========================================
Namasthe!
New to France/Riviera? Here is some info you may need to start with to get around:
When you're in France, you need to learn French.
Repeat the above sentence twice a day :) Atleast until you pass your D.I.L.F. (Details later)
Places you need to know first:
1. PREFECTURE: (Nice) - For all administration work
Importantly, Work/Resident permit, Car-registration, Driving license ...
http://www.alpes-maritimes.pref.gouv.fr/
http://www.alpes-maritimes.pref.gouv.fr/sections/l_etat_en_06/la_prefecture/coordonnees/
The website is in french, of course. Note, Nice-prefecture is open from Monday to Friday between the hours 0900-1430 only! So, inform your boss that you'll be out.
Getting there by bus:
Public transportation is well-developed and is not so-expensive. One trip will cost you 1 or 2 Euros depending on the distance. When you're in your apt/hotel, first thing is to know where the bus stop is.
To Prefecture:
From Cannes/Antibes - Take TAM 200 which runs through RN7 (frequency 15 mins during day) http://cg06.fr/transport/lignes-tam/200.pdf
From Sophia - TAM 230/233 From Grasse - TAM 500 From Vence - TAM 400
Alight at the bus-stop just after the Nice-Aeroport. Cross the road to get to the bus-stop on the other side. From here, you'll take Line-9/10, Ligne-Azur (http://www.lignedazur.com/index.asp) Yes, they have an English version! Click on the UK-flag to your right-hand-top. This bus will take you to Prefecture directly. (Driver can help you with the stop) Note, keep exact change!
List of Documents you'll need initially :
Usual: Passport, Recipisse, rental-agreement
Some special (ridiculous): Birth-Certificate (translated to french by a notary for a charge of 50-60 Euros)
Attestation from your owner in India that you were staying previously at the address (If it was your own house, then from your Dad!)
2. A.N.A.E.M : for medical examination, linguistics and formation (http://www.anaem.social.fr/defaut.php3)
Yes, it is mandatory. Before your temporary permit (recipisse) expires, you'll have to visit A.N.A.E.M. Apart from height, weight etc, you will be X-rayed for lungs to check for TB or any other communicable diseases.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR WOMEN!
You'll be asked to remove your top, i.e., no cloth covering. Yes. And most of the times, it is a male examiner. You'll be asked to remove everything on the top including any metal (taali/mangal-sutra). However, you can request that you don't want to remove your T-Shirt.
Tip : Wear a light T-shirt, you'll be asked to remove the only undergarment in a changing room or you'll be asked to wear a gown with nothing inside (just like in India)
After medical exam, you'll be asked to attend counseling. Here, your level of french will be checked and classes will be prescribed (usually 100 hrs in first yr for working people).
Note: After this, you'll be given address and appointment to attend a lecture on later days, one about France and another lecture about civic-information. Both are almost whole day sessions and you need to have these certificates.
These sessions are held at a different place called: La Ligue De L'enseigenement, 18, Blvd Paul Montel, Nice
(Note, this is different from ANAEM's medical office, but close-by)
Route 9/10 Ligne-Azur goes to Prefecture and Formation. ANAEM is walkable distance from Prefecture (In front of the stadium after the flyover)
Once ANAEM visit is done, the next week, you'll be starting french classes in the school prescribed. Request for a school nearby your town (they usually provide). The first year, until DILF-exam is over, your saturday-mornings can be quite-boring :)
DILF : After you reach a certain level in french, within the first year of stay in France, you'll be asked to attend an exam which checks some basic written and oral skills in French, necessary to get around in the area. The best place to learn is at work. Ask your colleagues for help in forming slang sentences. More notes ahead.
3: TRANSPORT : You already know some of the sites mentioned above. Here are links to bookmark:
http://cg06.fr/transport (All over the region)
http://www.lignedazur.com/index.asp (Nice area)
http://www.envibus.fr/ (Antibes/Sophia area)
Popular lignes:
TAM 200 (Nice-Cannes)
Envibus 100 (free) and 1 (Antibes-Sophia)
Ligne-Azur 9,10 (Around Nice)
4: FOOD: This is the first thing you'll miss from India :(
There are a lot of Indian Restaurants in the area but none are as good as back in India. But, some come close with the resources available and meeting the local norms I guess: (In order of preference)
Le Table des Indes in Antibes (Expensive but tasty), Le Panjabi in Grasse
Nice: Delhi-Belly, Indian-Lounge, Shalimar, Nooris, Jaipur, etc ..
