Frankryk - France

COVID-19 inligting: Metropolitan Frankryk het sy 2de uitsluiting beëindig, maar 'n aandklokreël is van 18:00 tot 06:00 van krag. Alhoewel die EU / EER- en Britse grense oop is, is ander grense gesluit vir nie-noodsaaklike reis. Winkels en sekere dienste is oop, maar restaurante en plekke vir ontspanning is tot verdere kennisgewing gesluit. Alle passasiers wat buite die EU in Frankryk aankom, moet binne 72 uur na aankoms 'n negatiewe PCR-toets aanbied, anders moet u met die aankoms getoets word. As u gedurende 'n aandtyd vir 'n noodsaaklike doel moet uitgaan, moet u moet voltooi en bied 'n aan vrystellingsertifikaat. Dit kan ook via die TousAntiCovid app op Android- en iOS-toestelle (in Engels en Frans) of aanlyn (Slegs Frans). As u nie hierdie reëls nakom nie en / of 'n voltooide sertifikaat nie vertoon nie, is daar 'n boete van € 135, Sien die amptelike webwerf vir opgedateerde inligting.

(Inligting laas op 19 Maart 2021 opgedateer)

Frankryk is 'n land waarmee byna elke reisiger 'n verhouding het. Baie droom daarvan joie de vivre getoon deur die ontelbare kafees, skilderagtige dorpies, en wêreldbekend gastronomie. Sommige kom om die spoor van Frankryk se groot filosowe, skrywers en kunstenaars te volg, of om hulle te verdiep in die pragtige taal wat dit aan die wêreld gegee het. Ander is steeds gevestig op die geografiese diversiteit van die land, met sy lang kuslyne, massiewe bergreekse en asemrowende uitsigte op die landerye.

Frankryk is al meer as twintig jaar die land wat die meeste besoek word. Dit het 89 miljoen besoekers in 2018 ontvang. Al hierdie mense kom om baie redes na Frankryk: sy stede bevat van die grootste skatte op die vasteland, die platteland is welvarend en goed onderhou en het spog met tientalle belangrike toeriste-aantreklikhede, waaronder Europa se gewildste, Disneyland Parys. Frankryk is een van die mees geografies uiteenlopende lande in Europa, en bevat gebiede wat verskil van mekaar as stedelike sjiek Parys, die sonnige Franse Riviera, windverwaaide Atlantiese strande, die sneeuoorde van die Franse Alpe, die Renaissance-kastele van die Loire-vallei, ruwe Keltiese Bretagne en die historikus se droom Normandië.

'N Land wat bekend is vir ryk emosies, onstuimige politiek, rasionele denke en verligtingskatte; wat u ook al van 'n vakansie wil hê, u gaan dit in Frankryk vind.

Streke

Alhoewel dit hoofsaaklik as 'n Europese land beskou word, is die Franse Republiek (République française) bestaan ​​uit verskeie gebiede regoor die wêreld.

Metropolitaanse Frankryk

"Metropolitan Frankryk" bestaan ​​uit die 12 administratiewe streke (Frans: streke) op die vasteland plus Korsika, of met ander woorde alle Franse gebiede binne Europa. Dit is anders as die land se oorsese gebiede op ander vastelande, wat hieronder bespreek word. Die 96 departemente (departemente) is die volgende vlak af van administratiewe verdeling, waarvan twee derdes na 'n rivier vernoem is, en die meeste ander na 'n ander natuurlike kenmerk, soos 'n berg of see, neem.

Frankryk-streke - Kleurgekodeerde kaart

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Die tuiste van Franse ski, 'n groot vulkaniese streek en Frankryk se kulinêre hoofstad, Lyon.

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Talle Middeleeuse geskiedenis, aangename natuurskoon en Bourgondiese wyn.

Bretagne Robuuste westelike skiereiland, die tuiste van Kelte, cromlechs en crêpes

Centre-Val de Loire 'N Grootliks landbou - en wingerdboukundige streek met riviervalleie, kastele en historiese dorpe langs die Loire.

Korsika Napoleon se geboorteplek is 'n subtropiese eiland in die Middellandse See wat deur Italië beïnvloed word.

Grand Est 'N Streek waar 'n wyer Europese en veral Germaanse kultuur met die Franse saamgesmelt het en interessante resultate tot gevolg gehad het.

Hauts-de-France 'N Streek waar die wêreldoorloë en die opkoms en ondergang van die swaar nywerheid baie letsels gelaat het.

Île-de-France Die digbevolkte metropool van Parys, en welgestelde omliggende platteland.

Normandië Sommige van Frankryk se bekendste besienswaardighede, insluitend Mont Saint-Michel, die D-dag strande en Claude Monet se huis.

Nouvelle-Aquitaine Die grootste Franse streek, meer gedefinieer deur sy betowerende kontraste as as 'n samehangende geheel.

Occitanie Reg suid, waar die Pireneë stort in die Middellandse See.

Pays de la Loire Die onderste Loire-vallei en die Vendée gebied, aan die Atlantiese kus.

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Die ontoelaatbare Franse Riviera, Marseille, Avignon, en die Camargue.

Oorsese Frankryk

Franse besittings regoor die wêreld (klik om te vergroot)

Beyond Metropolitan France, ook bekend as l'Hexagone vir sy vorm is daar vyf oorsese departemente (départements d'outre-mer - DOMs), elk net so 'n integrale deel van Frankryk as enige ander departement: Frans-Guyana in Suid-Amerika, Guadeloupe en Martinique in die Karibiese Eilande, en Mayotte en Réunion tussen die Oos-Afrikaanse eilande.

Daarbenewens het Frankryk ses georganiseerde oorsese gebiede (territoires d'outre mer - TOMs) -Frans-Polynesië, Nieu-Kaledonië, Saint Barthélemy, Sint Martinus, Saint Pierre en Miquelon en Wallis en Futuna—En enkele afgeleë, onbewoonde eilande as natuurreservate, insluitend Clipperton-eiland en die Franse suidelike en antarktiese lande. Alhoewel hulle administratief deel van Frankryk is, word hierdie entiteite nie verder hier bespreek nie, maar in hul eie artikels.

As gevolg van die vele oorsese departemente en gebiede wat regoor die wêreld versprei is, strek Frankryk eintlik twaalf tydsones - dit is meer as enige ander land. Saam met Brittanje en sy oorsese gebiede, is Frankryk en sy gebiede dus die ander entiteit in die wêreld wat gesê kan word dat die son nooit ondergaan nie. Die hele Metropolitaanse Frankryk gebruik egter Sentraal-Europese tyd (UTC 01:00 in die winter, UTC 02:00 in die somer).

Stede

Frankryk het talle stede van belang vir reisigers; hieronder is 'n lys van nege van die opvallendste:

• 48.85672.35081 Parys - die "City of Light", romanse en die Eiffeltoring.
• 44.84-0.582 Bordeaux - 'n stad van wyn, tradisionele kliphuisies en slim terrasse
• 43.70347.26633 Lekker - die hart van die Franse Riviera met 'n wêreldberoemde strandpromenade en poort na die klein nasie van Monaco
• 50.62783.05834 Lille - 'n dinamiese noordelike stad wat bekend is vir sy aantreklike sentrum en aktiewe kulturele lewe
• 45.764.845 Lyon - Frankryk se gastronomiese hoofstad met 'n geskiedenis van die Romeinse tyd tot die Weerstand
• 43.29645.376 Marseille - Frankryk se kosmopolitiese tweede stad, bekend vir sy Mediterreense hawe, sy calanques, en die seekos daarvan
• 47.2181-1.55287 Nantes - 'n groen en baie leefbare stad wat bekend is vir Jules Verne, seevaarders en die Bretonse kultuur
• 48.587.758 Straatsburg - pragtige historiese sentrum omring deur kanale, en die tuiste van baie Europese instellings
• 43.60451.4449 Toulouse - die "Pink City" is bekend vir sy kenmerkende baksteenargitektuur en sy lewendige suidelike atmosfeer

Plaas Bellecour in Lyon

Ander bestemmings

• 43.5333334.51 Camargue - een van Europa se grootste rivierdelta's en vleilande, met 'n sterk Provençaalse kultuur van stiergeveg en cowboys.
• 48.8687192.78182 Disneyland Parys - die Magic-koninkryk, die mees besoekte trekpleister in Europa, het selfs sy eie TGV-spilpunt.
• 45.8336116.8653 Franse Alpe - die tuiste van die hoogste berg in Wes-Europa, Mont Blanc, dit is die belangrikste ski-land.
• 43.3656.8497224 Franse Riviera (Frans: Côte d'Azur "Bloukus") - Glansryke Middellandse See-kuslyn met oorklasse-oorde, seiljagte en glanspersoonlikhede.
• 47.3988890.7027785 Loire-vallei - die wêreldbekende riviervallei, veral bekend vir sy wyne en Renaissance-kastele.
• 43.7961115.2238896 Luberon - die stereotipiese Provence van skilderagtige dorpies, joie de vivre en wyn.
• 48.636-1.51147 Mont Saint Michel - 'n klooster en stad gebou op 'n klein rots in die sand, wat van die vasteland afgesny word met hoogwater.
• 43.7377786.3638898 Verdon-kloof - 'n pragtige turkooisgroen rivierkloof, ideaal vir kajak, stap, rotsklim of net om die kalksteenkranse te ry.

Verstaan

Kapitaal	Parys
Geldeenheid	euro (EUR)
Bevolking	66,6 miljoen (2016)
Elektrisiteit	230 volt / 50 hertz en 400 volt / 50 hertz (Europlug, tipe E)
Landelike kode	33
Tydsone	UTC 01:00
Noodgevalle	112, 15 (mediese nooddienste), 17 (polisie), 18 (brandweer), 114 (dowe gemeenskap)
Rykant	reg
wysig op Wikidata

Klimaat en terrein

Die Rhônerivier

'N Land wat geografies uiteenlopend is, het 'n verrassende variasie in klimaat weens sy grootte. In die algemeen gaan die klimaat van koeler tot warmer in noord-suid rigting, en natter tot droër van wes na oos. Die meeste van die land ervaar gematigde winters en warm en dikwels vogtige somers, en dit is veral waar Parys en die Loire-vallei. Ligte, nat winters en koel somers duur voort in die noorde en noordweste (Bretagne, Normandië, Hauts-de-France) waar die hele klimaat soortgelyk is aan dié van Suid-Engeland. Langs die oostelike grens (Grand-Est), is daar 'n kontinentale klimaat met koel tot koue winters en warm somers. Die Rhône-vallei studeer hiervandaan na die warmer suide, hoewel die hele streek 'n sterk, koue, droë, noord-tot-noordwestelike wind ervaar, bekend as die mistral. Die Middellandse See (Occitanie, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Korsika) geniet kort, sagte winters en lang, warm somers met hoë sonskynure die hele jaar. Die suidweste (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie) het insgelyks warm somers, maar baie reën in die winter, beïnvloed deur die Atlantiese Oseaan en die berge. Verwag koue winters met baie sneeu in die bergagtige streke: die Alpe, Pireneë en Auvergne. Soms kan die winters maar sag wees, en sake-eienaars wat op die jaarlikse wintersport-oplewing vertrou, kan hopelik na die lug staar.

Die grootste deel van Sentraal-, Wes- en Noord-Frankryk bestaan ​​uit plat vlaktes of sag heuwelagtige heuwels, met baie lang riviervalleie. Hierdie groot uitspansel van maklike land, tesame met die verdomde byna perfekte klimaat, maak Frankryk se landbou so ryk en produktief. Die res van die land is bergagtig, met die suidooste Alpe en suidwestes Pireneë onder Wes-Europa se hoogste reekse. Kleiner reekse sluit die Vosges en Jura in die ooste, en die Massif-sentraal in die middel-suide. Die konsep van terroir is uiters belangrik vir Franse boere en wynboere, en demonstreer hoe die klimaat, grondsoort en terrein van 'n spesifieke gebied die smaak of karakter van 'n gewas beïnvloed.

U kan Frankryk op enige tyd van die jaar besoek, en natuurlik leen sommige streke hulself tot sekere seisoene (byvoorbeeld die Alpe in die winter, Parys in die lente), maar in die algemeen bied die lente en herfs die ideale mengsel van ordentlike weer van die land en 'n stiller toeristeseisoen. Die somer is warm en sonnig in die grootste deel van Frankryk, en daar is dikwels baie geleenthede om die reisiger te versoek, hetsy plaaslike feeste, buitekonsertseisoene of die jaarlikse nasionale feestyd van 14 Julie. Reisigers word egter aangeraai om die maand Augustus te vermy, want dit is wanneer die hele bevolking van Frankryk blykbaar sukkel om na les vacances. Dit is die besigste tyd van die jaar vir vervoer, met samedi noir (swart Saterdag; die eerste van die maand) is daar dikwels tot 1000 km verkeersknope oor die padnetwerk. Daarbenewens vind u baie plaaslike ondernemings, veral in landelike gebiede, ongeag of daar somerbesoekers in die omgewing is, die hele maand lank gesluit. In die afwesigheid van die plaaslike bevolking, skaar buitelandse toeriste die land se belangrikste besienswaardighede en stede, en veral Parys kan die kamertariewe die hoogte inskiet.

Vakansies

Franse openbare vakansiedae word beïnvloed deur die belangrike Katolieke vakansiedae, met die uitsondering van Goeie Vrydag wat slegs in die land waargeneem word Elsas. Die meeste van hulle is afhanklik van die jaar op verskillende datums. Hierdie lys bevat die belangrikste Paasfees (Pâques) wat op Sondag en Maandag 'n vakansiedag het. Die opneem van Maria in die hemel (Assomption) val altyd op 15 Augustus, All Saints 'Day (Toussaint) op 1 November en Kersfees (Noël) op 25 Desember. Ander vakansiedae sluit die nuwe jaar in (Nouvel An / Jour de l'an, 1 Januarie), Mei-dag (Fête du Travail, 1 Mei), Victory Day (8 Mei, 8 Mei), Bastilledag (Fête nationale, 14 Julie), en die wapenstilstandsdag (Jour du Souvenir / Jour de l'Armistice, 11 November). Soos sommige van sy buurlande (veral Spanje en Duitsland), het Frankryk 'n uitgebreide kalender van plaaslike vakansiedae en heilige dae, maar in teenstelling met die lande word dit meestal nie deur ondernemings en die regering waargeneem nie.

Dit is raadsaam om vooraf te beplan vir u reisreëlings, veral tydens die Franse skoolvakansies wat gewoonlik twee weke in die volgende periodes val: laat Oktober tot vroeg in November, Kersfees, Paasfees en tussen Mei-dag en Oorwinningsdag. Verder breek die hele land se skole op die eerste Vrydag van Julie vir die somer aan en keer die eerste Maandag van September terug. Natuurlik word daar op en rondom hierdie dae paaie druk en pryse vir treine en vliegtuie skiet die hoogte in. As u reis gedurende hierdie tye kan vermy, doen dit.

Geskiedenis

Frankryk is sedert die Neolitiese tydperk bevolk. Die Dordogne-streek is veral ryk aan prehistoriese grotte, waarvan sommige as bewoning gebruik word, terwyl ander tempels is met merkwaardige skilderye van diere en jagters, soos dié gevind in Lascaux.

