Practical Info A–Z

France's healthcare system is among the best in the world (WHO ranking: 1st place — yes, really). For EU citizens with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC, on the back of the German health card), the same conditions apply as for the French.

Doctor's visit

• Médecin généraliste (General Practitioner) — consultation fee about €26.50 (Secteur 1 rate, contracted doctor). Some doctors practice in "Secteur 2" with free fees — ask beforehand
• SOS Médecins — medical home visit service, available at night and on weekends. Reachable by phone, available in every major city. Costs: €50–75 (partially reimbursed)
• In pharmacies (Pharmacie, green cross), you get competent advice — French pharmacists are excellently trained and can often help directly with minor ailments

Emergency

• SAMU (15) — medical emergency service, dispatches a doctor if needed
• Pompiers (18) — fire brigade, also handles rescue operations
• 112 — European emergency number, always works
• Urgences — emergency room in the hospital. Waiting times can be long (4–8 hours for non-life-threatening cases are not uncommon)

Important: In France, you initially pay the doctor yourself (tiers payant is not always possible) and then have the amount reimbursed by the health insurance. Be sure to keep receipts (feuille de soins)!

France is a Euro country — no currency exchange is needed for travelers from the Eurozone. Card payment is widespread and works almost everywhere.

Card Payment

• Carte Bancaire (CB) is the French debit card system — Visa and Mastercard are accepted everywhere CB is accepted (so almost everywhere)
• Contactless Payment (sans contact) works up to €50 without a PIN, above that with a PIN
• Apple Pay / Google Pay — accepted in most shops, restaurants, and supermarkets
• American Express — not accepted in many smaller shops and restaurants
• Minimum Amount — some small shops require a minimum amount (often €5 or €10) for card payment

Cash

• ATMs (Distributeur Automatique de Billets, DAB) are available everywhere — in banks, post offices, train stations, supermarkets
• Fees — Withdrawals with the Girocard (EC card) cost €3–7 per transaction depending on the bank. With travel credit cards (DKB, N26, Revolut) often fee-free
• At toll stations (Péage) you can pay in cash or by card. Most machines do not accept €50 or €100 bills
• At markets and in small village cafés, cash is still king

Bank Branches

Opening hours: usually Mon–Fri 9:00–12:30 and 14:00–17:00. Partially open on Saturdays. Closed on holidays and often also on Mondays.

France offers everything from hypermarkets to boutiques — and the shopping culture differs significantly from Germany.

Supermarkets & Groceries

• Hypermarchés (Carrefour, Leclerc, Auchan, Intermarché) — huge shopping centers on the outskirts with an enormous selection, including non-food. Opening hours: Mon–Sat 8:30–21:00 or longer
• Supermarchés (Monoprix, Casino, Carrefour Market) — medium-sized, often in the city center. Monoprix has good own brands and organic range
• Épiceries / Supérettes — small neighborhood stores, often open until 22:00 or later, also on Sundays. Prices higher than in hypermarchés
• Organic Stores — Biocoop, Naturalia, and La Vie Claire offer a wide range. "Bio" or "AB" (Agriculture Biologique) on the label indicates organic products

Shopping on Sundays

In France, most shops are closed on Sundays — the law protects the day of rest more strongly than in many other countries. Exceptions: bakeries (until noon), flower shops, épiceries, and certain tourist zones (Champs-Élysées, Marais in Paris). Supermarkets: some open Sunday mornings until 13:00.

Sales (Soldes)

The Soldes (sales) are legally regulated — twice a year, each for 4 weeks: Winter sales from mid-January, Summer sales from the end of June. Discounts of 30–70%. Outside the sales periods, discount promotions are limited (unlike in Germany).

Detaxe (VAT Refund)

Non-EU citizens can partially refund the TVA (VAT, 20%) from a purchase of €100.01 or more in a store. Ask for the "Bordereau de détaxe" in the store, scan it at the detaxe machine at the airport.

France has 11 public holidays (jours fériés). On holidays, banks, authorities, many shops, and some restaurants are closed. If a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, many French people take a bridge (faire le pont) — Monday or Friday becomes a long weekend.

Since June 15, 2017, "Roam like at home" applies in the EU — German, Austrian, and Swiss mobile customers (Switzerland: depending on the tariff) use their data volume in France without surcharge as at home.

