Organize your stay Louisiana
Money Louisiana
The currency is expressed in US dollars (US$ - not to be confused with the Canadian dollar). Denominations are 1, 2 (very rare), 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 US$. Note that denominations higher than US$50 are sometimes refused, especially in cabs. As forcoins, they are 1 cent(penny), 5 cents(nickel), 10 cents(dime) and 25 cents(quarter) - useful for telephones, buses and laundromats -, 50 cents(half dollar) and, finally, 1 US$, which are now gold-plated(golden dollar). According to Boursorama.com, the exchange rate on July 30, 2024 was : 1 US$ = 0.9 €; 1 € = 1.08 US$ (actual branch rates).
Good to know: American banknotes all look alike and require a minimum of attention. Especially as they are all roughly the same size, and the US$1, US$2 and US$20 bills are all the same color (green - the others are slightly tinted orange, mauve or pink). Make sure you don't make a mistake when paying for something, and always check when you get your change back.
Budget & Tips Louisiana
To help you plan your daily budget on site, here are three examples to suit everyone's financial means.
Small budget: US$100 per day per person (accommodation in a campground/youth hostel/motel, meals on the run or groceries, public transport or carpooling, free activities or activities costing less than US$10).
Medium budget: US$ 200-250 per day per person (B&B or hotel accommodation, good food, public transport or car, paid or package activities).
Big budget: from US$400 per day per person (accommodation in more luxurious hotels or cottages, good food, transport by car, package activities/expeditions).
And don't forget that the prices of most consumer goods and services are increased by a state tax of 4.45%, to which may be added a local tax of up to 7%, generally not included in the advertised price. For example, the total tax in New Orleans is 9.45%, while in Lake Charles it is 10.2%. Also, the 15% tip must be added to the bill in restaurants and bars. Tipping cab drivers, hotel cleaners and hairdressers is also recommended (but may be less than 15%). No tips at cinemas or theaters.
As for haggling, this is not a common practice in the country. Prices are fixed and generally non-negotiable. However, shopkeepers can sometimes be generous and offer you something if you buy items from them for a substantial sum. Similarly, even though it's strictly forbidden, small shops sometimes agree not to charge you taxes if you pay for your purchases in cash and without the possibility of returning them...
Passport and visas Louisiana
Since April1, 2016, an electronic or biometric passport is required to benefit from the Visa Waiver Pilot (VWP) program. This authorizes all French nationals to enter the United States without a special visa for a stay of up to 90 days. To enter, all you need is a valid passport, ESTA electronic travel authorization, a round-trip ticket and no intention of extending your stay.
ESTA electronic travel authorization. Travelers who do not require a visa must complete an Electronic Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to travel (at least 72 hours before departure). The ESTA costs US$21 per person and is valid for two years, or until the expiry of the passport. This online application enables U.S. immigration authorities to carry out checks on travelers. Beware, however, of the many fraudulent sites that abound on the web. Some companies, unconnected with the government, offer to help with ESTA applications. But it's very easy to do (and accessible in French). For more information: esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta
For stays of more than 90 consecutive days, visitors must be in possession of a visa. There are several types of visa (student, work, etc.). To find out all you need to know about the type of visa to apply for and the procedures to follow, visit the website of the U.S. Embassy in France: fr.usembassy.gov/en/visas-en
Covid-19. As of May 12, 2023, the vaccination requirement has been abolished for travelers to the United States.
Driver's license Louisiana
French, Belgian and Swiss driver's licenses are accepted for up to three months in all states; if necessary, you'll need to obtain an international license in your home country before departure. If you wish to rent a car in Louisiana, you must be at least 21 years of age, or even 25 for certain models, and have a credit card. Gasoline, sold by the gallon, is considerably cheaper than in Europe, and prices vary from state to state. That said, Louisiana, like several other Southern states such as Texas, Mississippi and Alabama, offers the lowest price at the pump (gasprices.aaa.com).
A driver's license is also required to drive an all-terrain vehicle on public roads (called an ATV or UTV), where permitted, and a motorcycle license is mandatory to drive one.
Health Louisiana
There are no infectious diseases or health risks worth mentioning in Louisiana, with the obvious exception of Covid-19, which affects the whole world (see the "Passports and visas" and "Required vaccinations" sections of this fact sheet for more information).
Mandatory vaccination Louisiana
As of May 12, 2023, the vaccination requirement has been abolished for travelers to the United States.
