France has designated 1990 ”The Year of the French Province” to encourage tourists to travel outside Paris. The program focuses on new gateways to France and Europe, special travel assistance and new access to cultural attractions.
A keystone of YOFP is ”France on Call,” a new 900-number to France that will provide callers with information on the provinces for 50 cents a minute, with additional detailed information sent by mail. The number is 900-420-2003. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Chicago time), Monday through Friday.
Information will include cultural and special-event calendars, hotels, transportation and restaurants. Also, immediate information on festivals, wine tastings, skiing, spas, travel by train, barge or car. And info on packages, airlines, car rentals as well as other services, including contacts for help in making bookings.
For immediate phone help in English in France, the country will introduce a toll-free number in France (05-20-12-02) March 15.
Also available for the first time in March: Ticket reservations for many of France`s festivals, spectacles and cultural events obtainable before leaving for France via a phone-call service (900-420-2003) available through France-Tourisme/Paris Vision.
More last-minute help will come from more than 1,000 Welcome Centers throughout France, with English-speaking staff operating from railroad stations, regional and city tourist offices, car-rental offices, hotels and other points of contact for travelers.
Staff will be ready with free information and documentation in English. And, a freebie ”France Fun Book,” available in March, will have more than 150 coupons offering free admission to museums, monuments, castles and other points of interest. More than 500,000 copies will be available through French Government Tourist Office information centers, airlines, travel agents and by coupon.
More flight capacity and more frequent flights to France are now coupled with additional direct UTA and Air France flights from the U.S. to 11 French hubs: Paris, Nice, Lyon, Lille, Mulhouse, Strasbourg, Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Montpellier and Marseille.