(Last updated: 16 May 2012)
Visiting
Business hours
Offices are generally open from 9.00am–6.00pm with a one-hour lunch break.
Banks operate from 9.30am–5.30pm, Monday to Friday and some are open 9.30am–4.30pm, Saturdays.
Shops are open from 10.00am–7.00pm, Monday to Saturday. Most shops outside of Paris will close for lunch.
Public holidays
January 1 – New Year’s Day
May 1 – Labour Day
May 8 – Victory Day 1945
July 14 – Bastille Day
August 15 – Assumption
November 1 – All Saint's Day
November 11 – Armistice 1918
December 25-26 – Christmas
Climate
France has a varied, temperate climate. From November to March the weather is cool. In comparison to the north, winters are mild in the south but the winds can be quite powerful.
Most city-dwellers take holidays either in July or August, the hottest months, so beaches in the south are usually busy at this time of year.
For weather details in France, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.
Currency
Oanda currency converter
The Euro (€) is the official currency for all transactions. One Euro is made up of 100 cents. Euro notes are common to all Euro zone countries, while the coins are customised with the national symbol on one face. Both Euro notes and coins can be used in any Euro zone country.
ATMs can be found all over cities, towns and in some large villages. They are usually marked with a hand holding a card above them.
Visa cards, Mastercards and Amex are commonly accepted in shops, restaurants and bars in major towns. Keep in mind that most of the time your PIN number will be required for payments in shops and cash withdrawals.
Travellers’ cheques are mostly accepted. However, in some cases, you may need to cash them at the post office. Amex now has a fee-free cashing arrangement at most post offices.
Time zones and time differences
France is eight hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time.
To find out the current time in Paris, view the World Clock.
Dialling codes
France's country code is 33.
For calls to France from Australia dial: 0011 + 33 + area code + telephone number.
For calls from France to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.
For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.
Electricity and water
France’s power supply is 220 volts, 50Hz. The round two-pin plugs are the most common.
Links and resources
Travel and tourism
City of Paris – www.paris.fr/portail/accueil/Portal.lut?page_id=1
Eurostar train travel – www.eurostar.com/dynamic/index.jsp
France.com – www.france.com
Francerama – www.francerama.com/en/index.htm
Paris Tourist Office – www.parisinfo.com
Paris Public Transport – www.ratp.fr
Thalys – www.thalys.com
Time Out (Paris) – www.timeout.com/paris/
Zagat Guide – www.zagat.com
Please note: this list of websites and resources is not definitive. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement by Austrade. The information provided is a guide only.