| Tunisia ((ar)تونس) | |
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| Flag | |
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| Information | |
| Capital city | Tunis |
|---|---|
| Area | 163 600 km² |
| Population | 10 732 900 hab. (2012 estimate) |
| Density | 65,6 inhab./km² |
| Form of State | parliamentary republic, semi-presidential system |
| Cash | Tunisian dinar (TND) |
| Electricity | 127-220 V/50 Hz, European plug |
| Telephone prefix | 216 |
| Internet suffix | .tn |
| Flow direction | Right-hand drive |
| Spindle | CET (UTC 1) |
| Location | |
 34 ° 0 ′ 0 ″ N 10 ° 0 ′ 0 ″ E | |
| Official site | |
| Touristic site | |
The Tunisia (in Arab : تونس or Tūnis), officially Tunisian republic (الجمهورية التونسية, Al-Jumhūriyyah at-Tūnisiyyah), is a country ofNorth Africa, at the eastern end of the Small Maghreb, in the center of Mediterranean Africa. It is border with theAlgeria, to the west, the Libya, to the south-east, and bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, to the north and east. It is the northernmost country ofAfrica. THE'Italy, to the north, is only 130 km. The Sicily, the Sardinia and Lampedusa, the largest of Pelagic Islands, are between the two countries. The island of Malta is also close. The Sahara Desert separates Tunisia, like the rest of North Africa, from most of the African continent. Of France, it takes about two hours to reach the country by plane.
The name of Tunisia (Tounes) means "accompany and support", thus, the Tunisian people are known for their peaceful and warm nature.
In the years 1881-1956, the country was under the protectorate of the France . the , he joined the United Nations and, from October 1, 1958, was a member of the League of Arab States. The capital is Tunis.
Understand
Geography
40% of Tunisia's surface area is occupied by the Sahara Desert, while a large part of the remaining territory is made up of fertile plains and 1 300 km easily accessible coastline.
The country has an underdeveloped hydrographic network. River Medjerda, with a total length of 365 km, was born in Algeria, but extends, over three quarters of its course, over Tunisian territory, before flowing into the sea north of Tunis. The only freshwater lake is Lake Bizerte, while in the southern desert we find the two salt lakes of Chott el Jerid (the eastern part of which is sometimes considered a separate basin and is also called Chott el-Fejaj) and Chott El Gharsa, the western part of which is in Algerian territory. Their ponds are dry for part of the year, or muddy and covered with salt, so they are sebkha, or salt deserts.
The Tunisian coastline develops over nearly 1 300 km of coasts, on its seafront, and on nearly 1 400 km, if we take into account the wetlands: lake shores and sebkhas, open to the Mediterranean. Sandy beaches occupy about 575 km, mainly at the bottom of the bays and gulfs on the eastern side of the country: Gulf of Tunis, Gulf of Hammamet, Gulf of Gabès, Jerba islands and Kerkennah.
The lowest point in the country is Chatt al Gharsah, at - 17 meters (17 meters below sea level), while the highest point is the Djebel Chambi ech, which reaches 1,544 meters.
Weather
The climate of Tunisia is subject to Mediterranean and Saharan influences. The Mediterranean climate prevails in the north and east, characterized by mild winters and hot, dry summers. Temperatures vary with latitude, altitude and proximity to the Mediterranean Sea. Average temperatures are 12 ° C in December and 30 ° C in July. In summer, in some areas, the maximum temperature can reach 48 ° C (Great South) and, in winter, the minimum temperature can drop to 7 ° C.
It is possible to see snow in the north of the country. In winter and summer, sandstorms are very frequent.
Spring is the ideal season to travel (March-June). A pleasant temperature reigns during these months, especially in the towns of the Tunisian coast.
Story
Tunisia has a rich cultural history, dating back to ancient times. The Carthaginian Empire, the sworn enemy of Rome, is originally from Tunisia. Its capital, Carthage, is today a suburb of Tunis. Founded by Phoenician settlers from Tyr and of Sidon (current Lebanon), Carthage is an ancient Mediterranean power. Three wars between Rome and Carthage (known as the Punic Wars) take place, during the first centuries before the birth of Christ. They culminate with the decimation of Carthage, in 146 BC, by the Roman general Scipio, who says he mourned its destruction.
Between the destruction of ancient Carthage and the Arab conquests of the 7e century, many cultures succeed one another in Tunisia. Carthage experienced a new period of prosperity under the Roman Empire, until the fall of the latter, in the 5the century. Roman rule was replaced, briefly, by that of the Vandals, who made Carthage the capital of their kingdom. Carthage was then absorbed, temporarily, by the Byzantine Empire, until the advent of Islam, in the 7e century.
