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THINGS to KNOW ABOUT PARIS to HELP YOU PREPARE (This Information Was Compiled by AUSA from Various Online Sources)

THINGS to KNOW ABOUT PARIS to HELP YOU PREPARE (This Information Was Compiled by AUSA from Various Online Sources)

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TO HELP YOU PREPARE (This information was compiled by AUSA from various online sources)

1. Location and Geography 2. Official Language and Religion 3. National 4. 5. Currency 6. Tipping 7. Key Words/Phrases

Location and Geography

Paris is a close-knit and welcoming place with a pleasant climate. The Seine cuts across the city and two woods on either side offer a breath of fresh air. Indeed, Paris has been blessed by nature.

It only takes barely two hours to cross the city on foot… Paris is not a sprawling capital. With a circumference of almost 55 km (including its two woods, Vincennes and Boulogne), it only comes in 113th place amongst municipalities in metropolitan in terms of surface area. Located on the same latitude as , , Paris is in Western .

Official Language and Religion

The include the and some regional languages. The French language is the only official language of France according to the second article of the French Constitution, and is by far the most widely spoken.

France is a country where freedom of religion and freedom of thought are guaranteed by virtue of the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. The Republic is based on the principle of laïcité (or "freedom of conscience") enforced by the 1880s Jules Ferry laws and the 1905 French law on the Separation of the Churches and the State. Roman Catholicism, the religion of a majority of , is no longer the state religion that it was before the 1789 Revolution and throughout the various, non-republican regimes of the 19th century (the Restoration, the and the ).

Major religions in France include Catholicism, Islam, Judaism, various branches of Protestantism, Hinduism, Russian Orthodoxy, Armenian Christianity, and Sikhism amongst others, making it a multi confessional country. While millions in France continue to attend religious services regularly, the overall level of observance is considerably lower than in the past. According to the Eurobarometer Poll conducted in 2010, [3] 27% of French citizens responded that "they believe there is a God", 33% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force", and 40% answered that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, God, or life force". This makes France one of the more secular countries in the world.

National Flag

The of France is a flag featuring three vertical bands coloured royal blue (hoist side), , and . It is known to English speakers as the French Tricolour or simply the Tricolour (French: Tricolore). The royal government used many , the best known being a blue shield and yellow fleur-de-lis on a white background, or state flag. Early in the , the Paris militia, which played a prominent role in the , wore a of blue and red, the city's traditional colours.

Climate

Paris has a typical Western European oceanic climate which is affected by the . The overall climate throughout the year is mild and moderately wet. days are usually warm and pleasant with average temperatures hovering between 15 and 25 °C (59 and 77 °F), and a fair amount of sunshine. Each year, however, there are a few days where the temperature rises above 32 °C (90 °F). Some years have even witnessed long periods of harsh summer weather, such as the of 2003 when temperatures exceeded 30 °C (86 °F) for weeks, surged up to 40 °C (104 °F) on some days and seldom cooled down at night. More recently, the average temperature for July 2011 was 17.6 °C (63.7 °F), with an average minimum temperature of 12.9 °C (55.2 °F) and an average maximum temperature of 23.7 °C (74.7 °F). Spring and autumn have, on average, mild days and fresh nights but are changing and unstable. Surprisingly warm or cool weather occurs frequently in both . In , sunshine is scarce; days are cold but generally above freezing with temperatures around 7 °C (45 °F). Light night frosts are however quite common, but the temperature will dip below −5 °C (23 °F) for only a few days a year. Snow falls every year, but rarely stay on the ground. The city sometimes sees light snow or flurries with or without accumulation

Currency

The is the official currency of France, and of most member states, excluding the UK and the , among others. The Euro, symbolized by a "€," has been in public circulation since January, 2002. The franc, the former official currency of France, is no longer accepted, however, you may see that some price tags in France give the price both in Euro and in francs, to help those who still think in terms of francs.

Tipping

One of the most confusing things for visitors to Paris is figuring out the tip system. Unlike the US where tips are expected (and considered part of the wages paid), in France by law a 15% service charge is always included in the price wherever you eat or drink. No matter what anyone says, a service charge is always included. Guidebooks often underscore this fact, reminding you that the service is included. But also they add that it’s okay to leave extra.

But Paris has many international visitors, and it’s pretty common to leave something after a bite to eat or drink (leaving a few coins, or some bills, is called the pourboire, which roughly means “for something to drink.”) But it’s never expected and is only given for good or attentive service, or at a place you habituate frequently.

Key Words/Phrases

Hi - Salut!

Good Morning - Boujour

Good Evening - Bonsoir! (After 6 pm)

Good Bye - Au revoir!

Welcome - Bienvenue!

How Are You? - Comment vas-tu?

Thank you (very much) - Merci (beaucoup!)

Can you help me? - Pouvez-vous m’aider? (polite)

Where is the bathroom?- Ou sont les toilettes?

One moment please - Un moment s’il vous plait

How much is this? - Combien cela coute?

Excuse me (to ask) - Ezcusez-moi

Excuse me (to pass by) - Pardon!

My name is - Je m’appelle

More found at: http://www.linguanaut.com/english_french.htm

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