How Much Is That?
In France, the euro is the local currency. This involves a little less math than the previous franc (although I still miss the colorful franc with interesting themes such as "La Petite Prince"). The euro is now worth more than the dollar. When the euro is more valuable than the dollar, just round up a little (such as, you spend 8 euros, and estimate $10 in your head just to be conservative). For more information, see the Europe Guide's Euro Quick Guide or my article on Less Euro Bang For Your Buck for tips on dealing with the dollar's current plummet in value against the euro.
Even those who know a little French language may have trouble understanding shop keepers who recite prices. When you ask "Combien?" (How much?), keep a small pad handy so shop keepers can write the amount down.
What To Pack
What to pack for your French trip depends heavily on which region you will visit, where you will stay and how mobile you will need to be while visiting.
If you will be traveling all over the country, hopping train from one destination to another, pack light. A rolling backpack is great for this, by allowing you to choose between rolling it along or popping it onto your back. If you will, say, fly into Paris and stay in one luxury hotel the entire time, you can be more flexible and pack heavier.
Don't presume you can just find it in France if you need it, however. Good English-language maps or guide books can be tough to find, and it is challenging even in a big city to get an adaptor plug designed to convert an American appliance into the French plugs. (Think about it. They have plenty that allow French appliances to be plugged in while in America because most of the shoppers IN France need that). To be sure you don't have packing regrets, check out this list of the Top 10 Must-Haves For Your Trip To France, the Free France Travel Packing Checklist or these tips for packing light.
How To Plug It In
If you want to use American appliances in France, you will need an adaptor and a convertor. The adaptor allows you to plug it into the wall, while a convertor changes the electrical current to the French standard. For example, if you have a hair dryer that allows you to change the electrical current, you would only need the adaptor. What some visitors fail to realize is that phone plugs also need adaptors, and without them you will not be able to connect your laptop. Be sure you also get a telephone adaptor if you plan to take a laptop.
How To Call & E-mail Home
Placing a call home from France involves certain knowledge, but once you get the hang of it, it is surprisingly affordable and relatively easy. But first you must know the basics. For one thing, most French payphones do not take change, but instead use "telecartes." These can be purchased at many spots, such as tabacs and convenience stores, for a few euros. You slide the card into the slot on the phone, wait for the prompt on the display, and then enter the phone number (starting with the country code, such as "1" for the U.S.). The display will show how many units you have remaining. Calling on off hours will eat far fewer units. You can take advantage of time differences by, for instance, calling later in the night when it is late afternoon or early evening in the States.
You can also keep tabs by e-mail. Before you leave home, be sure you have a Web-based e-mail account. Free ones can be had through Yahoo! or Hotmail. There are cybercafes throughout France that are reasonably priced, as well as many computers available for guests at hotels. Find out more with my resources on Staying Connected in France.
How To Get Stuff Home
Dreaming of lugging cases of delectable French wine home with you? Think again, unless you want to pay. The U.S. government offers the following restrictions:
- Most visitors are allowed to bring back $800 of French goodies without paying duty.
- The duty includes up to 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars (sorry, not Cubans).
- One liter of alcohol is also included dity-free.