Cocktail attire please. (Black tie accepted/optional.)
If your invitation says “and Guest” then yes, if not, we would prefer if it were just you.
Yes! Feel free to bring your little ones!
- Make sure your ID & passport are up to date. If you need to get them for the first time or renew, the process can be long, so make sure to allow a few months. - Make sure your vaccinations are up to date - Make sure you will have enough of your prescription medication - Check your health insurance coverage abroad - Make a list of local doctors, clinics, pharmacies & hospitals ahead of time (your insurance carrier can help you with that) - Make a list of emergency phone numbers ahead of time - Notify your bank of your travel plans, so your cards will not be blocked - Get cash in Euros - Check the CDC website for local health-related advisories - Check Travel.state.gov for traveling advisories - Register with your embassy, it will make things easier should you have any issues while traveling - Make pet-sitting arrangements - Book your flight(s), leaving enough time between connecting flights in case of delay - Book your accommodations - Make transportation arrangements - GET EXCITED!!
If you stay less than 90 days you will not need a passport, but you do need a valid passport. If you don't have one or it expires soon, allow yourself a few months to get one. More info: https://us.france.fr/en/holiday-prep/entry-requirements-american-travelers-france
Most US carriers work in France, I would just advise that you speak to them about it ahead of time. Usually it is beneficial to set up some kind of international plan for the time you would be abroad, it would be less expensive than paying overages. I know AT&T offers a $10/day International Day Pass, so I imagine others will offer something similar. Here are just a few: ATT- https://www.att.com/offers/international-plans/europe-caribbean-country-more.html VERIZON- https://www.verizonwireless.com/solutions-and-services/international-travel/ SPRINT- https://support.sprint.com/support/international TMOBILE- https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/roaming
Note: Talk to your cell provider ahead of time about plans they might have for calls & data abroad. To give you an example, AT&T offer an International Day Pass that's $10/day to use your phone just as you would at home: Same data, same amount of minutes & texts. This is worth it! You'll likely be using your data just to use Maps and find your way around. Without this you can quickly get to a very high bill. You will often see phone numbers displayed as such: +33 (0)1 23 45 67 89 1) First you need to dial the international code (011 from the US, 00 otherwise) 2) Dial the country code for France (33) 3) The (0) is optional: skip it if you're calling from abroad, include it if you're calling from France 4) The rest is the phone number Ex: +33 (0) 1 23 45 67 89 Calling from the US: 011-33-1-23-45-67-89 Calling from Europe: 00-33-1-23-45-67-89 Calling from France: 01-23-45-67-89 Here's more on it if you need help: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/phones-tech/call-uk-europe
France uses the Euro. Most places will not accept dollars, but do accept major credit cards. Visa is preferred & accepted just about anywhere, American Express less so. It is advised to get some cash ready. You can exchange dollars for Euros at your local bank or at most airports. Tipping Etiquette: Unlike in the US, restaurants include a 15% service that goes in part to servers. The words "service compris" (tip included) on your bill will indicate that. Prices on the menus are all-inclusive (they reflect the tip & tax.) You can leave a small extra tip for good service but are not obligated. A few cents for a coffee to 1-5€ for lunch or dinner (about 1€ tip for every 20€,) no more. For more information on bank hours, ATM's, tipping practices, etc... visit: - http://us.france.fr/en/information/money-france - https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187070-s606/France:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html
Rent a small car!! Roads are tiny in France. And unless you're incredibly comfortable with a stick shift, I'd rend an automatic, because there are lots of turns, hills, stopping & going. Note: lane sharing is typical in small towns (lol), so if a road is only wide enough for one car, be ready to have one come at you at some point lol. One of you just stops and lets the other one go. For car Rental companies, see the Travel tab. Wondering if. you can use your US driver's license to drive in France? If your are staying less than 90 days, you can drive with a valid US driver's license. You can also get an International Driving Permit from AAA. More info: http://us.france.fr/en/about-france/renting-car-and-driving-france
One can travel in many ways: Plane & TGV train are best if visiting further cities. Otherwise there are buses, trains, taxis, Uber and car rentals. Renting a car is probably the best option, as it allows you the most freedom and is relatively inexpensive. Flying: https://www.ryanair.com TGV: http://www.sncf.com/en/trains/tgv Planes, Trains, Buses: https://www.goeuro.com Trains: http://us.france.fr/en/information/enjoy-france-travel-train-0 Taxis: https://kiwitaxi.com/france Car Rentals: https://www.autoeurope.com Uber: We have yet to try ourselves, so we are unsure of cost and experience, but it is available. Schedule one to pick you up from the airport: https://www.uber.com/airports/nce/ More information can be found in the TRAVEL tab.
The Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport is the closest airport to fly into. It is roughly 15-20 minutes from the Bastide in Antibes (where the renewal is taking place) as well as from village of Saint Paul-de-Vence (where the St Jean celebration will be.) https://en.nice.aeroport.fr
- BRUSSELS International Airport tends to be a cheaper airport to fly into, because it is an end-pof-destination airport, not a connecting airport: https://www.brusselsairport.be/en - DUBLIN often has good deals as well: https://www.dublinairport.com - ICELANDAIR tends to have cheaper flights (but consider the stop in Reykjavik): http://www.icelandair.us/flights/ - The Irish airline AER LINGUS also tends to have good deals if you check periodically: https://www.aerlingus.com/html/en-US/home.html Also see the following articles: - 10 Cheapest Airports to Fly to in Europe: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/hoppercom/10-cheapest-airports-to-f_b_7062526.html - The 25 Cheapest Airports to Fly Into in Europe: http://www.businessinsider.com/cheapest-european-airports-to-fly-into-2015-4 - 23 Cheapest European Cities and Airports to Fly Into (2017): https://www.priceoftravel.com/3468/cheapest-europe-cities-and-airports-to-fly-into/
Since everyone will be coming from various countries, on different days and staying in different cities we encourage everyone to make their own transportation arrangement. More information can be found under the TRAVEL tab.
We encourage everyone to make there own arrangements in regards to accommodations. There are many options within the village as well as in neighboring cities (Vence, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Saint Laurent-du-Var, Nice among others.) We recommend checking AirBnb for a more affordable stay. To find local hotels, check sites for local travel or each city's website. Saint Paul-de-Vence list of hotels: https://www.saint-pauldevence.com/en/accommodation/ More specific information can be found in the TRAVEL tab.
Top 10 Passes, Routes & Trains: https://www.raileurope.com/train-tickets/ Flights, Trains & Buses aggregator: GOEURO https://www.goeuro.com/flights/ Budget Airlines (similar to Spirit): - RYANAIR: https://www.ryanair.com/gb/en/ - EASYJET: http://www.easyjet.com/us/cheap-flights Trains: - EUROSTAR: https://www.eurostar.com/us-en/ - RAILEUROPE: https://www.raileurope.com/ - EURAIL: https://www.eurail.com/en/ - TRAINLINE: https://www.trainline.eu/ - TGV / High Speed Train: http://www.sncf.com/en/trains/tgv
The South of France in June is warm, with temperatures in the high 70's and doesn't see much rain. For more specific information closer to the date, please check: http://www.meteofrance.com/accueil
While there are no travel notices for France or Europe at the moment, we encourage you to check the CDC website before your travels: https://www.cdc.gov CDC Health Information for France: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/france?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001 CDC Tips for Traveling: https://www.cdc.gov/features/vaccines-travel/index.html
According to the CDC, food and water standards in France are similar to those in the United States. Most travelers do not need to take special food or water precautions beyond what they normally do at home. In small villages, outdoor water fountains are available. Please make sure to only drink water accompanied by a "potable" sign. If traveling to other European countries, please check the CDC for more information on their water.
While France is not an unsafe place, it is recommended to always be vigilant with yourself and your belongings. Don't wear overly expensive things, and don't leave your belongings unattended. Unfortunately theft does occur, so if eating outdoor at a café or restaurant, don't leave any bag, purse, wallet or phone on the table or in a nearby chair. To stay up to date with travel alerts for Europe, please visit: https://fr.usembassy.gov/europe-travel-alert
For information on getting or renewing your passport, travel complaints & issues and other resources, please visit https://www.usa.gov/travel-abroad
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/your-health-abroad.html
https://fr.usembassy.gov
For lost or stolen passport and other traveling emergencies: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies.html
Weather, shops, ATM's, banks, post office, public bathrooms, parking, taxis, emergency services, doctors & clinics: https://www.saint-pauldevence.com/en/practical-information/
Use http://us.france.fr as a resource during your travels.
Fire Department: 18 European emergency services from a mobile phone: 112 Emergency medical assistance: 15 Poison control center: +33 (0)4 91 75 25 25 Police: 17 Saint Paul police station: +33 (0)4 93 32 41 41, M-F 9am-4pm or +33 (0)6 07 01 10 82 everyday from 8am to 6pm. After 6pm, contact Vence police: +33 (0)4 93 58 03 20 Doctors in Saint-Paul: Doctors Jean, Lafforgue & Szepetowski - Tel. +33 (0)4 93 32 98 26 Doctor Feuillade - Tel. +33 (0)4 93 32 80 20 Doctor Larcher - Tel. +33 (0)4 93 32 70 32 Dentist: Doctor Durant - Tel. 04 93 32 18 51 Masseuse/Physiotherapist : Mrs Medard-Callot - Tel. +33 (0)4 93 58 30 83 Closest clinic: Saint-Jean à Cagnes-sur-Mer, 24/7: +33 (0)4 92 13 53 33 Pharmacist in Saint-Paul: M-F from 8.30am-12.30pm and 2.30pm-7.30pm. Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm and 2.30pm-7pm. Tel. +33 (0)4 93 32 80 78 - www.virtualpharmacie.com