France is the world’s top destination for tourists as well as a major destination for foreign students, workers, and expatriates from all over the world. An unfortunate but significant number of these visitors may get sick at some point in their stay.

As any long-term resident of France will tell you, the French have an excellent and affordable healthcare system that even extends many of its benefits to visitors as well. However, they do things quite differently compared to most Anglophone nations. Here’s what you should do in case you find yourself ill during a trip to France.

Know where to get help

Assuming you have a limited grasp of French, here are a few options you can try, depending on your confidence in communicating in French, as well as your level of access.

1.) Your Embassy – Your embassy will typically have a list of doctors and other medical professionals who you could contact for this situation. Assuming your embassy did their job properly, these contacts may be able to communicate with you in a language you know.

2.) Your hotel concierge/host – If you’re staying in a hotel, the concierge should have access to a list of doctors. Depending on how fancy or detail-oriented the hotel is, they may even know a doctor who can speak your language.

If you’re not staying in a hotel, your host or landlord should be able to help you out in some way,

3.) Tourism offices/Police stations – if you spot a tourism office, you should give them a try, as they will typically also have a list of doctors on hand. Police stations should also be able to help, but you wouldn’t want to try that unless you’re seriously ill or have an accident.

4.) The “Pages Jaunes” – French people consult their own version of the Yellow Pages for medical emergencies, as many doctors advertise here. Check out the Pages Jaunes and type in “Médecin” (doctor) in the “Quo, qui?” field, and your city in the second field. Check off the box that says “à proximité” to search for doctors nearest to you. The next page should prompt you to choose what type of doctor you need. Choose “medecins generalistes” for a general practitioner or pick a relevant specialist here.

Go to a “Pharmacie” for less serious cases

In contrast to most Anglophone countries, the French typically have Pharmacies almost everywhere. And they’re not exactly like the pharmacies that you’re used to. Pharmacists in France do all the things that pharmacists (chemists, if you’re British) in other countries do. However, they have the qualifications to diagnose medical conditions as well as give out medical advice. The way the healthcare system in France is structured makes the ubiquitous Pharmacie the first stop for all sorts of ailments, ranging from the common cold to food poisoning.

Use Google Translate if necessary

Google translate may not be perfect, but if you’re an English speaker, it’s actually pretty good when translating symptoms and such into French. You will want a doctor who can actually understand English or better yet, your own language, but if nothing else, Google translate will do.

Know how much you might have to pay

Fortunately, healthcare in France is not as expensive as it is in many other developed countries. If you have the “La Carte Vitale” – the French National Insurance card, you may be charged very little, or even nothing. However, even without a card, going to a doctor will cost you the equivalent of €23- €60, which is dirt cheap if you’re going by American standards.

In addition to La Carte Vitale, the French healthcare system also accepts a wide range of 3^rd party insurance services, from local “une mutuelle” to international health insurance providers such as from Now Health International. Even with the low cost of medical care in France, having international insurance is still advised for travelers in any case, as even with the low-cost healthcare, being ill could still leave a huge dent in your bank account.

We hope you don’t actually end up being sick in a foreign country, as the experience can be harrowing and confusing, regardless of how well-developed their healthcare system is. That said, we hope this short guide could be of some help, should the worst happen on your trip to France.

The post What You Should Do if You Get Sick in France appeared first on The Good Life France.

Every European country has its own rich history and culture, making a continental tour one of those once-in-a-lifetime treks you’ll relive at dinner tables for years to come.

However, pack the wrong stuff and you’ll find yourself recounting tales of inconvenience, irritation and downright frustration. That’s why we’ve pulled together this essentials list of things you can’t afford to leave behind.

First-off, unless you’re planning a very naturist approach to travelling, picking the right clothes should be at the very top of your to do list. As any trekker will tell you, uncomfortable or inappropriate clothing can be anything from mildly annoying to genuinely dangerous in harsh weather conditions.

