Paris, France
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Airport: Paris Roissy-Charles De Gaulle (CDG)
Served by: American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, JAL Japan Airlines, LAN, Royal Jordanian Airlines
Airport: Paris-Orly (ORY)
Served by: British Airways, Iberia
City Statistics
Location: Ile-de-France region, France.
Time zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz; round two-pin plugs are standard.
Average January temperatures: 4°C (39°F).
Average July temperatures: 19.5°C (67°F).
Annual rainfall: 642mm (25 inches).
Overview
Paris is the greatest city on earth – who would argue? Londoners and New Yorkers put up a fight, but in terms of architectural beauty, art history, gastronomy and sheer extravagance, it's Paris that wins. And that is reflected in its visitors – there are more than any other city. It's more than the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre of course. Spending a few days in Paris can serve as a crash course in how to live. When you walk along the River Seine or take a seat in a corner café, it's evident the finer things in life are appreciated. People don't rush lunch. Children are doted upon. Hairdressers are always busy. And although you can't take Paris with you, when you return home, that sense of pride will linger. You can't come to Paris and not indulge in culinary ecstasy. From light and flaky croissants in the morning to a rich slab of foie gras in the evening, Parisians love food. From the neighbourhood bistro to the Michelin-starred restaurant, dining out in Paris is a joy. For the genuine foodie, Paris is the holy city. For the art lover, Paris is the holy city. For the lover, Paris is the holy city.
Getting There By Air
Aéroports de Paris (ADP) (www.adp.fr) is responsible for the two major airports in Paris: Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly.
Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Tel: 3950.
Website: www.adp.fr
The city's main airport is located 23km (14 miles) northeast of the city. There are three terminals: CDG 1 serves international flights; CDG 2 serves national and international flights; and T9 has charter flights only (national and international). CDG 1 and CDG 2 are linked by free shuttle buses. Air France coaches and RER line B (see below) link Charles de Gaulle airport to Orly airport (journey time - 50 minutes).
Airport facilities: Facilities include bars, restaurants and boutiques, post offices, newsagents, chemists, banks, ATMs, bureaux de change, Wi-Fi, insurance facilities and car parks. There is no left-luggage facility. Car hire companies at the airport include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, National Citer and Sixt.
Business facilities: Fully equipped meeting rooms, offices and a VIP lounge are located within the recently revamped Roissy Charles de Gaulle 1 Business Centre (tel: (01) 4862 2290), accessible from the departures level near gate 34, by taking the escalators to the shopping level.
Transport to the city: The RER line B (tel: 3246; www.ratp.info) runs frequently throughout the day, departing from the TGV station of CDG 2 to the Gare du Nord, Châtelet-Les Halles, St-Michel and Denfert-Rochereau, where there are métro stations (journey time - 30-45 minutes). Two bus services with SNCF bus de nuit (tel: 0810 020 202), run from the airport to the city centre when the train line is closed. One service takes passengers to Gare du Nord and Châtelet, the other to Gare du Nord, Châtelet, Gare de Lyon and Gare d'Austerlitz (journey time - 45-60 minutes).
The Roissybus service operated by RAPT (tel: 3246; www.ratp.info) departs from the three terminals to rue Scribe, métro Opéra (journey time - about 60 minutes). The service operates daily 0600-2300. RAPT bus services 350 to Gare de l'Est and 351 to Nation also serve Terminals 1 and 2.
Air France coaches (tel: 0892 350 820) depart every 15 minutes from CDG 1 and CDG 2 - running daily to Place Charles de Gaulle (journey time - 40 minutes). Buses also depart daily 0700-2100 to Paris-Montparnasse, rue du Commandant Mouchotte, Gare de Lyon and boulevard Diderot (journey time - 50 minutes).
The Blue Shuttle (tel: (01) 3011 1300; www.bluvan.fr) is a door-to-door airport minibus service that is often cheaper than a taxi. Places must be reserved at least two days in advance (journey time - 1 hour 15 minutes). Ticket prices vary according to the number of passengers and the time of booking, the cheapest rate is only available if booked at least three weeks ahead.
A taxi to the city centre costs around €50. (journey time - 45-60 minutes).
Paris-Orly Airport (ORY)
Tel: 3950.
Website: www.adp.fr
Orly is located 14km (9 miles) south of the city, on the A6 motorway. There are two terminals linked by navette (shuttle). Orly Sud handles mainly international flights, while Orly Ouest handles mainly domestic flights.
Airport facilities: These include bars, restaurants, Wi-Fi, boutiques, banks, foreign exchange, dry cleaners, supermarket, pharmacy, post office and a hairdresser. There is no left-luggage facility. Car hire companies at the airport include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, National Citer and Sixt.
Business facilities: The fully equipped Orly West Business Centre (tel: (01) 4975 1233) has several meeting rooms, offices and a VIP business lounge in the west terminal. Access is from the departure level, by an escalator located at the entrance to hall three.
Transport to the city: A combination service of RER line C (tel: 3246; www.ratp.info) and the ADP navette (shuttle bus) departs from both terminals and stops at the Gare d'Austerlitz, St-Michel, Invalides and Porte Maillot (journey time - about 35 minutes). The service operates daily.
Orlyval (tel: 0836 687 714) is the Val train shuttle link to the RER line B station of Anthony, which has métro connections to Denfert-Rochereau, St-Michel and Châtelet-Les Halles (journey time - 30 minutes). Trains run regularly throughout the day.
