TABLE OF CONTENTS Pre-move......................................................................................................................... 4 People You Will Need to Inform ................................................................................... 4 French Consulate Information ...................................................................................... 5 Welcome to ITER at Cadarache ...................................................................................... 6 Useful Information ........................................................................................................ 6 Phone ....................................................................................................................... 6 Electricity .................................................................................................................. 6 Television and Radio ................................................................................................ 6 Currency ................................................................................................................... 6 Shopping .................................................................................................................. 6 Banking ..................................................................................................................... 7 Useful Numbers ........................................................................................................... 7 Emergency numbers................................................................................................. 7 Hospital of the Pays d’Aix ......................................................................................... 7 Hospital of Pertuis..................................................................................................... 7 Hospital of Manosque ............................................................................................... 7 Administrative Formalities ............................................................................................ 8 Before Leaving Your Country ....................................................................................... 8 Your First Day in Cadarache ........................................................................................ 9 Discovering the Region .............................................................................................. 10 Daily Life .................................................................................................................... 11 Grocery Shopping ................................................................................................... 11 Eating in France...................................................................................................... 11 Miscellaneous Info .................................................................................................. 11 Seeing a Movie in France ....................................................................................... 12 French Shoe Sizes ................................................................................................. 12 Relocating to France Checklist ...................................................................................... 15 Page 3 of 19
PRE-MOVE
Have the originals of the following documents, as substitute documents take time.
• Valid passport (and for each member of your family)
• Driving license
• Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
• Birth Certificate
• Health Insurance
• Reference letter from your bank (in your current place of residence)
• Full bank details of your bank (in your current place of residence)
• New employment contract
• Last three pay slips
• Last three rent slips or proof of ownership of a property
• Medical certificates/records
If you are travelling with Children include their:
• Birth Certificate
• Health Insurance
• Medical certificates/records
• Copies of school transcripts or reports on the priority list
People You Will Need to Inform
Medical
 Doctor
 Dentist
 Vet
Insurance
 House Insurance Company
 Car Insurance Company
 Life Insurance Company
 Health Insurance Plan Company
 Insurance Broker
Utilities
 Electricity Board
 Water Board
 Gas Board
 Telephone Company
 Mobile phone Company
 Internet Provider
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 Satellite/Cable Television Provider
Finance
 Bank
 Post Office Savings Bank
 Savings and Loan Association
 Investment Company / Broker
Government & Other Authorities
 Inland Revenue / Tax Authority
 Health and Social Security
 Car Registration Authority
 Driving License Authority
 Town Hall (Property Tax)
Other
 Post Office (for mail)
 Library
 Newsagent/Magazine Subscription
 Gym/Sports clubs/Social Clubs
 Church/Place of worship
 Other Subscriptions
French Consulate Information
It is not mandatory but it is preferable for US Citizens to be registered in the US
consulate in Marseille to get information and help if necessary.
To Phone:
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From outside France, please dial: 33-4-91-54-92-00
Please listen carefully to the bilingual automated switchboard which will transfer
you to the office you are seeking.
URL Address:

http://france.usembassy.gov/marseille.html
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WELCOME TO ITER AT CADARACHE
Useful Information
Phone
To dial France from the United States:
1. Determine what time it is in France. France is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean
Time, which means it is 6 hours later in France than it is on the East Coast of the
United States and 9 hours later than it is on the West Coast.
2. Dial 011, the international access code.
3. Dial 33, the French country code.
4. Remove the 0 from the beginning of the 10-digit phone number (all French
telephone numbers begin with 01, 02, 03, 04 or 05).
5. Dial the remaining nine digits.
To dial the United States from France:
1. Determine what time it is in United States. France is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich
Mean Time, which means it is 6 hours later in France than it is on the East Coast
of the United States and 9 hours later than it is on the West Coast.