The time of year and particular locations you’re going to will inevitably have an impact, yet during all seasons you need to make sure you stay warm at night and when in places of high altitude. This is why a water-resistant jacket and lightweight fleece are vital to have on you, alongside a scarf and hat. It’s worth bringing two pairs of gloves in case one gets wet.

For the rest of your clothes, bear in mind that cotton and nylon blends tend to dry quicker, a useful asset given that you’ll want to carry as few items as possible. Try to pick tops and trousers that are also adaptable: for instance, long sleeve shirts that roll up easily can double up as short-sleeves for hotter climates, whereas light trousers with zips can become shorts. Avoid jeans altogether, they’re too heavy and dry very slowly.

When it comes to money, although not everyone uses Euros it’s still best to keep your currency in them, as all countries will be able to exchange them if necessary. Most importantly, get a money belt or neck wallet to put them in and keep the pouch hidden under your shirt – security concerns aside, it brings you peace of mind as well.

For documents, your passport is still worth having even if you’re staying within the Schengen area, as the rules could change at a moment’s notice. Alongside this a driver’s licence, student ID, hostel membership card and extra passport photos are all worth bringing.

One vital document you cannot leave behind is your European Health Insurance Card, which enables you access to state-provided care at a reduced or free cost within the European Economic Area. No one thinks they’ll fall ill when they begin their journey, but you have to be prepared just in case.

When it comes to toiletries, you don’t need to be told to get your toothpaste, shampoo and other usual products in order. However, it’s worth branching out with some common medicines and vitamins, as well as a first aid kit in case you come unstuck in the wild. A sewing kit also becomes incredibly handy when clothes get ripped, whereas a washing line will be a Godsend when you’ve run out of radiator space.

Of course these are just your essentials – there will be more things to take that could be useful at given times. But always remember that everything in that backpack needs to be carried across an entire continent. As far as you can, keep it as light as possible.

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France is a beautiful country full of exceptional wonder and beauty. For many of us, it’s right on our doorstep as members of the EU, and for everyone else it’s well worth the trip. The only problem with international travel is that if you forget something, it’s much harder to go home and pick it up. Preparedness is key to ensuring that you have the perfect trip you’re looking for. With that in mind, here are some of the essentials you need when travelling to France.

Passport
Your passport is obviously the number one thing you simply cannot forget. You can’t leave your country without it and you can’t get into France if you lose it. Remember that most passports are only good for 10 years, and that it can take some time to get a new one if yours is out of dates. Make sure that your passport is still valid, and that you keep it on your person. You don’t need to worry about taking your passport with you while out and about in France – if you want to keep it safe when out and about, simply ask to leave it at the hotel’s reception when you leave for the day.

Tickets & reservations
Your tickets are obviously very important too. If you’re in the UK you’ll have a choice of plane, ferry or train, helping you keep your options open as to how you get to France. If you’re travelling from further afield you may need book your flights further in advance to ensure that you can travel when you want to. Remember to book your hotels in advance too – Paris, like all major cities, can book up fairly quickly.

Your car insurance (if you’re driving)
If you’re driving a car registered in the UK or the EU, you need to make sure that you have your national car insurance certificate with you should the worst happen. Just make sure that your insurance provider covers you for accidents abroad. If you’re travelling to France from a non-EU country you may need a green card. Make sure you look into this before you travel if you’re looking to hire a car or drive in France.

Euros, chargers and a champagne stopper
The Euro, as you may know, is the currency used in France. While you’re getting your Euros there are a couple of other things you may want to grab, such as a travel adaptor and a guide book. There are plenty of apps you can get offering guides, tours and maps too, so don’t forget to check! One thing to remember is that in France you have access to a plentiful supply of cheap champagne. If champagne is your thing, don’t forget to bring a champagne stopper in your luggage.

Medication
People get sick – that’s just a fact of life. If you find yourself prone to headaches, diarrhoea, hayfever or anything else you would normally take medication for, it’s a good idea to stock up on these before you leave. It’s better to have a not need, than need and have to head to a foreign pharmacy and test your French while you’re ill.

