Travel to France

France: Various travel information

Formalities, visas

Germans, Swiss and Austrians can enter the EU country France with a valid passport or a valid ID card that has been invalid for a year. German child ID cards are recognized without restriction; Children under the age of 16 can also enter the country if they are entered on a parent’s passport.

People who still need a visa can get one at the following address.

Embassy of the Republic of France 10117 Berlin Tel: +49 – (0) 30 – 590 03 90 00 Opening times: Mon – Fri 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Consular matters: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Wednesday 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: 30 o’clock

Currency, foreign exchange regulations, goods

The national currency of France is the

euro (€) = 100 cents.

  • Import and export of local currencyUnrestricted import and export of local currency.
  • Import and export of foreign currenciesThe import and export of foreign currencies is permitted. Cash worth over 7,622 (€) must be declared.

Cheap goods, souvenirs

The most beautiful French souvenirs vary with the respective regions of France such as lace, glasses and pottery from Brittany, baskets and ceramics from Burgundy, leather goods and clogs from the Midi-Pyrenees, perfumes and herbal teas from Provence etc. In Paris is a very good place to buy fashion accessories, clothes and perfumes, but also antiques and art. Culinary specialties such as chocolates, cheese, mustard from Dijon, honey from Provence, herbs from Provence, pies and of course French wine are also nice souvenirs. In addition to the famous French wine, there are also cider and calvados from Brittany and Normandy, cognac from Charente, Cointreau, Armagnac and Pinneau.

How do you get to France?

From Germany you can reach France by plane, car, train and intercity bus. But bike tours or hikes are also available from the regions near the border. And France can even be reached with your own motor yacht via the extensive canal system. Sailors and motor yacht drivers can of course also reach the country by sea, with cruises in the Mediterranean being particularly popular. Because of the extreme changes in water depth and the sometimes very strong currents on the coast of the canal and the Atlantic, you should have good experience in tidal waters here as a skipper or hire a local skipper.

Pass roads and tunnels

Eurotunnel

The Eurotunnel, which connects France with Great Britain, crosses under the English Channel and has a length of 50 km. It is a railway tunnel that is single-tracked in two main tunnels. The tunnel was completed in 1994 and begins near Calais in France and ends in Folkestone in Kent in England and Great Britain.

Col de la Bonette/Resteford

The Col de la Resteford and the Col de la Bonette are located one behind the other in the French Maritime Alps on the same road, which is around 49 km long. The pass begins in Jausier and ends in Saint Ètienne or, of course, the other way around. The pass of the Col de la Resteford is at an altitude of 2,678 m, that of the Col de la Bonette at 2,715. If you leave the actual pass road and drive a loop around the Cime de la Bonette, you even get to a height of 2.802, the highest place in the Alps that you can reach by car on a tarred road.

The pass is closed from October 1st to June 15th. Between the Col de la Resteford and the Col de la Bonette, you can still see the remains of the bunker systems of the Maginot Line next to the road. Incidentally, the top of the pass forms the border between the two French departments Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Alpes-Maritimes.

Col de la Galibier

The pass connects the two French departments of Savoie in the north with the department of Hautes-Alpes in the south. The pass is at an altitude of 2,645 m. The pass was built in 1876. The pass is closed from October 15th to June 15th.

Col de la Glandon

The 1,924 m high pass is located in the Savoie department and connects Rochetaillée with La Chambre. it was opened in 1898 and connected to the Col de la Croix de Fer in 1912. The latter leads to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne instead of La Chambre and has a pass height of 2,067 m. Incidentally, the 17th stage of the 2008 Tour de France passed through it. Both passes are only open from May to October.

Col de la Croix de Fer

The 2,067 m high pass is located in the Savoie department and connects Rochetaillée and Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. It has been connected to the Col de la Glandon since 1916 – the road to the Col de la Glandon branches off from Rochetaillée about 2.5 km before the top of the pass. The pass is only open from May to October. It should be mentioned that the 17th stage of the Tour de France passed over this pass.

