Public Holidays in France
1st January
1st May
8th May
Easter Monday - April 17th in 2006, April 9th in 2007
Ascension day - May 25th in 2006, May 17th in 2007
Whit Monday
14th July
15th August
1st November
11th November
25th December
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Currency: Euro
Time Zone: GMT + 1
Language: French
Regional languages: Breton, Catalan, Basque and Provençal
Area of Paris: 1200 square km
Religion: majority are Catholic and there are Protestants, Jewish and Muslims
Measurements: Metric, thousands separated by points and decimals indicated by
decimals
Electricity: 220v & 50 Hz
Cash & Credit:
Currency :EURO. Euro notes available as 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500.
Credit Cards :All major credit cards. Please note that some budget hotels may
not accept credit cards.
Changing Your Money : Visitor can get a good rate by changing the money from
post offices, but money changes in hotels may have poor rates. Usually there
minimum purchase requirement of 15€ and you can withdraw 100-500€ at ATMs
depending on the card type. Traveler's checks can be converted to Euro from
banks, selected post offices and currency exchanges. In Eurochecks ( same as
traveler checks) you get a card, which can be used to withdraw money.
Tax:
19.6% of TVA (VAT tax) applicable for the goods and services. If you purchased
more than 175 Euro worth of goods, you can get TVA refunds from French customs
when leaving the country. Please note that original receipts are required.
Tipping :
Most of the hotels charge service charge around 12%. But tourists used to leave
few coins also in restaurants.
Smoking :
Smoking in Paris is a common sight and most of the restaurants allow that. But
you get non smoking signs in most of the public places.
Office Hours:
Government and most of the commercial offices operate from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
and banks are open from 9.30 to 4.30 pm.
Paris Weather:
The average temperature in Winter time ( December to January) is around 3C (7F)
and summer is warm and dry and temperature rises to 24C.
Safety:
Even though Paris is considered as a safe city, you need to be careful from
pickpocket. Its recommended to carry minimum cash and even distribute among the
people traveling with you. Don't travel along in late night and look your cars
By law, you need to carry identity papers with you and usage of illegal drugs
are prohibited.
Passports and Visas:
Nationals of the EU, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Israel do not
require visas to visit France and visitors from other countries needs to get
Visa before arriving.
Paris Maps:
Currently we are not providing and maps on Paris we have some recommendations
for you.
http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/articles/paris-maps.htm
http://www.hot-maps.de/europe/france/paris/homeen.html
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/mapshells/europe/paris/paris.htm
http://www.ratp.fr/ParisVisite/Eng/Pla_q/f_pla.htm
History Of Paris:
Paris has a very long history. The one important milestone is in 52 BC,
conquered by Julius Caesar. Christianity was introduced in the 2nd century AD.
Uprising of Parisians occurred 14 July 1789 and the storming of the Bastille
prison and lead to French Revolution.
Paris was conquered by Nazis in 1940 and did controling until August, 1944.
There was a Student Riots in 1968.
