Provence West

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel in France

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ABOUT TRAVEL IN FRANCE

Q. Should I get traveler's checks or rely on ATM machines?

A. Traveler's checks are used less and less frequently throughout France, and many banks will charge a commission even if your checks are issued in euros. Although it may seem nonsensical, most French banks will not cash foreign traveler's checks for euros (you will often see signs stating "NO CHANGE" on a bank's entry doors). We recommend taking two or three credit cards or debit cards instead. Credit card companies usually charge a cash-advance fee (one to three percent of the charged amount), while debit cards can usually be used without a fee -- assuming you have sufficient funds in your account to cover the withdrawn amount, bien sûr! Exchange rates, when using credit or debit cards, are typically better than that quoted by most bureaux de change, or currency exchange brokers. ATMs (which also generally offer instructions in French and in English) are much easier to deal with than traveler's checks. If your card doesn't work at one machine, try another card or another machine...even in the smallest villages, you are likely to find an ATM on many street corners!

Q. What's the difference between leasing a car and renting a car?

A. By leasing rather than renting, you will receive a new car, typically with full insurance coverage, and will avoid paying the 20.6% VAT (the "Value Added Tax", which is added to most charges throughout the European Union) charged on rentals. You will need to lease a car for a minimum of two weeks (some companies require a minimum 17 day lease period). Auto Europe, Kemwel, Auto France (Peugeot), and Renault Eurodrive offer lease or purchase/repurchase arrangements. If taking the train to your destination, you can arrange to pick up your rental or leased car at train stations in most major cities in France; just be sure to confirm that the train station where you are arriving is the train station where the rental car agencies are located...in Avignon, for example, the rental car agencies have recently moved to the TGV (high speed) station at Courtine, and are no longer located at the station where the "regular" (i.e., not the high speed) trains disembark. Among traditional rental car agencies, we especially like Auto Europe, as they offer very competitive prices on car rentals, and will often upgrade you to the next level of car if they have one available, at little or no additional cost. They search among all the car rental offers available during your travel period, and then offer the best deal to you.

You can link to our preferred rental car provider, Auto Europe (which also offers air travel and car lease and buy-back options), from the links below:

General website: www.autoeurope.com/index.cfm?aff=provence
Car rental: www.autoeurope.com/booking/car.cfm?aff=provence
Car lease: www.autoeurope.com/booking/buyback.cfm?aff=provence
Airfare: www.autoeurope.com/booking/airfare.cfm?aff=provence

Q. Are the rules for driving the same as in the US?

A. In general, yes. However, one peculiar French rule of the road is their priorité a droite. This rule allows a vehicle entering an intersection from your right to have the right of way when the road is not marked for them to yield or stop, even if you are on the main route and they are coming from a side road. This rule explains why French drivers sometimes lunge into major intersections when turning right. At traffic circles, or rond points (round-abouts), vehicles in the circle have the right of way (round-abouts are also great if you aren't quite sure which direction you are going...just keep going around the circle until you figure it out!). As you approach a circle you'll notice a sign saying either cedez le passage (yield the right of way) or vous n'avez pas la priorité (you do not have the right of way). Most recently, a seat belt law requiring both front and back seat passengers to buckle up was enacted, so buckle up!
On Autoroutes (the super-highways), it is wise to stay far to the right unless you are passing other cars. The French are very particular about being in the correct lane -- the slowest cars stay to the far right and only the fastest cars remain in the far left passing lane. If you stay in the passing lane, plan on seeing flashing headlights from those coming up behind and going much faster--then move right ASAP.

Q. What time do the restaurants open for dinner in France?

A. In Provence and in most areas outside of Paris or the larger cities, the majority of full service (and almost all "fine dining") restaurants which serve lunch close at 2:00 pm and reopen at 7:30 pm, or a bit later during the summer months. There are, however, many more casual, bistro or brasserie style restaurants which remain open all day (they are often called "non-stops", as they never "stop" serving meals during the day). Non-stops are especially prevalent in Paris and in larger cities throughout France.

