Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BANKING AND COMMUNICATION
1. LANGUAGE AND ETIQUETTE
English is widely spoken by people working in coastal resorts, tourist offices, hotels,
larger restaurants and airports. It is less fluently spoken in urban Marseille and in rur-
al communities, where you will need a grasp of French in order to understand and be
understood. Etiquette is highly valued: shake hands on being introduced and use the
titles
“Monsieur”
and
“Madame”
on greeting.
2. CHANGING MONEY
Foreign currency and travellers' cheques in all major currencies can be changed into
euros at exchange offices and banks. French francs ceased to be legal tender in Febru-
ary 2002. Euro notes are issued in denominations of €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200
and €500 and coins in €2, €1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Cash and travellers'
cheques can be changed at larger post offices. Banks are usually open 9am- noon
and 2-5pm Monday to Friday, but some also open on Saturday. You can also change
money at larger hotels.
3. CREDIT AND DEBIT CARDS
Cash can be drawn from your bank or credit card account using automatic teller ma-
chines (ATMs) in all towns and larger villages. On-screen instructions are in English
and French. Credit cards can be used to pay for motorway tolls but smaller shops, res-
taurants, hotels, camp sites and
gîte
operators prefer cash.
4. PUBLIC PHONES
International and local calls can be made from telephone booths even in the smallest
communities. Some phones accept only French telephone debit cards
(télécartes)
,
which can be bought from post offices, newsagents and tabacs (tobacconists); others
accept most credit and debit cards. You can also call from metered telephone booths
at larger post offices, or via the
pays direct
service which allows you to place your call
through an operator in your home country and pay by credit card, charge card, or re-
versing the charges.
