• In Paris, French and English are spoken.
• The currency is the euro (€)
• Paris is in GMT + 1 time zone
• The electricity network has adpoted the European standard of a tension of 230 V, with a frequency of 50 Hz
• Tap water is drinkable
• Wi-Fi is widespread and available
• Banks are usually open from Monday to Friday; automatic cash distributors function 24/24.
• Shops are open from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 7pm (on average);
• Tips are appreciated, but not obligatory
You are organizing an event in Paris, a stay for your client or a group in the capital and wish to book tickets or transport passes? Paris je t'aime - Tourist Office offers a ticketing service.
To extend the Parisian experience during a tourist stay, find all the information you need to organize your trip, find inspiration and book your tickets in advance on parisjetaime.com or go to our reception points in Paris to talk to one of our advisors.
| 1 January | New Year’s Day |
|---|---|
| Btw 22 March and 25 April | Easter Monday |
| 1 May | Labour Day |
| 8 May | 1945 Victory Day |
| 40 days after Easter (thursday) | Ascension Day |
| 50 days after Easter (monday) | Pentecost Day |
| 14 July | Bastille Day |
| 15 August | Assumption Day |
| 1 November | All Saints’ Day |
| 11 November | 1918 Armistice |
| 25 December | Christmas Day |
Depending on the nationality of the delegates, the duration and the reason for their stay in France, it may be necessary for them to obtain a visa before leaving. In this case, they should apply to the French consulate in their country. Details of the addresses can be found on the website of the French Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
For citizens of European Union countries, a current valid identity card is sufficient. However, for citizens of another country, a passport is obligatory, with a visa for certain countries.
For all the information :
Go to the website : France-Visas - The official website for visas to France
For help in obtaining travel documents, contact VisaMundi.
The Paris City Council collects a visitor tax that applies to paying accommodation. The tax varies per person and per day, and is rarely included in the room rate.
June 15th 2017 marked the end of roaming charges in the European Union.
All European travelers can use their smartphone at no extra cost in any other EU country (calls, SMS and mobile internet connections).
For non-European travelers, there are solutions like Bouygues Telecom - My European SIM.
French VAT: 20%
VAT recovery is possible for the attendees who come from a country outside the European Union. They have to be over 15 years of age and have spent a minimum of €100 ($117) in the same store within the last 3 months.
For a VAT refund, they can ask for a Tax Free Shopping France invoice when they shop in any major store or “Tax free for tourists” boutique. The amount to be refunded is shown under the heading “montant de la détaxe”. They should have their invoices stamped at airport customs on leaving the EU and return the validated pink copies within three months using the stamped addressed envelope given to them at the time they made their purchases.
A foreign event planner and/or corporation organizing a meeting, conference or exhibition in Europe is, in most cases, subject to Value Added Tax if any fees are to be collected for this event.
This means that the foreign event planner and/or corporation is legally required to:
If the foreign event planner/corporation does not comply with European Union VAT laws, they will:
Please note that most attendees/sponsors representing business entities worldwide are able to reclaim the VAT charged for the event.
VAT registration must be done at the planning stage of the event. Experts are specialists in the field of VAT optimization and in the assistance to companies seeking international development.
