Passport/Visa Requirements: A passport is needed by citizens of Australia, Canada, the U.K. and the U.S. Children must travel on separate passports. Reconfirm travel document requirements with your carrier before departure.
Population: 9,820,000.
Languages: French.
Predominant Religions: Christian (Roman Catholic, Protestant), though other major religions are represented..
Time Zone: 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+1 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October.
Voltage Requirements: 220 volts. A standard European plug with two rounded prongs will fit most outlets. If you need a transformer or an adapter for your plug, take it along with you.
Telephone Codes: 33, country code; 01,city code;
| Currency Exchange | Top  |
The French currency, in common with a majority of the members of the European Union, is the euro. ATMs are abundant in Paris, and most accept major foreign bank cards and credit cards with a PIN. They dispense euros at the going rate of exchange. Your financial institution will charge an ATM fee, but you avoid paying the larger commissions charged by
bureaux de change (exchange bureaus). However, don't rely on just one bank or credit card to obtain cash. Sometimes a card, for no particular reason, won't work in an ATM.
The bureaux de change in stores and banks usually have signs posted that say Change (Exchange), indicating that currency can be exchanged inside. Rates are better in the city than at the airport, and banks generally offer a better rate than storefront exchanges. It's worthwhile to shop around for the best rates. Traveler's checks obtain better rates than cash, and it's wise to take some large-denomination traveler's checks, because some banks have a flat rate per check of a few euros (it could cost five times as much to cash five US$20 checks as one US$100 check). You may be able to obtain a better rate if you are changing a large amount of cash or traveler's checks at one of the storefront currency exchanges.
Large banks are located on the Champs Elysees and near the Opera Metro stop, and there are many exchange offices throughout the Opera, Louvre and St. Germain areas. In general, banks are open Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm and are closed for lunch (noon-2 pm or 1-2 pm). Some banks are closed on Monday, and some are open Saturday morning.
There is a 19.6% value-added tax (in French, TVA) on most products and services. TVA applies to and is included in hotel, restaurant and shopping prices unless otherwise indicated. You can get a refund only if you spend about 175 euros or more in the same store on the same day, and if you will be taking your purchase with you out of the country. Taxes paid on food and services are not refunded.
You must get the official detaxe form from the store when making your purchase. (Not all stores keep the form in stock.) Present the detaxe forms to a special customs desk at the airport (in the last country you visit in the European Union) before your return flight. Do this before checking your luggage—you might be asked to show the merchandise. Be sure to allow plenty of time at the airport for the refund procedure. For a fee, the Global Refund company can help streamline this process, as long as you buy from a participating store. Look for the Tax-Free Shopping logo. Phone 01-4161-5151. http://www.globalrefund.com.
In French restaurants, a 15% service charge and 19.6% tax are included in the prices listed on the menu, but it is customary to tip 5% more if the service warrants it. You may also want to tip the wine steward about 1.50 euros-3 euros if you are satisfied. The coatroom attendant should likewise receive 1.50 euros. In a hotel, tip the bellhop and the concierge (if especially helpful) about 1.50 euros per luggage item or service performed. Tip a taxicab driver no more than 10%-15% of the fare. An attendant in a public restroom expects, or will charge, approximately 0.50 euros. At a theater, concert or cinema, always tip the usher who shows you to your seat 0.75 euros.
Paris generally has a relatively moderate climate. In winter, temperatures can dip below freezing, but they usually stay around 45 F/7 C. Often winter is very wet, although the rare snowfall disappears as soon as it hits the ground. Summer mornings tend to be cool (sometimes requiring a sweater), but afternoons get warm. A few summer days get hot (80-90 F/26-32 C), broken by rainfall in August. Dress warmly in winter and take along a sweater in summer. Rainfall is more frequent in the winter months, but it can rain in Paris at any time of year, so it's a good idea always to pack rain gear. The best time to visit is May-July, although the cool fall months can be lovely. Most Parisians go on vacation in August, so many shops and restaurants may be closed then. Services may be limited as well.