Le Kashmir in St Laurent Du Var
Maharaja in Cannes
Achiana is a chain of Indian-restaurants in Antibes, Nice, etc ..
Grocery Stores: Unfortunately no grocery store is dedicated to Indian food. However, for dall-masala etc, look for:
Euroasiaexotic in Nice (Right in front of the main train station - cross the road and climb down the stairs)
http://www.qype.fr/place/preview/fr-2480877-euro-asian-exotic-nice
There is one in Antibes-Centre, but it is mixed (Indian/chinese/thai/vietnamese)
NOTE: You need not bring Atta/Rice from India, these are available in supermarkets.
Any masala/pickle/powder needs to go in check-in baggage, otherwise, it will be thrown mercilessly.
5 : APARTMENT :
The definition of a furnished/unfurnished apartment is different from other countries.
It is better to check with the landlord/agent what furniture is included before arranging for a visit.
Some useful websites with free announcements : angloinfo, paruvendu.fr, internal-company sites, etc.
There are plenty of real-estate agencies (immobilier) who work for more-or-less 1-month's rent.
So, if you go with an agency, you'll need 1-month rent as advance for the apt + 1-month-rent for agency upfront.
Apart from this, you'll also have to bear the first fire-insurance (yearly - make it as automatic deduction from Bank)
Check with the owner whether heating/water/elec/parking/misc charges covered. Generally, only water is covered.
6: BANKS : Before you start working or just about, you need an a/c. BNP is the most popular, also Banque-Populaire and Societe-Genarale are good.
None of them have internet access in English, so you may need help operating for the first time. Try HSBC in Nice, they might have an english-interface.
But, your agent in the bank will be helpful. Ask his/her email-id + phone.
Note, get help on first internet access and writing cheque from the agent.
RIB : Is a 13-digit number along with some bank details in a slip, which gives your account information for automatic deduction
Keep a few RIB-copies handy. You'll have to send them by post to EDF, Insurance, etc.
Cash/Deposits/ATM withdrawals are quite easy and menu driven in an ATM.
Charges : BNP charges are relatively higher but service is good. BPCA, SG are good as well with lesser charge.
Note, check with your bank if you can open a saving a/c along with checking a/c. There can be a 4-6% interest.
Transferring money: Usually, a 'Virement' is charged 50-cents to 1.50 Euros if the transfer is within the country.
Outside France, charge is quite high (can be as high as 16 Euros per transaction)
It is better to use money transfer websites through Indian services.
ICICI, Remit-2-India, Western Union, all have tie-ups with local banks and charge very little. Rate of conversion can be fluctuating.
7: INTERNET / TELEPHONE / MOBILE :
You'll need Identity/address-proof (carte-de-sejour or resident permit) + bank cheque to get a SIM-card (SFR/Bouygues are popular)
Both do not have English-speaking customer-care. Best is to buy from CAP3000 and go there directly for any service, initially.
For internet, you must have a telephone. Most phones are France-Telecom and most apartments are wired.
Initially, when you apply, the line is activated. (7-10 days)
Then, you get a box with instructions in French to install. (5-days) (But, it should be easy to follow with the pictures).
After the box is received, comes the password (2/3 days) which you'll need to activate the modem/connection)
IMP. NOTES : 1: Charge begins the moment the telephone is activated!
2 : Make sure you do not need a number for fax and will use only the number with the modem.
(otherwise, they'll charge for both, i.e, de-activate extra france-telecom number and keep the internet vendor number only)
3: Follow-up quickly after the line has been activated, there can be delays in courier
Make sure, you send RIB with the first bill for automatic-deduction.
When you move-out, you need to give 1-2 months notice, make sure to do this, else, they'll find you!
Neufbox, Freebox offer good schemes, you can get a landline with free-call to landlines in India. You do not get this with other companies!
8: ELECTRICITY : EDF
On your first bill, you'll receive whether you'd like to get average monthly deduction.
