France : Practical information
- Official languages: French
- National currency: Euro (€)
- Voltage: 220-230* | Frequency: 50
- Socket type: C, E
- Time zone: UTC/GMT + 1h
- Telephone country code: + 00 33
- Emergency numbers: Police: 17 | Fire brigade & ambulance: 112
What springs to mind when you think of
France? Undoubtedly fine food, wine, cheese, fashion, culture and surely a touch of chic Parisian
je ne sais quoi?
France has always been a centre of culture and the arts, and the country has a wealth of monuments, museums and architectural wonders just waiting to be explored, from
Monet's house at Giverny with its famous lily pond, to the vast collection of the
Louvre Museum in
Paris which would supposedly take two weeks to visit in its entirety.
France is dotted with magnificent chateaux, many of which are in wine-producing regions such as the
Loire Valley,
Champagne,
Bordeaux and
Bourgogne.
In addition to the museums and galleries, don't miss the opportunity to enjoy some of the outstanding performing arts events taking place, including opera, ballet, theatre and modern dance.
From stunning sandy beaches to snowy Alpine resorts, from glitzy San Tropez to pictuesque Mont Saint-Michel, there is something for everyone in the land of
joie de vivre.
A stay in
Paris, the "city of love", is an unforgettable experience: explore the winding streets of
Montmartre and the view from the top of the
Eiffel Tower, tackle the
shops on the Champs Elysées and get into the French lifestyle as you sit at a pavement cafe watching the world go by.