FAQs / Support

Prices

• Prices in US and Canadian dollars are estimations and are provided for information purposes only.
• All purchases are charged in Euros.
• A MOI LA FRANCE is not responsible for any additional costs associated with the exchange rate.
• *Prices and discounts rates listed on the home page www.amoilafrance.com are provided for information only, for 1 week, depending on seasonal periods.

Vacation Rentals Terminologies

Accommodation:
The French descriptions for accommodations differ from those you would find in the US and Canada.
Kitchens and bathrooms are not considered as separate rooms in France.

• 2 Rooms in France : living room with a separate bedroom = 2 ½
• 3 Rooms in France : living room, separate bedroom and a dining room (living room and dining room / kitchen is not in the same room) = 3 ½
• 4 Rooms in France : lounge, dining room and two bedrooms = 4 ½
• 5 Rooms in France : same as 4 Rooms with an additional room = 5 ½

Conversion

• 1m² = +/- 10.7 feet²
• 1 mètre = 3.28 feet
• 1 kilomètre = 0.62 miles
• 1ha = 2.47 acres

Transport

* How to get to France by plane?

 International flights

Paris is served by two airports: Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (16 miles north) and Orly (9miles south), linked to the center by shuttle buses, the RER (suburban train interconnected with the metro) and taxis. You may go directly to your destination without stopping at the capital as both airports are connected to the major French rail lines.

Domestic Flights

It is possible to travel to France by plane at reasonable rates. Many low-cost airlines operate from French Airports. http://www.flylowcostairlines.org/compagnies-aeriennes-low-cost/vols-au-pays-france.html

* How do I travel by rail?

In France,trains are operated by the SNCF. The TGV- Which runs at speeds in excess of 200 mph - covers the major lines. It is a very safe and efficient way to travel in France. The Corail and TER (Regional Express Trains) cover the remainder. Discounts and offers are regularly provided by the SNCF. We strongly recommend our clients to book their tickets in advance (especially during the holidays) ti get lower fares. Tickets can be purchases at the station, on the internet (travel-sncf.com), or through our agency.

* Where can I take the subway?

In most large cities, you will be able to travel underground.
These are:

Paris
Lyon
Marseille
Lille
Strasbourg
Toulouse
Orléans
Nantes
Nancy
Grenoble
Rouen

* How do I travel by bus?

All the information on www.Transbus.fr

* Can I rent a bicycle?

Self-service bicycles are available in all major cities.

* French Taxis

Taxis are availble on the streets but you can altenatively order them by phone.
Here is a useful link: www.taxis-de-france.com

* Driving in France

North American driving licenses are valid for a period of 3 months.

The traffic is fairly similar to that of Canada and the United States.

Speed ​​limits are:
• 31 mph in town,
• 43/56 mph on national roads,
• 81 mph on the highway (or 68 mph if rain).

It is prohibited to turn right at red light,
Priority to the right is enforced. Drivers faced with a stop sign must give way to all other drivers, and mark a stop until the road is clear.

For more information on routes, fares, services and highway traffic conditions in real time:

• www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr
• www.sytadin.fr 

* Is it expensive to drive to France?

Highways are tolled and some may charge more than others.
They are very well maintained and contain plenty of rest areas (restaurants, gas stations).
For more information, please visit: www.autoroutes.fr

Living in France

Currency

 Since January 1, 2002, the official currency in France is the Euro (€). Prices are always tax inclusive.

Where to eat

• At restaurants, prices include taxes and service. However, it is customary to leave a tip if you enjoyed the service.
BE ADVISED: Some restaurants do not have English menus.

We recommend the application WordLens,which conducts instant translation from photos.
 On average:

• a daily special at the restaurant will cost between 9 and 15 € (12 to 20 $ CAD - 11 to 19 $ USD)
• a 'Baguette' will cost about 1.20 € (1,55 $ CAD - 1,50 $ USD)
• a movie: 5 to 9 € (6,50 to 12 $ CAD - 6,40 to 11 $ USD)
• a subway ticket about 1.50 € (1,95 $ CAD - 1,90 $ USD) 

Since November 2010, French cuisine is considered an intagible world heritage by the UN's cultural organisation.

• Breakfast: served in the morning upon wakening
• Lunch: served between 12:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
• Afternoon snack: around 4 p.m. (cakes, tea, coffee...)
• Dinner: served between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Advice

Administrative documents (passport, ID, ...)
o Always carry copies
o Leave the originals in a safe place
o Procedures in case of theft or loss are long and complicated

- It is forbidden to smoke in public areas
- The legal age of drinking in bars is 18
- It is forbidden to consume alcohol on the streets

La Poste

• For Sending letters and parcels
• For Purchasing of stamps
• For Sending Faxes
• For Currency exchangees

Emergency numbers

"15" EMS
"17" Police
"18" Fire & Rescue
"1616" (Maritime Rescue: Channel 16 VHF Marine Band at sea or from a mobile phone number 1616 on the coast)

What is the climate in France?

Three types of climate can be found in France.

Oceanic: with mild summers and winters. Found in Western France
Continental: with warm summers and cold winters. Found in Eastern France
Mediterranean: with warm and dry summers, and mild winters. Occasionally very windy. Fpond in Southern France.

Note: The French time zone is GMT +1 in winter and GMT +2 in summer (EST+6).

How to call on French territory?

To contact a foreign correspondent you must dial + (or 00) + international prefix + the phone number you wish to call (without the 0 at the beginning).

To call in France from Canada, dial 00 (or +) 33.
To call Canada from France, dial 00 (or +) 1.

In France the phone numbers consist of 10 digits.
The first two correspond to the area code and are defined as follows:
01 Île-de-France
02 Northwest
03 Northeast
04 South East
05 Southwest
06/07 Cell Phone

Telephone booths are available in every city, and most villages. Telephone cards can be purchases in tobacco shops.

Labels 

Cities and Countries of Art and History

Cities and Countries of Art and History is a network of 149 cities and countries commited to the promotion of their rich heritage and architecture:  guided tours, exhibitions, educational services.

World Heritage of the U.N.E.S.C.O.

The World Heritage List, or heritage, is established by the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The program's goal is to catalog, name, and protect the  the most important landmarks to mankind (languages, cuisine, historic sites).

The most beautiful villages in France

The Most Beautiful Villages of France is a French association formed in 1982 to promote small rural communities with a rich cultural heritage.

Criteria include:

• A population less than 2000 inhabitants
• Approval by the City Council
• Possession of at least two sites or monuments
• A policy of lanscape preservation

Miscellaneous

Parks

There are many Parks, reserves, and other protected areas in France.

Heritage and Monuments

For more information, visit: www.monuments-nationaux.fr

Beaches

Green flag: swimming safe and supervised
Yellow flag: swimming dangerous but supervised
Red flag: swimming prohibited
Purple flag: swimming prohibited ( jellyfish, pollution, ...)
Blue Flag: end of supervised area