Col de I´Iseran

The pass of the Col de I´Iseran is with a height of 2,770 m the highest point for a motor vehicle. passable pass. The Col de la Bonette is higher, but its height can only be reached on a circular route that deviates from the pass road. The pass road connects the well-known winter sports resort Val-d`Isere in the department Savoie with Bonneval-sur-Arc, also located in Savoie. It is part of the Route des Grand Alpes, one of the well-known French roads that leads from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean Sea and, in addition to the Col de I´Iseran, another 15 Alpine passes. On parts of the route, including the Col de I´Iseran, stages of the world’s most famous cycle race “Tour de France” have been and will be carried out.

Little St. Bernhard

The Little St. Bernhard Pass connects the Isèretal in the French department Savoien with the Aosta valley in Italy. The top of the pass is at an altitude of 2,188 m, the border between France and Italy is also located here. The pass was named after Saint Bernhard von Menthon (around 983-1081) who – like on the Great St. Bernhard – set up a hospice to rescue people in need in the region.

Travel in the country

Flight connections

France has a very well developed domestic flight network, so that almost all larger cities are connected by flight connections.

Bus

There are very good bus connections within cities as well as intercity connections between cities. There are also bus companies that go to other countries, such as Eurolines or Flixbus.

Rail

The rail network in France is very well developed. Long-distance and express trains run on the main routes and the TGV (Train a Grande Vitesse), which is the fastest train in the world at 300 km/h, runs on sections of the route. Since November 2007 there has been an extremely fast connection with the Eurostar from Gare du Nord in Paris to the new St. Pancras train station in London. The train only takes 2 hours and a few minutes to travel from Paris to London through the Eurotunnel. For more high-speed connections, see Paris. The first TGV ran from Paris to Lyon on September 22, 1981.

Roads

France has a well developed road network and highways. However, the motorways are usually tolled and operated by private companies. The French road network is one of the densest in the world. Around 8,000 km of motorways connect Paris with major cities, regions and international transport routes.

Mont Blanc Tunnel

The 11.6 km long tunnel, which consists of only one tube, connects the towns of Chamonix on the French side with Courmayeur in Italy. The tunnel gained notoriety worldwide on March 24th when a major fire broke out here, killing 39 people.

Car rental

In France all known car rental companies are represented.

Ferry connections

There are ferry connections to Corsica, Tunisia, Italy, Southern Ireland and England.

Traffic rules, emergency calls

In France, it is well known that traffic is on the right. Regardless of the information given here, it is advisable to obtain detailed information from the ADAC, the AvD or the traffic clubs in France.

Maximum speeds

In addition to the general speed limits shown, the speed limits indicated by signs must be strictly observed.

  • Urban: in built-up areas there is a speed limit of 50 km/h.
  • Country roads: there is a speed limit of 80 km/h on country roads.
  • Expressways: on some special expressways there is a speed limit of 110 km/h.
  • Motorways: there is a speed limit of 130 km/h on motorways.

Special regulations

Trams have right of way. Dipped headlights are mandatory in case of rain and snow. Priority roads end at the place-name signs. Yellow stripes on the edge of the road mean no parking. When it is wet, the speed must be reduced by 10 km/h outside urban areas and by 20 km/h on motorways. Mopeds are only allowed to drive 45 km/h in and out of town. Vehicles over 3.5 t: extra-urban 80, on expressways (2 lanes in each direction) 100, on motorways 110 km/h.

Those who have had their driving license for less than two years may drive a maximum of 80 km/h outside of town, 100 km/h on expressways and 110 km/h on motorways.

Blood alcohol

limit , alcohol test device In France there is a blood alcohol limit of 0.5 parts per thousand for drivers of motor vehicles. The same rule applies to drivers of motorcycles.

