ARRIVAL | BUDGETING | CURRENCY CONVERTER | DRIVING IN PARIS | EMBASSIES & CONSULATES | EMERGENCY SERVICES | GUIDED TOURS | INFORMATION BEFORE YOU TRAVEL | INFORMATION IN PARIS | INTERNET CAFÉ & WIFI | LOST & FOUND | MEDICAL SERVICES | PHONES & MOBILE PHONES | POST | PUBLIC TRANSPORT | SEINE EXCURSIONS | TAXIS | TICKET SALES | WEATHER | WHAT’S ON

ARRIVAL

All roads lead to the ring road Boulevard Périphérique. In Paris it is advisable to leave your car parked at the hotel; nearly all motorways are subject to toll charges. Speed limit: 80 miles/hour.

The high-speed train, TGV (Eurostar) arrives at the Gare du Nord from London. The railway station has a connection to the Métro network and the RER B can also be accessed from the Gare du Nord. If you book early enough, you can travel from London to Paris return from 88 euros.

Due to stiff competition, you can often get a cheap flight to Paris by booking in advance, and even bargains can be found at short notice. Return flights are often available through easyjet from 99 euros. Compare airfares on the Internet under www.skyscanner.net.

Scheduled flights out of the UK land either at Charles-de-Gaulle (CDG) airport north of Paris, or at Orly to the south of the city.

There is a free shuttle service to the RER station from Terminal 1 (CDG). Air France flies out of Terminal 2. Trains operate from the RER and TGV stations to the inner city (Châtelet-Les Halles) between 4.56am and 11.56pm, for 8.70 euros.

Air France buses run every 30 minutes between 5.45am and 11pm from both terminals to the Étoile and Porte Maillot (and from 5.45am–11pm in the opposite direction), for 15 euros, to the Gare de Lyon as well as Gare Montparnasse from 7am–9pm every 30 minutes (and from 6.30am–9.30pm in the opposite direction), for 15 euros. www.cars-airfrance.com

The Roissy bus run by RATP travels from the CDG–Opéra (rue Scribe) between 5.45am and 11.30pm (6am–11pm in the opposite direction) every 15–20 minutes, for 9.40 euros.

Direct RATP buses operate every 15–20 minutes to the RER station Denfert-Rochereau (6am–11.20pm; 5.35am–11.05pm in the opposite direction) from Orly. Travel time is approx. 30 minutes, for 6.60 euros. You can also take the Orlyval from Orly (6am–11pm) up to the Antony station and transfer to the RER B from there. Total travel time (including transfer) to and from the inner city is approx. 40 minutes, for 10.25 euros (RER plus Orlyval).

Taxis: a trip to the inner city costs between 45 and 50 euros.

Coffee	from 2.50 euros
	for an espresso
Snack	from 3.70 euros
	for a ham sandwich
Wine	from 3.50 euros
	for a glass of table wine
Croissant	1.10 euros
Car park	from 2.50 euros
	for 1 hour in a ‘parkad’
Taxi	9 euros
	for a short trip

£	€	€	£
1	1.10	1	0.90
3	3.30	3	2.70
5	5.50	5	4.50
13	14.30	13	11.70
40	44	40	36
75	82.50	75	67.50
120	132	120	108
250	275	250	225
500	550	500	450
$	€	€	$
1	0.70	1	1.40
3	2.10	3	4.20
5	3.50	5	7
13	9.10	13	18.20
40	28	40	56
75	52.50	75	105
120	84	120	168
250	175	250	350
500	350	500	700
For current exchange rates see www.xe.com

DRIVING IN PARIS

The same traffic regulations apply here as elsewhere in Europe. Parisians tend to speed, but do not insist of having the right of way. Parking in the wrong spot can be expensive: you run the risk of having your wheels clamped (to unlock them, contact the nearest police station) or even towed away. The alcohol level is 0.5.

Petrol is about as costly as in other large European cities, and you’re best advised to fill up at the more inexpensive garages at major supermarkets.

