English
Spanish
Portuguese
Arabic
Chinese
Paris started life as the Celto-Roman settlement of Lutetia on the Île de la Cité, the island in the Seine currently occupied by the Cathédrale Notre-Dame. It takes its present name from name of the dominant Gallo-Celtic tribe in the region, the Parisii. At least that's what the Romans called them, when they showed up in 52 BCE and established their city Lutetia on the left bank of the Seine, in what is now called the "Latin Quarter" in the [wiki=cd63aef5884e91e6b955efc3be915dde]5th arrondissement[/wiki].
The Romans held out here for as long as anywhere else in the Western Empire, but by 508 CE they were gone, replaced by Clovis of the Franks, who is considered by the French to have been their first king. Clovis' descendants, aka the Carolingians, held onto the expanded Lutetian state for nearly 500 years through Viking raids and other calamities, which finally resulted in a forced move by most of the population back to the islands which had been the centre of the original Celtic village. The Capetian Duke of Paris was voted to succeed the last of the Carolingians as King of France, ensuring the city a premier position in the medieval world. Over the next several centuries Paris expanded onto the right bank into what was and is still called le Marais (The Marsh). Quite a few buildings from this time can be seen in the [wiki=a69595a5d7e3f19ef7363852b670d077]4th arrondissement[/wiki].
The medieval period also witnessed the founding of the Sorbonne. As the "University of Paris", it became one of the most important centres for learning in Europe -- if not the whole world, for several hundred years. Most of the institutions that still constitute the University are found in the [wiki=cd63aef5884e91e6b955efc3be915dde]5th[/wiki], and [wiki=3445664adb7576245dd1eb7dee303b55]13th arrondissements[/wiki].
In the late 18th century, there was a period of political and social upheaval in France and Europe, during which the French governmental structure, previously a monarchy with feudal privileges for the aristocracy and Catholic clergy, underwent radical change to forms based on Enlightenment principles of nationalism, citizenship, and inalienable rights. Notable events during and following the revolution were the storming of the Bastille [wiki=a69595a5d7e3f19ef7363852b670d077]4th arrondissements[/wiki], and the rise and fall of Napoleonic France. Out of the violent turmoil that was the French Revolution, sparked by the still known Passion des Français, emerged the enlightened modern day France.
The Paris of today was built long after the Capetian and later the Bourbon Kings of France made their mark on Paris with the Louvre and the Palais Royal, both in the [wiki=e72c3303f23377eb773cc108d6227ad9]1st[/wiki]. In the 19th century, Baron von Hausmann set about reconstructing the city, by adding the long straight avenues and replacing many of the then existing medieval houses, with grander and more uniform buildings.
New wonders arrived during La Belle Époque, as the Parisian golden age of the late 19th century is known. Gustave Eiffel's famous tower, the first metro lines, most of the parks, and the streetlights (which are partly believed to have given the city its epithet "the city of light") all come from this period. Another source of the epithet comes from Ville Lumière, a reference not only to the revolutionary electrical lighting system implemented in the streets of Paris, but also to the prominence and aura of Enlightenment the city gained in that era.
The twentieth century was hard on Paris, but thankfully not as hard as it could have been. Hitler's order to burn the city was thankfully ignored by the German General von Choltitz who was quite possibly convinced by a Swedish diplomat that it would be better to surrender and be remembered as the saviour of Paris, than to be remembered as its destroyer. Following the war, the city recovered quickly at first, but slowed in the 1970s and 1980s when Paris began to experience some of the problems faced by big cities everywhere: pollution, housing shortages, and occasionally failed experiments in urban renewal.
During this time however, Paris enjoyed considerable growth as a multi-cultural city, with new immigrants from all corners of the world, especially La Francophonie, including most of northern and western Africa as well as Vietnam and Laos. These immigrants brought their foods and music, both of which are of prime interest for many travellers.
Immigration and multi-culturalism continues in the 21st century with a marked increase in the arrival of people from Latin America, especially [wiki=8dbb07a18d46f63d8b3c8994d5ccc351]Mexico[/wiki], [wiki=ef3388cc5659bccb742fb8af762f1bfd]Colombia[/wiki], and [wiki=42537f0fb56e31e20ab9c2305752087d]Brazil[/wiki]. In the late 1990s, it was hard to find good Mexican food in Paris, whereas today there are dozens of possibilities from lowly taquerias in the outer arrondissements to nice sit-down restaurants on the boulevards. Meanwhile Latin music from salsa to samba is all the rage (well, alongside Paris lounge electronica).
The 21st century has also seen vast improvements in the general liveability of Paris, with the Mayor's office concentrating on reducing pollution and improving facilities for soft forms of transportation including a huge network of cycle paths, larger pedestrian districts and newer faster metro lines. Visitors who normally arrive car-less are the beneficiaries of these policies as much as the Parisians themselves are.
Being located in Western Europe, Paris has a maritime climate with cool winters and warm summers. The moderating effect of the Atlantic Ocean helps to temper temperature extremes in much of western Europe, including France. Even in January, the coldest month, temperatures nearly always exceed the freezing point with an average high of 6°C (43°F). Snow is not common in Paris, although it will fall a few times a year. Most of Paris' precipitation comes in the form of light rain year-round.
Summers in Paris are warm and pleasant, with an average high of 25°C (77°F) during the mid-summer months. Spring and fall are normally cool and wet.
With the weather being so pleasant in the summer, it's a great time to visit.
Paris is served by three international airports - for more information, including arrival/departure times, check the official sites.
====[url=http://www.adp.fr/webadp/a_cont01_an.nsf/%24%24Affich%40ReadForm&cle=X500.html]Charles de Gaulle International Airport[/url] (Roissy)====
. The major hub airport to the north-east of the city. It's notoriously confusing, so allow plenty of time for transfers. There are three terminals:
Terminal 1, Terminal 2 (which is huge and subdivided into 2A through 2G), and Terminal 3 (formerly T9). The newest exception is terminal 2G which is a separate building and is only reachable via navette/bus in 10-15min (bus leaves every 20min) so allow extra time. The free CDGVAL shuttle train connects the terminals together.
Everything at this airport is very expensive, especially food. If you're travelling from Terminal 1 it's also worth noting that the food court is located at the CDGVAL floor, before the security check. There are hardly any benches around. There are no public shower facilities in the airport. Air France lounges have such facilities, and the departure lounges have showers. Lounge access is included for Air France business and first class travellers. The members of the Air France and cooperating frequent flyer programs may gain access with sufficient status. There is a possibility that some lounges may grant access to travellers on their flights for a fee. If you consider paying for access to the lounge, inquire when checking in for your departure. If you must have a shower and your frequent flyer status (and charm) are insufficient to gain entry to a lounge, the airport hotels generally have rooms available (in Sep 2009, the Sheraton in Terminal 2 at the train station charged €155).
When you arrive at CDG, you should note what terminal you arrived at (2A, 2D, etc.), because when you come back to the airport to depart at the end of your trip, the RER subway train makes two stops at CDG to cover the three terminals, but there are few indications of which airlines are at which terminals. Have a close look at your air ticket to figure out which terminal you are departing from. Air France and associates leave from Terminal 2. The RER B has the airlines serviced by each terminal on a not so obvious chart posted by the door of the train.
=====Terminal 1=====
There are quite a few points with power outlets specifically for charging passengers' laptops/mobiles, both down by the food court and by some of the gates.
=====Terminal 2E=====
VAT Tax refund: First, have your tax refund papers stamped at the tax refund counter in the main terminal area, before you check in with your airline. Although displaying purchase is officially mandatory, it's usually only required for high priced items.
To locate the tax refund counter in the terminal, look for the signs or ask any airline employee for directions. Don't be confused by a single queue splitting between currency exchange and tax refund office: choose tax refund if you prefer euros--while currency exchange refunds only in USD or your national currency, both buy at a robbery rate (and with no rollback to the refund window after you realize the rate).
The line can take a long time, expect several minutes per customer. At either office, you can also receive refund for your spouse if you have their passport and refund forms.
Duty-free shopping: There are no shops before security check zone. When you shop in post-security check zone, it's not genuinely taxfree, as you can receive a tax refund for those purchases as well.
Contrary to what one may expect, there is no L'Occitane; cheese is limited to soft sorts (and there are no ripe varieties); wines starts at €11 and some popular sorts like Chinon can't be found; the sausage selection is extremely limited.
There are no mid-range clothes or shoes stores, only luxury brands.
=====Airport transfers=====
For getting to or from Paris, the RER commuter train, line B, has stations in T3 (from where you can take the free CDGVAL shuttle train to T1) and T2. Trains to Paris leave every 7-8 minutes and stop at Gare du Nord, Châtelet-Les Halles, Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, Luxembourg, Port-Royal, Denfert-Rochereau and Cité Universitaire. Adult tickets cost €10 (February 2015), and for children between 4-10 the fare is €6.65 each; unusually, day tickets are normally not valid for travel to and from the airport. The train takes around 35 minutes to Gare du Nord and 45min to Denfert-Rochereau, making this the fastest way to get to the city. Tickets can be purchased either through green (sometimes blue) automated ticket vending machines ("Billetterie Ile-de-France") or through the ticket office serviced by transport authority personnel. Engineering works near CDG Terminal-1 and Aulnay-Sois-Bois stations are conducted between 23:00 and 01:00 every day, so you must take a coach (bus) from Terminal 3 to the station where you can take the RER B train to Paris. The fare is included in the train ticket you purchase.
The automated ticket machines accept Euro coins of €2, €1 and 50, 20, 10 cent denominations and give change...Euro notes not accepted. Credit card payment is OK on this machines though. There is one separate automated machine which changes €20, €10 and €5 notes to €2 and €1 coins. However, due to the high demand, the machine frequently runs out of coins. There are currency exchange centres, but they explicitly state notes will not be changed for coins. Alternatively, except for some non-European credit cards, many smart-chip credit cards can be used on the ticket machines. Because of these limitations, purchasing tickets from the ticket office may seem to be an attractive method. Although there are many counters, the queues can be very long. On Sunday at "lesser" stations, don't count on its ticket office being open. Although it is a nuisance, the fastest way to get some tickets is to take a lot of Euro coins with you. It is also possible to explain the situation to a European buying a ticket with a working credit card, and ask them to buy one for you in exchange for a paper note.