Since July 1, 2012, an alcohol test device had to be carried in every motor vehicle – even tourists. But this nonsensical rule was suspended indefinitely at the end of January 2014.

Useful

in the event of an accident or other problems with the car or motorbike to reach information and assistance at the following numbers:

Tel.: 0825 – 800 822

Mobile: 0033-825800822

Police: 17

The ADAC can be reached 24 hours in Munich under the following number:

0049 – (0) 89 – 22 22 22

International license plate

According to Abbreviationfinder, The international license plate of France is:

F

Infectious diseases

In the south of France, two infectious diseases are to be expected that are not or less widespread in Germany or in Central and Northern Europe:

  • Kala-Azar
  • Leishmaniasis

Recommended vaccinations

when traveling to France, the following also in Germany usual vaccinations recommended:

  • Cholera, but only among travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
  • Diphtheria, a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist in your home country.
  • Hepatitis A and B, a vaccination against hepatitis B, is only required for people who may come into contact with blood or for those who seek sexual contact.
  • Polio, polio, a vaccination against polio should always exist, also in the home country.
  • Meningococcal meningitis
  • Tetanus, a vaccination against tetanus should always exist in the home country.
  • Rabies, but only in high-risk travelers who can come into contact with the vector animals.
  • Typhoid, but only in travelers who may come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.

Vaccination requirements There are no vaccination requirements when entering or staying in the country.

Warning notices

Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany

Citizens’ Service

Phone: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000

Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 51000

www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de

France: embassies and consulates

Visit Countryaah for a full list of France embassies and consulates in each country around the world.

Representations of France in Germany

The embassy of the French Republic in Berlin is located on Pariser Platz – in the immediate vicinity of the Brandenburg Gate. The embassy stands on the same ground that the previous representative office was on until it was destroyed in 1945. It should be mentioned that the property has been owned by the French state since 1860. After reunification, it was returned to France. The building was built in 1997 based on plans by the Parisian architect Christian de Portzamparc.

Embassy of the French Republic in Berlin

Pariser Platz 5

10117 Berlin

Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 590 03 90 00

Email: kanzlei@botschaft-frankreich.de

Web: www.botschaft-frankreich.de

Consulate General in Düsseldorf

Poststrasse 24

40213 Düsseldorf

Tel: 0049 – (0) 211 – 82 85 46 0

E-Mail: duesseldorf@botschaft-frankreich.de

Consulate General in Frankfurt am Main

Zeppelinallee 35

60325 Frankfurt am Main

Tel: 0049 – (0) 69 – 7 95 09 60

E-Mail: frankfurt@botschaft-frankreich.de

Consulate General in Hamburg

Heimhuder Strasse 55

20148 Hamburg

Tel: 0049 – (0) 40 – 4 13 32 50

E-Mail: hamburg@botschaft-frankreich.de

Consulate General in Munich

Heimeranstrasse 31

80339 Munich

Tel: 0049 – (0) 89 – 4 19 41 10

E-Mail: muenchen@botschaft-frankreich.de

Consulate General in Saarbrücken

Ludwigsplatz 10

66117 Saarbrücken

Tel: 0049 – (0) 681 – 92 79 986 0

E-Mail: saarbruecken@botschaft-frankreich.de

Consulate General in Stuttgart

Diemershaldenstrasse 11

70184 Stuttgart

Tel: 0049 – (0) 711 – 239 25 50

E-Mail: stuttgart@botschaft-frankreich.de

You can find other honorary consulates in: Aachen, Bremen, Freiburg, Fürth, Hanover, Cologne, Mannheim and Saarlouis.

