- What are the electricity requirements in France?
- What about non-hotel lodging in campsites, B&B’s, apartments, and hostels?
- What if I lose something while in France?
- What does France offer in terms of Ecotourism?
- What kinds of free or discount activities are offered in France?
- What services does France provide for the physically challenged?
- What is France’s political structure?
What are the electricity requirements in France?
Electricity in France runs on a 220-volt, 50-hertz AC current rather than the 110-volt, 60-hertz AC current used in the United States and Canada. France also uses a Type E plug (round pin and receptacle with male grounding pin) versus the Type A/B plug (flat blade/with round grounding pin) in North America. If you bring electrical appliances, you will need a plug adapter. You may also require a transformer, although today, most major appliances have one built in. When in doubt, check with the manufacturer. If you are bringing a computer and it is still under warranty, you may need to register it with the manufacturer’s international warranty department.
What about non-hotel lodging in campsites, B&Bs, apartments, private villas, and hostels?
 There are many chambres d’hôtes (bed-and-breakfasts), gîtes (country cottages and farmhouses), auberges de jeunesse (youth hostels ) and private châteaux with guest rooms all over France. Specialized agencies can also provide help in finding private apartment, villa, or home rentals all over France.
For the outdoorsy, camping is very popular in France and campgrounds are very common. Hikers also take advantage of refuges and gîtes d'étape (mountain huts) along trails. For more information, visit www.campingfrance.com or www.gites-refuges.com.
If you are planning to travel during high season, book accommodation in advance. Be sure to ask for the conditions of rental or reservation before committing. A deposit is a contractual obligation that may not be refunded unless stated in the contract. Be sure to ask about cancellation fees when booking your accommodations, as they can vary by establishment.
What if I lose something while in France?
Contact the local Service des Objets Trouvés.
In Paris:
If you lose something in a cab (or other public space) in Paris, go to the police's Service des Objets Trouvés: 36, rue des Morillons in the 15th arrondissement, open Monday - Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tel.: 08 21 00 25 25. Métro: Convention
In Lyon:
65 rue du Bourbonnais
69009 Lyon
Tel : 04 78 47 72 89
In Marseille:
41 Boulevard de Briançon
13003 Marseille
04 91 14 68 97
In Bordeaux:
99 rue Abbé de l'Epée
33000 Bordeaux
05 56 44 20 18
To find contact information for other local offices of the Service des Objets Trouvés, contact the local tourism office.
What does France offer in terms of Ecotourism?
 France has developed a healthy awareness of the need for tourism to adhere to and promote responsible and ethical practices. If you are in search of organizations, destinations and lodges in France that espouse respect for the planet and its human and animal citizens, start by visiting the Sustainable Tourism section of our Web site.
You can also visit the Association Française d'Ecotourisme (tel. 05 61 23 22 59, www.ecotourisme.info) and look at their interactive map of select locations in France (and around the world) at
www.voyagespourlaplanete.com (in French).
What kinds of free or discount activities are available in France?
Museums in Paris
The Paris Museum Pass gives you direct access (without waiting in line) to the collections of 60 museums and monuments in Paris and in the surrounding region. It is valid for two (32€), four (48€) or six (64€) days and available over the Internet, at main Métro stations and at the Paris Convention & Visitors Bureaus, participating museums, and in FNAC stores. www.parismuseumpass.com
Museums outside Paris
There are several other centers with enticing passes, including the Carte Musée Côte d'Azur (access to more than 65 museums in the French Riviera), the Carte Passe-Musées Nice (all the Nice city museums), Loire Valley Châteaux Pass Clefs des Temps (valid at 10 monuments) and the Lyon City Card (for 1-3 days of travel and attractions in Lyon). Ask at the local tourist offices for more details.
Free Concerts
 Many churches and cathedrals in Paris and throughout France offer free concerts, especially during the summer. In Paris, free organ recitals are given at Notre-Dame, St-Eustache, St-Merri and Eglise de la Madeleine on Sundays. Check with local tourist offices for more information.
Discount Theater Tickets in Paris
In Paris, half-price theater tickets are sold on the day of the performance at Kiosque Théâtre ticket counters at Place de la Madeleine and on the Esplanade of the Tour Montparnasse (between the Tour and the Gare Montparnasse). Credit cards are not accepted; a small commission is charged for each ticket. Some theaters offer reduced-price tickets for students and standbys 15 minutes before curtain. www.kiosquetheatre.com
What services does France provide for the Physically Challenged?
In France, special consideration is given to people with restricted mobility and wheelchairs. This thoughtfulness is observed in many public spaces and in such adaptations as special access ramps, elevators, toilets, parking spaces and phone booths. To learn more about this and the Tourisme et Handicap label, visit www.tourisme-handicaps.org (in French). For information in English, visit the special needs section of our Web site.
What is France’s Political Structure?
The constitution of Oct. 4, 1958 provides the institutional basis for the Fifth Republic (France's current political system). The President functions as the head of the state and is elected for five years under universal suffrage. The current President is Nicolas Sarkozy, who was elected in 2007 to replace outgoing President Jacques Chirac. As the head of state, the President controls foreign policy and defense, and appoints a prime minister with the approval of the parliament.
The Prime Minister functions as the head of government and is in charge of domestic policy. Sarkozy appointed the current Prime Minister, François Fillon, to office after his own election in 2007.
The Parliament, made up of the Senate and the National Assembly, constitutes the legislative section of the government and is responsible for creating and voting on laws.
 France is a member of the European Union, whose European Parliament is seated in Strasbourg, capital of France's Alsace region.
The French national anthem was composed in Strasbourg in 1792; the military song for the Army of the Rhine became the Marseillaise and was declared the national anthem on July 14,1795. France's motto is "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity."
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