Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SECURITY AND HEALTH
1. EMERGENCIES
SOS Médecins, the 24-hour emergency medical service, can send an ambulance, para-
medic or a doctor. For most emergencies payment in cash is required immediately
after treatment.
SOS Médecins (Nice) • 08 10 85 01 01 • for local emergency numbers in Provence,
visit www.sosmedecins-france.fr
Emergency Services • 112
2. TRAVEL INSURANCE
France has excellent health care but treatment is not free. Take out adequate in-
surance to cover all emergencies - policies are available through your credit card
company, bank, motoring association, household insurance company, or direct from
insurers. Policies sold by travel agents are more expensive. For EU citizens, the
European Health Insurance Card is available from post offices or online; it entitles
visitors to free health care but only for basic treatment.
3. MINOR AILMENTS
Provence has no serious health risks. Tap water is safe, but water from village foun-
tains should be drunk only if it bears the sign “eau potable”. Sunburn is a risk
throughout the summer: wear a hat and sunscreen. In early summer hay fever suffer-
ers should carry antihistamine tablets or drops. Change of diet and climate can cause
diarrhoea or indigestion. Remedies are available from pharmacies.
4. INSECTS AND PESTS
Mosquitoes are common in summer. Repellents containing deet (diethyltoluamide)
and/or citronella oil will keep them away. Plug-in electric repellent pads can be
bought at pharmacies. On rocky beaches, beware of treading on spiky sea urchins;
when swimming, watch out for stinging jellyfish. Hornets and scorpions, both of
which have a painful sting, are harmless unless provoked. You will encounter snakes
on country walks, but the only venomous species, the viper, is shy, rarely seen and
harmless unless trodden on.
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