Q. Are supermarkets open seven days a week?

A. Many supermarkets are closed on Sundays and after 6:00 or 7:00 in the evening (although many will stay open until 7:30 pm on Saturdays), and many are closed on Monday mornings. Small grocery stores and bakeries are usually open Sunday mornings. We strongly suggest that you stop at a market on your way to your rental property on Saturday to buy enough groceries and supplies to last until the shops reopen on Monday.

Q. What's the best way to get to get from Paris to the provinces?

A. Our preferred method of transport in France is the high speed train (the train de grand vitesse, or "TGV"). If you begin your trip in Paris, you can take the TGV directly from Charles de Gaulle airport, or from one of the train stations in metropolitan Paris, depending on your destination. Rail Europe (www.raileurope.com) will provide schedules, fares, and reservations. If renting a car at your destination, you can arrange to pick up your rental or leased car at the train station in most major cities in France.

ABOUT RENTALS

Q. What is the procedure for booking a home from PWL?

A. Please contact us by e-mail (vacations@provencewest.com), fax (303-670-8696) or phone (303-674-3726) to request availability for the homes you're interested in booking. Once availability is confirmed, we will fax or mail you a booking packet; you will then have approximately five to seven days to return your completed booking form and deposit. We will bill you for your balance approximately 75 days prior to your scheduled rental commencement date, with the balance then due 60 days in advance of your stay. Once we've received your balance payment, you will receive an arrival packet with the address of and directions to the rental home, local contact information for the owner or caretaker, and our regional travel information, including restaurant suggestions and recommended itineraries.

Q. Do I have to be able to speak French to rent a home?

A. Not at all. Although most owners don't speak fluent English, they are accustomed to dealing with English speakers and welcome the opportunity for a lively cross-cultural exchange. We recommend that you make an effort to learn some key French words or phrases before you go (showing a little bit of effort is greatly appreciated), but this is certainly not essential. We are happy to help you with language issues whenever possible!

Q. What "extras" are generally not included in the rental price?

A. Heating (when used), linens, firewood, and optional end-of-stay cleaning (most properties now include this, but some still offer it as an option) are often charged separately, and are paid directly to the property owner or caretaker. Telephone charges are also separately charged; we strongly suggest that clients purchase prepaid phone cards for international calls. Charges and inclusions vary from property to property. Most property owners include linens and towels in their prices.

Q. If linens are not included, how much can I expect to pay for linens and towels?

A. Most of our property owners include linens and towels in the weekly rental cost; if not included, you can expect to pay between 8 and 15 euros per person per week, depending upon the property.

Q. Are there security deposits with the rentals?

A. Almost all rentals require a security deposit. This deposit is either paid to us ahead of time and returned to you a few weeks after you vacate the rental, or it is paid on arrival and returned to you at the end of your rental period. Any damages to the property while you are there or unpaid fees or charges (such as telephone charges) will be deducted from your security deposit. In some cases, you can pay the security deposit by providing a credit card payment authorization.

Q. What do I have to put down for a deposit on the rental?

A. Your reservation is confirmed upon receipt of a deposit equal to fifty percent (50%) of the rental payment; the balance is due 60 days before you take occupancy. If you book your rental within 60 days of your arrival, the full rental payment is due.

Q. What if I have to cancel? Will I lose my deposit?

A. As set forth in our booking conditions outlining the terms of your rental, if following your cancellation we are able to rebook your rental for the same period and at the same rental price, we will refund any payments received prior to cancellation, less a 20% administrative fee; otherwise, payments are not refundable. We strongly recommend that clients obtain travel insurance to cover them in the unfortunate event that they need to cancel. One company we have worked with is a French agency, ADAR (which you can find at http://extranet.albinet.fr/epaiement_locplus.aspx?id=641360; click on the left-hand side to find the terms, conditions and coverage provided in English); you can also purchase travel insurance from most full-service travel agents, and some credit card companies offer travel insurance to their cardholders.

Q. Do I have to have a car to stay in a PWL rental?

A. That depends...Most of our rental properties in the French countryside are several kilometers from the nearest village or major town. Even if you rent a home in a village setting, within walking distance to shops and restaurants, you will still want a car for touring the sites and villages of the region...the backroads leading from one village to another are part of the country French experience, and are the best way to "discover" the treasures of France. In Paris, there is absolutely no reason to have a rental car, and you will be unlikely to be able to find a place to park it! We strongly recommend that you use public transportation while in Paris...the metro and bus systems are among the best in the world, and we cannot say the same about the French drivers!