EMBASSIES & CONSULATES

BRITISH EMBASSY

35, rue du Faubourg St Honoré | 75363 Paris Cedex 08 Paris | tel. 01 44 51 31 00 | http://ukinfrance.fco.gov.uk/en/

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES

2, avenue Gabriel | 75008 Paris | tel. 01 43 12 22 22 | http://france.usembassy.gov/

EMBASSY OF CANADA

35, avenue Montaigne | 75008 Paris | tel. 01 44 43 29 00 | www.france.gc.ca

EMERGENCY SERVICES

– Ambulance (Samu): dial 15

– Police: dial 17

– Fire department, First Aid: dial 18

– Medical emergencies (SOS Médecins): tel. 01 47 07 77 77

– Dental emergencies: tel. 01 43 37 51 00

GUIDED TOURS

BATOBUS

From the beginning of February to the beginning of January a boat travels every 15–30 minutes between the Eiffel Tower and the Jardin des Plantes. You can board or disembark the boat at any of the total of eight stops. Feb–April, Nov 10.30am–4.30pm, mid-March–May and Sept, Oct 10am–7pm, June–Aug 10am–9.30pm | 1-day ticket 14 euros (children 6 euros) | www.batobus.com

LES CARS ROUGES

The conspicuous red double decker buses operate every 10–20 minutes from 9.30am to 6pm (last departure from Trocadéro). You can board the bus at any stop. The route includes all important sightseeing attractions. A two-day ticket is 24 euros (children 12 euros), 10 percent cheaper if booked online. Tel. 01 53 95 39 53 | www.carsrouges.com

PARIS L’OPEN TOUR

The open double decker bus operates on three different routes that include 30 stops. You can board or disembark at any stop. April–Oct 9am–8pm, Nov–March 9am–6pm, 1-day ticket 29 euros (children 15 euros), for two days 32 euros. Main departure bus stop: 13, rue Auber (9th arr.) | M 3, 9: Havre-Caumartin, RER A: Auber | tel. 01 42 66 56 56 | www.paris-opentour.com

PARIS À VÉLO C’EST SYMPA

If you would like a guided tour through Paris by bicycle from a professional, you’ve come to the right place. Bicycle 15 euros per day, tandem 30 euros. 22, rue Alphonse Baudin (11th arr.) | M 5: Richard-Lenoir | tel. 01 48 87 60 01 | www.parisvelosympa.com | daily 9.30am–1pm and 2pm–5.30pm (Sat and Sun until 6pm)

INFORMATION BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

THE FRENCH TOURIST BOARD

INFORMATION IN PARIS

OFFICE DU TOURISME ET DES CONGRÈS DE PARIS

Accommodation service for a small fee (reservations in advance are not possible), tickets, package tours, information. 25, rue des Pyramides (1st arr.) | tel. 08 92 68 30 00 | www.parisinfo.com | M 7, 14: Pyramides, RER A: Auber | June–Oct daily 9am–7pm Nov–May Mon–Sat 10am–7pm Sun 11am–7pm

INTERNET CAFÉS & WIFI

Paris aspires to becoming a digital metropolis. Around 400 public squares, parks and buildings such as libraries and the Centre Pompidou offer a free wireless Internet connection service, known as ‘wifi’ in French. Signs denote places with wifi are and the network is continually expanding. The service is usually accessible from 7am to 11pm.

Increasingly more cafés, bars, restaurants and fast food chains such as McDonald’s as well as hotels and youth hostels provide wifi gratuit. Some Métro and RER stations are equipped with Internet facilities with free access. You can find a list of wifi hotspot at www.cafes-wifi.com.

Additionally, some Internet cafés, such as the chain Milk (www.milklub.com) have a number of cyber cafés which located all over the city and are open 24 hours.

LOST & FOUND

BUREAU DES OBJETS TROUVÉS

36, rue des Morillons (15th arr.) | tel. 08 21 00 25 25 | M12: Convention | Mon–Thu 8.30am–5pm, Fri 8.30am–4.30pm

MEDICAL SERVICES

EU citizens are entitled to the same health benefits as the French by means of the new European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). You can also offset physician expenses through the French social insurance provider, although a full refund is not typically issued. Travel insurance is recommended – also for US citizens.

Chemists (pharmacies) are denoted by a green cross and are generally open until 8pm Mon–Sat, or even later. The Pharmacie Les Champs (Dhery) is open around the clock | 84, ave. des Champs-Elysées (Galeries des Champs-Elysées, 8th arr.) | tel. 01 45 62 02 41 | M1: George V

PHONES & MOBILE PHONES

You can obtain telephone cards (télécartes) at café tabacs, kiosks or at the post office in various denominations. You can receive phone calls in booths marked with bells and telephone numbers (significantly less expensive than a mobile phone).

All Paris numbers (with the exception of special numbers) begin with 01 and have ten digits. The country code for the UK is +44, for the USA +1, and then the area code without a zero. When calling from overseas, +331 must be dialled for Paris phone numbers (leaving out the zero for Paris), and then the eight digit telephone number.

The French word for mobile phone is portable. The best way to save on roaming charges is to opt for an inexpensive network. Save on incoming calls by purchasing a French prepaid card, which doesn’t add surcharges.