Opkoms en val van die Romeinse Ryk

Romeinse ruïnes in Avignon

Die geskrewe geskiedenis het in Frankryk begin met die inval van die gebied deur die Romeine, tussen 118 en 50 vC. Die gebied wat vandag Frankryk genoem word, is deel van die Romeinse Ryk, en die Gallers ('n naam wat deur die Romeine aan plaaslike Kelte gegee is), wat daar gewoon het voor die Romeinse inval, het 'n 'Gallo-Romeine' geword. Galliërs het ook gewoon in die huidige Noord-Italië en as sodanig was 'Gallia Cisalpina' die eerste Galliese gebied wat onder Romeinse heerskappy gekom het. Later het die gebied wat nou die Provence onder Romeinse beheer gekom onder die naam "Gallia Transalpina" (Gallie anderkant die Alpe) en dit was as goewerneur van hierdie provinsie dat Julius Caesar die plaaslike politiek tussen Galliese stamme op so 'n manier gemanipuleer het dat hy 'n "verdedigende" oorlog gevoer het (provinsiale goewerneurs was nie toegelaat om op eie inisiatief aanstootlike oorlog te voer nie) wat geëindig het met die verowering van die hele Gallië en die nederlaag en inname van die Galliese hoofman en rebelleleier Vercingetorix in die slag van Alesia. Caeasar en sy vertroueling Aulus Hirtius (boek 8) het 'n versameling boeke oor die oorlog, bekend as De Bello Gallico, die voorspel van Latynse studente van alle tye sedertdien, aangesien die propagandastuk geprys word vir sy duidelike en bondige taal en een van baie min antieke bronne waar 'n belangrike historiese figuur oor hul eie optrede skryf. Caesar verwys na homself in die derde persoon in die boek, 'n eienskap wat selde genoem word oor kulturele uitbeeldings soos die Franse strokiesprentboek Astérix, waar dit 'n herhalende grap is. Die optrede van Caesar was onder die Romeinse wet van twyfelagtige wettigheid, en sy beroemde kruising van die Rubicon is veroorsaak deur sy vrees dat hy vervolg sal word as hy Italië sonder 'n leër binnegaan. Die verowering van Gallië was dus instrumenteel in die reeks gebeure wat die val van die Romeinse Republiek veroorsaak het.

Keiser Claudius is nou op Lugdunum gebore Lyon, die belangrikste Gallo-Romeinse stad in hierdie tyd. Romeinse heerskappy in Gallië was 'n tyd van relatiewe vrede en welvaart, maar gedurende die krisis van die 3de eeu was daar plaaslike woekeraars wat 'n "Galliese Ryk" gestig het wat Gallië en dele van Germania beheer het gedurende 'n tyd van swak sentrale beheer. Sommige geboue wat in die era deur die Romeine gebou is, bestaan ​​nog steeds, en hul paaie het tot die aanbreek van die motor in groot mate gebly, want die kwaliteit daarvan was baie hoër as die middeleeuse padbou.

Met die val van die Wes-Romeinse Ryk in die 5de eeu nC, wat oorgebly het, was gebiede bewoon deur die afstammelinge van ondertroues tussen Gallo-Romeine en 'barbaarse' Oosterse inwoners (hoofsaaklik die Frankies, maar ook ander stamme soos die 'Burgondes').

Die nalatenskap van die Romeinse teenwoordigheid is steeds sigbaar, veral in die suidelike deel van die land waar Romeinse sirkusse steeds gebruik word vir stiergevegte en rock'n'roll-konserte. Sommige van Frankryk se hoofpaaie volg steeds die roetes wat oorspronklik 2000 jaar gelede opgespoor is, en die stedelike organisasie van baie ou middestede transkribeer die cardo et decumanus tipiese rooster van 'n Romeinse kamp. Die ander belangrikste erfenisse van die Romeinse beskawing is die Katolieke Kerk, die gekodifiseerde regstelsel en die Franse taal.

Middeleeue

Sien ook: Frankies, Koninkryk van Frankryk

Clovis, wat in 511 oorlede is, word beskou as die eerste Franse koning, hoewel sy Frankiese ryk nie veel verder gestrek het as die gebied van die huidige Île-de-France, rondom Parys nie. Sy doop tot die (trinitariese) Christendom - in teenstelling met die arianisme wat destyds gewild was onder Germaanse hoofde - sou egter belangrik wees vir die verdere geskiedenis van Europa. Karel die Grote, wat in 800 tot keiser van die nuwe Wes-Romeinse ryk gekroon is, was die eerste sterk heerser. Onder sy bewind het hy gebiede verenig wat Frankryk sowel as dele van die hedendaagse België, Duitsland en Italië insluit. Sy hoofwoning was Aix-la-Chapelle (nou in Duitsland, bekend as Aken). Aangesien hy byna voortdurend op pad was en 'van die saal af regeer', kan verskeie plekke as sy 'hoofstad' of 'woning' beskou word.

Gedurende hierdie tydperk is Frankryk onder aanval deur die Wikings wat uit die noorde gekom het en stroomop rivier gevaar het om stede en kloosters te plunder. Dit is ook vanuit die suide aangeval deur die Moslem-Sarasense wat in Spanje gevestig is. Die Vikings het in 911 'n deel van die gebied (die huidige Normandië) gekry en het vinnig die feodale stelsel van slawerny op die inheemse kleinboere afgedwing. Die Sarasense is in 732 gestaak om Poitiers deur Charles Martel, oupa van Karel die Grote en 'n taamlike rowwe vegter wat later as 'n nasionale held gevier is.

Begin met Karel die Grote, is 'n nuwe samelewing gestig, gebaseer op die stelsel van feodalisme. Alhoewel dit algemeen gesien word as 'n era van stagnasie, kan dit meer gepas beskryf word as 'n tydperk van ekonomiese en kulturele ontwikkelinge (die musiek en gedigte van die troebadore en trouvères, die bou van die Romaanse en latere Gotiese katedrale) wat gevolg word deur 'n resessie as gevolg van pandemiese siekte en oorloë.

In 987 word Hughes Capet gekroon as koning van Frankryk; hy is die wortel van die koninklike families wat later die regering sou regeer Koninkryk van Frankryk. In werklikheid toe Louis XVI deur die Franse rewolusionêre gedwing is om 'n algemene naam te neem, is 'Louis Capet' gekies met verwysing na Hughes. In 1154 het 'n groot deel van die westelike deel van Frankryk onder Engelse bewind gekom met die troue van Eleanor van Aquitaine met die Engelse koning Hendrik II (graaf van Anjou, gebore in die stad Le Mans). Sommige konings van die Plantagenet-dinastie is nog steeds in Frankryk begrawe, die bekendste is Richard I 'die Leeuhart', van Walter Scott-faam, en sy vader Hendrik II, wat in die Abbaye de Fontevraud lê. Die stryd tussen die Engelse en die Franse konings tussen 1337 en 1435 staan ​​bekend as die Honderdjarige Oorlog en die bekendste figuur is Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc), nou beskou as 'n Franse nasionale heldin.

Vroeë moderne tye

In die begin van die sestiende eeu is die ondergang van die feodale stelsel en die ontstaan ​​van Frankryk 'n 'moderne' staat met sy grense relatief naby aan die hedendaagse grense (hoewel die streek Elsas, Corsica, Savoye en die Nice nie was nie). tog Frans). Die "Sonkoning" Lodewyk XIV, koning van 1643 tot 1715 (72 jaar), was waarskynlik die magtigste koning van sy tyd. Franse invloed strek tot diep in die res van Europa en versprei selfs tot by Rusland; sy taal is in baie Europese howe gebruik, wat die internasionale taal van diplomasie geword het, en die kultuur daarvan is oor die hele vasteland uitgevoer.

In daardie era en die volgende eeu het Frankryk se wêreldwye invloed ook uitgebrei. Hierdie koloniale uitbreiding het 'n hele reeks oorloë met ander koloniale ryke ontketen, hoofsaaklik Engeland (later Brittanje) en Spanje oor die beheer van die Amerikas en Indië. Intussen het die hoof militêre ingenieur Vauban toesig gehou oor die oprigting van vestings rondom die Franse grense, en 12 daarvan Vestings van Vauban is deur UNESCO as 'n wêrelderfenis gelys. Frankryk het uiteindelik op albei fronte verloor (die laaste nederlaag in die Napoleontiese oorloë) maar die Franse invloed is steeds baie sigbaar in Louisiana en Quebec (waar staats- / provinsiale reg steeds gebaseer is op die Franse burgerlike reg, en nie op die Engelse gemenereg nie).

Ouderdom van rewolusies

Sien ook: Napoleontiese oorloë, Franse koloniale ryk

Die graf van Napoleon in Dôme des Invalides, Parys

Die Franse rewolusie het in 1789 begin. Die koning, Louis XVI, en sy vrou, Marie Antoinette, is in hegtenis geneem en uiteindelik deur guillotine tereggestel, en die eerste Franse Republiek is gestig in die plek van die byna 1000 jaar oue monargie. Alhoewel dit 'n bloedige periode was, was en bly dit 'n inspirasie vir baie ander bevrydingstryde regoor die wêreld. Tydens die rewolusie het Frankryk ook die eerste "verklaring van menseregte" in die wet onderteken, net 'n paar maande voor sy eweknie in die Verenigde State. Tot vandag toe bevat baie grondwette 'n verklaring van regte wat invloed uit hierdie dokument het.

Napoleon Bonaparte het die mag oorgeneem in 'n staatsgreep en uiteindelik Frankryk tot 'n monargiese stelsel herstel deur homself in 1804 tot keiser te laat kroon, maar sy militaristiese ambisie wat hom die heerser van die grootste deel van Wes-Europa gemaak het, was sy ondergang. Sy nederlaag aan die hand van die Royal Navy in die Slag van Trafalgar in 1805 het beteken dat hy nooit daarin kon slaag om die Britte te verduister as die wêreld se dominante vlootmag nie. In 1815 het Napoleon sy laaste nederlaag in die Slag van Waterloo (België) deur 'n alliansie van Britse en Pruisies magte, en is gevange geneem en uit Europa verban. Hy word steeds in sommige Oos-Europese lande vereer, want sy leërs en regering het die idees van Franse filosowe meegebring.

Frankryk het teruggekeer na die monargie (eers 'n Bourbon-herstel, daarna 'n liberale koninkryk onder Louis Phillipe wat begin het met 'n 1830-rewolusie) totdat 'n ander rewolusie in 1848 'n neef van Napoleon laat verkies het tot president en dan keiser word onder die naam Napoleon III. Aan die einde van die negentiende eeu het die industrialisering van die land en die ontwikkeling van die spoorweë plaasgevind, maar ook die begin van die bittere oorloë met Pruise en later Duitsland.

Die oorlog van 1870, wat uitgebreek het oor 'n geringe meningsverskil oor die vakante Spaanse troon (a Hohenzollern prins is voorgestel as erfgenaam en die Franse regering het geëis dat die Pruisiese regering namens hom beslis van die hand wys), was rampspoedig vir die Franse. 'N Slegs voorbereide leër is onkant betrap toe nie net Pruise nie, maar ook Suid-Duitse state soos Beiere mobiliseer, terwyl niemand Frankryk te hulp gekom het nie. Om die besering te beledig, is Napoleon III in 'n vroeë geveg naby Sedan gevang en 'n Derde Republiek is verklaar. Die Pruise, nie tevrede hiermee nie, ry verder, beleër Parys (dwing sy inwoners om dieretuindiere te eet) en verpletter die kortstondige Paryse Kommune. Toe 'n vredesverdrag uiteindelik onderteken is, moes Frankryk die Elsas en Lotharinge prysgee, wat gedeeltelik 'n Duitssprekende bevolking gehad het, maar belangriker nog, ryk ysterertsafsettings. Daarbenewens moes Frankryk vyf miljard frank in goud betaal, 'n bedrag wat so groot was dat daar nog iets oor was toe Frankryk Duitsland in die Eerste Wêreldoorlog veertig jaar later.

Terwyl die Derde Republiek destyds en vroeg in sy bestaan ​​as tydelike oplossing gesien is, het hy 'n monargistiese meerderheid in die Nasionale Vergadering gehad, wat tussen verskillende monargistiese faksies gekibbel het en die weiering van hul 'kompromis-kandidaat' om die Tricolore-vlag as voorwaarde vir sy bekroning het daartoe gelei dat die Republiek sy onstuimige aanvanklike fase oorleef het. Die Republiek het ook die Dreyfus-aangeleentheid oorleef, waarin 'n Joodse kolonel valslik skuldig bevind is aan verraad onder krygsraad, en Émile Zola se streng bestraffing van die weermag (J'accuse), en die daaropvolgende kontroversie, het Frankryk tot sy kulturele en politieke kern geskud. Na die Eerste Wêreldoorlog, soos elders in Europa, het antidemokratiese magte in die tussenoorlogse jare toegeneem, wat 'n "gewilde front" -regering onder leiding van Léon Blum vereis het wat sentristiese partye sowel as die kommuniste ingesluit het. Die Derde Republiek het eers in duie gestort na die militêre nederlaag van Frankryk in die vroeë fase van die Tweede Wêreldoorlog en is steeds die langste bewind wat Frankryk gehad het sedert hy Lodewyk XVI in 1792 neergelê het. Die huidige vyfde Republiek kon die Derde Republiek slegs oortref deur die langdurige tot 2028 of langer.

20ste en 21ste eeu

In 1905 is die skeiding van Kerk en Staat onder 'n inisiatief bekend as laïcité ('sekularisme') in reaksie op die Dreyfus-aangeleentheid. Dit was veral in landelike gebiede 'n traumatiese proses. Sedertdien het Frankryk nog nie 'n gevestigde godsdiens nie. Ingevolge 'beleid nie vra nie, vertel dit nie', verbied die wet Franse studente en staatsamptenare om enige teken te vertoon wat eksplisiet hul godsdiens vertoon terwyl hulle in hul skool of werkplek is. Hierdie beleid is van toepassing op die dra van Christelike kruise en Joodse kippa's, en is ook toegepas op die Moslem-hijab. In die vroeë 21ste eeu was statistieke oor kerkgang en geloof in God van die laagste in Europa. En hoewel godsdiens geen rol in die politiek speel nie, laïcité - wat presies daarmee bedoel word en hoe ver dit moet gaan - doen.

Gedenkteken aan die gevalle in albei wêreldoorloë, Annemasse

Die Eerste Wêreldoorlog (1914 -18) was 'n traumatiese tydperk in die geskiedenis van Frankryk. Ondanks die oorwinning wat deur Frankryk en haar bondgenote behaal is, is byna 1,7 miljoen Franse mense dood en baie dorpe en dorpe en groot dele van die platteland is vernietig. 'N Groot deel van die berugte loopgraafoorlog is oor die oostelike helfte van Frankryk gevoer. Frankryk was byna twee keer in die oorlog verslaan en was slegs oortuig om voort te gaan deur die "wonderbaarlike" stop van die Duitse opmars in 1914 en deur maarskalk Philippe Pétain die troepe saam te trek vir die stryd om Verdun in 1916. Na die oorlog het Frankryk die voormalige Duitse gebiede van Frankryk oorgeneem Elsas en Lorraine, sowel as verskeie van die oorsese kolonies van Duitsland, en word die volgende dekade 'n leidende mag in Europa.

Die Tweede wereld oorlog (1939 - 45) het Frankryk 'n groot deel van die oorlog deur Nazi-Duitsland beset. Met Noord-Frankryk onder direkte Duitse beheer en die suide regeer deur 'n marionetregering (bekend as die Vichy-regime, met die ouer wordende oorlogsheld, maarskalk Pétain, geïnstalleer as boegbeeld om 'n illusie van kontinuïteit aan te bied), is baie totalitêre maatreëls ingestel, waaronder die gedwonge deportasie van Jode na konsentrasiekampe (sien Holocaust-herinnering). Die Vichy-bewind onder Pétain was amptelik samewerking met die Nazi's, en baie gewone Franse burgers het hul voorbeeld gevolg, sommige met meer ywer as ander. Namate die oorlog aangegaan het, het die voorraad basiese voorsienings egter min geraak, en die fascistiese oormatigheid van die regime vererger, het die aantal burgers wat aktiewe en passiewe verset gehad het, aansienlik toegeneem. In 1944, ná die geallieerde landings (insluitend verbanne Franse soldate en diegene uit Frankryk se keiserlike kolonies) in Normandië en aan die Middellandse See, is Frankryk bevry van die Duitse beheer.

