Parisians call PARIS By The Numbers the secret address book of Paris – you’ll find the addresses of the top style icons in art, fashion, design, and décor – inside chapters include: Paris Touring, Paris Faves, Paris for Foodies, Paris Beauty & Spas, Paris Shopping, Paris Dining, and Paris at Night. Hotel D'Aubusson's Executive Director, Walter Waeterloos, recommends: “Forget the standard guide books, Kathleen’s book, PARIS By The Numbers is a Paris traveller’s must-read detailing our local favorites for shops, restaurants, clubs and much more.” PARIS By The Numbers takes advantage of Paris’ easy geographic layout using its 20 arrondissements (or sectors) as they encircle the Seine River… voila the numbers! “Kathleen, you know my home city of Paris better than I do.” Jean-David Levitte, French Ambassador to the United States SUPER EASY! SUPER NEW! SUPER FUN! PARIS By The Numbers is updated frequently for the most current travel tips and details.
PARIS BY THE NUMBERS
20 Arrondissements with more than 2,800 ways to eat, drink, shop, and enjoy Paris as the locals do.By Kathleen GoodmanAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2010 Kathleen Goodman
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4490-7215-5Contents
Introduction................................................1Paris Essentials............................................3Paris Calendar At-A-Glance..................................13Paris Travel Tips...........................................15Excursions Outside of Paris.................................23English-French "Cheat Sheet"................................29Cheese Primer...............................................311e. Louvre..................................................332e. Bourse..................................................593e. Marais..................................................714e. Httel de Ville..........................................875e. Panthion................................................1056e. Luxembourg..............................................1177e. Invalides...............................................1438e. Elysies.................................................1639e. Opira...................................................19110e. Magenta................................................20311e. Ripublique et Voltaire.................................21112e. Bercy et Reuilly.......................................22113e. Bibliothhque de France et Gobelins.....................23114e. Montparnasse...........................................23715e. Vaugirard et Grenelle..................................24516e. Passy et Auteuil.......................................25517e. Batignolles et Ternes..................................26918e. Montmartre.............................................27919e. Buttes-Chaumont........................................28920e. Phre-Lachaise..........................................295Index.......................................................309
Chapter One
Paris Essentials Information for both Airports: 08.92.68.15.15. (per minute charge) or www.aeroportsdeparis.fr
Charles de Gaulle (Roissy) Airport Information: 01.48.62.22.80. CDG 24-hour Medical line: 01.48.62.28.00. CDG 24-hour Police: 01.48.62.31.22. CDG Lost and Found: 01.48.62.13.34.
Arrival at the airport may require a bus shuttle from the plane to the terminal, depending upon airline. You will then clear customs (prepare yourself for a wait in line) and collect your luggage. All passengers must leave from the main exit, which is clearly marked SORTIE.
Getting to Paris: If private car service has been pre-arranged, your driver will be holding a sign with your name on it at this exit. It is important to make sure you have the name/phone number of your hotel or apartment manager and your car service name and telephone should your driver not be there upon your arrival because of traffic delays to/from Paris or flight schedule delays. Private car service usually costs $100, plus tip.
By train: You can reach central Paris (Metros/RERs:Gare du Nord, Chbtelet, St. Michel) by taking the RER line B train from Terminal 2. You can reach Terminal 2 from Terminal 1 by taking the free shuttle bus ("navette" in French) to the SNCF train station.
Shuttle service: Available for two or more people, check with your hotel.
Shuttle service: You can arrange for private shuttle to/from airport and your hotel: BLUE VAN 33.01.30.11.13.00 or 33.06.72.57.48.12. Cost for one person is €62.50 for example (much less than private car service.) www.paris-blue-airportshuttle.fr
Taxi service: €60 approx. per cab. Some charge a supplement at night or on Sundays. Taxi stands are at: Exit(Sortie) 6 in Terminals 2A & 2C, Exit 7 in Terminals 2B & 2D, and Exit 1 in Terminals 2E & 2F.
TIP! Make sure to reserve a bi-lingual driver and DO NOT take a metered taxi.
CDG Airport Hotels: Hilton, 01.49.19.77.77. Ibis, 01.49.19.19.20. Sheraton, 01.49.19.70.70. Sofitel, 01.49.19.29.29.
Orly Airport
Information: 01.49.75.15.15.
Orly has two terminals: Sud (South) for international flights and Ouest (West) for domestic @ights. Free shuttle service connects the two terminals. Air France buses leave from Exit D out of Orly Ouest and Exit J out of Orly Sud, from 5:45a-11p for travel into Paris at either Gare des Invalides or Gare Montparnasse, approximately $10 US one-way.
TIP! Do not take meterless taxi from either Orly Sud or Orly Ouest. Hire a metered cab from the taxi stands located at Exit M in SUD and Exit I, Arrivals Level OUEST. It is less expensive and safer.
TIP! A Nous Paris is a free city magazine issued on Tuesdays and found at Metro stations. Pariscope is issued on Wednesdays and can be purchased at the airports, some Metro stations, or newspaper kiosques. If you have hired a driver it is fun to read either one to find out the weekly events, music, and entertainment while in the traffic going into Paris.