Mobile

• Network Coverage — excellent in cities and along the coast (4G/5G). In rural areas, the Massif Central, and mountains, there may be dead zones
• French Prepaid SIM — available if needed from Free Mobile, Orange, SFR, or Bouygues. Free Mobile offers 50 MB data and unlimited SMS in France for €2/month — the cheapest offer in Europe
• eSIM — Orange and Free offer eSIM, activatable online

WLAN

• Hotels and Holiday Apartments — almost everywhere free WLAN, quality varies greatly
• Cafés and Restaurants — most offer free WLAN. Code often on the receipt or on the wall
• Public WLAN — at train stations (SNCF offers free WLAN in most major stations), in libraries, and some parks
• TGV — WLAN is available on all TGVs (free in 1st class, limited in 2nd class). Quality varies depending on the route

Useful Numbers

• France Dialing Code: +33
• Emergency: 112 (European), 15 (SAMU), 17 (Police), 18 (Fire Brigade)
• Directory Assistance: 118 xxx (various providers, chargeable)

Thanks to its geographical diversity, France has several climate zones — the best travel time strongly depends on where you want to go.

Climate Zones

• Oceanic (Brittany, Normandy, Northern France) — mild winters, cool summers, frequent rain. Temperatures: 5–8 °C in winter, 18–22 °C in summer. Best time: June–September
• Continental (Alsace, Burgundy, Central France) — cold winters, warm summers, significant temperature differences. Temperatures: -2 to 4 °C in winter, 24–30 °C in summer. Best time: May–October
• Mediterranean (Provence, Côte d'Azur, Languedoc, Corsica) — mild winters, hot dry summers, lots of sun (2,800+ hours/year). Temperatures: 8–12 °C in winter, 28–35 °C in summer. Best time: April–June & September–October
• Mountain (Alps, Pyrenees, Massif Central) — snowy winters, mild summers. Ski season: December–April. Hiking season: June–September

When to Go Where?

• Paris — appealing year-round. Most pleasant: April–June and September–October. July/August: hot, some restaurants on vacation
• Côte d'Azur — peak season July/August (crowded, hot, expensive). Ideal: May–June and September
• Provence — Lavender bloom: mid-June to mid-August (Valensole plateau). Optimal: May–October
• Loire Castles — April–October. Blooming gardens in spring, grape harvest in autumn
• Skiing — December–April (Alps), December–March (Pyrenees)

France is one of the world's most liberal countries for LGBTQ+ travelers. Same-sex marriage (mariage pour tous) has been legal since 2013, discrimination based on sexual orientation is legally prohibited, and French society — especially in major cities — is largely tolerant and open.

Paris — LGBTQ+ Capital

Paris has one of the most vibrant queer scenes in Europe. The Marais (3rd/4th arrondissement, around Rue des Archives and Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie) is the historic LGBTQ+ district with bars, clubs, bookstores, and shops. The Marche des Fiertés (Pride Parade) at the end of June attracts over 500,000 participants each year.

• Popular bars and clubs: Open Café, Le Cox (Marais), Rosa Bonheur (Parc des Buttes-Chaumont), La Machine du Moulin Rouge
• Queer bookstore: Les Mots à la Bouche (Marais)
• Month of the LGBTQ+ film festival: Chéries-Chéris in November

Outside of Paris

Montpellier is considered the most LGBTQ+-friendly city in the province. Lyon, Bordeaux, Nantes, Toulouse, and Marseille also have vibrant scenes. In rural areas and smaller towns, acceptance is less pronounced — open hostility is rare, but demonstrative displays of affection may attract attention.

Nice and Cannes on the Côte d'Azur have established LGBTQ+ scenes. The Île du Levant (Hyères) and the Plage de l'Espiguette (near Montpellier) are known as nudist/LGBTQ+-friendly beaches.

In an emergency, stay calm and dial the correct number.

Emergency Numbers

Police

In France, there are two police forces: The Police Nationale (in cities with over 20,000 inhabitants) and the Gendarmerie (militarily organized, responsible for rural areas and highways). For tourists, this makes no practical difference.

In case of theft or loss, a report (plainte/déclaration) must be filed with the police or gendarmerie — necessary for insurance. This can also be done online: pre-plainte-en-ligne.gouv.fr (pre-registration, then personal appearance).

Embassies in Case of Emergency

• German Embassy Paris: +33 1 53 83 45 00
• Austrian Embassy Paris: +33 1 40 63 30 63
• Swiss Embassy Paris: +33 1 49 55 67 00
• Crisis Preparedness List: elefand.diplo.de — register before the trip!

France's opening hours follow their own rhythm — and the lunch break is no legend, but sacred.

Typical Opening Hours

• Shops: Mon–Sat 10:00–19:00 (boutiques), large department stores until 20:00 or 21:00. Many small shops close 12:30–14:00 (lunch break!)
• Supermarkets: Mon–Sat 8:30–20:00 or 21:00. Hypermarchés often until 21:30 or 22:00
• Bakeries: Tue–Sun 6:30–13:00 and 15:30–19:30 (many closed on Mondays). In tourist areas, open continuously
• Banks: Mon–Fri 9:00–12:30 and 14:00–17:00, sometimes Saturday morning
• Post (La Poste): Mon–Fri 8:30–12:00 and 14:00–17:30, Sat 8:30–12:00. In large cities, open continuously
• Museums: Usually 10:00–18:00, often closed on Mondays or Tuesdays. Large Parisian museums have evening openings (Louvre: Wed+Fri until 21:45)
• Restaurants: Lunch 12:00–14:00, dinner 19:00–22:00. Between meals ("le coup de feu"), the kitchen is closed — those seeking a hot meal at 15:00 have a problem

Sundays

Sunday is a day of rest in France. Most shops are closed. Open are: bakeries (morning), florists, newsstands, small grocery stores, and shops in special tourist zones. In Paris, the Marais, the Champs-Élysées, and the area around Gare Saint-Lazare are open on Sundays.