2. Dial 00, the French international access code.
3. Dial 1, the United States country code.
4. Punch in the area code for the city you wish to call.
5. Dial the remaining seven digits.
Electricity
Electricity is provided at 220-230 V, 50 Hz. Think about the necessary adaptors.
Television and Radio
The French television is broadcast in SECAM. You will need to have a television that is
capable of receiving this signal. Many radio stations are available, from classical music
to popular music, from radio talk shows to news broadcasts. Some stations provide
news in English, Spanish, Italian and German. Satellite television packages are
available everywhere.
Currency
As of September 22, 2010; 1.00 US Dollar = 0.746685 Euro.
For the most up to date currency conversion, you can go to http://www.xe.com/ucc/.
Shopping
There are large supermarkets in all the major cities. Their opening hours vary, but are
from around 8:30 am to around 8:30 pm, Monday to Saturday.
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For smaller shops and other stores, the general opening hours are from around 8:30 am
to noon and from 3 to 7 pm, Monday to Saturday.
Banking
The Welcome Office can help you to open a bank account at the bank located on the
Cadarache site.
Obviously many other banks exist and you are free to choose the bank you want.
Useful Numbers
Emergency numbers
 From a home telephone:
o Fire brigade and First Aid (Pompiers): dial 18
o Police: dial 17
o S.A.M.U (emergency medical service): dial 15
 From a mobile phone for all three services:
o dial 112 (European emergency number)
Hospital of the Pays d’Aix
 Avenue Tamaris 13100 Aix-en-Provence
Phone: +33 (0)4 42 33 50 00
http://www.ch-aix.fr/
Hospital of Pertuis
 Rue de Croze 84120 PERTUIS
Phone: +33 (0)4 90 09 42 42
Hospital of Manosque
 2 rue Léon Mure 04100 MANOSQUE
Phone: +33 (0)4 92 70 30 00
A list of English-speaking doctors in Manosque and in Aix-en-Provence is available at
the Welcome Office.
Page 7 of 19
Administrative Formalities
People coming from outside the European Union will have to obtain a visa. To obtain a
visa to come and work at Cadarache, the following procedure needs to be followed:
1. Once your appointment to the ITER Organization at Cadarache has been
accepted by the ITER Organization, the Security file will be sent to you by the
Welcome Office.
2. When you send it back to them completed with the required documents (a copy
of your valid passport and two pictures) the Invitation letter will be sent. You will
then be able to start the formalities for your visa.
3. You then have to take the Invitation Letter to the French Consulate or Embassy
nearest your present residence. The French Consulate will give your file priority
and will provide you with a special “ITER visa”, free of charge.
4. Once you have obtained your visa from the French consulate, you will be able to
come to France.
Before Leaving Your Country
Do not forget all your important documents:
1. French resident permit- once you arrive in France, the Welcome office will help
you to apply for a French resident permit. The required documents you have to
bring are listed below.
 A copy of your valid passport (and for each member of your family).
 A copy of your visa.
 Your birth certificate or family registration with the translation in English or
French.
 Your marriage certificate with the translation.
2. Everyday documents- useful documents that may help you in everyday life:
 If you are living with someone (as a common-law spouse), bring proof that
you have been doing so for an extended period (e.g. rental agreement).
 Children’s school reports and statements of full-time attendance at an
educational establishment.
 Vaccination cards (for all members of the family).
 Health insurance documents.
 Driver's license.
 Certificate of conformity for your car if you plan to import it.
 Car details certified by your car insurance.
 If you have pets: anti-rabies vaccination card.
Page 8 of 19
As stated above, you will need everyday documents, such as your driver’s license. In
Provence, the public transportation network (buses) is not fully developed. That is why,
we advise you to obtain a driver’s license in your country (for you and your spouse) in
order to exchange it for a French license once you settle in France.
Moreover, if you want to import your car, you will need to ask for a certificate of
conformity which is mandatory to drive within the EU. Be aware that for some
nationalities, there are some difficulties in importing your cars, because of the norms
required in the EU.
