Are there ATM's?:  Yes, there are ATM's downtown and also in
La Croix Valmer.  If you have a bank account with Bank of America,
there are no ATM fees if you go to the BNP Peribas ATM.  In general, the ATM charge is 1% plus an additional $5.  So, it makes a lot of sense to get a bunch of cash once instead of going frequently.

Do people speak English?:  Cavalaire is a resort town that has tons of Brits and German tourists.  English is the common language, but don't expect people to strike up a conversation.  One word questions work well.   Toilet?  Combien?  Une pression (a beer). Table pour deux.  Holding your hand out and letting them pick the change works, too.

What is the temperature?:  November through March can be cold to very cold.  The Mistral winds, known for "blowing the ears off a donkey" can be very strong in the winter and early spring.  The prime times are April through June and September through October.  July and August can be hot and there is no AC in the apartment.  In August the town is packed with Europeans on vacation.  It is worth coming for the beach scene, but the grocery store is packed and it is hard to get around.

Is there a maid?: No, you're it.  The apartment relies on each user leaving it clean and neat the way they found it.  It is also critical that the startup and shut-down procedures found on the door of the fuse box be followed.  Failure to do so can cause big problems since the apartment is often left for months without anyone in it.

Topless Beaches:  For us Americans, the idea of a topless beach is pretty exciting or frightening, depending on your perspective.  For Europeans, however, it is no big deal.  You will soon feel that way after your first day or two at the beach.  Depending on the time of year, some 1/3rd to half of the women at the beach will be topless, from the very young to very old.  In August, when the beaches are packed, the number might be higher.  Topless or not, it is no big deal.  Taking pictures, however, is not a good idea.

French Drivers:  Simply put, French drivers (as well as other Europeans) are very impatient and will risk life and limb to get one car ahead in the line.  They will tailgate 2" off your bumper, honk at you, and make signs at you.    Don't take it personally.  If there is an opportunity to pull over and let them pass, do so.  You will soon see them in the next town or stop light.

Tipping:  Service is generally included in the bill.  It is common practice to leave an additional 5% if you wish if the service was good.  Leaving lager denomination coins (silver) is OK.  Leaving the small change (brass and copper) can be considered an insult.

The Bill:  When you are done, give the waiter the writing on your hand sign along with saying "L'addition" and he will get the message.  Most restaurants take credit cards.  The waiter will come by with his little adding machine/scanner and swipe your card.  Some, however, don't.  It's always a good idea to have enough money in your pocket to pay the bill in case they don't, or know an ATM nearby.

Credit Cards:  In general, your U.S. issued credit card will work at restaurants, stores, gas stations (with an agent present), and other locations.  There are, however, places that will only accept European issued credit cards.  Those places include toll booth machines, TGV vending machines, and gas station pumps (on Sunday's when the booth is closed and no agent is present but the pump is working.)  Getting a European issued credit card is no simple matter and is expensive.  You need to setup a bank account in France, maintain a large ($10K balance) and pay a large annual fee.

Parking Downtown:  Parking downtown during the non-winter months is metered.  After finding a spot & parking, go to the nearby parking meter, insert coinage based on the length of your stay, and place the ticket in your window.

Beach Parking:  Depending what time of day you try to park, parking at the beach or along the frontage road may be impossible.  A convenient alternative is to park on the divided street Avenue du Parc located roughly behind the corner store & newspaper store nearby.  You will then need to walk across the D559 to the beach.

Navette:  There is now a free shuttle bus (navette) which apparently now runs up by the apartment, along the beach and into town.  Should you not have a car, or not wish to park downtown, you may wish to try the navette.

Supermarket Tips:  The grocery carts at the Champion are chained together near the entrance.  To use one, you need to either insert a 1 Euro coin or token (found in the hutch) to release the chain.  You get it back when you return the cart.  When buying produce, you need to weigh it, print out a sticker and attach it to the bag prior to checking out.