Trains for Paris usually leave from platforms 11 and 12. Look for signs saying "RER B" or "All trains go to Paris". When using the ticket from and to the airport (as with tickets for the RER commuter trains in general) you have to use it to enter and to exit the train. Always keep the ticket handy as the SNCF officials sometimes check for tickets, and if you are without one you may be fined €40. This means that after you put the ticket into the entry gate and are cleared to pass, you must retrieve the ticket from the machine and keep it with you until you leave the train system including any connections.
There is also a TGV station in T2 for high-speed connections, mostly towards [wiki=c56e94a98504ed36e241a010edc8d0de]Lille[/wiki] and [wiki=068a0b5b2858dc3f1ac7b47464bc4b0a]Brussels[/wiki], but there are also some trains that head west to eg. [wiki=5f12cfc16406d156d3c4ed54f00556f9]Rennes[/wiki] and [wiki=62ba359fa6b58bea641314e7a4635cf6]Nantes[/wiki], bypassing Paris.
Alternatively, the Roissybus service (€10) connects all terminals directly to Opéra Garnier in central Paris, but it's subject to traffic jams and rush hour, so it averages 60-90 min even on a good day. You could take [url=http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_plan.php?fm=gif&loc=bus_banlieue/300&nompdf=350&lang=ang&partenaire=]bus number 350[/url] and [url=http://www.ratp.fr/informer/pdf/orienter/f_plan.php?loc=bus_banlieue/300&nompdf=351&fm=pdf&lang=fr&partenaire=ratp]351[/url] to the city and it requires three tickets t+ per person (about €5.10, or €5.70 if the tickets are purchased on the bus), making this the cheapest option to go to and from Paris. The tickets can be purchased at newspaper stands, at ticket machines, or, for a higher price, inside the bus from the driver and they need to be validated with a device lying next to the driver's seat.
BE CAREFUL when using buses to get to CDG. There are frequent traffic jams on the motorways leading to the airport - the Air France bus normally may need 50 minutes to get to CDG, but it may take 1½ hours as well... your best bet for arriving on time with the buses is to take them very early in the morning or during other times when there isn't much traffic.
[url=http://cars.airfrance.fr]Air France buses[/url] offer two stops in Paris (Porte Maillot, Montparnasse) from CDG with a 50min ride. To reach a specific address into the city, this [url=http://www.airport-paris-transfer.com/]shared shuttle service[/url] costs €19 per person.
Non-shared (limo service) transfers are also available and can be booked on-line:
*[url=http://www.t2transfer.com]T2 Transfer[/url] offers CDG airport transfers to Paris city centre for up to 4 people for €60.
*[url=http://www.top-paristransfer.com]Top Paris Transfer[/url] offers CDG transfers to Paris city centre for up to 4 people for €60.
*Blacklane offers airport transfers in Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series or similar, for three people to/from CDG or Orly to/from central Paris for around €60 and €70.
*[url=http://www.cabservice-prestige.com]Cab Service Prestige[/url] offers a Mercedes E transfer for up to 4 people for €150 from CDG to the city
*[url=http://easyprivatetaxi.com]Easy Private Taxi[/url] offers a sedan from CDG to the city up to 2 people for €60, up 4 people for €70 and up to 8 people for €90
*[url=https://en.lecab.fr/]LeCab[/url] offers a sedan to and from CDG for up to 4 people for €48, and to and from Orly for up to 4 people for €37
*[url=http://www.parisairportshuttle.us/]Paris airport shuttle[/url] offers a cdg to and from CDG for up to 4 people for €48, and to and from Orly for up to 4 people for €37
*[url=http://www.privatecarserviceparis.com/]Private Car Service Paris[/url] offers luxury Mercedes Class E and S airport pickups from CDG and Orly to the city or Hotel for €120 and private chauffeur services for €70.
*[url=http://www.taxileader.net/]TaxiLeader.net[/url] offers CDG to and from Paris for €48 1-3 people, Orly to and from Paris €55 1-3 people
Do not get into a taxi which is not clearly marked "taxi." Taxi services between CDG and Paris should not exceed €150; scammers will try to charge you €225 or more.
=====Contact=====
A post office only exists in B and D terminals. However, you can send postcards buying post stamps in a newspaper stand, and dropping them into a postbox (both exist in every terminal).
====[url=http://www.adp.fr/webadp/a_cont01_an.nsf/%24%24Affich%40ReadForm&cle=X400.html]Orly International Airport[/url]====
. This airport is southwest of the city, and served by a southern branch of the RER-B line that heads in the direction of Saint-Rémy-les-Chevreuse (not Robinson). This older international airport is used mainly by Air France for domestic departures, and international departures by European carriers. Orly is roughly 30 min from Paris via the OrlyBus, which departs from Métro Denfert-Rochereau (ligne 4, 6); the price is €7.70. There are buses every 10 minutes from the Orly Sud (Platform 4) and it stops at Orly Ouest on its way to the city. Tickets can be bought at a counter near the baggage claim area or directly at the counter in Platform 4. The tickets need to be validated once on the bus. Another option is to take Metro 7 to Villejuif-Louis Aragon then Tram T7 (bound for Athis-Mons, Porte de l'Essonne) to Aéroport d'Orly (not Cœur d'Orly); you need 2 tickets as there is no free transfer between the Metro and the tram, but it is considerably less expensive than the RER B and Orlyval. The tram is slow but nice, opened in 2013.
The Orlyval light rail connects the two terminals to each other and to the RER B line at Antony. It runs every 4-7min and cost €10.75 for transfer to Paris, including connections to central area metro stations. The RER B from Antony runs through Paris to Aéroport Charles de Gaulle.
====[url=http://www.aeroportbeauvais.com/index.php?lang=eng]Beauvais[/url] (Aéroport de Beauvais Tillé)====
. This airport, a distance north of the city, is a smaller regional airport that is used by some low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and WizzAir. Like many small airports there is a cartel in operation in the form of the airport operated shuttle service connecting with the Métro at Porte Maillot station. Buses run even during the small hours of the morning (06:00). Buses leave 20min after each flight arrives, and a few hours before each flight departs. Exact times can be found on the Beauvais Airport website. The journey will take about an hour in good traffic conditions, and costs €17 (or €15,90 if bought online in advance) each way, there is no reduced price for children over the age of 2 years. Unless you hire a car this is the most realistic way to head toward Paris, hence why the airport charge the price they do.
Paris is well connected to the rest of Europe by train. There is no central station serving Paris and the six different stations are not connected to each other. You will probably want to know in advance at which station your train is arriving, so as to better choose a hotel and plan for transport within the city.
*Gare du Nord, ([wiki=872d2e8136c131755e5b70e3f1cf4e1a]10th[/wiki]), Métro: Gare du Nord - TGV trains to and from [wiki=6c1674d14bf5f95742f572cddb0641a7]Belgium[/wiki], the [wiki=a67d4cbdd1b59e0ffccc6bafc83eb033]Netherlands[/wiki], and [wiki=34de6132f13e62a0c803d12062324ad6]Cologne[/wiki], [wiki=d8b00929dec65d422303256336ada04f]Germany[/wiki] (Thalys), and the [wiki=89f9c9f489be2a83cf57e53b9197d288]United Kingdom[/wiki] (Eurostar) and regular trains from Northern Europe. Passengers coming in by train from Charles de Gaulle Airport can also get off here.
*Gare d'Austerlitz, ([wiki=3445664adb7576245dd1eb7dee303b55]13th[/wiki]), Métro: Gare d'Austerlitz - regular trains to and from the centre and southwest of France ([wiki=c615af682f23d36dfbd3c7f8c02a133d]Orléans[/wiki], [wiki=d788c89600eb314c0c46b02a931ca009]Limoges[/wiki], [wiki=66d73a5c118ed4653630c2fe3464cf2d]Toulouse[/wiki] the long way), [wiki=907eba32d950bfab68227fd7ea22999b]Spain[/wiki] and [wiki=ea71b362e3ea9969db085abfccdeb10d]Portugal[/wiki] and arrival of majority of the night trains.
*Gare de l'Est, ([wiki=872d2e8136c131755e5b70e3f1cf4e1a]10th[/wiki]), Métro: Gare de l'Est - ICE/TGV to and from [wiki=06630c890abadde9228ea818ce52b621]Luxembourg[/wiki], [wiki=4e0a3648a82f4b9086865d95e029749a]Saarbrücken[/wiki], [wiki=a1443829da86de7a40a11a2031e9f616]Kaiserslautern[/wiki], [wiki=4312d5c8cdda027420c474e2221abc34]Frankfurt[/wiki], and [wiki=a330ac6c48198545d4d2f9ff2cb0fc05]Stuttgart[/wiki], [wiki=7b88a4aca50f33c258efc438d098c9f4]Munich[/wiki] in [wiki=d8b00929dec65d422303256336ada04f]Germany[/wiki].
*Gare de Lyon, ([wiki=385f7ab10963d1f8ccbfc66efba883d5]12th[/wiki]), Métro: Gare de Lyon - regular and TGV trains to and from Southern and eastern France: [wiki=571416e21980b2a4d2e1ba7413417657]French Alps[/wiki], [wiki=8377de0f1845174610bd8b815b9a285e]Marseille[/wiki], [wiki=debecab907ccabee0bc672b9fa1cab8a]Lyon[/wiki], [wiki=e94bc0b4e83ae247d5aba40c0d04b82d]Dijon[/wiki], Switzerland (by [url=http://www.tgv-lyria.com/main/FCK/File/site_en/network_map/network_map.asp]TGV Lyria[/url]): [wiki=3f6765c843a517aa042ae011230aa976]Geneva[/wiki], [wiki=2f4d156f29b46c9add9d9337453822fc]Lausanne[/wiki], [wiki=da0c20ebb57be0379ef92dcccda2e46f]Neuchatel[/wiki] - [wiki=961698fa64951bd6d3437ebc7931a899]Bern[/wiki] - [wiki=906e621d0a453fe7be4c326293881c73]Interlaken[/wiki], [wiki=aea93afdf4bee7f4b52526ee5f040cea]Basel[/wiki] - [wiki=2b29c5739ec4158573c66d2124e2c7e9]Zurich[/wiki], and [wiki=1007e1b7f894dfbf72a0eaa80f3bc57e]Italy[/wiki].
