FAQ

Who is the current French Ambassador to the UK ?


- Maurice GOURDAULT-MONTAGNE, is the current French Ambassador to the UK.

Finding out about France from A to Z


- See our rubrique France from A to Z.

French government composition


- See the prime minister website : www.premier-ministre.gouv.fr

Analysing and commenting the British press.


The Press Department analyses news and comment in the British press, on the radio and television, passing anything on to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Going to France


The Maison de la France is the French Tourist office in London.

Info on France


Label France is a free magazine available in both French and English which provides general information on France.

Agence intergouvernementale de la Francophonie

Further information

Douane


KINGSGATE HOUSE
5TH FLOOR
115 HIGH HOLBORN
London WC1V 6JJ
Royaume-Uni
Tel : 020 7831 01 42
Fax : 020 7831 21 43
Mail :-
Further information on www.douane.gouv.fr

public holidays and bank holidays in France

Vist www.almanach.free.fr

Requirements to introduce cats and dogs from the United Kingdom.

Formalities are as follows:

- Introduction of dogs and cats is limited to 3 animals,
- If the animals are not inoculated against rabies, a certificate delivered by a veterinarian must be produced, attesting:

  • the identification of the animals,
  • that these animals show no clinical sign of disease, especially contagious disease of the breed, and
  • that they have stayed indeed at least 6 months continuously before their departure, or since their birth, in the United Kingdom,
    - If the animals are inoculated against rabies, they must be accompanied:
  • by a valid certificate of anti rabies inoculation, and
  • by a certificate, delivered by a veterinarian, attesting the identification of the animal (tattoo or chip) and that they show no clinical sign of disease, especially contagious disease of the breed.

Further information

Further information on www.douane.gouv.fr

PACS

WHAT IS THE PACS ?

The PACS is a contract drawn up between two persons over the age of 18, of different or same sex, in order to organize their life together. It gives rise to rights and obligations for both partners, particularly in regard to "mutual and material assistance".

For more information, please visit the following websites :

- ministère de la Justice
- Service-public.fr (mot-clé : PACS)

VISA

Check if you need a visa issued by the French Consulate General in London:

- Do you need a visa and how long will it take to obtain it?
- Do you need a visa from the French Consulate General?

To find out which visa you require, the procedure to follow and the visa application fee:

- Different types of visa issued by the French Consulate General and how to apply
- Application forms and «parental authorization for a minor to travel»
- Visa application fee

Further information:

- What is a Schengen visa?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact us in London
- Contact us in Edinburgh

Attention : To apply for a visa in London, you must either:

- Book an appointment :

Only applicants with booked appointments will be admitted within the Consulate to apply for their visas.

- Or, if you live outside Greater London, you may send all your documents by post ( please allow several weeks for the processing of your application).

Further information on the procedure to follow and the counties accepted via postal application

Can I use my Schengen visa, issued by the French Consulate, to travel to Spain?

A Schengen visa allows its holder to travel freely within the Schengen Space. So, as long as you were granted a multiple entry Schengen visa and that it is still valid, you may travel to the other Schengen countries. However, please note that you should always apply at the consulate of your main destination, so ensure you do travel to France with the Schengen visa the French Consulate has issued you.

Why does it take so long for some nationalities to obtain their Schengen visas?

Before issuing a Schengen visa, the French Consulate General must consult the other Schengen partners. Applications are forwarded to France for this consultation, a lengthy but compulsory procedure.

Passport/Visa

My British residency is not stamped onto my passport. Is it a problem?

The French Consulate General follows the international practice and will therefore not issued visas to passeports not holding the requisite stamp.

Travel insurance/Visa

Can I use the E111 form, issued by the N.H.S., in lieu of the medical travel insurance?

The E111 form is not valid for non EEA nationals even if they are resident in the UK. You must therefore provide an individual private travel insurance, which covers all eventual hospital (medical) repatriation costs. Be advised that the insurance must cover the duration of the requested visa.

Therefore if you take out a cover valid for 4 says, your visa will be of 4 days.

Where can I purchase a medical travel insurance ?

Eurostar, ACE Europe, Royal Mail post office, etc. The French Consulate General only accepts travel insurance packages issued by recognised companies.

President of the Republic

The Head of State is elected for a five-year term by direct universal suffrage. Jacques Chirac was re-elected the sixth President of the Fifth Republic on May 5, 2002.

The President of the Republic appoints the Prime Minister and, on the latter’s recommendation, appoints the other members of the Government (article 8 of the Constitution). He presides over the Council of Ministers, promulgates Acts of Parliament and is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. He may dissolve the National Assembly and in an emergency exercise special powers (article 16).

www.elysee.fr

Prime Minister and government

Under the direction of the Prime Minister, the government sets national policy and carries it out. It is answerable to Parliament (article 20). The Prime Minister directs the operation of the government and ensures the implementation of legislation (article 21).
www.premier-ministre.gouv.fr

Parliament

Parliament is formed of two assemblies:

- The National Assembly comprises 577 deputies divided into the following groups since the general election of June 9 and June 16, 2002.

Members of the National Assembly (deputies), are elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year term. The most recent general election was held in June 2002.
www.assemblee-nationale.fr

- The Senate, elected for a nine-year term by indirect universal suffrage, with one third renewed every three years. The last election took place in September 2001

In addition to providing a check on the government, the two assemblies draw up and pass legislation. In the case of disagreement on a law the National Assembly makes the final decision.
www.senat.fr

Constitutional Council

The Constitutional Council, composed of nine members, is responsible in particular for overseeing the proper functioning of elections and for ruling on the constitutionality of organic laws and legislation submitted to it.
www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr

Judicial system

The "guardian of individual liberty" (article 66 of the Constitution), the French legal system is organized on the basis of a fundamental distinction between civil courts, with jurisdiction in disputes between private individuals or bodies, and administrative courts, with jurisdiction in all cases involving some form of dispute between a private individual or body (company, association, etc.) and a public body.

www.justice.gouv.fr

The Conseil d’Etat

is the supreme administrative court and court of final appeal on the legality of administrative acts. It advises the government on draft legislation.
www.conseil-etat.fr

A selection of government websites - Relevant Links

- Présidence de la République (http://www.elysee.fr)
- Premier Ministre (http://www.premier-ministre.gouv.fr)
- Ministère des Affaires étrangères (http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr)
- Ministère de l’Agriculture et de la Pêche (http://www.agriculture.gouv.fr)
- Ministère de l’Economie, des Finances (http://www.finances.gouv.fr)
- Ministère de l’Education nationale, de la Recherche (http://www.education.gouv.fr)
- Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication (http://www.culture.fr)
- Ministère de la Jeunesse et des Sports (http://www.jeunesse-sports.gouv.fr)
- Secrétariat d’’Etat à l’Outre-mer (http://www.outre-mer.gouv.fr)
- Maison de la France Direction du Tourisme (http://www.franceguide.com)
- Assemblée nationale (http://www.assemblee-nat.fr)
- Sénat (http://www.senat.fr)
- Admifrance (http://www.service-public.fr)
- List of local authorities websites (http://www.senat.fr/local.html)
- L’institut national de la statistique (http://www.insee.fr)
- Legifrance (http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr)
- Government action programme for the information society (http://www.internet.gouv.fr)