Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:827 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Path: world!daemon From: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- France Message-ID: <950914153124_76702.1202_CHN52-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: daemon@world.std.com (daemons) Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Thu, 14 Sep 1995 15:31:25 GMT Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 126 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - France ============================================================ France - Consular Information Sheet September 14, 1995 Country Description: France is a highly developed and stable democracy with a modern economy. Tourist facilities are widely available. Entry Requirements: A passport is required. A visa is not required for tourist or business stays up to three months. For further information concerning entry requirements for France, travelers can contact the Embassy of France at 4101 Reservoir Road, N.W. Washington, DC 20007, tel: (202) 944-6000, or the nearest French Consulate General in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco or San Juan. Medical Facilities: Medical care is widely available. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Travelers have found that in some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proven to be useful. Further information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline on (404) 332-4559. Crime Information: France has a relatively low rate of violent crime. Crimes involving larceny are increasingly more common. Pickpocketing, theft of unattended baggage and theft from rental cars or vehicles with out-of-town or foreign license plates are daily occurrences. Criminals often operate around popular tourist attractions such as museums, monuments, restaurants, hotels, beaches, and on trains and subways. Americans in France should be particularly alert to pickpockets on trains and subways, as well as in train and subway stations. Travelers are advised to carry only whatever cash and personal checks are absolutely necessary, leaving extra cash, credit cards, personal documents, and passport copies at home or in the hotel safe. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport overseas should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. U.S. citizens can refer to the Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" which provides useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad. The pamphlet is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. In France, the penalties for possession, use, and dealing in illegal drugs are very strict. Convicted offenders can expect a significant jail sentence and a heavy customs fine; failure to pay can result in upwards of an additional two years imprisonment. Dual Nationality: U.S. citizens who are considered to have also acquired French citizenship may be subject to compulsory military service and other aspects of French law while in France. Those who might be affected can inquire at a French Embassy or consulate regarding their status. In some instances, dual nationality may hamper U.S. Government efforts to provide protection abroad. Other Information: Certain Air France flights between France and various Middle Eastern points (usually Damascus or Amman) make en route stops in Beirut. U.S. passports are not valid for travel to, in, or through Lebanon unless special validation has been obtained >from the Department of State. Terrorist Activities: Civil disorder is rare in France. However, over the past year, terrorist groups have committed violent acts in France, including a few closely-targeted political assassinations. Recent bombings in Paris also appear to be the work of terrorists, and have killed or injured French citizens and foreign visitors. However, there is no indication that these acts are SPECIFICALLY directed at American citizens, American business or American interests. These bombings have resulted in an increased police presence at airports, metro and train stations, etc. The Basque Separatist Party (ETA) and the National Front for the Liberation of Corsica (FLNC), continue to operate in the south of France and have occasionally bombed local government institutions, travel agencies, etc. ETA and FLNC attacks usually occur late in the evening in an apparent attempt to minimize casualties. Over the last year, terrorist groups have committed other terrorist acts, including a few closely targeted political killings and kidnappings, but no Americans have been affected. Registration: U.S. citizens who plan to be in France for more than a few weeks or who have relatives who may need to contact them, should register at the Consular Section in the U.S. Embassy or one of the three Consulates, where they may obtain updated information on travel and security in France. Embassy and Consulate Locations: The U.S. Embassy in Paris is located at 2 Avenue Gabriel, telephone (33) 1-42-96-12-02, fax (33) 1-42-66-97-83. The Consular Section is located one block away, across the Place de la Concorde, at 2 Rue St. Florentin, fax (33) 1-42-86-82-91. The U.S. Consulate in Bordeaux is located at 22 Cours du Marechal Foch, telephone (33) 56-52-65-95, fax (33) 56-51-60-42. The U.S. Consulate in Marseille is located at 12 Boulevard Paul Peytral, telephone (33) 91-54-92-00, fax (33) 91-55-09-47. The U.S. Consulate in Strasbourg is located at 15 Avenue d'Alsace, telephone (33) 88-35-31-04, fax (33) 88-24-06-95. There is a Consular Agent in Nice, at 31 Rue du Marechal Joffre, telephone (33) 16-93-88-89-55, fax (33) 16- 93-87-07-38. No. 95-112 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated October 13, 1994, to add information on terrorist activities. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. To unsubscribe, send a message containing the word "unsubscribe" to: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL: "http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher: gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories