France boasts one of the world's most comprehensive and highly rated healthcare systems, operating under a universal healthcare model (*l'Assurance Maladie* or *Protection Universelle Maladie - PUMA*). Patients enjoy extensive access to a mix of public hospitals, private clinics, and independent medical professionals.
* **Public Hospitals (CHU):** Major public hospital networks include Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), the largest hospital system in Europe, and Hospices Civils de Lyon (HCL). * **Pharmacies:** Highly visible by their glowing green cross, pharmacies are the first point of contact for minor ailments, and pharmacists in France have broad diagnostic and prescriptive authority for common issues. * **Emergency Care & Urgent Care:** Provided by hospital emergency rooms (*Urgences*) and on-call regional doctors (SOS Médecins).
