Most shops including supermarkets are usually closed on Sundays and feast days like Bastille Day, Pentecost etc. However some shops may be open on Sunday morning depending where you are.
Small supermarkets are often open in the morning.
Some larger ones are now starting to open for the whole of Sunday.
In small towns Restaurants and Bars are one and the same venue and can close as early as 7pm
Don't forget France is no smoking in bars etc.
HypermarchÇs do not sell tobacco products; only a tabac can do that.
All shops will be fully closed on Mondays except supermarkets and bakers.
All shops are closed at lunch time between 12.00 and 15.00 but again this can vary. Large supermarkets are always open at lunch time but may be inhabited by Brits!
Campsite offices may be closed during this period too. Its usually OK though to put your van on on an 'emplacement' during this period providing you can get through the barrier.
Some filling stations are shut on Sundays, but all are open on Autoroutes.
Restaurants are often closed on Tuesday evening and the whole of Wednesday! They usually have at least a day and a half off during the week.
Bars in towns will possibly stay open in the late evening but not usually after 22.00 hrs.
Schools often close on Wednesday afternoon and are open on Saturday mornings.
Times of openings of shops are usually posted outside them - look for the word 'Horaires'.And from July to the beginning of September this all goes to pot, as many of them are taking their 'CongÇs annuels' or Summer holidays.
Most supermarkets open Sunday mornings until 12.30. Some are closed on Monday mornings.
Hypermarkets do not open Sundays as the law prevents them so doing. However, there are limited exceptions in holiday areas and at Christmas.
French "Bank holidays", (jours fÇriÇs), are not restricted and many Hypers now open on those days. Hyper is any floor plan larger then 3000sq,M.
Bakers are required to close one day a week. (fermeture hebdomadaire).
Many shops close from 12.30 until 14.00 for lunch. (15.00 in the south where it's hotter)
If paying by credit/debit card do not make payment in sterling, Insist on payment in euros, your bank will always give you the best rate of exchange.
Travellers' cheques are now virtually unacceptable or attract a hefty fee. Avoid them if possible.
French petrol stations are now beginning to accept U.K. cards in the automatic pumps. Not everywhere but spreading slowly.
All autoroute tolls accept U.K. cards.
Any other amendments will gratefully be included.
Small supermarkets are often open in the morning.
Some larger ones are now starting to open for the whole of Sunday.
In small towns Restaurants and Bars are one and the same venue and can close as early as 7pm
Don't forget France is no smoking in bars etc.
HypermarchÇs do not sell tobacco products; only a tabac can do that.
All shops will be fully closed on Mondays except supermarkets and bakers.
All shops are closed at lunch time between 12.00 and 15.00 but again this can vary. Large supermarkets are always open at lunch time but may be inhabited by Brits!
Campsite offices may be closed during this period too. Its usually OK though to put your van on on an 'emplacement' during this period providing you can get through the barrier.
Some filling stations are shut on Sundays, but all are open on Autoroutes.
Restaurants are often closed on Tuesday evening and the whole of Wednesday! They usually have at least a day and a half off during the week.
Bars in towns will possibly stay open in the late evening but not usually after 22.00 hrs.
Schools often close on Wednesday afternoon and are open on Saturday mornings.
Times of openings of shops are usually posted outside them - look for the word 'Horaires'.And from July to the beginning of September this all goes to pot, as many of them are taking their 'CongÇs annuels' or Summer holidays.
Most supermarkets open Sunday mornings until 12.30. Some are closed on Monday mornings.
Hypermarkets do not open Sundays as the law prevents them so doing. However, there are limited exceptions in holiday areas and at Christmas.
French "Bank holidays", (jours fÇriÇs), are not restricted and many Hypers now open on those days. Hyper is any floor plan larger then 3000sq,M.
Bakers are required to close one day a week. (fermeture hebdomadaire).
Many shops close from 12.30 until 14.00 for lunch. (15.00 in the south where it's hotter)
If paying by credit/debit card do not make payment in sterling, Insist on payment in euros, your bank will always give you the best rate of exchange.
Travellers' cheques are now virtually unacceptable or attract a hefty fee. Avoid them if possible.
French petrol stations are now beginning to accept U.K. cards in the automatic pumps. Not everywhere but spreading slowly.
All autoroute tolls accept U.K. cards.
Any other amendments will gratefully be included.
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