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 -  

The health care system..-

As many of you already know, the French social security system is known worldwide for being the best in the world.  

On a first approach the paperwork could seems complicated but is very easy. 

There are two kinds of health insurances in France, the public and the private. The public one is called "caisse d'assurance maladie"  it is for all the people who are born in France or who reside in the country, so as far as you have a carte de sejour or a long term visa to stay in the country you can apply. 

All you need is to go to the nearest "caisse primaire d'assurance maladie" and they will tell you how to "enroll"  usually you need the basic papers, copy of your passport, copy of your carte de sejour or visa, copy of you bank RIB, copy of your school certificate (attestation scolarite) and maybe a copy of your housing certificate (quittance de loyer).  Then they will guide you thru it. 

If you are in:

- Paris: 66 Avenue de Maine  75014

- Lyon: 12 Rue d'aubigny 69003

- Dijon: 8 Rue Docteur Maret  21000

Or simply ask google: "Caisse primaire d'assurance maladie a XXXX" and you'll get your answers. 

This social -public- health insurance will cover some of your medical expenses, I'd say, the basics. 

The list of percentages covered by it HERE

It is more or less 70% of your expenses on doctors and medicine, but there are some areas that are left with very little coverage, such as the ophthalmology and the dentist. 

For this, you can buy a "complementary sante" or "mutuelle"  there are thousands of different ones.  Usually your school with find you (most likely oblige you) to get one or you can also ask at your bank!  They usually have very good prices for students. This private insurances usually cover what the social security doesn't, reimbursing you everything you spend on doctors and health care. 

NOTE:  Usually if you go to a private school they will process your health insurance via Smerra (securite social etudiant).  You can ready about it HERE 

TIPS:

1.  If you ever need to be hospitalized, don't be surprised of having roommates.  Yes that's right in France, (aside from the private "clinique") no one gets special treatment. You are just one normal person from the crowd so they have big rooms divided (barely) by curtains, sometimes this is not a problem, but sometimes, it could be very stressful to hear your roommate in pain. 

2. There's no security!!!  I know all the readers come from different parts of the globe, and I speak from my personal experience, but from where I come from, we have metal detectors at hospitals, to make sure you do not enter anything hazardous to the hospital. Also, cell phones must be let at the entrance (on intensive care spaces not at the regular entrance).  However in France you just walk in, take the elevator and see yourself to the rooms. (Visit hours only) 

3. Good thing, the food is apparently better and healthier than other countries (A friend told me that) 

4.  If you ever get injured (lets hope you don't) unless you are unconscious or truly unable to move is very rare that an ambulance will come pick you up (the ambulance service is very strange, I'm still trying to figure it out  - apparently is semi private and come with extra charge. - will get back to you on that)  So instead of wasting precious time laying on the floor, or waiting, just take a cab and find your way to the nearest hospital. (Tip - ask the driver for a receipt, maybe your insurance will cover for it!) 

Other than that I think you'll be ok. Let's just hope you never need to go thru all this. 

Stay safe!

T-