Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
» Foreigners must be able to prove immigration status (eg passport, visa, residency per-
mit).
»Verbally (or physically) abusing police officers carries hefty fines, even imprisonment.
»You may refuse to sign a police statement, and have the right to request a copy.
»The arrested are innocent until proven guilty, but may be held until trial. The website
www.service-public.fr
details rights.
»French police are ultrastrict with security. Never leave baggage unattended at airports or
stations: suspicious objects may be destroyed.
»French law makes no distinction between 'hard' and 'soft' drugs.
»Penalties for personal use of
stupéfiants
(narcotics; including cannabis) can be a one-
year jail sentence and €3750 fine, but may be lessened to a stern talking-to or compulsory
rehab.
»Public drunkenness is punishable by a €150 fine. It's illegal to drive with a blood-alcohol
concentration (BAC) over 0.05%. Police conduct random breathalyser tests.
»Smoking is illegal in public interiors, including bars and restaurants.
PRACTICALITIES
»France uses the metric system. To convert kilometres to miles, multiply by 0.6;
miles to kilometres, multiply by 1.6.
»Regional news and chat air in English on Monte Carlo-based Riviera Radio
(
www.rivieraradio.mc
)
.
»French-language regional newspapers are
Nice Matin
(
www.nicematin.fr
)
and
La
Provence
(
www.laprovence.com
)
.
»English-language regional newspapers are
Riviera Reporter
(
www.riviera-report-
er.com
) and
Riviera Times
(
www.rivieratimes.com
)
.
»French TV networks broadcast a second audio program in the program's original
language, often English: fiddle with your remote.
