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Welcome To France

Now you're here, there are things you'll need to know.

LANGUAGES

Private tutors are available: Look for information on supermarket notice boards or ask at your local Mairie. The Association offers a group course in Confolens for members covering different levels of ability. For members we can also provide a list of tutors.

UTILITIES

As of 2007 there is no competition amongst utility companies. The market is opening up so look out for up to date information.

ELECTRICITY

Is supplied by EDF. When you buy a house, check the power input coming into the house. Tariffs vary depending on the input and many ex-holiday homes will have the lowest possible input. This may mean the fuse will blow if you overload the circuit. EDF offer several different tariffs based on the level of power input:

Tarif Blue is split into Option Base (same price day and night) and Heures Creuses for which you can select your own 8 hour daily off peak period.
Tempo is designed to encourage users to conserve electricity when demand is high. You can only have this tariff if you have alternative forms of heating and cooking

GAS

Is supplied by GDF: Town gas is not readily available. Most gas cookers will operate on bottled gas.

Emergencies

These unwanted occurances can happen anytime. Take a look at our EMERGENCIES page

WATER

All water is metered: Ask at your Mairie to determine who needs your information for billing purposes. Bills are received twice a year but the meter is read only once and any over-under estimations are corrected.

TELEPHONE

France Telecom is the only provider of telephone lines. There are other options for call charges. Choose the one that is best for you.

BROADBAND

ADSL is now available in most areas.

	English link to Electricity supplier in France
	English link to Natural Gas supplier in France
	English link to Water supplier in France
	English link to Telephone line supplier in France
	Compare different telephone/internet/mobile providers

DISCLAIMER: We are a voluntary group and carry out our own research and as such accept no responsibility for any information contained within this site . We also do not accept responsibility or liability for any web site accessed via a hypertext link from this web site as the content, accuracy and opinions expressed in such web sites are not checked, monitored or endorsed by us. Please also note that information given may be accurate and correct for one department but not for another - even if they are neighbouring departments.