During the spring and summer months, Paris can quite enjoyable, while basking in the Parisian sun in one of the many parks. But keep in mind that rain is quite prevalent, and the weather can change rather quickly, so be prepared, and carry an umbrella. Dressing in layers is also advisable. During the fall and winter, the temperature can drop drastically, and there can be strong winds. So it is advisable to have gloves/mittens, and a hat or something else to cover your ears.
The best option, and most convenient is to book a car service through our site. The driver will be waiting at the airport with a sign with your name on it. Car Service prices and information. Taxis are also available at the airports, and each has designated spots to pick up passengers. The price, depending on traffic, will cost around €40-€50. There is also the Roissy Bus, which services Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport, and the center or Paris (Opera terminus). Buses run every fifteen minutes. Tickets are available from the driver in cash and cost about 9 euros. Bus lines 350 and 351 also service Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport, but do not run at night. These are cheaper than the Roissy Bus, but take much longer. The RER B metro line is also quite efficient, and perhaps the most economical in terms of time and money. The train leaves from the center of Paris, and services terminals 1 and 2 at Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport, and takes approximately 45 minutes. The best stations to catch this train are at Chateles-Les-Halles or Gare du Nord. Tickets can be purchased at any metro station and currently cost about 9 euros. Orly airport is accessible by the ORLYVAL (automatic metro). ORLYVAL is the train service between Orly airport and the RER/metro station ‘Antony’, which takes you directly to the heart of Paris. The ORLYVAL leaves every 10 minutes and the journey takes approximately 8 minutes. ORLYVAL has stations in each Orly terminal (Orly Sud and Orly Ouest). The ticket you purchase at the airport is valid for your whole trip to your final destination in Paris. It costs just under 10 euros.
At the Musee D’Orsay and Louvre we are able to make advance reservations and ticket purchases. There might be a minimal wait for security purposes. But we bypass the main lines.
If you are the serious art lover and plan on visiting many museums during your stay, then it would definitely be to your benefit to purchase a museum pass. Also, having tickets in advance will allow you to bypass any lines. However, keep in mind that you need to be visiting at least two museums each day for it to work out economically.
Tickets are available at automated machines located in the majority of all station, more and more now accept foreign credit cards (but only those with a smart chip) or bills, but not all so be prepared with change in order to save time. However, most stations have a ‘guichet’ or ticket window, where you may use your credit card or bills to purchase tickets. A convenient method is to buy a ‘carnet’ or packet of ten tickets (around 11 euros).
No, the Métro is not dangerous. It is, in fact, one of the most efficient and reliable transportation systems in the world. We strongly urge you to try it out in order to get a taste of the true Paris of Parisians. Pickpockets can be an issue, especially for tourists. Pay close attention to your bags, wallets, and purses on the platforms and in crowded Métro cars.
Overall crime rates are very low, and violent crimes are rare, especially when compared to rates in American cities of similar size. Just be careful of such petty crime as pickpockets who tend to target tourists.
Absolutely. In our opinion this is the best way to experience the city. Although Paris is the second largest city in Europe, it is definitely navigable on foot.
The left bank is located on the south side of the Seine river. It is referred to as the left bank, because when floating downstream this is the part of Paris that is to your left.
Very rarely will a taxi pull over when you try to flag one down. Not entirely impossible, but difficult. Instead, you need to find your way to one of the city’s taxi stands (square blue signs, with ‘taxi’ in white letters), where taxis line up, waiting to take people to their desired locations. If your French is up to the task you can also call one of the taxi call centers, such as Taxi Bleues (08 91 70 10 10) and they will send one to you.
The last metro depends on the station. Stations in the city center stop running service between 12:45 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. Stations further out (in Arrondissements 12-20) service stops closer to 12:30 a.m. On Friday and Saturday nights, stations stay open later, closing around 1:30-2:00 a.m. However, don’t fret if you decide to stay out late, and don’t have enough money to take a taxi. There are late night buses, that go throughout the city. You can find more information on the metro/bus website ratp.fr (they have some info in English).
Yes, most upscale restaurants do require a reservation, and depending on the restaurant, may require weeks, even months in advance.
Parisians usually eat lunch anywhere between 12-2PM and dinner between 7:30-11PM. France has a distinction between different sorts of eateries and their hours vary accordingly. A “Brasserie” is a café-restaurant that is open from about 7 am – 8-11pm and serves hot food all day, some served dinner but not all. A bistro or restaurant is only open over lunch and then again as of 7 pm. Many restaurants are closed on Sundays but you can usually find some open in every district.
Many of the cities best sites are along the Seine, therefore a boat cruise is a nice way to see the city, plus take a little break from walking. The Batobus is a good option for traveling along the Seine, as it’s a hop on and off system, it does not have a guide. We offer a Paris by Riverboat walk which uses the Batobus if you would like to experience this with a knowledgeable docent. For regular boat cruises the best is probably the Vedette de Pont Neuf, leaving from the western tip of Ile de la Cite, they are more personal then the larger Bateaux Parisian or Bateaux Mouches. For a dinner boat cruise we highly recommend Capitaine Fracasse (you can book through us) or the Paris en Seine, both offer the best price/quality for lunch or dinner cruises.
Paris has a lot of little convenience stores, where you can pick up supplies. There are also supermarkets throughout the city, the nicest chain is “Monoprix”, here you can find food but also cosmetics, toiletries, household supplies and clothing. Other chains are “Franprix”, “Carrefour Market” and “G20”. The BHV, beside the Hotel de Ville is perfect for odds and ends fro clothes to stationary to electrical converters and hair-dryers.
Paris is great for shopping, if you’re looking for small unique designers try in the Marais, around Abbesses (south-west of Sacre Coeur), along Canal Saint Martin or Saint Germain des Pres (which also has very high end shops). Haute Couture boutiques are mostly on rue de Faubourg Saint Antoine or Avenue Montaigne. Affordable European chain shops can be found along Rue de Rivoli. The major department stores have everything you could be looking for fashionwise: Le Bon Marche, Galeries Lafayettes and Printemps.
The Paris Tourism bureau has a pretty good site with a comprehensive array of events www.parisinfo.com/. When you arrive in Paris you should pick up an Officiel de Spectacle or Pariscope (available at news kiosks) for all exhibit and concert information. Check out our blog for events and exhibits going on in all of our cities.
Visiting a nearby Chateau makes for a great day trip, instead of going to Versailles, why not try Vaux-le-Vicomte, Fontainebleau or Chantilly. In the Spring and Summer it is nice to visit the Monet Foundation in Giverny (see below), Rouen, Reims, Chartres and Troyes are nice day trips too.
The D-Day Beaches are situated on the northern cost of Normandy, about a three hour drive from Paris. This is best done in two days, and then perhaps including some local history and culture (such as the Bayeux Tapestry, Rouen or Honfleur) However, it is possible to do a D-Day tour from Paris which would be a 12-hour day.