| Weather Forecast | Top  |
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| Pressure: | 1013.87726184 Millibars | | Dew Point: | 53 °F/ 12 °C | | Humidity: | % | | Visibility: | 3 Miles / 6 Kilometers | | Wind: | 5 MPH / 9 KPH SSW | | Comfort Index: | 59 °F/ 15 °F | | Last Updated: | 8/19/2008 10:00:00 PM |
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| THU | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| SUN MIXED WITH CLOUDS | 73 °F
23 °C | 55 °F
13 °C | | FRI | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| SUN MIXED WITH CLOUDS | 77 °F
25 °C | 59 °F
15 °C | | SAT | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| SCATTERED CLOUDS | 73 °F
23 °C | 53 °F
12 °C | | SUN | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| SCATTERED CLOUDS | 73 °F
23 °C | 53 °F
12 °C | | MON | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| MAINLY SUNNY | 78 °F
26 °C | 55 °F
13 °C |
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| What to Wear | Top |
Parisians are fashion-conscious. Their style is best described as "casual chic"—informal yet sophisticated and never sloppy. Jeans are acceptable at many restaurants, but shorts will raise eyebrows. And, in contrast to travelers who cherish their comfort clothes, few Parisians would be caught dead stepping out the door in a jogging suit and running shoes, even for shopping or lunch.
If you're in Paris on business, you'll find that in some fields, such as television, journalism and publishing, jeans are acceptable. However, don't lean toward informal dress unless you're absolutely certain it's appropriate. In a business setting, it can do you more harm than you might imagine. In traditional business settings, men should wear suits and women suits or skirts.
| Communication | Top |
| Internet Access | Top |
Paris is a well-connected city with Internet cafes in most of its neighborhoods, so you shouldn't have any problems finding a place that offers Web access. Many cafes offer free Wi-Fi with the purchase of a drink. Some larger branches of McDonald's also offer free Wi-Fi access.
A list of hotspots can be found at http://www.linternaute.com/wifi. French descriptions of the best cybercafes in Paris (with prices) are available at http://www.cybercafe.fr/modules.php?name=Community&op=show&cid=75.
Check e-mail while gazing out over the 17th-century Place des Vosges. 22 Place des Vosges (4th; Metro Bastille or St. Paul), Paris. Phone 01-4272-6404.
There are three handy locations for Internet access. They also provide such services as printing, scanning and fax. Internet access costs 0.15 euros per minute, 30 euros for five hours. Daily 10 am-10 pm. 5 Rue Mignon (6th; Metro Odeon). Phone 01-5310-3050. 12 Rue Daval (11th; Metro Bastille). Phone 01-4929-6767. 9 Rue d'Odessa (14th; Metro Montparnasse-Bienvenue). Phone 01-5680-0808. http://www.cybercube.fr.
This place provides 20 minutes of free Wi-Fi access to its customers. 2 Quai de Gesvres (4th; Metro Hotel de Ville), Paris. Phone 01-4272-0004.
This place offers Wi-Fi access in a lively pub atmosphere, with a large selection of beers and TVs for sports fans. 25 Cour St. Emilion (12th; Metro Cour St. Emilion), Paris. Phone 01-4340-7071. http://www.frogpubs.com.
One of the biggest cybercafes in Paris, with more than 200 flatscreen computers. Open daily 24 hours. Its smaller sister is found at 53 Rue de la Harpe (Metro: Saint Michel) in the Quartier Latin. 33 Boulevard Sebastopol (1st; Metro Chatelet or Les Halles), Paris. Phone 01-4013-0260.
| Mail & Package Services | Top |
The national postal service. Stamps are also available at all Bureaux de Tabac. Most branches are open Monday-Friday 8 am-7 pm and Saturday 8 am-noon. The main office is open daily 24 hours (limited services after 7 pm). 52 Rue du Louvre (1st; Metro Les Halles), Paris. Phone 01-4028-7600. http://www.laposte.fr.
| Newspapers & Magazines | Top |
The
International Herald Tribune,
USA Today,
The Wall Street Journal and some British dailies are available at most major hotels and
kiosques (newsstands). Canadian daily papers are next to impossible to find in Paris.
Paris Voice is a monthly English-language cultural newspaper about Paris: You can find it in English-language bookstores and North American-style restaurants (http://www.parisvoice.com).
