Practical Information
We
have compiled some additional information about the region and the
best ways to navigate it, in order to make your stay in the Loire
Region comfortable and enjoyable.
Entry
Requirements
Getting There &
Around
Money Matters
Interpreters
Tour Guides
Business Travelers
Useful Tourist Offices |
| ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS |
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All
visitors to France require a valid passport. Citizens
do not require a visa for European Union countries,
of which France is a member, for stays up to 90 days
unless planning to study in France. |
For
stays longer than 90 days a visa is required, obtainable
at French Consulates/Embassies. For a list of French
Consulates in the United States, please see www.info-france-usa.org
French
Customs
For current and detailed
information on and what you may bring to France with
you, from currency rules, medication and entry requirements
for pets, to the importation of a variety goods, food
products, vehicles or even firearms, feel free to contact
the French Embassy at www.info-france-usa.org
U.S.
Customs
U.S. citizens returning
to the States who have been in France longer than two
(2) days may bring back $400 worth of merchandise duty-free.
For those of you wishing to bring home more of France,
a flat rate of 10% duty is levied on the next $1,000
worth of purchases (for gifts, the duty-free limit is
$100). It is wise to retain all receipts from your purchases,
in case a Customs Inspector upon your return to the
United States requests them. |
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| GETTING
THERE & AROUND |
|
Train
Service
Train service in France is comfortable,
efficient, and punctual. It is one of the most popular
ways to get around, allowing travelers to view the countryside
in a speedy, but leisurely manner. The French National
Railroads' (Société Nationale des Chemins
de Fer, or SNCF) network of inter-city rail links also
provides regular express and high-speed train service
known as the TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse).
From
Paris, principal arrival points (distance from Paris)
in the Loire Valley include: Orléans (just over
1 hour), Blois (1½ hours), Amboise (2 hours)
and Tours (2½ hours). Visit www.sncf.com/indexe.htm
for train schedule information.
Bus
Service
Buses in France fill in the gaps that
trains miss. All SNCF stations have nearby bus stations.
A train/bus combination is a trouble-free way to travel.
Whether you desire a nearby excursion or plan to ride
on a regularly scheduled connection, contact the SNCF
for more information. If you arrive in Blois, the easiest
way to reach The Abbey of Pontlevoy is by bus. Line
6 from Blois makes the trip to Pontlevoy every few hours.
The journey takes approximately 45 minutes and costs
under €5. For more information, contact TLC transport
at 02.54.58.55.44. If you are able to read and understand
French, their website is at: www.tlcinfo.net
Rental
Car
You can move at your own pace by having
your own vehicle. French roads are well maintained with
4,960 miles of paved motorway. A valid U.S. Driver’s
License is sufficient; you do not need to obtain an
International License. Popular car rental agencies in
France include: |
| Alamo
(www.alamo.com)
Avis
(www.avis.com)
Budget
(www.budget.com)
Easy
Car (www.easycar.com)
EuropCar
(www.europcar.com)
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| MONEY
MATTERS |
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The
unit of currency in France is the Euro. Current exchange
rates may be found at www.xe.com |
|
ATMs
are readily available in all regions of France. All
are connected to the international networks of Visa
and Mastercard and many are also linked to the Cirrus
and Plus systems. American Express offices can be found
in major cities throughout the country. A four-digit
PIN code is required to withdraw money from any credit
or debit card from French ATMs. Contact your bank to
obtain a 4-digit PIN. A signature is normally required
in lieu of a PIN code when making purchases in shops
or restaurants. Please keep in mind that banks normally
charge a transaction fee for withdrawing cash from ATMs. |
|
Travelers’
Cheques are accepted all over France and provide a great
way to carry money while traveling. If they are lost
or stolen and you have the receipt and cheque numbers
with you, the stolen cheques can be canceled and new
ones issued. American Express, Visa and Thomas Cook
are the most well known types of travelers’ cheques. |
A word
to the wise: do not buy travelers’ cheques already
denominated in euros. Banks accept travelers’
cheques because they receive a commission on the exchange
from one currency into euros. So even if the cheques
you brought from home are already in euros, banks will
still charge a commission to cash them. |
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| INTERPRETERS |
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Navigating
your way though the small villages of France on your
own can be daunting. Many locals speak very little to
no English. Some visitors to the region may feel much
more comfortable with an interpreter: someone who can
communicate with shopkeepers, order food at restaurants
and explain a bit about local culture. |
|
If you
would like to know more about hiring an interpreter,
please contact The Abbey of Pontlevoy at 06.79.58.85.71
or send an email to reservations@euramcenter.com
requesting information. If you wish, you may complete
the form in the Feedback
section of this website and an Abbey representative
will respond to you shortly. |
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| TOUR
GUIDES |
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Given
that the Loire Valley is a rural area, you may wish
to enlist the services of a tour guide. A qualified
specialist in the area can tailor a trip that is right
for you, with the right mix of châteaux, restaurants,
wine tasting, antique shopping and activities. |
Pascal
Mineau and his organization, Val
de Loire Prestige, are highly recommended. A wine
connoisseur, Pascal invites you to discover parts of
the Loire that are otherwise inaccessible to the solo
traveler. |
|
Pascal
Mineau – Val de Loire Prestige
2, rue de la Jacquière
41150 Chaumont-sur-Loire
02.54.33.95.95
contact@loire-valley-prestige.com
www.loire-valley-prestige.com
Individual
and small group tours may also be arranged through The
Abbey of Pontlevoy. Please call 06.79.58.85.71 or send
an email to reservations@euramcenter.com
and specify in your request for tour itinerary and group
size. Alternatively, use the Feedback
section on this website. |
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| BUSINESS
TRAVELERS |
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With
the rise of the European Union, France is in the center
of the “new” Europe. And the Loire Valley
is in the center of France. This region produces more
than just wine and cheese. Since 1945, manufacturing
has become an integral part of the Valley’s economy.
Automotive parts, ball bearings, tires, and plastics
are among its production. Businesses from Europe and
from around the globe come to the Loire for meetings
and conferences. |
The
Abbey of Pontlevoy is equipped to meet your business
needs. With state-of-the-art technology including wireless
Internet access, fully-equipped meeting rooms and a
multilingual staff, The Abbey of Pontlevoy is the perfect
balance of old and new. The Abbey is also perfect for
classes, weddings, or other special occasions. Find
out more by visiting www.eurabbey.com |
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| USEFUL
TOURISM OFFICES |
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