*Gare de Bercy, ([wiki=385f7ab10963d1f8ccbfc66efba883d5]12th[/wiki]), Métro: Bercy. Overnight trains from and to [wiki=1007e1b7f894dfbf72a0eaa80f3bc57e]Italy[/wiki] and regular trains to [wiki=ebe96e133e53e7e28b2269a9ccf7d142]Auvergne[/wiki].
*Gare St Lazare, ([wiki=12ceb9f98962cc38aa238174038b9aac]8th[/wiki]) Métro: St-Lazare - trains to and from [wiki=046cd018d0ae9b00387a480c461753be]Basse-Normandie[/wiki], [wiki=ed80433fbc1cec2660ab24c8d9c2c1a8]Haute-Normandie[/wiki].
*Gare Montparnasse, ([wiki=febc731c8344d36ea068311d8b3eb88a]15th[/wiki]), Métro: Montparnasse-Bienvenüe - TGV and regular trains to and from the west and south-west of France ([wiki=d50db78b5bcfc7f23092fc8e48a6b0f4]Brest[/wiki], [wiki=5f12cfc16406d156d3c4ed54f00556f9]Rennes[/wiki], [wiki=62ba359fa6b58bea641314e7a4635cf6]Nantes[/wiki], [wiki=a6f0077b898dc8d408c08168a2c44259]Bordeaux[/wiki], [wiki=66d73a5c118ed4653630c2fe3464cf2d]Toulouse[/wiki] the fastest way and [wiki=907eba32d950bfab68227fd7ea22999b]Spain[/wiki]).
The [url=http://www.sncf.com/indexe.htm]SNCF (French national railways)[/url] operates practically all trains within France excluding the [url=http://stpancras-international.co.uk]Eurostar[/url] to St Pancras, London and the Thalys to Brussels and onward [url=http://ns.nl/]to the Netherlands[/url] and [url=http://bahn.de/]Germany[/url]. [url=http://www.tgv-lyria.com]TGV Lyria[/url] is a joint service offered by the French and Swiss railways (SBB-CFF-FFS - Swiss Federal Railways) for TGV Lyria trains running between Paris and [url=http://www.rail.ch]Switzerland[/url]. There are also a few local lines of high touristic interest which are privately owned. All SNCF, Eurostar and Thalys tickets can be bought in railway stations, city offices and travel agencies (no surcharge). The SNCF website allows to book and buy tickets up to two months in advance. There are significant discounts if you book weeks ahead. Reduced ticket prices are different for each day and each train and can be used only on the train the reservation is for. Surprisingly, round trip tickets (aller-retour) with a stay over Saturday night can be cheaper than a single one-way ticket (aller simple). A very limited selection of last minute trips are published on the SNCF website every Tuesday, with discounts of more than 50%.
There are a number of different kinds of high speed and normal trains:
* TER: The regional trains (Train Express Régionale); cheapest tickets, though prices are variable on the time of day of departure (and the day of departure as well). TER are slower, stopping at almost all stations.
* Intercités: A bundling of the former Intercités, Téoz, and Lunéa train categories. There are two kinds: the regular trains, which are priced the same as the TER and the trains you'll find yourself on if you have a [wiki=e8adcf5f873b0e0778cffa067fc413df]Eurail[/wiki] or [wiki=91008c8520f44e6603251f3695c857fc]InterRail[/wiki] pass and don't want to pay extra for reservations, and the trains à réservation obligatoire, which require a reservation and are priced differently from the regular Intercités trains.
* TGV: The world-famous French high-speed trains (Trains à Grande Vitesse) run very frequently to the Southeast [wiki=914d0a4ebc177889b5b89a23f556fd75]Nice[/wiki] (5-6h), Marseille (3h) and [wiki=78c372d1a5d7f5dec2c9c213f51cce1f]Avignon[/wiki] (2.5h), the East ([url=http://www.tgv-lyria.com/main/FCK/File/site_en/network_map/network_map.asp]by TGV Lyria[/url]) to [wiki=3f6765c843a517aa042ae011230aa976]Geneva[/wiki] (3h), [wiki=2f4d156f29b46c9add9d9337453822fc]Lausanne[/wiki] (3h40), [wiki=da0c20ebb57be0379ef92dcccda2e46f]Neuchatel[/wiki] (4h) - [wiki=961698fa64951bd6d3437ebc7931a899]Bern[/wiki] (4h30) - [wiki=906e621d0a453fe7be4c326293881c73]Interlaken[/wiki] (5h45), [wiki=aea93afdf4bee7f4b52526ee5f040cea]Basel[/wiki] (3h) - [wiki=2b29c5739ec4158573c66d2124e2c7e9]Zurich[/wiki] (4h) in [wiki=3ad08396dc5afa78f34f548eea3c1d64]Switzerland[/wiki] and [wiki=e94bc0b4e83ae247d5aba40c0d04b82d]Dijon[/wiki] (1h15), the Southwest [wiki=a6f0077b898dc8d408c08168a2c44259]Bordeaux[/wiki] (3h), the West [wiki=5f12cfc16406d156d3c4ed54f00556f9]Rennes[/wiki] (2-2.5h) and the North [wiki=c56e94a98504ed36e241a010edc8d0de]Lille[/wiki] (less than 1h). Eurostar to London (2h15) and Thalys to Brussels (1h20) use almost identical trains. Reservations are obligatory.
* Thalys A high-speed train service running daily to/from the [wiki=a67d4cbdd1b59e0ffccc6bafc83eb033]Netherlands[/wiki], [wiki=6c1674d14bf5f95742f572cddb0641a7]Belgium[/wiki] and [wiki=d8b00929dec65d422303256336ada04f]Germany[/wiki]. It can be a bit expensive compared to normal trains, but cheap enough if you buy in advance.
* Intercity: Intercity trains leave for all parts of [wiki=912d59cdf1d3f551fae21f6f0062258f]Europe[/wiki], including overnight trains to [wiki=6e901d04f48fe3747503e6211ebe9ee9]San Sebastian[/wiki] in [wiki=907eba32d950bfab68227fd7ea22999b]Spain[/wiki], [wiki=8493f398f200c8dffe60d46439dd3360]Porto[/wiki] and [wiki=260b4e591e03de9750f965a30087ed5f]Lisbon[/wiki] in [wiki=ea71b362e3ea9969db085abfccdeb10d]Portugal[/wiki].
* Eurostar: The Eurostar service connects Paris with [wiki=59ead8d1e124ccfb79f3ace06f43e703]London[/wiki] St. Pancras directly and [wiki=068a0b5b2858dc3f1ac7b47464bc4b0a]Brussels[/wiki] indirectly, as well many other destinations indirectly through the various west European rail services. Travel time between Paris Gare du Nord and [wiki=59ead8d1e124ccfb79f3ace06f43e703]London[/wiki] St Pancras International currently averages at 2h15min, following the opening of a new rail link in late 2007. Eurail and InterRail passes are not valid for this train, though passholders can benefit from a reduced price. You must arrive at the station 30 minutes before the departure of the train to complete security and passport controls.
*[url=http://www.bahn.de/i/view/GBR/en/prices/europe/overnight-travel.shtml]CNL[/url]: The overnight services (City Night Line) by the German operator Deutsche Bahn which have sleeping berths in addition to the regular coach cars. These are not particularly speedy. They are designed to leave Paris in the late evening and arrive at their destinations at a reasonable morning hour. While the trains themselves are covered by the rail passes, the sleeping accommodation supplements are not, and need to be booked separately, but what you get is a moving bed which transports you to another city, saving on hotel bills in the process. Paris has 3 departures nightly, all from the Gare de l'Est - to [wiki=7b88a4aca50f33c258efc438d098c9f4]Munich[/wiki], [wiki=ee1611b61f5688e70c12b40684dbb395]Berlin[/wiki] and [wiki=35d7df6ed3d93be2927d14acc5f1fc9a]Hamburg[/wiki].
A trans-European bus company that offers trips from across Europe and Morocco to Paris. Generally offers prices significantly cheaper than the train at the cost of much longer journeys. The Parisian office is located at Bagnolet, adjacent to the Gallieni metro station.
*A British low-cost bus company that offers fares to Paris from [wiki=59ead8d1e124ccfb79f3ace06f43e703]London[/wiki], [wiki=3eb8670d999ac077dd0e2c345cb7c905]Amsterdam[/wiki], and [wiki=068a0b5b2858dc3f1ac7b47464bc4b0a]Brussels[/wiki]. Seats start at €1.00, with through fares available from points on the domestic UK network. Free Wi-Fi is available when the bus is travelling through the United Kingdom. The Parisian terminus is at the Porte Maillot Metro station, next to the Palais des Congrès in the [wiki=9bee23a3cbad6b2dd9426ce44659a017]17th[/wiki].
*The luxury bus arm of SNCF, introduced in summer 2012. It offers routes to Paris from various destinations in [wiki=6c1674d14bf5f95742f572cddb0641a7]Belgium[/wiki], [wiki=0309a6c666a7a803fdb9db95de71cf01]France[/wiki], [wiki=1007e1b7f894dfbf72a0eaa80f3bc57e]Italy[/wiki], the [wiki=a67d4cbdd1b59e0ffccc6bafc83eb033]Netherlands[/wiki] and the [wiki=89f9c9f489be2a83cf57e53b9197d288]United Kingdom[/wiki]. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the journey. The Parisian terminus is at the Gare de Bercy.
*German company, offering routes from Paris since summer 2015 from the station Paris Porte Maillot.
*Company offering national routes toward Brest, Nantes, Rennes and Lyon. The station is located at Paris Porte Maillot.
Several autoroutes (expresswas/motorways) link Paris with the rest of France: A1 and A3 to the north, A5 and A6 to the south, A4 to the east and A13 and A10 to the west. Not surprisingly, traffic jams are significantly worse during French school holidays.
The multi-lane highway around Paris, called the Périphérique (BP), is probably preferable to driving through the centre. Another ring road nearing completion; L'A86 (also A186 and A286) loops around Paris about 10km further out from the Périphérique. A third, incomplete ring road is much further out and called La Francilienne (N104).
