One of the more more daunting tasks facing new arrivals in France whose French may be less than perfect, is learning how to cope with the French utilities - electricity, gas, water, telephone etc. Although they all have websites and hot-lines (sometimes including English speaking) - many of them thankfully have maintained walk-in offices and showrooms in larger town and cities.
Only yesterday, I was able to sort out a complicated problem in 20 minutes face-to-face with a charming and helpful lady assistant in my nearest EDF boutique (www.boutiques.edf.com to find your nearest). The problem concerned identifying the owner of a meter inside a block of flats and arranging re-connexion. The identification number of an EDF meter is shown on the unit itself, and the assistant was able immediately to trace it. A new contract was signed and all that remains is for an electrician to make the final connexion - for around 100 (one hundred) euros.
France Telecom/Orange and all the other main suppliers also maintain local offices/showrooms, and armed with proof of identity and details of your (new) address you can order a fixed line, internet connexion etc and a mobile phone contract - all done over the counter within a few minutes. If you have just bought a property and are moving in it helps the telephone company to identiy the precise location if you know the number of the previous occupier. You also need to produce a copy of the 'attestation' provided by your Notaire to establish that you are the new owner of the property, or a letting contract if you are renting.
Only yesterday, I was able to sort out a complicated problem in 20 minutes face-to-face with a charming and helpful lady assistant in my nearest EDF boutique (www.boutiques.edf.com to find your nearest). The problem concerned identifying the owner of a meter inside a block of flats and arranging re-connexion. The identification number of an EDF meter is shown on the unit itself, and the assistant was able immediately to trace it. A new contract was signed and all that remains is for an electrician to make the final connexion - for around 100 (one hundred) euros.
France Telecom/Orange and all the other main suppliers also maintain local offices/showrooms, and armed with proof of identity and details of your (new) address you can order a fixed line, internet connexion etc and a mobile phone contract - all done over the counter within a few minutes. If you have just bought a property and are moving in it helps the telephone company to identiy the precise location if you know the number of the previous occupier. You also need to produce a copy of the 'attestation' provided by your Notaire to establish that you are the new owner of the property, or a letting contract if you are renting.