The Welcome Office will answer all your questions and will help you with these
formalities on a case by case basis.
Contact person:
Audrey DUVAL: +33 4 42 25 33 73 ([email protected])
Eve-Mary RIES: +33 4 42 25 20 25 ([email protected])
Your First Day in Cadarache
A taxi will pick you up from the Marseille airport and take you to your hotel or other
destination. Your hotel reservations will be arranged by the Welcome Office.
On your first day of work, the taxi will drive you to the Cadarache Center main gate in
order to obtain your access badge.
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



The Welcome Office will introduce you to your department and colleagues and
will give you all necessary information.
Office working hours are 8:00am to 4:15pm.
Lunch hours are 11:30am to 1:30pm.
Cadarache is equipped with on-site bus networks to take you from your office to
the cafeteria.
These buses can also take you back to your home. The details of lines and bus
stops, depending on the town you live in, will be given to you by the WELCOME
OFFICE.
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Discovering the Region
Full country name: French Republic
Area Total: 643,427 sq km; 551,500 sq km (metropolitan France)
France Population: 62,150,775 in metropolitan France (July 2009 est.)
Marseille Population: 852,395 residents as of 2007
Marseille Climate: Mediterranean with mild, humid winters and hot, dry summers
Capital city: Paris (pop 11.8 million)
People: 85% French, 15% Other
Language: French
Religion: Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%,
unaffiliated 4%
Government: Republic
President: Nicolas Sarkozy
Prime Minister: Francois Fillon
GDP: US$1.32 trillion
Annual growth: 6%
Inflation: 1.4%
Member of EU: yes
Page 10 of 19
Daily Life
Grocery Shopping
French supermarkets are very much like those in the States. The layout is much the
same: sections for fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy products and so on. But there are
some differences that might make you look like, well, a tourist.
Supermarkets are very rarely open on Sundays and major holidays and close between
six and seven at night.
Shopping carts tend to be found in the parking lot of French supermarkets and you will
need a Euro coin to unlatch it. However, you can get your coin back when you re-latch
your cart.
In France, fruit and vegetables purchased by the kilo (par kilo) are not weighed and
priced at the cash register; you have to do it yourself. The scales in France are simple
to read and use. You don't need to read French. Each button will have a drawing on it;
all you need to do is push the one that corresponds to what is in your bag and it will
print a ticket that you will stick on your bag. If you buy fruit or vegetables individually (à
la piece), all you need to do is bag them and they will be priced when you get to the
cash register.
You will need to bag your groceries yourself when you get to the cash register.
Sometimes you will be given plastic bags to do the job but it is advised to keep bags in
your car because some grocery stores expect you to bring your own bags.
For payment, American credit cards will work or, of course, Euros. Remember, if you
used a shopping cart to re-latch it where you got it from, so as to get back your one
Euro coin.
Eating in France
A couple of things to be aware of when in France: restaurant hours differ from those in
the United States. Most restaurants only start serving dinner after 7 pm some as late as
8 pm. Smoking and non-smoking sections exist in France but not in all restaurants and
are often close together it is advised to arrive early to get a table as far from the
smoking section as possible. Most stores and shops including bakeries close during
lunch, bakeries often after 12:30 pm. Bakeries often carry little quiches, pieces of
pizzas, etc that can make for a nice meal.
Miscellaneous Info
Gas Grills: You can buy gas or charcoal grills in France, but they are noticeably more
expensive than in the US. If you want to bring your American gas grill with you, it is
possible to connect a local gas tank to it. Even though the connectors are different
between the U.S. and France, it seems the rubber hoses are the same size. You can
disconnect the hose and attach it to the local connector with a simple hose clamp.
Page 11 of 19
Light Bulbs: There are two standards for light bulb connections in France. The one
called "standard" is different from American bulbs. It slides in straight (instead of
screwing in) and a slight twist clicks it into place with two pins that stick out of the base.