It's advisable not to drive in the Paris Metro Area. It's better to drive to a suburban train station with a parking lot and then use the train to continue your trip throughout Paris. Most of Paris' roads were created long before the invention of cars. Traffic inside the city tends to be heavy, especially at rush hour; driving, however, may be rather easy and efficient in the evening. Parking is also difficult. Furthermore, the medieval nature of parts of the city's street system makes it very confusing, and traffic will almost never allow one to stop or slow down to get one's bearings. If you are unfamiliar with the streets and still insist on driving in the city, make sure you have a navigator in the passenger seat with you. Paris is currently investing in the systemic removal of existing parking spaces to encourage people to use its available and vast public transportation system.
Walking in Paris is one of the great pleasures of visiting the City of Light. It is possible to cross the entire city in only a few hours (only if you can somehow keep yourself from stopping at numerous cafés and shops).
The smartest travellers take advantage of the walkability of this city and stay above ground as much as possible. A metro ride of less than 2 stops is best avoided since walking will take about the same amount of time and you'll be able to see more of the city. That said, pay attention to the Métro stations that you may pass by on your journey; the Métro network is very dense within the city and the lines are virtually always located directly underneath major boulevards, so if you become lost it is easy to regain your bearings by walking along a major boulevard until you find a Métro station.
Despite fines as high as €180 and extensive street cleaning operations, dog droppings persist across the city, so walk with caution.
It's always fun to experience the city by foot, and there are numerous walking tours around Paris, whether self guided (with the help of a guidebook or on-line guide) or with a touring guide (booked through your travel agency or hotel). The city is best explored by foot, and some of the most marvellous memories you will have of Paris is walking through secret found places.
* offers a wide selection of walking tours around Paris.
Paris has an excellent underground train system, known as the Métro (short for Chemin de fer métropolitain, Metropolitan Railway). Although you will probably take the RER train from the airport (CDG) to Paris, don't be confused: RER is a French-language acronym that translates to "Regional Express Network," and is mostly used by commuters. Look for the Métro stations, marked either with a large "M" sign or by one of Hector Guimard's remarkable Art Nouveau station entrances. However, crossing Paris can be much faster by RER than by Métro, and within the city of Paris, there is little functional difference between the RER and Métro (there are numerous transfers between the two networks, and a ticket for the Métro is also valid for the RER within the city limits - see below).
There are 16 Métro lines (lignes) (1-14, 3bis, and 7bis) on which trains travel all day at intervals of a few minutes 05:00-00:30 (Saturday night/Sunday morning: 01:30), stopping at all stations on the line. Times for trains can be seen on an electronic scrollboard above the platform. Line 14, which is fully automated, is called the Méteor. Scheduled times for first and last trains are posted in each station on the centre sign. Generally, except for early and late hours, travellers should not worry about specific Metro train times; just get to your station and take the next train. Trains usually come 2-3 minutes apart during rush hour and 5-10 minutes apart during other times, depending on the line.
Visitors with heavy luggage or handicap should find out in-advance about the facilities at each station to be used. (Specific on-line information about elevators and escalators is hard to find. You may have ask at ticket counters at major stations, perhaps tourist information kiosks.) Getting to boarding platforms from street level, or going between platforms to change lines can be difficult even at major intersecting stations at most times, and everywhere during rush hours. It usually involves walking up and down multiple flights of busy stairs. Elevators are seldom seen, many aren't working, and in major outlying stations any escalator will likely support only exiting to the street level. If you have any lingering concern about station facilities, check bus routes and timings to find convenient bus service instead; failing that, use a taxi.
Many Metro trains do not carry destination binders. All lines on the Paris metro run end-to-end with some trains terminating at certain stations. This practice is common only in peak hours and if you are on a metro train that terminates before the last station, the driver will make an announcement (in French). Listen carefully for signs that the train is terminating before the end of the line.
The lines are named according to the names of their terminal stations (the end of the line). If you ask the locals about directions, they will answer something like : take line number n toward "end station 1", change at "station", take the line nn toward "end station 2" etc. The lines are also colour-coded.
In addition, there are five commuter train lines: RER A, B, C, D, and E. RER trains run at intervals of about 6-7min, and stop at every RER station within Paris; RER stations are equipped with electronic boards or monitors which display the station stops each train makes outside the city limits. Although a regular subway ticket can be used within Paris (Zone 1), it is necessary to pass the ticket through the turnstile when passing between the subway and the RER lines, as the two systems are separate networks. This ticket is necessary to enter and exit the RER networks, as the RER trains travel on to the Parisian suburbs, outside the zone where a regular subway ticket can be used. Travel outside the city centre without a valid RER ticket will get you fined, and the packs of inspectors who roam the system show no mercy to tourists pleading ignorance. In particular, Charles de Gaulle airport is not within the city; you must purchase an RER ticket to get there (see [wiki=fffe930296f39b102da092837a665dd5]#Get in|Get in[/wiki]).
The Métro and RER move staggering numbers of people into, out of, and around Paris (6.75 million people per day on average), and most of the time in reasonable comfort. Certain lines, however, are operating at or near capacity, sometimes being so full that you'll have to let one or two trains pass before being able to board. If you can help it, avoid Métro lines 1, 4, 9, & 13 and RER lines A & B during rush hours as these are the most congested lines in the system.
In addition to RER, there are many suburban train lines (Transilien) departing from the main train stations. One line of interest is the one from Gare Montparnasse to Versailles-Chantiers, a quick way to go to Versailles castle (covered by a ticket for at least Zones 1-4). The alternative is to use RER C to Versailles Rive Gauche (this station is the closest to the castle). Do not use RER C8 to Versailles Chantiers; this will do a very long loop in the southern suburbs before reaching Versailles.
For travel outside of the Paris zone, the train arrival times are shown on a monitor hanging from the ceiling inside the RER station above the platform. Information about the stops to be made by the next incoming train is presented on a separate board also hanging from the ceiling. It is important to check this board before boarding the train, as not all trains make stops at all stations on a given line. Four letter codes (KRIN, DIPA, TORE, etc.) are used for the RER and Transilien trains. On RER A, B and C the first letter indicates the destination of the train, the second the branch or service type, and the last two are to make the name easier to memorize; on RER D and E, the first letter is destination, the second letter is service type, the third letter is branch, and the fourth letter is direction; on Transilien lines, it's usually one name for every service type. You can look up what these codes mean on information panels in the station, but the easiest and fastest way is often to check the information screens along the platforms.
[url=http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_5000/accueil/]RATP[/url] is responsible for public transport including metro, buses, and some of the high speed inter-urban trains (RER). The rest of the RER is operated by SNCF. However, both companies take the same tickets, so the difference is of little interest for most people except in case of strikes (RATP may strike without SNCF doing so or the other way round). Current fares can be found at their website. Basically, as you move farther from Paris (into higher zones), tickets get more expensive.
For the subway, a single ticket (ticket t+) costs €1.80, or a "carnet" of ten tickets can be bought for €14.70 at any station. Tickets named tarif réduit may be purchased for children under the age of 10 but only in a carnet of 10 for €6.65. Both tickets are valid for unlimited metro and RER or bus and tram transfers during two hours for RER and metro, and 1 hour 30 between the first and the last punch for bus and tram. RER + Métro and Bus + Tram are two separate systems, but they use the same tickets. This means you have to use a new ticket if you transfer from bus to metro or from metro to bus. Tickets do not expire.
A one-day ticket, a weekly pass, and a monthly pass are also available. The price varies according to the zones for which the ticket can be used. The cheapest 1-day ticket called [url=http://www.transilien.com/web/site/accueil/guide-du-voyageur/billets-tarifs/billets-abonnements/Mobilis/lang/en]Mobilis[/url], is valid for zones 1-2, with a price of €6.60. Once bought, it is necessary to write in the spaces provided on the ticket the date the ticket is being used in European notation of day/month/year (valable le), the last name (nom), and the first name (prénom). Unfortunately, this ticket is not valid for use for travel to/from Charles de Gaulle airport. If you make only a few trips in one day, the carnet of ten tickets (for €1.33 per trip) can be more economical than a one-day ticket. Remember to consider the price for all members of your group/family, including children, which days you are travelling on, and in which zones you will be travelling.
For travellers under the age of 26, there is a special ticket (Jeunes 26) that you can purchase for use on the weekends or holidays. The price varies depending on the number of zones you wish to cover (Zones 1-3 is €3.65 and Zones 1-5 is €7.85; there are other zone combinations available too) and the ticket is good for one day of unlimited usage of the metro, RER, bus, and trams.
If you are staying a bit longer, the weekly and monthly passes are called Navigo Découverte (1 week pass, €19.15 for zones 1-2) and the monthly Navigo Mensuel (one-month pass, €62.90 for zones 1-2). Note that an Découverte (DAY-koo-VERT) starts on Mondays and a Mensuel on the first of the month. The Navigo pass is non-transferrable and requires the user to provide information on the pass after the sale. The pass is sold for €5. You must write your last name (nom) and your first name (prénom) and stick your photo on the nominative card. After, you have to refill your pass with a recharge hébdomadaire (one-week refill), or a recharge mensuelle (one-month refill). You have to choose at least two of the contiguous "zones": Paris is the first zone, La Défense is in the third zone, and Versailles in the fourth. Everything related to a "Navigo" pass is in purple (like the target for the pass in the turnstiles).
Although not as good a deal for adults in most cases as the Mobilis or Navigo, there are also one-to-five-day tourist passes, called [url=http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/r_61654/parisvisite/]Paris Visite[/url], available, which are a bargain for kids of ages 4-11, starting at €4.85 per day for travel within zones 1-3.
Keep your ticket or pass with you at all times as you may be checked. You will be cited and forced to pay on the spot if you do not have a ticket. The most likely spots for being checked are just behind the turnstiles at big Métro stations or during Métro line changes (correspondances). RATP agents may be present in the Métro stations even on Sunday nights.
Métro stations have both ticket windows and automatic vending machines. The majority of machines do not take notes, only coins or European credit cards with a pin-encoded chip on the front. Therefore, to use either euro bills or a non-European credit card with a magnetic stripe, it is necessary to make the purchase from the ticket window. Be advised that some ticket vending machines do not give change, so use exact change or go to the ticket window. If you look at the vending machines closely, you may find one in the group that takes euro bills and will give change; these machines can be found at major or touristy stations such as Tuileries, Gare de Lyon or La Défense-Grande Arche.
