Lebanon
Lebanon, located at the crossroads of the Middle East and the Mediterranean, is a small country with a rich history and vibrant culture. Despite its modest size, Lebanon offers astonishing diversity in terms of landscapes, historical heritage, cuisine and lifestyles. The country is renowned for its ancient heritage , dating back thousands of years. Major archaeological sites such as Baalbek, Byblos and Tire demonstrate the historical importance of the region and attract visitors from around the world. Roman remains, Crusader castles and religious sites are living testaments to Lebanon's rich history.
Capital city
Beirut
Spoken languages
Arab - French - English
Currency
£ -Lebanese Pound (LBP)
£1 = €0.000061
Telephone code
+ 961
Visa
To go to Lebanon, French nationals and foreigners residing in France must obtain a tourist or work visa. A visa application form must be completed and presented to the consular services.
If you are a French national, you can also obtain a tourist visa at the border crossings in Lebanon for a period of one month, renewable from the General Security in Beirut.
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For an exchange, you need a student visa which you can obtain in 2 days and if it is for an internship or job, you can obtain it in 4 working days. Fees vary from €77 to €154 depending on the number of entries and exits you want to have.
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PLEASE NOTE: if your passport contains an Israeli visa or stamp, your visa will be refused.
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Visit this site for more information.
Missteps
Lebanon was at war and when you hear "Beirut" you may immediately think of a city in ruins but that is completely wrong today. Don't be a war reporter there!
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If you are driving and pass a police station, slow down, greet the soldiers and continue on your way (at night you have to turn on the dome light, so the soldier can see your face) and worry everything will be fine.
The pint of beer costs
2,70€
(54% cheaper than in France!)
The cost of living is
14%
cheaper than in Lyon.
(13% cheaper in Beirut than in France)
-14%
+20%
-12%
The McDonald’s menu costs
6,30€
(36% cheaper than in France!)
Expressions locales
Sabah el kher / Masa el kher
Hello / good night
Kifak
How are you doing?
Shukran
THANKS
For nature lovers: Any cedar grove - Laqlouq in winter - Batrum in summer
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For a good meal: The souks of Beirut
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If you miss EMOTR: Al Mandaloun Night Club
For a drink (or several): Le Bohémien - Le Coop d’Etat rooftop
Lieux à visiter à Beyrouth
Spécialités culinaires
Lebanese tabbouleh
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The kebbe
mutton pounded and mixed with cracked wheat, spices and onions
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Hummus
An anecdote
The Lebanese national dish, mezzé, is made up of 40 to 50 different dishes. Good luck cooking it!
A must-have
An improvised belly dance kit to join Lebanon's lively parties and celebrations and let yourself be carried away by the lively music.
Attention
If you are allergic to mezze,
don't go to this country.
Transport
Buses are widely used in the city and also link Beirut to other major cities, although they run less frequently than shared taxis. Public buses: red and white, or sometimes beige, the destinations and route numbers of these buses are displayed on a sign behind the window.
Taking the bus from the airport to Beirut is not always practical, so a taxi is preferable.
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Taxis: recognisable by their red number plates, Lebanese taxis are either ‘unmetered’ (in which case, remember to negotiate the price before setting off and to have the address of your destination written in Arabic) or ‘service taxis’ (cheaper shared taxis with routes created ‘at the request’ of passengers).
Worth knowing: There are military roadblocks on Lebanese roads. These are guard posts coloured red and white. When you approach a roadblock, it is customary to slow down and stop, and at night, it is recommended that you turn on your vehicle's interior lights.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Nice neighborhoods: Hamra, Achrafieh or Gemmayzeh
Neighborhoods to avoid: Bourj Hammoud, Tariq el-Jdideh or Hay el-Sellom
Budget for rent: Allow 5 to 10 million Lebanese pounds (300 to 600€) for a shared room in Beirut
How to find your accommodation?
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Real Estate Websites: Sakanmp, Bayut, or OLX Lebanon
Social Networks: Facebook groups dedicated to real estate in Beirut or to the search for shared accommodation can be useful for finding shared accommodation offers. Real estate agencies or university and school sites
Accommodation
Climate
In Lebanon, the climate is Mediterranean, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Summer temperatures are often around 30-35°C, while winters generally remain mild with average temperatures around 10-15°C.
Vaccine
Make sure you are up to date with recommended vaccinations, such as those for hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever and routine vaccinations. Especially against hepatitis B!
A memory
Local artisanal products such as Aleppo soap, Lebanese spices, Persian rugs, or copper objects.