There are also screw-in light bulbs in France, which are the same as used in the U.S.
An American lamp will work in France with an adaptor and a local bulb. You can't use
your American light bulbs because they are designed for 110V and will blow if plugged
into 220V.
Batteries: Batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) are the same in Europe as in the U.S.
However, as with many other things, they are more expensive in France.
Seeing a Movie in France
France has plenty of movie theaters that show movies in English. Just look for movies
marked VOSF (version original sous-titre en français) or just VO. Be careful, movies in
France come from all over the world, so VO movies can be in languages other than
English.
The cost of seeing a movie in France varies from 6 to 8 Euros, depending on location
and time of day. Most theaters in France have a bargain matinee. In general, American
movies come out a month or so later than in the US. In my experience, most American
movies that are released in France spend their first week being shown in VO.
In France, there is a yearly fête du cinéma, where movie theaters will cut their
admission prices. The fête du cinéma takes place during the summer and runs for three
days.
French Shoe Sizes
French shoe sizes are not the same as in America. France has a different system with
larger numbers and rarely uses half sizes. Below are conversion tables.
Children's
Women's
Men's
American
French
American
French
American
French
3 1/2
18
3 1/2 - 4
35
7
39
4 1/2
19
4 1/2
36
7 1/2
40
5 1/2
20
5 - 5 1/2
37
8
41
6 1/2
21
6 - 6 1/2
38
8 1/2 - 9
42
7
22
7 - 7 1/2
39
9 1/2 - 10
43
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7 1/2 - 8
23
8
40
10 1/2
44
8 1/2
24
8 1/2
41
11 - 11 1/2
45
9
25
9 - 9 1/2
42
12
46
9 1/2 - 10
26
12 1/2 - 13
47
10 1/2 - 11
27
11 1/2
28
12 - 12 1/2
29
13
30
13 1/2 - 1
31
1 1/2
32
2 - 2 1/2
33
3
34
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Page 14 of 19
RELOCATING TO FRANCE CHECKLIST
ASAP
Complete
Task
Comments
Receive contact from the ITER HR via email with
forms to fill out and return. HR will also mail
original contract to be signed and mailed back
(Suggest using FedEx).
If you do not have a passport you need to apply
for one ASAP at your local post office; it should
take about 4-6 weeks to obtain.
If you do have a passport make sure it is valid for
at least 6 months after arrival in France.
Start taking French lessons (either self-study or
classes). Although the ITER Project is in English
you will need a basic understanding of French for
everyday living.
Fill out Security Form sent by the Welcome
Office (WO)—Note that once this file is sent to
the WO, it takes around 4-6 weeks to get the
security authorization to issue the letter for the
Visa.
Prepare a moving file to put important documents
in such as: receipts, birth certificates,
immunization records, marriage certificate,
insurance documents, medical and dental
records, passports, etc. Include extra passport
pictures; they are needed for many forms and for
documentation.
Determine what you plan to take and what you
plan to store.
Note: Storage and closet space in France is
typically minimal!
Get rid of everything you do not plan to move.
Page 15 of 19
Notify your landlord of your intent to move
depending on contractual lease agreement
(typically about 3 months out), or, if you are a
homeowner, work with realtor to sell or rent your
home. If you decide to rent, it is important that
you have a good idea of when your move to
France will be approved; i.e., security clearance
and obtaining visa, so you can establish a movein date.
At Least Two Months Before
Complete
Task
Comments
Receive Invitation Letter for Visa.
ITER HR will email forms needed for travel cost
reimbursement and obtaining quotes from
international moving companies.
Make an online appointment with nearest French
Consulate (it typically takes at least a couple of
weeks before you are scheduled for an
appointment). Be sure to take extra copies of all
required forms to the meeting. The required
forms to complete will be in French; however,
you can Google for an English translation.