German representations in France

Embassy in Paris

Avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt 13/15

75008 Paris

Tel: 0033 – 1 – 53 83 45 00

Email: info@paris.diplo.de

Web: www.paris.diplo.de

Consulate General in Bordeaux-Caudéran

377, boulevard du Président Wilson

33200 Bordeaux-Caudéran

Tel: 0033 – 5 – 56 17 12 22

E-Mail: info@bordeaux.diplo.de

Web: www.bordeaux.diplo.de

Consulate General in Lyon

33, boulevard des Belges

69458 Lyon Cedex 06

Tel: 0033 – 4 – 72 69 98 98

E-Mail: info@lyon.diplo.de

Web: www.lyon.diplo.de

Consulate General in Marseille

338, avenue du Prado

13295 Marseille Cedex 08

Tel: 0033 – 4 – 91 16 75 20

E-Mail: info@marseille.diplo.de

Web: www.marseille.diplo.de

Consulate General in Strasbourg

6 Quai Mullenheim

67000 Strasbourg

Tel: 0033 – 3 – 88 24 67 00

E-Mail: info@strassburg.diplo.de

Web: www.strassburg.diplo.de

You can find other honorary consulates in: Avignon, Bastia, Brest, Dijon, Grenoble, Lille, Montpellier, Nantes, Nice, Perpignan, Reims, Rennes, Rouen, Toulouse and Tours.

Austrian representations in France

Embassy in Paris

6 Rue Fabert

75007 Paris

Tel: 0033 – (0) 1 – 40 63 30 63

Email: paris-ob@bmaa.gv.at

Web: www.amb-autriche.fr

Consulate General in Strasbourg

29, Avenue de la Paix

67000 Strasbourg

Tel: 0033 – (0) 388 – 35 13 94

E-Mail: strassburg-gk@bmeia.gv.at

Web: www.aussenministerium.at/strassburggk

Consulate General in Marseille

27, Cours Pierre Puget

13006 Marseille

Tel: 0033 – (0) 491 – 53 02 08

Email: consulatautriche@renardassocies.com

You can find other honorary consulates in: Ajaccio, Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Nice and Toulouse.

Representations of France in Austria

Embassy in Vienna

Technikerstraße 2

1040 Vienna

Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 502 75 0

Email: presse@ambafrvienne.at

Web: www.ambafrance-at.org

Honorary consulates can be found in Innsbruck, Groß-St.Florian, Bregenz, Linz and Salzburg

Swiss representations in France

Embassy in Paris

142, rue de Grenelle

75007 Paris

Tel: 0033 – 1 – 49 55 67 00

Email: par.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Web: www.eda.admin.ch/paris

Consulate General in Lyon

4, Place Charles Hernu

Immeuble “Le Colysée”

69100 Villeurbanne (Lyon)

Tel: 0033 – 472 – 75 79 10

E-Mail: lyo.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Web: www.eda.admin.ch/ lyon

Consulate General in Marseille

7, rue d’Arcole

13291 Marseille Cedex 6

Tel: 0033 – 496 – 10 14 10/-11

E-Mail: mar.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Web: www.eda.admin.ch/marseille

Consulate General in Strasbourg

23, rue Herder

67000 Strasbourg

Tel: 0033 – 388 – 35 00 70

E-Mail: stc.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Web: www.eda.admin.ch/strasbourg

You can find other consulates in: Ajaccio, Annecy, Besancon, Bordeaux, Dijon, Le Havre, Le Lamentin, Lille, Montpellier, Mulhouse, Nantes, Nice and Toulouse.

Representations of France in Switzerland

Embassy in Bern

Schosshaldenstrasse 46

3006 Bern

Tel: 0041 – (0) 31 – 359 21 11

Email: prénom.nom@diplomatie.gouv.fr

Web: www.ambafrance-ch.org

Consulate General in Zurich

Signaustrasse 1

8008 Zurich

Tel: 0041 – (0) 44 – 268 85 85

Email: consulat.france.zurich@swissonline.ch

Web: www.consulatfrance-zurich.org

Consulate General in Geneva

Cours des Bastions 2

1205 Geneva

Tel: 0041 – (0) – 22 – 319 00 00/-12/-14

Email: info@consulfrance-geneve.org

Web: www.consulfrance-geneve.org

Travel to France