After the disappearance of the Arab caliphates, Turkish pashas of the Ottoman Empire rule Tunisia. With the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Tunisia finally fell under the domination of European imperialism, as a French protectorate, with theAlgeria neighbor.
Nationalism and dictatorship
the , France grants independence to Tunisia. Habib Bourguiba, the main nationalist leader, was elected president in 1959, later becoming president for life. In 1964, his party became the single party. The invasion of the south by Libya in 1980 was quickly repelled. Strikes and demonstrations mark Bourguiba's 80th birthday, and reflect growing dissatisfaction with his government. In 1987, Habib Bourguiba was considered incapable of governing, due to his mental and physical condition, which had deteriorated due to his extreme old age.
Habib Bourguiba ruled the country for 31 years, suppressing Islamic fundamentalism, and established women's rights in a way unmatched by any other Arab country. He is still credited with the birth of the modern state of Tunisia, for which he fought all his life.
With the coming to power of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, there is a resumption of economic growth, which reached 4.8% in 1992, with the increase in tourism and relations with the European Union (EU). Ben Ali and his party won the 1994 elections. The government, however, was accused of persecuting the opposition, which the following year won elections in 47 municipalities. The growth of Islamic fundamentalism worries the government. In January 1998, the sentencing of the president of the Tunisian League for the Defense of Human Rights to five years in prison provoked an international outcry. In May, the government announced a plan to privatize 50 state-owned enterprises by the end of 1999. In recent years, Tunisia has taken a moderate, non-aligned position in its external relations. Domestically, it has sought to defuse growing pressure for a more open political society.
Malta and the Tunisia discuss the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between the two countries, in particular for oil exploration.
Religion
Islam is the main (98% of the population) and official religion. There are Christian (1% of the population) and Jewish (less than 1% of the population) minorities. The Jewish community is important in Djerba, which has a synagogue, the Ghriba, the object of a pilgrimage.
Since the dawn of time, Tunisia has been an example of tolerance and solidarity.
Holidays and public holidays
- January 1, New Year's Day (New Administrative Year)
- January 14, Tunisian Revolution Day
- March 20 - Independence Day (national holiday)
- April 09, Martyrs Day
- May 1, Labor Day
- July 25, Republic Day
- August 13, Woman and Family Day
- October 15, Evacuation Day
Religious holidays:
- Rabii al Awal 12, Mawlid
- Hijri New Year's Day
- Eid Al-Fitr (2 days)
- Eid Al Adh'ha (2 days)
Tourism
After independence in 1956, Tunisia relied heavily on tourism development. This development has taken place in three directions:
- mass tourism, focused on the sea, the beaches and the sun. It is reflected in the existence of high-capacity tourist poles in the Sahel (Hammamet, Sousse ...), on the island of Djerba and on the north side (Bizerte). The corresponding sites do not offer anything very different from sites of the same nature in the rest of the Mediterranean basin (Languedoc coast, Costa del sol, south of the Turkey, etc.).
- cultural tourism, more diffuse, whose two strong points are the remains of the Roman occupation and the Islamic heritage.
- discovery tourism, oriented towards the Sahara desert and the oases of the south.
The sites belonging to the last two categories are much less frequented than the seaside sites. They present, however, the uniquely Tunisian face of the country.
Since the early 2000s, a medical tourism has developed and is expanding rapidly: traumatic surgery, plastic and aesthetic surgery, oncology, etc.
Since the Jasmine Revolution in 2010, the country has experienced a clear disaffection on the part of Western tourists, who have deserted Tunisia (as well as the majority of tourist destinations located in Muslim countries), for fear of political unrest and the Islamist activism. Beach tourism has shifted to the northern shores of the Mediterranean (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece...). Tunisian tourist activity is slowing down, fueled by the mere attendance of locals and by visitors fromEastern Europe.
In many seaside resorts, hotels are half-empty, some have closed. Some cultural sites, like Dougga, have suddenly gone from painful overcrowding to total immobility.
For the traveler who does not fear the ups and downs of Tunisian politics, visiting the country has certain advantages: it is no longer necessary to worry about booking hotel rooms in advance, because the accommodation all have vacant places. ; cultural sites, deserted or very little frequented, can be appreciated in peace; the solicitations of salespeople and guides have almost disappeared ...
Regions
Tunisia is administratively divided into 5 regions (minṭaqa, in Arabic: منطقة), with 24 provinces (wilayas, in Arabic: ولاية), which are named after the capital. Touristically, we can distinguish three major regions.
