PARIS TRAVEL INFORMATION FROM CHEAP-FLIGHTS-HOTELS-PARIS.COM
About Paris
More has been written about Paris than probably any other city in the modern world. It is a place that fascinates people. It can bring out the artist in even the most ardent philistine. It is the world capital of romance. The city by which all other great cities are judged. Its history is known universally as it is also a place of legends. There are more famous landmarks here than any other city on earth; its museums contain some of the most priceless works of art. It has a reputation for arrogance and aloofness yet remains one of the world's most visited cities. Paris is a metropolis that thrives on contradiction and ambiguity that nevertheless remains strong headed and guards its identity ferociously. Paris is the one city everyone really should see before they die.
Paris Metro
The Paris métro system is a marvel of efficiency, providing safe and fast transportation for more than nine million passengers each day (more on safety). It comprises over 200 kilometers of track and 370 stations.
Métro lines are numbered from 1 to 15, while the direction of trains is indicated by the name of the last station on the line. For example, eastbound Line 1 trains are identified Château de Vincennes, while westbound Line 1 trains are identified La Défense. A map of the métro system is available online.
To enter the métro system, insert your ticket into a turnstile slot and go through the turnstile, taking the stamped ticket: During your journey you may be required to show it to a métro ticket inspector. Follow the signs to the platform for the train you need. You may change lines as needed to reach your destination, without using additional tickets. Choose travel passes carefully - depending on how many trips you make, daily passes aren't necessarily good value for money. The weekly (also monthly) Carte Orange travel pass can be a better deal, even if you're staying less than a week.
Métro trains begin running at about 05h30, continuing until about 00h30 (half past midnight). Free maps of the métro system are available at each station.
The most charming of Paris' public transport options, the underground Métropolitain (and its sister system, the RER), is a simply massive network. No matter where you are, chances are there's a metro station within a few blocks.
Regional commuter trains extend the reach of public transport into the Paris suburbs. Called the RER, the five train lines are identified by the letters A, B, C, D, and E. There is an online map of the RER system. Like the métro, RER trains run from about 05h30 to about 00h30 (half past midnight).
Métro tickets may be used on RER trains while traveling within the métro system, that is, inside Paris. Outside the Paris area special RER fares and tickets apply, including while traveling to or from the airports, Versailles, and Disneyland Paris
Paris Travel Services
Paris bus routes are numbered, and begin operation at 06h30. The last bus usually leaves the terminal between 20h30 and 21h30, but a few lines run until half past midnight, as indicated by signs at the bus stops. There are also night buses, called Noctambus, which operate hourly between Châtelet and the main gates of Paris from 01h to 05h. The night routes are labeled with letters rather than numbers.
Maps of the bus routes can be found in bus shelters, inside the buses, and online. Most shelters display the name of the stop to help you keep track of where you are. If only a few people are waiting for the bus, signal the driver to stop.
A special bus called Montmartrobus, bus line number 64, circulates in the Montmartre district. Its fare is the same as other buses.
The Montmartre funicular railway travels up and down the hill to La Basilique du Sacre Coeur, each direction requiring one ticket.
Driving in Paris
Vehicles drive on the right in France. Unless otherwise posted, speed limits are 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on the Paris ring roads (le périphérique), 90 km/h on country roads, 110 km/h on national highways, and 130 km/h on restricted access highways, or autoroutes. Driving in bus lanes is prohibited. The maximum legal concentration of blood alcohol is 0.5 grams per liter.
The French rules for priorité à droite (yield right-of-way): A vehicle entering from the right has priority in cities and towns. Outside these areas, indicated by a yellow diamond sign, traffic on the more major road has priority. U-turns are not permitted, nor is crossing a solid white line.
French law requires that all vehicle occupants wear seat belts. Children in particular must be restrained in approved child seats: rear-facing infant seats for children less than nine months old; child seats for children from nine months to four years old; booster seats for children from four to ten years old. On motorcyles and scooters, helmets are required for driver and passenger
.Drivers must carry driving permits, international insurance cards, and vehicle registration cards. For drivers of rental vehicles, the last two documents are provided by the rental company. The fines for not wearing seat belts, driving through a red light, driving while intoxicated, and driving without a license are extremely high, even including confiscation of the vehicle.
In Paris and other large cities in France, traffic is most congested on weekdays from 07h30 to 09h and 17h30 to 19h30. Week-end travelers begin to fill the streets and roads beginning at 16h on Fridays, especially near les portes, the exits from Paris. Traffic becomes difficult again on Sunday evenings, when they return. Outside of these times, traffic moves with minimal delay, even in Paris.
Paris Taxis
There are more than 470 taxi stands in Paris, marked by blue signs with the word TAXI written in white. They are generally located on street corners, outside railway stations and official buildings, and at airports. Take the taxi at the head of the line, and be prepared to pay the driver in cash, since credit cards and checks are rarely accepted. Taxis can also be hailed in the streets. Fares increase at night and early in the morning. Taxis normally take a maximum of three passengers and have limited space for luggage. Fares between Paris and the airports are 20-45¤ depending on destination, time of day, and traffic conditions. It is customary to tip the driver about 10%.
To tell when a taxi is available, check the lighted sign on the roof. If the sign is on, the taxi is available.
If one of the white, orange, or blue fare lights is on, corresponding to rates A, B, or C, then the taxi is occupied. The rate schedules correspond to trips in Paris, in the suburbs (Banlieue), and at night (Nuit), as explained below. Each schedule has an initial charge and a per-kilometer charge.
Rate schedule A is charged inside Paris during normal daytime hours, 07h to 19h. Rate B is charged inside Paris at night, from 19h to 07h, and all day Sundays and holidays. Rate C applies at night in the surburbs, and during the day for one-way trips to the departments Haut de Seine, Seine St. Denis, and Val de Marne.
Additional charges are assessed for picking up passengers at airports or train stations, for a fourth person, for luggage, and for domestic animals. Pas de vaches, SVP (no cows, please).
Paris Tourism
OFFICE DE TOURISME DE GRANDE BRETAGNE (Great Britain)Only by telephone, mail, fax and e-mail.
BP 154 - 08
75363 PARIS CEDEX 08
Telephone information is open Monday to Friday, from 10am to 5pm.
Tél : 0825 83 82 81
Fax : 01 58 36 50 51
Email : gbinfo@bta.org.uk
Internet : www.visitbritain.com/fr
OFFICE DE TOURISME D'IRLANDE DU NORD (Northern Ireland)
Only by mail and minitel
Mailing Express
189, rue d'Aubervilliers
75886 PARIS cédex 18
Minitel : 3615 IRLANDE DU NORD
Map of Paris