Some larger stations have secondary entrances, where there is no ticket booth. These are labelled voyageurs avec billets (passengers with tickets).
Be aware of ticket touts who used to stay near single vending machines, which have much higher rates for tickets, eg. 7€ for single ride ticket!
Each station displays a detailed map of the surrounding area with a street list and the location of buildings (monuments, schools, places of worship, etc) as well as exits for that particular metro. Maps are located on the platform if the station has several exits or near the exit if there is only one exit.
Except for trains on lines 1, 2, 4, 5, and 14, the doors will not open automatically. In such a case, there are handles or buttons located both inside and outside the train that you have to push or unlatch in order to open the door.
Strikes are a regular occurrence on the Paris public transit system. Generally during a strike, there will be reduced or no service on certain lines but parts of the network will continue to operate; however, in some cases the entire network may shut down completely. Visit the RATP and SNCF websites for information on which routes are affected by a strike. Generally, the automated Métro lines 1 and 14 will be running during a strike because they operate without human drivers - if you are caught by a strike, it is best to use it whenever possible.
Renting a bike is a very good alternative over driving or using public transport and an excellent way to see the sights. Riding a bike anywhere in the city is far safer for the moderately experienced cyclists than most towns or cities in other countries. The French are very cognisant of cyclists, almost to a point of reverence. A few years ago Paris wasn't the easiest place to get around by bike but that has changed dramatically in recent years. The city government has taken a number of steps in strong support of improving the safety and efficiency of the urban cyclist as well as establishing some separated bike lanes but, even more importantly, instituted a policy of allowing cyclists to share the ample bus lanes on most major boulevards. Paris also has many riversides which are perfect for cycling. The Paris bike network now counts over 150km of either unique or shared lanes for the cyclist. In addition, the narrower, medieval side streets of the central arrondissements make for rather scenic and leisurely cycling, especially during off-peak hours of the day when traffic is lighter. Do remember to bring a good map, since there is no grid plan to speak of and almost all of the smaller streets are one-way.
Since the Métro is primarily structured around a hub-and-spoke model, there are some journeys for which it can be quite inefficient, and in these cases, it is worth seeing if a direct bus route exists, despite the complexity of the bus network. A bus ride is also interesting if you want to see more of the city. The Parisian bus system is quite tourist-friendly. It uses the same single-ride Ticket t+ and Navigo fare system as the Métro, and electronic displays inside each bus tell riders its current position and what stops remain, eliminating a lot of confusion.
These same payment devices are also valid in the Noctilien, the night bus. Noctilien route numbers are prefaced with an N on the bus stop signage. Night buses run regularly through the central hub at Chatelet and from the mainline train stations to outlying areas of greater Paris. There is also a circle line connecting the main train stations. It pays to know your Noctilien route ahead of time in case you miss the last Métro home. Women travellers should probably avoid taking the Noctilien on their own to destinations outside Paris.
When boarding the bus, you'll have to validate your ticket. If you have a Navigo pass, simply hold it up to one of the purple scanners (usually on a pole near the door) and wait for the tone and the green light. If you're using a single-ride ticket, look for the ticket validating machine, a roughly shoebox-sized device with a few lights on top and a slit for the ticket at the bottom. Insert your ticket in the slot, and wait for it to stamp it and spit it back out. Check for the time stamp, in case the printer is out of ink. As on the Métro, your ticket is proof of payment, so hold on to it until you arrive at your destination lest the transit police fine you for not paying your fare. All-day tickets only need to be validated once. If you don't have any tickets (and there's not a Métro station or Tabac nearby that sells them), you can buy a "ticket de dépannage" directly from the driver; these cost €2 and must be validated immediately.
Be aware that you cannot transfer between the Métro and the Bus with a single-ride Ticket t+. However, you can transfer from bus to bus, or between the bus and the tram, within 90 minutes of validating the ticket. The "ticket de dépannage" sold on the bus does not let you make a transfer to another line.
Another option for travellers who want to see the sights of Paris without a stop on every street corner is the Paris L'Opentour Bus, an open-topped double decker bus that supplies headsets with the most up to date information on the attractions in Paris. Your ticket is good for four routes ranging in time from 1-2h. Get off when you want, stay as long as you need, get back on the bus and head for another site. You can purchase tickets at the bus stop. A one-day pass is €31 for adults and €16 for children. A two-day pass is €36 for adults or €19 for children.
Metro and bus. The metro and buses are free for children under the age of 4. Older kids (4-9) can buy a carnet (a collection of 10 tickets) at half-price for discounted travel. Other passes, including the Paris-Vistes pass for unlimited travel over 1 to 5 days are also available at half-price for children below 9 years of age.
*Taxis. Parisian taxis tend to be standard cars (sedans or minivans) so almost all strollers will need to be folded and placed in trunk. Be aware that taxi drivers are proud of their cars and keep them very clean and are not big fans of messy kids.
Taxis are cheaper at night when there are no traffic jams to be expected. There are not as many taxi cabs as one would expect, and sometimes finding a taxi can be challenging. In the daytime, it is not always a good idea to take a taxi, as walking or taking the metro (See: Métro) will be cheaper and, depending on traffic, faster. If you know you will need one to get to the airport, or to a meeting, it is wise to book ahead by phone (see below).
Remember if a taxi is near a taxi stand, they're not supposed to pick you up except at the stand where there may be other people in line ahead of you. Taxi stands are usually near train stations, big hotels, hospitals, major intersections, and other points of interest, and are marked with a blue and white "TAXI" sign.
There are a number of services by which you can call for taxis or make a reservation in advance. The two largest are Taxis G7 and Taxis Bleus:
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
As in many other cities a taxi can be difficult to stop; you may have to try several times. When you do get a taxi to stop, the driver will usually roll down his window to ask you where you want to go. If the driver can't (or doesn't want to) go where you want, he might tell you that he's near the end of his work day and can't possibly get you where you want before he has to go off-duty.
There is a €6.50 minimum on all taxi journeys mandated by city law, but the meter does not show this amount, which can result in being asked to pay more than the metered amount on short rides. Frequently the taxi driver will not want to drive you all the way to the doorstep, but will prefer to let you out a block or so away if there are one or more one-way streets to contend with. Try to look at this as a cost-savings rather than an inconvenience. You should pay while still seated in the cab as in New York and not through the front window London style.
The driver will not let you sit in the front seat (unless there are 3 or 4 of you, which is a rare case usually expedited by more money). Taxi-drivers come in all types, some nice, some rude, some wanting to chat, some not. Smoking in taxis is generally not allowed, however it might be that the taxi driver himself wants a cigarette in which case the rule might become flexible.
To avoid bad surprises, make sure you download Taxibeat, a taxi hailing app available for iOS and Android that enables you to choose your taxi driver based on user ratings. Unlike radio taxis, the service comes at no extra cost for passengers - but be aware of the approach fare, and drivers associated with Taxibeat tend to offer better value service. (Most speak fluent English, offer free Wi-Fi on board, etc).
Many drivers prefer that you avoid using your mobile phone during the journey; if you do have to, make an apologizing gesture and sound, and do make a short call.
*A tip is included in the fare price; If you're especially satisfied with the service, you can give something (basically 10%), but you don't have to.
*There is an extra charge for baggage handling.
If for any reason you wish to file a complaint about a Paris taxi, take note of the taxi's number on the sticker on the lefthand back seat window.
Also if you take a taxi to the Charles de Gaulle airport be prepared to pay €70 or more because there is often heavy traffic. If there isn't traffic it will be less expensive, but that is rare. The RER B or a bus is cheaper.
UBER is very easy to hail in Paris and cheaper than local taxis.
Beware of illegal taxis (see the 'Stay Safe' section).
Livery or Black Car or Limos- Known as car services or livery cabs, these cars may only be called by phone, are flat rate rather than metered (ask for the fare before getting in), and are not allowed to cruise the street or airports for fares. There are two types of licence: the "Grande Remise" that allows the car & driver to pick-up & drop-off passengers anywhere in France, and the "carte verte" that allows pick-up and drop-off in the department or region where the company is based. The Grande Remise cars have a GR on their front plate. They provide more service than a normal cab.
There are several excellent boat services which make use of the Seine. As well as providing easy, cheap transport to much of central Paris, excellent photo opportunities abound. You can buy a day or 3 day ticket and hop on and off the boat as needed. The boats take a circular route from the Eiffel Tower, down past the Louvre, Notre Dame, botanical gardens then back up the other bank past Musee D'orsay. [url=http://www.batobus.com/]Batobus[/url] offers a regular shuttle service between the main touristic sights (closed in January); other companies such as the famous [url=http://www.bateaux-mouches.fr]Bateaux Mouches[/url] offer sightseeing cruises. By taking one of these popular tours, you can also enjoy a romantic [url=http://www.cometoparis.com/catalog/dinner-cruise-paris-202]evening dinner on the Seine[/url]. It is a unique chance to enjoy the night sightseeing, with the lights of the Eiffel Tower and other monuments of Paris.
In a word: don't. It's generally a very bad idea to rent a car to visit Paris. Traffic is very dense during the day, and finding street parking is exceedingly difficult in all but the most peripheral neighbourhoods of the city. This is especially true in areas surrounding points of interest for visitors, since many of these are in areas designed long before cars existed. A majority of Parisian households do not own cars, and many people who move to the city find themselves selling their cars within a month or two.
That said, driving may be an option for going to some sights in the suburbs such as Vaux-le-Vicomte castle or the town and chateau of [wiki=e7444ef996bf5c522217cd9100feb4eb]Fontainebleau[/wiki], or for travelling to other places in France. You may prefer to rent from a location not situated in Paris proper.
Traffic rules in Paris are basically the same as elsewhere in France, with the exception of having to yield to incoming traffic on roundabouts. However, driving in dense traffic in Paris and suburbs during commute times, can be especially strenuous. Be prepared for traffic jams, cars changing lanes at short notice, and so on. Another issue is pedestrians, who tend to fearlessly jaywalk more in Paris than in other French cities. Be prepared for pedestrians crossing the street on red, and expect similar adventurous behaviour from cyclists. Remember that even if a pedestrian or cyclist crossed on red, if you hit him, you (in fact, your insurance) will have to bear civil responsibility for the damages, and possibly prosecution for failing to control your vehicle.
Paris has several ring road systems. There is a series of boulevards named after Napoleonic-era generals (Boulevard Masséna, Boulevard Ney, and so forth), and collectively referred to as boulevard des maréchaux. These are normal wide avenues, with traffic lights. Somewhat outside of this boulevard is the boulevard périphérique, a motorway-style ring road. The périphérique intérieur is the inner lanes (going clockwise), the périphérique extérieur the outer lanes (going counter-clockwise). Note that, despite the looks, the périphérique is not an autoroute: the speed limit is 80km/h and, very unusually, incoming traffic has the right of way, at least theoretically (presumably because, otherwise, nobody would be able to enter during rush hour).
Paris is an incredibly open city, with its many 'grande boulevards' and monuments with large open spaces around them. This makes for a city perfect to be explored and viewed from on a scooter. A lot of people think it is a dangerous city to ride a scooter or motorbike and, when you're sitting in a corner café watching, it may look that way but, in reality, it is actually quite a safe city because the drivers are very conscious of one another, a trait that drivers certainly do not have in some other countries of the world! There are so many scooters in Paris, for so long, that when people learn to drive here they learn to drive amongst the scooters. The French do drive quite fast, but they respect one another and it is rare that a driver will suddenly changes lanes or swing to the other side of the road without signalling. When you're driving a scooter or motorbike in Paris you can expect to be able to 'lane-split' between the rows of cars waiting in traffic and go straight to the front of the lights. For parking, there are plenty of 'Deux Roues' (two wheel) parking all over the city. Do be careful parking on the footpath though, especially on shopping streets or around smonument.
A few well-known Vespa Tour company propose scooter rentals and tours of Paris. It can be a good way to get a vision of the city in a day. Great thing to do if you just stay a few days in Paris:
*This Vespa Tour Company proposes several Tours of Paris (half day and full day) and also a scooter rental service with GPS an option. French, Parisian and friendly guides. Tours in English. 50cc and 125cc available.
*Scooter rental that is delivered to, and picked up from, your hotel in Paris. All scooter are Vespas, 50cc or 125cc available. Must have a car license to rent the 50cc, and a motorcycle license to rent the 125cc.
Paris is one of the best cities for skating. This is due to the large, smooth surfaces offered by both the pavements and the roads. Skating on the pavement is legal all around Central Paris (zone 1) and its suburbs (zones 2+). See our Do section below for more information.
Arc de Triomphe ([wiki=12ceb9f98962cc38aa238174038b9aac]8th[/wiki])- The Arc de Triomphe exudes grandeur and offers a central view of the city Métro/RER Charles de Gaulle-Etoile (1, 2, 6, A)
*Catacombs ([wiki=c746a0494e72cd4f9e1dc3776893c3c1]14th[/wiki])- Used to store the exhumed bones of about 6 million people from the overflowing Paris cemeteries. They fill a section of caverns and tunnels that are the remains of old stone mines underneath the city. There is a limit to the number of visitors allowed within the Catacombs at one time (200 persons). So, if you arrive just after opening, you must wait until someone exits, approximately 45-60 minutes, before anyone is admitted. Métro Denfert-Rochereau (4, 6, B)
*Château de Versailles ([wiki=694072e074fc0641aa793a5990c3bf91]Versailles[/wiki])- Must be seen. France's most exquisite chateau, on the outskirts of the city, easily visited by train. Once the home to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. RER Versailles Rive Gauche (C)
*The Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) ([wiki=5ebdb26c89ef6289d83ecf0b40e56db2]7th[/wiki])- No other monument better symbolizes Paris. Métro Bir-Hakeim (6) or RER Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel (C)
*'Grand Arche de la Défense ([wiki=016e913bb329f9a5af0d8e02961bad58]La Défense[/wiki])- A modern office-building variant of the Arc de Triomphe. Métro/RER La Défense (1, A)
*Notre Dame Cathedral ([wiki=a69595a5d7e3f19ef7363852b670d077]4th[/wiki])- Impressive Gothic cathedral that was the inspiration for Victor Hugo's novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Climb to the top! Métro Cité (4) or RER Saint-Michel-Notre Dame (B, C)
*Opera Garnier ([wiki=07d9c0d25724ba8e3fe028489ca5547b]9th[/wiki])- Masterpiece of theatre architecture of the 19th century built by Charles Garnier and inaugurated in 1875 housing the Paris Opera since it was founded by Louis XIV. Métro Opéra (3, 7, 8)
*Pantheon ([wiki=cd63aef5884e91e6b955efc3be915dde]5th[/wiki])- Underneath, the final resting place for the great heroes of the French Republic including Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and Marie Curie; above, a marvellous view of the city. Métro Cardinal Lemoine (10) or RER Luxembourg (B)
*Père-Lachaise Cemetery ([wiki=746ad97583746734c330647ea601ca44]20th[/wiki])- Unlike any cemetery in the world. Ornate grave stones, monuments set among tree lined lanes. See the graves of Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Frederic Chopin, amongst many others. Métro Père Lachaise (2, 3)
*Sacré Coeur ([wiki=e1ba9f1ca718c5090dd8bf3c6be5ea4e]18th[/wiki])- A church perched on top of the highest point in Paris. Behind the church is the artists' area, in front are spectacular views of the whole city. Métro Anvers (2) or Abbesses (12), then climb the stairs on Rue Foyatier or take the funicular to the top of the hill.
*Sainte Chapelle ([wiki=e72c3303f23377eb773cc108d6227ad9]1st[/wiki])- Exquisite stained glass chapel. More beautiful interior than the gloomy Notre Dame Cathedral. Métro Cité (4)
*Place de la République' ([wiki=aa3cf995d727e314207fb573e3c59e4f]3rd[/wiki])- Since it's renovation in 2014 it's become a pedestrianized open space. Ideal for strolling or people watching. It's also a place for demonstrations. This is where the crowds gathered in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo shootings. Métro Place de la République (3)(5)(8)(9)(11)
All national museums et monuments are free for all every first Sunday of the month. Most public museums, as well as many public monuments (such as the Arc de Triomphe or the towers of Notre-Dame), are also free for citizens of the European Union or long term residents (over three months), if they are under 26 years old.
*The Louvre, ([wiki=e72c3303f23377eb773cc108d6227ad9]1st[/wiki])- One of the finest museums in the world of art and culture. Home of the Mona Lisa and innumerable others. Enormous building and collection, plan at least two visits. Métro Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre (1, 7)
*Musée d'Orsay, ([wiki=5ebdb26c89ef6289d83ecf0b40e56db2]7th[/wiki])- Incredible collection housed in a former railway station. Works by the great artists of the 19th century (1848-1914) including Monet's "Blue Water Lilies, Renoir's "Bal du moulin de la Galette", van Gogh's "Bedroom in Arles", Whistler's "The Artists Mother", etc. RER Musée d'Orsay (C) or Métro Solférino (12)
*Rodin Museum, ([wiki=5ebdb26c89ef6289d83ecf0b40e56db2]7th[/wiki])- His personal collection and archives, in a charming home with garden. Métro Varenne (13)
*[url=http://www.musee-picasso.fr/]Picasso Museum[/url], ([wiki=aa3cf995d727e314207fb573e3c59e4f]3rd[/wiki])- Contains the master's own collection. Visitor should note this museum will be closed until 25 Oct 2014 due to renovations of the building. Métro Saint-Paul (1) or Chemin Vert (8)
*Musée Marmottan-Monet [url=http://www.marmottan.com]]([[Paris/16th arrondissement|16th[/url]])[rue Louis Boilly]- Over 300 paintings of Claude Monet. Also, the works of Berthe Morisot, Edgar Degas, Édouard Manet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. "Impression Soleil Levant" by Monet is on display. Métro La Muette (9)
*Musée de l'Orangerie, ([wiki=e72c3303f23377eb773cc108d6227ad9]1st[/wiki])- [Jardin des Tuileries] Houses "The Water Lilies" (or "Nymphéas") - a 360 degree depiction of Monet's flower garden at Giverny. Also, impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings by Cézanne, Matisse, Modigliani, Picasso, Renoir, Rousseau, Soutine, Sisley and others. Métro Concorde (1, 8, 12)
*Musée Delacroix- Housed in the home of painter Eugene Delacroix. Métro Mabillon (10) or Saint-Germain-des-Près (4)
*Centre Georges Pompidou, ([wiki=a69595a5d7e3f19ef7363852b670d077]4th[/wiki])- The museum of modern art. The building and adjoining Stravinsky Fountain are attractions in themselves. Métro Rambuteau (11)
*Les Invalides, ([wiki=5ebdb26c89ef6289d83ecf0b40e56db2]7th[/wiki])- Very impressive museum of arms and armor from the Middle Ages to today. Also contains the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte. Métro Varenne (13)
*Cluny, ([wiki=cd63aef5884e91e6b955efc3be915dde]5th[/wiki])- A medieval museum exhibiting the five "The Lady and the Unicorn" tapestries, housed in a part Roman, part medieval building. Métro Cluny-La Sorbonne (10)
*Le Musee des Arts Decoratifs, ([wiki=e72c3303f23377eb773cc108d6227ad9]1st[/wiki])- Showcasing eight centuries of French savoir-faire. Métro Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre (1, 7)
*Carnavalet ([wiki=aa3cf995d727e314207fb573e3c59e4f]3rd[/wiki])- Museum of Paris history; exhibitions are permanent and free. Métro Saint-Paul (1) or Chemin Vert (8)
*Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie - La Villette, ([wiki=0f31894783315471c234002378e372ac]19th[/wiki])- Science museum primarily for children. Métro Porte de la Villette (7)
*Mémorial de la Shoah, ([wiki=a69595a5d7e3f19ef7363852b670d077]4th[/wiki])- Paris's Holocaust Memorial Museum, in the heart of the Marais on rue Geoffroy l'Asnier. Free Entry, weekly guided tours. Second Sunday of the month there is a free tour in English. Métro Pont Marie (7)
*Jacquemart-Andre Museum , ([wiki=12ceb9f98962cc38aa238174038b9aac]8th[/wiki])- Private collection of French, Italian, Dutch masterpieces in a typical 19th century mansion. Métro Miromesnil (9, 13)
*Musée du quai Branly,([wiki=5ebdb26c89ef6289d83ecf0b40e56db2]7th[/wiki])-indigenous arts and cultures of Africa, Asia,the Americas and Oceania. Métro Alma-Marceau (9) http://www.quaibranly.fr/en/
It seems like there's almost always something happening in Paris, with the possible exceptions of the school holidays in February and August, when about half of Parisians are to be found not in Paris, but in the Alps or the South or the West of France respectively. The busiest season is probably the autumn, from a week or so after la rentrée scolaire or "back to school" to around Noël (Christmas) theatres, cinemas and concert halls book their fullest schedule of the year.
