Going to Louisiana: Formalities and administrative steps

Covid-19 : current situation Louisiana

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, entry and travel restrictions may apply Louisiana. Remember to visit the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you leave for the latest information

Money Louisiana

The currency is expressed in American dollars (US$ - not to be confused with the Canadian dollar). The denominations are 1, 2 (rare), 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 US$. Please note that denominations higher than 50 US$ are sometimes refused, especially in cabs. As for thecoins, they are 1 cent(penny), 5 cents(nickel), 10 cents(dime) and 25 cents(quarter) - useful for the telephone, in buses and laundromats -, 50 cents(half dollar) and, finally, 1 US$, which are now golden(golden dollar). According to the Bank of America, the exchange rate in July 2022 was : 1 US$ = 1.01 €; 1 € = 0.99 US$ (real rates in branch).
Good to know: American banknotes all look the same and require a minimum of attention. Especially since they are all about the same size and the US$1, US$2 and US$20 bills are the same color (green - the others are slightly tinted orange, purple or pink). Be careful not to make a mistake when paying for something and always check when you get change.

Budget & Tips Louisiana

To help you plan your daily budget while you're there, here are three examples that fit everyone's financial means.

Low budget:

US$100 per day per person (camping/hostel/motel accommodations, meals on the run or groceries, public transportation or carpooling, free activities or less than US$10).

Medium budget:

US$ 200-250 per day per person (B&B or hotel accommodations, good food, public transportation or carpooling, paid or package activities).

Big budget:

from 400 US$ per day and per person (accommodation in more luxurious hotels or cottages, good food, transportation by car, package activities/expeditions).

Also keep

in mind that most consumer goods and services are subject to a state tax of 4.45% plus a local tax of up to 7%, usually not included in the 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 in cinemas and theaters.

As forhaggling, it is not a common practice in the country. Prices are fixed and generally non-negotiable. However, shopkeepers will sometimes be generous and offer you something if you buy items from them for a significant amount. In the same way, and although it is strictly forbidden, small shops sometimes accept not to charge you taxes if you pay your purchases in cash and without possibility of return...

Passport and visas Louisiana

Since April^1, 2016, you must be in possession of an electronic or biometric passport to benefit from the Visa Waiver Pilot (VWP) program. The latter authorizes all French nationals to enter the United States without a specific visa for a stay of up to 90 days. To enter, all you need is a valid passport, a round trip ticket and no intention of extending your stay.

ESTA Electronic Travel Authorization.

Travelers who do not require a visa must fill out an electronic travel authorization before their trip (at least 72 hours before departure). The ESTA costs US$14 per person (less than €12) and is valid for two years or until the passport expires. This online application allows U.S. immigration services to check travelers. Beware, there are many fraudulent sites on the web. Some companies, not linked to the government, offer to help you apply for an ESTA. But this one is very simple to do (and accessible in French). For more information: esta.cbp.dhs.gov/estaFor

any stay longer than 90 days,

the visitor must have a visa. Several types of visas exist (student, work, etc.). To learn more about the type of visa to apply for and the steps to follow, visit the website of the U.S. Embassy in France: en.usembassy.gov/en/visas-enCovid-19

. As of November 8, 2021, the country welcomes foreign nationals again, but new requirements are in effect. To learn all about the requirements (they can change at any time) and make sure you meet all eligibility criteria: en.visittheusa.ca/us-covid-19-travel-recommendations

Driver's license Louisiana

French, Belgian and Swiss driver's licenses are accepted for a period of up to three months in all states; if necessary, you will need to obtain an international license in your home country before departure. If you wish to rent a car in Louisiana, you must be 21 years of age, or even 25 years of age for certain models, and have a credit card. Gasoline, which is sold by the gallon, is considerably cheaper than in Europe, and its price varies 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 required to drive one.
For a wealth of information on the subject: authentikusa.com/ca-fr/faq/code-route-americain & authentikusa.com/ca-fr/faq/permis-louer-voiture-usa

Health Louisiana

There are no infectious diseases or health risks worth mentioning in Louisiana, except of course for Covid-19 which affects the whole world (see the sections "Passport and visas" and "Required vaccines" of this practical sheet for more information).

