Tourist Offices
In France itself you'll find a tourist office - usually an Office du Tourisme (OT) but sometimes a Syndicat d'Initiative (SI) - in practically every town and many villages. For the practical purposes of visitors, there is little difference between them: SIs have wider responsibilities for encouraging business, while Offices du Tourisme deal exclusively with tourism; sometimes they share premises and call themselves an OTSI. In small villages where there is no OT or SI, the Mairie, or town hall, will offer a similar service. Before you go, it's worth checking out the official French Tourist Board Web site, www.tourisme.fr . From all these offices you can get specific local information, including listings of hotels and restaurants, leisure activities, car and bike rental, bus timetables, laundries and countless other things; many can also book accommodation for you. Most offices will provide a free town plan (though some places charge a nominal 5-10F/?0.76-1.53), if asked, and will have maps and local walking guides on sale. In mountain regions they display daily meteorological information and often share premises with the local hiking and climbing organizations. In the big cities you can usually also pick up free What's On guides. The regional or departmental tourist offices also offer useful practical information (their Web sites can be accessed on the Net via www.tourist-office.org ).
Tour France On Line (Video + Stills)David Mundstock says "My recent film “Napoleon Slept Here” takes you all around France, beginning and ending in Paris, with Notre Dame Cathedral, the Pompidou Center, Eiffel Tower, Napoleon’s Tomb, Sainte-Chapelle’s stained glass & the City of Lights at night; plus Nimes with its Roman Arena and Temple, the walled city of Carcassonne, Lourdes, the Palace of Chenonceau, a peek at the Bayeux Tapestry, and much more.
This is a free, non-commercial, streaming video on the Windows Media Player. No ads and no strings attached. I sell absolutely nothing. All you need is a high speed internet connection.
The gallery of French still pictures can be viewed with any modem.
There are over 30 of my other amateur travel videos on-line. Visit Italy, England, Antarctica, Bali, Australia, China, Russia, Florida, Mayan Pyramids, Kenya, Hawaii, Greece, American National Parks, or Turkey; see elephants, whales, penguins, or polar bears.
The planet is yours, including my Home Page giant galaxy of still pictures.
To access both the videos and stills, please ask a search engine for:
Intrepid Berkeley Explorer" AnnaaNNa says "Joverh stinks. you stink. Texas is better!" to riangage says "u r so meen i hate u!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!booooooo hoooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1" blahblah says "blah blah chill out on the hateing give sumone a hug"
Your Tip for France
Help other backpackers! Write your own guides and backpacking tips to France - they will appear instantly on this page - Please only write a tip/guide to France - visit the main France forum to ask a question!
Please do not post links to your site here (they won't work) - please use the France webguide section below! Thanks.
|
