Going to à BEYROUTH: Formalities and administrative steps

Daily life à BEYROUTH

Hello? Hello? à BEYROUTH

To call Beirut from France, the telephone code for Lebanon is +961, and conversely, to call France from Beirut, dial +33 before the desired telephone number. It is highly recommended to get a SIM card from one of the two operators in the country, Touch and Alfa. To do so, you must have a valid passport and go to their offices in the city centre. Once the SIM card is activated, it will be possible to use 4G data (count about $20 for 2GB), call numbers in Lebanon and send SMS. The Lebanese mainly communicate via the WhatsApp application.

Accessibility Accessibility à BEYROUTH

Beirut, with its stalled sidewalks and lack of public transportation, presents many challenges for travellers with mobility impairments. Taxis are not equipped to accommodate wheelchairs, and few hotels are equipped with ramps. That said, the Lebanese will do everything possible to help you prepare for your trip. There are also associations and specialized travel agencies.

Health Health à BEYROUTH

If Beirut is far from being a medical desert, the public hospitals, chronically short of resources, sometimes leave something to be desired. However, many (French-speaking) doctors have been trained in France and the capital's major institutions, such as the AUBMC or St. George's Hospital, have managed to maintain a good reputation. Beirut is also a medical tourism destination for many Middle Eastern countries. Moreover, Beirut does not present any particular health risks. Although drinking water is officially safe to drink, the dilapidated network forces Beirutians to prefer mineral water, or to boil their water about ten minutes before drinking it. Some hotels offer filtered water: a healthy and ecological solution.

Emergency numbers Emergency numbers à BEYROUTH

Firefighters:

175Civil

Defence:

125Red Cross

:

140Home

Doctor

:

+961 1 444 400Ambulance

:

+961 1 386 675

Securty Securty à BEYROUTH

Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, not only Beirut but also Tripoli, Saida and several localities in the Bekaa have been marked by a series of attacks and political-community clashes that reflect very high volatility and instability in the security situation. Beirut and Lebanon remain at the mercy of a further setback. Travel to the south of the capital, a stronghold of Hezbollah, is strongly discouraged

The demonstrations that followed the revolution of 17 October 2019 also plunged the capital into a complex security situation, aggravated by the economic crisis. At the time of our survey in February 2020, Beirut's city centre was completely closed to the public and the stigma of the violence was still clearly visible. It is therefore advisable to avoid demonstrations and to keep abreast of the security situation on a daily basis with the French-language press available on the web, particularly at www.lorientlejour.com.

For the latest information on local security, consult the "Conseils aux voyageurs" section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs

However, you should be aware that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers and that this sometimes gives a somewhat alarmist picture of the real situation in the country. Apart from that, Beirut is a safe capital. Delinquency is very limited. Robberies and assaults are generally rare, although the local press sometimes reports a few purse snatchings. This does not mean that the usual precautions should not be taken: don't show a wad of cash on the street, keep your papers and money safely with you.

During your stay, you are likely to come across a fixed or mobile roadblock of the Lebanese police or army. Don't panic, it is often just a checkpoint. Generally, they check whether the vehicles are in order or whether the driver has done his military service. Don't be afraid to ask them for information if you need it.

LGBTQ LGBTQ à BEYROUTH

With its bars, nightclubs and beaches, Beirut has become a well-known destination for the gay and lesbian community. That said, Lebanese society is still very conservative. It is therefore preferable to never display your relationship (kissing, holding hands) in the street. This also applies to heterosexual couples. While there is no law prohibiting homosexuality, article 534, which prohibits sexual relations, is sometimes used by the police to harass LGBTQ activists. In 2018, the Criminal Court of Appeal of Mount Lebanon ruled that homosexuality is a fundamental right, a ruling that should eventually lead to the revocation of Article 534.

Embassies and consulates Embassies and consulates à BEYROUTH

Visitors who wish to visit one of the French Embassy's services will have to present an identity card or official document with a photograph at the external guard post at the entrance in Damascus Street, which will be exchanged for a "visitor's" badge. The document left in deposit will only be returned on exit when the "visitor" badge is handed over. Opening hours to the public from 8am to 12pm. For further information, please call +961 1 420 000.

Mail Mail à BEYROUTH

The Post works relatively well regionally and internationally, as you mail your items from Beirut. For Europe, it takes a few days for a letter or postcard and 1 week for the rest of the world. For stamping to France and Europe, count LBP 1,750 for a postcard and LBP 5,000 for a letter. LibanPost is open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm and Saturday from 8am to 1:30pm. During the Ramadan period, it closes at 4pm. In 2016, there are 90 LibanPost offices in the country. For more details: (01) 629 628 -

www.libanpost.comLe postmen's work faces particular difficulties. There are no mailboxes in the buildings since 70% of the streets have no name or number and residents do not always know the number of their building, even though it is next to the facade. The postman is therefore obliged to give the letters to the building guards or to the neighbourhood grocery store.

LibanPost in Beirut: 228 Makdissi Street (Hamra), Riad Solh Street (downtown), 309 Omar Ibn el Khattab Street (Basta), 450 Gouraud Street (Gemmayzé), 15 Sassine Square (Ashrafieh), 779 Saeb Salaam Boulevard (Mazraa), Habib Abi Chahla Square (Unesco) and Takielddine el Solh Street (Raouché).

Local media Local media à BEYROUTH

While the Lebanese print media enjoyed a golden age in the twentieth century, the situation for this industry has deteriorated sharply in recent years. That said, Lebanon's historic French-language daily, L'Orient-Le Jour, remains the country's reference for information. The Lebanese have thus adopted the Internet to express themselves, to testify, to exchange or even to dream. The offer (sites, blogs, Facebook groups) is therefore endless and it is proof of a certain intellectual and democratic vitality that participates, among other things, in the charms of the country. And even if connections are sometimes slow and expensive, the development of the Internet market is constantly progressing. Particularly in Beirut, which has a very lively local scene. Here is a non-exhaustive list of our favorite Lebanese media

L'Orient-Le Jour is the main French-language daily newspaper. Local politics play a major role. International and sports news usually come from AFP and Reuters agencies

Belly dance blog. They are the best Lebanese blogs in English! Always well-informed, this blog offers a different perspective on Beirut

No Garlic, no onions was originally a blog dedicated to Lebanese gastronomy, with a slightly offbeat tone. The success of this medium has allowed to diversify its content. A real sure value!

Zomato is a website that lists many restaurants and bars throughout the country. Pictures of menus, prices, possibility to book via their site and even to order at home, Zomato is an essential for any stay in Beirut.