Time Out..-

This post may not be helpful or handy for your new life in France, but since we all know already how stressful and time consuming setting up could be, here is something you can do for free to take your mind out of all your "tasks to do" and just enjoy a little bit the Paris that is out there waiting for you..!

Until October 23rd there will be an artistic "explosion" at Galeries Lafayette / Boulevard Hausmann in Paris! You will find art on the outsides, on the windows, on the inside, sculptures, paintings, videos, all kinds of art expression.

All this is due (thanks to) Nicola Formichetti, the new artistic Director of the fashion brand Diesel, that has boosted this project thru the Diesel website and without knowing the "1000 artistes" that participate in the matter.

So if you have some - little - time to spare go check out the Galeries and let us know what do you think!

*Galeries Lafayette Haussmann*

40 Boulevard Haussmann

75009 Paris 

M - Opera 

RER B - ATTENTION!

This post is just to prevent all of you guys coming (or leaving) Paris from CDG, there RER B (metro that connects Paris and the airport) is closed on certain days and hours because they are improving the lines.

You can read all about it HERE  scroll to the end of the page.

You can still take the metro up to Aulnay sous bois and there you have replacement buses that take you to the airport, but please note that it will probably take you twice the time as usual to get there (It took me almost 2 hours to get from the airport to Chatelet les halles)!!  usually is 45 mins.

Otherwise, you can take the AirFrance bus service to the airport.  Usually leave from Champs Elysees/Etoile and they run around 13 Euros.  At least you don't need to go to Aulnay Sous bois (aka middle of no where - No offenses if you live nearby) and risk to get lost or stuck.  Plus the replacement buses they are using to connect from Aulnay sous Bois to CDG are regular buses so no space for cases!  while Air France buses are intended to carry the cases and luggage on the under the bus compartment.

Plan your trip ahead!

Hope this helps.

T-

The Taxi.-

Weather you are in Paris or in any other city, the taxi system in France could be confussing.

From where I come from,  the taxis work on a New York style base.  Meanning, you stand anywhere pull out your arm and three cabs will stop immediatelly.

Well not in France. For starters, as you could've already seen on the streets the cabs are not yellow, or pink or white, they come in all colors, brands and shapes, lucky for us they hold the Taxi sign on top them, if not, you couldn't be able to recognize one.

Here just like the bus stops, you have "Taxi stations" on the main streets and important places where taxis line up and wait for the custommers to arrive.

Tip 1:  It is VERY importrant that you take the first cab linning up otherwise they will not take you.  They respect one and other's turn. 

Tip 2: If you arrive to a Taxi station and there are no cabs, press the bouton on the taxi sign, you will get  taxis comming your way in no time.

If you have the time or you rather not wait outside for a cab, you can always call and order one, usually they take 5 to 10 minutes to arrive. You can find the taxi call center lines online or go here

NOTE:  In Paris, like all the big cities it is quiet impossible to find a taxi in the mornings (see from 8 am to 10 am) and same thing at the afternoon (5 to 6 pm).  So in case you really need a taxi between this hours is better to call in the day before and make a reservation.

La carte Vitale..-

La carte vitale is the social security card, its green with yellow and you will find on it:  your picture, names, and SS number, plus a chip (puce) that will come very useful and handy at all times. - That chip contains all your information, from basic info (last visit to the doctor, or hospital, birth date, etc etc) to bank information (so they can reimburse you all the expenses). 

Tip:  Just in case you are a control freak like me and want to memorize your SS number (or you are just curious to know how they do it) the social security number in France is composed by 15 digits as follows:

Example:  2 89 12 99 419 050 40

2 = Gender (1 for male 2 for female)

89 = The two digits of the year you were born

12 = The month you were born

99 = The deppartment code where you were born - 99 for "etranger" 

419 = Country code of your birth country 

050 = Supposed to be the number of your birth cerificate 

40 =  Verification code (clé de verification) 

This card is free, and is delivered to your once you subscribe to the social security. (See previous post)

In the past once you go to the doctor you were asked to fill tons of paperwork to be reimbursed. Now with the chip it all works automatically.  You are supposed to receive your money back in your bank account within 24 to 48 hours!

There are some "caisse d'assurance maladie" *social security*  ATM kind of machines all around the cities where you can insert your card and check your balances and updates.   Also this helps you update your informations. 

T -