France Booking Information

YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE INCLUDES

• Prices are in pounds sterling
• Accommodation only for the guests named on your invoice
• The assistance of our local representative, the property owner, housekeeper or concierge
• Simpson information book in your accommodation
• Welcome pack in villas and apartments

YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Any breakages, damage, losses, extra cleaning or outstanding accounts incurred during your stay
• Visas
• Holiday travel insurance
• Government and local taxes
• Airfares, car hire or transfers

FOREIGN OFFICE ADVICE BEFORE YOU TRAVEL
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office provides up-to-date travel information to help British travellers make informed decisions about travelling abroad. Should you wish to check their advice or information about the destination you are travelling to, please visit their website: www.fco.gov.uk/en or call 020 7008 1500.

INFANTS
One cot and one highchair are provided free of charge in our self-catering properties. Additional cots and highchairs may be available upon request.

MINIMUM AGE
The person making the booking must be a minimum of 25 years of age.

PLACING AN OPTION
In order to allow you to co-ordinate your holiday arrangements with friends and family, in many cases we are able to hold an option for up to 24 hours before confirming your booking.

PAYING FOR YOUR HOLIDAY
In order to confirm your booking, we require a deposit of 25% of the total accommodation cost. For bookings made within 70 days or less of departure, we require full payment at the time of booking. All the above payments are non-refundable. The balance payment for your holiday is due 10 weeks prior to your departure. We accept most debit cards and credit cards, and personal cheques. Multi-centre holidays incur a £15-100 per person administration fee.

Please familiarise yourself with our full booking terms including our cancellation policy here.

SECURITY DEPOSIT
Most of our self-catering accommodation is privately owned and sometimes it is the owner’s main residence, which they vacate for the summer season. In order to protect the furnishings and fittings, some owners require a security deposit which is collected either prior to departure from the UK or on arrival at the villa. The deposit will be refunded in full within 7 days of your return provided there is no damage or additional cleaning required and the property remains in the same condition as upon arrival. If a security deposit is applicable, this will be stated in the Details section of the property. Please alert the concierge/owner/property manager to any breakages or damages during your stay.

A Security Form may be presented to you by the owner or caretaker on arrival and on departure for your signature.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is compulsory that all our guests have comprehensive travel insurance including personal liability cover which can adequately cover major damage to a rented holiday property caused by you or your party. We will need full details of your policy at the time of booking or before you travel.

FINAL DOCUMENTATION
Your travel documents are available to download and print 2 weeks prior to departure via our Manage My Booking facility on our website provided you have paid in full.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS
It is your responsibility to be in possession of a valid passport and any necessary visas. EU citizens do not need a visa to travel to France. If you are a non-EU citizen then you should check with your own embassy for the entry/re-entry requirements necessary for your journey. Children not on an accompanying parent’s passport before October 1998 are now required to hold their own passport if they are under 16 years. All passports must be issued less than 10 years before the date you enter France (check the ‘date of issue’) and valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’). If you do not have a passport, it is recommended to apply at least 6 weeks before your holiday. 

ACCOMMODATION AND USEFUL INFORMATION

Air-conditioning and heating
We have indicated in the property descriptions which accommodation has air-conditioning included in the holiday price. Heating is available in some of our properties during the low season weeks, which is normally included in the holiday price.

Animals and wildlife
As in all rural communities, indigenous animals are an essential part of the way of life. The braying of a donkey, crow of a cockerel or the barking of a dog is not a complaint that receives much sympathy from the locals! Care should be taken to minimise the presence of insects and animals in your accommodation. Keep surfaces clean, dispose of refuse regularly and ensure that food is not left uncovered. Cats and dogs are often resident where an owner or manager lives on the property. If you are allergic to cats and/or dogs please ensure that you check the suitability of your chosen accommodation with us prior to confirming your booking. Unless specified otherwise, taking your own pet to any accommodation is not permitted.

Barbecues
We have specified if a barbecue is available at your accommodation. Please note that often in summer, due to the hot weather, use of your barbecue may not be allowed and/or strict rules for its use may apply. The local or national government reserves the right to introduce new rulings at any time, often with little prior notice, prohibiting the use of barbecues to reduce the risk of fires. Where a barbecue is not provided, it is usually because the surroundings are considered a fire risk or inappropriate for the use of barbecues.

