Things to Do Paris

Posted on Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Montmartre, Latin Quarter

Try a walking tour of the Montmartre district, where artists such as Picasso, Monet, and Van Gogh worked. Your Local Host can suggest other intriguing walking tours of areas such as the Latin Quarter, the fashion district, or where to find the graves of Jim Morrison and Chopin in the Père Lachaise Cemetery.

Sacré-Coeur

While in Montmartre, visit the Sacré-Coeur (Sacred Heart). This pristine, white-stone church was proposed as a memorial to the soldiers killed in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, but it was not completed until the end of World War I. The church features one of the world's largest mosaics, which depicts Christ with outstretched arms, and a massive 19-ton church bell. Enjoy wonderful views of Paris from the Sacré-Coeur steps.

Musée d’Orsay

Stroll through centuries of artwork at the Musée d’Orsay, which houses an extensive collection of impressionist masterpieces by Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Cezanne. You can also admire Rodin’s statues, and do not miss the spectacular reception room.

Sainte-Chapelle

Fifteen intricately designed panels of stained glass—commissioned by Louis IX— depict 1,100 story-telling scenes.

Jardin du Luxembourg, Parc du Champ de Mars

Families may like to take a stroll in one of the famous parks and take a whirl on their charming carousels. You can also see the “pétanque” players, or sit on one of the “so typical” Parisian green chairs.

Seine Bridges

Find your favorite bridge. There are 37, and they are all different—from plain to gilded and from new to over 400 years old. The special atmosphere they create across the Seine River helps to make Paris one of the most romantic cities.

Shakespeare and Company Bookstore

In the Roaring 20s, this quirky bookstore on the Bohemian Left Bank was the meeting place for some of literature's greats—like Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Joyce to name a few. It continues to serve as a cultural magnet for struggling writers and visitors alike.

Markets

Ask your Local Host how to get to the flea market for affordable objects d’art, or visit one of the food markets. The French know how to turn food display into an art form. See rainbows of fresh fruit and vegetables, soft palettes of bread, and colossal wheels of cheese—France has over 400 varieties of cheese. And when you're ready for dessert, specialty stores abound—from tarts and pastries to crêpes and pains au chocolat. Other specialties to try include onion soup with a fresh baguette, coq au vin (a classic chicken dish), croquet monsieur, quiche Lorraine, escargot, steak-frites, and famous French wines and champagne.

Champs-Elysées, Shopping

Shop at haute couture boutiques by the Champs-Elysées. Perfumes and scarves are classic gifts, as well as French berets, lace, collection dolls, and pottery. Use your included specially arranged discounts at the famous Galeries Lafayette, or check out the Printemps department store.

Cafés

When you’re ready for a break, join the locals at one of the cafés, sip a glass of wine or a café au lait (hot milk coffee), and watch the world go by in true Parisian style.

Loire Valley France

Posted on Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Travel through the Loire Valley in France and you will discover lush, rolling countryside that enchanted kings and nobels for centuries.  Discover the many cathedrals, chateaux and museums. History is everywhere, as is a realm of mystery and romance. Wines from the Loire Valley are among the best produced in France.

Tax-Free Shopping in France

Posted on Thursday, July 30, 2009

Key Information:

- Receive up to a 12%* discount on your Shopping in France !
- Minimum spending amount (VAT included) = 175.01 €
- The VAT rate = 16.38 % 
- The refund amount is the VAT less an administration fee = around 12 %
- Maximum time from check being issued to validation by customs = 3 months

A refund in 3 easy steps

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1. Shopping
Shop where you see the Global Refund Tax-Free sign and simply ask for your Tax Refund check.
2. Through customs
Show your purchases, receipts and passport at the border, then have your Global Refund check stamped.
3. Refunding
Mail back your stamped check to Global Refund for direct crediting to your bank account or credit card. You can also collect your refund in cash at a nearby Refund Office.

For most of goods, you pay a 16.38 % tax on the purchases you make. Some goods, such as books, have only 5.21 % taxes levied, and antiques have a special rate also. As a visitor residing outside the European Union, you are entitled to claim back the tax if you spend more than 175.01 Euros per day in the same shop and export the goods to your home country.

The goods have to be exported within three months plus the month of purchase, and your refund check returned within six months after the purchase. So, for instance, if you buy goods on June 6th, you have to have your export validated no later than September 30th, and returned no later than December 6th.