Note: Also take a Fed Ex mailing envelope with
you in case there are forms that cannot be
completed during the meeting and must be
mailed back to you.
Notify your dentist and doctor about relocating
abroad and obtain current medical records.
If you or a family member receives ongoing
treatment for a medical condition, request an
extended supply of prescription medications. Ask
for a copy of the medical file related to the
condition.
Have extra copies of all documents and keep
them organized in your moving file.
Make copies of the previous year’s tax return and
information for filing current year taxes and keep
organized in your moving file.
Page 16 of 19
Contact your car insurance company to make
sure the policy covers the car being driven in
France. Some insurance companies will not
extend coverage abroad but you can obtain
insurance coverage at the rental company or get
insurance if you buy a car.
Important! Obtain coverage documentation from
current car insurance company and good driver
discount as this will reduce your French car
insurance premium!
Note: ITER will pay for moving your car over to
France; however, there are several modifications
necessary and usually it is more economical to
buy a car there.
At Least One Month Before
Complete
Task
Comments
Submit notice of departure with your current
employer.
Obtain a change of address kit from the Post
Office.
Note: Post Office will not forward mail to France
so arrange to have mail forwarded by a trusted
family member or friend.
Notify current utilities of your intent to move and
provide them with a termination date.
Notify your bank about your move and make
appropriate financial arrangements. If you will be
keeping a bank account in the States, bring a
canceled check with you so ITER has necessary
information in case you want to put travel
reimbursement in American bank account, etc.
Inform relevant credit card companies of new
address.
Contact your cell phone provider to see if you will
have service. If not, you may have to upgrade
your phone or switch carriers.
Receive Visa.
Page 17 of 19
Arrange for temporary living for your first few
weeks in France, prior to finding a permanent
residence.
Go through the kitchen cupboards and
refrigerator and start to use up any food.
Two Weeks Before
Complete
Task
Comments
You may have trouble obtaining Euros in the
States. It is suggested to wait until you arrive and
use debit or credit cards until you obtain a
French bank account (which will probably be
within the first week of employment). American
bank debit cards using a 4-digit code will be
accepted at French ATMs and directions will be
in English.
Start finding new homes for your house plants as
you will not be allowed to take them abroad.
Collect any items from the Dry Cleaners
Inspect your goods and take pictures of anything
valuable before the movers arrive and pack.
Make arrangement with ITER to be escorted
from the badge office on your first day of work.
If You Have Children
Complete
Task
Comments
Arrange French lessons for your children – the
earlier the better!
Notify your children’s school about relocating
abroad and obtain full school records.
Notify your children’s dentist and doctor about
relocating abroad and obtain current medical
records.
The IO Welcome Office will be able to give you
information on the local schools so you may
arrange visits to help you decide which is best.
Make sure you include any dependents on your
application for French healthcare so that the
whole family can be eligible.
Page 18 of 19
Arrange for someone to look after the children on
moving day.
If You Have Animals
Complete
Task
Comments
Make sure pets have up-to-date (w/in last 30
days) vaccinations for rabies.
Obtain a letter stating the good health of the
animal from a veterinarian certified by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture within the past four
months.
Microchip your pets with your new details in
France. If they are already micro chipped, update
your address and contact details.
Miscellaneous
Complete
Task
Comments
Return any borrowed items.
Pay any debts.
Cancel subscriptions to any clubs, magazines,
courses etc.
Cancel any credit cards that cannot be used in
France; i.e., department stores.
Use up/give away any gift cards.
Update your address book of friends/family.
Get the appropriate adaptors/leave small
appliances and electronics and buy new ones
there—electricity in France is provided at 220230 V, 50Hz.
Upon Arrival In France
Arrange with the Welcome Office to meet with a relocation specialist to show
you apartments or homes.
Select bank and establish banking account.
Sign up for French lessons through the Welcome Office.
Page 19 of 19