Weather : Egypt experiences mild winters and hot, dry summers, cooled by the breeze by the sea.

Dress code : Prefer light and cotton clothes in summer, but don't forget to bring a sweater in winter. Also don't neglect the hat and sunscreen, wherever you go. When visiting places of worship, it is strongly recommended to cover legs and shoulders.

Photography : If you venture into the desert, you will need to remember to protect your device, for example with a plastic bag. Note also that some sites such as airports and military zones prohibit photographs, as do some museums and historic sites. Remember to find out if the regulations are not clearly specified.

Gastronomy : Very varied and not very spicy, Egyptian cuisine adapts to all tastes and budgets. Vegetables hold a very important place there thanks to the Nile and its cultures, just like lamb and poultry. On the coast and along the river, there are also a lot of fish and seafood dishes.

Holidays : January 7: Coptic Christmas April 25: Liberation of Sinai May 1: Labor Day July 23: Revolution Day October 6: Day of the armed forces Public holidays depending on the Muslim calendar: Eid al-Fitr: End of Ramadan Eid el- Adha: Feast of the Sacrifice (70 days after Ramadan) Ras el-Sana: Muslim New Year Mouled el-Nabi: Birthday of the Prophet Mohammed

Vaccinations and health : There is no compulsory vaccine for a stay in Egypt. However, some vaccines may be recommended for long stays or in poor hygienic conditions. For more information, please contact your travel agency or visit the Institut Pasteur website.

Passport and visa : To enter Egypt you must have a valid passport and a visa that can be obtained at the Egyptian consulate. In case of entering Egypt by road, you have a 14-day residence permit and will not need a visa.

Language : The official language is Arabic, but French and English are quite widespread, particularly useful in tourist areas.

Change : The Egyptian currency is the pound (LE), or Guineh in Arabic, which is divided into 100 piastres. All major cities and some hotels have cash machines, and department stores accept credit cards and travelers' checks. Also be aware that you can enter or leave Egypt with an unlimited amount of foreign currency to change money upon arrival.

Opening time : Banks and administrative buildings are open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day except Friday, Saturday and public holidays. The majority of stores are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day except Sunday. These times vary during Ramadan.

security : The Egyptian tourist areas are very safe: you will easily find representatives of the tourist police on site to help or inform you.

Transportation : All major cities have a taxi system, as well as the possibility of renting a car. To travel between the main tourist cities, it is possible to use a high-speed train, a coach or one of the regular flights of EgyptAir.

Jet lag : GMT 2 ( 3 in summer)

Voltage : 220 volts

International telephone index: 20

Tourist police: 126

Firefighters: 180

Ambulance: 123

Medical transport plane: 37766393/2

Telephone inquiries: 140

Cairo airport shuttle: 19970

French Embassy: 202 35 67 32 00