General Information
Arcachon, a seaside resort on the Bay of the same name, was born from the salt air, pine forest scent, the train, and a stroke of genius businessmen of the last century: the Pereire brothers. In the spring of 1862, avenues and streets are traced; a casino and mansions emerge from the sand. The WMO/ICSU/IOC Joint Scientific Committee for the World Climate Resarch Programme (WCRP JSC-29) will be hosted in the Palais des Congrès d'Arcachon (Arcachon Convention Centre) (more information available on the Venue page)
Near Arcachon, the city of Bordeaux lies around 100km (62mi) from the Atlantic, at the lowest bridging point on the Garonne River.
The world capital of wine, famous for its excellent lifestyle, Bordeaux also features some of Europe's most charming and impressive examples of 18th century architecture.
Located in the heart of a region offering countless attractions, Bordeaux combines celebration, great wines, and first-class cuisine.
Maps
Arcachon map |
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Bordeaux maps |
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 Zoom map |
Arcachon map provided by "Arcachon une ville à vivre" |
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Time Zone
GMT/UTC +1 (Central European Time)
Daylight saving start: last Sunday in March
Weather in Arcachon-Bordeaux
France, including Arcachon-Bordeaux, is at its best in spring. Arcachon-Bordeaux's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean protects its grapes - and visitors - from both frosty chills and excessive heat, so expect a mild climate.
Visa
Information are available from the "Visa" webpage
Health and Safety
Pharmacies can be identified by a Green Cross.
| Emergencies | ||
| SAMU (ambulance) - Tel: 15 (free) | Police Emergency (from a cell phone) - Tel: 112 |
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| Fire Department - Tel: 18 (free) | European emergency call: 112 | |
| Police - Tel: 17 (free) |
Insurance
The JSC organizers cannot accept liability for personal injuries sustained, or for loss of, or damage to, property belonging to conference participants or their accompanying persons, either during or as a result of the JSC. Participants are advised to arrange for insurance to cover medical, travel, and personal effects while attending the meetings.
Loss or Theft
- Visa, Eurocard MasterCard
Tel: 33 (0)8 36 69 08 80 (24/24)
Contact details can be found at the cash dispenser at your bank or from the multilingual inter-bank voice server by dialling 33 (0)892 705 705 - Diners Club:
Tel: 33 (0)810 314 159 (24h/24) - Checks:
Tel: 33 (0)8 92 68 32 08 (24/24) - Carte France Télécom:
Tel ("Green number") : 0 800 10 20 40 (free)
Currency and Banks
Credit and debit cards are convenient. Visa and MasterCard (Access or Eurocard) are widely accepted; AmEx cards are useful at more upmarket establishments. In general, all three cards can be used in shops, supermarkets, for train travel, car rentals, autoroute tolls and cash advances. Remember you'll need to know your PIN number (le code) to use a credit card in many hotels, shops and restaurants.
The cheapest and most convenient way to change money in France is via ATMs; they accept all the major international credit and bank cards. You get the best exchange rate by using a credit card for purchases and a debit card for cash. Travellers cheques are safe and almost universally accepted. Post offices that exchange travellers cheques give a good rate. Major train stations and fancy hotels also have exchange facilities which usually operate in the evening, at the weekend and during holidays, but the rates are generally poor.
Euro notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. It is often difficult to get change for a €500.00 note. One euro is divided into 100 cents or centimes. Coins of 1, 2 and 5 centimes are copper-coloured; coins of 10, 20 and 50 centimes are gold-coloured; 1 and 2 euro coins are gold-and-silver coloured.
Exchange rate given by the Universal Currency Converter is now about
1 EUR = 1,45 USD
Post Office 
Letter boxes are yellow. Stamps can be bought in post offices, open Monday to Friday and Saturday morning, as well as in tobacconists.
Air Travel
- More details can be found in "Getting to Arcachon " page
- Bordeaux Merignac Airport
- Air France - Tel: 36 54
Rail travel
- More details can be found in "Getting to Arcachon " page
- Bordeaux Saint Jean Station is 10mn drive from downtow
- SNCF (French Railways)
- Rail Europe
Car Travel
Speed is limited to 50 Km/h in town, and 90 Km/h out of town and 130 Km/h on motorways.
In towns, parking is controlled and must be paid for.
Rent a car: list of Rental Agencies
Tourism
Electricity
The electrical voltage in France is 220 volts
Tax-Free
If you live outside of the EU you can claim taxes back if you have purchase more than 175 € of value. Customs info 33 (0)820 024 444
Tipping
Leaving a pourboire (tip) is done at your discretion - restaurants and accommodations add a 10-15% service charge to every bill, making a tip unnecessary, but most people leave a few coins if the service is satisfactory.
Shopping
Bordeaux has a wealth of luxury stores in the area known as the "Golden Triangle", situated within, Cours de l'Intendance, Cours Georges Clemenceau and Allée de Tourny.
Tobacco
You cannot to smoke in public areas.
Arcachon and Bordeaux's Cuisine
- The gastronomy of the Bay of Arcachon is a plate of a delicious mixture of products from the sea and the land. On the tables of Arcachon seafood and fish sit beside foie gras and duck’s breasts with the added spice of Iberia.
Wines from neighbouring Bordeaux, with their wide palette of aroma and colours, complete these gastronomic food. In Arcachon, the oyster bar is just next to your table, enabling you to discover new tastes and oceanic sensations. - Bordeaux's cuisine has become well known to the world mainly due to the illustrious Bordeaux wines. Bordeaux's cuisine is the base for some of its famous specialties such as "esturgeon à la Libournaise" (sturgeon cooked with white wine) or the "lamproie à la Bordelaise" which is a a local fish cooked with red wine.
Bordeaux is one of the rare region in France where one does not produce cheese but what a choice of desserts and candies! "Cannelés", "fanchonnettes","niniche" and "macarons".
Last update: June 10, 2009 - [webmaster]
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