Na die einde van die Tweede Wêreldoorlog het Frankryk 'n periode van heropbou beleef en 'n nuwe welvaart is bereik met die ontwikkeling van die nywerheid, en het sedertdien gegroei tot die tweede grootste ekonomie in Europa na Duitsland. Frankryk en Duitsland was van die eerste lede van die verdrae wat uiteindelik tot die Europese Unie ontwikkel het. Gedurende die na-oorlogse periode het Frankryk pynlike dekolonialiseringsprosesse in Indochina ondergaan (sien Indochina Oorloë) en Algerië en byna al sy ander besittings in onafhanklikheid vrygelaat. Terwyl Frankryk die feit moes hanteer dat hulle groot magstatus iets van die verlede was, is daar tegnologiese vooruitgang gemaak wat ten minste gedeeltelik bedoel was om die wêreld aan te toon dat Frankryk nog steeds groot was. Of dit nou die TGV, die Franse ruimteprogram of die Franse kernprogram is. Aan die ander kant het die Frans-Britse betrekkinge, wat in die verlede selfs in tye van amptelike alliansies moeilik was, beter geword, veral deur projekte soos die Channel Tunnel en die gesamentlike Concorde-projek. Een van die mees sigbare gevolge van Frankryk se EU-lidmaatskap was die invoering van die euro (€) in 2002. Dit is nou die gemeenskaplike geldeenheid van sestien Europese lande, wat saam die 'Eurosone' vorm.

Frankryk is vandag 'n republiek met 'n president wat vir vyf jaar verkies word (quinquennat). Die huidige grondwet van die sogenaamde Vyfde Republiek is geskryf na die ineenstorting van die vierde Republiek na die oorlog, meestal volgens die wense van Charles de Gaulle. Die huidige president van die Republiek is Emmanuel Macron. Die huidige probleme wat die land in die gesig staar, sluit in die verdere integrasie van Frankryk in die EU en die aanvaarding van gemeenskaplike standaarde vir die ekonomie, verdediging en ander velde.

Elektrisiteit

Elektrisiteit word voorsien by 220 tot 230 V 50 Hz. Uitlate is CEE7 / 5 (uitsteekende manlike aardpen) en aanvaar CEE 7/5 (geaard), CEE 7/7 (geaard) of CEE 7/16 (nie-geaarde) proppe. Ouer Duitse CEE 7/4-stekkers is nie versoenbaar nie, want dit akkommodeer nie die aardpen wat op hierdie tipe uitlaat gevind word nie. Die meeste moderne Europese toestelle is egter toegerus met die hibriede CEE 7/7-stekker wat pas by CEE 7/5 (België en Frankryk) en CEE 7/4 (Duitsland, Nederland, Spanje, Swede en die grootste deel van Europa).

Proppe Reisigers uit die Verenigde Koninkryk, Ierland, Australië, Nieu-Seeland, Denemarke, Italië, Switserland en ander lande wat 230 V 50 Hz gebruik en verskillende stekkers gebruik, benodig bloot 'n stekkeradapter om hul toestelle in Frankryk te gebruik. Plug-adapters vir proppe uit die VSA en die Verenigde Koninkryk is beskikbaar in elektriese en 'doen-dit-self'-winkels soos Bricorama.

Spanning: Reisigers uit die VSA, Kanada, Japan en ander lande wat 110 V 60 Hz gebruik, het moontlik 'n spanningsomsetter nodig. Sommige skootrekenaars, selfoonlaaiers en ander toestelle kan 110 V of 230 V aanvaar, dus benodig u slegs 'n eenvoudige stekkeradapter. Kyk na die spanningsplate op u toestelle voordat u dit aansluit.

Praat

Sien ook: Franse frase-boek

Frans (français) is die amptelike taal van Frankryk. Die Franse is baie trots op hul taal, en elke besoeker wat nie eens moeite doen om dit te praat nie, mis 'n belangrike deel van die land se identiteit en kultuur en wat volgens hulle die mooiste taal in is die wereld.

The following phrases go a long way:

• Excusez-moi, Monsieur/Madame — Excuse me, sir / madam (ehk-SKEW-zay MWAH muh-SYUH/ma-DAHM)
• S'il vous plaît — Please (seel voo PLEH)
• Merci — Thank you (merr-SEE)
• Au revoir — Goodbye (oh ruh-VWAHR)
• Parlez-vous anglais ? — Do you speak English? (par-lay VOO ahng-LEH)

As France is a multicultural society with immigrants from all over the world (particularly from former French colonies), many African languages, Arabic, Chinese dialects (such as Teochew), Vietnamese, Lao, and Khmer are spoken. French is in the Romance family of languages, along with Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, Italian and Romanian, so if you speak any of those languages, you will recognise many cognates, particularly in written form.

Although most French people, including virtually everyone born after 1990, have studied English in school, proficiency has historically been poor, with only a small minority being conversant in it. With that said, things have changed dramatically since the late 2000s. You can now expect major hotels and tourist attractions to have staff who speak basic English and other foreign languages (German and Spanish being the most common). Furthermore, the younger generation of French (especially those in larger urban areas) is far more proficient in English than their elders.

When approaching the locals, always be sure to begin the conversation in French, as assuming that a foreign language will be spoken is considered to be very rude. The French understand that their language is a challenging one for foreigners to learn, but generally react well to even clumsy, but sincere, attempts to speak their language, and will feel much more inclined to respond using whatever English they know if they judge you to have made an effort.

Foreign shows and movies usually come in two formats: VF (version française), dubbed in French, and VO (version originale) or VOSTFR (version originale sous-titrée en français), original audio with French subtitles.

The standard sign language is French Sign Language, locally known by its native initialism LSF (langue des signes française). Whenever an interpreter is present at a public event, he or she will use LSF. It's partially mutually intelligible with American Sign Language, Quebec Sign Language, and Irish Sign Language. However, it's not mutually intelligible at all with British Sign Language, Auslan, or New Zealand Sign Language.

Gaan in

Entry requirements

The French impressionist painter Claude Monet's house in Giverny, Normandy, Northern France

France is a member of the Schengen Agreement.

• There are normally no border controls between countries that have signed and implemented the treaty. This includes most of the European Union and a few other countries.
• There are usually identity checks before boarding international flights or boats. Sometimes there are temporary border controls at land borders.
• Likewise, a visa granted for any Schengen member is valid in all other countries that have signed en implemented the treaty.
• Please see Travelling around the Schengen Area for more information on how the scheme works, which countries are members and what the requirements are for your nationality.

Citizens of Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Israel, Mauritius, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Taiwan and Uruguay, as well as British Nationals (Overseas), are permitted to work in France without the need to obtain a visa or any further authorisation for the period of their 90 day visa-free stay. All other visa-exempt nationals are exempt from holding a visa for short-term employment if they possess a valid work permit, with limited exceptions. However, this ability to work visa-free does not necessarily extend to other Schengen countries. For more information, visit this webpage of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign nationals who are not visa-exempt (e.g. South Africans) must make a 'declaration of entry' (déclaration d'entrée) at a police station or to border inspection personnel if they arrive in France directly from another country of the Schengen Area (e.g. Italië), unless they hold a long-term visa or residence permit issued by a Schengen member state. Their passports will be endorsed by the authorities to prove that such a declaration has been made. This government webpage (in French) provides more information.

If you intend to stay in France for longer than 90 days, regardless of purpose, an advance long-stay visa is always required of non-EEA or non-Swiss citizens. It is almost impossible to switch from a "C" (visitor) entry status to a "D" (long-stay) status from inside France.

As of 2009, certain categories of long-stay visa, such as "visitor" (visiteur), family (vie privée et familiale), "student" (étudiant), "salaried worker" (salarié), and "short-term worker" (travailleur temporaire), do not require persons to obtain a separate residence permit (carte de séjour) for the first year of the stay in France. However, the long-stay visa must be validated by the OFII within three months of entering France. This is done by sending in a form to the OFII received along with the visa with the address of residence in France, completing a medical examination, and attending an introductory meeting to validate the visa. As of 2013, the tax paid to OFII must now be paid at the consulate where the visa is obtained. The validated visa will serve as a residence permit and, likewise, allow travel throughout the other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in a 6 month period. After the first year, however, and for many other visa categories which state carte de séjour à solliciter dès l'arrivée, a carte de séjour is required. Consult the OFII for more information.

French overseas departments and territories are not part of the Schengen Area and operate a separate immigration regime to metropolitan France.

Met die vliegtuig

Flights to/from Paris

The main international airport, Roissy - Charles de Gaulle (CDG ^IATA), is likely to be your port of entry if you fly into France from outside Europe. CDG is the main intercontinental hub for national airline Air France. AF and the companies forming the SkyTeam Alliance (KLM, Aeroméxico, Alitalia, Delta Air Lines, Korean Air, Saudia) use Terminal 2, as do Oneworld airlines, while most Star Alliance airlines use Terminal 1. A third terminal is used mainly for charter and some low-costs flights. If transferring through CDG (especially between the various terminals) it is important to leave substantial time between flights. Ensure you have no less than one hour between transfers. Add more if you have to change terminals as you will need to clear through security. For transfers within CDG you can use the free train shuttle linking all terminals, train stations, parking lots and hotels in the airport.

Transfers to another flight in France: AF operates domestic flights from CDG too, but a lot of domestic flights, and also some internal European flights, use Orly (ORY ^IATA), the second Paris airport. For transfers to Orly there is a bus link operated by AF (free for AF passengers). The two airports are also linked by a local train (RER) which is slightly less expensive, runs faster but is much more cumbersome to use with heavy luggage.

AF, Corsair, Emirates, Qatar Airways have agreements with SNCF, the national rail company, which operates TGVs services, serving CDG airport (some trains even carry flight numbers). The TGV station is in Terminal 2 and is on the route of the free shuttle. For transfers to the city centre of Paris, see Paris.

Some low-cost airlines, including Ryanair and Volare, fly to Beauvais airport situated about 80 km (50 mi) northwest of Paris. Buses to Paris are provided by the airlines. Check schedules and fares on their websites.

Flights to/from regional airports

Many airports outside Paris have flights to/from international destinations: among the most served are Bordeaux, Clermont-Ferrand, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Nice, Toulouse, they have flights to cities in western Europe and North Africa; these airports are hubs to smaller airports in France and may be useful to avoid the transfer between the two Paris airports. Two airports, Basel-Mulhouse and Geneva, are shared by France and Switzerland and can allow entry into either country.

Regional airports in France also have long-haul flights from these cities:

• Dubai: Lyon (Emirates), Nice (Emirates)
• Montreal: Bordeaux (Air Transat), Marseille (Air Transat), Lyon (Air Canada, Air Transat), Nantes (Air Transat), Nice (Air Canada Rouge, Air Transat), Toulouse (Air Transat)
• New York City: Nice (Delta Air Lines)
• Toronto: Marseille (Air Transat)

By boat

The coast at Quiberon, Brittany

France is served by numerous services from England to France:

• P&O Ferries - operate freight and passenger services from Dover to Calais.
• DFDS Seaways - operate freight and passenger services from Dover to Dunkirk.
• LD Lines - operate freight and passenger services from Portsmouth to Le Havre.
• Brittany Ferries - operate freight and passenger services from Portsmouth to Caen, Cherbourg, enSt Malo, from Poole to Cherbourg and from Plymouth to Roscoff.
• Condor Ferries - operate freight and passenger services from Portsmouth to Cherbourg, Poole to St Malo en Weymouth to St Malo.

Prices vary considerably depending on which route you choose. Generally the cheapest route is the short sea route across the English Channel which is Dover to Calais, so it is worth comparing prices before you decide which is the most suitable route to France.

Passengers travelling from Dover by ferry to France go through French passport/identity card checks in the UK before boarding, rather than on arrival in France. Passengers travelling from all other UK ports to France go through French passport/identity card checks on arrival in France.

There are also connections from Ireland to France:

• Brittany Ferries - operate ferry services from Cork to Roscoff
• Celtic Link Ferries - operate ferry services from Rosslare to Cherbourg
• Irish Ferries - operate ferry services from Rosslare to Cherbourg and from Rosslare to Roscoff

By train

See also: Rail travel in France

The French rail company, SNCF, as well as many other companies (sometimes in cooperation with SNCF), provide direct service from most European countries using regular as well as high speed trains.

• TGVs between Paris, Metz and Luxembourg, as well as TGV between Brussels and France (except Paris) are operated by SNCF
• TGVs between Paris, Lille, Calais and Ebbsfleet, Ashford and London in the UK, through the Channel Tunnel (also called Chunnel by some), are operated by Eurostar
• TGVs between Paris, Lille, Belgium, Netherlands and northwest Germany (Cologne, Essen) are operated by Thalys
• High speed trains between France and South Germany (Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich) are operated by Alleo^{[dooie skakel]}, with either a SNCF TGV or a Deutsche Bahn ICE, and bilingual crew from both countries.
• TGVs between France and Switzerland are operated by Lyria
• TGVs between France and Italy are operated by TGV France Italie
• TGVs between France and Barcelona/Madrid are operated by Elipsos, with either a SNCF TGV or a RENFE AVE, and bilingual crew.
• Night trains between Paris, Dijon and Italy are operated by Thello
• Day trains between Marseille and Milan (via Nice) are operated by Thello as well
• Night trains between Moscow and Paris operated by the russian RZD run weekly, they stop en-route in Belarus (Minsk), Poland (Warsaw, Poznan) and Germany (Berlin, Erfurt)
• Night trains between Moscow and Nice operated by the Russian company RZD run weekly, they stop en-route in Belarus (Minsk), Poland (Warsaw, Katowice), Austria (Vienna, Linz, Innsbruck) and Italy
• Upon reservation, you can take your bike with you in night trains and single-deck TGV's.

Met die bus

See also: Intercity buses in France, Intercity buses in Germany

Several companies operate between France and the rest of Europe:

• Eurolines
• ouibus
• Megabus
• Flixbus

Met die motor

Several weekends throughout the year in France are known as 'Black Saturday' (Samedi noir) because of the start or end of school holidays and the coinciding traffic jams on French roads caused by thousands of tourists travelling to and from their holiday destinations. When possible it is wise to avoid these days. For traffic reports, see the website of the French traffic service .

Ridesharing, or carpooling, is very popular in France. Websites such as BlaBlaCar allow drivers with empty seats to safely connect with passengers looking for a ride.

See also: Driving in France.

From the United Kingdom

In the Channel Tunnel vehicle car

Die Channel Tunnel provides a rail / road connection between South East England and France. Shuttle trains operated by Eurotunnel carry vehicles from Folkestone in Kent to Calais (Hauts-de-France) in 35 minutes, though you only spend about 20 minutes in the tunnel itself. Passengers remain with their vehicles for the duration, with trips to the toilet allowed. Fares start at £23 one way and can be booked online months in advance, though it is entirely possible to 'turn up and go' without a reservation, at a cost of course! The terminal on the British side is in Cheriton, 3 mi (4.8 km) outside Folkestone, and directly accessible from junction 11a of the M20 motorway, about 70 mi (110 km) from London. Passengers undergo French passport/identity card and customs checks and British exit checks before departure. On arrival at Calais, you can drive straight on to the A16 (E402) motorway which heads towards Paris in one direction and Belgium in the other. Mainland Europe drives on the right and uses the metric system for distance and speed limit measures. In the reverse direction, you will go through British passport control in France before driving onto the train.

See the 'By boat' section above for information on car ferries to France from the United Kingdom en Ireland.

By bike

Bicycles may be taken on car ferries and on Eurotunnel shuttle trains. They may also be carried on aeroplanes, though you should consult your airline beforehand: bikes often count as "oversized luggage" and there is sometimes an extra charge to check them in. You may also be asked to partially dismantle your bicycle, but this policy will vary from carrier to carrier. Eurostar allows folding bikes on all its trains, and offers a more restricted service for other bikes, but has quite strict and specific rules that are worth reading up on before you travel.

