Business trip to Nice, France.
Nice is the seat of the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie Nice Côte d’Azur.Nice has the 2nd market of national interest in France and the first port cement manufacturer. It also has a large number of hotels and museums.Investors from France and abroad can get the assistance of the Côte d’Azur Economic Development Agency Team Côte d’Azur.
Among tourists, Nice is the 2nd most popular French city. Just after Paris, a fact which combined with the difficulties of terrestrial communications at long distance, allows it to have the 2nd busiest airport in France in terms of passenger numbers (close to 10.000.000 passengers in 2005).
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Nice has one conference centre: the Palais des Congrès Acropolis. Nice also has several business parks, including l’Arenas, Nice Méridia, Saint Isidore, Nice the Plain and the Northern Forum.
Nice also features several large shopping centres such as Northern Forum, Nicetoile, Nice TNL, Nice Lingostière, St-Isidore, the Trinity and Cap3000 in Saint-Laurent-du-Var.
Sophia Antipolis is a technology park northwest of Antibes. The park is named after Sophie Glikman-Toumarkine, the wife of French Senator Pierre Laffitte, founder of the park, and incidentally, Sophia, the goddess of wisdom. The second half of the park’s name is derived from Antipolis, the Greek name of Antibes.
Much of the park is within the commune of Valbonne. Established between 1970 and 1984, it primarily houses companies in the fields of computing, electronics, pharmacology and biotechnology. Several institutions of higher learning are also located here, along with the European headquarters of W3C.
For more in-depth information I suggest you buy and read the "Global Business Etiquettes" book.
- Communication:
Use formal names and academic titles.
Business and private are not mixed.
French are not direct, they prefer subtlety to directness, but questions can be very direct.
Learn some key phrases French.
Never interrupt somebody.
Dress formal and conservative. - Meetings and negotiations:
When making appointments use the 24-hour clock time format to avoid misunderstandings.
Be very punctual, if you suspect you will late, call and explain the situation.
Never cancel a meeting at the last minute.
Shake hands with everyone upon arriving at the meeting and leaving.
Remain standing until invited to sit down or others do so.
First appointments are more socially oriented, French would like to know you a bit better at first.
A lot of time can be spent to getting to know you before the business conversation begins.
Agenda’s are not strictly followed and a meeting can take much longer then planned.
Keep your presentation as short as possible, to the point, accurate and precise, do not exaggerate.
Follow up a meeting with a letter with all agreements outlined. - Table manners:
If unsure on how to behave, mimic the behavior of others.
Wait until you are appointed a seat.
Avoid alcohol if possible, otherwise drink little. Wineglasses will be refilled when not full, so keep some lots of wine in your glass.
If making a toast, stand up.
Put a napkin on your lap, eat not too much but finish your plate.
Keep your hands above the table when eating.
After finishing your plate lay your knife and fork parallel on your plate with the handles to the right.
Thank your host at the end of the meal.
With a GDP of approximately € 1,65 trillion, France is the world’s sixth-largest economy. It has substantial agricultural resources, a large industrial base, and a highly skilled work force. A dynamic services sector accounts for an increasingly large share of economic activity and is responsible for nearly all job creation in recent years. Real GDP increased by 0,8 percent in 2008. According to different sources, projections for 2009 GDP would show a decrease of 1 to 1,5 percent.
France is a member of the G-8, the European Union, the World Trade Organization and the OECD, confirming its status as a leading economic player in the world.
France is the second-largest trading nation in Western Europe, after Germany. France had a record-setting € 49 billion deficit in calendar year 2008. Total trade for 2008 amounted to € 772 billion, 75.0% of which was with EU-24 countries.
Government economic policy aims to promote investment and national growth in a stable fiscal and monetary environment. Creating jobs and lowering the high unemployment rate through recovery-supportive policy has been a top priority. The unemployment rate in metropolitan France slipped to just over 7% in the fourth quarter of 2008. Unemployment is expected to increase in 2009.
Despite major reform and privatization over the past 15 years, the government continues to control a large share of economic activity: Government spending, at 53 % of GDP in 2007, is among the highest in the G-7. Regulation of labor and product markets is pervasive. The government continues to own shares in corporations in a range of sectors, including banking, energy production and distribution, automobiles, transportation, and telecommunications.