Say yes if your stay is >= 1yr and send RIB for auto-deduction. It'll be hassle free, and at the end of the year, they'll do the correction if needed.
i.e., deduct less or deduct more in one month.
9 : ROADS / CAR / DRIVING :
Note that France drives on the right-hand side of the road like most countries and unlike India :)
Important feature on the road are:
Rond-pont : like a circle, preference is to the person on the left, gauge whether you can get-in, turn-to the road you want to go, indicate accordingly
A8, tolls : Highways are quite fast unless traffic jams (quite often on A8 - the only highway in the region)
Speed-limit on the highway is 110kmph, sometimes 130kmph. Keep to the right if you're going slower.
All are tolled, sometimes at peage and sometimes at sortie. (Eg. 1.4 Euros from Nice to Antibes)
With an Indian driving license, you can drive upto 1-yr, later on, you have to get a French one.
Before one year has passed, practice lessons with software and get to an Auto-Ecole
When buying a car, it is best to get from someone you know or a colleague. If not, perform a thorough check with a French-friend.
Process: -> Get a copy of the Carte-Grise
-> You''ll need an insurance first, check websites (macif, axa). Banks provide insurance as well. Your previous record can be handy and reduce insurance.
-> In 2-3 days, you'll get a temporary insurance
-> Present a cheque to the seller or DD from the bank. (Sometimes buying with cash can be cheaper, negotiate like this)
-> In any case, get an identity-proof of the seller and land-phone number (to avoid fraudsters)
-> The seller will get 3-forms signed from you and will hand you 2 of them
-> Seller has to send the form to Prefecture within 15-days
-> And you have to get registered within 15-days
-> Take all the docs to Prefecture and take a token at Carte-Grises section
(Old Carte-grise, forms, photos, address proof, identity-proof, insurance, Cash or Card or cheque-book)
-> While waiting for your turn, fill the form for transfer and then pay the charges at your turn
-> You'll get the new-carte-grise immediately at cash-section, if it is delayed, retain the perforated portion of the old-carte-grise before giving
Before this, try the following:
-> Slowing down in uphill-road and reverse on uphill
-> Practice on wide-roads as gears and wheel are in different hands than in India!
-> Try Autoway
-> Sunday at CAP3000 parking-lot is a popular choice for learners
10 : Useful information:
Supermarkets : Casino, Carrefour, Ed, E.Leclerc, Intermarche, etc.
Commodity names: Rice - Riz, Wheat-flour - Farine-de-Ble, Rava - Semoule-de-Ble, Sel, Sucre, Eau-de-source, epices, Pains, huiles, yourt/yoghourt
Note for vegetarians : Poulet = Chicken, Mouton = Mutton, Jambon/Porc = Pork, Boeuf = Beef, Viande = Meat (Oeuf = Egg, for many this is OK)
Also, some cheese may have animal-fat and some foods may have gluten (Check whether it is animal-gluten or wheat gluten)
Pizza : Most pizzas are non-vegetarian. However, one/two choices would be available, else ask if you can choose the topping.
Panini : Is a sandwich (most places can make vegetarian panini with cheese, tomato, lettuce, etc)
McDonalds : Is everywhere, and they have 24h wifi-internet! Can be useful in the beginning. Of course, with French fries!
Other stores : Castorama (electric/mechanical), Decathlon (Sports), Conforama (Furniture), BUT (Electronics+Electrical+Furniture)
Retif (Electronics specialists), Kiabi-Gemo-etc (Clothes), Darty (Electrical-Electronics), Maxi-Bazaar, etc
Malls : Nice-etoile, CAP3000, Metro
11 : HOSPITALS / SOCIAL-SECURITY:
Your employer will first apply for your social-security. Soon after, maybe in 15-days' time, you'll receive an attestation.
Store this carefully as it is a very important document.
Sometime later, you'll receive a post with application form carte-vitale (Social Security card) with easy pictorial instructions to fill in and send.
In case you need to see a doctor before you receive the card, carry the attestation with you.
Once you receive the card, all hospitals, general physicians, specialists accept this card.
There is a fee of 22E per visit for general doc, higher for specialist.