Beach/pool towels
Beach/pool towels are provided in all our self-catering properties and these are normally laundered weekly.

Beds
Please note that a double bed could be two single beds placed together. French bed sizes vary and can be 140cm.

Check-in and check-out
You will usually be able to occupy your accommodation between 4-7pm and you should vacate it on the day of departure before 10am. Please refer to specific property details for exact times. 

Cleaning
All our properties are cleaned for your arrival. The details section of each property has further information regarding the cleaning schedule. If additional cleaning is required, please contact us to arrange this in advance of travel. Please note additional charges will apply.

Distances and timings
Please note that all walking and driving times stated are approximate estimates only. Transfer times are also approximate estimates only and do not include any waiting time.

Electricity
The voltage in France is 220-240V and is compatible with appliances used in the UK but you will need a plug adaptor. These are widely available in high street shops, airports, and on cross-Channel ferries.

French time
The time difference between the UK and France has been standardised and France is always one hour ahead of the UK. Arrival and departure times at villas are given in French time. 

Health and safety
Simpson Travel is committed to raising the standards of health and safety throughout all our destinations. Our guests’ safety and wellbeing is of the highest importance to us. However, please note that since many of our properties are private homes, it is not always possible to meet the same exacting standards as in the UK. In your accommodation we will provide any necessary health and safety information. We ask you to familiarise yourself with this information and the property on arrival, particularly when travelling with children, and to raise any concerns with the Simpson Travel telephone representative.

Internet access and WiFi
Internet access and WiFi are available when stated in the relevant accommodation description details and the type of connection may vary. All properties with WiFi are able to support basic functionality such as web browsing and checking emails. There may be restrictions with the availability and speed of the service transmitted by the local provider and technical issues may cause temporary withdrawal of internet facilities. Additionally, the signal may not be available in all areas of the property. We are unable to accept responsibility for any down time or consequences of using this service and refund/compensation cannot be offered due to circumstances beyond our control such as adverse weather conditions.

Linen and laundry
Bed and bathroom linen is provided weekly. For your convenience all of our properties in France have a washing machine and most have a tumble dryer.

Money
Banking hours vary throughout France. Some banks are open weekdays from 09:00 to 17:00, often with a long lunch break which can be from 12:00 to 14:00; others open on Saturday and close on Mondays. A few banks still close at 15:30. Most Post Offices offer Bureau de Change services and are open for much longer hours, sometimes 08:00 to 19:00 on weekdays, and on Saturdays 08:00 to 12:00. 

Avoid taking large denomination Euro notes as they may not be easily changed due to strict money-laundering regulations. Supermarkets will not accept 500 Euro notes for purchases below 200 Euros. 

Automatic teller machines, available in all towns and some villages, make a charge for international cash withdrawals. Users are allowed only two attempts at entering their correct PIN before the card is retained by the machine and can only be retrieved from the bank. 

Motoring in France
We recommend you check with a motoring organisation in case of any changes or additions to the information below.

Breakdown on a motorway: 

1) Emergency telephones are located every 1.5 miles (2.4km) on the motorway

2) Each phone is linked to the local police station which can automatically locate you and send out an approved repair service

3) The repair service rates are regulated and vary between €70 and €90 but be aware that between 18.00 and 08.00, as well as on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, the service rates go up by an additional 25%.

Children: Children under ten years of age may not travel in the front seat, except babies aged less under nine months and weighing less than 9kg, strapped into an approved rear-facing baby seat. Never fit a rear-facing baby seat in a seat with a front airbag. Children in the rear seats weighing 9-15kg must sit in a child seat and over 15kg on a booster cushion in conjunction with a standard seat belt. 

Drinking and driving: The maximum permitted level of alcohol is 0.05 per cent, lower than the UK limit. The penalties for exceeding the limit reflect the severity of the infringement and range from an on-the-spot fine, confiscation of driving licence, confiscation of vehicle and a term of imprisonment. Random tests are permissible in France.

