WHAT TO DO IF YOU RUN INTO PROBLEMS	LOSS OR THEFT OF PROPERTY POLICE AND THE LAW CAR

It seems that only one thing frightened the Gauls, our ancestors, and that was that the sky might fall down on their heads! Although this is scarcely likely to happen to you during your stay in France, you should be prepared for more run-of-the-mill problems. It is always possible that your papers might be lost or stolen, for example. For those who worry about such things, we have compiled a list of potential disasters to be avoided, whenever possible!

LOSS OR THEFT OF PROPERTY

Luggage, purse or wallet, valuables

Watch out for pickpockets. It is a good idea to keep your wallet in an inner pocket and to make sure that your bag cannot be snatched. Never leave valuables or money in your car. If anything is lost or stolen, the first thing to do is to hurry off to the nearest police station (commissariat de police or gendarmerie) and fill in a loss (Déclaration de Perte) form.

If you leave something behind in a train you might get it back if you go immediately to the ticket window of the station where you got off. If French Railways finds your luggage they will send it on free of charge to your destination station. Also consult the Lost Property Desk (bureau des objets trouvés) if you have lost anything in a station.

Loss of Papers

In exchange for a Déclaration de Perte, the police will give you a certificate which means that you won't get kicked out of the country before your new papers are ready (go to your Embassy or Consulate).

If your wallet has been stolen you may find it in a waste bin nearby (intact, but minus your precious money, of course). This often happens.

If you lose travellers cheques, your chequebook or bank card, you should immediately notify the bank and make out a Déclaration de Perte at the police station. The numbers to call if a card is lost are as follows:

Perte d'une carte

Visa :
Tél : 01 42.77.11.90
Tél : 54.42.12.12 from provinces

Eurocard/Mastercard : Tél : 0145.67.84.84 Américan Express : Tél : 01 47.77.72.00

Diners Club : Tél : 01 47.62.75.75.

Don't forget the dialling regional code.

POLICE AND THE LAW

Identity Checks

It is a good idea to always keep your papers on you and always have them in order (see “Before you leave” section).

Also check the expiry dates on visa and temporary residence permits (carte de séjour temporaire) so that you don't go beyond the date and find yourself in the position of being an illegal alien.

Legal Proceedings

If you run into a serious problem (landlord problems, assault, theft etc.) and want to file a claim for compensation, you should realise that legal proceedings are costly, especially if they drag out so think carefully before taking legal action: you may have to wait years before winning your case. Legal costs could then be out of all proportion to any benefit (damages) you might hope to gain from going to law. So ask a lawyer for advice before you get involved. The French Bar Association provides free legal counselling open to anyone, at Court Houses (Palais de Justice) and at some town halls (mairies).

If funds are not unlimited you may be able to obtain legal aid for any proceedings. Foreigners “usually resident in France” have the right to this in the same way as French nationals do, as long as their resources are not in excess of a certain ceiling. Legal aid entitles you to have a lawyer's help.

CARS

What Do I Do If I Have An Accident?

Keep as calm as you can. If your insurance is in order and if you took the precaution of getting an insurance statement (constat amiable) form before you left home you will find that things can often be worked out without any problem once the initial surge of irritation has died down. If the other party committed a serious traffic violation, do not hesitate to call the police or the gendarmerie. They will draw up an official accident report. You are under a legal obligation to call the police if anyone is injured.

In the event of a serious accident in which anyone is injured, phone or get someone else to phone the fire brigade ( Tél : 18) or the rescue squad ( Tél : 15), depending on the situation.

Traffic Violations and Fines

So you left your car in a place where parking was prohibited and found your windscreen decorated with a pretty little green slip when you got back! This is indeed a traffic violation and they are most usually put there by traffic wardens known as “pervenches” because of the periwinkle blue colour of the uniform they wear. You will have to pay the fine by going to a tabac and buying the administration stamp (timbre amende) which matches the amount of the fine. Stick it on the slip and send it to the address stated.

You must also expect a fine if you travel without a ticket in trains and in the metro. Here again, be sure to pay as, if you don't, you might be piling up serious trouble for yourself as the inspectors can turn you over to the police when you get off the train.

Your Car Is Towed Away (Voiture en fourrière)

Surely somebody told you - in Paris and major cities it's positively suicidal to leave your car parked where it will be a nuisance or where parking is prohibited for any length of time. After 24 hours, or 7 days in the provinces, you may very well find that your lovely jalopy has vanished. Don't worry, it hasn't been stolen but just kidnapped and taken off to the pound (fourrière).

So what do you do?

Quite simply, call the Préfecture de Police in Paris, or the police stations in outlying suburbs or in the provinces. They will instruct you how to get your car back. And how to pay the “ransom” money - i.e. a fine of 471 Francs plus 230 Francs to take it away and 21 Francs a day for “babysitting” the vehicle!

Design by : Marc ELOY - Em@ze InfoSystems

Last update : 01/12/96