Taxi Tele (05 56 96 00 34).
Getting Around
By Tram
The Tramway snakes throughout the city and is accessible from any stop along the tracks. This is the cheapest and most convenient way to get around Bordeaux via public transportation, as the trams run to each stop every five mins or so.
By Bus
Buses depart from Reseau TransGironde and run to many smaller vineyard towns neighboring Bordeaux which is the quickest way to get from the city to wine country. Bus stops and schedules are somewhat tricky within Bordeaux, so your best bet is to double check with the Tourist Office.
By Taxi
Taxi Tele (05 56 96 00 34).
By Foot
Bordeaux isn’t a huge city, but it can take a toll on your energy if you try to tackle the whole thing on foot. Make use of the tram system to expedite longer walks, but if need be, nothing is out of walking distance.
During the summer months tourists swarm to the south of France to escape the monotony of city life and bathe in the Mediterranean. While the French Riviera was once a pleasant escape from the crowds of bigger cities, it has become more and more crowded with international tourists with each passing year. Biarritz, however, is slightly different than the Riviera in this sense. Biarritz, the ritzy resort town on the southwestern coast of France, is more of a vacation getaway for French natives looking to relax amidst a crowd that’s primarily made up of their fellow countrymen. The international tourists in this area generally end up in San Sebastian, the Spanish beach town a few miles to the south. Therefore, much to the delight of the Biarritz regulars, this beach town remains relatively unspoiled by outsiders.
If you don’t let the somewhat unwelcoming natives ruin your mood, Biarritz is just about as close as you can get to paradise. The town is the surfing capital of France, and the epic wave breaks make the sandy beaches wildly entertaining. If you ever leave the beach, Biarritz boasts several excellent restaurants as well as a waterfront casino in case you haven’t wasted all your money on alcohol yet. Ultimately, head to Biarritz if you’re looking for a French beach town without the stereotypically American Americans that you’ll find along the Riviera.
SIGHTS
VIRGIN ON THE ROCK
SCULPTURE
Rocher de la Vierge
The Virgin on the Rock is a small sculpture of the Virgin Mary. On a rock. Surprise! The sculpture was allegedly commissioned by Napoleon, who also ordered that the rock on which the sculpture is perched to hollowed out to allow people to pass through to witness the sculpture from both sides. The rock sits in the middle of the water and is only accessible by what was once a swinging wooden bridge but has since been replaced by a metal footbridge built by the same architect who designed the Eiffel Tower.
Hotels along Southwestern France put the “Ritz” in “Biarritz,” and if you’re vaguely fluent in English, you’ll know that this doesn’t bode well for the budget-conscious traveler. Biarritz in and of itself caters to the more financially stable (read: rich), so if you’re one of the sad souls looking to skimp on your housing arrangements, you should expect to a) Bring a tent and book a campsite, or b) Make reservations at one of the two surf-hostels far in advance. However, if you’re a trust fund baby you can choose option c) None of the above, and book a room at Hotel Le Cafe de Paris (it’s not actually a cafe) where you’ll enjoy a quiet room overlooking the Pacific ocean complete with a private balcony and nauseating price tag.
SURF HOSTEL BIARRITZ
HOSTEL $$
Batiment E, Domaine de Migron
760 55 81 33
Surf Hostel Biarritz is your best budget-friendly housing option in the area. No, it’s not the cheapest possible option, but for €36 per night you get a bed, breakfast, a bike and a surfboard, which effectively covers your housing, transportation, and a third of your meals in one fell swoop. Also, unlike some of the other hostel-options in the area, Surf Hostel Biarritz is within walking distance from both the beaches and the city center, unlike other hostels that forget to inform you that they’re practically not even in the same time-zone as the beaches.
However, what Surf Hostel Biarritz offers in good vibes, well-packaged deals, and friendly staff, it lacks in room availability. There are only five rooms which range from singles to quads, but in the peak of tourism season (a.k.a. all summer long, a.k.a. the only time worth going to Biarritz), these rooms fill up fast. But if you’re not about to shell out a few hundred euros to stay in the city center, and you’re not planning to train for a marathon by commuting from hostels elsewhere, Surf Hostel Biarritz is your best bet.
€36; includes bed, breakfast, bike, and surfboard. Free Wi-Fi. Washer, drier, and kitchen access available. 