Driving licence: The minimum age for driving in France is 18 on a full UK licence. European insurance cover is required. Drivers must hold a British or EU Driver’s Licence or International Driver’s Licence, held for at least two years. You do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in France if you have a photocard plastic driving licence issued in the UK. You will not be able to hire a car without your original, valid driver’s licence which you must carry at all times when you are driving. Further information for UK licence holders is available here. If your licence is from outside the UK or the EU, please consult the relevant authority in the country of issue.

Drugs: Saliva drug tests have been introduced in France, with similar penalties to those for drivers shown to be under the influence of alcohol. 

Fines: French police are authorised to levy on-the-spot fines for a variety of motoring offences and will give a receipt. Credit cards are not accepted. Drivers with insufficient means to pay may have their licences confiscated until they are able to pay.

First aid kit: A vehicle first aid kit, although a wise precaution, is not compulsory in France.

Fuel: Unleaded petrol, 95 and 98 octane, LPG and diesel (known as ‘gazole’) are available in France.  

Mobile phones: The use of hand-held mobile phones while driving is strictly prohibited.

Priority: All roads of any significance have right of way known as 'passage protégé'. In built-up areas, however, for roads of equal importance, France still operates a system of priority for traffic coming from the right, 'priorité à droite'. At the entrances to roundabouts carrying the sign ‘Vous n’avez pas la priorité’, or ‘Cédez le passage’, traffic already on the roundabout has priority. If a French driver flashes his headlights, he is not allowing you to go first but letting you know he has the right of way.

Radars: Radar detection devices are illegal in France and their use may result in a heavy fine. Even devices that are not in use may be confiscated by police and the driver fined. 

Seat belts: Seat belts are compulsory for front and rear seat passengers.

Vehicle Registration Certificate: You must carry your vehicle registration certificate (V5C) or, if the vehicle is not registered in your name, a letter from the registered owner giving you permission to take the vehicle into France.

Noise and building works
Traffic, farm work, roadwork, animals and other sounds form part of everyday life, however, what constitutes ‘noise’ to one person may not be a problem for another. Please let us know if you have any special needs regarding this. Occasionally, building work is unavoidable as we do not control such work and may not know about it in advance. Whenever possible, we will notify you of any work that we believe may affect your holiday.

Occupancy
Only guests named on your invoice are entitled to occupy the accommodation.

Satellite television and DVD players
French satellite broadcast systems and DVD players sometimes operate on a different system to those in the UK. Some DVD players at our properties cannot play UK DVDs. Satellite channels available in the UK may not be available in France, and at some villas programmes may be broadcast in French only.

Seasonal facilities
Some facilities are subject to weather conditions and the general season, for example swimming pools, restaurant terraces and courtyards, pool bars, local restaurants, and they may be limited or unavailable at the beginning or end of the season. Please do not hesitate to check with us, should a particular facility be a necessity to you.

Sewage systems
Most country houses in France have septic tanks to handle the sewage system. It is essential that nothing other than toilet paper and natural waste be put down the toilet. Blockage of the system can lead to unpleasant smells and may take days to clear. A repair charge may also be payable. 

Swimming pools
Swimming pool details are given on our website. Pool dimensions are approximate and, unless specified, are unheated. Pools are mostly freshwater but can be saltwater. Dates when pools are operational are subject to the prevailing weather conditions at the time of opening and closing and we cannot be held responsible if poor weather means the pool is opened later, or is closed earlier in the season.

Upon arrival at your accommodation, we kindly ask you to acquaint yourselves with the pool’s safety and hygiene rules. All our pools in Corsica and mainland France comply with French law and are fitted with one of the following forms of security: fence, alarm or cover. Some pools are ‘infinity pools’ which have an exposed pool edge with an unprotected drop. This maximises views and is an attractive feature of the pool. We recommend that you do not sit, lean or walk on the unprotected edge. Children must be supervised at all times.

Telephone 
To call the UK from France dial 00 44, the STD code minus the 0 then the number. 

Villa owners
Whilst the owners or staff of some properties may live on site and tend to the grounds, they are aware that you value your privacy, and will do their best not to intrude. We do ask you, however, to allow them reasonable access to the property so that they can maintain the grounds and keep them in good order.

Welcome pack
We offer a welcome pack in all our self-catering accommodation consisting of a small selection of staple items.