Practical Information
Weather
Emergency Telephone Numbers
Utility Company Contact Details
Directory Enquiries
Street Location
Postal Codes
Tourist Offices
English Publications, Websites and Radio Stations
Translation
Writing a French cheque
Currency Exchange
Clothing and Shoe Sizes
Bed Linen Sizes
Shop and Bank Opening Times
French Characters on your English computer keyboard
Travelling with Pets
Swimming Pool Regulations
Weather
66 - The climate in PO varies enormously between the Mediterranean and the mountains. There is, on average, a difference year-round of 10°C between the resorts of Font-Romeu and Les Angles, and the coast. Like the rest of the Languedoc, PO enjoys mild winters and hot summers, with few rainy days. The Tramontane blows from the North West; it is a cold wind in winter and a cooling breeze in the summer, but it always brings blue skies and sunshine, whatever the temperature. It is particularly strong on the coast. On average there are over 300 days of sunshine a year, and once again PO can boast, this time of the sunniest place in France (reputedly!): Font Romeu.
11 - The climate in Aude varies between the Mediterranean and inland areas. The Corbières have a significant impact on the weather, particularly in terms of cloud cover. In winter the temperatures inland can be significantly lower than on the coast, particularly at night when there can be frost in autumn and winter. Temperatures on the coast are higher; it can be windier much of the time but with more sunshine. In the area around Carcassonne and Castelnaudary there tends to be more rainfall and a cooler climate. In general though, like the rest of the Languedoc, Aude enjoys mild winters and hot summers. The Tramontane blows from the North West; it is a cold wind in winter and a cooling breeze in the summer, but it always brings blue skies and sunshine, whatever the temperature.
Emergency Telephone Numbers
- Police 17
- Pompiers (fire) 18
- Samu (ambulance) 15
- English speaking European services 112
Utility Company Contact Details
Electricity and Gas – EDF & GDF (24 hour number) 08 10 19 00 19
www.gazdefrance.fr
www.edf.fr
Water – Generale des eaux (24 hour number) 08 11 90 29 03
www.generale-des-eaux.com
Telecommunications
- France Telecom – Residential enquiries 1014
- France Telecom – Business enquiries 1016
- France Telecom 0800 36 47 75
- France Telecom English speaking line +33 155 78 60 56
www.francetelecom.fr
You can have an itemised bill and voicemail set up on your phone at no extra charge. To retrieve voicemail messages dial 3103. To find out the number of the last call dial 3131.
Directory Enquiries
For any other numbers you can use Pages Blanche to search for private telephone numbers and Pages Jaune to search for business organisations in France. For both services click on the link below. (English language available). Alternatively you can use UK Directory Enquiries On-line to search for English numbers whilst abroad or the Worldwide Directory to search for numbers in other countries.
UK Directory Enquiries On-Line
Worldwide Directory
Street Location
If you need to locate a particular address on a street map you can use the following street location finder:
Postal Codes
To search for a postal code in France click here
Tourist Offices - Websites and Contact Details
Aude (11)
Gard (30)
Herault (34)
Lozere (48)
Pyrenees-Orientales (66)
English Publications, Radio Stations and Websites
Newspapers:
French News www.french-news.com
English-language newspaper covering the whole of France including national news, regional news, property ads and sports reports. On sale in airports, some newsagents or by monthly subscription.
The Connexion www.connexionfrance.com
French news in English covering the whole of France. Includes national news, culture, travel and what's on. On sale in selected newsagents, airports and by monthly subscription.
