Certificates of attendance for the main conference (27-29 August 2012) ONLY will be prepared and available for collection from the Registration Desk from 10am on Wednesday 29 August 2012 for delegates registered by 1 August 2012. If you have specific certificate requirements, please request this onsite at the conference or by email (amee@dundee.ac.uk) and your request will be actioned after the conference.
Children are not permitted to attend any of the academic sessions and should not be left unaccompanied at any time at the Lyon Conference Centre or La Doua Campus,
Credits are being requested from the UK Royal Colleges and from the European Accrediation Council for Continuing Medical Education for full attendance at the main conference (27-29 August 2012).
A register of attendance will be available to those who wish to claim for their attendance at the main conference for signing at coffee break Wednesday 29 August.
The currency in Lyon is the Euro. At the time of launching this webpage (24/11/11) the exchange rate is: £1 = €1.18; $1=€0.75.
www.xe.com
Banking: Automatic teller machines (ATM) are by far the best way to get money in France. They all take CB, Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus and Plus and are plentiful throughout France. They may accept other kinds of card; check for the logos on the ATM and on your card.
Traveller's cheques are difficult to use — most merchants will not accept them, and exchanging them may involve finding a bank that accepts to exchange them and possibly paying a fee.
Note that the postal service doubles as a bank, so often post offices will have an ATM. As a result, even minor towns will have ATMs usable with foreign cards.
Exchange offices (bureaux de change) are rare - they will in general only be found in towns with a significant foreign tourist presence, such as Paris. Some banks exchange money, often with high fees. The Bank of France no longer does foreign exchange.
Credit cards: Almost all shops, restaurants and hotels take the CB French debit card, and its foreign affiliations, Visa and Mastercard. American Express tends to be accepted only in high-end shops.
Tipping: As elsewhere in France, the prices always include service, bread and tap water (ask for a carafe of water). Tipping is rare and only expected if you are particularly satisfied with the service. Typical tips depend, of course, on the price of the menu and your level of satisfaction but they are generally not as high as in the US, for example. If you pay by credit card and wish to add a tip, you can tell the person in charge how much he/she should charge your card.
Whilst the language of the Conference is English, some sessions will take place in French. There will also be a programme of preconference workshops in French, to be held on Saturday and Sunday at La Doua Campus, a ten minute walk from Lyon Conference Centre.
The language of the city is French. Hotels, tourist attractions and restaurants in popular areas generally have staff capable of working in English. You could, however, experience difficulties in more remote areas. The transportation system also has little information written in English. On the street, many people (especially young people) speak at least basic English, but they will appreciate a little effort in French. Using basic words like bonjour (hello), s'il vous plaît (please), merci (thank you) or excusez-moi (excuse me) will certainly make people even more friendly and willing to help you.
Lyon has a "semi-continental" climate. Summers can be hot; temperatures around 35°C (95°F) are not exceptional in July and August. Precipitations are moderate and happen throughout the year. During the summer, especially in August, precipitations often take the form of thunderstorms whereas in winter, lighter but more continuous rain is more common.
For up to date weather forecast, please visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2996944
Electricity is supplied at 220 to 230V 50Hz.
Travellers from the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland and other countries using 230V 50Hz which use different plugs simply require a plug adaptor to use their appliances in France.
Travellers from the US, Canada, Japan and other countries using 110V 60Hz may need a voltage converter. However, some laptops, mobile phone chargers and other devices can accept either 110V or 230V so only require a simple plug adaptor. Check the voltage rating plates on your appliances before connecting them.
It is strongly recommended that delegates arrange their own travel insurance to cover the loss of possessions, money, any health or dental treatment and conference cancellation.
Smoking is prohibited by law in all enclosed spaces accessible to the public (this includes train and subway cars, train and subway station enclosures, workplaces, restaurants and cafés) unless in areas specifically designated for smoking, and there are few of these. There was an exception for restaurants and cafés, but since the 1st January 2008, the smoking ban law is also enforced there. You may face a fine of €68 if you are found smoking in these places.
Though no smoking rules in cafes and restaurants exist, they are widely flouted.
Smoking is banned in métro and trains, as well as enclosed stations. Subway and train conductors do enforce the law and will fine you for smoking in non-designated places.
As hotels are not considered as public places, some offer smoking and non-smoking rooms.
All conference locations being used by AMEE will be strictly no smoking.