Essential info for France
Time: Local time in France is GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the end of March to the end of October).
Electricity: 220 volts, 50Hz. Standard plugs used in France are European two-pins.
Language: The official language is French, but English is widely spoken and understood. In the South of France, Occitan dialects of French may be spoken, and can often seem quite different to the French spoken in the rest of the country.
Safety Information: France is generally a very safe country although expats are advised to take precautions against petty theft and to ensure their personal safety. There are thieves and pickpockets on the metro and around airports, and car theft and home break-ins do occur.
Local Customs: French culture is of particular importance to the local people, and they flaunt this sentiment with pride. Expats should make an effort to at least speak a few words of French.
While the food is excellent, expats may find the service in many restaurants to be of a low standard; waiters can appear rude and take their time. The national sports are soccer, rugby and cycling, and traditional games such as pétanque (similar to bowling) are popular in village squares. Smoking in public places is prohibited, though expats shouldn’t be surprised to see locals openly flouting the rule.
Business: Business etiquette is important in France. A smart and fashionable personal appearance is essential, while punctuality is less vital and people are sometimes 'fashionably late'. Meetings are usually held over lunch, and the French love their food. As in most western countries, a handshake is the norm when meeting someone, and the French like to use formal tiles i.e. Monsieur (Mr), Madame (Mrs) and Mademoiselle (Ms). Business hours are generally 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Communications: The international access code for France is +33, and the Paris area code is (0)1. Outbound international calls from France are made by dialling the network code (e.g. 00 for France Telecom) and then the relevant country code (e.g. 44 for the United Kingdom). Phone cards can be used on most public phones and purchased at local newsagents, probably the cheapest way for expats to call home. French mobile phone operators use GSM networks and most have roaming agreements with international mobile companies. There are Internet cafés in cities and towns throughout France.
Emergencies: 112 is the European emergency number used in France, 15 is for specialised emergency medical services, 18 is for fire, and 17 is for police.