POST

Main post office: 52, rue du Louvre (1st arr.) | M4: Les Halles | daily, around the clock. Cost of sending postcards and letters up to 20 grams within the EU is 70 cents.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

The Métro, complemented by the underground urban area RER railway system, covers nearly every corner of Paris. A free network map is available at all stations and in Offices du Tourisme, which provides the number of the line as well as the name of the stop. If you’re changing trains or trams, note that many stations have long passageways and flights of stairs.

Métro and RER operate from 5.30am–12.30am, Fri and Sat until approx. 2.15am, but buses only from 6.30am–8.30pm. Night buses (noctilien) run between 12.30am and 5.30am every hour from Châtelet (1.30am, 2.30am, etc.).

Bus trips can make for an interesting alternative to the Métro, a great way to see the city. This is especially the case for bus number 73 (Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde, Musée d’Orsay) and number 21 (Opéra Garnier, Louvre, Palais Royal, St.-Michel, Île de la Cité, Jardin du Luxembourg, Rue Mouffetard). Besides, a city tour by bus will only cost you 1.70 euros!

White tickets are valid in urban areas for the Métro, RER, tram and buses. They allow frequent transfers on the Métro and RER, with no time restriction. The same tickets can be used on buses. You must validate your tickets on the bus, Métro and RER, and have them ready to show the conductor upon request.

Tickets can be purchased at tobacco shops marked with the ticket pictogram, in all Métro and RER stations as well as from bus drivers. A single ticket costs 1.70 euros (a night bus can cost 1–3 single tickets, depending on the distance). It is more economical to purchase a book of 10 tickets (carnet) for 12 euros. Children up to four years of age travel for free.

There are a variety of discounts available to tourists. The day card Carte Mobilis costs 6.10 euros. The two zones in which the ticket can be used, covers the inner city, while the Paris Visite ticket costs 9.30 euros per day and offers additional discounts for Disneyland Paris; main attractions, however, are not included. The all-inclusive ticket Paris Visite for 1, 2, 3 or 5 days provides discounts for sightseeing (applicable only in urban areas) and costs 15.20 euros for 2 days.

The Paris Navigo Decouverte (16.80 euros, plus 5 euros for the ticket and a passport photo) is ideal for a longer Paris stay. It allows you to travel as often as you wish in zones 1 and 2 on weekdays. You can purchase these tickets only on Mondays at Métro stations or tourist information offices. They can also be purchased via the Internet prior to your holiday. Further information available at www.ratp.fr

SEINE EXCURSIONS

Tourist boats – usually glazed and with an upper deck that can be opened – which travel up and down the Seine, are a significant aspect of sightseeing in Paris. The first of these boats known as bateaux mouches was launched in 1949, and they have since become very popular as passing the sights on the river is a lovely way to see things. The boats, carrying as many as a hundred passengers, glide under bridges and past imposing palaces, night and day. Dinners on board are just as popular, while the city full of lights glitters in all its splendour. Around 50 companies today offer excursions, the largest of which is the pioneer, the Bateaux Mouches, which has nine boats and caters for 130,000 diners a year. Trips during high season: 10am–11pm, every 20 min. | departure: Port de la Conférence, Pont de l’Alma (8th arr.) | M9: Alma-Marceau | duration: 70 min. | price: 11 euros, 50 euros with lunch, 95–135 euros with dinner. Other companies are listed under: www.bateauxparisiens.com.

TAXIS

Taxis charge a base fee of 2.20 euros and cost between 0.55 and 0.87 euros per mile (depending on the time of travel). A taxi ride is more expensive at night, at weekends, with luggage and from railway stations. Always request a receipt (reçu). If you leave something in the taxi, contact the Préfecture de Police, Service des Taxis | rue des Morillons (15th arr.) | tel. 01 55 76 20 00 | M12: Convention.

– General tel. 01 45 30 30 30

– Taxi G7: tel. 01 47 39 47 39

– Taxis Bleus: tel. 08 91 70 10 10

– Aéro Taxi: tel. 01 47 39 01 47

TICKET SALES

The Office du Tourisme helps obtain tickets, as well as:

WHAT’S ON

‘Pariscope’ (40 cents), ‘L’Officiel du Spectacle’ (40 cents), ‘Zurban’ (1 euro) and ‘Nova’ provide an overview of what’s on in Paris. Published every Wednesday.

It doesn’t take a lot to be environmentally friendly whilst travelling. Don’t just think about your carbon footprint whilst flying to and from your holiday destination but also about how you can protect nature and culture abroad. As a tourist it is especially important to respect -nature, look out for local products, cycle instead of driving, save water and much more. If you would like to find out more about eco-tourism please visit: www.ecotourism.org