Frequent RATP buses (tel: 3246; www.ratp.fr) stop at place Denfert-Rochereau. The ‘Orlybus' runs to Denfert-Rochereau RER and métro station daily (journey time - 25 minutes). The ‘Jetbus' runs to métro Villejuif-Louis Aragon (journey time -15 minutes).
Air France coaches (tel: 0892 350 820; www.airfrance.com) operate daily, stopping at the Porte d'Orléans, Gare Montparnasse, Duroc and Gare des Invalides (journey time - around 30 minutes).
The Blue Shuttle (see Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport above) runs into the city centre (journey time - 1 hour). Taxis from the airport to the centre of Paris also cost around €40-45 (journey time - 35 minutes).
Approximate flight times to Paris: From London is 1 hour 10 minutes; from New York is 7 hours; from Los Angeles is 10 hours 30 minutes; from Toronto is 7 hours and 20 minutes and from Sydney is 23 hours 25 minutes.
Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Tel: 3950.
Website: www.adp.fr
The city's main airport is located 23km (14 miles) northeast of the city. There are three terminals: CDG 1 serves international flights; CDG 2 serves national and international flights; and T9 has charter flights only (national and international). CDG 1 and CDG 2 are linked by free shuttle buses. Air France coaches and RER line B (see below) link Charles de Gaulle airport to Orly airport (journey time - 50 minutes).
Airport facilities: Facilities include bars, restaurants and boutiques, post offices, newsagents, chemists, banks, ATMs, bureaux de change, Wi-Fi, insurance facilities and car parks. There is no left-luggage facility. Car hire companies at the airport include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, National Citer and Sixt.
Business facilities: Fully equipped meeting rooms, offices and a VIP lounge are located within the recently revamped Roissy Charles de Gaulle 1 Business Centre (tel: (01) 4862 2290), accessible from the departures level near gate 34, by taking the escalators to the shopping level.
Transport to the city: The RER line B (tel: 3246; www.ratp.info) runs frequently throughout the day, departing from the TGV station of CDG 2 to the Gare du Nord, Châtelet-Les Halles, St-Michel and Denfert-Rochereau, where there are métro stations (journey time - 30-45 minutes). Two bus services with SNCF bus de nuit (tel: 0810 020 202), run from the airport to the city centre when the train line is closed. One service takes passengers to Gare du Nord and Châtelet, the other to Gare du Nord, Châtelet, Gare de Lyon and Gare d'Austerlitz (journey time - 45-60 minutes).
The Roissybus service operated by RAPT (tel: 3246; www.ratp.info) departs from the three terminals to rue Scribe, métro Opéra (journey time - about 60 minutes). The service operates daily 0600-2300. RAPT bus services 350 to Gare de l'Est and 351 to Nation also serve Terminals 1 and 2.
Air France coaches (tel: 0892 350 820) depart every 15 minutes from CDG 1 and CDG 2 - running daily to Place Charles de Gaulle (journey time - 40 minutes). Buses also depart daily 0700-2100 to Paris-Montparnasse, rue du Commandant Mouchotte, Gare de Lyon and boulevard Diderot (journey time - 50 minutes).
The Blue Shuttle (tel: (01) 3011 1300; www.bluvan.fr) is a door-to-door airport minibus service that is often cheaper than a taxi. Places must be reserved at least two days in advance (journey time - 1 hour 15 minutes). Ticket prices vary according to the number of passengers and the time of booking, the cheapest rate is only available if booked at least three weeks ahead.
A taxi to the city centre costs around €50. (journey time - 45-60 minutes).
Paris-Orly Airport (ORY)
Tel: 3950.
Website: www.adp.fr
Orly is located 14km (9 miles) south of the city, on the A6 motorway. There are two terminals linked by navette (shuttle). Orly Sud handles mainly international flights, while Orly Ouest handles mainly domestic flights.
Airport facilities: These include bars, restaurants, Wi-Fi, boutiques, banks, foreign exchange, dry cleaners, supermarket, pharmacy, post office and a hairdresser. There is no left-luggage facility. Car hire companies at the airport include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, National Citer and Sixt.
Business facilities: The fully equipped Orly West Business Centre (tel: (01) 4975 1233) has several meeting rooms, offices and a VIP business lounge in the west terminal. Access is from the departure level, by an escalator located at the entrance to hall three.
Transport to the city: A combination service of RER line C (tel: 3246; www.ratp.info) and the ADP navette (shuttle bus) departs from both terminals and stops at the Gare d'Austerlitz, St-Michel, Invalides and Porte Maillot (journey time - about 35 minutes). The service operates daily.
Orlyval (tel: 0836 687 714) is the Val train shuttle link to the RER line B station of Anthony, which has métro connections to Denfert-Rochereau, St-Michel and Châtelet-Les Halles (journey time - 30 minutes). Trains run regularly throughout the day.
Frequent RATP buses (tel: 3246; www.ratp.fr) stop at place Denfert-Rochereau. The ‘Orlybus' runs to Denfert-Rochereau RER and métro station daily (journey time - 25 minutes). The ‘Jetbus' runs to métro Villejuif-Louis Aragon (journey time -15 minutes).
Air France coaches (tel: 0892 350 820; www.airfrance.com) operate daily, stopping at the Porte d'Orléans, Gare Montparnasse, Duroc and Gare des Invalides (journey time - around 30 minutes).
The Blue Shuttle (see Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport above) runs into the city centre (journey time - 1 hour). Taxis from the airport to the centre of Paris also cost around €40-45 (journey time - 35 minutes).