| Currency | EUR |
| Time zone | GMT +1 |
| Population | 65.073.482 |
| Area | 543.965 km² |
| Population density | 115/km2 |
| GDP | € 1128,88 billion |
| GDP per capita | € 17937 |
  | Product tip: Keep an eye on the size of your trolley Many luggage stores sell suitcases described as ’carry-on’, but these suitcases are sometimes larger than the size most airlines will accept. The safe maximum size is 114 cm, in the form of a 55 x 40 x 20 cm bag. Some airlines allow up to as much as 140 cm, but most do not. Not only do luggage stores and manufacturers seldom tell you if their bag is legally sized or not, but they also frequently mis-measure their bag. Their measurements generally are for the inside of the main compartment, and assume that any external pockets are of zero thickness, rather than stuffed full of things (which can easily add another inch or more) and ignore any external framing such as wheels and carry handle (which can also add another couple of inches). |
Address
Nice Côte d’Azur Airport
06281 Nice Cédex 3
France
Telephone: +33(0)4 898 898 28
Fax: +33(0)4 932 131 47/9
www.nice.aeroport.fr
Airport codes
IATA airport code: NCE
ICAO airport code: LFMN
Lost property
Terminal 1 : 0820 423 333* (*€0.12 / min)
Location: Basement (Toilets, access to car park 2 )
Hours: From 6:30 am to 10 pm
Terminal 2 : 0820 423 333* (*€0.12 / min)
Location : Service Centre
Hours : From 6am to 11pm
Terminal info
The airport is seven kilometers west of Nice and has two terminals. Terminal 2 has a new section that is also called New Terminal 2. A free shuttle bus rides between the terminals.
Connectivity from the airport
Train
500 meters from Terminal 1 is the SNCF-station Nice St. Augustin. The regional train (tel: +33(0)892 35 35 35) leaves from here to destinations between Cannes and Vintimille. All other lines leave from the Central Station in Nice. There are direct buses from the airport to the station, bus line 99 leaves from Terminal 1, and bus line 23 leaves from Terminal 2.
Taxi
There are taxis standing in front of both terminals. An indication of the prices are: Nice €20.00-25.00, Antibes €45.00-55.00, Cannes €60.00-70.00 and St. Tropez €230.00-260.00. From 19:00-7:00 there is a 20% surcharge and you must pay for the toll roads (tel: +33(0)4 9313 7878).
Keep the following tips in mind if you need to order a taxi during your business trip to Nice.
Taxis in Nice can be expensive and not very easy to find. They are one of the easiest ways to get from the airport depending on location of your hotel.
| Company name | Telephone number |
| Nice-Mandelieu Allo Taxi Denis | 93756382 |
| Taxis Nicois Independants | 93882582 |
| Peretti Gérard | 93180020 |
| Pessi Eric | 93441023 |
| Azur Taxi | 93018852 |
La Favola
La Favola is an Italian restaurant occupying the corner of the Cour Saleya and rue Louis Gassin, a couple of steps from its sister restaurant, La Voglia. Although it’s new for 2009, it is already building a good reputation with several favorable mentions.
13, Cours Saleya
Nice France
Tel: 04 93 04 45 23
www.lafavola.com
Chez Juliette
In the heart of Old Nice, head up to Chez Juliette to discover a Provence that is between tradition and modern day tastes. In warm and cared-for surroundings - ochre, mosaics and forged iron - the meals are full of colour and flavour. So, will it be the duck breast with Provence honey or the gnocchi with melted cheese?
1, Rue Rossetti
06300 Nice
Tel : 04 93 92 68 47
Frog
Near the famous Cours Saleya, just behind the Opera, this establishment presents an original concept mixing tradition and modernity.His chocolate brown decoration with the wingué wood and some anise green notes make this place contemporary. The space is flexible, so the customers can be isolated in box to have more intimacy, or also relax themselves on comfortable seat or either settle down at the big table which can welcome 15 persons. If you are on a business trip to Nice, this is a great restaurant for entertaining your hosts.
3, Rue Milton Robbins
06000 Nice
Tel: +(33) 4 93 85 85 65
www.frog-restaurant.fr
Tips to save money on hotel costs during your business trip to Nice.
To get the best price for a good hotel room during your business trip to Nice it's not only important to compare the prices the hotel charges for a room, but also compare the prices of the different booking agencies.
This can save you, or your company, a lot of money!
- Go to this hotel listing for Nice.
- Select the "Check-in" and "Check-out" date.
- Select filters like: "Hotel brand", "Ratings", "Location" and "Price ranges".
- Select the hotel you like.
- You will get an overview of the prices from up to 24 booking sites
- Select the best offer in the list and book the room!
We have selected the following established business hotels for your convenience:
Radisson SAS Nice
Radisson SAS is a perfect base for business travelers. Located on the famous Promenade des Anglais, the seafront Radisson SAS Hôtel Nice features a superb outdoor swimming pool and unrestricted views overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
223 Promenade des Anglais
F-06200 Nice
France
Telephone +33 (0)4 97 177 177
More info about Radisson Blu SAS Hotel Nice
Mercure Nice Centre Notre Dame
The recently renovated 4-star Mercure Nice Centre Notre Dame is located opposite Notre Dame church and close to Place Masséna, the Promenade des Anglais and the old town. The hotel is 328 yds from the train station and 4.3 miles from the airport which is very convenient during a busy business trip. There are 198 rooms available and 21,258 sq. ft. of indoor garden for you to enjoy. Make the most of the Solarium, beauty center, swimming pool and roof-top bar with panoramic views across the city. Public paying indoor car park.