 Map of tunisia |
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Cities
Most of Tunisia's large cities have a district within the walls, the medina, and an Arab shopping district, the souk, dating back to the Middle Ages, with narrow streets, a bit like a labyrinth, full of artisans with workshops and shops full of bargains. Each street is dedicated to a profession. It forms a whole.
Besides the capital, the following list is limited to tourist resorts.
- 1 Tunis – The capital of Tunisia, from which it is easy to visit the ruins of Carthage. Just north of Tunis, Carthage is the homeland of Hannibal, who crossed the Alps with his elephants, to face the Rome antique. Tunis has a souk very authentic. The Belvedere Park is worth a detour and the Bardo Museum has one of the finest collections of Roman mosaics in the world. The medina of Tunis, founded in 698, is the historic heart of Tunis, registered since 1979 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sidi Bou Saïd "District of the capital Tunis" Pretty white and blue houses on a hill. The National Bardo Museum which is one of the most important museums in the Mediterranean basin, where there is a collection of first-rate mosaics.
- 2 Carthage –
Remains of the Phoenician capital, not far from Tunis. The most prestigious archaeological site in North Africa, classified since 1979 on the list of Unesco World Heritage - Beja – Agricultural town
- 3 Bizerte
- Douz – Known as the "Gateway to the desert", Saharan tourism and palm groves. Saharan city famous for its date palms, frequented by tourists interested in desert trails.
- El Kef – Byzantine and Ottoman architecture in this small town in the northwest.
- 4 Gabes – Large city on the east coast, mainly transit point for rail and buses. Maritime oasis. The city is an easy starting point for visiting the desert regions of Matmata and Tataouine.
- Gafsa – interesting for its archaeological heritage.
- Hammamet - Tunisian city located on the south-east coast on the magnificent Cap Bon peninsula, about sixty kilometers south of Tunis. It is often presented as a seaside resort, one of the main ones in the country.
- Kairouan - A holy city and an important site of Islamic pilgrimage, with the Great Mosque and the Barber's Mosque. Heritage ofUNESCO. The medina is to be visited, as well as the Aghlabid Basins.
- Mahdia - The new tourist destination.
- Monastir - Tourist town, but also an ancient fortified town, with a ribat. Its history dates back to the Phoenician era. Further north, its airport is the country's main secondary airport, mainly hosting charter flights. Monastir has a wide range of hotels.
- Nabeul - Main town of the Cap Bon peninsula. Close to Hammamet, it is located on the same bay.
- Sfax- After Tunis, it is the second city of the country. Historic city, with a large old kasbah. Access point to the islands Kerkennah.
- Sousse - Tourist town, north of Monastir, World Heritage site ofUNESCO, for its architecture, but also a very popular seaside resort. After Sfax, it is the third city in the country. There is a market on Sunday. Many interesting sites: fortifications, great mosque, ribat, kasbah and medina.
- Tabarka - Tourist and seaside town. This coastal town, located in northwestern Tunisia, is just 25 km from the border with Algeria. The city has about 16,000 inhabitants, most of them working in the tourism sector. The place is best known for its coral fishing, the Coral Festival underwater photography and the annual jazz festival. You can practice scuba diving.
- Tataouine - Saharan tourism.
- Tozeur - A magnificent medina and a very large oasis. There are natural baths and springs for swimming. Starting point for several villages in the mountain and Sahara oases.
- Kebili - A very large oasis. Starting point for several villages in the mountain and Sahara oases.
- Sbeitla A very well preserved ancient village for archeology enthusiasts.
- Ain Drahem is a town in northwestern Tunisia 25 kilometers from Tabarka and a few kilometers from the Algerian-Tunisian border. Located in the Khmir mountain range, it is often covered with snow in winter.
- Chott El Jerid Tozeur Lac salé region (see sunrise).
- Douz The first dunes (camel ride). We recommend the 3-day 4x4 trail from Douz which allows you to go to Ksar Ghilane and visit the fairly isolated and preserved troglodyte villages.
- Ksar-Ghilane Douz region. Reachable by rental car on the tarmac road or by 4x4 by tracks and dunes from Douz or Tataouine. Many circuits offer a stop at Ksar Ghilane which means that depending on the season, the place can become very touristy. However, the oasis allows you to savor the beauty of the red dunes of the Sahara, to enjoy the hot spring for a relaxing bath. Camel, horse or quad rides are offered. A few km from L'oasis is also the old Roman fort and General Leclerc's column near the village.
- Tozeur with such a special architecture. The oasis can be visited. The Dar el chreit Museum is also worth a visit.