From London

The adventurous (and fit!) may want to try cycling between two great capitals - London and Paris. Die Avenue Verte follows high quality bike trails all the way from the London Eye to Notre Dame, passing through beautiful countryside on both sides of the Channel. Highlights of the 406 km (252 mile) journey include the South Downs' rolling chalk hills, the ferry crossing between Newhaven en Dieppe, and the rich farmland of Normandy. The itinerary is fully signposted all the way, and its accompanying website gives a detailed breakdown of the route, its points of interest and practical information such as places to rest, eat and sleep the night. Count on at least four days in the saddle, depending how fit you are and how you pace yourself. As there is plenty to see and do en route, there's no rush!

By tram

Die Strasbourg tram system inaugurated a cross-border link to the German town of Kehl in 2017. There is another cross-border link under construction between Basel in Switzerland and Saint Louis in France. While the German-French border imposes no problems, as both countries are EU members, going to/from Switzerland, you are leaving (or entering) the EU and thus crossing a customs border with the limits on imports that implies and there may be customs checks. However, Switzerland is in the Schengen Area so those with no goods to declare shouldn't worry.

Kry rond

Met die vliegtuig

The following carriers offer domestic flights within France:

1. Air France has the biggest domestic network in France
2. HOP!, a subsidiary of Air France, operates domestic flights with smaller aircrafts than Air France
3. easyJet, a low-cost airline, has the second biggest domestic network in France
4. Ryanair, an Irish low-cost airline, serves mainly secondary airports
5. Volotea has a network of domestic flights
6. Air Corsica links Corsica with mainland France
7. Twin Jet operates domestic flights with 19-seat Beech 1900D aircrafts
8. Hex'Air operates flights between Paris-Orly and Lourdes, using 19-seat Beech 1900D aircrafts
9. Eastern Airways operates domestic flights between Lyon and Lorient
10. Chalair Aviation has a limited network of domestic flights, using mainly 19-seat Beech 1900D aircrafts
11. Heli Securite (Cannes (Croisette Heliport), Nice (Cote D'Azur Airport))

Met die motor

See also:Driving in France

Driving in France

France has a well-developed system of highways. Most of the motorway (autoroute) network is made up of toll roads. Some have a single toll station giving you access to a section, others have entrance and exit toll stations at every junction. Upon entering a tolled section of a road, you must collect an entry ticket from a machine which records the point on the road you started at and ensures you only pay for the distance you travel. Be careful not to lose your entrance ticket or you will be charged for the longest possible distance. All toll stations accept major credit cards although they may not accept foreign credit cards. It is also possible to use the automatic booth, but only if your card is equipped with a special chip.

Roads range from the narrow single-carriageway lanes found in the countryside to major highways. Most towns and cities were built before the general availability of the automobile and thus city centres tend to be unwieldy for cars. Keep this in mind when renting: large cars can be very unwieldy. It often makes sense to just park and then use public transportation.

A French driver flashing headlights is asserting right of way and warning you of intentions and presence. Do not use it to mean thanks. Flashing headlights can also mean, "Watch out as there's a police speed-check ahead of you!" Horns should be used only in legitimate emergencies; use of the horn in urban areas outside such circumstances might win you a traffic ticket. Parisian drivers were notorious for honking their horns at anything and everything, though increased enforcement has greatly reduced this practice.

Don't forget that, in France and the rest of continental Europe, they drive on the right!

Renting a car

Once you arrive in France you may need to use car hire services. Most of the leading companies operate from French airports and it is advisable to book car hire in advance. It is a common experience at smaller French airports to not get the type of car you booked online but an alternative model. Sometimes the alternative model is quite different so check carefully before accepting the vehicle and stand your ground if it does not match your booking request and is not suitable to your needs.

Most cars in France are equipped with standard transmissions (voiture à boîte manuelle / mécanique), a fact that derives equally from the preferences of the driving public and the peculiarities of French licensing laws. Automatic transmissions (voiture à boîte automatique) are generally only used by the elderly or those with physical disabilities. This extends to vehicle categories that in other countries (read: the US) are virtually never equipped with a manual transmission, such as vans and large sedans. Accordingly, virtually all of the vehicles available for rent at the average car hire will be equipped with a manual gearbox. If you do not know how to drive a car with a manual transmission and don't have the time to learn before your trip, be certain to reserve your rental car well in advance and confirm your reservation. Otherwise, you may find yourself in a car that is much larger than you can afford (or with no car at all).

It is a good tip when travelling in numbers to get one member of the party with hand luggage to go straight through to the car hire desk ahead of everybody else, this will avoid the crush once the main luggage is picked up from the conveyor.

Deur duim

France is a good country for hitchhiking. Be patient, prepare yourself for a long wait or walk and in the meantime enjoy the landscape. A ride will come along. People who stop are usually friendly and not dangerous. They will like you more if you speak a little French. They never expect any money for the ride.

Remember that getting out of Paris by thumb is almost impossible. You can try your luck at the portes (city gates), but heavy traffic and limited areas for stopping will try your patience. It's a good idea to take the local train to a nearby suburb as your chance of being picked up will increase dramatically.

Outside Paris, it's advisable to try your luck by roundabouts. As it's illegal to hitchhike on the motorways (autoroutes) and they are well observed by the police, you may try at a motorway junction.

The greatest chance is at toll plazas (stations de péage), some of which require all cars to stop and are thus great places to catch a lift. If you've been waiting for a while with an indication of where to go, drop it and try with your thumb only. You can also try to get a ride to the next good spot in the wrong direction. However, while hitching from a péage is a common practice, it is illegal. French police or highway security, who are normally very tolerant of hitchhikers, may stop and force you to leave. You can get free maps in the toll offices - these also indicate where you can find the "all-stop-Péage".

By shared ride

Blablacar has a quasi-monopoly in France, but it is still a convenient, economical and efficient way to see the country. Prices for distances are below the ones of the train and buses, about €8-10 per 100 km. Between the largest cities you will find many options, some starting in the centre, others just going by the highway—checkout the exact meeting point before committing to a booking. BlaBlaCar has a rating system and the rides are very reliable.

By train

Main article: Rail travel in France

A TGV crossing the Cize-Bolozon viaduct over the Ain river

Trains are a great way to get around in France. You can get from pretty much anywhere to anywhere else by train. For long distances, use the TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse, or High-speed train) on which reservations are obligatory. But if you have time, take the slow train and enjoy the scenery. The landscape is part of what makes France one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Like many things in France, the TGV network is focused on Paris to an almost ridiculous degree, and you may be out of luck when searching for a fast connection between secondary cities. Quite often a considerable detour via the Paris region can be faster than the direct train would be. Usually, if you need to change trains, you can do so at one of three out of town TGV stations: Massy, Marne-la-Vallée or Charles de Gaulle Airport, which are on a connection line linking the northern, eastern, south-eastern and south-western high-speed lines, but it is still sometimes necessary to change in central Paris. However, the capital has several terminus stations, which are not linked by mainline rail, so you'll likely have to use the RER or metro to transfer from one train to another.

The French national railway network is managed by SNCF Réseaux, a branch of the nationalised company SNCF (Société nationale des chemins de fer français). The SNCF is the butt of jokes about delays and industrial action, but it actually offers a reliable, punctual service on the two days a year there are no strikes on.

For regional trains, schedules can be found at ter.sncf.com (choose your region, then "Carte and horaires" for maps and timetables). Booking is available in two classes: première classe (first class) is less crowded and more comfortable but can also be about 50% more expensive than deuxième classe (second class).

The SNCF website Gares & Connexions provides live train schedules, keeping you informed about platform numbers and delays. This information is also available on smartphones via the free application SNCF.

There are a number of different kinds of high speed and normal trains:

• TER (Train Express Régional): Regional trains form the backbone of the SNCF system. TER are sometimes slower but do serve most stations. Available on Eurail en InterRail passes.
• Intercités
• TGV (Trains à Grande Vitesse): The world-famous French high-speed trains run several times a day from Paris to the south-east Nice (5-6h), Marseille (3h) and Avignon (2.5 h), the east Geneva (3h) or Lausanne, Switzerland en Dijon (1h15), the south-west Bordeaux (3h), the west Rennes (2h), Nantes (2h), Brest (4h) and the north Lille (1h). Eurostar to London (2h15) and Thalys to Brussels (1h20) use almost identical trains. Reservations are compulsory.
• Night train services (Intercités de Nuit) include couchettes second class (6 bunk beds in a compartment), first class (4 bunks) and reclining seats. You can ask for a "private room" (in first class). Night trains have been gradually phased out, and there were only a handful of them still in service in 2015.

Booking online

Booking tickets online can be quite a confusing process: SNCF does not sell tickets online by itself, and it is possible to book the same journey through a number of different travel agencies websites (in different languages and currencies). The fares for journeys inside France are the same with every travel agency.

• Voyages-sncf.com French language booking website by Expedia and the SNCF. It can get sometimes confusing, and is known to hardly work when you try to buy a ticket from abroad or with a non-French credit card. Be careful: you will need the credit card that has been used for payment to retrieve your tickets from the ticket machines. If you don't have it, your tickets will be lost, and you will need to buy new tickets.
• Trainline French, English, German, Spanish and Italian language booking website. It aims to be as easy to use as possible. Unlike "Voyages SNCF", you don't need your credit card to retrieve the tickets, only the reservation number and the last name entered for reservation. You can pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Paypal. Tickets can be printed or downloaded on your mobile phone or Apple watch or Android watch.
• RailEurope are booking agencies owned by the SNCF. Fares will often be more expensive on these sites than on the "official" sites, but they are generally easier to use than the SNCF sites.

Beware: To avoid any form of fraud, your ticket must be punched by an automatic machine ("composteur") before entering the platform area to be valid. The machines are situated at the entrance of all platforms. However, e-Billet electronic tickets do not have to be punched: in doubt, punch it anyway, you won't be fined for punching an e-Billet.

French information booths, especially in larger train stations, can be quite unhelpful, especially if you do not understand much French. If something does not seem to make sense, just say "excusez-moi" and they should repeat it.

It is cheaper to book and purchase train tickets, especially those with reservations, in advance.

Met die bus

See also: Intercity buses in France

There is no single national bus service. Buses used to be limited to local mass transit or departmental/regional service. However, a market liberalization (similar to that in Germany) has meant that long distance buses are now allowed to run everywhere in France and prices can be quite low, especially when booked in advance. However, journey time and comfort tend to be worse than on the train.

The tourist information will often recommend the train before the bus, even though there are often many options to choose from. Be insistent when asking for the bus there, and they will hand you a local long distance bus time table.

On local/city buses always validate your ticket if necessary, especially the card-like tickets with magnet-band.

By bicycle

Main article: Cycling in France

France is not a particularly cyclist-friendly country (unlike, say, the Netherlands), but the situation is improving: more cycle paths are being built and about 40 cities have a bike-sharing system.

Beware of bike thieves. If you have to park your bike in the street, make sure to lock it properly, particularly in larger cities and at night. Avoid using the cable-locks that can be cut within seconds, instead use U-shaped locks, chains or folding locks. Lock your bike to a solid fixed support like a U-Rack. Lock the frame (not only the wheels) and make sure that your wheels cannot be removed without a more-determined thief with tools.

Sien

The cathedral at Reims, Champagne-Ardenne, Northeastern France

If your first thought of France is the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe or the smile on the Mona Lisa, you're thinking of Paris. Paris, the "City of Light" and the capital of romance has been a travellers' magnet for centuries, hosting intellectuals who drank coffee in its lively cafés and dancers and jazz musicians who performed for them in the historic bars and nightclubs of Montmartre. But there is much more to France than Paris. France is full of gorgeous villages in the countryside; there are splendid châteaux, especially in the Loire Valley, and you can also find areas of lavender fields or vineyards as far as the eye can see. It is impossible to cover all of France's sights and attractions, but we present a summary below and more details are in city and region guides.

The French countryside

Some 156 villages have been identified as the most beautiful in France, or "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France". Numerous villages are dotted with medieval villages and castles.

Die Alps and the Pyrenees, with their many winter sports resorts, possess lush river valleys, dense forests and huge stretches of farmland and vineyards.

The western region of Brittany boasts many megalithic monuments such as those near Carnac.

The beaches of Normandy, also on the Atlantic coast, are famed for the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944. Although the humbling cemeteries and countless museums, memorials and wartime remains keep memory of those dark days alive, the region is now a pleasant and popular destination. Its picturesque coastline includes both long stretches of beach and steep limestone cliffs, such as those near Étretat). The region is also home to the splendid and World Heritage-listed Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay.

The lush hills of the Dordogne are pockmarked with caves, many of which house treasure troves of prehistoric art. The area is also famous for its castles, with over 1,500 of them.

Châteaux

The rolling riverine landscape of the Loire Valley is home to many great châteaux, of which Amboise, Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau, Chambord en Chenonceau are some of the finest examples. The Château d'Angers is also important for the fantastic Tapestries of the Apocalypse, the largest and best preserved series of 14th-century tapestries in the world.

There are also châteaux in Île-de-France, including the famous Château de Versailles, the former royal court of the Sun King, Louis XIV, and Vaux-le-Vicomte, which it was based on. Chantilly, north of Paris, is home to another château which has an excellent art collection.

Houses of worship

Just north of Paris, Saint-Denis is where the first Gothic cathedral was built, and though its style is now eclectic from later additions, it's still well worth visiting. Other famous cathedrals in France include those at Chartres, Reims, Rouen (famously painted in several kinds of light by Monet), Amiens, Bourges, Strasbourg en Sens, and it's well worth your while to emulate centuries of French pilgrims and visitors by visiting these awe-inspiring houses of worship. Notre Dame de Paris is damaged for now, but you can see the intact Sainte-Chapelle, which though much smaller is comparably lovely. Also worth special note is the tiny town and impressive Romanesque/Gothic cathedral of Vézelay, a traditional point of departure for the Way of St. James to the Spanish Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

Though many of France's most famous houses of worship are Medieval, all intervening styles are also represented, and one highlight in Alpes-Maritimes in the south, just outside the centre of the small city of Vence, is the Chapelle du Rosaire des Dominicaines, which was completely designed by the Modernist artist, Henri Matisse.

Art museums

At the Louvre you can see possibly the world's most famous painting...

The grandeur and fame of the Musée du Louvre in Paris can hardly be matched by any other museum in the world. It boasts a fabulous collection of art from antiquity to the 19th century and is home of the Mona Lisa and many other renowned works.

Die Musée d'Orsay is another world class museum that picks up roughly where the Louvre's collections ends. It's in an old railway station and houses the national collection of art works from 1848 to 1914. Its excellent collection includes some of the best French Impressionist, post-Impressionist and Art Nouveau works, including Degas' ballerinas and Monet's water-lilies.

Die Musée National d'Art Moderne in Centre Pompidou, still in France's capital, is the largest museum for modern art in Europe.

Die Museum of Fine Arts in Lyon has an excellent collection varying from ancient Egypt antiquities to Modern art paintings and sculptures.

In Lille you'll find the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille, one of the country's largest museums. Its varied collection is the second largest after the Louvre and boasts everything from antiquities to modern art.

Smaller, but still outstanding, are the collections of the Musée Fabre in Montpellier, Musée Toulouse-Lautrec in Albi and the Picasso Museum in Paris. Marseille has many galleries and the Musée Cantini has a good collection of modern art associated with Marseille as well as several works by Picasso. Fondation Maeght houses modern art too and is situated in Saint-Paul de Vence.

Parks & natural attractions

Disneyland Resort Paris is by far France's most popular park, visited by families from all over the world.

Vanoise National Park is the oldest and one of the largest parks, named after the Vanoise massif. Its highest peak is the Grande Casse at 3,855 m.

The impressive natural landscapes of Parc national des Pyrénées are right on the southern border of France and extend well into Spain. The whole area is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the French part, the glacial cirques of Gavarnie, Estaubé and Troumouse are some of the best sights, as is the wall of Barroud.

The again mountainous Cévennes National Park covers parts, Occitanie (including the popular Ardèche) and the Auvergene-Rhône-Alpes regions. The park's main offices are in the castle of Florac, but there are towns all over the park. Donkey rides are available and the cave formation of Aven Armand is one of the park's best sights.

