FRANCE | Emergency | Cultural information
Telephone
International code: 00; Code for France: 33
Call to France from a foreign country: dial the country code followed by the local code without the 0 and then the number of the person you want to contact. For example: 0033 (0)1 63 25 25 25.
Call to a foreign country from France: dial the country code followed by the national long distance code (if required) without the first 0, and then the number of the person you want to contact. For example: Brussels 0033 2 225 25 25.
Public telephones work with chip cards (talk value of 5€/10€/20€) and can be purchased at the post office, in kiosks or in some stores. Credit cards can also be used for telephoning: the call price is directly debited from the bank account. The communication costs vary depending on the time, the operators and whether you are using the fixed line or the mobile network.
To get a telephone connection in your accommodation, contact France Telecom to unlock the telephone line at your house and establish a contract. For using mobile phones, you can also purchase a chip card from a French operator (Orange, Bouygues Telecom, SFR) and recharge it with pre-paid cards of 15€/20€/50€/100€.
Pharmacy
Some drugs authorised for sale are on the list of special drugs that can be obtained only with medical prescription reimbursed under the basic health insurance, excluding a deduction of a few percent. Drugs that are not on this list need to be paid by the patient or through an additional insurance cover. You will find a sticker on the medicine packet which you must retain as it is necessary for reimbursement. The insurance company of your country or the French health insurance can provide you with information about the reimbursement rate. Pharmacies in France carry the following green cross sign:
Emergency services
Emergency cases are treated in hospitals. Take your health seriously. If your condition requires you to visit a hospital, do not think about costs or reimbursement – your health is much more important and the formalities can be taken care of later.
- http://www.assurancesdefrance.com/ French insurance
- http://www.assurland.com/ Comparing insurances