Climate
Bordeaux’s climate is usually classified as an oceanic climate, substantial summer rainfall prevents its climate from being classified as Mediterranean.
Summers are warm and long because of the influence from the Bay of Biscay. The average seasonal winter temperature is 6.53 °Celsius (43.75 °F), but recent winters have been warmer than this. The average summer seasonal temperature is 19.51 °C (67.12 °F).

Currency
As a member of the European Monetary System the € [Euro] is the French monetary unit. At present, the bills in circulation are: € 5,00; € 10,00; € 20,00; € 50,00; € 100,00; € 200,00 and € 500,00.
The coins are as follows: € 0,01 cent; € 0,02 cents; € 0,05 cents; € 0,10 cents; € 0,20 cents; € 0,50 cents; € 1,00 and € 2,00.

Dining
Bordeaux is a city that takes fine dining seriously.  Whether at traditional restaurants serving cuisine du terroir, brasseries, wine bars, or theme restaurants, you are sure to find a meal to your taste. Take advantage of being in Bordeaux over a weekend or on your holiday to enjoy a Michelin-starred restaurant, the latest Japanese eatery, or an unusual wine bar. Bordeaux will surprise you again and again, and provide you with untold gastronomic pleasures. An embarrassment of riches!

Driving
Vehicles drive on the right side of the road. The use of safety belts is compulsory, and children under 10 must ride in the back seats.
France has actually a large freeway network crossing the whole country from the North to the South. If you come to France for a short stay (for a holiday for example), you can drive with your permit. It must be valid and written in French or accompanied by a translation or an international permit.

Electrical current
European type 2 pin sockets with 220 volts AC at 50 cycles are used. The phase 380 volt current is normally available in meeting and exhibition rooms. To use American-type plugs, a 220-volt transformer should be used together with an adapter plug.

Entertainment
Bordeaux has numerous theatres, concert halls, etc.  These are venues for a huge range of cultural activities to satisfy every taste, from the most popular to the most demanding and esoteric! There is truly no shortage of things to do and places to go when the sun sets in Bordeaux! 

Exchange
Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, shops and restaurants. Traveller’s currency can be changed at a bank or at a exchange office. Automatic changing and cash dispensing machines linked to international networks are also widely available.

Language
The official language is French. English is widely spoken. French is an official language in 29 countries, most of which are members of “la francophonie”, the community of French-speaking countries. It is spoken as a first language  in France, the Canadian provinces of Québec and New Brunswick, the region of Wallonia in Belgium, western Switzerland, Monaco, certain other regions of Canada and the United States, and by various communities elsewhere.

Local time
Metropolitan France uses Central European Time which is 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Tim, and 2 hours ahed in summer according to Central European Summer Time.

Main shopping areas in Bordeaux center
Bordeaux is an elegant city, reputed for its stylishness. It features large department stores, luxury brands, leading nationwide ready-to-wear shops, Parisian couturiers, jewellers, craftsmen, perfume shops, leather goods shops, specialised boutiques of all kinds, etc. A simple walk across the Triangle (formed by Cours de l’Intendance, Cours Clemenceau, and the Allées de Tourny), down the famous rue Sainte-Catherine, or through Old Bordeaux will reveal the incredible range of goods of all types on offer. The hustle and bustle shows that Bordeaux is a very prosperous, alive, and switched-on city.

Medical Care
Clinics and hospitals provide round the clock emergency service. The national emergency phone number is 17 or 18, the european emergency phone number is 112.

Meals
Breakfats is normally served between 6:30 and 10:00, lunch from 12:00 to 14:30 and dinner from 19:00 to 22:00.

Post and telecommunication
Automatic direct dial telephone service is available to and form most countries in the world. Public phones accept either a pre-paid card, or coins (see signs on the booth).
Major post offices are open Monday to Saturday, from 9:00 to 18:00.

Public transportation
There is a wide inexpensive network in all towns and cities. In Bordeaux, you can choose between bus or tramway, within the city or to the suburbs. Trains ans express bus service also links the mains town of the country.

Recreation
There is no way you can be bored in Bordeaux! Outdoor leisure activities abound, and are sure to meet your expectations.
Cycling, golf, sailing, you name it… Adults and children alike are delighted

Religious services
France is a country where freedom of religion and freedom of thought are guaranteed. Major religions practised in France include Catholic Christianity, Islam, Judaism, various branches of Protestantism, Hinduism, Russian Orthodoxy, Armenian Christianity, and Sikhism amongst others, making it a multiconfessional country.
Please inquire at hotel reception for times and places of services.

Sales tax
Sales tax (VAT) is included in prices quoted. For non E.C. residents, tax free shopping schemes are available in many shops, wich give substantial savings to visitors.

Schedules
Opening hours in France are similar to those in the rest of Europe.
Pharmacies keep the same opening hours as the rest of the shops but, in order to garantuee 24-hour service, some stay open after 19:00. Generally speaking, restaurants are open for lunch frome 12 mid-day to 14:30 and for dinner frome 19:00 to 22:00.
Cinema showings begin at around lunch-time and end around 00:30. Theatres and other shows usually start betwenn 20:00 and 21:00.

Shops
Shops are open from 10:00 to 19:00 Monday to Saturday. In major town centres and in most shopping malls, shops stay open during lunch hours. Small shops are often close on Monday while big shops are open on Sunday.

Working hours
Buses: from 05:00 to 01:00
Tramway: from 05:00 to 23:30
Banks: 09:00-12:30 / 13:30-17:30
Shopping centers: 08:30-21:30
Shops: 10:00-19:00
Embassies: 09:00-15:00
Post offices: 09:00-18:00
Pharmacies: 09:00-19:00
Meal times: Lunch: 12:00-14:30
Dinner: 19:00-22:00