Radio:
Expats Radio www.expatsradio.com
Websites:
Anglo Info www.languedoc.angloinfo.com
A mine of information for English-speakers in the Languedoc Roussillon with directories, forum, information pages and What's On? guide
The Languedoc Page www.the-languedoc-page.com
This regional resource goes from strength to strength with useful contacts, regional info, what's on and forum
Translation
Writing a cheque
Writing a French cheque is slightly different to writing a UK cheque. See example below:
1 - Amount in figures
2 - Amount in words
3 - Beneficiary (payable to)
4 - The place where you are when you are writing the cheque
5 - The date
6 - Your signature
Currency Exchange
For details of current rates of exchange and currency converters click on the link below:
Clothing & Shoe Sizes
Bed Linen Sizes
Bed linen sizes in the UK vary from those in Europe. Listed below are the comparitive sizes (cms):
Duvet Covers
Single (UK) W 137 x L 198 (France) W 150 x L 200
Double (UK) W 198 x L 198 (France) W 200 x L 200
5ft Queen (UK) W 228 x L 218 (France) W 240 x L 220)
6ft King (UK) W 260 x L 220 (France) -
Fitted Sheets
Single (UK) W 91 x L 190 (France) W 90 x L 200
Double (UK) W 137 x L 190 (France) W 140 x L 200
5ft Queen (UK) W 152 x L 200 (France) W 160 x L 200)
6ft King (UK) W 183 x L 200 (France) W 180 x L 200
Flat Sheets
Single (UK) W 178 x L 260 (France) W 150 x L 260
Double (UK) W 228 x L 260 (France) W 240 x L 260
5ft Queen (UK) W 275 x L 275 (France) -
6ft King (UK) W 310 x L 275 (France) -
Pillow Cases
Rectangular (UK) 48 x 76 (France) 50 x 80
Square (UK) 65 x 65 (France) 65 x 65
Shop and Bank Opening Times
Shops are generally open from Monday to Saturday 9.00 to 12.00 hours and from 14.00 to 19.00 hours although some shops are closed on a Monday morning.
Large supermarkets are often open all day until 22.00 hours and some of them open on a Sunday during busy periods such as Christmas and during the summer months.
Banks are generally open from Monday to Friday from 9.00 hours to 17.00 hours. Some banks do close at lunchtime and some are open on Saturday morning.
French Characters on your English computer keyboard
Travelling with Pets
Pets can now travel to and from France and the UK without going through quarantine! Your first step is to visit a recognised Veterinary practice for:
Once your pet has it’s passport you can book your trip with one of the recognised carriers. At present the Pet Travel Scheme only applies to specified routes by specified companies. The MAFF has dictated that pets will have to be inspected for ticks and parasites by an approved Vet 24 hours before a return trip to the UK.
Most of the problems with the scheme so far has been with arranging this examination, or with incorrect paperwork. For example, travellers had difficulties when entering Britain from France, where some vets were simply using headed notepaper to verify the 'Ticks and Bugs' examination, instead of the official form.
For more information contact the Pet Travel Scheme Helpline on 0870 241 1710 or your local The MAFF website is a good source for up to date information about the Pet Travel Scheme and the regulations surrounding the importation of animals into the UK: http://www.maff.gov.uk/
Swimming Pool Regulations
The French Government have recently agreed a law detailing strict security regulations for all owners of 'in-ground' outdoor pools. This was introduced in order to help combat the large numbers of deaths by drowning every year in France, particularly amongst children under 5 who are the major risk group.
These regulations are intended to ensure the safety of pool users, especially young children.
The security specifications are extensive. Full details (in French) can be found at www.afnor.fr (search for 'piscines' to bring up relevant standards and articles).
In brief it is worth noting that:
- Approved security systems are mandatory for ALL owners of outdoor in-ground pools in France as from 1st Jan 2006 regardless of whether the pool is for private or public use.
- Pools at rented properties were required to comply as of May 2004.
- If you do not comply with the stated standards set out in the law you can be fined € 45,000.
- The law requires that a standardised security system (dispositif de sécurité normalisé) be installed for all pools and this seems to include pool fences/safety barriers, pool covers and possibly pool alarms where the equipment and system meet with the regulations AFNOR publication NF P60-306. However, the CSC (Commission de Sécurité des Consommateurs) recommends fences and other barriers as the primary security system, with all others (alarms etc) to be viewed only as supplementary to these.
- There is an NF official mark of conformity and when purchasing or agreeing the installation of pool security you should request models bearing this mark. Your system supplier or pool installer should be able to help with full details of this.
- Your insurance company or letting agent may have very specific definitions about which type and/or make of security system is acceptable within their own terms - we advise you to check with them specifically.
- Pool safety systems should not be viewed as a replacement for the vigilance of parents and guardians in taking responsibility for the well being of children using swimming pools.
NB: The points above are intended as basic guidelines and not as a definitive interpretation of the French law regarding swimming pool security measures.