestant, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist minorities.
Size (sq km): 543,965.
Population: 63,713,926.
Population density/sq km: 117.1.
France etiquette
Kissing both cheeks is the usual form of greeting. Mealtimes are often long and leisurely with many courses. Topless sunbathing is tolerated on most beaches but naturism is restricted to certain beaches - check with the local tourist office.
France shopping
Lace, crystal glass, cheese, coffee, wines, spirits, liqueurs, textiles. Hypermarkets sell everything - food, clothing, bikes, electrical goods, furniture.
France food & drink
France boasts one of the most varied and developed cuisines in the world. Haute-cuisine, bistro-fare and family cooking all rely on quality produce, and each region is proud of its own specialities. The country is famous for producing fine wine and over 365 different types of cheese.
France transport
International Airports in France
(And distances from the nearest city) Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) 23 km, Paris-Orly (ORY) 14 km, Bordeaux (BOD) 12 km, Lille (LIL) 12 km, Lyon (LYS) 25 km, Marseille (MRS) 30 km, Nice (NCE) 6 km, Strasbourg (SXB) 12 km, Toulouse (TLS) 8 km.
Internal travel in France
All domestic networks (air, rail and road) are efficient. TGV is the fastest train service. The Metro is the most efficient way of navigating Paris.
France red tape
France visas
(UK/US) None.
France vaccinations
Not currently required
France driving requirements
National driving licence acceptable. EU nationals taking their own car to France are strongly advised to obtain a Green Card.
France reps in UK/US
UK: 58 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7JT, tel (020) 7073 1000. US: 4101 Reservoir Road, NW, Washington, DC 20007, tel (202) 944 6195, fax (202) 944 6148, email info@consulfrance-washington.org.
UK/US reps in France
UK: BP111-08, 75363, Paris, Cedex 08, tel (1) 4451 3100, fax (1) 4451 3127, email webmaster.paris@fco.gov.uk. US: 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382, Paris Cedex 08, tel (1) 4312 2222, fax (1) 4266 9783.
France currency
Euro (€) = 100 cents.
France finance
Credit cards, traveller's cheques widely accepted.
France business hours
0900-1200, 1400-1800 Monday-Friday.
France safety & life expectancy
France safety information
Safe, apart from some separatist activity in Corsica and the Basque area.
France life expectancy
Life expectancy: M 75.96, F 83.42.
Useful websites for travel to France
www.ambafrance-uk.org, www.franceguide.com, http://www.amb-usa.fr/ www.tourisme.fr, www.aeroport.fr, www.ambafrance-uk.org/, www.info-france-usa.org/
Local media in France
International papers widely available. International Herald Tribune published from Paris.
France tourist boards
UK: Lincoln House, 300 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7JH, tel 09068 244 123, email info.uk@franceguide.com. US: 444 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10022, tel (212) 838 7800, fax (212) 838 7855, email info.us@franceguide.com.
View a map of the area below.