Even so, there are a couple of annual events in the winter, starting with a furniture and interior decorating trade fair called [url=http://www.maison-objet.com/]Maison & Object[/url] in January.
In February le nouvel an chinois (Chinese New Year) is celebrated in Paris as it is in every city with a significant Chinese population. There are parades in the 3rd,4th and 20th arrondissements and especially in the Chinatown in the 13th south of Place d'Italie which is not only Chinese, but also present Asian organizations, Martial Arts clubs and strangely, Brazilian culture-based groups.
Also in February is the [url=http://www.rbs6nations.com/]Six Nations Rugby Tournament[/url] which brings together France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy, so expect to see strong guys in kilts in the streets.
If sport is not your thing, the Salon international de l'Agriculture (International farming fair/festival)allow you to huge animals indoor (bulls, cows, goats and pigs from every corner of the country) and to taste the best regional products, such as wine, cheese, delicatessen, honey, spices... Each region of France, including exotic overseas territories, present at least one stand, and often several. The former President of the Republic Jacques Chirac use to appear each year on national TV when visiting this fair.
Last but not least, 14th February is a world-recognized Valentine's Day and there is no place more romantic than Paris. One of the spots worth visiting is Square des Abbesses in Montmarte-La Chapelle to check out Le Mur des Je T’Aime (The 'I love you' Wall), a concept piece of contemporary art which is an idea of Claire Kito and Frédéric Baron. It's a 40m² wall covered with inscriptions of the words ‘I love you’ in 250 languages, with red splashes which form a heart when pieced together.
The first of two Fashion weeks occurs in March: Spring Fashion Week, giving designers a platform to present women’s prêt-à-porter, ready to wear, collections for the following winter.
The [url=http://www.Frenchopen.org/]French Tennis Open[/url] in which the world’s top players battle it out on a clay court runs during two weeks starting on the last Sunday in May. By the time its done in June, a whole range of festivities start up. Rendez-vous au Jardin is an open house for many Parisian gardens, giving you a chance to meet Parisian gardeners and see their creations. The [url=http://www.fetedelamusique.fr/]Fête de la Musique[/url] celebrates the summer solstice (21 June) with this city-wide free musical knees-up. Amateur bands are allowed to play at least until 1am everywhere in the city, and sometimes later. (Well, they don't exactly have an authorization, but...) If Rock (of any style) is always heavily represented, every style of music including Hip-Hop, electro, traditional, classical, jazz and gospel can be found.
Finally on the 26th of June is the [url=http://www.gaypride.fr]Gay Pride[/url] parade, featuring probably the most sincere participation by the mayor's office of any such parade on the globe.
The most important music festival happens between the end of June and the beginning of July: [url=http://www.solidays.org/]"Solidays"[/url]. Each year, the program tends to be more impressive, featuring many new bands almost unknown and international stars as well, so many people wait until the program is released and then rush to get a ticket as soon as possible. Besides, this 3-day festival is dedicated to the fight against AIDS, is based on volunteering and deals a lot with AIDS prevention.
The French national holiday La Fête Nationale - commonly referred by non-French citizens as [wiki=0317dd8bf086152a18a5cf2154f750b9]Bastille Day[/wiki] - on 14 July celebrates the storming of the infamous Bastille during the French Revolution. Paris hosts several spectacular events that day of which the best known is the Bastille Parade which is held on the Champs-Élysées at 10:00 and broadcast on television to most of the rest of Europe. It involves French army in shiny dress uniforms, tanks and usually an acrobatic show from the Patrouille de France, highly skilled jet pilots similar at the British Red Arrows. The entire street will be crowded with spectators so arrive early. The Bastille Day Fireworks is an exceptional treat for travellers lucky enough to be in the city on Bastille Day. The Office du Tourisme et des Congress de Paris recommends gathering in or around the champs du Mars, the gardens of the Eiffel Tower. However, you don't need to be so close to enjoy the show, as Paris contains many elevated spots such as the Montparnasse tower, the Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre and Parc de Belleville's belvedere.
Also in July, [url=http://www.villette.com/]Cinema en Plein Air[/url] is the annual outdoor cinema event that takes place at the Parc de la Villette, in the [wiki=07d9c0d25724ba8e3fe028489ca5547b]9th[/wiki] on Europe’s largest inflatable screen. For most of July and August, parts of both banks of the Seine are converted from expressway into an artificial beach for [url=http://www.paris.fr/]Paris Plage[/url]. Also in July the cycling race le Tour de France has a route that varies annually, however it always finishes on the last Sunday of July under the Arc de Triomphe.
On the last full weekend in August, a world-class music festival [url=http://www.rockenseine.com/]Rock en Seine[/url] draws international rock and pop stars to barges on the Seine near moored off of the [wiki=12ceb9f98962cc38aa238174038b9aac]8th[/wiki].
During mid-September DJs and (usually young) fans from across Europe converge on Paris for five or six days of dancing etc. culminating in the Techno parade - a parade whose route traces roughly from Pl. de Bastille to the Sorbonne, and around the same time the festival Jazz à la Villette [url=http://www.jazzalavillette.com/]]brings some of the biggest names in contemporary jazz from around the world. At the same period, a very famous festival takes place, more pop-rock oriented, called "Fête de l'Huma", which stands for "Fête de l'Humanité", from the name of the newspaper which organizes it. The newspaper is clearly communist-oriented, but the festival is nowadays without any real political etiquette, as the public goes there only to enjoy the music. The program is a bit more French-oriented than Solidays, but each year (since 1930!) surprises are to be expected.
The [url=http://www.paris.fr/]Nuit Blanche[/url[/url] transforms most of central Paris into a moonlit theme-park for an artsy all-nighter on the first Saturday of October, and [url=http://www.modeaparis.com]Fashion Week[/url] returns shortly thereafter showing off Women’s Prêt-à-Porter collections for the following summer; as we've noted winter collections are presented in March.
The third Thursday in November marks the release of [url=http://www.intowine.com/beaujolais2.html]Le Beaujolais Nouveau[/url] and the beginning of the Christmas season. This evening, the Christmas lights are lit in a ceremony on the Champs-Élysées, often in the presence of hundreds (if not thousands) of people and many dignitaries, including the president of France.
For information on theatre, movies and exhibitions pick up the 'Pariscope' and 'L'officiel du Spectacle' which is available at newstands for €0.40. For (especially smaller, alternative) concerts pick up LYLO, a small, free booklet available in some bars and at FNAC. There are not any userfriendly online version of these guides.
*Cafe Philo in English meets on the first Wednesday of each month upstairs at the famous Cafe de Flore. Everyone is invited. You don't have to be knowledgeable about philosophy. Meetings begin with a two round voting process to determine a topic. The topic is discussed for two hours.
Paris is considered by many as the birthplace of photography, and while one may debate the correctness of this claim, there is no debate that Paris is today a photographer's dream. The French capital offers a spectacular array of photographic opportunities to the beginner and the pro alike. It has photogenic monuments (e.g., Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, the obelisk at Concorde, and countless others); architecture (the Louvre, Notre Dame and the Museum of the Arab World, to name just a few) and urban street scenes (e.g., in the Marais, Montmartre and Belleville). When you tire of taking your own photos, visit one of the many institutions dedicated to photography (e.g., European Museum of Photography, the Jeu de Paume Museum or the Henri Cartier Bresson Foundation). At these and other institutions, you can learn the about the rich history of Paris as the place of important developments in photography (e.g., the Daguerrotype) and as the home of many of the trade's great artists (e.g., Robert Doisneau, André Kertész, Eugene Atget and Henri Cartier Bresson).
*Better Paris Photos offers instructional tours and workshops that combine hands-on learning of essential photographic techniques with guiding to, and commentary about, the most photogenic spots of Paris. Led by English-speaking photographers and instructors, these tours are open to all skill levels and interest.
The Cinémas of Paris are (or at least should be) the envy of the movie-going world. Of course, like anywhere else you can see big budget first-run films from France and elsewhere. That though, is just the start. During any given week there are at least half-a-dozen film festivals going on, at which you can see the entire works of a given actor or director. Meanwhile there are some older cult films like say, What's new Pussycat or Casino Royal which you can enjoy pretty much any day you wish.
Many non-French movies are subtitled (called "version originale" "VO" or "VOstfr" as opposed to "VF" for version francaise).
There are any number of ways to find out what's playing, but the most commonly used guide is Pariscope, which you can find at newstands for €0.40. Meanwhile there are innumerable online guides which have information on "every" cinema in Paris.
For those who want to meet actual Parisians in addition to exploring major landmarks, there are a few options: in 2010 a group of locals started a new service, "See Paris with a Parisian". You join 90-minute walking tours. The guides show you city landmarks (and the stories and anecdotes that go with them), but they also engage their visitors on life in Paris. Another alternative is Anto's Paris, which offers bike rides using the public bike system, Velib' (so you can keep biking on your own after the ride) and night outs so you can discover the Parisian nightlife with a Parisian. You chat with a Parisian, you "decode" the city, and you learn from an insider about local events and festivals, about where to shop, good places to eat or drink, secret places locals keep to themselves etc.
*[url=http://www.discoverwalks.com/]Discover Walks[/url], 1 rue Thérèse ☎ +33 970 449 724. Several tours to choose from everyday. Free service - guests choose their tip/donation.
*[url=http://likealocalin.paris/]Antos Paris[/url], ☎ +33 679 563 301. Bike around using the Parisian public bike system or go for a drink and check out the nightlife with a local.