Mandatory vaccination Louisiana

As of summer 2022, a clean bill of health in terms of Covid-19 vaccination is required. Other requirements may also be needed in order to be admitted to the United States. For more information and to ensure you meet all eligibility requirements: en.visittheusa.ca/us-covid-19-travel-recommendations

Security Louisiana

You are not in great danger when you travel to the United States, but don't be oblivious. Like anywhere else in the country, Louisiana has its share of crime, but as a visitor to the country, your biggest fear will be tourist scams and theft. In both large and small cities, don't leave anything of value in the trunk of your car: always drop your luggage off at the hotel before starting the day's tours. Be careful with your handbags and avoid neighborhoods that seem unsavory. This is especially true for New Orleans, one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. Again, don't be paranoid, there's little chance you'll end up in the hottest neighborhoods anyway. The biggest risk you face when traveling to the area is unfortunately unpreventable, as tropical storms and hurricanes roll up the Atlantic coast, expand into the Gulf of Mexico and then make their way inland. If you are present during a hurricane, follow the evacuation instructions for the area. If you were not able to evacuate, it is necessary to find a permanent shelter and stock up on non-perishable food, mineral water, flashlights, candles, a battery-powered radio, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher and an axe, which is useful if you become trapped inside a building.

Time difference Louisiana

The time difference with Louisiana is 7 hours less in summer and winter. However, the time change in the fall and spring does not occur at the same time.

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 the most recent (2012-2016) American Community Survey data on languages spoken in Louisiana, in addition to English, about 3.6% of the population uses Spanish at home and 2.3% uses French (including Cajun French or, as the proper term is, Louisiana French). Vietnamese (0.7%), Chinese, Arabic and Haitian Creole (0.2%), German (0.1%) and dozens of other languages follow in the cultural melting pot. In and around New Orleans, you will also hear Yat, a local English dialect that stands out because of the particular pronunciation of certain letters, the somewhat strange use of prepositions, the accent, etc. It should also be noted that although 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, it should be noted that Louisiana is the only state in the country that 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

Phone coverage is excellent in major centers and most areas, except in some remote areas, especially in large swampy areas. If you take out a mobile subscription in Louisiana, especially with low-cost carriers, be sure to check the 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 small towns. Airports, bus and train stations, hotels (beware: luxury hotels often offer this service at an additional cost), restaurants, cafes, bars, cultural venues, etc., are generally equipped with wifi, most of the time for free.
Libraries, some hotels and cafés also provide computers, sometimes free of charge. But Internet terminals and self-service computers tend to disappear gradually from the landscape...

Electricity and measurements Louisiana

Electricity.

Alternating current of 110 volts with a frequency of 60 Hz. The plugs are flat like in the United States (not round like in Europe). Bring an adapter to use European appliances such as a shaver or hair dryer, and make sure they accept this voltage. If necessary, also bring a current transformer.

Measures. The U.S. refuses to use the metric system, which doesn't make our lives any easier. Distances are measured in inches, feet, yards and miles

. 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 kilometers 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 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 United States, 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, a woman's 38 is a 7 (which is equivalent to a man's 39.5). For clothing sizes, women's 40 is 12; men's 44 is 34.

For more information:

metric-conversions.org/en

Luggage Louisiana

You will need a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and mosquito repellent to protect yourself from the hostile Louisiana climate at certain times of the year. You may also want to pack light, comfortable clothing for the day, something a little fancy if you plan to go out to the clubs in New Orleans (although Louisianans are not too particular about this), a raincoat (it rains more often in winter and summer) and, most importantly, good shoes for city walks and nature hikes. If winter is relatively mild, we recommend some warmer clothes, as the mercury often drops below 10°C in the evening, especially in the center and north of the state.