Passport & Visa

UK nationals holding a full valid EU passport do not require a visa to enter France provided that they have at least three months validity on their passport beyond the last day of their visit and on condition that their stay does not exceed three months, within any period of six months. Entry to France will not be permitted without a valid passport.
Further information can be obtained from:
Embassy of France, 58 Knightsbridge, London SW1 7JT (0207 201 1000), e-mail: press@ambafrance.org.uk
Other nationals please check before travelling as to which documents are required. For more travel advice visit www.fco.gov.uk and got to ‘Travel Advice by Country’.

Vaccinations

There are currently no requirements for British citizens. Please check with your GP or visit www.dh.gov.uk

Currency

The currency is the euro (€) – there are seven banknotes: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500, and eight coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cent and €1 and €2. ATM’s (cash machines) are generally available in most tourist areas, but ask your British bank about withdrawal charges, as these can be heavy, especially if you withdraw only a small amount of cash. Travellers’ cheques are still the safest way to carry money and can be obtained in sterling or euro denominations. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and shops in the tourist areas. Remember to make a record of your credit card or travellers cheques numbers and the emergency phone number for cancelling your card or cheques, should you need to.
Local time - GMT + 1

Tourist Information -
http://www.francetourism.com/
http://www.franceguide.com/prehome.asp
Maison de la France
French Government Tourist Office, 178 Piccadilly, London W1V 0AL. Email: info@mdl.co.uk
Here are a few selected Tourist Offices located in La Loire Valley:
Amboise: Quai du Général de Gaulle (00 33 (0)2 47 57 01 37).
Angers: Place Kennedy, Angers (00 33 (0)2 41 23 51 11).
Beaugency: Place de l’Hôtel de Ville (00 33 (0)2 38 44 54 42).
Blois: 3 Avenue Jean Laigret (00 33 (0)2 54 90 41 41).
5 Rue de la Voûte du Château (00 33 (0)2 54 78 55 50).
Chaumont: 45 Rue de Maréchal-le-Claerc (00 33 (0)2 54 20 91 73).
Orléans: Place Albert I (00 33 (0)2 38 53 05 05).
Saumur: Place de la Bilange (00 33 (0)2 4140 20 60).
Tours: 78 Rue Bernard Palissy (00 33 (0)2 47 70 37 37).
Tourist Ofifice of Touraine
Tours: 9 Rue Buffon (00 33 (0)2 47 31 42 53).
British Consulate – There is a British Consulate in Paris:
16 Rue d’Anjou, 75008 Paris, (00 33 (0)1 44 17 67 00) or visit the website

Mobile phones - if you want to use your phone in Italy, ensure that the roaming facility is activated before you go.
Driving – The minimum age for driving is 18 for cars and motorcycles, and 16 for mopeds. A UK valid full driving licence is acceptable and a Green Card is compulsory (ask your insurance company). Headlight beams have to be altered for driving on the right hand side of the road and it is compulsory to carry a fire extinguisher and first aid kit in your vehicle. In the event of a breakdown, a red warning triangle must be shown and emergency telephones are located at regular intervals along motorways. Children under 12 are not allowed to sit in the front seats of vehicles. Seat belts must be worn in the front and rear seats of the vehicle. Self-drive cars may be hired in major towns and resorts. The minimum age is 23 years and the person hiring the car must have held a valid full licence for at least one year (which will be required upon collection of the hire car). Speed limits for cars: In town: 60 kph (37 mph). Outside built-up areas: 90 kph (55 mph). On dual carriageways: 110 kph (68 mph) and on tolled autoroutes: 130kph (80mph).
Personal Safety, please note the following:

• Leave all valuables, passports, tickets, credit cards and money etc in the hotel safe; only carry with you what you need for that day.
• Be aware of pickpockets, especially in tourist areas, on public transport, in markets etc.
• When leaving a car, do not leave anything visible.
• If anything is stolen, please ensure you report the incident and receive a police report.

For further detailed information on specific destinations, please visit the Foreign Office website.