- Gafsa
- Zaghouan - City in northeastern Tunisia known for its temple of water and its aqueduct. Reference thermal site.
- Tabarka is a coastal town in northwestern Tunisia located 175 kilometers from Tunis and a few kilometers from the Algerian-Tunisian border and which contains many hotels and beaches. International Jazz Festival during the summer.
Other destinations
- Djerba - Island in the Mediterranean Sea, to the south, known for its seaside resorts. Tourist place, ideal for families and popular with "sun worshipers".
- Dougga - Impressive archaeological site of an isolated Roman city.
- El Jem - Known for its amphitheater, one of the best preserved in the world.
- Jebil National Park - A vast national park, with Saharan dunes and impressive rock formations.
- Kerkouane - Almost intact remains of a Punic settlement, which is part of the Unesco World Heritage.
- Ksar Ghilane - At the edge of the desert, a Saharan oasis, known for its ancient Roman fort.
- Matmata - Berber cave dwelling, where some scenes from the film Star wars were shot.
- Sufetula - Remains of an ancient Roman settlement, properly maintained, and located near Sbeitla, in the western part of the country.
To go
Formalities
Every traveler must have a passport that is valid for at least the entire intended duration of the trip, which should never exceed 3 months ... beyond that, an entry visa to Tunisia and a residence permit are required.
For people traveling in groups, the national identity card is theoretically sufficient for travelers from one of the countries ofEuropean Union, as long as it is backed by a travel book issued by an approved agency. But in practice, people have nevertheless experienced difficulties in entering the territory in this case. A valid passport is therefore strongly recommended to avoid any disappointment!
- Tunisia
- Exemption from Visa
- Visa exemption as part of an organized trip
- Visa required
By plane
Tunisair is the national airline, leader of flights between France and Tunisia. Its flights are almost always late, ranging from one hour to ten hours. International airports [1] are in Tunis, Monastir and Djerba, and, since 2010, in Enfidha (between Monastir and Tunis). Tunis-Carthage and Monastir are used by Tunisair for scheduled flights, while the others are used for charter flights. The brand new Enfidha Airport was officially opened on , by President Ben Ali, and flights have gradually started to land there.
- Tunis-Carthage International Airport (To 8 km north-east of Tunis-Center)
- Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport (halfway between the capital, Tunis, and the coastal city of Sousse)
- Djerba-Zarzis International Airport (To 9 km west ofHoumt Souk)
- Monastir Habib-Bourguiba International Airport (To 8 km west of Monastir, in the territory of the municipality of Skanes)
- Tozeur-Nefta International Airport (To 4 km north-west of Tozeur) – It serves the entire southwest, mainly in winter, given the climate of the region.
OfEurope, Enfidha is served by companies like Transavia.com, from'Amsterdam, and Jetairfly, since Brussels.
On a boat
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Tunisia is served by ferries to France and Italy. It is possible to reach the country by boat from:
- Marseilles and Toulon, in France ;
- Genoa, Naples and Sicily, Italy.
The cheapest line is La Spezia -Tunis. Watch out for the big departures in July-August, the ferries are overloaded. However, the returns are very quiet until mid-August. Taking a car is not a problem. Arrival is at the port of La Goulette, at 10 km from Tunis.
By car
From France, it is sometimes better to get off with your car, it is cheaper than taking the plane and renting one, more or less reliable. Very correct roads, 4x4 useless unless you want to make the track. Unleaded gasoline and diesel everywhere and not expensive. Only customs are still archaic and unorganized, but by following a Tunisian, we get by !.
Circulate
By taxi
The taxi is a very practical means of transport in large cities, where traffic is very heavy. They are very numerous and their drivers know the cities where they operate. However, they do not all speak French very well. Traditional taxis are yellow. When leaving an airport, do not take white taxis, which are more expensive than yellow ones. In town, taxis that park near hotels and tourist sites are generally more expensive than those that stop in the street. It often pays to take a few steps.
It is necessary to make sure that the driver has put the meter correctly, before starting his journey. If necessary, it must be demanded (the law requires it) and not accept the race for the package. It is useful to ask a Tunisian for the average amount of a fare, before taking a taxi: scams to tourists are not uncommon, the most common being to make a long detour instead of going directly to the place. request.
To call a taxi there is "Allô Taxi", ask for their number on arrival in Tunisia. There are several companies that offer tourist taxi transfers and excursions Taxi Tunisia, Tourist Taxi.