Reception M-Sa 8am-noon, 2-5pm.
AUBERGE DE JEUNESSE BIARRITZ
HOSTEL
8 rue Chiquito Cambo
559 41 76 00
The name of the Auberge de Jeunesse de Biarritz is misleading, as it is hardly even in Biarritz. In fact, it would take you almost an hour to walk to Biarritz’s city center from the Auberge, which really takes away from the experience of vacationing in a coastal town. In the Auberge’s defense, its price tag is quite a bit more palatable than the other venues at just €22 per night—just know that the trade-off between price and location for the Auberge is a risky one.
On the bright side, a night at the Auberge includes complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and (non-complementary) dinner, cocktails from the bar, access to washers and dryers, and bike rentals. Furthermore, if you’re not looking to bike the 4km into town every day, there are various public transportation options to expedite the process.
If you’ve planned far enough in advance, try for Surf Hostel Biarritz, but if it’s all filled up, the Auberge is the next best option on a budget.
Rooms start at €22. Reception Jan. 20-Apr. 30 8:30-11:30am, 6-9pm; May 1-August 31 8:30am-12:30pm, 6-10pm; Sept. 1-30 8:30am-12:30pm, 6-9:30pm; Oct. 1-Dec. 15 8:30-11:30am, 6-9pm.
In the grand scheme of things, the Virgin on the Rock isn’t exactly the most overwhelming thing to witness. In fact, the statue of the Virgin is perhaps the least impressive aspect of the venue. But the platform where visitors stand to observe the statue is most useful for catching one of the best views of the Basque regions. The Grand Plage is visible in its entirety from the outcrop, as is a portion of the Spanish coast jutting out into the distance. The Virgin herself seems to be watching over Biarritz, which is nice in theory but not nice if you’re trying to catch a glimpse of the statue’s front (the statue is conveniently positioned in such a way that makes it impossible to see Mary’s face). The bridge and outcrop offer profile and rear views, so if you’re hoping to snap a picture from the front end, you’d better be an accomplished rock climber.
The statue is centrally located and is situated between the Grande Plage and Le Plage de la Cote des Basques. It’s in the perfect spot for those hoping to take a walk down the coastline of Biarritz and is just across the street from La Musee de la Mer, making the two sights easy to knock out at once.
Free.
MUSEE DE LA MER DE BIARRITZ
MUSEUM
Plateau de l’Atalaye
05 59 22 75 40
La Musee de la Mer de Biarritz is half nautical museum and half aquarium, which is to say, half of the museum is cool. This is somewhat of an overgeneralization, but unless you traveled to Biarritz to look at a variety of differently tied knots behind museum glass, then half of this museum is knot that cool (GET IT!?). Aside from the knots and the model ships, the aquarium aspect of La Musee de la Mer is quite cool.
The aquarium tanks are filled with a variety of fish (and non-fish sea creatures), which make up a quite prolific collection that’s worth checking out. The highlights include sea turtles, seals, and sharks, although the sharks look like they could star in the movie “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.” The seals have the potential to be the most entertaining exhibit given the tank’s size and outdoor component. However, the seals’ tendency to play dead occasionally makes for a slightly less captivating exhibit.
The museum’s location across the street from the Virgin on the Rock makes it convenient to visit via a 10min. walk from downtown Biarritz. The admission fee is a bit steep at €10 per person, but if you’re interested in fish tanks or want a closer look at the sardines you’ve been eating all week, La Musee de la Mer de Biarritz is worth an hour or two of your time.
Adult €14, students €9.80. Open Apr-July daily 9:30am-10pm; Aug daily 9:30am-midnight; Sept-Oct daily 9:30am-10pm.
COTE DES BASQUES
SHORELINE
The Cote des Basques is a fancy way of saying “shoreline,” but nonetheless, the shoreline in Biarritz is incredible. Fancy name or not, it’s very difficult to go wrong with the beaches lining southwestern France. Biarritz may not be the French Riviera, but as far as shoreline and beaches go, Biarritz may actually take the cake. If you’re not too keen on the pebbly coast of Nice or the lifelessly flat water of Cannes, Biarritz has just about anything you could want from a coastal town. Think long sandy beaches, powerful rolling waves, warm Atlantic water, and topless sunbathers. Okay, the topless sunbathing thing turns out to be more of a curse than a blessing, but either way, the beaches are better in Biarritz.
