Politics and Currency

The official local currency in France is Euro. It was introduced to world financial markets as an accounting currency in 1999 and was set as coins and banknotes in 2002 replacing the French franc. Banknotes are in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cent.

France is a semi-presidential representative democratic republic, in which the President of France is head of state and the Prime Minister of France is the head of government, and there is a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in the government, Senate and National Assembly. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

Visa, Passport and Customs

Visa is issued at the consular section of the embassy of France in Moscow. Visa requirements include a passport, 2 passport size photo, completed application form, return air ticket, statement of account and a medical insurance policy. Visa is issued within 7 days.

Time

The Clock in France is two hours behind Moscow time.

Geography

France is a country located primarily in Western Europe, but containing territory in South America, the Caribbean, and east of Africa, as well as numerous territories of various status. In Europe France borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. To the west is the Bay of Biscay, to the north is the English Channel.

Tourist Attraction

Ernest Hemingway, who settled in Paris in the 20 years, called it “a holiday that is always with you”. The French call their capital “City of Light.” The appearance of light and shadows in France is really incredible during the day as well as at night. France boasts the most varied natural environment of any country in Europe. The country has six National Parks and 43 regional parks. The six national parks are The Cévennes national park (Languedoc), Les Ecrins, Le Mercantour, Les Pyrénées, La Vanoise, Port-Cros. There are also wildlife and theme parks. The most visited site in France include: Euro Disneyland, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Georges Pompidou centre and museum of art, Château de Versailles, Orsay museum , Futuroscope theme park, Arc de Triomphe, Natural history museum, Mont Saint-Michel, Puy du Fou theme park, Musée de l’Armée, Lille zoo, Musée Carnavalet, Sainte Chapelle, Aquarium, Mer de Glace rack-and-pinion railway, La Palmyre zoo, Musée Grévin waxworks, Château de Chambord etc.

Climate

It is quite hot in summer (temperature from +20 to +25 degree Celsius), mild in winter (0 to +3 degree Celsius), snow is rare.

Cuisine

There are many dishes that are considered part of the nation’s national cuisine today. Many come from haute cuisine in the fine-dining realm, but others are regional dishes that have become a norm across the country. These cuisines use locally grown vegetables, such as pomme de terre (potato), haricot verts (a type of French green bean), carotte (carrot), poireau (leek), navet (turnip), aubergine (eggplant (American) aubergine (UK)), courgette (zucchini (American) courgette (UK)), and échalotte (shallot). Varieties of meat consumed include poulet (chicken), pigeon (squab), dinde (turkey), canard (duck), oie(goose, the source of foie gras), boeuf (beef), veau (veal), porc (pork), agneau (lamb), mouton (mutton),lapin (rabbit), caille (quail), cheval (horse), grenouille (frog), and escargot (snails). Commonly consumed fish and seafood include cod, canned sardines, fresh sardines, canned tuna, fresh tuna, salmon, trout,mussels, herring, oysters, shrimp, and calamari.

Herbs and seasonings vary by region and include fleur de sel, herbes de Provence, tarragon, rosemary, marjoram, lavender, thyme,fennel, and sage.

Population

The country’s total population is about 63,713,926. About 876,136 live in the metropolitan.

Useful Information

About 94% of the total population is French and the remaining 6% are Portuguese, Algerians, Italians, Moroccans, and Turks. However, the number of immigrants is growing, and today it is a great concern for the indigenous French. Tourists are advised to be careful and not to go immigrant inhabited areas alone.

The French are very hospitable. They are exquisite in dressing and like children, love gifts. It is best to give flowers and candy. There are police everywhere on the street who are ready to offer assistance. French first floor of a building corresponds to Russian second floor.

Entertainment

The French love to feast, celebrate holidays and have fun in many different ways, so visitors to France will find numerous kinds of entertainment for all tastes and ages; lively nightlife of French cities, with their cinemas, restaurants and concert halls, summer beaches, casinos, Disneyland Resort Paris etc.

Religion

The main denomination is Catholicism (90%). Protestants are 2%, Muslims 1% and Jewish 1%.

Language

French is the official language. Spanish is widely spoken as well. In the provinces different dialects and languages are used. Basque and Catalan in the Pyrenees, Brittany -in Brittany, Provence – Provence, the German dialects -in Alsace and Lorraine.

Transportation

France has an extensive network of railways. The cost of train travel depends on distance, travel time and age of the passenger. There are a variety of inter-city bus routes. Ticket for the bus is cheaper than a train ticket. Among European countries, France is one of the most difficult to travel hitchhiking.

The Paris metro system is one of the oldest in the world, but is quick and very efficient. It runs from 5.30 to 0.30. Tourists are advised to use only official taxis; others may demand exorbitant price.