Travel Tips, and general information. Review on France, General

The aim of this review is to provide information that will, hopefully, be of practical use for visitors to France.

There are millions of web sites that offer details on places to visit, so I will not waste the viewers' time by dwelling on these.

These are personal views only.

1. When you arrive at a French airport, most of them need a 1 euro coin for the baggage trolleys. Keep some handy.

The obsession for these 1 euro coins is remarkable. You don't actually pay it, you take it back once you have used the trolley. It is true for supermarkets, etc. as well.

1. Paris is ideal for those who have interest in art. period.

I mean, apart from the Eiffel Tower, and the other views, it is just art, art and more art. A classic example is the Louvre. (there, I have mentioned it now :-) )

1. The best time to visit Paris is between July and early September

Because this is the time they go on vacations and Paris is really enjoyable when the locals are not there :-)

1. Apart from Paris the South of France, the Riviera and Provence are excellent destinations. Personally, I feel they are better choices to visit compared to Paris.

These places offer the beach, various sports on the beach, the interiors are excellent for views, trekking, canyoning, and so on. The activities and sights in these places (Riviera and Provence) are much more. They truly have a lot to offer. This is one of the few places in the world where it is possible to visit the beach in the morning and go skiing in the evening.

1. The best time to visit these places is in May and June as they are not packed with tourists.

This reminds me of a hotel near Nice that advertised, ''This place is known for it's peace and soltitude. In fact, crowds from all over the world flock here to enjoy it''.

1. Very few hotels will have microwave ovens, or coffee/tea in rooms, or serve breakfast, etc.

Check in advance with the hotel. Some may charge for extra beds, cribs, etc. Also check the timings of the reception. They are not always 24 hours, even in some big hotels.

1. If you rent a car, remember, not all rental companies may have automatic cars and the car sizes are much smaller as compared to the USA.

This is because the roads are smaller and it is difficult to park big cars. France, incidentally, is the best place to learn how to park in many different ways. Err... I am still referring to cars only :-)

1. If you are a vegetarian, watch out! For every meal, check what exactly you are ordering. The French have no idea what exactly vegetarianism is. Most of them think it is just leaves and salads.

It may be worthwhile to clarify to the restaurant that vegetarianism means nothing that has lived or is living when served, and that it excludes seafood, fish, snails (living or dead), frogs legs, brains of lamb, wild boar, slimy sea worms and animals, etc. Err... Bon Appetit!, as they say in France

French have a term called ''Vegetalien'' which also excludes milk, cheese, butter, etc., i.e., any product that has come from an animal. If you happen to be a vegetarian, do keep this in mind.

1. Taxis are expensive in most places outside Paris.

   
   




2. Restaurants, too, are expensive. A meal would easily cost 20 Euros a person, without including any drinks. So, be prepared.

   
   




3. Not all shops are open late, and not all of them are open on Sundays.

   
   

Remember, officially, it is a 35 hour working week here, and normally, everyone gets at least 6 to 7 weeks vacation in a year.

1. If you buy electronic items, remember, you can get the V.A.T. (value added tax) back if you are a visitor and if you are taking the stuff back with you.

Remember to request for the form from the supermarket/shop where you buy it from.

1. To make telephone calls from the public telephones, you cannot use coins. You will need accepted credit cards, or a telephone card available in all 'tabac' stores.

   
   




2. There are very few public toilets that are free. Always keep loose change with you.

   
   

If you are fond of Indian Restaurants, verify that they are truly Indian. Some of them have cooks from different places and the food is not exactly ''Indian''.

I would not like to name the countries here, but honestly, the cooks, although well intentioned, fail to do justice to typical dishes like ''Chana Bhatura'', ''Pulav'', etc.

1. Apart from Paris, Grenoble and a few other cities, there are very few Indian restaurants in the country.

   
   




2. If you plan to drive in France, don't. If you insist, and are stopped by a cop, even if you don't speak French, try to be polite and accept your mistake. It helps a lot. Often, they will forgive you. Remember, it is always your fault. period.

   
   

That is, they let you go if you have not killed someone, or if the the cop(s) who stopped you doesn't speak excellent English. They don't want to stress themselves by trying to speak English. But then, you must have guessed as much by now.

1. Public Transport is excellent in Paris (the Metro) and in most big cities. Depending on where you go in France, you may be better off driving. But do drive carefully. It is the tourists who drive the traffic crazy in most popular places in France.

   
   




2. If you don't speak French, well, then, Good Luck! If you have to speak English, speak clearly and slowly. And please do not use an American Accent. Especially if the American Accent is 'natural' for you. I mention this here as I know quite a few friends and relatives who have very easily ''acquired'' the American accent and they even consider it fashionable. In France, for a certainity, this is considered a pain

   
   

You may or may not get away with English. Which is why I wished you good luck.

To conclude, I keep remembering Obelix's famous dialogue, ''These ... are crazy'' :-)

Bon Voyage!