La Poste is the French postal service — recognizable by its yellow-blue logo. It is surprisingly reliable and offers banking services (Banque Postale) in addition to mail delivery.

Stamps & Shipping

• Postcard/letter to Germany: €1.96 (Lettre prioritaire internationale, as of 2025). Delivery time: 2–5 working days
• Stamps (timbres) are available at La Poste, vending machines, in Tabac shops, and some newsstands
• Mailboxes are yellow and have two slots: one for local mail, one for everything else (Autres destinations)
• Packages — La Poste offers Colissimo (domestic package), Chronopost (express), and international shipping. Package shops in many stores (Relais Colis, Mondial Relay)

Note: La Poste branches in small towns are increasingly being replaced by Agences Postales Communales (in the town hall) or Relais Poste (in grocery stores). Basic services are available there.

France is a generally safe travel destination for tourists. The most common problems are petty crime — especially pickpocketing and scams in Paris and on the Côte d'Azur.

Pickpockets in Paris

Paris is Europe's number one hotspot for pickpockets — professionally organized, bold, and extremely skilled. The hotspots:

• Metro — especially lines 1, 4, and the RER B (towards the airport). Most dangerous: when boarding and alighting, as the doors close
• Eiffel Tower — the surroundings, not the tower itself. "Petition" trick (collecting signatures as a distraction), shell game, fake souvenirs
• Sacré-Cœur / Montmartre — bracelet trick (men tie a friendship bracelet around your wrist and then demand money)
• Champs-Élysées — scammers, overpriced restaurants
• Gare du Nord — the station and its surroundings are not the best area, especially at night

Protective Measures

• Keep your wallet in the front pocket or a waist bag under your clothing
• Wear your backpack in the Metro in front
• In cafés, never hang your bag on the chair back, but keep it on your lap
• Never leave your phone openly on the café table — "drive-by phone snatching" (Vol à l'arrachée) is a specialty
• Keep copies of your passport and tickets separate from the original (or digitally in the cloud)

Other Safety Topics

• Car Break-Ins — especially on the Côte d'Azur, at rest areas, and on beaches. Leave nothing visible in the car, not even an empty backpack
• Banlieues (suburbs) — tourists usually have no reason to be there. The areas are not generally dangerous, but better avoided at night
• Terror Alert — France has heightened security measures since 2015. Soldiers patrol at tourist hotspots, train stations, and in the Metro (Opération Sentinelle). This is normal and meant to convey security

France uses 230 V AC, 50 Hz — identical to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

The sockets are Type E (French standard with grounding pin in the socket) and Type C (Europlug, two-pin). The difference to Type F (German Schuko): In Type E, the grounding pin is in the socket, not on the plug. German Schuko plugs still fit most French sockets — the tolerance is large enough.

Travelers from the DACH region usually do not need an adapter. With older French sockets (without recess for the Schuko frame), it can be tight — a flat Europlug helps.

Travelers from the UK, USA, or Australia need an adapter (Type C/E). Available cheaply in supermarkets and electronics stores (Fnac, Darty).

In France, tipping (pourboire) in gastronomy is already included in the price — every bill states "service compris" (service included, 15% service charge). You don't have to tip, but you can if you were satisfied.

Common Practice

• Restaurant: 5–10% of the bill if the service was good. Often, people round up or leave a few euros on the table. For a menu costing €40, €2–5 is appropriate
• Café: Leave 20–50 cents on the counter (for a coffee/drink). Not obligatory, but common
• Taxi: Round up to the next euro or add €1–2 extra. For longer rides, 5–10%
• Hotel: Porter €1–2 per suitcase, housekeeping €1–2 per night (on the pillow or nightstand)
• Tour Guide: €2–5 per person for group tours
• Hairdresser: €2–5 is common

Important: Leave tips in cash — even if you pay by card. In many restaurants, a "tip" via card does not reach the staff.

Most French motorways (Autoroutes, "A" roads) are toll roads. France has one of the most expensive toll systems in Europe — but the motorways are excellently developed and less prone to traffic jams than the German ones.

