General
Currency
As in 18 other European Union countries, the euro is the official currency of France.
However, there is an exception for some overseas departments or territories that use the Pacific franc (CFP): New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna.
Opening hours
In France, stores generally open from 9:30 or 10 am to 7 or 7:30 pm. In large cities, food shops may stay open later, until 8pm. Night openings are planned in the busiest areas, such as on the Champs-Elysées. Department stores (Printemps Haussmann, Galeries Lafayette, Bon Marché…) are open from 9:30 or 10:00 am to 8:00 or 8:30 pm (until 8:45 pm on certain evenings). In the 21 international tourist zones (12 in Paris
and 9 in the regions), some stores open on Sundays.
Electricity
Electricity in France is 220 Volts, 50 Hertz alternating current. The plugs are of type E (round pin and male ground pin receptacle).
If you bring electrical appliances from abroad, you may need an adapter for the plugs. You may also need a transformer (110V-220V). If in doubt, check with the manufacturer.
Lengths
The metric system is used everywhere in France, so here is some help for your distance conversions:
1 kilometer (km) = 1000 meters (m) = 100,000 centimeters (cm)
1 inch = 1 inch (in) = 2.54 centimeters
1 foot = 1 foot (ft) = 0.3048 meters
1 yard (yd) = 0.9144 meters
1 mile (mi) = 1.6093 kilometers
1 kilometer = 0.6214 miles
1 nautical mile (in) = 1.852 kilometers
Weights
1 ounce = 1 ounce (oz) = 28.3495 grams.
1 pound (UK) = 1 pound (lb) = 0.4536 kilograms.
Temperatures
In France, temperature is measured in degrees Celsius (°C). Here is the method of calculation to switch from one system of measurement to the other and some examples:
Conversion from Fahrenheit to Celsius: °C = (5/9) x (°F -32)
Conversion from Celsius to Fahrenheit: °F = (9/5) x °C + 32
Time difference
List of French time offsets from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC, London time, otherwise known as GMT, Greenwich Meridian Time).
Metropolitan France (Paris time): +1.00