Not yet under a protected status, but highly popular, is Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Europe and attractive for climbing, hiking and skiing. From the French side, it is mostly explored from Chamonix, a well known resort at the foot of the mountain.

Doen

Place du Général de Gaulle, Lille

There's a plethora of activities for the budding traveller to engage in. Some suggestions include the following:

• Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
• Stroll grand Parisian Boulevards
• Climb Montmartre Hill in Paris
• See the Gothic monuments on the Île de la Cité, in particular the Sainte-Chapelle en Notre-Dame
• See some of the world-famous art in the Louvre, or visit the equally stunning Musée d'Orsay, installed in a former railway terminus
• See the modern architecture in the business district of La Defense
• See the Science Museum in Villette Park, and the other odd attractions assembled there
• Stroll an old train viaduct on the Promenade Plantée in Paris
• See the stunning, but crowded, Versailles Palace
• Ride the TGV, the train which holds the speed record for a conventional (wheel-on-rails) train, from Paris to Lyon, Marseille, Strasbourg or Lille.
• See the "D-Day beaches" of Normandy and their museums
• Climb to the top of Mont Saint Michel
• Explore Chartres Cathedral
• See the quaintness of the Alsace
• Sunbathe on the beaches of the French Riviera
• Climb the Dune du Pilat, in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
• See the decorations of Stanislas Square (Place Stanislas) in Nancy

Classical music

Just like in neighbouring Germany, Italy and Austria, France has one of the world's strongest classical music traditions. French composers such as Lully, Rameau, Berlioz, Fauré, Gounod, Debussy, Bizet, Saint-Saëns, Ravel, Massenet, Delibes and Messiaen are generally well-known among classical music circles, and even to some members of the general public. Even if you have never heard of them, chances are you are already familiar with some of their pieces, which are commonly quoted in advertising, film scores and even modern pop music.

Even though Ballet originated during the days of the Italian Renaissance, France played a very important role in the development of the art form, and to this day, many modern-day terms used by ballerinas originate from French. The Paris Opera Ballet is one of the most famous ballet companies in the world, along with the Royal Ballet in London, the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, and the Mariinsky Ballet in Saint Petersburg. Competition for admission into the Opera Ballet is extremely fierce.

French opera is widely revered throughout Europe. Unlike in the rest of Europe, Italian opera never gained a foothold in France, which instead developed its own unique operatic tradition. One such style is the grand opéra, which combines opera and ballet into a single performance. Another style is operetta, developed by Jacques Offenbach, which combines elements of comedy, light-hearted music, and humour. Not only have French composers contributed to the development of French opera, but so have foreign composers such as Gluck, Rossini, Verdi, and Meyerbeer.

Sommige van die bekendste operahuise in die land sluit die volgende in:

• Die Opera van Parys - Die land se belangrikste opera- en balletgeselskap, geleë in Parys.
• Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux - Een van die land se oudste operahuise, geleë in Bordeaux.

Toeskouersport

Die laaste skof van die 2017 Tour de France

Sonder twyfel is die gewildste toeskouerspansport in Frankryk (hoewel nie noodwendig in die volgorde nie) rugby-unie, sokker en (Europese / span / olimpiese) handbal met 'n sterk binnelandse kompetisie en 'n nasionale span wat onderskeidelik Sesnasies, wêreldbekers en Europese kampioenskappe verower het en gewoonlik wêreldwyd in ag geneem moet word.

Fietsry is nog 'n gewilde sport in Frankryk, met baie professionele wedrenne wat dwarsdeur die land plaasvind. Die Tour de France, fietsry se mees gesogte ren, vind elke drie maande in Julie plaas. Die wedloop het 'n reeks van 21 voldag-skofte langs paaie in Frankryk en beslaan gewoonlik 3 500 km. Alhoewel die toer altyd op die Champs-Élysées in Parys eindig, verander die spesifieke roete om daarheen te kom elke jaar. Die begin van die wedloop staan ​​bekend as die Groot departement, 'n karnavaleske aangeleentheid wat streke regoor Frankryk en inderdaad in Wes-Europa wil aanbied. Die toer is gratis om na al sy stadiums te kyk en is baie toeganklik. Dit word die beste besigtig op toneeldorpe en op sy opwindendste dele: massasprint na die einde van 'n plat verhoog, geplaveide dele en bergklim, waar die atmosfeer die beste is.

Koop

Vakansies

Baie van die Franse neem hul vakansie in Augustus. As gevolg hiervan sal baie van die kleiner winkels (slaghuise, bakkerye, ...) buite toeristegebiede gedurende dele van Augustus gesluit wees. Dit geld ook vir baie ondernemings sowel as dokters. Dit is duidelik dat winkels in toeriste gebiede geneig is om oop te wees wanneer toeriste kom, veral in Julie en Augustus. Daarenteen sal baie besienswaardighede gedurende daardie maande en gedurende die Paasnaweek verskriklik druk wees.

Sommige besienswaardighede, veral in landelike gebiede, sluit of het die openingstye buite die toeristeseisoen verminder.

Bergagtige gebiede hou gewoonlik twee toeriste-seisoene in: in die winter, vir ski, sneeu-skoen en ander sneeu-verwante aktiwiteite, en in die somer vir besienswaardighede en voetslaan.

Geld

Frankryk gebruik die euro, soos verskeie ander Europese lande. Een euro is verdeel in 100 sent. Die amptelike simbool vir die euro is €, en die ISO-kode daarvan is EUR. Daar is geen amptelike simbool vir die sent nie.

Alle banknote en munte van hierdie gemeenskaplike geldeenheid is wettig betaalmiddel in al die lande, behalwe dat muntstukke met 'n lae denominasie (een en twee sent) in sommige daarvan uitgefaseer word. Die banknote lyk dieselfde in lande, terwyl munte 'n standaard ontwerp op die agterkant het, wat die waarde uitdruk en 'n nasionale landspesifieke ontwerp aan die voorkant. Die voorkant word ook gebruik vir verskillende ontwerpe van gedenkmuntstukke. Die ontwerp van die voorkant beïnvloed nie die gebruik van die muntstuk nie.

Sommige buitelandse geldeenhede soos die Amerikaanse dollar en die Britse pond word soms aanvaar, veral in toeristegebiede en op hoër plekke, maar 'n mens moet nie daarop reken nie; voorts kan die kassier 'n ongunstige wisselkoers hef. In die algemeen sal winkels transaksies in buitelandse valuta weier.

Dit is vir die oorgrote meerderheid van die ondernemings verpligtend om pryse in vensters te plaas. Hotelle en restaurante moet hul tariewe van buite sigbaar hê (baie hotelle bied egter laer pryse as die wat gepos word, as hulle voel dat hulle sukkel om hul kamers vol te maak; die prys is slegs 'n maksimum).

Byna alle winkels (behalwe kleiner onafhanklike winkels, waaronder toeristewinkels en tabakwinkels), restaurante en hotelle neem die CB-Franse debietkaart en sy buitelandse affiliasies, Visa en MasterCard. American Express is geneig om slegs in hoogstaande winkels aanvaar te word. Kleinhandelaars sal per kassa pos indien daar 'n minimum besteding is voordat hulle die kaart gebruik. Raadpleeg u bank vir toepaslike fooie (gewoonlik pas banke die groothandelswisselkoers tussen banke toe, wat die beste beskikbaar is, maar dit kan 'n proporsionele en / of vaste fooi klop).

Boekwinkel in Bordeaux

Franse CB-kaarte (en CB / Visa- en CB / MasterCard-kaarte) bevat 'n 'slim chip' wat die PIN-verifikasie van transaksies moontlik maak. Hierdie stelsel, wat in Frankryk begin is, het nou tot 'n internasionale standaard ontwikkel en nuwer Britse kaarte is verenigbaar. Sommige outomatiese kleinhandelsmasjiene (soos verkoopskaartjies) is moontlik slegs versoenbaar met kaarte met die mikroskyfie. Daarbenewens weet kassiere wat nie aan buitelandse kaarte gewoond is nie, moontlik dat buitelandse Visa- of MasterCard-kaarte gevee moet word en 'n handtekening verkry moet word, terwyl Franse klante stelselmatig PIN gebruik en nie die transaksies onderteken nie. Die aanvaarding van kontaklose kaarte word ook wydverspreid.

Daar is feitlik geen manier om 'n kontantvoorskot van 'n kredietkaart sonder 'n PIN in Frankryk te kry nie.

Outomatiese tellermasjiene (OTM) is verreweg die beste manier om geld in Frankryk te kry. Hulle neem almal CB, Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus en Plus en is volop in die hele Frankryk. Hulle kan ander kaartjies aanvaar; kyk na die logo's op die kitsbank en op u kaart (aan die agterkant, gewoonlik) as ten minste een ooreenstem. Dit is moontlik dat sommige masjiene nie 6-syfer-PIN-kodes hanteer nie (slegs 4-syferkodes), of dat hulle nie die keuse tussen verskillende rekeninge bied nie (standaard is die tjekrekening). Raadpleeg u bank oor toepaslike fooie, wat baie kan wissel (banke pas gewoonlik die groothandelswisselkoers toe, wat die beste beskikbaar is, maar kan 'n proporsionele en / of 'n vaste fooi klop; as gevolg van die vaste fooi is dit oor die algemeen beter om geld in groot stukke te trek eerder as € 20 per keer). Kyk ook na die toepaslike maksimum onttrekkingsperke.

Reistjeks is moeilik om te gebruik - die meeste handelaars sal dit nie aanvaar nie, en die uitruil daarvan kan behels dat daar 'n bank gevind word wat aanvaar om dit te ruil en moontlik 'n fooi betaal.

Die posdiens dien ook as 'n bank, so dikwels het poskantore 'n kitsbank. As gevolg hiervan, sal selfs klein dorpe kitsbanke hê wat met buitelandse kaarte gebruik kan word.

Wisselkantore (bureaux de change) is nou skaarser met die koms van die Euro - hulle sal oor die algemeen slegs in dorpe met 'n beduidende buitelandse toeriste-teenwoordigheid, soos Parys, aangetref word. Sommige banke ruil geld, dikwels met hoë fooie. Die Bank van Frankryk doen nie meer buitelandse valuta nie.

Doen Plaas geld in u tjekrekening, dra 'n OTM-kaart met 'n Cirrus- of Plus-logo daarop en 'n 4-syfer-pen wat nie met '0' begin nie en trek kontant uit kitsbanke. Betaal groter transaksies (hotel, restaurante ...) met Visa of MasterCard. Dra altyd 'n paar euro kontant vir noodgevalle.

Moenie Dra buitelandse valuta of reisigerstjeks, en ruil dit onderweg, of verwag dat dit deur winkels aanvaar sal word.

Kantel

Wenke word nie in Frankryk verwag nie, aangesien dienskoste by die rekening ingesluit is. Fransmanne laat egter gewoonlik die kleingeld oor na die betaling van die rekening of een tot vyf euro as hulle tevrede was met die kwaliteit van die diens.

Winkels

In dorpe en middestede sal u altyd kleiner winkels, kruidenierswinkels (Casino) asook af en toe afdelingswinkels en klein winkelsentrums. In woongebiede sal daar dikwels klein supermarkte wees (soos Carrefour Market of Intermarché). Groot supermarkte (hypermarchés soos Auchan, Carrefour, E.Leclerc, Géant Casino) is meestal aan die buitewyke van die dorpe en is waarskynlik nie nuttig nie, tensy u toegang tot 'n motor het.

Pryse word aangedui met alle belastings (naamlik die TVA, of belasting op toegevoegde waarde) ingesluit. Dit is vir inwoners van nie-EU moontlik om gedeeltelike terugbetaling te kry by vertrek uit sekere winkels met 'n "belastingvrye inkopies" -plakker; doen binne navraag. TVA is 20% op die meeste dinge, maar 10% op sommige dinge soos boeke, restaurantmaaltye en openbare vervoer en 5,5% op voedsel wat in kruidenierswinkels gekoop word (behalwe lekkers!). Alkoholiese drank word altyd teen 20% belas, ongeag waar dit gekoop word.

Eet

Sien ook: Franse kookkuns

Binne L'Auberge du Pont de Collonges naby Lyon, 'n restaurant met 3 Michelin-sterre sedert 1965 en die hoofrestaurant van die ontslape sjef Paul Bocuse

Met sy internasionale reputasie vir lekker eet, sal min mense verbaas wees om te hoor dat die Franse kookkuns beslis baie goed kan wees. As bewys hiervan is Frankryk gekoppel aan Japan vir die eerste plek as die land met die meeste Michelin-sterrestaurante. Die Franse kookkuns in sy geheel is op die UNESCO-lys van ontasbare kulturele erfenisse ingeskryf. Ongelukkig kan die plaaslike kos ook teleurstellend wees; baie restaurante wat voorsiening maak vir toeriste, bedien baie gewone tariewe, en sommige is rip-offs. Om die regte restaurant te vind en een waarheen Franse mense gaan, is dus baie belangrik - probeer plaaslike inwoners, hotelpersoneel of selfs deur restaurantgidse of webwerwe om aanbevelings te vra, want dit is 'n treffende saak om bloot van die straat af in te stap. Die nadeel is dat dit baie selde is om buite die toeristevalle 'n restaurant met Engelssprekende kelners te vind, dus wees bereid om Frans te moet praat.

Daar is baie plekke om Franse kos in Frankryk te probeer, van drie-ster Michelin-restaurante tot Frans brasseries of bistrots wat u op byna elke hoek kan vind, veral in groot stede. Oor die algemeen moet 'n mens probeer om te eet waar die plaaslike bevolking die beste kans bied vir 'n onvergeetlike maaltyd. Die meeste klein stede of selfs dorpies het plaaslike restaurante wat soms in die betroubaarste gidse gelys word. Trouens, baie lekker eetrestaurante is in plattelandse dorpe eerder as in die groot stede, en Franse ry dikwels na daardie dorpies om tydens spesiale geleenthede te gaan eet. Selfs onder stede is Parys nie word deur die Franse beskou as die beste toneel vir lekker eet; daardie eer kom Lyon toe. Daar is ook spesifieke plaaslike restaurante, soos: bouchons lyonnais in Lyon, crêperies in Bretagne (en in die Montparnasse-omgewing van Parys), en baraques à frites in die noorde

Chinese, Viëtnamese, Kambodjaanse en selfs Thaise eetplekke is maklik beskikbaar in Parys, óf as gewone restaurante óf traiteurs (kitskos). Dit is nie so algemeen en is duurder in kleiner Franse stede nie. Baie plekke het 'Italiaanse' restaurante, maar dit is dikwels niks meer as verbeeldinglose pizza- en pastasalonne nie. U vind ook Marokkaanse, Algerynse, Tunisiese, sowel as Griekse en Libanese kos. Die alomteenwoordige hamburgerbars - Amerikaanse oorspronklike of hul Franse eksemplare - is ook beskikbaar.

In Frankryk word belasting (7% van die totaal in restaurante) en diens (gewoonlik 10%) altyd by die rekening ingesluit, en dus is enigiets wat klante by die rekeningbedrag voeg, 'n ekstra fooi. Die geadverteerde prys mag nie bygevoeg word nie, en huiwer nie om sulke toevoegings te bevraagteken nie. Franse laat gewoonlik een of twee muntstukke agter as hulle tevrede was met die diens, maar dit is nie verpligtend nie. Brood- en kraanwater is altyd gratis, en geen ekstra prys moet vir die geregte gehef word nie.

Vaste prys-spyskaarte bevat selde drankies. As u water wil hê, sal kelners gereeld mineraalwater of gaskoeldrank teen 'n premie probeer verkoop; vra vir 'n karaf d'eau vir kraanwater, wat gratis en veilig is om te drink. Water nooit nie kom met ys daarin, tensy so versoek, en water met ys is moontlik nie beskikbaar nie.

Soos in ander lande, is restaurante geneig om baie drank te verdien. Verwag dat wyn baie meer sal kos as in 'n supermark.