By Metro
The Tunis light metro is a means of public rail transport, established in the agglomeration of Tunis since 1985. It is a light metro, an intermediate form between the metro and the tram, since the trains run through the city. , on its own site, outdoors, with, exceptionally, underground circulation, passing through major traffic nodes. It serves the city centers and suburbs of Ben Arous, Den Den, Ibn Khaldoun and theAriana. A line also goes to the National Museum of Bardo.
By bus
The National Interurban Transport Company (SNTRI) is a Tunisian public company placed under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport. SNTRI was created on Its workforce is 576 . It has 46 national lines and an international line which connects Tunis to Tripoli, for a rolling stock equivalent to 164 high-comfort coaches at . It delivers 90 services daily.
SNTRI official website http://www.sntri.com.tn/
By train
Tunisia has one of the best rail networks in Africa and the Arab countries. Passenger and freight traffic covers almost the entire territory of the country, on a long rail network 2 167 km, comprising 267 stations, stations and stops and 3 rail-road links. The railway network has two gauges. In the north (Tunis - Ghardimaou and Tunis - Bizerte), the spacing is standard, at 1 435 mm. The remaining tracks, from Tunis to the southwest and the south, have a gauge of 1 000 mm. SNCFT probably operates the fastest trains on metric gauge lines. On the Grombalia - Sousse section, trains peak at more than 120 kilometers per hour. The fastest trains are the two express trains Tunis - Sfax (only 1st class and Grand Confort class), which cover 280 km in only 3 h .
The Tunisian National Railway Company (SNCFT) Site, Hours, which operates the network, is a non-administrative public company. It has legal personality and financial autonomy. It is reputed to be a trader in its relations with third parties and is placed under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport. SNCFT ensures, under good conditions of safety, quality and time, the transport of 40 million passengers; including more than 5.5 million travelers on interurban circuits.
The long-distance lines served are:
- Tunis - Djedeida - Mateur - Tinja - Bizerte: 100km, 2h
- Djedeida - Beja - Jendouba - Ghardimaou: 190km, 2h30 '. 3h
- Tunis - El Fahs - Gaâfour - The Saltworks - Dahmani - Kalâat Khasba : 235km, 4h30 '
- Tunis - Grombalia - Bir Bou Regba - Hammamet - Nabeul : 75 km, 1h30 '
- Sahel metro : Bir Bou Regba - Enfida - Sousse - Monastir - Mahdia : 220km, 3h
- Sousse - El Jem - Sfax - Mahres - Gabes : 270km, 2h-4h
- Mahres - Gafsa - Metlaoui - Tozeur: 260km, 4h-5h
These connections are provided from one to ten times a day. All trains have the 1st and 2nde classes, in most cases with air-conditioned cars. Many trains include Grand Comfort class coaches, which have even more comfortable seats than those offered in first class. On long distance trains there is always a car selling hot and cold drinks and snacks. Night trains run between Tunis and Tozeur and between Tunis and Gabès, but they only have seats, but no berths.
The rates are very cheap. For all air-conditioned trains, a supplement is payable, which includes seat reservations. It depends on the class and the distance and ranges from 0.150 dinars to 1.50 dinars.
| Route | Distance (km) | Second class | First class | High comfort class |
| Tunis to Sousse | 9.30 TND | 12.60 TND | 13.40 TND | |
| Tunis to Gabès | 400 | 13.45 TND | 16.95 TND | 18.05 TND |
For tourists, SNCFT offers a train ticket called Blue card. This pass can be used for 7, 15 or 21 days, for each of the three categories. Depending on the class and the date of validity, the price is around 18 to 80 €. It does not include the supplements for air-conditioned wagons, which must be paid in addition.
A local train connects, once a day, Métlaoui to Redeyef, via Tabeddit. It only has 2 wagonse class.
There are two suburban train lines:
- Tunis - Radès - Ezzahra - Hammam Lif - Borj Cedria - Erriadh. Depending on the time of day, trains run approximately every 10-20 min, or every 30-40 min.
- Sousse - Sahline Mootmar - Monastir - Mahdia - Moknine. Trains run every 60-90 min.
The rolling stock is in good condition. The mainline cars were built, from 1984 to 1986, in Hungary and completely rebuilt and modernized from 2001 to 2002. From 2008, the new diesel railcars, from France, are put into service on metric gauge tracks (mainly between Tunis and Sousse). Around 2009 - 2010, the Tunis - Erriadh commuter train was electrified, then fitted with entirely new vehicles.
In addition to the SNCFT lines, there are other lines (not accessible with SNCFT tickets). The tourist train The Red Lizard features the salon car of the former bey (prince) of Tunis. It runs several times a week, departing from Metlaoui, in the imposing gorge of Selja. Refreshments are served, multilingual tour guides and photo stops are also available.