Other requirements may still be necessary for admission to the United States. For more information and to make sure you meet all eligibility criteria: www.visittheusa.fr/info/sante-et-securite
Security Louisiana
You're not in any great danger when you travel to the United States, but don't be fooled. As in the rest of the country, Louisiana has its share of crime, but as a visitor, you'll have the most to fear from tourist scams and theft. In cities big and small, don't leave anything of value in the trunk of your car: always drop off your luggage at the hotel before starting your day's sightseeing. Be careful with your handbags and avoid neighborhoods that seem unsavory. This applies especially to New Orleans, one of the most dangerous cities in the USA. Again, don't be paranoid - you're unlikely to find yourself in the hottest neighborhoods anyway. Unfortunately, the greatest risk you run when visiting the region cannot be prevented, as tropical storms and hurricanes sweep up the Atlantic coast, gaining momentum in the Gulf of Mexico before moving inland. If you are present during a hurricane, follow the instructions for evacuating the area. If you have not been able to evacuate, it is essential to find a permanent shelter and stock up on non-perishable food and mineral water, as well as flashlights, candles, a battery-powered radio, a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher and an axe, useful if you find yourself trapped inside a building.
Time difference Louisiana
The time difference with Louisiana is 7 hours less in both summer and winter. Fall and spring time change at different times.
Spoken languages Louisiana
In Louisiana, there is no official language, but the English language is spoken by the entire population of the state. According to data from the American Community (2012-2016) Survey regarding languages spoken in Louisiana, in addition to English, around 3.6% of the population use Spanish at home and 2.3% French (including Cajun French or, depending on the correct term, Louisiana French). Next come Vietnamese (0.7%), Chinese, Arabic and Haitian Creole (0.2%), then German (0.1%), not to mention dozens of other languages, as part of the cultural melting pot. In and around New Orleans, you'll also hear Yat, a local English dialect distinguished by the particular pronunciation of certain letters, the somewhat strange use of prepositions, the accent, etc. While several native languages were once spoken in Louisiana, only Choctaw and Caddo are still part of the state's linguistic landscape. That said, several nations are trying to rehabilitate their respective languages by teaching them to new generations. As far as the French language is concerned, Louisiana is the only state in the country to have created, in 1968, an agency to defend the linguistic rights of a minority: CODOFIL (Conseil pour le développement du français en Louisiane, codofil.org).
Communication Louisiana
Telephone coverage is excellent in the major centers and most regions, except in some more remote areas, particularly in the large swampy zones. If you take out a mobile subscription in Louisiana, especially with low-cost operators, be sure to check coverage, as it may be limited.
As for wifi, finding a connection is not a problem in Louisiana's medium and large cities, but options are more limited in smaller villages. Airports, bus and train stations, hotels, restaurants, cafés, bars, cultural venues, etc., are generally equipped with wifi, most of them free of charge.
Libraries, some hotels and cafés also make computers available, sometimes free of charge. But Internet terminals and self-service computers are gradually disappearing from the landscape...
Electricity and measurements Louisiana
Electricity. 110-volt alternating current with a frequency of 60 Hz. Plugs are American-style flat (not round as in Europe). You'll need an adapter to use European appliances such as shavers and hair dryers, and check that they accept this voltage. If necessary, also bring a current transformer.
Measurements. The USA refuses to use the metric system, which doesn't make life any easier for us. Distances are measured in inches, feet, yards and miles. In fact, you'll have to get used to miles, as distances and speed limits are indicated in this unit of measurement throughout the country (1 mile = 1.6 km). If you rent a car locally, the speedometer will also be in miles, but don't worry, the equivalent in km is also indicated.
Weights are measured in ounces, pounds and tons. Liquid measurements are even more complex and confusing: imperial (English) and American measurements are in pints and gallons , but are different (1 imperial pint = 1.25 american pint).
To make matters worse, temperatures are not in degrees Celsius but in Fahrenheit... To convert degrees Fahrenheit (°F) to degrees Celsius (°C), subtract 30, divide by two, add 10%. To convert degrees Celsius (°C) to degrees Fahrenheit (°F), multiply by two and add 32. E.g.: 80 °F = 80 - 30 = 50; 50 : 2 = 25; 25 + 10% = 27.5 °C. In short, in the USA, the normal temperature of the human body is between 97 and 99 °F, water boils at 212 °F, it freezes at 32 °F.
As for shoe sizes, women's 38 corresponds to 7 (which is equivalent to 39.5 for men). For clothing sizes, women's 40 corresponds to 12; men's 44 becomes 34.
To find out more: metric-conversions.org/en
Luggage Louisiana
You'll need a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and mosquito repellent to protect you from the hostile Louisiana climate at certain times of the year. You can also pack light, comfortable clothes for the day, something a little chic if you're going out to the clubs in New Orleans (although Louisianans aren't too particular about this), a raincoat (rain is more frequent in winter and summer) and, above all, good shoes for city walks and nature hikes. Although winter is relatively mild, warmer clothing is recommended, as the mercury often dips below 10°C in the evening, particularly in the central and northern parts of the state.