Bestelling geskied vanaf vaste-spyskaarte (spyskaartoplossing) of à la carte.

'N Tipiese vaste prys-spyskaart sal bestaan ​​uit:

• voorgereg, genoem voorgeregte of hors d'œuvres
• hoofgereg, genaamd a plat [skoolhoof]
• nagereg (nagereg) of kaas (fromage)

Soms bied restaurante die opsie om slegs twee van die drie gange te neem teen 'n verlaagde prys.

Koffie word altyd as 'n laaste stap bedien, maar dit kan deur drank gevolg word. Koffie sal altyd swart bedien word, tensy anders versoek. Vir wit koffie, vra vir café au lait. 'N Versoek om koffie tydens die ete sal as vreemd beskou word.

Nie alle restaurante is oop vir middag- en aandete nie, en ook nie altyd die hele jaar oop nie. Dit is dus raadsaam om die openingstye en dae noukeurig na te gaan. 'N Restaurant wat vir middagete oop is, begin gewoonlik om 12 uur met diens en aanvaar beskermers tot 13:30. Aandete begin omstreeks 19:30 en klante word tot 21:30 aanvaar. Restaurante met langer diensure word gewoonlik net in die groter stede en in middedorpe aangetref. Die vind van 'n restaurant wat Saterdag en veral Sondag oop is, kan 'n uitdaging wees, tensy u naby die toeristegebiede bly.

In 'n redelike aantal restaurante, veral buite toeristiese gebiede, is 'n bespreking verpligtend en kan mense sonder een weggewys word, selfs al is die restaurant duidelik nie vol nie. Om hierdie rede kan dit die moeite werd wees om vooraf potensiële eetplekke te ondersoek en die nodige besprekings te maak om teleurstelling te voorkom, veral as die restaurant wat u oorweeg spesiaal in die gidsboeke aangeraai word.

'N Middagete van 2-3 gange vir twee op die spyskaart wyn en koffie insluit, kos u (vanaf 2018) gemiddeld 30-50 €. 'N Hoofgereg tydens aandete kos € 15-30 in 'n tipiese restaurant, terwyl 'n tipiese aandete vir twee met drank € 50-110 kos. Dieselfde met bier in 'n plaaslike bistro of a crêperie ongeveer € 35-55. U kan, of natuurlik, heelwat meer spandeer.

Buite Parys en die belangrikste stede is die pryse nie altyd laer nie, maar die spyskaart bevat dikwels 'n vierde gang, gewoonlik kaas. Pas op soos toeristevalle rondom die swaar gereisde plekke en bied 'n mooi uitsig, maar nie veel om op u bord te onthou nie.

Restaurantetiket

Franse kelners het die reputasie dat hulle onbeskof is, maar dit is grotendeels onverdiend. Alhoewel daar beslis 'n paar slegte eiers is wat skynbaar tot 'n mate sal bydra om hul minagting vir u as kliënt te toon, is die meeste persepsies van onbeskoftheid net die gevolg van reisigers wat sekere diensverwagtinge het wat verskil van die Franse kulturele norm.

Enkele belangrike verskille in ander Engelssprekende lande volg. In Frankryk die kliënt kom nie eerste nie. Jy is nie altyd reg, u elke gril doen dit nie moet u toegee, en die hoeveelheid geld wat u flits, sal wel wees nie gee u die reg om 'n voortreflike diens aan ander in die kamer te gee. Die oorgrote meerderheid van die restaurante in Frankryk is onafhanklikes in private besit, met al die trots wat dit meebring; u as klant is niks meer as 'n tydelike gas in die restaurateur se huis nie. Dit beteken dat u goed behandel sal word, solank u beleefd is en 'n paar huisreëls nakom. Nederigheid en 'n sin vir humor as daar foute voorkom, kan albei 'n lang pad in hierdie speletjie bereik!

By aankoms by 'n restaurant, wag by die deur om na u tafel gewys te word. Om jouself te sit sonder om daartoe uitgenooi te word, word dikwels aanmatigend beskou en kan daartoe lei dat jy aan die verkeerde voet klim voordat jy eers kan sê bonjour. Om om enige rede te vra dat 'n gereg verander word, is ongewoon en kan beskou word as kritiek op die kook van die sjef. As u nie hou van hoe 'n spesifieke gereg voorberei word nie, of nie een van die bestanddele kan eet nie, bestel dan iets anders. Daar is 'n rede waarom die volledige spyskaart op elke restaurantdeur aangebring word, en dit is om mense in staat te stel om 'n idee te kry van wat aangebied word voordat hulle hul daartoe verbind om daar te eet. Terwyl u eet, word dit as onbeleefd beskou om u elmboë op die tafel te hê; dito om jou hande in jou skoot te lê. As u 'n glas of 'n beker saam met u drankie kry, gebruik dit.

Kelner is 'n gerekende beroep in Frankryk. In die Franse psige is 'n goeie kelner daar om seker te maak dat u die ete en drankies op die regte manier ontvang, en dan uithou sodat u in vrede kan geniet. As u iets nodig het, is u meer as welkom om dit te vra, maar verwag nie dat u tydens u maaltyd genader sal word nie, of dat u vooraf verwag moet word. Moet bowenal nie u kelner aanspreek as garçon (seun), want dit is neerhalend en ongeveer 'n eeu verouderde etiketgewys. 'N Eenvoudige verskoon-moi is meer as voldoende om die bediener se aandag te trek. Een manier om goeie diens te verseker, is om die kelner se aanbevelings vir wyn te vra of om plaaslike spesialiteite op die spyskaart aan te dui; dit wys dat u hul kundigheid respekteer en u die geleentheid bied om meer oor die plaaslike kookkuns te leer.

U kan aan die einde u waardering toon deur 'n kleintjie agter te laat wenk. Aflaai is nie verpligtend nie en word ook nie verwag nie, aangesien die bedienende personeel 'n volle loon ontvang, en baie ondernemings 'n 10% -koste inreken in die prys van die kos (dit word aangedui met diens compris op die rekening of spyskaart gedruk). Die meeste Franse sal, wanneer hulle besluit om 'n fooi te gee, die rekening net afrond tot die volgende veelvoud van vyf - as 'n rekening op € 26 beloop, noem dit € 30 en almal is gelukkig.

Brood

Bakkery en klant met stokbrood

Bakkerye (boulangeries) is iets van 'n Franse instelling en is regoor die land te vinde, van die kleinste dorpies tot stadstrate. Alle witbroodvariante hou net 'n kort rukkie en moet dieselfde dag geëet word, anders word dit die volgende oggend in sop of warm sjokolade gestoor. Daarom bak bak minstens twee keer per dag.

• Die beroemde stokbrood: 'n lang, dun brood;
• Variante van die stokbrood: la ficelle (selfs dunner), la flûte, la tradisie ('n stokbrood met 'n algemeen delikater smaak, maar ook duurder);
• Pain de campagne of Pyn voltooi: gemaak van volgraan wat relatief goed hou.

Gebak

Gebak is 'n groot deel van die Franse kookkuns. Hotelontbyte is geneig om lig te wees, bestaande uit tartyne (stukkies brood met botter of konfyt) of die beroemde croissants en pyne au chocolat, nie anders as 'n sjokolade-gevulde croissant nie, maar vierkantig eerder as halfmaan.

Gebak kan gevind word in a patisserie maar ook in die meeste boulangeries.

Streekgeregte

Bouillabaisse

Foie gras kan op baie verskillende maniere bedien word

Elke Franse streek het al sy eie geregte. Hierdie geregte volg die plaaslike produkte van die streek, landbou, jag en visvang. Hier is 'n klein lys van streekgeregte wat u maklik in Frankryk kan vind. Oor die algemeen het elke streek 'n unieke en wydverspreide gereg, gewoonlik omdat dit voedsel vir die massa was:

• Cassoulet (in die suidweste): bone, eend, vark en wors
• Choucroute, of suurkool (in die Elsas): gestroopte gefermenteerde koolvark
• Fondue Savoyarde (sentrale Alpe): gesmelte / warm kaas met witwyn
• Fondue Bourguignonne (in Bourgondië): stukke beesvleis (in gekookte olie), gewoonlik bedien met 'n verskeidenheid souse.
• Raclette (sentrale Alpe): gesmelte kaas & aartappels / vleis
• Pot-au-feu (in die hele Frankryk aangetref): gekookte beesvleis met groente
• Boeuf Bourguignon (Bourgondië): stadig gekookte beesvleis met rooiwynsous
• Gratin dauphinois (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes): oondgeroosterde snye aartappels met suurroom en kaas
• Aligot (Aveyron): gesmelte kaas gemeng met 'n puree aartappels
• Bouillabaisse (vissaffraan) (Marseille en die Franse Riviera). Moenie mislei word nie! 'N Regte bouillabaisse is 'n baie duur gereg vanweë die hoeveelheid vars vis wat dit benodig. Wees bereid om minstens € 30 per persoon te betaal. As u restaurante vind wat beweer dat hulle bedien bouillabaisse vir iets soos € 15 per persoon, sal u van 'n baie swak gehalte wees.
• Tartiflette (Savoie): Gesmelte Reblochon-kaas, aartappels en vark of spek.
• Confit de Canard (suidwes): Duck Confit, bestaan ​​uit bene en vlerke wat in vet bad. Daardie vet is eintlik baie gesond en is saam met rooiwyn een van die geïdentifiseerde bronne van die sogenaamde "French Paradox" (eet ryklik, leef lank).
• Foie Gras (suidwes): Die lewer van 'n eend of gans. Alhoewel dit gewoonlik duur is, foie gras kan in die supermarkte teen 'n laer prys (vanweë hul koopkrag) rondom die Kerstyd gevind word. Dit is die tyd van die jaar wanneer die meeste foie gras word in Frankryk verbruik. Dit gaan baie goed met Champagne.
• Moules marinière (langs die kus aangetref, met groot streeksverskille): Mossels gestoom in wyn of sider (Bretagne en Normandië) met 'n verskeidenheid plaaslike produkte, bv. eenvoudige sjalotjies en knoffel in die noorde, room in die weste, tamaties en soetrissies in die suide, ens ... Normaalweg bedien met korserige brood en frites.

Kook en drink is 'n noemenswaardige deel van die Franse kultuur; neem tyd om te eet en nuwe geregte te ontdek.

Ongewone kosse

Escargots

In teenstelling met stereotipe, is slakke en paddapote nogal ongereelde voedselsoorte in Frankryk, en baie Franse het dit ook nie geniet nie, of het dit nog nooit eens geproe nie. Kwalitatiewe restaurante het dit soms op hul spyskaart: as u nuuskierig is om nuwe kosse te probeer, gaan voort.

• Padda bene (cuisses de grenouille) het 'n baie fyn en fyn smaak met vleis wat nie anders is as hoender nie. Hulle word dikwels in 'n knoffelbedekking bedien en is nie vreemder om te eet as byvoorbeeld krap nie.
• Die meeste van die smaak van Bourgondiese slakke (escargots de bourgogne) kom van die ruim hoeveelheid botter, knoffel en pietersielie waarin dit gekook word. Hulle het 'n baie spesifieke sponsagtige leeragtige tekstuur en, om voor die hand liggende redes, 'n sterk knorrige geur. Slakke in Katalaanse styl (kargols) is 'n heel ander manier gemaak, en smaak nog vreemder!

Biefstuk-tartaar

Laat ons ook aanhaal:

• Rillettes sarthoises ook bekend as Rillettes du Mans. 'N Soort potvleis, gemaak van fyngekapte en gekruide varkvleis. 'N Heerlike spesialiteit van die Sarthe-gebied in die noorde van die Pays de la Loire en om nie mee te verwar nie rillette uit ander gebiede, wat meer soos 'n rowwe voorkoms is paté.
• Beesmurg (os à moelle). Word gewoonlik in klein hoeveelhede bedien, met 'n groot kant. Gaan dus voort: as u nie daarvan hou nie, sal u iets anders op u bord hê!
• Kalfsvleisbrood (ris de veau), is 'n baie fyn (en oor die algemeen duur) lekkerny, wat gereeld saam met moriel bedien word, of in meer uitgebreide geregte soos bouchées à la reine.
• Bees ingewande (tripes) word ook bedien à la mode de Caen (met 'n witwynsous, vernoem na die stad in Normandië) of à la katalaan (met 'n effens gekruide tamatiesous)
• Andouillettes is worsies gemaak van tripe, 'n spesialiteit van Lyon
• Tricandilles is gekruide en geroosterde varkvleis uit die Bordeaux-streek
• Beestong (langue de bœuf) en beesneus (museau) en kalfsvleiskop (tête de veau) word gewoonlik koud (maar deeglik gaar!) as voorgereg geëet.
• Oesters (huîtres) word meestal rou in 'n halwe dop bedien. Hulle word gereeld volgens grootte gegradeer, en No1 is die grootste (en duurste).
• Uurstowwe (see-egels), vir diegene wat van gekonsentreerde jodium hou.
• Biefstuk-tartaar 'n groot pattie maalvleis wat in suur genees is, in teenstelling met gekookte, gereeld bedien met 'n rou eier. Goeie steak-tartaar sal aan tafel bestel word. 'N Soortgelyke gereg is boeuf carpaccio, dit is dun skywe of repies rou biefstuk bedruip met olyfolie en kruie.
• Cervelle (uitgespreek ser-VELL), lambrein.

Kaas

Frankryk is beslis die land vir kaas (fromage), met byna 400 verskillende soorte. Die voormalige president-generaal Charles De Gaulle het inderdaad gesê: "Hoe kan u 'n land regeer wat 365 kaasvariëteite het?".

Dieetbeperkings

Vegetarisme is nie so ongewoon soos vroeër nie, veral in groter stede. Baie min restaurante bied egter vegetariese spyskaarte, en as u iets vegetaries vra, is die slaai en groente bygeregte.

Daar kan steeds verwarring wees tussen vegetarisme en pescetarianisme. Vegetariese en organiese voedselrestaurante begin verskyn. 'Tradisionele' Franse restaurante mag egter niks vegetariërs hê nie spyskaartoplossing, dus moet u dalk iets kies à la carte, wat gewoonlik duurder is.

Gelukkig is die Noord-Afrikaanse kookkuns baie gewild in Frankryk, koeskoes is een van die gewildste geregte in Frankryk (veral in Oos-Frankryk) en is algemeen beskikbaar.

Veganisme is baie ongewoon, hoewel dit toeneem, en dit kan moeilik wees om veganistiese eetplekke te vind. Desondanks het die Franse veganistiese gemeenskap 'n paar instrumente gemaak om veganistiese kos en restaurante te vind: vegan-mafia.com en vegoresto.fr. Parys het een van die vinnigste groeiende veganistiese gemeenskappe in Europa, dus u moet 'n veganistiese restaurant of twee kan vind.

Byna elke dorp het ten minste een halal-restaurant of wegneemete, en baie het ook halal-slagters. Kosher (soek na bordjies met kasher, cachère en ander soortgelyke woorde) restaurante en winkels kom minder voor buite die groot stede.

Ontbyt

Ontbyt in Frankryk is gewoonlik baie lig, gewoonlik bestaan ​​uit 'n koffie en 'n croissant of 'n ander wiennoiserie by spesiale geleenthede. Op normale dae het die meeste mense 'n drankie (koffie, tee, warm sjokolade, lemoensap) en roosterbrood van stokbrood of roosterbrood met botter en konfyt / heuning / Nutella wat in die warm drankie gedompel kan word, of graan met melk of vrugte en jogurt. Die Franse ontbyt is meestal soet, maar alles kan verander en u kan vandag oral 'n sout ontbyt eet.

Drink

Sjampanje!

Champagne, Bourgondië, Bordeaux, Rhône, die Loire-vallei ... Frankryk is die tuiste van wyn (vin). Dit kan bykans oral goedkoop gevind word. Bier (bière) is ook uiters gewild, veral in Noord-Frankryk, waar "Bière de Garde" gevind kan word. Die ouderdom vir die aankoop van alkohol is 18 vir alle drankies, maar dit word nie altyd streng toegepas nie; wette teen dronkbestuur word egter streng toegepas, met streng strawwe.

