Currency
The official currency of France is the euro.
One euro consists of 100 cents. Banknotes range from €5 to €500, and coins from 1 to 50 cents, as well as €1 and €2 coins.
One euro is worth approximately 1.17 US dollars (July 2018 exchange rate).
Use an online currency converter to check the exchange rate during your stay.
Opening hours
In Nouvelle-Aquitaine, most shops open from 10 am to 7 pm Monday to Saturday. Some shops, and especially those in major towns, cities and coastal resorts, also open on Sundays.
Food shops may stay open later on weekdays until 8 pm and open on Sundays until 1 pm.
Banks are usually open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday.
Check museum and tourist attraction opening times before you visit, because some are occasionally closed in the morning or for one day per week.
On public holidays, banks, public institutions and some shops are closed and the public transport networks provide only a limited service.
For more information about public holidays, please refer to the School Holidays & Public Holidays section.
Electricity
The French electricity supply system runs at 220/240 Volts with a mains frequency of 50 Hertz. Power sockets are type E (round pin and a hole for the socket’s male earthing pin).
If your country does not use the same voltage, you will need an adapter to connect your appliances to French power sockets. You may also need a (110V-220V) transformer. If in doubt, check with the manufacturer.
Units of measurement
In common with other European countries, France uses the metric system. Here is a quick converter for distance measurements:
● 1 kilometre (km) = 1,000 metres (m) = 100,000 centimetres (cm)
● 1 pouce = 1 inch (in) = 2.54 centimetres
● 1 pied = 1 foot (ft) = 0.3048 metres
● 1 yard (yd) = 0.9144 metres
● 1 mile (mi) = 1.6093 kilometres
● 1 kilometre = 0.6214 miles
● 1 mile marin = 1 nautical mile (nm) = 1.852 kilometres
Weight:
● 1 once = 1 ounce (oz) = 28.3495 grams.
● 1 poundlivre (UK) = 1 pound (lb) = 0.4536 kilogram.
Temperature
In France, temperature is measured in degrees Celsius (°C). To help you, here is a Fahrenheit to Celsius conversion table:
| Degrés °F | Degrés °C |
|---|---|
| 5 | -15 |
| 14 | -10 |
| 23 | -5 |
| 32 | 0 |
| 41 | 5 |
| 50 | 10 |
| 59 | 15 |
| 68 | 20 |
| 77 | 25 |
| 86 | 30 |
| 95 | 35 |
| 100 | 38 |
Time zones
In winter, the time in Nouvelle-Aquitaine is standard Central European Time (CET), i.e. UTC+1. In summer, clocks are advanced one hour to Central European Summer Time (CEST), i.e. UTC+2.
Summertime applies from the end of March to the end of October.
For the precise time, call the speaking clock on 123.
Follow us, the editors of Nouvelle-Aquitaine-Tourisme.com as we show you around… our home.
From the peaks of the Pyrenees to the Marais Poitevin canals via the wharfs of Bordeaux, the beaches of the Atlantic to the shores of Lake Vassivière near Limoges, Nouvelle-Aquitaine is full of fascinating, entertaining stories that will amuse one and all.