Q. Will someone be there to meet us at the house when we arrive?

A. Yes, with very few exceptions, unless you are very late in arriving at your destination, in which case the owner or the caretaker may leave you a key with instructions to call him when you arrive, either the owner or the owner's representative will be there to welcome you and show you around. The owner or caretaker will typically also be available throughout your stay if you need help. In Paris and Provence, we have English-speaking contacts available to help you in the event of an emergency or where the owner or caretaker of your property is not reachable.

Q. What happens if we show up and the place is not what we expected?

A. Our promise to our clients is that every property included in our portfolio has been personally previewed by a PWL representative, and we make a concerted effort to visit properties periodically to ensure that the quality that we insist upon before we agree to add a property to our listings is consistently maintained. Our property descriptions are complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge, and fairly represent the quality and character of the property and its furnishings as of our last site visit. Clients choose their rentals based on these descriptions, pictures, and any personal recommendations we can offer. We do our best to place you in a home that fits your vacation needs and desires. It is important that you provide us with as much information as you can regarding your needs and desires so that we can help you select the best alternatives. If there is a real problem with the home when you arrive, it is up to you to try to settle this problem first with the owner or his representative, as most perceived "problems" are best resolved locally. If that is not possible, then you are instructed to notify PWL of your problem by the Monday following your arrival. Since 1992, during which time we've worked with literally hundreds of clients, we've had no more than a few complaints from dissatisfied customers and in all but one case it was a matter of the clients' unrealistic expectations rather than an actual problem with the rental property. Please bear in mind that vacation rentals are unique, private homes, and not hotel rooms...their very uniqueness is what gives them character and makes renting a vacation home rather than a traditional lodging accommodation so wonderful!

Q. Are the rentals equipped for cooking?

A. Each home has an equipped kitchen or kitchenette. Most include dishwashers and many have microwaves; all are fitted with a compliment of glass and dinnerware, utensils and flatware, and pots and pans appropriate for the size and comfort level of the property. Obviously, you are more likely to find crystal glassware, china and a broader selection of appliances and cooking utensils at an upscale villa, but all of our properties are well-appointed and outfitted for vacation use.

Q. Do the rentals have washers and dryers?

A. Most have washers but many do not have dryers. Where a dryer is not provided, most rental properties (particularly independent houses) are equipped with folding drying racks or a clothesline outside.

Q. What kind of basic supplies and staples should I expect to find in the rental?

A. Many homes are minimally stocked with a few spices, coffee filters, a roll or two of toilet paper and paper towels, and cleaning basics. We recommend that you take a quick inventory upon arrival and then go to your nearest supermarket to stock up on supplies. Remember, outside of Paris, many shops and markets are closed on Sunday, and many are closed Monday mornings as well, and thus it is advisable to determine what you need for the first few days of your stay and to purchase it before you settle in on Saturday afternoon.

Q. What is a gîte?

A. The French word gîte (pronounced "jeet") which roughly translates to "shelter" is an understated description of France's best-kept lodging secret. For years the French and their European neighbors have vacationed in these charming affordable weekly rentals. A gîte can be an independent stone house, a wing of a family chateau, a village townhouse, or an apartment on a working farm or vineyard. Gîtes are fully-furnished and equipped for housekeeping like any other vacation rental. A bit less than 25% of PWL's house rentals in France (outside of Paris) are considered gîtes.

Q. Why is there such a broad range in rates for each rental?

A. There is typically a broad range of prices for each property because the rental price per week is different for each season of the year. For example, in most of the provinces, and in Provence in particular, peak season, and thus the highest weekly rental prices, apply to rentals in July and August; the lowest price typically applies to off-season rentals, which usually, but not always, run from October through April or May. Rental prices for the months of May, June, and September fall somewhere in between the lowest and highest quoted prices, although this period has become so popular that prices for rentals during these months are steadily creeping toward high season levels. The Christmas/New Year's holiday weeks are also typically considered high season weeks. To further confuse the issue, some owners charge the May/September price for French school holiday weeks, and August is typically considered low season in Paris. It is best to verify with us the season your requested rental period falls into.