  
SURFING HOLIDAYS IN FRANCE (EUROPE)
HEALTH & SAFETY INFORMATION: FRANCE
France has very few health issues to be concerned about. No inoculations are needed and the health infrastructure is of a good standard.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.
CRIME
In general terms, France is one of the safest countries in Europe for tourists to visit. Most visits are trouble-free, the main types of incident for which visitors require consular assistance in France are for petty crime and road traffic accidents. You should be alert to the dangers of street and car crime and you should take basic common sense safety measures:
• Avoid desolate, or poorly lit areas.
• Only carry the amount of money you will need for each outing.
• Avoid carrying passports, credit cards, travel documents & money together in handbags or pockets.
• If possible, try to park in a place where they will watch your car.
• When driving in the city, keep the doors locked
• Avoid leaving valuables, including tobacco and alcohol, inside the car.
• Avoid, illegal street vendors
Back to top
Road Travel
You should take particular care when driving in France as driving regulations and customs could be quite different from those in your home country. Roads in France, particularly motorways, are of an excellent standard but speed limits are higher the in the UK for example and the accident rate is greater. Many drivers undertake long journeys in, or through, France. Care should be taken to plan journeys and take sufficient breaks; a minimum break of 15 minutes after every two hours of driving is recommended.
Advice, in French, on safety and on potential traffic black spots during the holiday seasons is available on the French Government-run website: http://www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr. The minimum age for driving a car in France is 18 years old. Anyone who contravenes this law may be fined and the vehicle impounded.
Radar detectors are illegal in France whether in use or not. If you should be caught with such equipment in your vehicle, you are liable to a prison sentence, a fine, confiscation of the device and the vehicle. You should therefore ensure radar detectors are removed from your vehicle before commencing any journey to France.
Severe penalties exist for all road traffic infringements and are enforced. These include imprisonment and a heavy fine for causing death whilst over the alcohol limit or under the influence of drugs and a similar penalty for causing death by dangerous or negligent driving. The French police strictly apply speeding restrictions and drivers exceeding speed limits face heavy on-the-spot fines. Drivers who break French driving laws can also have their driving licences confiscated by French Police; and the driver concerned prevented from continuing to drive the vehicle. This could lead to the vehicle being temporarily impounded if no alternative driver with a valid licence is available.
Back to top
MEDICAL
EUROPEAN UNION CITIZENS
As a citizen of the European Union, you are entitled to free medical and hospital care. You do need to show your European Health Card (EHC), you will be seen by a GP at a local health centre or at your accommodation if you are unable to make the journey. The card will cover the cost of any emergency medical care at French state hospitals during your visit through a reciprocal EU agreement. It's best to travel with an the EHC in conjunction with a comprehensive travel insurance plan, as the card does not cover all medical fees, repatriation or treatment of a non-urgent, ongoing medical condition.
European Health Card (EHC)
In 2004 The European Health Card replaced the temporary stay forms - i.e. the E-111 and E-128. It entitles you to the same medical care as before, identical to that received by French citizens. It is valid for the period shown on the card. It is available from the relevant healthcare organisation in your country of origin.
The following are not covered in France: dental treatment (apart from emergency extractions) and repatriation for medical treatment. Also the European Health Card is not valid if you have travelled to France in order to receive specific medical treatment. The same applies to all other EU countries.
Some countries do not use the European Health Card yet. If this is the case, you should travel with the relevant document from your country, which has been designated valid until the new card is introduced. In any case, you should contact the relevant office in your country of origin for full details regarding current requirements to receive medical care in France.
NON EUROPEAN UNION CITIZENS
Countries that follow European Community rules i.e. Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein enjoy the same health care benefits as member countries.
UK citizens have been given European Health Insurance cards. A number of countries, including the UK, had 2 year derogations to the Directive. This has replaced the E111 form.
Countries with which France has bilateral agreements will receive free medical care and hospitalisation in the case of a medical emergency, or accident, by showing the corresponding certificate from your country of origin.
Other countries
Although you will be treated in case of emergency, you will need to pay for medical attention, so you are advised to purchase health insurance.
In any case, you should ask your health insurance provider, or social care institution, about their requirements and policies about getting medical attention in France.
Back to top
|