Franse wyn word hoofsaaklik geklassifiseer volgens die streek waar dit vandaan kom. In baie wyne word nie die druifsoort gebruik wat gebruik is nie. Om te weet wat u kry, moet u leer vir watter soorte wyn elke streek bekend is. Wyne word gewoonlik gemerk met die streek (wat breed of baie spesifiek kan wees) en 'n kwaliteitsvlak:

• Ongeveer die helfte van alle wyne is AOP (Appellation d'origine protégée), of AOC (Appellation d'origine contrôlée) in wyne voor 2012. Vir hierdie hoogste vlak moet wyn afkomstig wees van aangewese gebiede met beperkings op die druifsoorte, wynmaakmetodes en geurprofiel.
• Nog 'n derde van die wyne is IGP (Aanduiding géographique protégée), of Vin de Pays Voor 2012 word daar ook geoordeel dat dit aan die karakter van wyn in 'n streek voldoen, maar dit het minder beperkings as AOP / AOC-wyne.
• Die laagste vlak is Vin de France, of Vin de Table voor 2010, wat alledaagse tafelwyne is wat nie per streek gemerk is nie.

Wyn en sterk drank kan by supermarkte of in gespesialiseerde winkels soos die Nicolas-ketting gekoop word. Nicolas bied goeie advies oor wat om te koop (spesifiseer die soort wyn en die prys wat u wil hê). Oor die algemeen is slegs Franse wyne beskikbaar, tensy 'n vreemde wyn 'n "spesialiteit" is in Frankryk (soos port), en dit word geklassifiseer volgens streek van herkoms, nie volgens druiwe nie.

Etiketmatig moet u nie alkoholiese drankies (veral rooiwyn of sterk alkohol soos cognac) direk uit 'n bottel van 70 cl drink nie. Sulke gedrag word gewoonlik met dronkaards geassosieer (maar as u deur universiteitstudente omring word, kan dit goed gaan met u). Om bier uit 'n blik of bottel van 25 tot 50cl te drink, is OK.

Die prys van voedsel en drank sal verskil, of dit aan die kroeg of aan die tafel gesit word - dieselfde koppie espresso kan € 0,50 meer kos as dit aan die tafel bedien word as aan die kroeg, en weer € 0,50 meer as op die terras bedien. In werklikheid betaal u nie soveel vir die drank as vir die tafelkos nie. Neem egter die kroeg in ag - hoewel u sal moet staan, is daar 'n groot hoeveelheid openbare gesprekke en interaksies in kafees. In elk geval is kafees volgens die wet verplig om hul pryse êrens in die instansie te plaas, gewoonlik in die venster of aan die muur langs die kroeg.

Daar is 'n paar mengeldrankies wat min of meer uniek is vir Frankryk en die nabygeleë frankofoonlande.

• Panache is 'n mengsel van bier en limonade, basies 'n biersandy.
• Monaco is 'n Panache met 'n bietjie grenadiensiroop by.
• Kir is 'n aangename aperitief van witwyn (in teorie, Bourgogne Aligoté) of, minder gereeld, sjampanje (dan genoem kir royal en ongeveer twee keer die prys van gewone kir) en cassis (swartbessie likeur), of pêche (perske), of mûre (swartbessie).
• Pastis is 'n anys-gebaseerde (drop-geurige) gees, soortgelyk aan smaak as Sambuca of Ouzo, wat bedien word met 'n paar klontjies suiker en 'n klein kruik koue water om die drank te verdun. Dit word tradisioneel op baie warm dae geniet, en is dus meer gewild in die suide van die land, maar is min of meer oral beskikbaar.

Daar is 'n verskeidenheid gebottelde water, insluitend:

• Évian, Thonon, Contrex, Volvic: mineraalwater
• Perrier: bruiswater
• Badoit: effens bruisende en soutwater.

Slaap

Frankryk is 'n uiteenlopende en kleurvolle land, en u vind alles van pragtige houthuisies in die Alpe, kastele op die platteland en villa's aan die strand aan die Riviera ... plus alles tussenin!

Hotelle

Hotelle kom in 5 kategorieë van 1 tot 5 sterre voor. Dit is die amptelike gradering wat deur die Ministerie van Toerisme gegee word, en dit word op die blou skild by die ingang geplaas. Sterre word toegeken volgens objektiewe, maar ietwat verouderde administratiewe kriteria (area van die ontvangsaal, persentasie kamers met en suite-badkamer ...).

Tariewe wissel volgens akkommodasie, ligging en soms hoog- of laagseisoen of spesiale geleenthede.

Vanaf 2004 val die tarief vir 'n *** hotel in 'n betroubare gids tussen € 70 (goedkoop) en € 110 (duur) vir 'n dubbelkamer sonder ontbyt.

Volgens die wet moet alle hotelle hul tariewe buite (of van buite sigbaar) sien. Dit is maksimum tariewe: 'n hotel kan altyd 'n laer tarief aanbied om sy kamers vol te maak. Onderhandeling is nie die norm nie, maar u kan altyd afslag vra.

Hotelle in middestede of naby treinstasies is dikwels baie klein (15-30 kamers), wat beteken dat u vooraf moet bespreek. Baie nuwer hotelle, besigheidsgerig, word in die buitewyke van stede aangetref en is soms groter strukture (100 kamers of meer); dit is miskien nie maklik om met openbare vervoer te bereik nie. Die nuwer hotelle is dikwels deel van nasionale of internasionale kettings en het hoë standaarde. Baie ouer hotelle maak nou deel uit van kettings en lewer gestandaardiseerde diens, maar hulle behou hul eie atmosfeer.

Wanneer u Parys besoek, word dit sterk aangeraai om in die regte stad te bly; daar is goedkoper toerisme-hotelle in die voorstede, maar dit maak voorsiening vir groepe in motorbusse; dit is moeilik om met die openbare vervoer te bereik.

Langs die snelwegnetwerk en by die ingang van stede vind u motelle in Amerikaanse styl; hulle is dikwels slegs per motor bereikbaar. Sommige motelle (bv. Formule 1) het minimale diens. As u laat inkom, vind u 'n kitsbankagtige masjien wat kredietkaarte gebruik, wat 'n kode sal aflewer om u kamer te bereik.

B & B's en Gîtes

'N Gîte landelike

U kan dwarsdeur Frankryk veral in landelike gebiede, maar ook in stede en stede, vind B & B's en gîtes.

B & B's staan ​​in Frans bekend as "chambres d'hôtes"en is gewoonlik nag-tot-nag beskikbaar. Ontbyt MOET volgens wet by die geadverteerde prys ingesluit wees vir chambre d'hôte. Hou dit in gedagte as u pryse met hotelle vergelyk, waar ontbyt NIE by die kamerprys ingesluit is nie.

Gîtes of gîtes ruraux are holiday cottages, and generally rented out as a complete accommodation unit including a kitchen, mostly on a weekly basis. Literally the French word gîte just means a place to spend the night; however it is now mostly used to describe rental cottages or self-catering holiday homes, usually in rural parts of France. There are very few near or in the cities. Finding them requires buying a guide or, for greater choice, using the internet, as you will not find many signposted on the road.

Traditionally, gîtes provided basic good value accommodation, typically adjacent to the owner's household or in a nearby outbuilding. The term can now also be used to describe most country-based self-catering accommodation in France. Hence it includes accommodation as varied as small cottages to villas with private swimming pools.

During peak summer months the best self-catering gîtes require booking several months in advance.

There are thousands of B&Bs and gîtes in France rented out by foreign owners, particularly British and Dutch, and these tend to be listed, sometimes exclusively, with English-language or international organisations and websites that can be found by keying the words "chambres d'hôtes", "gîtes" or "gîtes de france" into any of the major search engines.

There is a large number of organisations and websites offering gîtes.

Gîtes de France

A France-wide cooperative organisation, Gîtes de France groups more than 50,000 rural places of accommodation together and was the first in France to offer a consistent rating system with comprehensive descriptions.

Despite the name, Gîtes de France offers B&B as well as holiday rental (gîte) accommodation.

The Gîtes de France rating system uses wheat stalks called épis (equivalent to a star rating), based on amenities rather than quality - though generally the two go together.

Through its website, bookings can be done directly with owners or through the local Gîtes de France booking agency (no extra fee for the traveller). Although an English language version is available for many of the website pages, for some departments the pages giving details of an individual gîte are only in French.

There is no particular advantage in using Gîtes de France rather than one of the other online gîtes sites, or booking directly with a gîte owner. The procedure is pretty standard for all gîte booking sites, whether French or foreign - with the advantage that the whole booking process can be done in English, which is not always the case with Gîtes de France.

After making a gîte booking you will receive, by post, a contract to sign (for gîtes only). Sign and return one copy. When signing write the words "Read and approved", and the name of your home town, before signing and dating the contract. You will normally be asked to pay a deposit of a quarter to a third of the booking fee. The rest will be required one month before the start of your holiday. When you arrive at the gîte a security deposit, specified in the contact, should be given to the owner in cash. This will be returned at the end of your stay, minus any fuel charges and breakages.

Another great resource for booking gîtes and villas in France is Holiday France Direct, which enables you to deal directly with the property owners and offers customers discounted ferry travel with Brittany Ferries.

Gîtes d'étape

Another possibility is gîtes d'étape. These are more like overnight stays for hikers, like a mountain hut. They are mostly cheaper than the Gîtes de France but also much more basic.

Short term rentals

Travellers should definitely consider short-term villa/apartment/studio rentals as an alternative to other accommodation options. Short term can be as few as several days up to months at a stretch. Summer rentals are usually from Saturday to Saturday only (July & August). This type accommodation belongs to a private party, and can range from basic to luxurious. A particular advantage, aside from competitive prices, is that the accommodations come with fully fitted kitchens.

Hundreds of agencies offer accommodation for short term rentals on behalf of the owner, and can guide you into finding the best property, at the best price in the most suitable location for you. An internet search for the location and type of property you're looking for will usually return the names of several listing sites, each of which may have hundreds or thousands of properties for you to choose from. There are plenty of sites in both English and French, and the rental properties may be owned by people of any nationality.

Well established holiday rental sites include Gitelink France, Holidaylettings.co.uk, Owners Direct en Alpha Holiday Lettings. If you are looking to stay in just a room or part of the property, Airbnb matches holiday makers with hosts who only rent out part of their homes.

Kampeer

Camping on the beach

Camping is very common in France. Most camp sites are a little way out of town and virtually all cater not just for tents but also for camper vans and caravans. While all camp sites have the basic facilities of shower and toilet blocks, larger sites tend to offer a range of additional facilities such as bars and restaurants, self-service launderettes, swimming pools or bicycle hire. All camp sites except for very small 'farm camping' establishments must be registered with the authorities, and are officially graded using a system of stars.

In coastal areas, three-star and four-star camp grounds must generally be booked in advance during the months of July and August, and many people book from one year to the next. In rural areas, outside of popular tourist spots, it is usually possible to show up unannounced, and find a place; this is particularly true with the municipal camp sites that can be found in most small towns; though even then it may be advisable to ring up or email in advance to make sure. There are always exceptions.

In France it's forbidden to camp:

• in woods, natural, regional and national parks
• on public roads and streets
• on beaches
• less than 200 metres from watering places used for human consumption
• on natural protected sites
• less than 500 metres from a protected monument
• everywhere where it's forbidden by local laws
• on private properties without the owner's consent.

Having said that, generally, camping in car parks near the beach is not prohibited and is a great way to be near the beach and camp for free. There are some comfy and less busy ones, even sometimes with shade around, especially in the evening after most other visitors have left.

Camping is a great way to explore the local area as it offers you the freedom of being able to travel around at short notice. Larger more popular campsites can be booked through websites such as Eurocamp, Canvas Holidays, Go Camp France en France Break^{[voorheen dooie skakel]}.

Learn

Education in France is generally of superior quality, and the country is home to many reputed, prestigious universities. A lot of courses are generally conducted in French, though some programmes are offered in English.

Some of the most reputed universities in the country include École normale supérieure de Paris, École Polytechnique, en Institut Européen d'Administration des Affaires (INSEAD).

Grades in France are scored from 0 to 20, with 20 being the highest possible grade. Academic grading is noted for being competitive and strict, to the point that the French have various sayings about it. One of the most famous sayings is "20 is for God, 19 is for the king, 18 is for the Président de la République" (or variations thereof).

Work

View of La Défense, the business district of Paris

If you are by law required to obtain a visa or other type of authorisation to work and fail to do so, you risk possible arrest, prosecution, expulsion and prohibition from re-entering France and the Schengen area.

Citizens of EU and EEA countries (save from some Eastern European countries, for a temporary period) and Switzerland can work in France without having to secure a work permit. Most non-EU citizens will need a work permit - however, some non-EU citizens (such as Canadians, New Zealanders etc.) do not require a visa or work permit to work during their 90 day visa-free period of stay in France (see the 'Get in' section above for more information).

If you are an EU citizen or from an EEA country and want to earn money to continue travelling, Interim agencies (e.g. Adecco, Manpower) are a good source of temporary jobs. You can also consider working in bars, restaurants, and/or nightclubs (they are often looking for English-speaking workers, particularly those restaurants in tourist areas - fast-food restaurants such as McDonald's and Quick are also always looking for people).

A lot of 'student jobs', if you happen to be in a big city, are also available for younger travellers, and foreigners are often very welcome. Such example jobs include giving private English lessons, taking care of young children (i.e. au pairing) among other things...check out the buildings of various universities as they often have a lot of advertisements. An easy way to find jobs in France is to use dedicated search engines offered by various employment websites.

Don't forget that being an English speaker is a big advantage when you're looking for a job - French employers really have a problem finding English-speaking workers. However, it will be much easier for you if you know a bit of French, for the same reason (your colleagues are not likely to speak English). However, don't overestimate your chances of finding work; there are often more people applying for jobs than there are vacancies.

The French labour market tends to operate through personal contacts - if you know someone that works somewhere, you can probably figure out quite an easy way to work at that place too. It always helps to know people living in the area you wish to work.

Bly veilig

Crimes

Municipal police officers in Strasbourg

Crime-related emergencies can be reported to the toll-free number 17 or 112 (European emergency telephone number). Law enforcement agencies are the National Police (Police nationale) in urban areas and the Gendarmerie nationale in the countryside, though for minor crimes such as parking and traffic offences some towns and villages also have a municipal police force (Police municipale).

While it remains among the safest countries in the world, France has experienced a noticeable surge in crime, mostly in large metropolitan areas that are plagued with the usual woes. Violent crime against visitors is generally rare, but pickpocketing and purse-snatching are very common, some of which may result in aggravated assaults. If the usual precautions against these are taken, you should be safe.

The inner city areas and some (mostly wealthy) suburbs are usually safe at all hours. In large cities, especially Paris and Marseille, there are a few areas which should be avoided. Parts of the suburbs are hives of youth gang-related activities and drug dealing; however these are almost always far from tourist areas and you should have no reason to visit them. Common sense applies: it is very easy to spot derelict areas.

The subject of crime in poorer suburbs and areas is very touchy as it may easily have racist overtones or interpretations, since many people associate it with working-class youth of North African, Arabic and Sub-Saharan origins. You probably should not express an opinion on the issue.

While it is not compulsory for French citizens to carry identification, they usually do so. Foreigners should carry some kind of official identity document. Although random checks are not the norm, you may be asked for ID in some kinds of situations, for example if you cannot show a valid ticket when using public transportation; not having one in such cases will result in you being taken to a police station for further checks. Even if you feel that law enforcement officers have no right to check your identity (they can do so only in certain circumstances), it is a bad idea to enter a legal discussion with them; it is better to put up with it and show your ID. Again, the subject is sensitive as the police have often been accused of targeting people according to criteria of ethnicity (e.g. délit de sale gueule = literally "crime of a dirty face" but perhaps equivalent to the American "driving while black.")