Costs (Guidelines)

• Paris – Lyon (approx. 460 km): approx. €35 toll
• Paris – Marseille (approx. 775 km): approx. €65 toll
• Paris – Bordeaux (approx. 585 km): approx. €50 toll
• Lyon – Nice (approx. 470 km): approx. €40 toll

Payment

• At the toll booths (gares de péage): Cash, credit card (Visa, Mastercard), no Girocard/EC card
• Télépéage — electronic toll device (transponder) that is attached to the dashboard. Billing via credit card. Providers: Bip&Go, VINCI Autoroutes. Saves time at toll booths (dedicated lanes). Worthwhile for vacations of 2 weeks or more
• Note: €50 and €100 bills are often not accepted at machines. Have enough change or a card ready

Toll-Free Alternatives

The Routes Nationales (N roads) and Départementales (D roads) are toll-free, but slower and often lead through beautiful landscapes. Those who have time save significantly — and see more of the country. The city bypasses of major cities (Périphérique Paris, Rocade Bordeaux/Toulouse) are also toll-free.

Environmental Zones (ZFE)

Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Nice, and other cities have environmental zones (Zones à Faibles Émissions). You need a Crit'Air sticker (environmental badge), which can be ordered online (certificat-air.gouv.fr, €3.72). Without a sticker, fines of €68–135 are possible. The sticker is valid indefinitely and is issued based on vehicle documents.

Within the EU, there are no customs checks — you can freely import and export goods for personal use. However, there are guidelines, exceeding which may prompt customs to inquire if the goods are truly for personal use:

Guidelines for Personal Use (EU Internal)

• Tobacco: 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars, 1 kg smoking tobacco
• Alcohol: 10 l spirits, 20 l intermediate products (Sherry, Port), 90 l wine (max. 60 l sparkling wine), 110 l beer
• Coffee: 10 kg

Special Regulations

• Food: No restrictions within the EU. When entering from non-EU countries: no meat, no dairy products, max. 2 kg fruit/vegetables
• Medicines: Allowed in sufficient quantities for personal use. For prescription medications, carry a medical certificate (ideally in French or English)
• Cash: When entering from/to a non-EU country, cash over €10,000 must be declared
• Cultural Goods: Antiques and artworks over 50 years old and valued over €50,000 require an export permit
• Counterfeits: Counterfeit branded goods (Louis Vuitton, Chanel, etc.) may not be imported or exported. Customs checks, and penalties are severe

France is a strike-prone country — this is not a cliché, but a reality and democratic tradition. For travelers, strikes are especially relevant when the railway (SNCF), metro (RATP), or airlines (Air France) are affected.

What You Need to Know

• Strikes must be announced 48 hours in advance (préavis de grève) — so they never come as a complete surprise
• A minimum service (service minimum) must be maintained for public transport — something always runs, just less
• The websites of the transport companies provide up-to-date information on affected lines and schedules
• TGVs are often less affected by strikes than regional trains (TER)
• Alternatives: Long-distance buses (Flixbus), BlaBlaCar (carpooling), taxi, rental car

Demonstrations

Large demonstrations (manifestations) usually take place on Saturdays and are generally peaceful. The route is announced in advance. Stay away from the beginning and end of the procession as well as side streets — these are the most likely places for riots. In case of tear gas use: cover your face with a damp cloth, walk against the wind.

Since 2007, a comprehensive smoking ban has been in place in France in all public buildings, restaurants, bars, cafés, train stations, and workplaces. Since 2008, also in nightclubs and casinos.

• Terraces: Smoking is allowed on open outdoor terraces of cafés and restaurants — on covered terraces only if at least one side is open
• Hotels: Most hotels are non-smoking. Smoking rooms have become rare
• Beaches: More and more beaches are being declared smoke-free — pay attention to signs
• E-cigarettes: Prohibited in enclosed public spaces and public transport, allowed on terraces
• Cigarette prices: Approx. €12–13 per pack (significantly more expensive than in Germany). Many French people buy in Spain or Andorra

Since 2005, France has a law on accessibility (loi handicap), which obliges all public buildings and means of transport to become accessible. However, the implementation significantly lags behind the theory.

Where it works

• TGV and long-distance trains — have wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets. Reservations through the SNCF "Accès Plus" service (48 hours in advance, free assistance at the station)
• Paris Metro — the newer line 14 is fully accessible. All other lines are largely not (historic stations without elevators). However, almost all buses are equipped with ramps
• Major museums — Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Centre Pompidou are well accessible with ramps and elevators
• Modern hotels (from 3 stars) must offer accessible rooms

Where it gets difficult

• Old towns — cobblestones, narrow alleys, and stairs in historic centers (Montmartre, Old Town of Lyon, medieval villages)
• Older metro stations — deep shafts without elevators, steep stairs
• Sidewalks — often narrow, parked over, or blocked by bollards

Helpful resource: jaccede.com — platform with accessibility ratings for restaurants, hotels, and public places in France.