The New York Times Sunday edition is available Monday afternoons at W.H. Smith and Brentano's, which are both good newsstands.
Pariscope (http://www.pariscope.fr) and L'Officiel des Spectacles are weekly guides published on Wednesday and available at kiosques. Their movie and entertainment listings are easy to follow even if you don't read French. Pariscope also contains a helpful English-language insert, Time Out. Time Out publishes a free guide to Paris, available at W.H. Smith and other English-language bookstores or at marchands de journaux (magazine shops). Le Parisien, a daily newspaper, has a good section on cultural and sports events in Paris (http://www.leparisien.fr). Also check out the free papers distributed in the metro or at the metro entrances. These are A Nous Paris (published on Monday) and the two dailies Metro and 20 Minutes. The latter always has an interesting selection of bars, restaurants and nightspots.
The Paris city code is 01. Numbers that begin with the prefix 08 charge a fee, generally for information or a service, such as purchasing concert tickets. When calling from inside Paris or anywhere in France, dial the 10-digit number beginning with the 01 city code. When calling from outside the country, dial your country's international access code, plus France's country code, 33; drop the 0 from the Paris city code and dial the remaining nine digits.
Pay phones are widely available, but the vast majority now use either credit cards or telephone cards, which you can buy from metro stations, tobacconists and other shops. Parisians are as addicted to the mobile phone as any other city dwellers, and coverage is excellent. You can use any GSM 900/1800 phone with prepaid SIM cards, which are widely available. Roaming is expensive. Major French mobile phone companies are France Telecom and Orange.
| Transportation | Top |
The city's public transportation is excellent. The metro (subway system) is reliable and efficient, as are the buses (which afford you a view of the city en route). But Paris is also a walking city, and the best maps to help you find your way are Paris Par Arrondissement and Paris Pratique, which are sold in bookstores and at most newsstands. These compact city guides contain every street, passage, courtyard and dead end in Paris, both by alphabetical listing and by map. They will help you easily navigate what can sometimes seem a frustratingly complicated city. Walkers should note that cars do not always give way to pedestrians on marked pedestrian crossings. If you dare, stare drivers down and start walking: They will stop. Even if you have a green light indicating you can cross, check beforehand—a flashing-arrow system for certain lanes of traffic allows some cars to pass on a red light.
In France, people drive on the right side of the road. The beltway that rings the city, called the
peripherique, has exits, or
portes, all around the city. There is also an inner beltway called the
boulevards exterieurs (it's older and not quite as fast). In the city, along the Right Bank of the Seine, the Voie Georges Pompidou Expressway runs west-east.
Driving in the French capital is a challenge, because Parisians are often impetuous, unpredictable and impatient behind the wheel. You may begin to suspect that the one-way street pattern is part of a Gallic conspiracy designed to keep you from your destination. At intersections without traffic lights, vehicles on the right have the right-of-way. Traffic on the beltway is usually at a standstill during rush hours (morning and evening) and often on Sunday evenings, when Parisians return from a weekend in the country. Street parking is also a problem. You'll pay more but save time by parking in a garage (follow the blue signs with the letter P). Pay for your ticket before you return to your car.
There are plenty of bike lanes in Paris—don't drive in them. And don't talk on a hand-held cell phone while driving—it's illegal, and you will be fined.
| Public Transportation | Top |
These green and white buses are a wonderful way to travel in Paris. It's fun just to get on them for the ride. For the same price as a metro ride, you see so much more. One of the best routes for sightseeing is the No. 29, which takes you from the Gare St. Lazare past the Opera Garnier, the Bourse and the Beaubourg (Pompidou Center) through the Marais and the Bastille to the Gare de Lyon. Bus No. 63 runs along the Left Bank to give some excellent views of the Eiffel Tower in the Trocadero. Bus No. 24 also crisscrosses the Seine at some beautiful spots.
The tickets for the metro are also good for the bus. Regular tickets may be purchased at train stations, shops with green RATP signs, any metro station or bus terminal, or on the bus. One ticket suffices for travel anywhere in the city, but if you transfer between bus and metro or between buses, you must purchase another ticket. Punch your ticket at the machine located behind the driver. Bus schedules are available in any metro station (ask for a Plan du Metro) and are displayed at all bus stops. 1.50 euros per ticket; a carnet of 10 tickets is 11.10 euros.
