Capital: Paris
Location:
Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain (slightly less than twice the size of Colorado).
Registration Embassy and Consulate:
Americans living in or visiting France or Monaco are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Paris and obtain updated information on travel and security within France and Monaco.
The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Paris is located at:
2, rue St. Florentin
75001 Paris
(Place de la Concorde, Metro Stop Concorde).
(Tel 011/33/1-43 12 22 22 or (in France) 01-43 12 22 22; fax: 01-42 61 61 40)
Further information can be obtained at our web site: http://www.amb-usa.fr.
The Consulate General in Marseilles is located at:
12, Blvd Paul Peytal
13086 Marseilles
(Tel: 011/33/4-91 54 92 00; fax: 011/33/4-91 55 09 47)
The Consulate General in Strasbourg is located at:
15 Avenue d’Alsace
67082 Strasbourg
(Tel: 011/33/3-88 35 31 04; fax: 011/33/3-88 24 06 95)
The Consulate General in Strasbourg does not produce passports on the premises. American citizens in this area whose passports are lost or stolen and who have urgent travel needs should address themselves directly to the American Embassy in Paris.
Background:
Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a presidential democracy resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentary democracies. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the advent of the euro in January 1999. Presently, France is at the forefront of European states seeking to exploit the momentum of monetary union to advance the creation of a more unified and capable European defense and security apparatus.
Ethnic Groups:
Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities
Language:
French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)
Currency:
FRF; EUR
French franc (FRF); euro (EUR)
note: on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in France at a fixed rate of 6.55957 French francs per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002
euros per US dollar - 0.7511 (March 2007), 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.65 (January 1999), 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996)
Climate:
Generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral
Population:
59,551,227 (July 2001 est.)
Religion:
Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim (North African workers) 3%, unaffiliated 4%
Medical:
Medical care comparable to that found in the United States is widely available.
U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties.
Please check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation, and for adequacy of coverage. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.
Safety:
Violent civil disorder is relatively rare in France. But occasionally, student demonstrations, labor protests or other routine demonstrations turn into violent confrontations between demonstrators and police. So Americans are advised to avoid street demonstrations.
Traffic Safety:
While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning France and Monaco is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation:
Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance:
Good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance:
Good
Availability of Roadside Assistance:
Good
Roads in France are generally comparable to those in the United States, but traffic engineering and driving habits pose special dangers. Usually, lane markings and sign placements are not as clear as in the U.S. Drivers should be prepared to make last-minute maneuvers, as most French drivers do. French drivers usually drive more aggressively and faster than Americans. One particularity of the French traffic code is that of the right-of-way. Drivers entering intersections from the right have priority over those on the left (unless specifically indicated otherwise) even when entering relatively large boulevards from small side streets.
Paris, the capital and the major city in France, has an extensive and efficient public transportation system. The interconnecting system of buses, subways, and commuter rails serves more than 4 million people a day with a safety record comparable to or better than the systems of major American cities. Similar transportation systems are found in all major French cities. Between cities, France is served by an equally extensive rail service, which is safe and reliable. High-speed rail links connect the major cities in France. Many cities are also served by frequent air service.
Drivers in France tend to exceed the posted speed limits. On the major highways, service stations are situated every 25 miles or less. Service stations are as plentiful on secondary roads as in the United States.
