Wondering about plugs and outlets in France? Where to buy tax stamps? Or which are the French national holidays? Find more useful information here.
Electricity
In France, the standard power supply is 220 Volts. Therefore, you may need to buy an adapter to make sure your appliances will work fine.
Stamps
You can buy stamps at a post office or a tobacconist’s. Here is the sign to identify a tobacconist’s.
Tax stamps
You can also buy tax stamps at a tobacconist’s.
Smoking in public places
In France, smoking is prohibited in all public places. In case of infringement, you will be fined 450€.
National holidays
The French calendar includes 11 national holidays (“jours fériés”) – either civil or religious.
If you are planning to go to a museum, a restaurant or a hotel on a national holiday, we recommend that you call in advance to make sure it will be open.
The French law and/or corporate collective agreements apply in particular in terms of remuneration.
Public Holidays 2021
1st January – New Year’s Day
4th April – Easter Sunday
5th April – Easter Monday
1st May – Labour Day
8th May – Victory Day
13th May – Ascension Day
24th May – Whit Monday
14th July – National Day
15th August – Assumption Day
1st November – All Saints’ Day
11th November – Armistice Day
25th December – Christmas Day
Time changes
In France, clocks are manually changed twice a year, in the spring and in the fall. The changes always take place on a Sunday night at 2am.
Winter-Summer: Last Sunday in March
The clocks are set forward by an hour so 2am becomes 3am.
Summer-Winter: Last Sunday in October
The clocks are turned backward one hour. 3am becomes 2am.
International calls
To make an international call from your home country to France, dial 00 33 (France code) + the telephone number of the contact you want to reach.
To make an international call from France, dial 00 + the country code of the country you are calling + the telephone number of the contact you want to reach.
For more detailed information about French specifics, a very useful website/ blog dedicated to expatriation in France, click here.