However, the Cote des Basques technically encompasses more than just the beaches. The pathways along the shoreline snake along winding, rocky outcrops jutting into the water, not unlike the coastline of California’s Big Sur. If you need a break for sunbathing or surfing, a walk south from the Grande Plage will lead you along some of Biarritz’s most impressive viewpoints and provide hours of picturesque beauty.
Ultimately, if you’re heading to Biarritz for vacation, you certainly don’t need to be told why you should visit the Cote des Basques. Biarritz is famous almost solely for its coastal beauty, and the entire town was built around the ocean and the beaches that touch it.
PHARE DE BIARRITZ
LIGHTHOUSE
Esplanade Elisabeth II
05 59 22 37 10
The Phare de Biarritz is a giant lighthouse overlooking the Cote des Basques and offers one of the best views in Biarritz. The lighthouse itself is fairly, old and there’s not much to the actual structure other than a long, windy staircase and a panoramic perch up top. If you’re looking to get a good view of the Grande Plage, or all of Biarritz for that matter, the Phare de Biarritz is your best bet.
The lighthouse is located in the middle of Pointe St. Martin, a small outcrop to the North of the Grande Plage. The point itself is a quiet, secluded area devoid of the crowds found at the beach or the tourists found in the town center. An expansive green lawn surrounds the lighthouse with public benches, small gardens, and quiet pathways. And while the point itself provides an incredible view of the ocean and the beaches, a hike up to the peak of the lighthouse provides a breathtaking panorama that could breath life into even the most underwhelming Instagram feed.
Unless shelling out €1.50 is a legitimate problem for you, there’s no reason to not visit the Phare de Biarritz. If nothing else, justify your trip up the spiral staircase as your cardio for the day.
€1.50 to climb to the top. Open daily 9am-6pm.
FOOD
CAFE JEAN
FRENCH, SPANISH $$
13 rue des Halles
05 59 24 13 61
Cafe Jean is your go-to tapas joint in Biarritz, serving a mixture of French and Spanish cuisine. The restaurant is a few blocks from rue de Centre, the gourmet hotspot in Biarritz, making Cafe Jean close to the action without being overwhelmed by crowds. The little cafe boasts a friendly and helpful (and English-speaking) staff who will recommend certain dishes with ease and help the tapas-selection process move smoothly.
Start your meal with an aperitif of the house sangria. You’ve got a red and white option, but given your proximity to Bordeaux, it’d be a shame to pass on the red. Once you’re comfortably sipping your sangria, the problem of choosing from the tapas menu awaits. To be fair, struggling to decide what to eat because each option looks so damn good is a true first-world problem and one you should consider yourself lucky to have. Nonetheless, don’t pass on the magret de canard or the fois gras—you’re only in southwestern France every so often, so take advantage of the duck delicacies while you can.
Ultimately, Cafe Jean is a great venue to grab a light dinner without breaking the bank or your diet plan. You won’t end up gorging yourself here unless you dig into each and every possible tapas choice (which wouldn’t be the worst idea). The ambiance within the cafe gives off a chic, slightly modern vibe with a few subtle nods to the cafe’s Spanish roots. If you’re looking for a casual dinner in one of the more popular neighborhoods in Biarritz, you can’t go wrong with Cafe Jean.
Tapas €5-10. Open daily 9am-3pm, 6:30pm-1am. Closed Su evenings and M Sept-June.
WAFFLES $
29 rue Mazagran
05 59 24 26 18
www.facebook.com/latireuse.biarritz
La Tireuse is a beer-drinking waffle-eater’s paradise, which would be somewhat of a niche market if it didn’t cater to the rest of the world as well. This bar/food stand is reminiscent of a Belgian ski cabin nestled in the mountains, with enough beer decor to furnish several bars twice the size of La Tireuse. The bar area boasts over 20 beers on tap as well as over 50 varieties of bottled beers from around the world. The selections on tap rotate weekly, with a few relatively constant world-renowned brews such as Delirium Tremens. Furthermore, the bar houses a collection of custom glassware for each different beer on tap, ranging from the boringly standard pint glass to the unnecessarily peculiar, bong-shaped glass which is so unstable that it requires its own wooden stand.