For travel that connects the city with its suburbs, the RER train system often picks up where the metro leaves off. It can also be a faster means of travel within the city. Some of the places accessible by RER: Versailles (RER C), Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport (RER B) and St. Germain-en-Laye (RER A). Phone 08-9268-7714 5 am-11 pm. http://www.ratp.fr.
The Regie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP) runs the efficient, easy-to-use
metropolitain, or metro, which has 120 mi/190 km of rail and about 300 stations. (No house in Paris is farther than 1,640 ft/500 m away from a metro station.) Trains arrive every three to five minutes (less frequently on Sunday). A ticket permits unlimited travel within the metro system (connections, called
correspondances, included), but it expires as soon as you leave the metro. Keep your ticket handy until you exit the metro altogether: Uniformed
controleurs (metro officials) occasionally go through the cars and ask to see passengers' tickets.
Plan du Metro, a complete map of the metro and bus routes, is available at the main train stations and tourist centers. You can also buy one from a tabac. Tickets may be purchased in any metro station. To avoid long lines at peak travel periods, buy a book, or carnet, of 10 tickets at a discounted price. One-day and multiple-day passes are also available that allow unlimited travel on all metro, RER (suburban express railway) and local train lines, as well as buses. Tickets are 1.50 euros each. A carnet of 10 tickets costs 11.10 euros.
If you plan to stay in Paris for more than a few days, it may be worthwhile to purchase a weekly pass, called a Carte Orange, which gives you unlimited travel on buses and metros in the central zones of Paris for 16.30 euros. The Carte Orange is valid for seven days starting on a Monday, so it is most useful if your visit starts at the beginning of the week. You will need a passport-sized photograph to get the card. There is also the Paris Visite pass, which covers travel on the metro, buses and trains and also entitles the bearer to discounts on certain tourist attractions. The price of the Paris Visite pass ranges from 8.50 euros to 47 euros, depending on zones and duration. Buy it upon arrival at the airport to save the transfer costs into town. The metro runs daily 5:30 am-12:45 am. Information and tickets are available at all metro stations. Metro offices are at 53-bis Quai des Grands Augustins (6th) or Place de la Madeleine (8th), Paris. Phone 08-9268-7714. http://www.ratp.fr.
Taxis (there are about 14,500 of them in Paris) are metered (0.77 euros per kilometer 7 am-7 pm within the city center, 1.09 euros 7 pm-7 am, all day Sunday and on holidays), with additional charges added at night and for luggage, pets, extra passengers, going outisde the
peripherique ring-road, etc. Flagfall is 2.10 euros, minimum fee 5.10 euros. A rise of 3.1% began in March 2008.
Cabdrivers are not likely to stop in the street when hailed, and are not allowed to do so within 164 ft/50 m of the next taxi stand. Look for taxi stands marked in black lettering, often with small shelters and a bench. Cab stands are also located at major hotels and train stations. An available taxi has its roof light on. Cabdrivers won't always take four people in the car (the entire front seat is generally considered the domain of the driver), but if you're ordering a cab in advance, this can be negotiated.
The surest way to arrive on time is to order a cab by phone (and give your exact location). When summoned by phone, the driver starts the meter when he gets the call, which could mean a surprising fare subtotaled before you are picked up. Taxis respond to calls 24 hours a day. Reputable companies include Alpha Taxi (phone 01-4585-8585; http://www.alphataxis.com), Taxis Bleus (phone 08-9170-1010; http://www.taxis-bleus.com) and Taxis G7 (phone 01-4739-4739; http://www.taxisg7.fr).
This high-speed train can now deliver travelers from the Gare du Nord to London's renovated St. Pancras Station in about 2 hours and 10 minutes, perhaps even less. The speed and convenience of international travel via the 31-mi/50-km Channel Tunnel (or "Chunnel") makes it easy for visitors to spend a day or two in London, while using Paris as a base. You can also travel by Eurostar to Brussels and Lille. Fares vary depending on trains and times. Gare du Nord, Paris. http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/eurostar/index.htm.