Your refund is calculated by deducting handling charges from the total VAT amount, which is usually around 12 to 13 % of the total purchase amount.

Global Refund is offering several possibilities to receive your refund.

Questions & answers

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Below you will find the most frequently asked questions and answers. Hopefully they will give you the information you need.

Who is entitled to Tax Free?
As a foreign visitor you can get a VAT/GST refund on purchases you export from the country you are visiting. To be entitled to a VAT refund within the European Union (EU), you have to reside outside of the Union more than six moths a year.

The following countries are members of the EU: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom.

Do I always need to get my goods export validated?

Yes, in order to obtain refund on purchased goods you have to prove your exportation with a customs stamp on your Global Refund check. Show your purchases, receipts and Global Refund Check to customs officials before leaving the country, and have your form stamped. When travelling within the EU, show your purchases and documents to customs officials in the last EU country you visit before leaving Europe.

When leaving by train, road or sea, show your purchases and documents to customs officials at the border or when you board.

When should I arrive at the airport to have time to get my export validated?
2 hours before you board.

Where should I get my export validated if I leave European Union by car?
Contact customs at the last border point when leaving the EU. For example, atthe border between Poland and Belarus, or Finland/the Baltic states and Russia.

Where can I get my refund?
You will receive your refund in the way that is most convenient for you. We pay out in cash, directly credit a credit card, transfer money to a bank account, or send a bank check.
Cash is paid out immediately at the airport of departure or later by one of Global Refund Offices.

How do I know if the store provides Global Refund Tax-Free service?
Please look for our well known “TAX FREE” logo in the window or ask the staff in the store for help and information.

Don’t forget to have your Check stamped by Customs at the final point of departure from the European Union (EU)!

About Global Refund

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Online Check Tracking
Global Refund Check Tracking allows you to track your mail-returned VAT refund during the payment process. The refund check is traceable in the system 4 weeks after arrival at Global Refund. You can track your payment at www.globalrefund.com.

There are more than 10,000 stores affiliated with the Tax Free service throughout France. These stores display the Tax Free logo, and their staffs have been trained to offer you the best tax free service. In Paris, you can also find affiliated shops in our unique Shopping Guide, distributed in many places.

To receive the guide, please contact: taxfree@globalrefund.com
For any other information visit: www.globalrefund.com

Information obtained from the FranceGuide Official website of the French Tourist Office

France Travel Tips and Information

Posted on Wednesday, June 24, 2009

From the beautiful Dordogne to the Chateaux of the Loire, or the romance of Paris to the grandeur of the Alps, France is one of the worlds truly must-see-destinations. A country steeped in history, you will experience medieval castles, incredible food and wine and some of the best mountain scenery in Europe. A visit to France will fill amaze and delight in equal measure, and provide memories for a lifetime.

Weather:

Northern France enjoys a temperate summertime climate. In the Northeast, the Auvergne, Burgundy and Rhone Valley the climate is more ‘continental’, with warm summers and colder winters. The southern half of the country enjoys a Mediterranean climate all year round, with hot to very hot summers and mild winters. Very strong winds (such as the Mistral) can occur throughout the entire region. The Atlantic influences the climate of the western coastal areas from the Loire to the Basque region; the weather is temperate and relatively mild with rainfall distributed throughout the year. The French slopes of the Pyrenees are warm and sunny in the height of spring to late summer.

Best Time to Travel:

France is at its best time in spring and autumn, weather-wise. Peak season is July and August, when many French citizens go on holidays to beach resorts in France and the rest of Europe, businesses close, including museums and restaurants during this period. 

Additional Tips:

An adaptor is recommended...plus with 2 round pins are the most common @ 220 volts.

You can get around in France by taxi, bicycle, train, and it is a great city for walking.

Email is easily found in Paris in various internet cafes and shops. In smaller towns throughout France, each post office has a terminal available to the public.

Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle is located 14 miles northest of Paris. Because of traffic, a taxi to the ity center will take around 45 minutes, and will cost approximately 32 Euro.

Bordeaux Airport is located 7.5 miles from Bordeaux. Over 50 taxis are always available at the airport. The airport can also be reached via shuttle bus. Jet Bus operates a service from Bordeaux city center to the airport (about 40 minutes with stops).

The International dialing code for France is +33