Approximate flight times to Paris: From London is 1 hour 10 minutes; from New York is 7 hours; from Los Angeles is 10 hours 30 minutes; from Toronto is 7 hours and 20 minutes and from Sydney is 23 hours 25 minutes.
Getting Around
Public Transport: The Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP) (tel: 3246, in France only; www.ratp.fr) is an integrated, five-zone system of bus, metro and trains that is both cheap and efficient (except during strikes, which are frequent). Free transport maps are available at Paris métro stations, bus terminals and the tourist office. 'Paris Visites' offer one-, two-, three- and five-day visitor passes for Paris and its immediate suburbs (zones 1-3), which can include transport to the airports, Versailles and Disneyland Paris (zones 1-5).
Taxis: Taxis in Paris can be hailed in the street or caught at taxi ranks found at airports, stations and close to main road junctions. Tipping is not compulsory but drivers expect around 10%. Taxi numbers are displayed at the ranks and listed in the yellow pages. These include Alpha Taxis (tel: 01 4585 8585), Taxis Bleus (tel: 0891 701 010) and Taxis G7 (tel: 01 4739 4739).
Driving in the City: Driving in central Paris is not advised. Most hotels do not have garages, parking is difficult (illegally parked cars are towed away) and traffic jams (embouteillages) are frequent. Parking prices vary throughout the city but are in the region of €2-5 an hour, for a maximum of two hours.
Car Hire: The minimum age for car hire in Paris varies from 21 to 25 years. Drivers must have held a national driving licence for at least one year. It is usually requested that the cost is paid for with the driver's credit card. Major car hire companies include Avis (tel: 01 4418 1054; www.avis.fr), Budget (tel: 01 4587 08 23; www.budget.com), Europcar (tel: 01 3044 9384; www.europcar.fr), Hertz (tel: 01 3938 3000; www.hertz.fr), National Citer (tel: 01 4438 6045; www.citer.fr), and Sixt (tel: 01 4438 5552; www.sixt.fr).
Bicycle Hire: Vélib' (tel: 01 3079 7930; www.velib.paris.fr) is Paris's city-wide bike hire service. The first half hour is free, with low charges thereafter. The 800 stands mean you are never more than 300m (1,000ft) away from picking up one of the 20,000 bikes.
Hotels
Hotels
Comfortable mid-range accommodation in the heart of Paris was something of a non entity for many years. However, with the rise in 'boutique chic' hotels in Paris, finding a nice place to stay in a convenient location, though still pricey, is becoming less of a headache. You still won't find cheap hotels in any of the main touristy arrondissements, but the choice of stylishly decorated lodgings with friendly service has grown – and with the consumer in mind. The Paris hotels below are grouped into three pricing categories: Luxury (over €600) Moderate (€350 to €600) Cheap (up to €350) The prices quoted here are the lowest standard rates for a double room, including VAT and room tax but excluding breakfast, unless otherwise specified. Hotel prices generally include VAT and a room tax (taxe de séjour) of between €0.50 and €1.50 per person per night. This tax is sometimes added to the bill at the end of a visit and guests are advised to check whether it is included when making a reservation. Guests are also advised to tip porters €2 for each bag and chambermaids €2 per day.
Cheap
Comfortable mid-range accommodation in the heart of Paris was something of a non entity for many years. However, with the rise in 'boutique chic' hotels in Paris, finding a nice place to stay in a convenient location, though still pricey, is becoming less of a headache. You still won't find cheap hotels in any of the main touristy arrondissements, but the choice of stylishly decorated lodgings with friendly service has grown – and with the consumer in mind. The Paris hotels below are grouped into three pricing categories: Luxury (over €600) Moderate (€350 to €600) Cheap (up to €350) The prices quoted here are the lowest standard rates for a double room, including VAT and room tax but excluding breakfast, unless otherwise specified. Hotel prices generally include VAT and a room tax (taxe de séjour) of between €0.50 and €1.50 per person per night. This tax is sometimes added to the bill at the end of a visit and guests are advised to check whether it is included when making a reservation. Guests are also advised to tip porters €2 for each bag and chambermaids €2 per day.
Cheap
Hôtel du Septième Art
A Hollywood theme runs through this fun and funky 22-room hotel in Paris, designed with the film buff in mind and adorned with 1950s posters. The hotel is a popular media haunt in the Marais district, set in a 16th-century building. It's a no-frills place (internet access in the common room), but quirky and comfortable.
4th
20 rue Saint-Paul
Paris
France
Tel: 01 4454 8500.
Web: www.paris-hotel-7art.com
Mama Shelter
Located next to the Père-Lachaise Cemetery and designed by Philippe Starck, this is a genius concept of a hotel: great facilities with a unique atmosphere and aimed at the business traveller in Paris. Guests are provided with international newspapers on request, and have access to communal business centre and an enormous bar with private terraces for post-work drinks.
109 rue de Bagnolet, 20th, Paris
France
Tel: 01 4348 4848.
Web: www.mamashelter.com
Appi Hôtel
When you say the location could not get better, expect to get a few strange looks from Parisians as this cheap hotel is right in the heart of the red light district. It also happens to be close to most of the main tourist attractions and a métro stop. The en-suite doubles may have the smallest bathrooms in Paris, but the bedrooms are clean with some modern art to brighten things up and views over the human zoo below.
158 rue Saint Denis, 2nd, Paris
France
Web: www.appi-hotel-paris.federal-hotel.com
Ritz Paris
Situated on one of the smartest yet most intimate squares in Paris, close to the Louvre, the Ritz Paris is the city's most celebrated hotel and is the very essence of luxury and discretion. The lobby gleams with marble, chandeliers and impressive floral arrangements from designer Djordje Varda, while the oriental carpets, soft to the touch, soak up the sound. There is a magnificent swimming pool and fitness room, as well as a recently revamped health spa. In the labyrinthine underbelly of the hotel lies the celebrated cookery school, where master chefs teach their tricks to international acolytes.
1st
15 place Vendôme
Paris
France
Tel: 01 4316 3030.
Web: www.ritzparis.com
Le Bristol
There's luxury accommodation and then there's Hotel Le Bristol Paris. From marble-panelled powder rooms to its regal 1,210-sq-m (13,000-sq-ft) garden, Le Bristol has been Paris's most prestigious hotel since its inception. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, all services are naturally state of the art. Foodies will also be happy to hear its three-Michelin starred restaurant continues to stockpile accolades under the guidance of chef Eric Frechon.
112 rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, 8th, Paris
France
Tel: 01 5343 4300.
Web: www.lebristolparis.com
Jays
For elegance, location and personable service, Jays has come out flawless ever since it opened its 19th-century doors in 2006. Amazingly, the Champs-Elysées Avenue, Trocadéro and the Eiffel Tower are all within walking distance of this luxury Parisian hotel. On entering, guests are greeted in a stunning marble-floored reception with a grand iron banister staircase. High-ceiling suites have been given a fresh interior design, complete with all mod cons. A top bracket accommodation filled with personality.
6 rue Copernic, 16th, Paris
France
Tel: 01 4704 1616.
Web: www.jays-paris.com
Le Méridien Montparnasse
Even those with a poor sense of direction will have no problem finding this impressive skyscraper of a hotel in Paris, only a tad shorter than the Montparnasse tower. The TGV glides to within a stone's throw of this business hotel, equipped with in-room voicemail, meeting rooms for up to 2,000 delegates and secretarial services. Dining options include Montparnasse 25 restaurant and Le Justine buffet.
14th
19 rue du Commandant Mouchotte
Paris
France
Tel: 01 4436 4436.
Web: www.lemeridien-montparnasse.com
Hôtel Banke
A new addition to the Derby Hotel chain, Hôtel Banke is a refurbished bank found in the desirable Opera district in Paris. The lobby's grandiose circular interior, capped with a crystal-domed ceiling, gives way to thickly carpeted hallways and designer sofas. Both single and double rooms are modern and pleasingly functional. The trendiness factor borders on gauche, but with this location who cares.
20 rue La Fayette, 9th, Paris
France
Tel: 01 5533 2222.
Web: www.derbyhotels.com/Banke-Hotel-Paris
Hyatt Regency Paris Madeleine
This relaxed luxury bolthole lies right in the heart of Paris's shopping district. It may be part of an international chain, but there has been a real attempt to make it feel genuinely like a boutique hotel. There are only 86 rooms and suites, all relying on classical touches and muted colours rather then glitz to make them truly luxurious. Some rooms on the higher floors have views out across the rooftops to the Eiffel Tower.
8th
24 Boulevard Malesherbes
Paris
France
Tel: 01 5527 1234.
Web: paris.madeleine.hyatt.com
Business Etiquette
A degree of Parisian aggression and plenty of persistence is necessary when attempting business in the capital. However, firmness, not rudeness, is in order. At the first meeting, non-French speakers should apologise for their lack of linguistic aptitude and respect the local formality, addressing colleagues with the appropriate Madame, Monsieur, Professeur or Docteur followed by the surname and a handshake. Business cards (preferably in French and English) should be presented. Small talk is an essential part of doing business, so it is wise to do a quick refresher on French politics and culture prior to the meeting and not to rush straight to talk of business. Smart, conservative dress is recommended.
Standard business hours are Monday to Friday 0830/0900-1800/1900. Lunches may last for two hours or more - it is best for one to schedule meetings at 1100 or 1500, unless for lunch itself. Business lunches, working dinners and breakfast meetings are common. There has, though, been a move in recent years away from boozy long lunches towards shorter less indulgent affairs. Whoever fixes the meeting is expected to settle the bill. Conducting business in August (during the Parisian exodus to the south) is to be avoided at all costs.
Standard business hours are Monday to Friday 0830/0900-1800/1900. Lunches may last for two hours or more - it is best for one to schedule meetings at 1100 or 1500, unless for lunch itself. Business lunches, working dinners and breakfast meetings are common. There has, though, been a move in recent years away from boozy long lunches towards shorter less indulgent affairs. Whoever fixes the meeting is expected to settle the bill. Conducting business in August (during the Parisian exodus to the south) is to be avoided at all costs.
Sightseeing
Sightseeing Overview: The city centre is actually surprisingly compact and the Métro system makes getting around fairly easy. A good way for first time arrivals to get an idea of how Paris fits together is to take a cruise on the River Seine or ascend the Eiffel Tower and take in a sweeping view of the city. With so much to see, time management is crucial and many people choose to concentrate on one or two of the arrondissements (districts).
The nostalgic should wander around the mansions of the Marais district, past the Musée Carnavalet, 23 rue de Sévigné, 3rd; Hôtel de Sully, 62 rue St-Antoine, 4th, and Place des Vosges, home to the Maison de Victor Hugo.
