Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Shopping Hours
Taking into consideration the lunch hours (anytime from 12 noon
to 3:00 pm), shops in the major cities open from 10:00 am till
about 7:00 pm or 8:00 pm from Monday through Saturday.
The post ofi ce is open from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday
through Friday. On Saturday, they open for half a day till 12 noon.
Banks are usually open from 9:00 am until 4:30 pm, Monday
through Friday, with a half day on Saturday, though service is
often limited at lunch time.
The stock exchange, the old Bourse, and now FTSEuronext are
all part of the attempt to coordinate all the Euro-based markets,
keeps trading 10:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
Some department stores stay open until 9:00 pm one night a
week. And most big chains like Monoprix and FransPrix stay
open until 9:00 pm all weeknights. The local neighbourhood
convenience stores open until 11:00 pm every night, but their
choice and quality are limited and their prices are higher.
Most establishments are closed on Sunday. Shops that stay open
on Saturday or Sunday usually close Mondays. Don't panic, at least
one
boulanger
or
pâtissier
in each neighbourhood will open both
Sunday and Monday so the French and other
croissant
and
baguette
addicts can have their fresh 'hit' for the day. Just don't be surprised
to i nd many restaurants and art galleries closed on Monday.
HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Anyone with a “carte de séjour” can participate in the
public health system (“Service de l'Assurance Maladie”).
This includes people living in France on both student and
working visas.
The i rst step is to apply for a “Carte Vitale” with any “Centre
de Service de l'Assurance Maladie”. This is a green credit card
which you swipe at any hospital, clinic or pharmacy and
which contains a thirteen digit “numéro de Securité Sociale”.
It will give you access to the wonderful baseline health care
coverage; any additional French insurance you purchase or
which is provided by your employer/school will be linked to
your “Carte Vitale”. These supplemental insurance packages
are known as “mutuelles”.
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