Blog Posts
France: Hautes de France – Chateau de Chantilly
France: Hauts de France – Amiens cathedral
France: Paris – A guide to visiting Paris
France: Paris – Château de Fontainebleau
France: Paris – Père Lachaise cemetery
France: Paris – Palais Garnier, Opera House
France: Paris – The dome of the Galleries Lafayette
France: Paris – The Louvre Museum
France: Paris – Sacré-Cœur & the Monmartre
France: Maison la Roche – Le Corbusier
France: Paris – Statue of Liberty
France: Paris – Palace of Versailles
France: Paris – Musee D’Orsay
France: Paris – the banks of the Seine
France: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur – Eze
France: Occitanie – Carcassonne
- Capital: Paris
- Area: 643,801 sq km
- Population: 67.8 million
- Language: French
Regions
| Auvergne – Rhône-Alpes | Brittany | Bourgogne – Franche-Comté |
| Corsica | Centre – Val de Loire | Grand-Est |
| Hauts de France | Île de France | Nouvelle Aquitaine |
| Normandie | Occitanie | Pays de la Loire |
| Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur |
Cities
| Paris | Nice | Lyon | Marseille | Burgundy | Strasbourg |
France, officially the French Republic, is a country whose territory consists of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories. The metropolitan area of France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean. It is bordered by Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany to the northeast, Switzerland and Italy to the east, and Andorra and Spain to the south. The overseas territories include French Guiana in South America and several islands in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. France is a unitary semi-presidential republic with its capital in Paris, the country’s largest city and main cultural and commercial centre. Other major urban areas include Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Lille and Nice.
During the Iron Age, what is now metropolitan France was inhabited by the Gauls, a Celtic people. Rome annexed the area in 51 BC, holding it until the arrival of Germanic Franks in 476, who formed the Kingdom of Francia. The Treaty of Verdun of 843 partitioned Francia into East Francia, Middle Francia and West Francia. West Francia, which became the Kingdom of France in 987, emerged as a major European power in the Late Middle Ages, following its victory in the Hundred Years’ War (1337–1453). During the Renaissance, French culture flourished and a global colonial empire was established, which by the 20th century would become the second-largest in the world.
The 16th century was dominated by religious civil wars between Catholics and Protestants (Huguenots). France became Europe’s dominant cultural, political, and military power in the 17th century under Louis XIV.[12] In the late 18th century, the French Revolution overthrew the absolute monarchy, establishing one of modern history’s earliest republics and drafting the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which expresses the nation’s ideals to this day.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Currency & banking
Current exchange rate: $1USD = 0.92 Euro
On 1 January 2002, along with 11 other Member States of the European Union, France adopted the euro currency. These notes and coins can therefore be used in any country belonging to the euro zone: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.
- €1 is made up of 100 centimes or cents.
- Notes: €5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200.
- Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 centimes, as well as €1 and 2€.
Credit cards from major providers are accepted almost everywhere. That includes Visa and Mastercard as well as American Express and Diners Club.
Just be wary of the charges you might incur for using your credit card overseas. These can include:
- International transaction fees
- High exchange rate margins
- ATM fees
- Potential ‘cash advance fees if you use an ATM
Etiquette
- Conversation Use the formal vous when speaking to anyone unknown or older than you; the informal tu is reserved for close friends, family and children.
- Churches Dress modestly (cover shoulders).
- Drinks Asking for une carafe d’eau (free jug of tap water) in restaurants is acceptable. Never end a meal with a cappuccino or cup of tea. Play French and order un café (espresso).
- French kissing Exchange bisous (cheek-skimming kisses) – at least two, but in some parts of France it can be up to four – with casual acquaintances and friends.
Getting around
Air
France’s high-speed train network renders rail travel between some cities (eg from Paris to Lyon, Marseille and Bordeaux) faster and easier than flying.
Bicycle
France is great for cycling. Much of the countryside is drop-dead gorgeous and the country has a growing number of urban and rural pistes cyclables (bike paths and lanes; see Voies Vertes online at http://www.voievertes.com) and an extensive network of secondary and tertiary roads with relatively light traffic.
French law requires that bicycles must have two functioning brakes, a bell, a red reflector on the back and yellow reflectors on the pedals. After sunset and when visibility is poor, cyclists must turn on a white headlamp and a red tail lamp. When being overtaken by a vehicle, cyclists must ride in a single file. Towing children in a bike trailer is permitted.