Cite des enfants in the [wiki=0f31894783315471c234002378e372ac]19th[/wiki], a museum for kids within the Cite des Sciences et de l'Industrie, is interactive, fun, and educational. There are two separate sections for the 3-5 set and the 5-12 set. The tots section has simple exhibits designed to be pushed, prodded, and poked. The section for older kids is more sophisticated with scientific experiments and tv studios. Métro Porte de la Villete (7)
* Jardin du Luxembourg in the [wiki=e816ad6936507a625fbc6037e8ccbb5d]6th[/wiki]. It would be counted as a travesty not to take your under 10 year old to the Jardin du Luxembourg, long a favorite with Parisien children. With its world famous merry-go-round, a pond for sail boats, a puppet theater, pony rides, chess players, children's playground, it has something for every kid (with comfortable chairs for weary parents thrown in!). The marionettes du luxembourg, the puppet theater, stages classic French puppet shows in French but should be easy to understand. There are numerous places for a snack. RER Luxembourg (B) or Métro Odéon (4, 10)
*Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the [wiki=0f31894783315471c234002378e372ac]19th[/wiki]. Buttes-Chaumont is great for those with children that like to run, climb, and explore. Built on the site of an abandoned quarry, the park is roughly bowl-shaped with a 30-meter-tall peak situated in the middle of a pond at the park's centre. There are trails up the rock, caves, waterfalls, a suspension bridge, and a small stone gazebo on the top of the rock with a 360-degree view. There is also a puppet theater and a playground. Métro Buttes-Chaumont (7bis), Botzaris (7bis), or Laumière (5)
* Parc Zoologique in the [wiki=385f7ab10963d1f8ccbfc66efba883d5]12th[/wiki]. Like all things in France, this zoo is different because of a 236 foot artificial mountain bang in the middle. Take elevators to the top and enjoy the view or watch the mountain goats do their stuff on the sides. Lions, tigers, and everything designed to delight kids can be found in the zoo if the mountaind doesn't do it for your kids. RER/Métro Gare d'Austerlitz (5, 10, C)
* The Jardin d'Acclimatation in the [wiki=f0f9480d639c0ba074cad6cf47155f68]16th[/wiki] has a number of rides, including pint-sized roller coasters suitable for children as young as three years, as well as a mini-zoo and the estimable Musée en Herbe. Métro Les Sablons (1)
* THATLou, Treasure Hunt at the Louvre in the [wiki=e72c3303f23377eb773cc108d6227ad9]1st[/wiki] helps introduce the Louvre Museum and make it more entertaining and manageable for teens and families travelling with children. Henri Loyrette, director of the Louvre, said that you'd have to walk 8 miles straight to cover the whole place, so THATLou (which offers 12 different themed treasure hunts) helps focus visits and highlight collections. Métro Palais Royal-Louvre or Tuileries (1)
Paris has three main flea-markets, located on the outskirts of the central city. The most famous of these is the Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen (Porte de Clignancourt) (Clignancourt Flea Market), Métro: Porte de Clignancourt, in the [wiki=e1ba9f1ca718c5090dd8bf3c6be5ea4e#Buy]18th[/wiki], a haven for lovers of antiques, second-hand goods and retro fashion. The best days to go are Saturday and Sunday. Note that there are particular times of the week when only antique collectors are allowed into the stalls, and there are also times of the day when the stall owners take their Parisian Siesta and enjoy a leisurely cappuccino for an hour or so. The best times to visit the flea markets are in the spring and summertime, when the area is more vibrant. In and around the metro station, you may find the area a little wild but still safe.
A very attractive antiques market in the Marche aux puces de Saint-Ouen is the "Marche Dauphine" on 138 rue des Rosiers,Saint-Ouen. This market is covered so you can go there by all weather and you'll find a large selection of goods, as many as 200 dealers under the same roof. The biggest store of vintage luggage is there selling fabulous vintage Louis Vuitton and Goyard trunks as well as aviation furniture, 1930's ocean liner wardrobes and fabulous chandeliers. In this market, there are specialized jewelers, classic French antiques dealers, paintings dealers, and textile dealers. It's the most versatile market inside the flea market.
Rue de Rome, situated near Gare St. Lazare, is crowded with luthiers, brass and woodwind makers, piano sellers, and sheet music stores. Métro: Europe (Ligne 3). The area south of the metro station Pigalle is also packed with music shops (more oriented towards guitars and drums).
For art lovers, be sure to check out Quartier Saint-Germain-des-Prés, which is renowned for its galleries, and it is impossible to turn a street without finding a gallery to cast your glance in. On Fridays, most open until late. Most even have the benefit of bottles of wine so you can wander in with your glass of wine and feel very artistique. Great roads to walk along are rue de Seine, rue Jacob, rue des Beaux Arts, Rue Bonaparte, and Rue Mazarine.
Also, be sure to visit the historical district of Montparnasse and quartier Vavin where painters like Modigliani, Gauguin and Zadkine used to work.
Budget travellers will be very pleased with the range and quality of products on offer at the open air markets (e.g. the biggest one on Boul Richard Lenoir (near the Bastille), Rue Mouffetard, Place Buci, Place de la Madeleine and over the Canal Saint-Martin in the [wiki=ad49ab82262223f28fdc8de2bc33d4fd]11th[/wiki] or in any other arrondissement). If your accommodation has cooking facilities you're set, especially for wine and cheese, a decent bottle of French wine will set you back all of about €3-5, while the fairly good stuff starts at around €7. Bottles for less than €3 will be drinkable but rather rough; bottles of less than €1.50 are not recommended.
Keep in mind that the small épiceries which open until late are more expensive than the supermarchés (Casino, Monoprix, Franprix, etc). For wine, the price difference can be up to €2.
Buy a baguette, some cheese and a good bottle of wine and join the Parisian youth for a pique-nique along the Seine (especially on the Île Saint-Louis) or along the Canal Saint-Martin. The finest food stores are Lafayette Gourmet in the Galeries Lafayette or La Grande Epicerie in the luxury department store Le Bon Marché. They are worth discovering. You will find a large variety of wines there, otherwise try wine stores such as Nicolas or Le Relais de Bacchus (all over the city).
For seafood lovers, Paris is a great place to try moules frites (steamed mussels and French fries) (better in fall and winter), oysters, sea snails, and other delicacies. Meat specialities include venison (deer), boar, and other game (especially in the fall and winter hunting season), as well as French favourites such as lamb, veal, beef, and pork.
Eating out in Paris can be expensive. However don't believe people when they say you can't do Paris on the cheap - you can! The key is to stay away from the beaten tracks and the obviously expensive Champs Elysées. Around the lesser visited quarters especially, there are many cheap and yummy restaurants to be found. The key is to order from the prix-fixe menu, and not off the A la Carte menu unless you want to pay an arm and a leg. In many places a three course meal can be found for about €15. This way you can sample the food cheaply and is usually more "French". Ask for "une carafe d'eau" (oon karaaf doe) to get free tap water.
Lots of Halal restaurants are scattered all over Paris; from Pakistan cuisine to Indian naan bread, Moroccan, Indonesian, Lebanese, Turkish baklawa to even fried chicken - all can be found in many Halal restaurants. Champs Elysées has some restaurants towards the arc, the rest are scattered all over the city. A simple Google search would find many.
There is a Japanese district in the 1st arrondissement centred around rue Sainte Anne where you'll find many authentic Japanese restaurants.
Paris has the largest number of Kosher restaurants in any European city. Walk up and down Rue des Rosiers to see the variety and choices available from Israeli, Sushi, Italian and others. See the district guides for examples.
For vegetarians, eating traditional French food will require some improvisation, as it is heavily meat-based. That being said, Paris has several excellent vegetarian restaurants. Look for spots such as Aquarius in the [wiki=c746a0494e72cd4f9e1dc3776893c3c1]14th[/wiki], and Le Grenier de Notre-Dame in the [wiki=cd63aef5884e91e6b955efc3be915dde]5th[/wiki], or La Victoire Suprême du Coeur in the [wiki=e72c3303f23377eb773cc108d6227ad9]1st[/wiki] just to name a few. See the arrondissement pages for more listings. For fast food and snacks, you can always find a vegetarian sandwich or pizza. Even a kebab shop can make you something with just cheese and salad, or perhaps falafel.
There are also lots of Italian, Thai, Indian, and Mezo-American places where you will have little problem. The famous South Indian chain Saravana Bhavan have their branch near Gare Du Nord. In Rue des Rosiers (4th arrondissement) you can get delicious falafel in the many Jewish restaurants. Another place to look for falafel is on Rue Oberkampf (11th arrondissement). Take away falafel usually goes for €5 or less.
Moroccan and Algerian cooking is common in Paris - vegetarian couscous is lovely. Another good option for vegetarians - are traiteurs, particularly around Ledru Rollin (down the road from Bastille) take away food where you can combine a range of different options such as pomme dauphinoise, dolmas, salads, vegetables, nice breads and cheeses and so on.
Lebanese restaurants and snack shops abound as well, offering a number of vegetarian mezze, or small plates. The stand-bys of course are hummas, falafel, and baba-ganouche (caviar d'aubergine). A good place to look for Lebanese is in the pedestrian zone around Les Halles and Beaubourg in the [wiki=e72c3303f23377eb773cc108d6227ad9]1st[/wiki] and [wiki=a69595a5d7e3f19ef7363852b670d077]4th[/wiki].
When you are looking for a restaurant in Paris, be wary of those where the staff speak English a bit too readily. These restaurants are usually - but not always - geared towards tourists. It does make a difference in the staff's service and behaviour whether they expect you to return or not. If a restaurant advertises that it has menus in several different languages, this is often not a good sign.
Sometimes the advertised fixed price tourist menus (€10-15) are a good deal. If you're interested in the really good and more authentic stuff (and if you have learned some words of French) try one of the small bistros where the French go during lunch time.
The Parisian police préfecture runs Europe's largest lost property service. Public transport and tourist attractions generally hold onto objects for five days before handing them in. Remember to bring identification and any relevant information (IMEI for phones, taxi number, etc.). You may have to pay a charge of €11.
*
*
*´
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*´
*
*
*
*
*
* ´
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*