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Our European neighbours, in France it is diversity that
holds sway and the great wealth of its heritage provides remarkable
evidence of this.
Travel Insurance for France:
Area: Europe *
Know Before You Go:
FCO Country Advice for France
The romantic city of Paris is
also known as ‘The City of Lights.’ For art lovers
there is The Louvre with its famous Mona Lisa and other valuable
pieces of art. Or the Pompidou Centre for contemporary art, the
Musee d’Orsay and Musee Rodin where many of Rodin’s
beautiful sculputures can be seen. No trip to Paris is complete
without a visit to the Eiffel Tower . There is the famous gothic
Notre Dame Cathedral and the Sacre Coeur in Montmarte. In the
surrounding areas are the palace at Fontainbleau and the Chateau
of Louis XIV at Versailles.
Eurodisney or Disneyland in
Paris is a magical place to visit both for kids and for adults
too, who can be transported back to their childhood in this land
of pure escapism. The complex also includes many hotels, restaurants,
and some golf courses.
The French Alps are world famous for their great ski
resorts which include: The Three Valleys (Les Trois Vallees ),
Courchevel, Meribel,
Mottaret, Val Thorens, Tignes, Grenoble, Chambery, Annecy, Albertville
and Val D’Isere.
Ski Insurance for France
Whether you are skiing, snowboarding, or participating in another winer sport then you will need proper ski and wintersports travel insurance.
Click here for more information
Situated on the Ill River, Strasbourg is
the capital of the Alsace region of NE France . It is situated
close to the German border and is a major area for manufacturing.
The medieval city has many museums, an opera house, a gothic
cathedral and historic centre which is a UNESCO World Heritage
site. The city also has some lovely parks and a zoo.
The town of Bergerac in southwestern France is located
in Perigord, on the Dordogne River . It is an industrial area
which was taken by the British in the 400s. Attractions include
museums, including the tobacco museum.
The city of Bordeaux is a lively and cosmopolitan place
located in southwestern France on the river Garonne , near the
Bay of Biscay , in the heart of the wine country. It is also
a busy port city, but the main source of income is from the wine
industry. Tours of the wineries are always popular.
The Channel Tunnel (Chunnel or Eurotunnel) provides
a link by rain between England and France with ongoing connections
to many other areas. It is approximately 30 miles long and over
140’ under the sea-bed and provides easy access to the
European continent for many travellers. If you are motoring across,
don't forget that we highly recommend Vehicle Rescue Direct Car
and Motorcycle Breakdown cover. Visit the web site at www.vehicle-rescue.com.
Calais is a very busy ferry port where you can
enjoy views across to England and watch the ferries while you
walk its miles of sandy beaches. The town has suffered devastation
from the two World Wars, and there is a very good War museum.
The marina is a busy place for boating activities. Inland from
Calais can be found some lovely countryside with rolling hills,
rivers and wooded areas. Calais is also a popular stopping off
point for shoppers.
The city of Dijon located in the eastern part
of France is the historical capital of Burgundy . Dijon is known
for its mustard, and more precisely for the method used. Dijon
is also in the heart of the Burgundy wine area.
Lyon is a city in the eastern central part of
the country on the rivers Rhone and Saone . It is home to Interpol
headquarters and close to the Beaujolais and Cotes du Rhone wine
regions. |
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The South of France and the French Riviera are
very popular tourist destinations with beautiful places to visit
such as Marseille, Toulon , Arles , Provence , Dordogne and Languedoc
.
Marseille , the second largest city in France ,is
located in Provence . It has an old town and thriving port with
plenty of culture and history which can be studied in the many
museums. High on the cliffs is the church Notre Dame de La Garde,
the patron saint of sailors. The nearby islands gave birth to
the legend of the Count of Monte Cristo. There are lovely beaches
with plenty of water activities such as fishing and sailing.
Monaco is a glamorous resort located on the Mediterranean
Sea , close to Nice and the French Riviera. In Monaco French,
English and Italian are all spoken. Popular attractions are the
casino, opera house, cathedral, gardens and museums. Monaco hosts
many festivals throughout the year, including music and the arts,
tennis tournaments, and of course it is always famous for its
expensive yachts.
The city of Nice is another glamorous
and popular tourist destination on the Cote D’Azur . Nice
has plenty of history and a lovely old town area with narrow
streets that are great for strolling, cafes and little shops.
The Promenade des Anglais is the place to see and be seen and
there are plenty of good restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, museums,
shops and boutiques. The beaches are a great place for relaxing
and sunbathing, swimming and water activities. Great views of
Nice and its port can be seen from The Chateau above the city.
St. Tropez on the Cote d’Azur is internationally
known as a jet-setter and tourist playground.It is famous
for its beaches and visiting movie stars and artists. It is also
a great place for people-watching and has a lively nightlife.
St. Tropez has a more down-to-earth side for those who may wish
to visit at quieter off-peak times.
Weather
In the North and Central areas generally cool winters and mild
summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean;
occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly winds.
Driving in France
Driving in France is very similar to being in the UK, except,
of course, that you will be driving on the right side of the road
(“serrez à droite” means keep to the right). The minimum age for driving here is 18 years and your UK insurance will provide you with third party cover. It is ow complusary for all vehicles to carry a reflective jacket and warning triangle.
Children under ten years of age are not permitted to ride in the front of a vehicle unless it has a rear facing seat designed for the purpose. All occupants must wear a seat belt. And of course - do NOT drink and drive.
It is illegal
to drive with faulty lights, so it is recommended that you carry
a spare bulb kit. Headlamps need to be adjusted for continental
travel. A warning triangle must be carried. Remember that “stop” signs
mean what they say. Do not try to ‘creep’ over the
line ready for a fast getaway. You must stop completely.
France has over 8,000 kilometres of motorways, mostly toll roads
which are privately financed, so prices do vary.
If you
have to stop on an open road, make sure the car is driven off
the road. Overtaking where there is a solid centre line is heavily
penalised. Broken centre lines indicate where passing is allowed.
When there are three or five lanes, please note that the middle
lane is to be used by traffic going in both directions. When
encountering a tram, make sure you do not pass it while passengers
are loading or disembarking.
Disclaimer: While we have tried to ensure this information
is correct we do not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy.
* Inclusion on this guide does not guarantee travel insurance is available in this country at any given time. Travel Insurance is not available in countries for which the F.C.O. advise against travel to.
** At the time of writing, the F.C.O. advised against travel to countries, or areas thereof, marked thus at the time of writing. Travel Insurance is not available in areas where the F.C.O. advise against travel to.
You are strongly advised to visit the F.C.O. web site for up to date information and general travel advice before you travel.
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