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Practical Information on France
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Summer
Time, Winter Time |
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From
the end of March
until the end of October, French time goes from GMT+1 to GMT+2
(GMT = Greenwich Meridian Time).
According to the decree of 3 April 2001
In the
Departments of Metropolitan France, from the year 2002 and for
the following years, the period for Summer Time starts on the
last Sunday in March at 2 o'clock in the morning. At this
time, one hour is added to the current
time.
The period for
Summer Time ends on the last Sunday in October at 3 o'clock in
the morning. At this time, one hour is taken away from the
current time
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Weather |
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Continental France is divided into four climatic zones:
- Oceanic and humid climate with often cool summers to the
west of a line from Bayonne to Lille;
- Semi-continental climate with harsh winters and hot
summers in Alsace, Lorraine, along the Rhône corridor and in
the mountainous massifs (Alps, Pyrenees and Massif Central);
- Intermediate climate with cold winters and hot summers in
the north, and in the Paris and central regions;
- Mediterranean climate with mild winters and very hot
summers in the south of France.
Weather forecasts given out for each Department by local
forecasters are available by calling 0 892 68 02 XX (XX = number
of the Department 0,34€/min) or from the website
http://www.meteo.fr/meteonet/
The forecasts are updated three times a day on average. The
forecasts are for 7 days. They are more detailed as and when the
actual day approaches
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Holidays |
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Public Holidays
There are 11 in France. These are the 1st
January, the 1st and 8th May, Easter
Monday, Ascension day, Whit Monday, the 14th July,
the 15th August, the 1st and 11th
November and the 25th December. On these days
Government Departments, banks, shops … are, in the main,
closed.
Most stores and
businesses close on public holidays, but a majority of museums
monuments, and restaurants remain open, or only close on
certain holidays. Ask your hotel concierge or local tourist
office for information and recommendations, or before you go
contact our public information hotline: "France-on-Call" at
410- 286-8310.
School Holidays
French schoolchildren and teachers have five holidays a
year!
One week at the end of October, two weeks at Christmas, two
more in February, two in spring, and the whole of the summer
in July and August.
Please be aware that tourist sites as well as the roads are
busier during these periods.
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