Paris Paris - a multi-faceted jewel of a European city! It illuminates with such brilliance that its famous title " City of Lights " is no exaggeration! Its culture and the overwhelming beauty of its art and architecture amaze at every turn. The Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, The Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur; the treasures created by Renoir, Monet, Cezanne, Gauguin, Matisse; the artistry of its chefs, and the fruits of French vineyards; the retreats to cozy cafes, bistros and elegant restaurants - the romance of it all! This very walkable city also offers an excellent public transportation system. The Metro connects the entire city in minutes. Paris! Fall in love with life all over again!

Paris Hotels

10 ways to Enjoy Paris

Documents Needed for Travel

Every person entering must have a valid passport and a valid return ticket.

Language

The official language is French.

Time Zone

One hour ahead of CEST.

Climate

The south of France has a warm Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. Strong winds, known as la Mistral, can occur in the Cote d'Azur, Provence and in the Rhone valley particularly over the winter and spring. Northern France, including Paris, has a temperate climate similar to southern England with warm summers, cold winters and rainfall throughout the year. The western coast, from the Loire valley to the Pyrenees, is milder and summer days are generally very hot. During the second half of July and August most French take their five-week vacation to the coasts and mountains, and empty cities tend to shut down accordingly.

What to Wear

Moderately casual clothing is acceptable during the day. Most hotels and restaurants require an "elegantly casual" appearance after 6 p.m., shorts are not accepted.

Currency and Credit Cards

The Euro (€) is the official currency in France. Currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and some large hotels, though you will get a better exchange rate at the ATMs. Major credit cards are widely accepted, as are travellers cheques, particularly in major tourist destinations.

Electricity

220 volts and a frequency of 50 Hz. Officially it is 230 volts plus or minus 10%. Some localities have 110 volts, but 50 cycles is the standard frequency regardless of the voltage throughout Europe

Marriage Requirements

Civil Ceremony
All marriages must be performed by a French civil authority before any religious ceremony takes place. The mayor can authorize the deputy mayor or a city councilor to perform the ceremony in the town in which one of the parties to be married has resided for at least 40 days preceding the marriage. These requirements can not be waived.

Religious ceremony
The religious ceremony has to be performed after the civil ceremony (never before). The minister, priest or rabbi will require a certificate of civil marriage before any religious ceremony takes place.

Publications of banns
French Law requires the posting of marriage banns at the appropriate "mairie" no less than 10 days preceding the date of marriage. The first publication of the banns can be made only at the end of the 30 days of residence in France by one party to the marriage.

Marriage certificate
Couples married in France receive a "livret de famille." This is a booklet which serves as an official record of marriage and subsequent events in the family such as births, deaths, divorce or name changes. A marriage certificate can be obtained by writing to the "mairie" where the marriage took place.

Documents required
Note : Most mairies require these basic documents. Please contact your local mairie for exact requirements.

A valid U.S. passport or a French resident permit
A birth certificate (less than three months old)
A certificate of celibacy (less than three months old) which can be done before an American Consular Officer in France
An affidavit of Law. It is a statement (must be done by an attorney licensed to practice in both France and United States) about U.S. marriage laws, certifying that the American citizen is free to contract marriage in France and will be recognized in the United States
A medical certificate (less than three months old)
Proof of domicile (electricity bill, etc.)
Certificat du notaire (if the parties to the marriage opt for a prenuptial contract)

Exciting Excursions: