2. My Quick Paris Summary Guide from A-Z (A-D)

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2. My Quick Paris Summary Guide from A-Z (A-D)

Last Update January 23. 2003

Below is summary guide of what I hope is some helpful information to getting around in Paris. This is for the most part just a summary of information.

On many of the Summary Titles you will find anywhere from 0-6 little icons. Each icon represents a Chapter where you can find more information on the subject in my "Paris Guide to the Parisians" .. Clicking on an icon will land you in the Guide and more information on the subject at hand.

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Arrondissements or (districts)

The 20 arrondissemen

1eme	the Louvre to Les- Halles, and half of ile de la Cite.
2eme	south of the grands boulevards; financilal district , many theatres
3eme	quiet , old street of the northern Marais
4eme	Pompidou Centre to southern Marais; jewish quarter
5eme	Latin Quarter; educational institutions and student life.
6eme	Saint- Germain-des-Pres; intellectuals, bookshops, restaurants.
7eme	Musee d'Orsay to Eiffel Tower, elegant apartments.
8eme	Champs-Elysees to Madeleine; luxary shops, fashion houses
9eme	Opera-Garnier and big department stores
10eme	gare du Nord; not many sights, walks along Canel St. Martin
11eme	Bastille; once poor now trendy galleries, nightlife
12eme	bordering on Bois de Vincennes; nearby zoo.
13eme	tower blocks; large Far East community.
14eme	Montparnasse; commercial development, cafes
15eme	Rue de Vaigirard ( Paris' Longest street) . food markets
16eme	Arc de Triomphe to Bois de Boulogne; expensive housing
17eme	residential chic, food shops on Rue Levis
18eme	Montmartre; village life and low life
19eme & 20 eme	Pere Lachaise, Belleville poor suburbs and La Villette

The lower numbers are generally nearest the Seine, with the evens on the right and odd on the left as you move "inland"

Accommodations.

Desiree's Paris Hotel Star Guide

Paris is popular all year round. I would recommend you book your reservations in advance. If you find your accommadations unbearable once you get there, scout around the next day or so and look for another Hotel. Once you actually check into your hotel , you will have a better idea what is what. What you are getting for your money. And what you can and cannot do with out. Keep in mind you are goetting to Paris to SEE Paris ,not stay in your ROOM. There are soo many small establishments sprinkled on just about every block you will have no problem finding a new Hotel. But keep in mind , you may find it difficult finding "American size versions" regarding Paris Hotels. You will find Holiday Inns, I have never been inside one, but if you do not feel adventurous you can always stick to what you feel is safe. But, I fell I can safelty say the rooms will ALL be small, and there may not be lifts in many hotels. Even 6 story hotels may not have lifts only winding stairwells. Keep that in mind while you pack. It is easier to bring to bring 2 light valises instead of 1 heavy TRUNK! (Just make sure you have wheels , and Do try to bring only travel with one valise.

You will find most hotels have their prices displayed on their front windows. Even the very high priced Hotels have their rates displayed in their front windows. After you find a new hotel with a rate that you are comfortable with, walk in and inquire about a reservation. I have done this before, and have always been accommadated.

Few, but the most expensive hotels have air-condtion. See my "Paris Hotel Rating Guide for more information.

Airports - ( aeroport)

The Airports - CDG

Paris has two main airports.

Roissy - Charles-de-Galle; CDG)

is about 15 miles northeast of the city and has two terminals, CDG 1 for most international flights; CDG 2 mainly for AIr France flights.

Orly- (ORY)

for most domestic and many Europrean flights is about 9 miles to the south, with two buildings, Orly- Sud and Orly-Quest.

Regular buses link the two main airports with Paris and each otherm and run frequently from 6am to 11pm.

The city terminals for Charles-de-Galle airport are at Porte Maillot, near l'Etoile, and at Opera (Rue Scribe; you can also board the bus at the Arc de Triomphe ( Avenue Carnot).

Roissybus from Opera takes about 45 miutes.

Orly is served by buses to the Invalides city terminal (40 minutes journey) and by the Orlybus ( every 15 minutesto/from Denfert/Rochereau RER station ,taking about 30 minutes).

Taxis

are plentiful, but more expensive from the airport. From CDG you can expect a minimun 50-60euro (US$ about the same $50.00-60.00). Sometimes you may be approached by the " TAXI Hackers" inside the terminal. They will ask you if you need a taxi? Of course at first they will ask you in French, then when they see the confused looked on your face they will attempt to ask you in English.

It is up to you to decide. This happened to me once. I had just cleared customs, and was about to get some Euros from the ATM machine ( I never exchange my money into Euros in the States, I always wait to get to Paris. I always use the ATM machines for the best rate) for my taxi fare, when a hacker approched me and asked me if I needed a taxi, ( usually I just walk outside to the taxi stand) I said yes. He took my bag and we went to the lower level, and there in the garage we walked to a station wagon. No ID , NO Taxi license, this was not a TAXI but a personal station wagon, clean ,but it was not a "Real Taxi " by no means! I said waaaaiiit a minute ( he spoke English very well) This is not a taxi? Where is your permit? I am not getting in there. I started to get a little nervous, and he tried to reassure me he was on the up the up. I still wasn't taking it. He showed me the the Toll window where there was a guard inside, and it DID say "Restricted area". I thought ooohhhkayy . My mind quickly backed tracked. Where did you first see him? OK yes, he was inside, talking to the other hackers. Does he look dangerous? No, well yeah! neither did Ted Bundy! I knew Paris had a very low crime rate, was it high or low at this time of the year... what do?

I looked at him, to the car, to the guard, to the elevator. I said how much ? He said 60euros. I said woahh that's too high! ( actually I paid 65euros the last time) He said it is high traffic, this is a good rate. I said OK, but wait a minute. I took out my cell phone, called my own cell number, and acted like I was talking to my Mom, I siad Hi Mom I just arrived, and I am about to get into a car to go home, and I need to give you theinformation , do you have a pen? When actually I was leaving my self a message saying this is the time I left , said the car linsese number, described the driver, the car, and where we were parked , and where we were going. It was a safe ride. I use him NOW any time I need a service to or from the airport. Of course on the other hand I could have been killed! I could have just walked back inside the terminal and found a REAL TAXI, but I DIDN'T! I had just walked sooo far into the situation already! Many a famous last words I am sure! Enough said. My point being you will probably not be traveling to Paris ALONE. So it is up to you to decide. Enough of my Airport taxi story.

In Paris you will need to go outside and locate the "TAXI STANDS" they are easy to locate , and plentiful. You can ask the Front desk to call you a Taxi, but you will need to go to the Stands to "Hail" a taxi. In San Fransisco you can just flag one down. When in Paris , call or walk to the stands. Taxi's are expensive, and they are Metered from distict to district.

RER Trains

run about every 15 minutes from about 5:30am to 11:30pm between CDG and Gare du Nord; the trip to CDG takes 35-40 minutes. Orly ( The other airport, about 30 minutes outside of Paris Centre is served by Orlyval trains which connect with RER line B (opposite platform) to central Paris. To get to the either airport you can transfer from the Metro to the RER at many transfer station connect points through out the Metro Line.

From the CDG and ORLY you must take the RER and then you transfer to a METRO LINE.

Hotel Reservations

Desiree's Paris Hotel Star Guide

If you did not make reservations before you left the States , you can inquire about Hotels and reservations , and make reservations ( for a fee) in the airport arrival halls. At CDG 1 go to Porte 36 , where a desk is open from 7:30am to 11pm. A deposit of 12% is required, which will be deducted from the bill).

CDG 2 has similar amenities.

I find it is better to make my reservations by fax and then confirm by fax before I leave the States. The French Love faxes. They do not like talking on the phone. Trust me on the FAXS!

Banks

Opening hours

Because of the long extended Parisian luch hours ,avoid doing "administrative" task during this time. Shops may be closed for an hour or so, between 12 and 2.30pm

Banks tend to open 9am -5pm on weekdays ( many closing for lunch from 12 to 2pm) and close either on Saturdays or Mondays. All banks close on major national holidays and most close early on the day before a public holiday.

Buses ( autobus)

Bus transport around Paris is efficient though not always fast. Stops are marked by red and yellow signs, with the bus numbers posted, and you will find bus itineraries displayed under bus shelters. You can obtain a general bus route plan from metro station ticket offices.

Most buses run from 7am to 8.30pm, some till 12.30am . Service is reduced on Sunday and public Holidays. Special buses for nightowls , the" Noctambus", run along ten main routes serving the capital from 1.30am to 5.30am every hour, with Chatelet as the hub.

Bus journeys may take up one , two or three tickets, depending on the distance. You can buy a ticket as you booard, but it is cheaper to buy a book of tickets (carnet) from any metro station. You can also buy special one-three-or five-day tourist passes or the weekly ticket an carte orange. Show these special tickets to the driver as you get on: don't put them in the punching machine.