All stations at France's national railroad company have computerized reservation facilities on the station concourses. Paris has six major train stations: If you are traveling by train, be sure you know the name of the station from which your train will arrive or depart.
For all train journeys in France, you need to punch (composter) your ticket for it to be valid. This is done by introducing one end of the ticket into one of the bright orange, waist-high pillars at the entrance to the station concourse. Think of doing this well before you reach the platforms, because there are no ticket punchers there. Heavy fines can be imposed if you travel with an unpunched ticket. If your journey involves changing trains, you can punch the whole journey at the beginning, but not the return ticket. If you forget, or punch the wrong ticket, tell the controleur on the train as soon as you can. Don't wait for him or her to find you. All seats on TGV journeys must be booked in advance or you may find yourself with nowhere to sit. Some other non-TGV main line trains also require seat reservations. Phone 08-9235-3535 for information and reservations. http://www.sncf.com.
From April to December, you can catch a ride on the
batobus, which is a boat that runs up and down the Seine River. It's a pleasant ride (if you're not in a hurry) that stops at such tourist sites as Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Louvre. However, the
batobus isn't all that practical—it doesn't link well with the metro or other forms of transportation, and it's more expensive. (Parisians use the
batobus when the RATP goes on strike.) Departs every 20 minutes May-September daily 10 am-9 pm; March, April and October daily 10 am-7 pm; rest of year 10:30 am-4:30 pm. 12 euros for a one-day pass, 14 euros for a two-day pass. (Passes allow unlimited use.) Children ride for half-price. Phone 08-2505-0101. http://www.batobus.com.
Velib (for
velo, bike, and
liberte, freedom) is an easy, inexpensive way to get around Paris for short (less than 30 minutes) trips. City residents and visitors alike have taken to this effort to reduce the notorious Paris traffic, and traffic jams.
The more than 25,000 vaguely retro, three-speed bikes are docked at about 1,500 stations around town. To hire one, you swipe your credit or debit card through the terminal, put your stuff in the handy carrying basket, hop aboard and pedal away on 230 mi/371 km of well-marked bike lanes. You can leave your Velib at any other station; the meters are interconnected. Subscribers are given a pamphlet with safety information, but you must supply your own helmet. The first 30 minutes are free. After that you are charged 1 euro, with penalties increasing the longer you have the bike out. A one-day pass is 1 euro plus any rental charge; a weekly card is 5 euros. Velib terminals are multilingual, and the cards are also good for public transportation. Residents who want an annual card (29 euros) can find application forms at City Hall and many metro stations and pastry shops around Paris. Credit or debit cards accepted; requires 150 euros or equivalent available balance as a security hold on the account. http://www.velib.paris.fr.
| For More Information | Top |
| Tourist Offices | Top |
This small office provides helpful tourist information, free guides and brochures, and news on city events. Open Monday-Saturday 9 am-6 pm. 29 Rue de Rivoli, Hotel de Ville (4th), Paris. Phone 01-4276-4343.
The Office du Tourisme's main office is near the Opera Garnier. The smaller satellite offices still welcome tourists in several convenient locations: 11 Rue Scribe (9th; Metro Opera), near the Opera Garnier, Monday-Saturday 9 am-6:30 pm; at the Eiffel Tower (7th; Metro Trocadero or RER Champs de Mars-Tour Eiffel), daily 11 am-6:40 pm; Place du Tertre in Montmartre (18th; Metro Anvers or Abbesses), daily 10 am-7 pm; and at the Carrousel du Louvre at the Louvre Museum (1st; Metro Palais Royal-Musee du Louvre), daily 10 am-7 pm. There are also branches at the Gare du Lyon (Monday-Saturday 8 am-6 pm) and the Gare du Nord (daily 12:30-8 pm).
The helpful English-speaking staff will answer questions and provide information about hotels, restaurants and reservations. Currency exchange is available there, too. Pick up free guides and brochures, including the Paris User's Guide, which contains a useful map. The main office is open daily 10 am-6 pm. 25 Rue des Pyramides (1st; Metro Pyramides), Paris. Phone 08-9268-3000. http://www.parisinfo.com.