EHIC
As a European in Europe, an EHIC is utterly indispensable when it comes to emergency healthcare. Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will allow you access to state-funded healthcare, potentially saving you a lot of money should an accident befall you. Your EHIC is also very important when it comes to extreme sports, too. If you’re off skiing, snowboarding or rock climbing in France, you will probably find that your private health insurance states that you need a valid EHIC in order for you to be fully covered. Find out how to apply for an EU health card here.

A sense of adventure
Whether you’re heading to the Louvre or relaxing on a beach in Biarritz, a sense of adventure is a must. With everything else taken care of, it’s time to make your final preparations. Pack your bags, write up your itinerary and get ready for your travels to France. Bon voyage!

The post The Essentials Needed on your Travels to France appeared first on The Good Life France.

However following the UK vote to leave the EU (BREXIT) the EHIC card has been replaced with a GHIC Card.

GHIC CARD

A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the European Union (EU). If you are British and travelling to France or the EU you will need to have travel insurance with medical cover as the GHIC card will not cover all treatments and healthcare, but it will cover emergency treatment and visits to A&E. Each family member must have their own GHIC. You can apply online and there is no fee. There are companies which claim to assist you with your application for a fee – this is not necessary. You can apply online via the UK NHS website here: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/

Note: You do not have to apply for a GHIC card if your old EHIC card is still valid.

New EHIC card

Some people are eligible for a new UK-issued EHIC card if they are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. For instance UK state pensioners living in Europe pre-Brexit. The details are on the website mentioned above.

If you become a resident of France and register with the French national health service – you will be entitled to a European Health Insurance Card which will cover you if you visit other European Economic Area countries including the UK. This also is not an alternative to travel insurance .

How to find a Doctor in France

How to find a Hospital in France

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If you are a foreigner in France you may need to know how to find a doctor in France. If you have private healthcare or home state cover such as Emergency Insurance Health Card (EHIC, UK), the cost of visiting a doctor may be reimbursed – you must keep all the paperwork to ensure this.

There are English-speaking doctors, dentists and opticians in most large cities and as English is taught in schools you’ll usually find that even in rural areas a little English is spoken.

There are several ways to find a doctor in France – your neighbours will normally happily recommend a local doctor as will the local pharmacy and the staff at the town hall. You can also search in the French yellow pages for your area – Pages Jaunes – in the key word section “Quoi, Qui” type in “médécin” and specify the area where you are searching.

You can also use the L’Assurance Maladie website – it is in French but easy to use. Click on the section “un professional de santé” (health professional), in the section marked “Profession” type “medecin generaliste” (General Practitioner) and in the section marked “Ou?” (Where) type your post code or the town name. Click “Rechercher” (Find) to get results. Note that if you type in the name of a small town with no doctor the site will return no results – in that case it is necessary to put in the post code and then the site will return the nearest results.

A standard visit to the Doctor is around 22 Euros and usually you pay the doctor directly in cash or by cheque (French banks only) – they generally do not take credit cards. You should not have to wait long to see a doctor – often an appointment will be made the same day. There is no paperwork to fill in – the Doctor will ask basic details such as your name, age and address which is needed for him/her to complete a prescription.

If you need a home visit this can be arranged.  If you are on holiday and need a doctor ask at the hotel, holiday site or a neighbour etc. to give you details or to call a local doctor.  You will have to pay for the visit but if you have private healthcare of home state emergency medical cover you will get reimbursed the same as for a surgery visit.

If the Doctor prescribes medicine, make sure that you retain your copy of the prescription (ordonnance) for reimbursement. The rate that you are recompensed varies according to the type of medicine.

Doctors are not allowed to advertise in France, including whether they speak English or not but you can just call the Doctor’s surgery and ask if they speak English if it is important.

Helpful medical terms to assist you at the Doctor’s surgery/office.

How to register with a Doctor in France

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