Those interested in modern art and design should opt for the Centre Georges Pompidou, place Beaubourg, 4th; Jean Nouvel's Institut du Monde Arabe, 1 rue des Fossés-St-Bernard, 5th; or the Grande Arche de la Défense with its high-speed glass lift offering a spectacular view of Paris.
The Grande Arche, which lies along the same geographical axis as Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysées, was built a century and a half later. This incongruity (the modern city juxtaposed with the old) is all part of the charm of Paris.
Paris overflows with museums, ranging from the vast collections of the Louvre to the small and quirky - such as the Musée des Arts Forains, 53 avenue des-Terroires-de-France, 12th, a shrine to fairground art, with something for everyone scattered through the metropolitan area. The Musée du Quai Branly, 37 quai Branly, 7th, was opened to much fanfare in 2006 and has been an instant success.
Repeat visitors to Paris usually end up uncovering something new, such as the rejuvenated Bercy district to the east with its green spaces, popular bars and development buzz or Belleville, with its grungy cosmopolitanism and ethnic restaurants.
Another popular attraction is Paris Plage in summer when the car takes a back seat and the city's citizens relax by the Seine amidst a world of sand and deckchairs.
The nostalgic should wander around the mansions of the Marais district, past the Musée Carnavalet, 23 rue de Sévigné, 3rd; Hôtel de Sully, 62 rue St-Antoine, 4th, and Place des Vosges, home to the Maison de Victor Hugo.
Those interested in modern art and design should opt for the Centre Georges Pompidou, place Beaubourg, 4th; Jean Nouvel's Institut du Monde Arabe, 1 rue des Fossés-St-Bernard, 5th; or the Grande Arche de la Défense with its high-speed glass lift offering a spectacular view of Paris.
The Grande Arche, which lies along the same geographical axis as Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysées, was built a century and a half later. This incongruity (the modern city juxtaposed with the old) is all part of the charm of Paris.
Paris overflows with museums, ranging from the vast collections of the Louvre to the small and quirky - such as the Musée des Arts Forains, 53 avenue des-Terroires-de-France, 12th, a shrine to fairground art, with something for everyone scattered through the metropolitan area. The Musée du Quai Branly, 37 quai Branly, 7th, was opened to much fanfare in 2006 and has been an instant success.
Repeat visitors to Paris usually end up uncovering something new, such as the rejuvenated Bercy district to the east with its green spaces, popular bars and development buzz or Belleville, with its grungy cosmopolitanism and ethnic restaurants.
Another popular attraction is Paris Plage in summer when the car takes a back seat and the city's citizens relax by the Seine amidst a world of sand and deckchairs.
Tourist Information: Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau
25 rue des Pyramides
Tel: 0892 683 000.
Website: www.paris-touristoffice.com
Opening hours: (Jun-Oct) daily 0900-1900; (Nov-May) Mon-Sat 1100-1900, Sun 1000-1900.
Further tourist offices are located at the Gare de Lyon, 20 boulevard Diderot, 12th (open Mon to Sat 0800-1800), Gare du Nord, 18 rue de Dunkerque, 10th (open 0800-1800), Opera, 11 rue Scribe, 9th (open 0900-1830), Eiffel Tower (open daily 1100-1840 May to Sep).
25 rue des Pyramides
Tel: 0892 683 000.
Website: www.paris-touristoffice.com
Opening hours: (Jun-Oct) daily 0900-1900; (Nov-May) Mon-Sat 1100-1900, Sun 1000-1900.
Further tourist offices are located at the Gare de Lyon, 20 boulevard Diderot, 12th (open Mon to Sat 0800-1800), Gare du Nord, 18 rue de Dunkerque, 10th (open 0800-1800), Opera, 11 rue Scribe, 9th (open 0900-1830), Eiffel Tower (open daily 1100-1840 May to Sep).
Passes: The Museum Pass (www.museums-of-paris.com) allows free unlimited access to more than 70 museums and monuments in the Paris region, including the Arc de Triomphe, Musée National du Louvre, Musée d'Orsay and Musée Rodin. The two-, four- or six-day pass is for sale from tourist offices, participating museums and monuments, the main métro stations and FNAC stores. It allows visitors to bypass queues but does not provide free admission to special or temporary exhibitions.
Key Attractions
Arc de Triomphe
Commissioned by Napoleon to commemorate the victorious French Army, the Arc de Triomphe has been a defining symbol of Paris ever since its completion in 1836. Engraved on the arch are numerous names of important and not-so-important victories and beneath it lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Visitors can reach the 50m-tall (164ft) top of the arch for stunning views of Paris, including the Louvre and the Champs-Elysées, or tour the museum inside which charts the history and construction of the arch.
Arc de Triomphe, Place Charles-de-Gaulle
Paris
France
Tel: 01 5537 7377.
Web: www.arc-de-triomphe.monuments-nationaux.fr
Opening hours: Daily 1000-2300 (Apr-Sep); daily 1000-2230 (Oct-Mar).
Admission Fee: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO site: Yes
Basilique du Sacré-Coeur (Sacred-Heart Basilica)
A long, wide series of steps lead to the snowy-white domed Basilique du Sacré-Coeur that dominates the arty district of Montmartre. A mishmash of styles, the Catholic church was built between 1870 and 1919, to fulfil a vow made during the Franco-Prussian war. The interior is splendid with neo-Byzantine mosaics and the domed tower offers a spectacular view over Paris. The crypt contains an interesting collection of religious relics and a slide show on the construction of the Basilica. Below the church, a park tumbles down the hillside in a flurry of benches that make an ideal spot for surveying the Paris skyline.
18th
Parvis du Sacré-Coeur
Paris
France
Tel: 01 5341 8900.
Web: www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com
Opening hours: Daily 0600-2300 (Basilica); daily 0930-1830 (crypt and dome).
Admission Fee: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO site: Yes
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Begun in 1163 by the architect Maurice de Sully and completed in about 1345, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris ranks as one of France's finest examples of Gothic architecture. It has also been the site of many historical events, including the crowning of Henry VI of England in 1430, and the marriage of the Catholic Marguerite de Valois to the Protestant Henri de Navarre in 1572, which sparked the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre during the French Wars of Religion. Today, the cathedral still awes visitors with its massive rose windows, 7,800-pipe organ, towering spire and splayed flying buttresses. Visitors should be prepared to climb the 387 spiral steps to the top of the 75m (246ft) north tower. The views over the River Seine and the city centre are well worth the effort.
4th
6 Parvis Notre-Dame, Place Jean-Paul II
Paris
France
Tel: 01 4234 5610.
Web: www.cathedraledeparis.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1845, Sat-Sun (0800-1915).
Admission Fee: No (charge for towers and treasury)
UNESCO site: Yes
Musée Picasso (Picasso Museum)
Paris-based Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) owned most of this collection, one of the largest worldwide, housed in a stunning 17th-century mansion in the Marais. All phases of his art are represented, with preparatory sketches and paintings covering the Blue Period, Rose Period, cubism, classicism and surrealism, and sculptures ranging from a huge plaster head to a small cat. Memorable works include the Blue Period self-portrait Paolo as Harlequin, the surreal Nude in an Armchair and poignant paintings of Marie-Thérèse, his lover and muse. There is also a glimpse of the artist's personal taste in paintings, with his Matisse and Cézanne paintings displayed alongside his own.
3rd
Hôtel Salé, 5 rue de Thorigny
Paris
France
Tel: 01 4271 2521.
Web: www.musee-picasso.fr
Opening hours: Currently closed for renovation. Reopens in February 2012. Opening times when it reopens: Wed-Mon 0930-1800 (Apr-Sep); Wed-Mon 0930-1730 (Oct-Mar).
Admission Fee: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Musée du Louvre (Louvre Museum)
Constructed as a fortress in the Middle Ages and rebuilt in the mid-16th century as a royal palace, it wasn't until 1793 that the Louvre became a museum. Today, it is the home of some of the world's most famous works of art, including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. The rest of the permanent collection includes Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Egyptian and oriental antiquities, as well as sculptures, objets d'art and prints and drawings. Entrance to the museum is through the largest of the three glass pyramids that dominate the courtyard. The huge global success of Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code, which opens with the murder of the museum's curator in the Louvre Museum, has swelled visitor numbers.
1st
Cour Napoléon
Paris
France
Tel: 01 4020 5050.
Web: www.louvre.fr
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 0900-1800 (until 2200 on Wed and Fri).
Admission Fee: Yes (free first Sun of the month and 14 July; tickets allow same-day re-admission)
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO site: Yes
Tour Eiffel (Eiffel Tower)
The Eiffel Tower literally towers over the Champ de Mars in Paris's smart 7th arrondissement. The top (third) floor offers a sweeping panorama of Paris. From directly underneath, there is a fascinating view of the delicate ironwork constructed by Gustave Eiffel, who was commissioned to build the tower for the Exposition Universelle in 1889 - the centenary of the French Revolution. The Tour Eiffel is also home to a number of restaurants, which offer views of the city and sky-high prices to match. There's an excellent restaurant at the top.
7th
Champ de Mars
Paris
France
Tel: 01 4411 2323.
Web: www.tour-eiffel.fr
Opening hours: Lifts: daily 0930-2345 (Jan-mid-Jun and Sep-Dec); daily 0900-0045 (mid-Jun-Aug).
Admission Fee: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO site: Yes
Centre Georges Pompidou (Georges Pompidou Centre)
Considered outrageous in 1977, the Pompidou Centre, designed by Piano and Rogers, has become part of the Parisian landscape, primary coloured tubes and all. The building was revamped and extended a few years ago, to cope with the huge numbers of people visiting its expanding collection of contemporary art and multimedia library.
4th
Place Georges Pompidou
Paris
France
Tel: 01 4478 1233.
Web: www.centrepompidou.fr
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 1100-2100.
Admission Fee: Yes (free first Sun of the month)
Disabled Access: Yes
Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Garden)
This garden, part formal, part jardin à l'anglaise, was created for Marie de Médicis (Henri IV's widow), along with the Palais du Luxembourg, which now houses the French Senate. It is a favoured spot for a Sunday stroll, game of tennis, chess or boules, pony ride or yacht trip on the lake.
Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris
France
Tel: 01 4234 2362.
Opening hours: Daily 0715-2130 (Apr-Sep); daily 0800-dusk (Oct-Mar).
Admission Fee: No
Disabled Access: Yes
Musée Rodin (Rodin Museum)
Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) lived and worked in this 18th-century hôtel particulier, now the Rodin Museum, and his sculptures populate the interior and gardens. Indoors, The Kiss portrays eternal passion frozen in white marble, while The Hand of God gives life to creamy white, half-formed figures. Works of Rodin's mistress and pupil, Camille Claudel, and paintings by Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir and Rodin himself are also on display. The gardens are graced by the monumental bronze The Thinker, whose godly physique contrasts sharply with the decrepitude of the writhing figures of The Gates of Hell and the controversial final portrait of Balzac, once described as 'a block that disgraces its author and French Art'.
7th
79 rue de Varenne
Paris
France
Tel: 01 4418 6110.
Web: www.musee-rodin.fr
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1745.
Admission Fee: Yes (free first Sun of the month)
Disabled Access: Yes
Commissioned by Napoleon to commemorate the victorious French Army, the Arc de Triomphe has been a defining symbol of Paris ever since its completion in 1836. Engraved on the arch are numerous names of important and not-so-important victories and beneath it lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Visitors can reach the 50m-tall (164ft) top of the arch for stunning views of Paris, including the Louvre and the Champs-Elysées, or tour the museum inside which charts the history and construction of the arch.
Arc de Triomphe, Place Charles-de-Gaulle
Paris
France
Tel: 01 5537 7377.
Web: www.arc-de-triomphe.monuments-nationaux.fr
Opening hours: Daily 1000-2300 (Apr-Sep); daily 1000-2230 (Oct-Mar).
Admission Fee: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO site: Yes
Basilique du Sacré-Coeur (Sacred-Heart Basilica)
A long, wide series of steps lead to the snowy-white domed Basilique du Sacré-Coeur that dominates the arty district of Montmartre. A mishmash of styles, the Catholic church was built between 1870 and 1919, to fulfil a vow made during the Franco-Prussian war. The interior is splendid with neo-Byzantine mosaics and the domed tower offers a spectacular view over Paris. The crypt contains an interesting collection of religious relics and a slide show on the construction of the Basilica. Below the church, a park tumbles down the hillside in a flurry of benches that make an ideal spot for surveying the Paris skyline.
18th
Parvis du Sacré-Coeur
Paris
France
Tel: 01 5341 8900.
Web: www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com
Opening hours: Daily 0600-2300 (Basilica); daily 0930-1830 (crypt and dome).
Admission Fee: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO site: Yes
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Begun in 1163 by the architect Maurice de Sully and completed in about 1345, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris ranks as one of France's finest examples of Gothic architecture. It has also been the site of many historical events, including the crowning of Henry VI of England in 1430, and the marriage of the Catholic Marguerite de Valois to the Protestant Henri de Navarre in 1572, which sparked the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre during the French Wars of Religion. Today, the cathedral still awes visitors with its massive rose windows, 7,800-pipe organ, towering spire and splayed flying buttresses. Visitors should be prepared to climb the 387 spiral steps to the top of the 75m (246ft) north tower. The views over the River Seine and the city centre are well worth the effort.
4th
6 Parvis Notre-Dame, Place Jean-Paul II
Paris
France
Tel: 01 4234 5610.
Web: www.cathedraledeparis.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1845, Sat-Sun (0800-1915).
Admission Fee: No (charge for towers and treasury)
UNESCO site: Yes
Musée Picasso (Picasso Museum)
Paris-based Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) owned most of this collection, one of the largest worldwide, housed in a stunning 17th-century mansion in the Marais. All phases of his art are represented, with preparatory sketches and paintings covering the Blue Period, Rose Period, cubism, classicism and surrealism, and sculptures ranging from a huge plaster head to a small cat. Memorable works include the Blue Period self-portrait Paolo as Harlequin, the surreal Nude in an Armchair and poignant paintings of Marie-Thérèse, his lover and muse. There is also a glimpse of the artist's personal taste in paintings, with his Matisse and Cézanne paintings displayed alongside his own.
3rd
Hôtel Salé, 5 rue de Thorigny
Paris
France
Tel: 01 4271 2521.
Web: www.musee-picasso.fr
Opening hours: Currently closed for renovation. Reopens in February 2012. Opening times when it reopens: Wed-Mon 0930-1800 (Apr-Sep); Wed-Mon 0930-1730 (Oct-Mar).
Admission Fee: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Musée du Louvre (Louvre Museum)
Constructed as a fortress in the Middle Ages and rebuilt in the mid-16th century as a royal palace, it wasn't until 1793 that the Louvre became a museum. Today, it is the home of some of the world's most famous works of art, including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. The rest of the permanent collection includes Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Egyptian and oriental antiquities, as well as sculptures, objets d'art and prints and drawings. Entrance to the museum is through the largest of the three glass pyramids that dominate the courtyard. The huge global success of Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code, which opens with the murder of the museum's curator in the Louvre Museum, has swelled visitor numbers.
1st
Cour Napoléon
Paris
France
Tel: 01 4020 5050.
Web: www.louvre.fr
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 0900-1800 (until 2200 on Wed and Fri).
Admission Fee: Yes (free first Sun of the month and 14 July; tickets allow same-day re-admission)
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO site: Yes
Tour Eiffel (Eiffel Tower)
The Eiffel Tower literally towers over the Champ de Mars in Paris's smart 7th arrondissement. The top (third) floor offers a sweeping panorama of Paris. From directly underneath, there is a fascinating view of the delicate ironwork constructed by Gustave Eiffel, who was commissioned to build the tower for the Exposition Universelle in 1889 - the centenary of the French Revolution. The Tour Eiffel is also home to a number of restaurants, which offer views of the city and sky-high prices to match. There's an excellent restaurant at the top.
7th
Champ de Mars
Paris
France
Tel: 01 4411 2323.
