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Three charged with taking bribes to provide false French tests for residency cards
The charges relate to the test de connaissance du français. It is thought that more than 250 applicants could be involved in a region of west France
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DHL strike hits Christmas deliveries in France
‘All packages will be delivered even if they are a little late’, says DHL spokesperson
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How to plan for a comfortable retirement in France
Rob Kay, regional director at Blevins Franks, offers advice on tax, pensions and planning for retirement
Emergency numbers in France and other helpful numbers
Having separate numbers aims to give a faster response - but if in doubt there is always 112
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
18: Emergencies: This number connects to the fire brigade (Sapeurs Pompiers) but they also deal with medical emergencies and should be the first port of call in life-threatening situations
15: Samu (for other urgent medical call-outs)
17: Police / Gendarmes
112: Universal European Emergency Services number - works from all phones including mobiles
114: Emergency calls (to use if you have difficulty speaking or hearing as you can communicate by text or fax)
115: Emergency Shelter
119: Reporting child abuse
191: Air rescue (Plane accident/disappearance)
196: Sea and lake rescue
197: Terror attacks/kidnapping hotline
01 40 05 48 48: Anti-poison centre (Paris)
3237: (0.35/min) Outside hours GP and pharmacy information (also available on www.3237.fr)
TELECOMS
ORANGE: English-speaking helpline: 09 69 36 39 00
SFR: 1023 (+ 33 6 10 00 10 23 from outside France)
FREE: 1044 (non clients)
3244 (clients)
BOUYGUES: 3106
Forfait & Bbox: 1064 (+33 660 614 614)
Forfait bloqué: 1022 (+33 664 00 20 20)
Client à la Carte: 1034 (+33 668 634 634)
ELECTRICITY
EDF: 24 hour breakdown line: 09 726 750 + your department number (eg 24 for the Dordogne)
Gas & electricity emergencies:
Helpline in English: +33 (0) 9 69 36 63 83
Email: simpleenergywithedf@edf.fr
GAS
Gas leaks: 0 800 47 33 33
WATER
Generale des Eaux
Web: www.service-client.veoliaeau.fr
Online form links users to the office dealing with their area
Ondeo
Suez-Environnement
Web: www.suez-environnement.com/en/homepage
Tel: 01 58 18 50 00
OFFICIAL AGENCIES
3939 ALLO SERVICE PUBLIC: 3939
(+33 1 73 60 39 39 from outside France)
Calling hours: 8h30 - 18h15
CAF: www.caf.fr;
CPAM (state healthcare): www.ameli.fr
English-speaking helpline: 09 74 75 36 46 Calling hours: Mon-Fri: 8h30 - 17h30
URSSAF: 3957 + department number
CLEISS: Social security advice when moving between countries: 01 45 26 33 41
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday : 9h00 - 12h30
- Tuesday & Thursday : 14h00 - 17h00
Some advisers speak English.
EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES
British Embassy (Paris) 01 44 51 31 00
Bordeaux consulate: 05 57 22 21 10
Lyon consulate: 04 72 77 81 70
Marseille consulate: 04 91 15 72 10
UK passport advice + 44 (0) 300 222 0000
(calls cost up to 12p/min from a UK landline - see French operators for exact cost)
Monday - Friday: 8:00 - 20:00 - Weekends: 9:00 - 17:30
OTHER EMBASSIES
Irish, Paris: 01 44 17 67 00
US, Paris: 01 43 12 22 22
Canadian, Paris: 01 44 43 29 00
Australian, Paris: 01 40 59 33 00
NZ, Paris: 01 45 01 43 43
South African, Paris: 01 53 59 23 23
OTHER HELP IN ENGLISH
Counselling in France: for a qualified therapist near you or counselling over the telephone;
Alcoholics Anonymous: regular meetings are held (some are in English) across the country.
For a list of local English-language groups see: www.alcoholics-anonymous.eu
SOS Help: similar to the Samaritans, listeners who are professionally trained; Tel 01 46 21 46 46
(open 3pm-11pm daily); www.soshelpline.org
CANCER SUPPORT FRANCE: for advice and someone to talk to. Tel: 0800 240 200 or email
helpline@cancersupportfrance.org
English Speaking Cancer Association (Geneva-based): offering cancer support in Geneva, Vaud and French border areas. Tel: +41 (0) 22 791 63 05 or email info@cancersupport.ch or www.cancersupport.ch
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. Tel: 05 53 24 92 38. Email: france.branch@ssafa.org.uk
Elizabeth Finn fund: help for Britons and Irish people facing hardship, including for residents of France. See www.turn2us.org.uk
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT NETWORK: for those grieving for a loved one and needing to talk.
Tel: 04 94 84 64 89 / 06 24 50 22 74 or email info@bsnvar.org - 7:00 - 23:00
THE BRITISH CHARITABLE FUND: provides financial help to British residents in France.
Tel: 01 47 59 07 69 - 10:00 - 17:00 - britishcharitablefund@orange.fr
Alzheimer – English help group at France Alzheimer: 0800 97 20 97 - www.francealzheimer.org
OTHER INFO
AFIF (funerals info): 01 45 44 90 03
Speaking clock: 3669.
Weather: 08 92 68 02 + dept.
Last incoming call: 3131, then ‘5’ if you wish to connect.
MasterCard Loss/Theft of card
Calling from France: 09 69 39 92 91
Calling from Abroad: +33 96 93 99 291
Loss/Theft of chequebook
Calling from France: 08 92 68 32 08
Calling from Abroad: +33 89 26 83 208