Boat
There are boat services along France’s coasts and to its offshore islands, and ferries aplenty to/from Corsica.
Canal Boating
Transportation and tranquillity are usually mutually exclusive – but not if you rent a houseboat and cruise along France’s canals and navigable rivers, stopping at whim to pick up supplies, dine at a village restaurant or check out a local château by bicycle. Changes in altitude are taken care of by a system of écluses (locks).
Bus
Buses are widely used for short-distance travel within départements, especially in rural areas with relatively few train lines (eg Brittany and Normandy). Unfortunately, services in some regions are infrequent and slow, in part because they were designed to get children to their schools in the towns rather than transport visitors around the countryside.
Some less-busy train lines have been replaced by SNCF buses, which, unlike regional buses, are free if you’ve got a rail pass.
Car & Motorcycle
Having your own wheels gives you exceptional freedom and makes it easy to visit more remote parts of France. Depending on the number of passengers, it can also work out cheaper than the train. For example, by autoroute, the 930km drive from Paris to Nice (9½ hours of driving) in a small car costs about €75 for petrol and another €77 in tolls – by comparison, a one-way, 2nd-class TGV ticket for the 5½-hour Paris to Nice run costs anything from €69 to €120 per person.
In the cities, traffic and finding a place to park can be a major headache. During holiday periods and bank holiday weekends, roads throughout France also get backed up with traffic jams
Train
Travelling by train in France is a comfortable and environmentally sustainable way to see the country. Since many train stations have car-hire agencies, it’s easy to combine rail travel with rural exploration by car.
The jewel in the crown of France’s public transport system – alongside the Paris métro – is its extensive rail network, almost all of it run by the heavily indebted, state-rail operator SNCF.
What to wear
Light cotton clothes are needed in the summer, medium weight in the Winter. raincoats and waterproof clothing are especially needed in the western areas and the mountainous regions. Wherever you go, take a sweater for cool evenings.
Health advice
The US Center For Disease Control maintains an updated list of medical advice for those travelling to France.
The CDC recommends being up to date with all your regular shots. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot
They also suggest being vaccinated for hepatitis A. There is also some advice about protection for hepatitis B and rabies – but this depends to some degree on where you are heading and what you are doing.
Health Insurance
France has a public health system that is legally bound to provide emergency care to everyone. EU nationals are entitled to reduced-cost, sometimes free, medical care with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which is available from your home health authority; non-EU citizens should take out medical insurance.
If you do need health insurance, make sure you get a policy that covers you for the worst possible scenario, such as an accident requiring an emergency flight home. Find out in advance if your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures.
It’s also worth finding out if there is a reciprocal arrangement between your country and Italy. If so, you may be covered for essential medical treatment and some subsidised medications while in Italy. Australia, for instance, has such an agreement; carry your Medicare card.
Recommended Vaccinations
No jabs are required to travel to Italy, though the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all travellers should be covered for diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, polio and hepatitis B.
Health care is readily available throughout Italy, but standards can vary significantly. Public hospitals tend to be less impressive the further south you travel. Pharmacists can give you valuable advice and sell over-the-counter medication for minor illnesses. They can also advise you when more specialised help is required and point you in the right direction. In major cities, you are likely to find English-speaking doctors or a translator service available.
Pharmacies generally keep the same hours as other shops, closing at night and on Sundays. A handful, however, remain open on a rotation basis for emergency purposes. These are usually listed in newspapers. Closed pharmacies display a list of the nearest open ones.
If you need an ambulance anywhere in Italy, call 118. For emergency treatment, head straight to the emergency section of a public hospital, where you can also get emergency dental treatment.
Tap Water
Tap water in Italy is safe to drink. The only exception is where a tap is marked ‘L’eau non potable’ (Water not suitable for drinking).
Safety
Here is a link to the US State Department Travel Advisory for France for the latest information on travelling to Italy.
Remember the emergency number in France is 112. It works from any phone.
France is one of the safest European countries to visit. There is little serious crime. A visitor to France should know that there is some pickpocket theft in the metros of the big cities and in crowded places that are frequented by tourists.
At night you should not walk on a street where you are the only one. It is safe when there are many others on the street.
