Costs
France can be one of the more expensive European countries to visit, but how much a visit will cost depends on where in the country you go and when. Much of France is little or no more expensive than its Eurozone neighbours, with reasonably priced accommodation and restaurant food. But in prime tourist spots hotel prices can go up by a third during July and August, and places like Paris and the Côte d’Azur are always more expensive than other regions. If you’re visiting a chic tourist hotspot like St Tropez, be prepared for a wallet-bashing.
For a reasonably comfortable existence – staying in hotels, eating lunch and dinner in restaurants, plus moving around, café stops and museum visits – you need to allow a budget of around €120 (£100/$155) a day per person, assuming two people sharing a mid-range room. By counting the pennies – staying at youth hostels or camping and being strong-willed about extra cups of coffee and doses of culture – you could probably manage on €75 (£55/$85) a day.
Admission charges
Admissions to museums and monuments can also eat into your budget, though many state-owned museums have one day of the month when they’re free or half-price. Reductions are often available for those under 18 (for which you’ll need your passport as proof of age) and for students under 26, while many are free for children under 12, and almost always for kids under 4. Several towns and regions offer multi-entry tickets covering a number of sights.
Discount cards
Once obtained, various official and quasi-official youth/student ID cards soon pay for themselves in savings. Full-time students are eligible for the International Student ID Card (ISIC) which entitles you to special air, rail and bus fares and discounts at museums and for certain services. You have to be 25 or younger to qualify for the International Youth Travel Card (IYTC), while teachers are eligible for the International Teacher Card (ITIC). A university photo ID might open some doors, but is not always as easily recognizable as the above cards.
Some cities issue their own discount cards, offering free or reduced price entry to museums or on public transport. These are mentioned in the relevant sections of the book.
Crime and personal safety
Theft and assault
While violent crime involving tourists is rare in France, petty theft is not uncommon in all the big cities, on beaches and at major tourist sights. In Paris, be especially wary of pickpockets at train stations and on the métro and RER lines; RER line B, serving Charles de Gaulle airport and Gare du Nord, has recently been the scene of several serious assaults. There has also been a spate of violent express kidnappings around the Channel ports in the early hours, often involving armed Eastern European gangs in British-registered vehicles and targeting lone drivers outside all-night stores or filling stations. Another recent trend, particularly in the south, is the targeting at night of foreign drivers on unlit sections of autoroute by fake police equipped with uniforms and flashing blue lights. Having stopped the drivers for some “offence”, they make off with their documentation and a considerable “fine”. Violence has sometimes been involved.
It obviously makes sense to take the normal precautions: don’t flash wads of notes around; carry your bag or wallet securely and be especially careful in crowds; never leave valuables lying in view; and park your car overnight in a monitored parking garage or, at the very least, on a busy and well-lit street. Be wary of unmanned aires (rest areas) on the autoroute at night. It’s also wise to keep a separate record of cheque and credit card numbers and the phone numbers for cancelling them. Finally, make sure you have a good insurance policy.
To report a theft, go to the local gendarmerie or Commissariat de Police (addresses are given in accounts for major cities). Remember to take your passport, and vehicle documents if relevant. The duty officer will usually find someone who speaks English if they don’t themselves.
Drugs
Drug use is just as prevalent in France as anywhere else in Europe – and penalties for use remain harsh by European standards, despite public agitation for a softening of the law. The authorities make no distinction between soft and hard drugs. People caught smuggling or possessing drugs, even just a few grams of marijuana, are liable to find themselves in jail. Should you be arrested on any charge, you have the right to contact your consulate, though don’t expect much sympathy.
Racism
Though the self-proclaimed home of “liberté, égalité, fraternité”, France has an unfortunate reputation for racism. The majority of racist incidents are focused against the Arab community, although black and Asian visitors may also encounter an unwelcome degree of curiosity or suspicion from shopkeepers, hoteliers and the like. Anti-semitic violence has had a high profile in France since the torture and murder of a young Jewish man, Ilan Halimi, in a Paris banlieue in 1996. An attack on a school in Toulouse in March 2012 left four dead and another in Villeurbanne saw young yarmulke-wearing Jews attacked with hammers. If you suffer a racial assault, contact the police, your consulate or one of the local anti-racism organizations (though they may not have English-speakers); SOS Racisme and Mouvement contre le Racisme et pour l’Amitié entre les Peuples (MRAP) have offices in most regions of France. Alternatively, you could contact the English-speaking helplineSOS Help (01 46 21 46 46, daily 3–11pm). The service is staffed by trained volunteers who not only provide a confidential listening service, but also offer practical information for foreigners facing problems in France.
Road safety
Pedestrians should take great care when crossing roads. Although the authorities are trying to improve matters, many French drivers pay little heed to pedestrian/zebra crossings. Never step out onto a crossing assuming that drivers will stop. Also be wary at traffic lights: check that cars are not still speeding towards you even when the green man is showing.
Electricity
Voltage is officially 230V, using plugs with two round pins. If you need an adapter, it’s best to buy one before leaving home, though you can find them in big department stores in France.
Entry requirements
Citizens of EU countries can enter France freely on a valid passport or national identity card, while those from many non-EU countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States, among others, do not need a visa for a stay of up to ninety days. South African citizens require a short-stay visa for up to ninety days, which should be applied for in advance and costs €60.
All non-EU citizens who wish to remain longer than ninety days must apply for a long-stay visa (€99), for which you’ll have to show proof of – among other things – a regular income or sufficient funds to support yourself and medical insurance. Be aware, however, that the situation can change and it’s advisable to check with your nearest French embassy or consulate before departure. For further information about visa regulations consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: diplomatie.gouv.fr.
Rough Guides tip: Find out which season works best for you in our guide to the best time to travel in France and explore our French itineraries for inspiration.