The bar serves a selection of “homemade artisan chips,” which seem like somewhat of a gimmick but in reality taste phenomenal. (This is even more the case after you’ve pushed your way through 1/4 of the beers on tap). As far as food goes, however, your best bet is to leave the bar area and head outside toward the waffle stand attached to the side of La Tireuse. This small waffle stand generally serves a standing line about 10 folks long from 8pm onward as every sweet tooth in Biarritz waits their turn to choose from over 10 different waffle choices. Oh, you’ve never had a Belgian waffle with melted Nutella drizzled over it and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top? That’s a shame because no matter how delicious you’re imaging it to be, it’s incomprehensibly better than you could imagine. What’s more, the waffles are delicious when you’re sober, better when you’re drunk, and then even better once you’re sober again. And that’s not even possible!
In short, head to La Tireuse for a beer, or for a waffle, or for both. Bide your time at the pool table in the bar or grab a waffle to go. It doesn’t really matter what your plans are for the evening because if they don’t involve a pint and a waffle, they probably suck.
Waffles starting at €5. Beer starting at €4. Open W-Su 3pm-2am.
BALEAK
RESTAURANT $$$$
8 rue du Centre
05 59 24 58 57
If you go to only one restaurant during your stay in Biarritz, it should, without a doubt, be Baleak. Baleak translates to “whale” in english, which is more or less how you’ll feel if you leave the restaurant having eaten everything on the menu that looks appealing. The food is perfect, the atmosphere both within the restaurant and outside on rue du Centre is lively and energetic, and the food is perfect (in case we forgot to mention that).
Assuming you take our advice and check out Baleak for dinner, know this as well: if there is one restaurant to splurge at in Biarritz, it’s Baleak. This is the place to treat yourself to a three-course meal with a glass or two (or five) of wine. You’ll start your meal with some tuna and mango tartar if you know what’s good for you. And if you’re looking to crush the seafood selection, opt next for the seafood platter—a giant bowl of mussels, clams, prawns, calamari, etc. If you’re not into the shellfish scene, try the duck or perhaps anything else on the menu, because you literally cannot go wrong.
The ambiance inside the restaurant is energetic yet calm all at once, but if you want the true rue du Centre experience, grab a table in the middle of the street. Rue du Centre is one of the more popular, up and coming gourmet destinations in Biarritz, and, given the lack of terrace space for the many different restaurants lining the street, the eateries have since banded together to close off the entire street at night, moving tables and chairs onto the road for a makeshift dining terrace. The end result is more or less a giant restaurant party in the middle of the street catered by some of the best restaurants in southwestern France. Are you really not going to check that out?
Meals starting at €20. Open for dinner daily July - Aug. Open for lunch and dinner Jan-June Tu-Sa; Sept-Dec Tu-Sa.
NIGHTLIFE
DUPLEX
CLUB
24 av. Édouard VII
05 59 24 65 39
http://nightclub-biarritz.com/en/
The best word to describe Duplex is “meh” based on the fact that, while there’s nothing inherently wrong with it, there’s nothing memorably right with it. If you had to describe the most general nightclub ever with three words, you’d probably be describing Duplex, and you probably wouldn’t really need more words than three anyway. Dancing, people, alcohol. That’s your three word summary. On the bright side, however, it’s certainly better than “dancing, empty, alcohol.”
Duplex’s major appeal is its proximity to the beach and its location in central Biarritz. If you’re in downtown Biarritz, you’ll never really be more than 10min. away by foot, and you’ll more than likely be under 5min. away if you aren’t in Old Town. Apart from the convenience factor, there aren’t many other reasons to spend the night at Duplex. On the one hand, it’s better than Play Boy Club, the other central nightclub in Biarritz. On the other hand, it’s so much less fun than Blue Cargo that if you have 15min. and 80 cents to spare, hop on the bus and head there. In all honesty, there is really no reason to head to Duplex before 3am (and if you have other options, there is no reason to head there afterwards).
The cover charge at Duplex earns you one free drink (assuming you couldn’t piece together the fact that paying for entry to earn a free drink is just paying for a drink). The most appealing aspect of drinking at Duplex is the fact that if you can round up a couple friends and piece together the funds for a bottle, you can then get a table to sit at. Furthermore, you can drink half the bottle, then essentially check the remaining alcohol behind the bar to drink it the following night, which conveniently allows you to wave the cover charge when you return.
