Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tourist Information
Almost every city, town and village has an
office de tourisme
(tourist office run by some
unit of local government) or
syndicat d'initiative
(tourist office run by local merchant
groups). Both are excellent resources and can provide local maps and accommodation in-
formation.
Travellers with Disabilities
France is fast improving its accommodation of the
handicapés
(disabled), but lags behind
the standard-setting USA. Footpaths are narrow, streets cobbled, and curb ramps rare.
Older public facilities and budget hotels lack lifts. Steep hilltop villages are nightmares
for
fauteuil roulant
(wheelchair) navigation.
Ask pointed questions of hoteliers, tourism authorities and restaurateurs. Some two-
and many three-star hotels are equipped with lifts, but ensure there are no steps (
aucunes
marches
) leading to them. Restaurant bathrooms are often downstairs.
Parking areas have dedicated spots (bring your handicap parking placard). Some
beaches are wheelchair- accessible - flagged
handiplages
on city maps - in Cannes, Mar-
seille, Nice, Hyères, Ste-Maxime and Monaco.
Michelin's
Guide Rouge
indicates hotels with lifts and handicap rooms, and
Gîtes de
France
(
www.gites-de-france-paca.com
)
provides lists of wheelchair-accessible
gîtes
ruraux
and
chambres d'hôte.
International airports provide wheelchairs by advance arrangement with airlines, but
expect to wait (be pushy, if necessary). Trains are wheelchair-accessible; call the
SNCF
Accessibilité Service
( 08 90 64 06 50;
www.accessibilite.sncf.com
)
for information.
Visas
»For up-to-date information on visa requirements see
www.diplomatie.gouv.fr
.
»EU nationals and citizens of Iceland, Norway and Switzerland need only their passport
or national identity card to enter France and work. However, nationals of the 12 countries
that joined the EU in 2004 and 2007 are subject to residency and work limitations.
»Citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singa-
pore, USA and many Latin American countries need no tourist visa for stays shorter than
90 days.