Web: www.tour-eiffel.fr
Opening hours: Lifts: daily 0930-2345 (Jan-mid-Jun and Sep-Dec); daily 0900-0045 (mid-Jun-Aug).
Admission Fee: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO site: Yes
Centre Georges Pompidou (Georges Pompidou Centre)
Considered outrageous in 1977, the Pompidou Centre, designed by Piano and Rogers, has become part of the Parisian landscape, primary coloured tubes and all. The building was revamped and extended a few years ago, to cope with the huge numbers of people visiting its expanding collection of contemporary art and multimedia library.
4th
Place Georges Pompidou
Paris
France
Tel: 01 4478 1233.
Web: www.centrepompidou.fr
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 1100-2100.
Admission Fee: Yes (free first Sun of the month)
Disabled Access: Yes
Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Garden)
This garden, part formal, part jardin à l'anglaise, was created for Marie de Médicis (Henri IV's widow), along with the Palais du Luxembourg, which now houses the French Senate. It is a favoured spot for a Sunday stroll, game of tennis, chess or boules, pony ride or yacht trip on the lake.
Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris
France
Tel: 01 4234 2362.
Opening hours: Daily 0715-2130 (Apr-Sep); daily 0800-dusk (Oct-Mar).
Admission Fee: No
Disabled Access: Yes
Musée Rodin (Rodin Museum)
Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) lived and worked in this 18th-century hôtel particulier, now the Rodin Museum, and his sculptures populate the interior and gardens. Indoors, The Kiss portrays eternal passion frozen in white marble, while The Hand of God gives life to creamy white, half-formed figures. Works of Rodin's mistress and pupil, Camille Claudel, and paintings by Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir and Rodin himself are also on display. The gardens are graced by the monumental bronze The Thinker, whose godly physique contrasts sharply with the decrepitude of the writhing figures of The Gates of Hell and the controversial final portrait of Balzac, once described as 'a block that disgraces its author and French Art'.
7th
79 rue de Varenne
Paris
France
Tel: 01 4418 6110.
Web: www.musee-rodin.fr
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1745.
Admission Fee: Yes (free first Sun of the month)
Disabled Access: Yes
Culture
If you're interested in sampling culture within the city, there is a wealth of things on offer.Music and Dance
Cité de la Musique
Set in the Parc de la Villette, Cité de la Musique is a fabulous cultural centre that offers an eclectic mix of musical events, workshops and exhibitions. A glance at the programme displays its breadth and depth: it's the home of the internationally renowned Ensemble Intercontemporain (www.ensembleinter.com) and also puts on travelling modern composers and a good selection of world music. Parc de la Villette, Paris Tel: 01 4484 4484. Website: www.cite-musique.fr
Théâtre de la Ville
The works of high-profile choreographers, such as Karine Saporta, Maguy Marin and Pina Bausch, are frequently shown in Paris's Théâtre de la Ville. The theatre has another venue, Les Abbesses, with the same contact details at 31 rue des Abbesses, 18th. 2 place du Châtelet, 4th, Paris Tel: 01 4274 2277. Website: www.theatredelaville-paris.com
Opéra National de Paris
The Opéra National de Paris performs ballet and opera at the Opéra Garnier, place de l'Opéra, 9th, and Opéra Bastille, place de la Bastille, 12th, as well as a few selected places, with large opera productions performed at the Châtelet Théâtre Musical de Paris, 1 place du Châtelet, 1st. Along with an excellent programme of opera events, also check its website for ballets, meetings, classical concerts, workshops and one off events. Tel: 0892 899 090. Website: www.operadeparis.fr
Theatre
Comédie Française
One of the most respected theatres in the world, the Comédie Française is renowned for its classic productions. Of course, if your French is rusty then some of the meaning will be lost. However, an evening here is no doubt an experience. Place Colette, 1st, Paris Tel: 01 4458 1515. Website: www.comedie-francaise.fr
Cité de la Musique
Set in the Parc de la Villette, Cité de la Musique is a fabulous cultural centre that offers an eclectic mix of musical events, workshops and exhibitions. A glance at the programme displays its breadth and depth: it's the home of the internationally renowned Ensemble Intercontemporain (www.ensembleinter.com) and also puts on travelling modern composers and a good selection of world music. Parc de la Villette, Paris Tel: 01 4484 4484. Website: www.cite-musique.fr
Théâtre de la Ville
The works of high-profile choreographers, such as Karine Saporta, Maguy Marin and Pina Bausch, are frequently shown in Paris's Théâtre de la Ville. The theatre has another venue, Les Abbesses, with the same contact details at 31 rue des Abbesses, 18th. 2 place du Châtelet, 4th, Paris Tel: 01 4274 2277. Website: www.theatredelaville-paris.com
Opéra National de Paris
The Opéra National de Paris performs ballet and opera at the Opéra Garnier, place de l'Opéra, 9th, and Opéra Bastille, place de la Bastille, 12th, as well as a few selected places, with large opera productions performed at the Châtelet Théâtre Musical de Paris, 1 place du Châtelet, 1st. Along with an excellent programme of opera events, also check its website for ballets, meetings, classical concerts, workshops and one off events. Tel: 0892 899 090. Website: www.operadeparis.fr
Theatre
Comédie Française
One of the most respected theatres in the world, the Comédie Française is renowned for its classic productions. Of course, if your French is rusty then some of the meaning will be lost. However, an evening here is no doubt an experience. Place Colette, 1st, Paris Tel: 01 4458 1515. Website: www.comedie-francaise.fr
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