Cover €10, includes 1 free drink. Mixed drinks €10. Open daily midnight-6am.
BLUE CARGO
CLUB
Plage d’Ilbaritz
05 59 23 54 87
If you’re in Biarritz and you’ve spoken with anyone under the age of 30 regarding nightlife venues, you’ve either heard about Blue Cargo or you’re deaf. Blue Cargo is leaps and bounds ahead of any other nightlife venue within a 20mi. radius of Biarritz (full disclosure: we haven’t tested every club within that actual radius, but we’re still pretty confident Blue Cargo is the best).
Open daily noon-2am.
ESSENTIALS
Practicalities
• TOURIST OFFICE: Sq. d’Ixelles. (05 59 22 37 10 www.biarritz.fr. Open July-Aug 9am-7pm. Also offers same-day hotel reservations, campsite reservations, Guide Loisirs, Biarritzscope, and Hebergement city guides.)
• TOURIST INFORMATION: 05 59 22 37 10
Emergency
• EMERGENCY TELEPHONE: 17
• FIRE: 18
• POLICE: 17
• HOSPITALS: Centre Hospitalier Cote Basque. (13 av. Interne Jacques Loeb, Bayonne 05 59 44 35 35) Medecin en Garde. (05 59 24 01 01)
• PHARMACIES: Marked by green crosses.
Getting There
By Plane
Planes fly into Aeroport de Parme (7 esplanade de l’Europe, 05 59 43 83 83). Bus #6 runs directly to and from the airport. Flights within France and internationally to Dublin, London, Birmingham, Amsterdam, and Helsinki.
By Bus
Buses stop at Sq. d’Ixelles and run to St-Jean de-Luz, Hendaye, and San Sebastian.
By Taxi
Taxi de Biarritz (05 59 03 18 18, www.taxis-biarritz.fr)
Getting Around
By Bus
VTAB buses run around the city and stop in front of the tourist office.
By Taxi
Taxi de Biarritz (05 59 03 18 18, www.taxis-biarritz.fr)
By Foot
Biarritz is small enough to make conquering the town on foot fairly simple. Be warned, however, that the town is very hilly, and if you’re not one to enjoy walking up hills all day, you’d be wise to consult the bus schedule.
MONEY
Tipping
By law in France, a service charge, called “service compris,” is added to bills in bars and restaurants. Most people do, however, leave some change (up to €2) for sit-down services, and in nicer restaurants it is not uncommon to leave 5% of the bill. For other services, like taxis and hairdressers, a 10-15% tip is acceptable.
Taxes
The quoted price of goods in France includes value added tax (VAT). This tax on goods is generally levied at 19.6% in France, although some goods are subject to lower rates. Non-EU visitors who are taking these goods home unused may be refunded this tax for purchases totaling over €175 per store. When making purchases, request a VAT form and present it at a Tax Free Shopping Office, found at most airports, road borders, and ferry stations, or by mail. Refunds must be claimed within six months.
SAFETY AND HEALTH
Drugs and Alcohol
Although any mention of France often conjures images of black-clad smokers in berets, France no longer allows smoking in public as of 2008. The government has no official policy on berets. Possession of illegal drugs (including marijuana) in France can result in a substantial jail sentence or fine. Police may arbitrarily stop and search anyone on the street.
We all know that being a tourist is fun (if you didn’t agree, chances are you wouldn’t be reading this book). And France, with its countless monuments and museums, its culture and cuisine, its world-renowned art and architecture, certainly provides ample opportunity to be a fanny-packing foreigner. However, if your trip to l’hexagoneconsists of nothing more than visiting museums and snapping artsy cover photos from your favorite Parisian bridge, you will miss out on countless opportunities to gain a deeper appreciation for the country and to feel like you’ve truly lived in France. Learning the language and history of the country will make your explorations all the more rewarding (in addition to making you feel like a pro when a less-enlightened tourist asks you for directions or if you speak English), while tackling many of the country’s problems (such as poverty and an increasingly aging population) will allow you to forge meaningful connections with the community you’re visiting. Finally, while finding a job may not be on the top of your to-do list, it’s a way to experience a new culture (and having the money to pay for your flight home is never a bad thing)
STUDY
Tired of receiving an ominous glare every time you attempt to order a café crème, ask directions to the nearest salle de bain, or mutter a simple bonjour madame to the proprietor of your favorite Parisian boulangerie? Scared you’ll receive even more ominous glares from your ever-judgmental French waiter because you don’t know which wineshould accompany your meal? Want to impress your friends with your substantial knowledge of the Louvre’s holdings? Whether you’re looking to améliorer votre français (improve your French) or become a certified wine snob, France, and Paris in particular, offers no shortage of educational opportunities for the foreign student.