Due to the international threat of terrorism, police with the help of military units, often patrol monuments, the Paris Metro, train stations and airports. Depending on the status of the "Vigipirate" plan (anti terrorist units) it is not uncommon to see armed patrols in those areas. The presence of police should be of help to tourists, as it also deters pickpockets and the like. However, suspicious behaviour, public disturbances etc., may attract police officers' attention for the wrong reasons.

In France, failing to offer assistance to 'a person in danger' is a criminal offence in itself. This means that if you fail to stop upon witnessing a motor accident, fail to report such an accident to emergency services, or ignore appeals for help or urgent assistance, you may be charged. Penalties include suspended prison sentence and fines. The law does not apply in situations where answering an appeal for help might endanger your life or the lives of others.

Controlled substances

Carrying or using narcotic substances, from marijuana to hard drugs, is illegal whatever the quantity. The penalty can be severe especially if you are suspected of dealing. Trains and cars coming from countries which have a more lenient attitude (such as the Netherlands) are especially targeted. Police have often been known to stop entire coaches and search every passenger and their bags thoroughly.

France has a liberal policy with respect to alcohol; there are usually no ID checks for purchasing alcohol (unless you look much younger than 18). However, causing problems due to public drunkenness is a misdemeanor and may result in a night spent in the cells of a police station. Drunk driving is a severe offence and may result in heavy fines and jail sentences.

A little etiquette note: while it is common to drink beer straight from the bottle at informal meetings, doing the same with wine is normally only done by tramps (clochards).

Stay healthy

Tap water

Tap water (eau du robinet) is drinkable, except in rare cases such as in rural rest areas and sinks in railway carriage toilets, in which case it will be clearly signposted as eau non potable. Eau potable is drinkable water (you may, however, not like the taste and prefer bottled water).

Tap water is generally acceptable in taste, but mineral water (eau minérale) is generally considered to taste better, except in areas that use mountain water from the Alps for their municipal supply. Volvic and Évian are cheap and available most everywhere, and many locals consider them nothing special. You may find Vittel a more interesting-tasting inexpensive French mineral water, and Badoit, a sparkling water, is quite good.

Medical help

French pharmacy signs often feature a display showing time and temperature

Health care in France is of a very high standard.

Pharmacies are denoted by a green cross, usually in flashing neon (or LED). They sell medicine, contraceptives, and often beauty and related products (though these can be very expensive). Medicines must be ordered from the counter, even non-prescription medicines. The pharmacist may ask you questions about your symptoms and then can recommend various medicines and suggest generic drugs.

Since drug brand names vary across countries even though the effective ingredients stay the same, it is better to carry prescriptions using the international nomenclature in addition to the commercial brand name. Prescription drugs, including oral contraceptives (aka "the pill"), will only be delivered if a doctor's prescription is shown.

In addition, supermarkets sell condoms (préservatifs) and also often personal lubricant, bandages, disinfectant and other minor medical items. Condom machines are often found in bar toilets, etc.

Medical treatment can be obtained from self-employed physicians, clinics and hospitals. Most general practitioners, specialists (e.g. gynaecologists), and dentists are self-employed; look for signs saying Docteur (médecin généraliste means general practitioner). The normal price for a consultation with a general practitioner is €23, though some physicians charge more (this is the full price and not a co-payment). Physicians may also do home calls, but these are more expensive.

Residents of the European Union are covered by the French social security system, which will reimburse or directly pay for 70% of health expenses (30% co-payment) in general, though many physicians and surgeons apply surcharges. Other travellers are not covered and will be billed the full price, even when at a public hospital; non-EU travellers should have travel insurance covering medical costs.

Noodgevalle

Hospitals will have an emergency room signposted Urgences.

The following numbers are toll-free:

• 15 Medical emergencies
• 17 Law enforcement emergencies (for e.g. reporting a crime)
• 18 Firefighters
• 112 European standard emergency number.

Operators at these numbers can transfer requests to other services if needed (e.g. some medical emergencies may be answered by firefighter groups).

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited by law in all enclosed spaces accessible to the public (this includes train and metro cars, and station enclosures, workplaces, restaurants and cafés), except in areas specifically designated for smoking, and there are few of these. There is no longer an exception for restaurants and cafés. You may face a fine of €68 if you are found smoking in these places.

As well as police officers, metro and train conductors can and do enforce the anti-smoking law and will fine you for smoking in non-designated places; if you encounter problems with a smoker in train, you may go find the conductor.

As hotels are not considered public places, some offer smoking and non-smoking rooms.

Only people over the age of 18 may purchase tobacco products. Shopkeepers may request a photo ID. A pack of 20 cigarettes costs around €10.20 (Nov 2020).

Respek

The French adhere to a strong set of values. They cherish their culture, history, language and cuisine, which is revered by many around the globe. Once gained acquaintance, the French become warm, sincere and welcoming.

The French have an undeserved reputation for being "rude" or "arrogant" by many around the globe, but this is simply a cross-cultural misunderstanding. Compared to other European countries, the French are direct in a way that might seem abrupt in other parts of the world, and at times they might come across as being dissatisfied with everything and anything, including yourself. Do not be annoyed as it is unlikely that they intend to insult, cause offense or make you feel uncomfortable. Directness is usually seen as a platform to initiate friendly arguments, intellectual conversations, and/or invite opinions on something.

The French take matters of etiquette seriously, and it's not uncommon to be dismissed, ignored, or told off for exhibiting behaviour that is seen as impolite. When conversing with locals, always exchange a simple pleasantry (Excusez-moi, Bonjour, or Bonsoir) and wait for them to reply before getting into something. It's also customary to use the terms Monsieur (male) or Madame (female) with people you don't know on a personal level. By applying a bit of common courtesy, you'll find that the French are approachable and friendly.

On the Métro

Beautiful entrance to a Métropolitain station in Paris

Die Métro subway system is a great way to get around Paris (or Lyon, Marseille, et al.), a fact which is readily apparent by the throngs of people that use it to get to work, school, and the like. If you do not ride the train at home, or if you come from a place that doesn't have a subway system, there are certain points of etiquette that you may not be aware of:

• When boarding at the station, let those exiting the train step off onto the platform before boarding, and once aboard move to the centre of the car.
• If you have luggage, move it as far out of the path of others as possible.
• Certain stations have moving walkways to cover the distances between platforms - walk on the left and stand on the right!
• Finally, the doors on French subway cars don't generally open automatically once the train has stopped at the station; rather, most cars have a small button or lever on the doors that opens them. If you should happen to be standing near the door in a crowded car you might hear someone behind you say "la porte, s'il vous plait," which means that person would like to get off the train and is asking you to open the door for him/her. Pop the door open and step aside (or down onto the platform) while that person exits the train - the driver will wait for you to get back on.

Noise

The French consider it very rude to be loud in a crowded indoor place, such as a museum or restaurant, and you can expect to be told off for doing so.

Shopping etiquette

In many shops, it's customary to exchange pleasantries with the staff and have them take items for you. Even if you're exploring a shop, always request a staff member to guide you around.

Dress code

Dress codes are fast disappearing, but generally speaking, the French are conservative dressers. To avoid being seen in a negative light, you should avoid white trainers, baseball caps, tracksuits, shorts (except in summer) and flip-flops (except at the beach).

At the beach and at hotel swimming pool, it is normal for women to take off their bikinis while sunbathing. Taking off your bikini bottom is reserved to designated nude beaches. Most resort cities insist on your wearing a shirt when leaving the beach area.

Everyone at public swimming pools is required by law to wear suitable swimming attire. This means swim caps (even if you're bald) and snug-fitting Lycra-based swimsuits. Baggy or "board" swim shorts are banned, as are T-shirts, UV-protective rash guards, and other cover-ups. If you're unlucky in your choice, then most public pools sell pre-approved swimsuits from vending machines on-site, often for rather inflated prices. Watch also for local prohibitions on sunscreen, which can mess with older pools' filtration systems.

Breastfeeding in public is very rare, but nobody will mind if you do.

Addressing people (tu en vous)

The French language has two variants of the word "you". They are tu, which is used for people you're on familiar terms with or with people much younger than you, and vous, which is used for people much older than you, people you're not on familiar terms with, and/or a group of people. As a general rule, the only time you should use tu with an adult is if that person indicates it's alright to do so, usually by saying "On peut se tutoyer." For more information on tu en vous, see the Franse frase-boek

Sensitive issues

Politics:

• Unless you really follow French news closely, you should steer clear of discussing French politics, especially sensitive issues such as immigration. Be aware of the position that being a foreigner puts you in. It is considered rude to ask a person point-blank about which candidate they voted for in an election; instead, talk about the issues and take it from there.

Religion:

• It is generally considered impolite to have a conversation about religion with someone you do not know well. The French are fiercely protective of their tradition of secularism (laïcité). For instance, the wearing of religious items of clothing, such as hijabs, kippas or crucifixes, is illegal for public servants when they are at work, and for all students and staff at public schools. It is also illegal to cover your face in public, which effectively outlaws the burqa (and masks, balaclavas etc.) This has been interpreted by some as an anti-Muslim law.
• France remains a majority Roman Catholic country, though due to the culture of secularism, religion plays virtually no role in French public life, and church attendance levels are among the lowest in the world. However, you are still expected to behave in a respectful manner when visiting churches.

Money:

• You should also avoid presenting yourself through your possessions (house, car, etc.). It is considered to be quite crass to discuss your salary, or to ask someone else directly about theirs. Instead express your enthusiasm about how great are the responsibilities, or how lucky you were to get there, etc.

City/rural differences:

• While roughly one sixth of the country's population lives in the Paris region, don't treat France as Paris or assume that all French people act like Parisians. Life in Paris can be closer to life in London or New York City than in the rest of France, and Parisian customs and opinions differ from those found en province. Bretagne, Korsika en die Basque Country in particular have their own national identities.

Verbind

Phone numbers

To call a French number from abroad, dial: international prefix 33 local number without the leading 0.For example: 33 2 47 66 41 18

All French numbers have 10 digits. The first two digits are:

• 01 for the Paris region, 02 for the northwest, 03 for the northeast, 04 for southeast, 05 for southwest,
• 06 en 07 for cellphones
• 08 have special prices that can be deduced from the two following figures: from free - 08 00 - to very costly (as far as €20.40 per hour) - 08 99. Skype numbers also start with 08.
• 09 if they are attached to voice-over IP telephones connected to DSL modems from French DSL providers that integrate such functions.

You cannot drop the first two digits even if your call remains within the same area. The initial '0' may be replaced by some other digit or longer code indicating a choice of long-distance operator. Don't use this unless explicitly told to.

When speaking phone numbers, people will usually group the digits by sets of two. For example, 02 47 76 41 94 will be said as "zéro deux, quarante-sept, soixante-seize, quarante-et-un, quatre-vingt-quatorze". The two-digit pair 00 is said as "zéro zéro", not "double zéro". If you find it too hard to follow, you may ask the person to say the number digit-by-digit ("chiffre par chiffre"). It would then be "zéro, deux, quatre, sept, sept, six, quatre, un, neuf, quatre".

Toll-free

There are few companies that provide toll-free numbers (often starting with 08 00) and there are also numbers which start with 081, for which you pay the cost of a local call regardless of where you are in the country. Numbers starting with 089 carry a premium toll.

Emergency numbers are 15 (medical aid), 17 (police station) and 18 (fire/rescue). You can also use the European emergency number 112 (perhaps a better choice if you don't speak French). These calls are free and accessible from virtually any phone, including locked cellphones. In case of a serious emergency, if you find a code-protected cellphone, enter a random code three times: the phone will lock, but you will be able to dial emergency numbers.

Cheap international calls

To enjoy cheap international calls from France travellers can get a local SIM card online before they leave or use low-cost dial-around services. Dial-around services are directly available from any landline in France. No contract or registration is required. Most dial-around services allows you to call the USA, Canada, Western Europe and many other countries at the local rate (tarif local). They also work from payphones, though the first minute is surcharged by France Télécom.

Fixed line

If you need a landline (ligne fixe) in France, use VoIP over DSL, such as the Livebox or Freebox service (free long distance calls within France and to a number of countries).

Phone booths

Phone booths have been largely removed. You may still find one in some rural areas. Most use a card (no coins). They accept CB, Visa or MasterCard cards but almost always only with a microchip.

Mobile

France uses the GSM standard of cellular phones (900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands) used in most of the world outside of the U.S. Many companies (e.g., Orange, SFR, Free, Bouygues Télécom, Virgin Mobile) offer wireless service. The country is almost totally covered but you may have difficulties using your mobile phone in rural or mountainous areas. However, for emergency numbers, the three companies are required by law to accept your call if they are able to, even if you are not one of their customers.

If you stay for some time, it may be advisable to buy a pre-paid cell phone card that you can use in any phone that supports the GSM standard on the 900/1800 MHz bands. Then incoming calls and SMSes are free. You can get it from most mobile service providers, but they have a very short validity for the card if you don't recharge it.

An Orange pre-paid SIM card is called a Mobicarte, costs €9.90 and comes with a credit of €5 included. SMSes within Orange France cost €0.12; to international mobile GSM users €0.28. Other operators (SFR, Bouygues) have similar prices. The mobile operator Free offers €2/month subscription without any minimum subscription time including 120 minutes per month, 50 MB internet, and unlimited national SMSes (as of Oct 2020). This is only available through the web and you need a postal address.

Internet

Internet cafés: Internet access is available in cyber cafés all over large and medium-sized cities. Service is usually around €4 per hour.

Residential broadband: In all major cities, there are multiple companies offering residential broadband service. Typical prices are €30 a month for unmetered ADSL (with speeds of up to 24 megabits per second), digital HDTV over DSL and free unlimited voice-over-IP phone calls to land lines within France and about twenty other countries (including the EU, and the U.S.) with external SIP access too (the price includes a modem/router/switch with integrated WiFi MiMo access point).

Wi-Fi: You'll also find wi-fi access (in cities and towns) in a lot of cafés usually those that are a bit trendy. There will be a sign on the door or on the wall. Also look for the @ symbol prominently displayed, which indicates internet availability. However, cyber cafés are increasingly hard to find, especially outside the major cities. Also, check out Carrefour, most of them have free Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is prounonced "wee-fee" in France even by English speakers. Asking for "wye-fie" will generally not be understood.

Short-term SIM cards

(for smartphones and tablets)

Orange has nearly-unlimited Internet 1-month package for €9 called InternetMax. The official limit of 500MB is not enforced. Tethering is not allowed, but this is also not enforced. Email (POP3/SMTP/IMAP) is not covered, and sold as a separate package for €9 per month. P2P, VoIP and USENET are specifically banned, and risk getting your plan cancelled as well as the loss of any call credit remaining on your account.

As the plan is not marketed by Orange, staff at outlets and hotline operators are often completely unaware of it, and Orange website tells very little on it even in French. If your French is poor, detailed third-party instructions can be very helpful.

Post

Post offices ("La Poste") are found in all cities and villages but their opening hours vary. In the main cities the central office may be open during lunchtime; typically the day's opening hours are 09:00 to 18:00. Most offices are only open on Saturday morning and there is only one office in Paris which is open 24 hours and 365 days (on the Rue du Louvre).

Letter boxes are coloured in yellow.

Postal rates

There are three levels of service for French domestic mail, as of May 2019 (Andorra and Monaco included):

• Priority Letter (lettre prioritaire), usually arrives next day. Cost (up to 20g): €1.05
• Green Letter (lettre verte), usually arrives in two days. Cost (up to 20g): €0.88
• Economy Letter (écopli), usually arrives in four days. Cost (up to 20g): €0.86

For international mail, there is only one service:

• Priority Letter (lettre prioritaire), cost (up to 20g): €1.30 (to European Union and Switzerland), €1.30 (all other countries)

Parcels

International delivery services like FedEx and UPS are available in cities, however you generally have to call them for them to come to you as they have very few physical locations. Another option is to simply use La Poste with a wide network around the country and the same services as its competitors.