France




PRACTICALITIES



Currency

euro (EUR)


Official languages

French


Time

GMT+1


Calling code

+33


Area codes

Paris: 1, Lyon: 4, Nicea: 4, Marsylia: 4, Lille: 3, Bordeaux: 5


Internet TLD

.fr


Shopping

Generally shops are open from 9am to 6pm or 7pm (1-hour lunch break between 12:00pm and 2:00pm).


National holidays

New Year’s Day   January 1
Epiphany   January 6
Easter   movable feast
Labour Day   May 1
Corpus Christi   movable feast
Day of Antifascist Resistance   June 22
Statehood Day   June 25
Victory Day   August 5
National Thanksgiving Day   August 5
Feast of Assumption   August 15
Independence Day   October 8
All Saint’s Day   November 1
Christmas   December 25 & 26



National dish


Ragoût – main-dish stew, usually prepared with meat, vegetables and herbs
Tarte – type of pie with fruit or vegetables
Vol-au-vent – type of pastry with meat or mushroom filling
Flamique à porions – leek quiche
Pâté de canard – paté of duck liver
Boeuf bourguignon – beef stew in red wine
Bouillabaisse – traditional fish soup
Ratatouille – stewed vegetable dish
Soupe au pistou – hearty vegetable summer soup


Electricity

France’s electricity runs on 230V/50Hz.


Passport/Visa

Every EU citizen is entitled to travel freely around the EU countries with the National Identirty Card. No special formalities are required to enter France by an EU citizen.


Useful numbers

Ambulance (SAMU): 15
Fire Brigade: 18
Police: 17
SOS Medicins: 11