Some useful tips

• Restaurant times. In France, most restaurants serve lunch between 12 noon and 2 p.m. Dinner is rarely served in restaurants before 7 p.m.
• A service charge is included in the bill, in both restaurants and bars, but it is usual to add a small tip (5 to 10%) if you are satisfied with the service.
• By law, all restaurants (and, in fact, all enclosed public areas) should have non-smoking areas. In some restaurants, this is not well enforced.
• Opening times of shops can range from 8.30 to 10.00 a.m., and most stay open till around 7 p.m. Some smaller shops may close between 12.30 and 2.30 p.m.