Full country name: French Republic
Area: 547,000 sq km (213,330 sq mi)
Population: 60 million
Capital city: Paris (population: 11 million) Paris Public Transportation
Currency: Euro
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Time: Winter time is GMT/UTC +1. Summer time is GMT/UTC +2.
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz
Weights & Measures: Metric
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Entry Requirements: According to your citizenship, the duration and purpose of your stay in France, a visa may be required before departure. Visas may be obtained in French embassies or consulates. Also, your passport should be valid 3 months beyond intended stay.
Generally speaking, the following rules apply:
No visa for nationals of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway.
No visa for nationals of Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, USA to visit France as tourists for up to three months.
Visa apply for other nationalities.
Students may be eligible for specific rules.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance If you are a national from an European Union country, ask your local social security office for a "European Form E.111". This will enable you to be refunded for any medical costs and prescription charges incurred in France when you return home. If you are from outside of the European Union, you need to check your status with your local social security or private insurance.
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Duty Free Shopping
If you live outside the European Union, you are entitled to a 12% rebate in tax on certain items, provided that the amount of your purchases be higher than or equal to €175 including sales tax (VAT) and that these purchases are made on the same day in the same shop. Keep a receipt of your purchases (whether or not duty free), should your local customs inspector request them when you return home.
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Public Holidays
1 January - New Year's Day
Late March/April - Easter Sunday & Monday
1 May - May Day
8 May - Victoire 1945
May (40th day after Easter) - Ascension Thursday
mid-May-mid-June (7th Sunday after Easter) - Pentecost/Whit Sunday & Whit Monday
14 July - Bastille Day/National Day
15 August - Assumption Day
1 November - All Saints' Day
11 November - Remembrance Day
25 December - Christmas