Medical advice
Check with British Social Security before
travelling to see if you are eligible for emergency cover
under form E111 (can be obtained from Post Offices). First
Aid, medical advice and night service rota are all available
from pharmacies, recognisable by their green cross.
Gendarmeries will give you their addresses. Vaccinations are
not normally required from mainland Britain.
Medical Services
There are a variety of medical services available to you in
France. Consultations and examinations by GPs, specialists,
dentists etc, as well as emergency room facilities, will be
provided at any hospital or health center. You can also make
an appointment for sugery, or have a doctor visit you at your
hotel. Doctors are either registered with the Department of
Health (their fees are fixed), or are in a private practice
(their fees will be more expensive).
There is always a doctor on call, but please be aware that
home visits and consultations on Sundays and public holidays
are always more expensive.
To find out the addresses and telephone numbers of local
doctors, ask at the police station or dial 15 (SAMU – medical
emergencies).
Pharmacies
There is a wide network of pharmacies in most towns.
Although their hours of business are usually the same
as for stores (9am to 7pm or 8pm), there is always a pharmacie
open nights, Sundays and on public holidays.
All pharmacies display the address of the nearest one.
Certain medications may require a prescription, while
others may be bought over the counter. The pharmacist
will provide you with the necessary information, and will be
able to advise you accordingly.
Refund of medical costs
If you are a citizen of a country belonging to the European
Union, you can be refunded for your medical costs on your
return. Ensure that you take an International Social Security
form E111 with you. However, the simplest way is to take out
an all-risks insurance before you leave. In case of a problem,
your insurer will take charge of everything