In the eastern suburbs of Tunis, the TGM, the first electric train on the African continent, runs. Trains leave from Tunis Marine station and serve La Goulette, Carthage, Sidi Bou Said and the coastal town of La Marsa.
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For rent
Rental is the most popular means of transport for tourists looking for adventure, as it allows you to tour the country at a lower cost, at your own pace, and to spend time with the locals.
By plane
Local flights exist through the companies:
The main airports served are:
- Monastir Habib-Bourguiba International Airport
- Sfax-Thyna International Airport
- Djerba-Zarzis International Airport
- Tabarka-Aïn Draham International Airport
- Tozeur-Nefta International Airport
By car
The national driving license is sufficient to travel in Tunisia by car. The roads in Tunisia are in fairly good condition and it is relatively easy to navigate. The signs are generally bilingual Arabic-French. Tunisians' respect for the highway code is very relative. Buses, in particular, run at excessive speeds and do not hesitate to overtake cars in dangerous conditions. As in all countries where this type of transport exists, collective taxis (rental) stop anywhere without warning. It is advisable to follow them with the most extreme caution.
In the city, traffic and parking are practically impossible. In addition, there are no street names or direction indications. Vehicles, especially two-wheeled vehicles, do not hesitate to take the prohibited directions and sidewalks. It is therefore preferable to use taxis for urban travel.
Renting a car is easy. Most major rental companies, with the exception ofOpinion, has a counter at Tunis-Cathage airport.
To see
The medinas ofHammamet, Tunis, Kairouan and Sousse.
To speak
THE'Arab is the official language, spoken by the entire population. It is also that of commerce. The spoken language is a dialectal Arabic, specific to Tunisia.
French is spoken by almost 80% of the population, mainly in the big cities and tourist sites, but very little in the villages. Berber is also used. In tourist places, we also speakEnglish, Italian,German, Spanish, Russian, Polish, in short, anything that can serve trade! English is the third most widely used language.
To buy
The currency is the Tunisian dinar, subdivided into 1,000 millimes. 1 € is exchanged at around 2.2 dinars in September 2013. The exchange is only possible on Tunisian territory, the Tunisian dinar cannot be imported or exported. You can change at the airport, at the port, in banks or hotels. Most towns have ATMs. In addition, you cannot enter Tunisia with more than 400 € cash. Enfin, la loi ne permet de rechanger, en une monnaie autre que le dinar, que 30 % de ce que l'on a changé en dinars, avec un maximum de 100 dinars. Il faut donc conserver les reçus de change. De toutes les banques, la Poste offre généralement le taux le plus avantageux. Mieux vaut éviter de changer dans les hôtels.
Tout se marchande, à l'exception de l'alimentation. Tous les arguments du vendeur sont bons pour faire payer le prix fort, dans les souks ou les boutiques " touristiques ". Tout d'abord, offrir un prix bien inférieur à ce que l'on pense raisonnable. La règle de base, selon les guides, est de proposer 20 pour cent du prix annoncé par le vendeur. Si celui-ci discute, ne rien lâcher et tenir son prix. Si le vendeur abandonne, c'est que son prix d'achat est supérieur à l'offre. Ne pas hésiter à visiter plusieurs boutiques et à mettre les vendeurs en concurrence, ça marche bien.
Il existe des magasins d'État (appelés Arts and crafts), avec des prix fixes, qui permettent de se faire une idée approximative des prix. Dans les Artisanats, on ne trouve que des marchandises certifiées qui sont garanties produites en Tunisie et pour la production desquelles aucun enfant de moins de 16 ans n'a été employé. Dans le cas des tapis, par exemple, le nombre obligatoire de nœuds est indiqué, etc... Dans les souks, des marchandises d'importation sont parfois proposées (la Tunisie fait désormais fabriquer dans des pays moins chers, comme le Senegal, the Yemen, etc...), parfois avec de faux sceaux, ou souvent sans indication d'origine.
Il y a aussi des magasins à prix fixe. Là, on a plus de tranquillité d'esprit pour simplement regarder, à la différence des bazars. Les prix sont corrects. Dans les bazars, les touristes sont souvent harcelés pour qu'ils entrent dans les boutiques. Dans certains magasins à prix fixe, on peut aussi se faire accoster, mais plus rarement.
Les produits artisanaux sont proposés partout en Tunisie. Les principaux sont les tapis, les objets en argent et en cuivre, ainsi que les vêtement et le cuir.
