Getting to Know France
Overview of the Country
Reading about France
Books & Encyclopedias
Browsing Areas and Subject Headings
Newspapers
Travel Guides
Travel Web Sites
Films
Geography and Maps
Language
As a popular destination for travellers the world over, there are many web sites on travel in France. Here are some of the most credible, produced by cultural organizations, government groups, and universities.
Safety and Legal Information
American travellers planning an extended stay in France should visit the U.S. Department of State's
Travel & Business page. Learn about passport and visa requirements, resources for Americans abroad, and emergency information.
Service-Public is a portal to government information for both French and foreign citizens. This is a great place to go if you have legal questions, need forms, or want to find out which goverment organizations can help you with problems. Note that you can switch to English using a link in the upper left corner of the home page.
Tourism and Fun
The
France Travel site provides extensive information on France in general, as well as popular regions and cities. It includes maps, historical information, instructions for obtaining Visas (generally unnecessary for U.S. citizens), directions to museums, guidance for disabled travellers...the list goes on and on. This site also provides information for travellers considering an extended stay, such as instructions for banking and finding work. The site is interactive; users can share photos, experiences, and other information.
Lonely Planet's "France" Destination Guide gives advice on experiencing France on a budget. The
Thorn Tree Forum section allows you to read write-ups of other travellers' experiences, and post your own.
Students attending the Montpellier study abroad program should check out the
Office de Tourisme Montpellier's web page. The page provides links to cultural and historical sites in the city, suggested lodgings, restaurant reviews, and plenty of other information for travellers. You may want to take advantage of OTM's
Montpellier City Card, which includes free or discounted admission to the opera, museums, parks, and many other sites around Montpellier.
Planning a semester in Paris? Or escaping there for a weekend? Either way, the
Paris Pages will help you maximize your time there. The site focuses on classes of activities, such as "After Hours," "Museums," and "Shops." It also provides
subway and bus schedules, and allows you to make online reservations for hotels in a variety of price ranges. Don't miss the
Paris Calendar, which lists special events for every day of the year.
