General Information about Paris

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International Dialing Code:

All numbers for Paris and the outskirts of the city begin with 01 and have 10 digits. The country code is 33. (use the country code only when calling to Paris from another country). Calling cards can be purchased at tobacco stores, post offices and at main métro/RER stations in Paris to use in placing calls from public or private phones. To call the operator: dial 13. For directory assistance, dial 12.

Emergency:

police: 17
fire: 18
ambulance: 15
Emergency calls are free from phone booths.

Currency:

France's currency is the Euro.

Customs Regulations:

Telephone: 01 43 12 22 22 for information Mon.-Fri. 9-3.

Average Temperatures (in Fahrenheit):

Spring (March-May) High 70 Low 54
Summer (June-August) High 83 Low 57
Autumn (September-November) High 61 Low 43
Winter (December-February) High 59 Low 54

Paris is at its best during the temperate spring months (March to May), with autumn coming in a close second. In winter, there are all sorts of cultural events to tempt the visitor, but school holidays can clog the streets. August is usually hot and sticky, and it's also when many Parisians take their yearly vacations, so businesses are likely to be closed.

Average climate in Paris:

Summer

Winter

National Holidays:

Jan. 1 New Year's Day
Easter Monday (dates vary each year - Mar. or April)
April 30 Great Prayer Day
May 8 VE Day
July 14 Bastille Day
August 15 Feast of the Assumption
November 1 All Saints' Day
November 11 Armistice Day
December 25 Christmas Day

Public rest rooms:

Restrooms are not difficult to find in most places. There is a small fee to use the facilities in train stations.

Electricity:

220 volt A/C). Most hotels have 110V shaver outlets. Plugs have 2 round pins or sometimes 3 pins in a vertical row. American appliances will need a plug adapter and will require a transformer if they do not have a dual voltage capability.

Visitors with disabilities:

Ease of access is improving. A well researched guide called Access in Paris is available at no charge from Access Projects, 39 Bradley Gardens, London W13 8HE. It deals with all aspects of travel and sight seeing.

Children:

Children under 4 travel free on French railways. Admission is free to museums for those under 18.

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