Use ATM machines in a bank and not the ones on sidewalks. This is to prevent youngsters from rushing to you in a group and grabbing the money as it comes out of the machine. Also, some ATM machines on the street may have had their keyboards tampered with and will transmit your card number and code to someone who will try to empty your account. This is called card skimming.
Safety
Singapore is the 6th safest country in the world, based on the safest and most dangerous countries ranking. Singapore is the safest country in Asia. Violent crimes against tourists almost don’t exist. The top list of crimes in Singapore leads to petty crimes, including pickpocketing.
Things to be aware of
- There’s an ongoing high risk of kidnapping in the coastal areas of eastern Sabah. There have been a number of attempted and successful kidnappings. This includes islands, dive sites and tourist facilities. If, despite our advice, you travel to these areas, get professional security advice. Obey all local governments’ curfews.
- Terrorism is a threat. Possible targets include businesses and public areas popular with foreigners. Take official warnings seriously.
- Petty crime is common. Bag-snatching, including by thieves on motorbikes, happens often. When walking, hold your bag on the opposite side to the traffic. Safeguard your belongings, especially in shopping centres, at the airport and on trains. Credit card fraud is common. Always keep your credit card in sight when paying for purchases.
- Drink spiking can occur, even at reputable places. Never accept food, drinks, cigarettes or gum from strangers. Don’t leave your food or drinks unattended.
Local laws and customs
Malaysia is a multicultural, majority-Muslim country. You should familiarise yourself with, and respect, local laws and customs. You should respect local cultures, traditions and religions; and take care not to offend, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, other religious festivals or if you intend to visit religious sites. See Travelling during Ramadan
You should also dress modestly, particularly in conservative and rural areas and when visiting places of worship, and government buildings. You may be refused entry if you are not appropriately dressed, including closed shoes. You should check the signs displayed at the entrance.
If you are a Muslim you may be subject to local Shari’a law.
There are severe penalties for all drug offences; this includes amphetamine-type stimulants. Possession incurs a custodial sentence and possible whipping.
You could be asked to take a urine test on arrival in Malaysia if you are suspected of having used drugs before your visit. Urine tests can also be taken when individuals are detained following raids on bars and nightclubs. If the test is positive, you could be detained, charged and/or deported and blacklisted.
Importing unlicensed firearms and ammunition into Malaysia is prohibited and can carry the death penalty. This includes spent ammunition and souvenirs from war museums. You should not bring any replica weapons, firearms or ammunition into Malaysia. You may be detained and charged.
Homosexual acts are illegal in Malaysia and punishable under federal law. You should avoid any behaviour which could attract unwanted attention, including public displays of affection.
Useful emergency numbers
| Service | Dial |
| Police and Ambulance | 999 |
| Fire | 994 |
| Civil Defense | 991 |
| From mobile phone | 112 |
| KL Tourist Police | 03-2149 6590 |
Climate
France has four broad climatic zones: the humid seaboard zone west of the line Bayonne-Lille with cool summers; a semi-continental zone with cold winters and hot summers in Alsace-Lorraine, along the rhodanian corridor and in the mountainous massifs (Alps, Pyrenees, Massif Central); an intermediate zone with cold winters and hot summers in the North, the Paris region and the central region; and a Mediterranean zone with mild winters and quite hot summers in the south of France.
The climate in the Paris area is variable. There is a chance of a downpour in spring or a thunderstorm in summer. Temperature ranges between 20°C and 26°C from May through October. Springtime in Paris is mild and relatively dry, and the autumn is equally extended. July and August are the warmest months. Daily average maximum temperatures range from 6°C in January to 26°C in August. The wettest month on average is October (71 mm), when heavy Thunderstorms are possible. Brittany in the far west is the wettest French locale, especially between October and November. July is the driest month for the Bretons.
In the South, the Mediterranean coast has the driest climate with any noticeable rain coming in spring and autumn. Provence (in the southeast) occasionally plays reluctant host to le mistral, a strong, cold and dry wind that blows in over the winter for periods of only a few days up to a couple of weeks. The Mediterranean coastline and Corsica have plenty of sunshine during the summer months and refreshing sea breezes. Average daily maximum temperatures reach a warm 27°C in August and an average of 12 hours of sunshine per day. 25-30 dry days per month can be expected during the summer season. On the Atlantic Coast and in Bordeaux, the climate is generally mild with temperatures averaging 11°C in winter, up to 27°C in summer, and rainfall distributed throughout the year. With the days fresh and possibly damp in the spring and often sunny in the autumn, the climate is one of the most important factors behind Bordeaux’s high-quality wine it produces.
