by Frank LupinNice, bad or ugly, everyone has his own opinion about France and the French: chic, smart, sexy, rude, bureaucratic, bitchy as hell, pavements studded with dog poo, baguettes that dry out before lunchtime and a habit of torching cars is some of the talk on the street. Spice up the cauldron with the regular urban riots, political scandal and a 35-hour working week – not to forget The Da Vinci Code, a massive box-office hit taking over Paris as well as superstar Angelina Jolie allegedly plumping for a chateau in Normandy to raise her kids – and the international press is all ears too.
This is, after all, that magical land of good food and wine, of majestic chateaux and flawlessly restored farmhouses, of landmarks known the planet over and hidden landscapes few really know. Take pleasure in art and romance in the unblemished center on the River Seine. See celebrated pasts blaze forth at Versailles. Take a trip south for Roman developments and the dazzling blue Mediterranean Sea ; pander to your jet-set fantasies in pleasant Nice and St-Tropez. Ski the Alps. Experience the fine blend of language, music and folklore in Brittany brought by 5th-century Celtic invaders. Smell embarrassment on the beaches of Normandy and battlefields of Verdun and the Somme. And know that this is but the tip of that gigantic iceberg the French people call culture.
Yes, this is that timeless land whose people have a natural joie de vivre and savoir- faire – and have for centuries. But change is afoot. France and the French are fed up – and inspired. It’s on the tip of everyone’s tongues. The best way to see what is going on is to travel. Some practical information for your planning.
Money Cash: You always get a better exchange rate in-country, though its a good idea to arrive with enough local currency to take a taxi to a hotel if you have to. Carry as little cash as possible while traveling around.
Moneychangers Commercial banks usually charge a stiff 3 to 5 per foreign-currency transaction (eg BNP Paribas charges 3.3% or a minimum of about 4). Rates offered vary, so it pays to compare. Banks charge roughly 3.40 to 5.30 to cash travelers cheques (eg BNP Paribas charges 1.5%, with a minimum charge of 4).
In general, post offices in Paris can offer the best exchange rates and accept banknotes in various currencies as well as American Express and Visa travelers cheques. The expenses for travelers cheques is 1.5% (minimum about 4 Euro). Exchange bureau (bureaux de change) are quicker and easier, open longer hours and provide better rates than most banks.
On small dealings, even exchange places with less-than-optimal charge may leave you with more Euros in your pocket. Familiarize yourself with rates offered by the post office and compare them with those at exchange bureaux.
Travelers cheques The most flexible travelers cheques are those issued by AmEx (in US dollars or euros) and Visa (in euros) because they can be changed at many post offices as well as commercial banks and exchange bureaux. Note that you will not be able to pay most merchants with travelers cheques directly. AmEx offices dont charge commission on their own travelers cheques.For lost travelers cheques call AmEx (0 800 908 600) and Thomas Cook (0 800 908 330) for replacements.