For general-visit, the money is completely reimbursed. At the time of visit, the doctor will hand you the receipt which you'll have to fill in and
send it to CPAM within 2-3 days. Once they receive, the organization will remit the money back to your account.
Note : For sending the first time, send a copy of your attestation and a copy of your bank-RIB!
You can even check your account/reimbursements at ameli.fr
Other sites for medical/unemployment help : caf.fr anpe.fr
(You'll know these better in the formation class of ANAEM)
Don't hesitate to send the receipts, it's not free money! ~23% of your salary goes as tax and a portion of it goes to CPAM. So, it's your money!
12 : IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS:
Keep a note of car-insurance number in case of an unexpected accident, etc.
Police/Ambulance/Fire : All services are conglomerated to 17
Social security : 3646
13 : AT WORK : It is a custom to shake-hands with men and peck-on-the-cheek with women.
If you're not comfortable for the peck, just shake hands!
Dressing is casual, nothing executive.
Things to know first when you start are how to record a telephone voice-message and to retrieve from your voice-box
=> Ask your admin for help, as it would be in french
Do not hesitate to ask for help with Xerox-Scan machines as well!
14 : FUN : Random Info
For trips to neighbouring Monaco/Italy and other countries, you will not need a visa if you have a resident permit or a Schenghen visa
Check out trains/cheap-flights and find out hostels or motels, some links:
http://www.tgv.com/FR/ http://sncf.fr/en_EN/flash/ http://www.eurail.com/ http://www.internationalrail.com/default.asp
easyjet.com, momondo.com, terminala.com opodo.fr
Bookmark these sites:
http://riviera.angloinfo.com/ (Forums for apartments, sales, jobs and English news in the Area),
http://www.pagesjaunes.fr/ (Yellow Pages)
http://www.les-horaires.fr/ (Store timings)
http://www.freetranslation.com/ and http://translate.google.co.uk/#
*** French-learning : www.livemocha.com and www.bonjour.com
*** Cricket : Yes, there is a tennis-ball cricket team! (http://nicecricket.blogspot.com/)
Movies : http://riviera.angloinfo.com/information/movies.asp
Discotheques : La Siesta in Biot on Bord du mer, L'Annexe in St Laurent Du Var, and many more in Nice, Antibes and Cannes
Places of interest :
1: Beaches - Riviera is famous for its beach and the sun, you've heard it many times.
Nice (all along Promenade-des-anglais), St-Laurent-du-Var, Villeneuve-loubet, Biot, Antibes all are pebble beaches and are popular among tourists
Juan-les-pins, Cannes, are popular as well and better (sand), if you go further on RN7, St Tropez is very good as well
Note that most beaches do not have clothing restrictions, you may be in for a culture-shock
When you go out in the strong sun with low-humidity, headache is common. Sunscreen-lotion, sunglasses, water can be handy.
2 : Ski - Isola, Auron, Grolieres are some ski-centres. Equipments-rental and Gondola-rides can be expensive
To get, there, best is to rent a car as bus journey can be long and tiresome.
The slopes are beautiful and a whole day can pass in a whisker.
Note : take sunscreen and put on your sunglasses! (Needless to say, gloves, jacket, monkey-cap, thick-socks, wet-pant and good-shoes)
3 : Hikes, mountains .. etc : Riviera is blessed with sea-sun-snow-mountains-forest and city-life. No wonder, its famous worldwide (and expensive)
Places you maybe interested if you're a mountain/nature person: Mont-Blanc (where Homi Bhabha died :( ), Parc Mercantour, Esterel, Vesubie,
Gorges-du-Verdon, etc. Some popular perched villages: Gourdon, St Paul du Vence, Eze
Checkout : http://www.randoxygene.org/
4 : Cities: Nice - Promonade-des-Anglais (road along the beach), Nice-chateau, Parc-Phoenix (plus art museum), Nice-Etoile (mall), City-Centre
Cannes - film-festival, Museums, sand-beach, Palace, Casino
Monaco - Grand-Prix, Masters-Tennis, Palace, Casino, Don't forget to experience the Ferrari-ride on the Monaco-circuit!
There are plenty of other things to see and explore in the Riviera, I guess it is best to do it yourself!
Hope this will for you to start-with .. Cheers!
Bienvenue en France!
========================================