• FRANCE LANGUE: France Langue offers French-language classes for every level of proficiency in five locations (two in Paris, as well as ones in Nice, Bordeaux, and Biarritz) as well as au pair and internship-based language programs. Host family, residence hall, hotel, or apartment lodgings are provided for students in need of accommodations. (Paris location: 33 01 45 00 40 15; Bordeaux location: 33 05 24 72 14 65)
• INSTITUT DE FRANÇAIS: Located in the village of Villefranche on the French Riviera, the Institut de Français offers intensive two- or four-week French language classes designed to acquire rapid proficiency. Unlike many other language programs, classes here run eight hours a day, five days a week, so a full commitment to the program is necessary. (. 33 493 01 88 44)
• ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE MARSEILLE-PROVENCE: The Alliance Française offers a more flexible, low-key array of classes in the south of France (ranging from four to 20 hours per week), more suitable for someone looking to study the language in addition to pursuing other activities. Classes are offered in both Marseille and Aix-en-Provence. (en.afmarseille.org 0033 04 96 10 24 60)
• O CHATEAU WINE TASTING AND WINE BAR: Described as “the most irreverent wine tastings in Paris” by TIME Magazine, O Chateau offers several different wine tasting classes sans snobbery. In addition to the classes at its 1er location, O Chateau offers private or group daytrips to several French wine regions. (011 33 1 44 739 780)
• LE CORDON BLEU PARIS: Arguably the most renowned culinary institute in the world, Le Cordon Bleu offers an array of “Gourmet & Short Courses” that last no longer than a day and cover specific aspects of French cuisine. (33 01 53 68 22 50)
• LA CUISINE PARIS: La Cuisine Paris offers English-language cooking classes spanning the French culinary tradition. Day classes range from traditional pastries to cheeses, while food tours offer a chance to explore the cuisines of individual neighborhoods. (33 01 40 51 78 18)
• WICE: One of the oldest Anglophone communities in Paris, WICE’s mission is to provide cultural and educational enrichment to the international community of Paris. WICE offers a variety of courses through its many members, ranging from instructional classes in the visual arts to creative writing to cooking. (33 1 45 66 76 67)
• PARIS LOISIRS CULTURELLES: For a relatively low price €35 for three hours), Paris Loisirs Culturelles offers painting classes at its atelier in the 11ème for all levels of experience. Members may also take advantage of the free French-English conversation groups and monthly museum trips (33 09 83 68 70 26)
• ÉCOLE DU LOUVRE: Located in the Palais du Louvre, the École du Louvre is an institution of higher education run by the French Ministry of Culture, offering classes in art history, archeology, epigraphy, the history of civilizations, and museology. Many of the École’s daytime courses (conducted in French) are open to auditing by the public. (01 55 35 18 00)
VOLUNTEER
Ever since the French decided that they did not, in fact, want to be slaves to a ruling 1%, they’ve had something of a love affair with protests and social activism. No wine break during work? Protest it. Too much American music on the radio? Protest it. Though the spirit of La Révolution is very much alive and well in modern France, we wouldn’t suggest taking to the streets orbeheading any monarchs if you decide that you, too, would like to change the world. Volunteer opportunities abound throughout the country, providing opportunities to give back to the community without a complimentary overnight stay in a French prison.
• ORANGE ROCKCORPS: The concept behind Orange RockCorps is simple: find a project, give four hours of your time, and receive concert tickets for your efforts (artists such as Snoop Dog, David Guetta, and Sean Paul have participated in the past). In addition to the free concert tickets, volunteering with Orange RockCorps is a great way to meet other young people in France. (0811 287 287).
