France Travel Information

France is currently in a state of emergency due to covid-19, and the authorities have put in place strict guidelines for citizens’ freedom of movement as long as the virus is a threat to public health. According to Abbreviationfinder, FRA stands for France in geography.

Safety

France is currently in a state of emergency due to covid-19. According to countryaah, France is one of countries starting with letter F.

French authorities have introduced strict guidelines for citizens’ freedom of movement as long as covid-19 is a threat to public health. Currently, these apply until a new message is given.

In general, the guidelines are as follows:

  • People have to stay indoors
  • It is only possible to go out once a day to shop for food and/or go for a walk
  • The exception is if you are going to work, (if it is not possible with a home office) and if you are going to ventilate the dog.
  • It is only possible to be out one hour per day
  • It is only possible to move within 15 minutes from your own residence
  • When you are out, you are obliged to bring “self-notification”, as well as approved identification
  • The distance to other people must be at least one meter
  • See also the link to the regulations.

It is recommended to keep up with local news and, if necessary, adhere to local authority instructions. When traveling and staying abroad, registration is generally recommended via http://www.reiseregistrering.no/.

Norwegian citizens in France should also exercise great caution, especially in metropolitan cities and especially in Paris. Take special care of your passport, money and mobile phone. When using an ATM, you should take common precautions such as hiding the code, depositing cash quickly, etc.

  • Countryaah: Paris is the capital of France. Check to find information of population, geography, history, and economy about the capital city.

There is a risk of being attacked by terrorist attacks in most places in the world. Luggage of any kind should therefore never be left unattended in public places as this may raise suspicion that it contains explosives.

The French road network is consistently high quality and the car park is mainly modern. However, the traffic picture is characterized by significantly higher speeds, greater car density, more accidents and a more aggressive driving pattern than the Norwegian one, and it is advised to pay extra attention both as a motorist and as a pedestrian.

Here you will find more information about the security situation in France (in French).

Overview of English-language French media.

Important telephone numbers

  • Free emergency number: 112 (applies throughout Europe – without area code, also from Norwegian mobile)
  • Ambulance (Samu): 15 (without area code, also from Norwegian mobile)
  • Fire/Accidents (Pompiers): 18 (without area code, also from Norwegian mobile)
  • Police: 17 (without area code, also from Norwegian mobile)
  • Move information: Charles de Gaulle airport/Orly airport
  • SOS International (Norwegian Security Insurance Agency), tel.: + 45 70 10 50 50 (Denmark)

Seamen’s Church (Norwegian Church Abroad) has developed an app, “Emergency Number”, which is recommended. The app, which is in Norwegian and free, contains useful information if you need urgent help abroad. It can be downloaded via various platforms (Windows, Android and Apple iOS), and will at all times provide the correct emergency numbers in the country you are located in, as well as travel insurance links, reiseregistrering.no and the address and telephone number of Norwegian embassies and UD’s emergency number.

You should register at http://www.reiseregistrering.no/. This will make it easier for the Foreign Service to contact you in case something serious should happen where you are.

Large parts of southern France and Corsica are often affected by drought and forest fires during the summer months. The county governor (le Pr¨¦fet) in these areas publishes current rules for preventing forest fires on the internet, which may also include traffic on parts of the road network during exposed periods. It is recommended to consult this information when traveling in the summer. The areas along the major rivers (Loire, Rhone) can be hit by floods and floods, especially at high rainfall. In the Alps, and partly in the Pyrenees, there is occasionally danger of snowfall.

In an emergency and emergency, the embassy can be contacted by phone: + 33 1 53 67 04 00. Outside the embassy’s opening hours, you are automatically redirected to the UD’s operational center when you call the embassy. You can also contact UD’s operational center by e-mail: UDops@mfa.no

Major Landmarks in France

Entry

French authorities have pr. March 17, 2020, decided to restrict entry into the Schengen area via France, and into France from other Schengen countries.

The border control will therefore be tightened, and everyone must be able to present a valid passport or certificate from the French employer about ongoing working conditions.

This applies to all Norwegian citizens, whether they have permanent residence in France or are on transit.

This also applies to Norwegian citizens who:

  • Is a health professional and works to fight the spread of the corona virus
  • Transports merchandise across borders

Norwegian citizens, who upon entry into France are stopped for health reasons, are obliged to follow the authorities’ orders to receive medical assistance.

Norwegian citizens will be free to leave France.

All Norwegian citizens who reside in France must also follow other orders and regulations issued by the French authorities.

Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible for updating information on entry regulations in France or visa requirements at any time. These can be changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.

France requires a valid passport for both entry and exit. It is also a requirement in France that one should always be able to identify on request, and for Norwegians the passport is the only valid identification document. During your stay in France, you may have a copy of your passport and have the passport in the hotel safe so that it can be displayed if necessary. It is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure that the passport is valid.

Health

Coronavirus (covid-19): Norwegian travelers are advised to stay abreast of the development of the coronavirus. Travelers should follow local authorities’ advice, guidance and requests on how to deal with the situation.

You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.

France informs on the following website Coronavirus covid-19.

It should be noted that in connection with covid-19, Norwegian insurance companies have imposed restrictions on the scope of where and when the insurance applies. Travelers need to keep up to date on this.

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France also has a well-developed health system with both public and private hospitals. Health and sanitation are about the same as in Norway. However, there may be inadequate English proficiency in health professionals.

All travelers abroad are advised to take out their own travel and health insurance before leaving. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card http://www.helfo.no/ (replaces Form E-111) which is valid in all EEA countries. But it can still accrue significant deductibles eg. for hospital stays, therefore travel insurance is also recommended.

Punishment for possession and use of drugs is mainly in France as in Norway.

Emergency number: 112

Ambulance (Samu): 15 (without area code, also from Norwegian mobile)

Practical information

In connection with the measures introduced to prevent the spread of covid-19, French authorities have so far decided that only stores selling food, pharmacies and tobacco stores can remain open. All other shops, restaurants and cafes must be closed. According to allcitycodes, France area code is +33.

However, it is emphasized that neither hotels, petrol stations nor rest areas along motorways are required to remain closed. Some still choose to shut down the lack of personnel and/or customers. See also Information Coronavirus (in French).

If you are going to stay in France for an extended period of time, you are recommended to register at reiseregistrering.no.

It should be noted that English is not as widely used as in Norway.

It is prohibited to drive in an alcohol-affected state and to talk on the cellphone while driving. Driver’s license and insurance certificate must always be carried in the car. It is mandatory to have the following equipment in the car: A warning triangle and a yellow reflective vest (for motorway accidents). If this is not right, you risk a fine of 375 euros. One-off alcohol testing (etylotest) has been compulsory in the car since 2012, but for the time being you will not be fined if you do not have it. The test can also easily be bought at a pharmacy or in tobacco stores, and also at some gas stations and supermarkets.

Chains are highly recommended when driving in mountainous areas during winter.

Environmental leaflets on cars are mandatory, also for tourists. Orders and purchases can only be made on the Internet.

French people dress relatively formally in work, but less formally in a restaurant, theater or opera. It should be noted that French people eat dinner late – there are few people in the restaurants before 10am. 8:00 p.m.. Lunch is usually eaten between 13:00 and 14:30. Often there is no serving between 7 p.m. 15:00 and 19:00.

It is useful to note that French people, to a greater extent than Norwegians, emphasize formal courtesy (greeting when you walk into a store or elevator, you apologize when you bump into someone, you often use “s” il vous plaît “and” merci “, etc.)

France has a well-developed public transport system both in cities and elsewhere in the country and good motorways. Road safety is the same as in Norway. The Norwegian driver’s license is valid in France.

The currency unit in France is the euro. Most credit cards can be used.

Normal business hours for shops, banks, public offices. Shops: from 09.00/ 10.00 – 18.00/19.00 (also Saturday), supermarkets: usually from 09.00 – 19.00, bank: from 08.30/09.00 – 17.00 (not Saturdays), Offices and smaller shops are often closed in the middle of the day, from approx. 1 pm to 2:30 pm.

National Holidays: January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1, May 8, Ascension Day, July 14 (National Day), August 15 (Mary Ascension), November 1 (All Saints Day), November 11 (Armistice 1918) and 1st Christmas Day,.

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In a crisis and emergency, the public is encouraged to contact the Norwegian embassy in Paris:

Royal Norwegian Embassy
262, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honor¨¦
75008 Paris
Phone: +33 (0) 1 53 67 04 00
E-mail: emb.paris@mfa.no
Website: https://www.norway.no/fr/ france

It should be noted that the embassy, ​​to prevent the spread of covid-19, will remain closed to the public for the time being. All contact with the embassy must take place by telephone, and the telephone time is Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 14:00.

Outside the embassy’s opening hours, the public can contact the UD’s 24-hour operating center on tel.: +47 23 95 00 00 or by e-mail UDops@mfa.no