28 avenue Notre Dame
06100 NICE - FRANCE
Tel : (+33)4/93133636
More info about Hotel Mercure Nice Centre Notre Dame
Best Western Hotel Roosevelt
Situated in the heart of Nice just a stone’s throw away from the beautiful beaches, the Promenade des Anglais and Old Town is the Best Western Roosevelt.Completely renovated in 2004, all of the rooms are decorated in a cozy, professional style and are equipped with direct telephone, TV, private bathroom with bath or shower and free Wi-Fi internet access.
16 Rue Maréchal Joffre
06000 Nice - France
Tél. 00 33 (0)4 93 87 94 71
More info about Best Western Hotel Roosevelt Nice
Nice is a great city to shop for fashion, shoes, jewelery trendy and stylish homeware and gourmet specialties. A great place to start is the Old Town and Cours Saleya, famous for its flower and fruit market. There are many souvenir and tourist shops and one-off boutiques in this area plus many cafes, bars and restaurants for time out between stores..
The ideal time to shop in Nice is during the sales which are held twice a year, January and July, and run for about six weeks. The French word for sales is "soldes".
The French department store (top quality and price) Galeries Lafayette close to Place Massena is worth a browse, good for clothes plus great bags, hats and jewelery on the ground floor and is handy for a loo stop (hidden away on the 2nd or 3rd floor and now 50 cents a go!)
When you have room for a lazy afternoon during your business trip to Nice, plan some time to visit the Promenade des Anglais. For the local inhabitants, the Promenade des Anglais has become the Promenade or, for even shorter, La Prom. On Sundays, bicyclists, baby strollers, and whole families can be seen out for a stroll along the Promenade. It has also become a favorite place for skateboarders and in-line skaters.
Aside from numerous events such as the annual Carnival, the Battle of Flowers, etc. that take place along the Promenade, the Promenade has its blue chairs (chaises bleues) and cabanas perfect for a lazy time along the Mediterranean and for contemplation of the azure blue water of the Bay of Angels (la Baie des Anges).
The city of Nice, intrigued by the prospect of a pleasant promenade, greatly increased the scope of the work. The Promenade was first called the Camin dei Anglès (the English Way) by the Niçois in their native dialect Nissart. After the annexation of Nice by France in 1860 it was rechristened La Promenade des Anglais, replacing the former Nissart name with its French translation.
The beach is rough pebbles so don’t go barefoot!
Make sure your health care insurance is sufficiently covered.
Maybe this is already covered in your regular health care insurance but often you will need to cover this with the travel insurance. Also a good travel insurance should cover the costs of travel for a relative in case of seriously illness or an accident.
The business trip travel insurance should also cover the costs of search, rescue and repatriation.
When you go on business trips on a regular basis, the easiest way to get insured is with an annual multi-trip insurance.
Keep in mind that you can also use this insurance for your pleasure trips so don`t forget to include to insure your leisure activities.
| Service | Telephone |
| Medical help/SAMU: | 15 |
| Police/Police Nationale: | 17 |
| Fire & accident/Sapeurs Pompiers: | 18 |
| SOS - all services (calling from a mobile): | 112 |
There is no guarantee that any English will be spoken on any of these emergency and helpline telephone numbers.
In case of a medical emergency:
When you are in Paris and you are in need of medical help you can go to the American Hospital of Paris - 63 boulevard Victor Hugo - 92200 Neuilly-sur-SeineTelephone: 33 (0)1 46 41 25 25 - Fax: 33 (0)1 46 24 49 38
French is a descendant of the Latin language of the Roman Empire, as are national languages such as Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Romanian and minority languages ranging from Catalan to Neapolitan and many more. Its development was also influenced by the native Celtic languages of Roman Gaul and by the Germanic language of the post-Roman Frankish invaders.
In history most French refused to speak any English. Nowadays the yournger generation speaks quit good English.
Some French phrases can always come in hand....
| How are you? | Comment ça va? |
| I’m fine, thanks. And you? | Ça va bien, merci. Et vous? |
| What’s your name? | Comment est-ce que vous vous appelez? |
| My name is ... | Je m’appelle ... |
| Pleased to meet you | Je suis enchanté(e) |
| Good day | Bonjour |
| Good evening | Bonsoir |
| Good night | Bonne nuit |
| Goodbye | Au revoir / À bientôt |
| Have a nice day | Bonne journée ! |
| Bon appetit | Bon appétit ! |
| Cheers/Good health! | À votre santé ! |
| I don’t understand | Je ne comprends pas |
| Please write it down | Pourriez-vous me l’écrire ? |
| Excuse me | Excusez-moi ! |
| How much is this? | Ça coûte combien ? |
| Thank you | Merci beaucoup |
| You’re welcome | Je vous en prie |
| Where’s the toilet? | Où sont les toilettes ? |
| How do you say ... in French? | Comment dit-on ... en français ? |
| Yes / No | Oui / Non |
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