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France - Make your dream come true.
GENERAL ADVICE ON VISITING FRANCE
SAFETY AND SECURITY Cars with foreign number plates may be targeted by thieves. Conceal bags and purses when driving and never leave valuables in a vehicle, even for a short time or when you are nearby. The last two digits on a French car's number plate indicate the département in which the car is registered. Many hire cars are registered in Marne département (51) and cars with registration numbers ending in 51 attract the attention of thieves. Visitors to Calais should be aware that British registered cars may be targeted by thieves, both while parked and on the move (e.g. by thieves flagging down drivers for a lift or indicating that the vehicle has a flat tyre). Valuables should not be left in parked cars and should be kept out of sight at all times. Pedestrians should beware of bag snatchers operating both on foot and from motorcycles. In the South of France, particularly in the Marseille to Menton area, drivers are advised to keep car doors locked when driving. It is common for bags to be snatched from the front passenger seat, often when the vehicle is stationary at traffic lights and usually by individuals on motorbikes. Visitors are advised not to leave bags in full view when sitting on café terraces to avoid attracting the attention of thieves. It is also recommended that valuables are not left unattended on the beach. In Corsica tourists are advised to avoid leaving their vehicles unattended by the roadside especially on coastal/beach roads, as thefts are frequent. Armed robbery can occur but such incidents are rare. There have been a number of mugging incidents at the more isolated rest areas (those without petrol stations and cafeterias) on some French motorways, particularly on the A10 between Paris and Bordeaux. There have been several cases of burglary during the night whilst travellers have been asleep in their caravans or mobile homes in France; try to avoid parking in isolated or dark areas of camping grounds or car parks; consider installing an alarm to your caravan or mobile home. Be vigilant when travelling on sleepers/night trains. At night, thieves often take the opportunity to rob sleeping travellers. Be aware too of possible theft on trains during the day, and do not leave bags containing valuables unattended. Travellers arriving at Paris (Charles de Gaulle) airport or by rail at Gare du Nord should guard their baggage against theft and beware of pickpockets. Thieves and pickpockets operate on Paris metro and RER lines especially RER line B, which serves Charles de Gaulle airport, Orly airport and Gare du Nord. TERRORISM Sporadic bomb attacks on public buildings by the Corsican nationalist group (FLNC) continue to occur throughout Corsica. While there is no specific threat to British tourists, visitors to the island should take care, particularly in the town centres and near public buildings, and be wary of unattended packages. LOCAL TRAVEL Almost all roads in Corsica are mountainous and narrow, with numerous bends. Drivers should be extra vigilant and beware of wandering animals. The majority of road accidents occur during the tourist season. ROAD TRAVEL Drivers in France must be of the age required for the category of licence in question under French law. The minimum age for driving a car in France is 18 years old. 17 year-old British drivers with valid British licences are not permitted to drive a car in France. Anyone who contravenes this law can face a fine of up to Euros 1,500 and the impounding of the vehicle. Visitors should take particular care when driving in France as driving regulations and customs are different from those in the UK. Visitors should consult the RAC or AA for advice on special requirements for driving in France. There is further advice, in English, on safety and on potential traffic black-spots during the holiday seasons on the French Government-run website: www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr. Many drivers undertake long journeys in, or through, France. Care should be taken to plan journeys and take sufficient breaks; a minimum break of 15 minutes after every two hours of driving is recommended. Roads in France, particularly motorways, are of an excellent standard. Speed limits are higher than in the UK; but the accident rate is also much higher. Motorists driving to France should be aware that radar detectors are illegal in France, whether in use or not. If caught, drivers are liable to both a fine and confiscation of the device (and possibly confiscation of the car if unable to pay the fine). Drivers should therefore ensure radar detectors are removed from their vehicle before commencing any journey to France. Road users intending to travel between France and Italy should be aware that the Mont Blanc tunnel has been re-opened for all vehicles, except those with more than 4 axles, those carrying dangerous goods, and those which came into circulation before 1 Octoboer 1993 and do not meet the Euro 1 and 2 pollution standards. There are new speed limits and vehicle distance limits in place in the Tunnel; details are sign-posted at the entrance and exit. Vehicles which are forbidden from using the Mont Blanc Tunnel should use routes along the Mediterranean coast or through the Frejus tunnel; there are, however, some restrictions on HGVs using the Frejus tunnel. Full details of these and alternative routes are available on the French Government-run website: www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr. British road hauliers should be aware that French authorities are imposing fines on hauliers who have differing sets of documents aboard the vehicle. Road hauliers should contact the Road Hauliers Association for further information. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS UK nationals need a valid passport to enter France. Visitors intending to work or remain in France for more than three months should apply for a residence permit (carte de séjour) at the local Préfecture. HEALTH Visitors to France should obtain an E111 form from their local post office or social security office in the UK prior to departure. This will cover part of the coast of emergency health care at State hospitals in France during their stay. However, an E111 does not cover all medical fees, or medical repatriation, or on-going medical treatment of a non-urgent nature. The FCO therefore recommends that all visitors to France obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance. SPORTS ACTIVITIES AND WINTER SPORTS Alpine travellers should take out complementary insurance to cover extra medical costs, repatriation or, in Savoie and Haute-Savoie departements, possible transfer to Switzerland for hospital treatment. For sports activities such as skiing, potholing and mountaineering, travel insurance must include mountain rescue services and helicopter costs. Travellers should be aware of the risks involved in the more hazardous sports activities. They should be aware of weather forecasts and conditions, be well equipped, not undertake the activity alone, study the itinerary and inform someone of their plans. Off-piste skiers should follow the advice given by local authorities and guides - to ignore such advice could put themselves and other mountain users in danger. Information on snow and avalanche risks is available, in French, on www.anena.org. GENERAL Following the withdrawal of duty free facilities within the European Union, customs authorities in all member countries have introduced guidance levels for the import of tobacco, alcohol and other products bought by visitors for their own use. These levels should be checked with HM Customs. Travellers who buy more than the amount specified must be able to satisfy Customs Officers at both the point of departure and arrival that the goods are for their personal use. Heavy Goods Vehicle operators should be aware of the revised seizure policy being operated by HM Customs and Excise against any vehicles detected with illicit alcohol or tobacco. Travellers carrying or transporting valuables (including works of art and antiques) or large amounts of cash (above Euros 7,600) should check French customs regulations before they enter France (see Website http://douanes.ambafrance.org.uk). Ask us anything, we will do our best to help. To contact us please use our...
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