Having moved to a new location, particularly a foreign country, your susceptibility to falling victim to a crime is always higher than it would be in a city with which you are familiar. Until you know the city, and where the safe and not so safe areas are located, it is a good idea to be particularly aware of where you are and to follow safety precautions at all times. Continue reading 21: Crime & Police →

HAIR AND BEAUTY SALONS

Good hair and beauty salons are numerous in Toulouse and the suburbs. In communities where there is a high density of English-speaking people you will no doubt find that hairdressers and beauticians are more accustomed to, and more patient with, ‘our’ translation of hairdressing terms. This is less likely to be the case elsewhere. Continue reading 22: Beauty & Haircare →

The Toulouse area provides you with the opportunity to fill your free time, for years! What with museums, concerts, movies, sightseeing in the city and surrounding areas, hiking and skiing in the Pyrenees, as well as water sports on the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and regional lakes, you’ll never be at a loss for a fun and interesting way to spend your day, evening, or weekend. Even the outdoor food markets and antique markets can be a source of entertainment. Learning French can also be a leisure activity, as it opens up so many opportunities to enjoy yourself! We’ve gathered information to get you started, but in time you’ll surely discover your own favorite spots. People under the age of 26 and students should inquire about their eligibility for reduced rates at many entertainment activities. Enjoy it! Continue reading 23: Leisure →

SPORTS AND INSURANCE

The area of Toulouse offers the oportunity to practice almost any sport. Check the “Sports” section of the yellow pages, or the Sports chapter of Toulouse Pratique (See Chapter 27) for an alphabetical listing of all sorts of sports facilities and clubs. Continue reading 24: Sports →

Because of the central location of Toulouse, there are many interesting and beautiful places to see in the area. We have listed a few of our favorites, to which you will be able to add your own discoveries. You can also try The Bookshop, rue Lakanal, for English-language books on the area. The tourist office in central Toulouse (behind la Place du Capitole) will give you, upon request, a free Midi-Pyrénées tourist map, complete with listings of most everything to see in this region. You can also contact:
Comité du Tourisme, 24, rue de l’Embouchure, 31000 Toulouse.
They will mail you free brochures and tourist maps, lists of hotels or B&Bs, and lists of places of interest. Continue reading 25: Travel →

SERVICES OFFERED BY THE AMERICAN CONSULAR PRESENCE OFFICE

As of January 1, 2014 services have been reduced in the Toulouse office which is now classified as an “American Presence Post” (APP). The Toulouse office continues to handle the following services which are deemed an emergency:

• U.S. citizen in prison in France
• Death of U.S. citizen in France
• Victim assistance in France
• Disappearance

The first two are self explanatory. Should you fall victim to a robbery on vacation in France the embassy will assist you to the extent of even getting you home if you do not have the funds to return. These funds are subject to repayment to the U.S. government. If someone is here visiting, working or attending college and family and friends cannot locate you, they provide location assistance.

Services no longer offered in Toulouse (except during embassy visits, see below) are:

• Issuing passports (minors and adults)
• Report of birth abroad and first passport
• Notarizing of documents
• Marriage documents
• Social Security Card (no payment is necessary)

The embassy in Paris and consulate in Marseille are experimenting with having their embassy officials occasionally visit various regions in France so that US citizens do not need to go to Paris or Marseille to have these services. If you need services, take advantage of them in your local areas, because if turnout is low they will discontinue the visits. What will happen is on the day of your appointment you sign the necessary document(s) and you will be given the document(s) you requested. You will not have to wait.

If you cannot wait until the next visit, you must work with the embassy in Paris or the consulate in Marseille directly.  Most requests can be handled by mail. For more information, their contact information including Web site addresses where you can find all of the necessary procedures and forms are listed below.

AIT will inform members well in advance of such consular visits.  Individuals can also sign up to be notified directly and to receive various other types of travel and safety alerts useful to US expats by entrolling in the Smart Travelers Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://step.state.gov/step/

List of Embassy and Consulate Addresses:

American Embassy (Paris)
2 rue St. Florentin
75001 PARIS
Tel: 01 43 12 23 47
Hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 15:00, except American & French holidays. The Notary Section is only open from 09:00 to 12:00.
Web site: http://france.usembassy.gov/

American Consulate (Marseille)

For passports by mail:
Place Varian Fry
13286 MARSEILLE
Tel: 04 91 54 92 00 Ext. 316 or 317
Fax: 04 91 55 09 47
Hours: Tuesday-Wednesday, 09:00 to 12:00 & 14:00 to 16:00
Web site: http://marseille.usconsulate.gov/

American Consular Prescence Office (Toulouse)
25 allées Jean Jaurès
31000 Toulouse
Tel: 05 34 41 36 50
Fax: 05 34 41 16 19
Hours: Wednesdays by appointment only from 09:00-12:00 & 14:00-17:00
E-mail: toulousedos@fr.psinet.com

Australian Embassy
4 rue Jean Rey
PARIS 15e
Tel: 01 40 59 33 00

British Embassy
31 rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré
PARIS 8e
Tel: 01 44 51 31 00

British General Consulate
353 boulevard du Président Wilson
33073 BORDEAUX Cedex
Tel: 05 57 22 21 10

British Consulate
English Enterprises
8 allee Comminges
COLOMIERS
Tel: 05 61 30 37 91 or 05 57 22 21 10
Hours: Monday – Tuesday and Thursday – Friday, 09:00 to 12:00 & 14:00 to 17:00

Canadian Embassy
35 avenue Montaigne
PARIS 8e
Tel: 01 44 43 29 00

Canadian Consulate
10 rue Jules de Resseguier

31000 TOULOUSE
Tel: 05 61 52 19 06
Hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 12:00

German General Consulate
377 blvd. Président Wilson
33022 BORDEAUX Cedex
Tel: 05 56 17 12 22
Fax: 05 56 42 32 65

German Consulate
24 rue de Metz
31000 TOULOUSE
Tel: 05 61 52 35 56
Hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 11:30

The following reference books provide an extensive amount of information, on a variety of topics, to further your understanding and enjoyment of France, Toulouse and the French lifestyle.
You can either purchase these books in the United States and/or the U.K., or in France depending on the language. The English bookshops in Toulouse can order them for you. For on-line shopping, please be aware of the high postage costs to France if you order from an English or American web site. When ordering from www.amazon.fr, you will only pay the French postage. Continue reading 27: Reference Material →