PERSONAL SAFETY

France has a relatively low rate of violent crime, but crimes involving larceny are common. Pickpocketing, theft of unattended baggage, and theft from rental cars or vehicles with out-of-country license plates are daily occurrences. Criminals frequent tourist attractions such as museums, monuments, restaurants, hotels, beaches, and transportation nodes. Foreigners should be particularly alert for pickpockets in train stations and on subways.

Big cities in France can be dangerous if you are not careful. If you observe a few simple rules you can avoid most dangers. The best precautions that one can take against 'mugged' or becoming an unsuspecting victim of robbery in France have to do with using simple common sense.

• Avoid traveling alone after dark in subways, downtown districts, parks, empty streets and decaying neighborhoods. Any area that looks seedy, is littered with trash and broken bottles and has idle people hanging around street corners, is probably unsafe.
• When in and around airports, train and bus terminals and entrances to subway stations, or on empty pavements and staircases always avoid standing around and looking lost.
• Avoid keeping your wallet in your back pocket.
• Always keep an eye on your luggage at airports and stations and do not leave bags unattended, even for a few minutes.
• Be careful of beggars and homeless people. Ignore them as far as possible.
• Avoid dark, lonely places if you do not have car.
• Find out from friends which areas of town to avoid.

Lost or stolen identity papers should be reported to the nearest police station. They will give you a receipt which will help with the necessary formalities later. Contact your Embassy.
The Indian Embassy in France is located in Paris :
15 rue Alfred-Dehodencq (75116)
Telephone: 01.40.50.70.70

Lost or stolen credit cards should be reported to the police and to the relevant office (see below):

• American Express: 01.47.77.72.00
• American Express travelers' checks: 08.00.90.86.00 (freefone)
• Eurocard-Mastercard: 01.45.67.84.84
• Visa: 01.42.77.11.90
• Diner's Club: 01.47.62.75.50

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

Measurements are done in the old British Metric system, so you shouldn't have any problems. For a Metric Conversion chart, click here.

ELECTRICAL FITTINGS

Most of France has switched to 220-230 volts AC, although a few parts may still run on 110-115 volts. If you are taking shavers, travel irons, hair dryers, etc., carry a voltage transformer. You will also need an adapter to change the shape of your plug, as plugs in France usually have just two flat, parallel pins. These are available in any hardware store.

WEATHER

The climate of France is temperate, but wide regional contrasts exist. Broadly, the areas along the Atlantic coast respond to ocean air that makes summers pleasant, but not too hot, and winters mild, though rainy. In Mediterranean coastal areas, semitropical conditions prevail, bringing hot, dry summers and warm, wet winters. As for the interior of the country, the climate takes on a more continental character: winters are cold, and summers are hot (though rarely above 32° C/90° F). Generally, temperatures in the northern two-thirds of the country swing from 2° C/35° F to 27° C/80° F throughout the year. Click here for a daily forecast.

LANGUAGE

The official language is French, although regional languages and dialects are found in many places. English is widely spoken in the business community, but an understanding of French is considered essential for visitors and business people. If you don't speak French, be sure to bring a phrase book and try to learn at least a few key phrases before you go. Try to make the effort to speak a bit of the language.

Learning the language in the country where it is spoken has its advantages. Several schools in Paris and the provinces offer homestay programs where you learn French while living with a French family or teacher.

The Internet is sometimes the best resource for travelers' language issues. Here are some sites that have a lot of useful information and help, including pronunciation, phrase books, grammar and dictionaries.

• http://www.elanguage.com/
• http://www.travlang.com/languages/

Nonverbals : Nonverbals, the 'silent' or 'body' language, form an important part of first impressions you create. The first few minutes in any interaction are vital. That's all it takes to make up your mind About France someone.

• Nonverbals include your posture, gestures, body movements, and facial expressions. Make sure that your nonverbals and what you are saying are in agreement.
• You convey messages all the time through your nonverbals and if you're not aware, you can give a wrong impression. Fiddling with your tie or shuffling loose change in your pocket is distracting and makes you seem nervous.
• Be aware of what you are doing, and with practice, you will be able to project a positive image.

POSTAL SERVICES

In general, Post Offices are open from 8am to 7pm during the week and 8pm to12pm on Saturdays. At the Post Office you can post letters, send packages and telegrams, exchange money, make phone calls, send faxes, consult a minitel, buy stamps and envelopes, and receive mail (at a PO box). Service can be paid for by VISA and MasterCard. The main Post Office in Paris - at 53, rue du Louvre, 75001, Paris - has a 24-hour service.