Climate and Clothing

Paris enjoys a mild climate. It rains alot, but the weather is generally mild. Extremes of heat or cold are rare, although in July and August daytime temperatures may get as high as 80 degrees, The best seasons for a visit are spring and autumn, although the winter is bearable. Also most of the locals go on Holiday in August, so many shops may be closed for the month. You will not need a heavy coat, for the winter. ALthough a warm one is a must!

Clothing

French Dressing

is important to the Parisians. Their clothes are expsensive, so they do not buy alot of clothes. So what they do buy is of quailty. Most clothes regardless of the season , colors will be muted. Black is the norm. They accessorize with scarves.

In the cafes attire is muted.

More formal restaurants still expect men to wear a jacket and tie.For the ladies , no matter what the season, always have something light to cover your shoulders. For the winter, an umbrella is good anytimet. From the very young to the mature men and women are always well heeled.Many men andwomen were Slacks. You hardly ever see "Blue Jeans". although they are starting to become popular on the young. As are backpacks. And dark suede tennis shoes ( never white).

This is not common attire for the adults. Women wear close fitting slacks, and pointy heeled boots. If they were make-up it is lightly applied. Very little jewerly. Women of all ages wear dresses with heels and stockings. Although the women are well heeled, you see very little sling backs, or shoes with the toes out. You do not see the women in sweats, shorts, jeans, "logo" item wear , or tennis shoes. Men wear dark leather shoes and slacks. No shorts, if they wear jeans they will usually be black jeans, never blue. No caps, e.g. "gimme"caps, or logo caps. You will see nice chapeaus.

Generally, what they put on first thing in morning will take them though out the day and into the night, to a nice lunch and a nice dinner. They do not have the need to go home and change. Their attire is casually city chic. Not over done, but done.

It is your holiday ,so wear what is comfortable for you. But when in Paris and you would like to be treated with respect, showing respect in return will take you far. And Ditto for our own country.

Credit Cards

are widly accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops, and gas stations. You may be able to use your card to withdraw cash from automatic teller machines, but be aware that some machines only respond to French -issued "smart"cards. If your card is rejected by the machine, just find another one, or you can go to a bank exchange counter to obtain cash for the best rate.

I have had few problems using my credit cards. Most Atm machines are very user friendly. They all have instructions in on French , and English.

Communications

Post Office:

These display a blue bird and the sign "la poste". They are usually open from 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 8am-noon on Saturday. The city's main post office at 52 Rue du Lourve is open 24 hours a day ,every day. The post office at 71 ,Avenue des Champs-Elysee is open until 10pm on weekdays ,and opens on Sunday and puble holidays (10am-noon, 2-8pm)

As well as th usual mail services, you can make phone calls, buy telecartes (phone cards) and send faxes, and western union. And bring something to read, or your walkman, because there is always a long line!

Letters can even be delivered within hours in the Paris district by sending them postexpress from the post office. Another quick system for delievering a message is the message telephone; tel. 36 55.

While you can buy stamps at tobacconist (tabacs) or souvenir shops, the salespeople may not sell them to you unless you purchase something else. You can however buy phonecards there.

Mail

If you don't know ahead of time where you will be staying, you can have your mail addressed to your "poste restante" ( general delivery) c/o Poste restante, 52 Rue du Lourve, 75001 Paris (always open). You can collect it for a small fee on presentation of your passpost.

American Express, at 11 RueScribe, 75009 Paris, performs the same service.

Telephones

Most Paris public phones ony take phonecards (telecartes). You can buy cards of 50 or 120 units at most post offices , tobacconists, and at the Metro stations.

US Consulate:

For any major problem, such as loss of a passport or all your money, a serious accident or trouble with the police, contact your consulate or embassy.

Consulate

2 Rue St Florentin, 75001 paris same telephone as the embassy. (1) 42 96 12 02.

Fax (1) 42 66 05 33 / 42 66 97 83.

Customs

Nationals from Canada, New Zealand, and the USA require passports, whilst Australian and South African nationals mist obtain a visa.

Driving.

The minimum driving age is 18. Driver and front -and -back seat passengers are required by law to wear seat belts. Children under 10 may not trvel in the front (unless the car has no back seat). Driving on a foreign provisional licence is not permitted.

I would not rent a car for any reason also I was driving outside of Paris. The Metro is perfect. Everyone wlaks EVERYWHERE! That is why they are all so THIN!

Parking

is a nightmare, which is why it's better to walk, use the metro or take a bus.