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The euro (€), the single European currency, is now operational in 12 of the 15 member states of the EU, including France. Euro banknotes have seven denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. There are also eight coin denominations: €1 and €2, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents (also referred to as centimes!). Both notes and coins are valid and interchangeable within each of the 12 countries. Check on exchange rates against your own currency at the time of travel.

These are widely accepted throughout Paris and you should have no difficulty paying for most things with plastic. The only possible exception is American Express because of the heavy commission it incurs. The Visa card is the most widely used.

There are cash dispensers all over Paris, and each one indicates the cards it accepts. Many of them also operate in several languages. If you know your PIN number, obtaining cash in this way is very easy.

Bureaux de Change exist throughout Paris, especially near tourist hotspots. Many banks also have either a bureau de change or foreign desk. “No commission” signs can be misleading, as they probably mean an unfavourable rate. If changing a large amount, a bank is usually best.

The main post offices in the heart of Paris are at 52 rue de Louvre (open 24 hours) and 71 ave des Champs-Elysées. They do not exchange currency or travellers’ cheques but will exchange international postal cheques, giros and money orders.

For simple letters and postcards home, you can buy stamps at a tabac (tobacconist) rather than try to find a post office. Not all of them advertise the service, but if they sell postcards it is worth asking. Some hotels and newsagents also sell postage stamps.

Paris phone numbers begin with 01 and have eight subsequent digits, usually written in four sets of two digits. If calling Paris from overseas, drop the zero from “01”. Most public telephones require a télécarte (phonecard), which can be bought from post offices, metro stations, tobacconists and a few other outlets.

These aren’t as common as in some cities but are rapidly on the increase and it should not be hard to track one down. The RATP provides some free internet booths (bouquets ) at mainline stations, or try internet café Paris-cy at 8 rue de Jouy, 75004; tel: 01 42 71 37 37.

A wide choice of the major foreign newspapers is available on the day of publication throughout Paris. The closer you are to the Champs-Elysées, the more you will see. The popular International Herald Tribune is published in Paris.

Most hotels subscribe to multilingual cable and satellite channels, which vary the diet of French-language entertainment.