The weather in the French Alps varies from north to south. The northern Alps (the Savoy) are subject to oceanic influences resulting in abundant precipitation year-round with low temperatures, and cold winters with sometimes heavy snowfall. Briancon, in the Alps, has a mean temperature of -2°C in January, and 17°C in July. During the warm season, local winds blow along this region’s wide valleys and by midday, warm air rises from the valleys, causing clouds to form around most mountain summits. The heights can sometimes attract storms that are both violent and spectacular. The southern Alps (Provence and the Cote D’Azur) enjoy a typical Mediterranean climate, with lots of sunshine, dry weather, clear skies and no mist or fog. Autumn is the best time of year in this region. Occasionally, violent storms may occur, but they are always followed by sunny spells
Holidays
Here is a list of some popular French holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Good Friday – March / April
- Easter Monday – March April
- 1 May – Labour Day
- 8 May – Victory Day
- Ascension Day
- 14 July Bastille Day
- Assumption Day
- All Saints’ Day
- 11 November – Armistice Day
- 25 December Christmas Day
- 26 December – St Stephen’s Day *
Current Weather Forecasts
Visa information
What is Schengen?
Schengen refers to the EU passport-free zone that covers most of the European countries. It’s the largest free travel area in the world.
What is a Schengen Visa
A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows a person to travel to any members of the Schengen Area, per stays up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.
The Schengen visa is the most common visa for Europe. It enables its holder to enter, freely travel within, and leave the Schengen zone from any of the Schengen member countries. There are no border controls within the Schengen Zone.
However, if you are planning to study, work, or live in one of the Schengen countries for more than 90 days, then you must apply for a national visa of that European country and not a Schengen Visa.
The 26 Schengen countries are:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Citizens of Which Countries Need a Schengen Visa to go to Europe?
The countries whose citizens are required to obtain a Schengen visa in order to enter any member country of the Schengen Area are:
| Afghanistan | Gabon | Oman |
| Algeria | Gambia | Pakistan |
| Angola | Ghana | Papua New Guinea |
| Armenia | Guinea | Palestinian Authority |
| Azerbaijan | Guinea-Bissau | Philippines |
| Bahrain | Guyana | Qatar |
| Bangladesh | Haiti | Russia |
| Belarus | India | Rwanda |
| Belize | Indonesia | Sao Tome And Principe |
| Benin | Iran | Saudi Arabia |
| Bhutan | Iraq | Senegal |
| Bolivia | Jamaica | Sierra Leone |
| Botswana | Jordan | Somalia |
| Burkina Faso | Kazakhstan | South Africa |
| Burma/Myanmar | Kenya | South Sudan |
| Burundi | Kosovo | Sri Lanka |
| Cambodia | Kuwait | Sudan |
| Cameroon | Kyrgyzstan | Suriname |
| Cape Verde | Laos | Swaziland |
| Central African Republic | Lebanon | Syria |
| Chad | Lesotho | Tajikistan |
| China | Liberia | Tanzania |
| Comoros | Libya | Thailand |
| Congo | Madagascar | Timor-Leste |
| Cote D’ivoire | Malawi | Togo |
| Cuba | Maldives | Tonga |
| Dem. Rep. Of Congo | Mali | Tunisia |
| Djibouti | Mauritania | Turkey |
| Dominican Republic | Mongolia | Turkmenistan |
| Ecuador | Morocco | Uganda |
| Egypt | Mozambique | Uzbekistan |
| Equatorial Guinea | Namibia | Vietnam |
| Eritrea | Nepal | Yemen |
| Ethiopia | Niger | Zambia |
| Fiji | Nigeria | Zimbabwe |
| North Korea | Northern Mariana’s |
Electrical
Which power plugs and sockets are used in Europe?
In Europe, the power plugs and sockets are of type F. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. Check out the following pictures.
Type F: also known as “Schuko”. This socket also works with plug C and plug E.
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| Type F: This socket also works with plug C and E |