Les produits de consommation courante sont bon marché (une bouteille d'eau : 0,60 à 0,75 TND, un paquet de cigarettes : 4,5 TND)
Pourboires
En Tunisie, où les revenus sont faibles, les pourboires font partie de la tradition. C'est un signe de gratitude.
Eat
En Tunisie on mange bien et à coût très raisonnable.
Le long de la côte, les poissons sont toujours frais et très bien apprêtés.
La nourriture dans les hôtels n’est pas pimentée. Dans les restaurants populaires, demandez à manger non piquant (mouch harr).
Porc et cochonnailles sont difficiles à trouver. Certains hôtels côtiers cuisinent du porc.
Dattes (les meilleures sont presque transparentes au soleil).
Spécialités locales :
- Le couscous : Un plat berbère préparé différemment selon les régions : au mérou, à l'agneau, au "ossbène"...
- La salade méchouia (qui veux dire grillée), salade piquante de poivrons tomates aubergines oignons et ail cuits sur la braise, coupés et tout petits morceaux, assaisonnée de carvi, servie avec du thon et de l'huile d'olive.
- Lablabi une soupe de pois-chiche mélangée a du pain rassis coupé en dé, des épices et des condiments, c'est un plat populaire apprécié l'hiver.
- Mloukhya : une soupe ou sauce vert-noir, à base de corête potagère au goût indescriptible, avec un peu de viande de bœuf ou de jeune chameau.
- Nwassar : des pâtes carrés représentant une ancienne pièce de monnaie de l’époque de Nasser Bey. Notez que Nwasser est le pluriel de Nasser en argo Tunisien.
- Les briks : feuille de brik garnie, selon les recettes, de pomme de terre,de persil,viande hachée, thon, fromage... Avec généralement un œuf au milieu, qu'on fait frire de sorte que l'œuf reste mi-cuit.
- Kémia : d'origine juive, le mot est utilisé à tort en Tunisie pour décrire ce qu'on mange en accompagnement aux boissons alcoolisées. Mais ça décrit en réalité un plat composé de plusieurs petits plats dans lesquels on sert crudités, fritures, salades, harissa... qu'on accompagne généralement de pain.
Les sandwichs locaux: chapati (à assaisonner selon vos envies), Keftegi garni de frites et de piment (amateur s'abstenir), fricassée (idéale pour les âmes sensibles), tabouna pain fourré de légumes et viande chawarma ou l'omniprésente "escalope"...
Have a drink / Go out
Aucun problème d'hygiène avec l'eau courante au nord et dans les villes côtières, à eviter au sud du pays.
Celtia, bière blonde locale tirant à 5°, de préférence consommer en bouteille et non en canettes.
Les vins Tunisiens sont d'assez bonne qualité.
The boukha, the thibarine sont deux alcools locaux.
Le Légmi est la sève issue des palmiers en fin de vie. Sa fermentation donne le qêchem, alcool frauduleux.
Housing
La Tunisie a développé un tourisme de masse, donc construit de gros hôtels. À Tunis et le long de la côte, on trouve des hôtels avec toutes les commodités, mais ils sont parfois gigantesques.
Pour un bon niveau de confort, rechercher les hôtels d’au moins 3 étoiles. Mais il existe parfois de petits hôtels corrects, propres et tranquilles : demander à voir la chambre avant de louer.
Les prix des chambres doivent être affichés dans le hall et dans les chambres. Toujours négocier les prix, toujours demander une remise.
Depuis la révolution de 2010, la baisse de la fréquentation touristique a vidé les hôtels.
To learn
L’accès a l’éducation en Tunisie est gratuit et obligatoire pour les moins de 16 ans.
Le cursus commence par l’école primaire, l’école élémentaire puis l’école secondaire a la fin de laquelle on passe le concours national du bac.
Très rapidement une sélection s'opère. À la fin du primaire et à la fin du collège, un concours sélectionne les meilleurs qui gagnent les collèges et lycées pilotes, où l'enseignement est plus poussé.
L'orientation universitaire se fait au mérite, ceux qui ont un plus haut score au bac on le droit de choisir avant les autres, et choisissent donc les cursus les plus prestigieux (médecine, pharmacie, préparatoire pour école d’ingénieurs...).
To work
Un permis de travail est nécessaire, beaucoup d'expatriés français vivent et travaillent en Tunisie, ils sont généralement concentrés dans la banlieue nord de Tunis.
Communicate
Le Tunisien est généralement fier de son pays. Pourtant, le contact est souvent facile, le Tunisien est généralement accueillant. La langue est importante, on parle français et arabe. L'anglais permet de communiquer avec les jeunes, pour la plupart raisonnablement instruits.