• WICE: If you’re already mastered the fine details of French culture, consider lending a helping hand to the poor Anglophones who haven’t. In addition to offering classes, WICE accepts volunteers to help with everything from curriculum development to website maintenance. (33 1 45 66 76 67)
• RESTOS DU COEUR: Les Restaurants du Coeur is a French charity that distributes free meals to the homeless and other individuals living in poverty. With locations throughout the country, Restos du Coeur is an easily accessible way to give back to the community. (01 53 24 98 09)
• SOS HELP: SOS Help is an anonymous, English-language emotional support line serving the international community in France. Volunteers are trained by psychologists and may assist as either listeners (answering the phone and listening to callers) or supporters (helping with other tasks). A long-term commitment is required. (01 46 21 46 46)
• CROIX ROUGE: Being the behemoth NGO that it is, the Red Cross is constantly in need of volunteers to help with its day-to-day activities. If your talents or interests include organizing donation drives, performing office tasks, or assisting medical-response teams, this may be for you. (01 44 43 11 00)
• SECOURS POPULAIRE FRANÇAIS: SPF is a charity that aids poor families and children by providing things such as social support, food, or clothing. SPF is currently seeking volunteers for its “copain du Monde” program, similar to Big Brothers Big Sisters in America. (01 44 78 21 00)
• FONDATION CLAUDE POMPIDOU: The Fondation Claude Pompidou provides volunteer-based support to sick and elderly people in hospitals as well as to disabled children and their families at their homes. Some French language ability may be necessary. (01 40 13 75 00)
• WWOOF: In exchange for room, board, and enough granola-scented self-satisfaction to pay for your flight home, volunteering on an organic farm through WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) may provide the perfect opportunity to escape your studies and city.
WORK
So you’re finally living the life of your dreams in France: people watching from a streetside cafe, making trips to sophisticated museums with unpronounceable names, and shopping along the Champs Élysées…that is, until you realize that your cup of café au lait isn’t any cheaper than a Starbucks latte, museums aren’t free, the sales tax is 20 percent, and you’re still on a student budget. Long-term work may be difficult to acquire, as France is currently facing record high unemployment rates and many jobs require appropriate visas, but short-term and English-speaking positions are often available.
• TEACHING ASSISTANT PROGRAM IN FRANCE: The Cultural Services Department of the French Embassy and the French Ministry of Education send approximately 1500 US citizens and permanent residents to teach English in France each year. The program lasts seven months and €950 per month stipend is provided. French proficiency is required. (http://highereducation.frenchculture.org/teach-in-france 202 944 6000)
• EVEIL BILINGUE: Eveil Bilingue is an organization that specializes in early language acquisition for children in the Paris area. They are currently recruiting native English speakers for teaching and babysitting positions. (09 81 61 20 43)
• FEDERATION UNIS DES AUBERGES DE JEUNESSE: Through this organization, you may apply to work at hostels throughout the country, assisting with day-to-day tasks and management. Jobs are typically offered on a short-term basis. (0033-1 44 89 87 27)
• ERASMUSU: Erasmusu is a student network that lists job postings in cities around the globe. Postings are all from private families, individuals, or companies, and compensation varies. ()
• AU PAIR: Working as an au pair allows you to live and eat with a French family while receiving an allowance for personal expenses. In exchange, you help with domestic tasks and childcare, often serving as an older sibling for young children in the family. Many au pair placement services are available in France and abroad. Au Pair World (49 561 310 561 17) and Accuiel International Services (01 39 73 04 98) are both good options.
There is no drinking age in France, but restaurants will not serve anyone under the age of 16, and to purchase alcohol you must be at least 18 years old. Though there is no law prohibiting open containers, drinking on the street is considered uncouth. The legal blood-alcohol level for driving in France is 0.05%, which is less than it is in the US, UK, New Zealand, and Ireland, so exercise appropriate caution if operating a vehicle in France.
KEEPING IN TOUCH
Cellular Phones
In France, mobile pay-as-you-go phones are the way to go. The two largest carriers are SFR and Orange, and they are so readily available that even supermarkets sell them. Cell-phone calls and texts can be paid for without signing a contract by using a Mobicarte prepaid card, available at Orange and SFR stores, as well as tabacs. You can often buy phones for €20-40, which includes various amounts of minutes and 100 texts. Calling the US from one of these phones is around €0.80 a minute, with texts coming in at around €0.50.