Le réseau tunisien de téléphonie et d'Internet étant développé, il est facile de trouver une connexion dans les hôtels ou dans les chambres à louer. Sinon, les taxiphones permettent d'appeler, même à l'étranger. Ils sont moins chers que les téléphones dans les chambres. Prévoir la monnaie.
Toute la Tunisie est couverte par la téléphonie mobile. L'achat d'une puce téléphonique, pour les voyages de longue durée, se fait dans les boutiques d’opérateurs mobiles. Elle coûte en moyenne 5 dinars (2,5 €). Les recharges sont disponibles partout, même dans les bleds.
De nombreux hôtels offrent une connexion Wifi gratuite, au moins dans le hall. Les offres de connexion Internet sont aussi abondantes et variées : ADSL, clé 3G, WIFI Mobile, etc.
Security
 | Emergency telephone number: Police :197 Ambulance:190 Firefighter :198 |
La Tunisie est un pays sûr pour les touristes du point de vue de la criminalite de droit commun, en fait parmi les pays les plus sûrs de l'Afrique. Attention tout de même aux pickpockets qui, comme partout dans le monde, sévissent en particulier dans les lieux très fréquentés et encombrés. Les vols dans les chambres d'hôtels sont monnaie courante. De même, il faut systématiquement recompter le rendu de monnaie, après un paiement, à l'hôtel ou au restaurant, car nombre d'employés trichent sur le compte. Le risque terroriste y est présent et pose un réel danger, en particulier d'enlèvement, dans le sud pays et certaines zones frontaliėres de l'Algérie. Des tentatives d'attentat dans des stations balnéaires fréquentées par les européens ont été signalées.
Attention aux jets de pierres (parfois très grosses) lorsque l'on circule en moto.
Government travel advice
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Belgium (Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) 
Canada (Government of Canada) 
France (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) 
Swiss (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs)
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Health
Le système de santé privé ou universitaire est bon, du même niveau qu'en Europe. Il y a même du tourisme de santé à destination des Européens pour la chirurgie esthétique et à destination des Libyens pour les soins plus traditionnels.
En dehors des villes universitaires (Tunis, Sousse, Monastir, Sfax), le système de soin public est moins bon car moins bien financé. Le territoire est toutefois densément couvert en dispensaires qui assurent une mission importante d'éducation et de prévention.
À noter que les dispensaires du Sud assurent une permanence anti-scorpionique 24 h/24.
Aux côtés des pharmacies ouvrant la journée existent des pharmacies de nuit. Les chauffeurs de taxi peuvent aller vous chercher les médicaments.
Respect
Ramadan date
Majority of Muslims insist on local sighting of the crescent moon to mark the start of Ramadan, but others insist on calculating the new moon or declaring it saudi to determine the start of the month. Since the first crescent after the new moon is not visible everywhere at the same time, the start and end dates of the month depend on what is visible in each location. Therefore, the dates vary from country to country, but usually only one day. |
La Tunisie est un pays musulman avec les us et coutumes qui s'y rapportent. Lorsqu'on séjourne dans les hôtels, le long de la côte, on ne s'en rend pas compte, et, dans la plupart des centres touristiques, il semble que l'on soit en Europe. Néanmoins, il est important de se comporter correctement et de ne pas offenser les autochtones. Cela signifie, entre autres, le respect du code vestimentaire, lors de la visite des mosquées et autres lieux de culte. Souvent, il suffit d'avoir les épaules et les genoux couverts, mais, parfois, des pantalons longs et des manches longues sont appréciés. Les femmes sont priées de couvrir leurs cheveux. Le port de chaussures n'est toutefois pas encore autorisé dans les mosquées. L'accès à la majorité des mosquées et des madrasas est interdit aux touristes n'ayant pas le type arabe.
Pendant le mois sacré du ramadan, boire, manger et fumer sont proscrits dans les lieux publics, en respect de la population majoritairement musulmane. Certains rares cafés et restaurants sont ouverts, mais difficiles à trouver ; ne pas hésiter à demander.
La Tunisie étant un pays touristique et ouvert, il n’y a pas de contrainte vestimentaire ou comportementale. Dans les hôtels côtiers, il convient de ne pas aller déjeuner en maillot de bain. Une tenue plus habillée est conseillée le soir. Certains clubs thématisent les tenues vestimentaires le soir.
Il n'est pas habituel de montrer dans la rue des signes d'affection patente. Il est impoli d'utiliser la main gauche, pour donner ou recevoir des biens. Dans la tradition du pays, la main droite est la main utilisée pour manger, boire, saluer...