Area Codes and Telephones:
The area code for France is 33. The city code for Paris is 01, cell phones is 06. When calling Paris from outside of France, drop the 0 in the city code and dial the rest of the numbers. To call Paris from the U.S. dial 011.33.1.xx.xx.xx.xx. Toll free numbers begin with 08.00; however, other 08 numbers have charges.
Customs/VAT Departure Tax Forms:
VAT Rebates are given when you spend MORE THAN $175 AT THE SAME STORE ON THE SAME DAY. Most merchants will fill out the form for you and will provide a postage-paid envelope. If the vendor does not offer, simply ask for the form and ask if the envelope is pre-paid. You must have proper postage on envelope. Global Cash Refund Point in Paris is in Madelios Department Store, 23 Bd de la Madeleine, 75001. Take the elevator to the second floor (note: the ground floor is street level) and the Cash Refund Office will exchange your paperwork for Instant VAT Refund. At the airport, you have to show your passport and receipts to Customs Officials who will stamp your forms. They may ask to see items you purchased, so make sure you can get to them readily. At CDG Terminal 1 the Customs/VAT Departure Tax window is at Gate 10, Satellite 3. At CDG Terminal 2, Hall A/Gate5, Hall B/Gate 7, Hall C/Gate 5, Hall E/Gate 8, Hall F/Gate 2. At CDG Terminal 3, American Express Exchange. The Skinny: Processing your VAT refund can also be done by scanning your refund forms at one (of 35) of the red self-service machines located in the check-in area at each terminal and then you scan a second time at a machine located in the boarding lounge. At Orly, Terminal F, Airside or American Express Exchange.
TIP! Ship your souvenirs back to US using the Post Office's Collissimo XL postage-paid mailing box. The size of the box = 18X12X8 inches and there is no weight limit. Cost is approximately $40.
The main Post Office in Paris is in 1e. 52 Rue du Louvre (M: Louvre) and is open 24 hours. 40.28.76.00. Others are open Mon-Friday 8a-6p and Saturday 8a-noon.
Driving in France:
You MUST have a red triangle inside a yellow jacket (gilet) inside your car. In an emergency, display the yellow jacket and put the red triangle at least 30 meters behind your car.
TIP! Make sure to ask your Car Rental Agency whether they have them in all cars and check your car before driving off since all automobile drivers in France must obey this law.
Electricity:
France uses the European standard 220-240 volts AC (50 cycles) so you will need an appropriate adaptor. Most computers and digital cameras are set up for both U.S. and European voltages.
TIP! Darty is an appliance and electronics store that is open 7 days a week, 7a-9p and is good for odd emergencies. Locations: 1e. Pl Carrie Niveau; 2e. 65 Rue Rivoli; and 6e. 104 Bd St. Germain (M: Cluny-La Sorbonne) 08.21.08.20.82.
Embassies, Ambassadors, Consulates:
Contact them when you have passport, immigration, legal, or other problems. They are able to issue a three-month temporary replacement for a lost passport or additional passport pages in an emergency.
United States Embassy, 2 Av Gabriel (M: Concorde) 8e. 01.43.12.22.22 or 2 Rue St Florentin (M: Concorde) 1e. 08.10.26.46.26.
Great Britain, 16 Rue d'Anjou (M: Madeleine) 8e. 01.44.51.31.00. Canada, 35 Av Montaigne (M: Alma-Marceau) 8e. 01.44.43.29.00.
Emergencies:
112 is the EU equivalent to our 911.
17 for police
18 for fire
15 for SAMU emergency services, for an ambulance
Police, 1e Division, 01.53.11.23.00. Covers arrondissements: 1,2,3,4,8,9,16,17.
Police, 2e Division, 01.53.19.44.60. Covers arrondissements: 10,11,12,18,19,20.
Police, 3e Division, 01.53.74.12.06. Covers arrondissements: 5,6,7,13,14,15.
Animal hot lines: 01.49.37.54.54. for dogs. 01.55.01.08.08. for cats.
Hospitals have 24 hour emergency services and offer high standards.
Hrpital Httel Dieu, 1 Pl du Parvis Notre Dame, 4e. 01.42.34.82.34.
Hrpital Europien Georges Pompidou, 20 Rue leblanc, 15e. 01.56.09.20.00.
Hrpital Bichet, 46 Rue Henri-Huchard, 18e. 40.25.80.80.
Hrpital Necker, Children's Hospital, 149 Rue de Shvres, 15e. 01.44.90.40.00.
The American Hospital of Paris, 63 Bd Victor Hugo, Neuilly, 01.46.41.25.25. Private and expensive.
TIP! The secret French hangover potion is Citrate de Bitaone. Available in pharmacies.
Pharmacies open at night:
4e. Chbtelet Les Halles, 10 Bd. de Sibastopol, 42.72.03.23.
8e. Franklin-Roosevelt, 2 Rue Jean Mermoz, 43.59.86.55. Galerie des Champs, 84 Av des Champs Elysies, 45.62.02.41. Georges V, 133 Av des Champs Elysies, 47.20.39.25.
9e. Pigalle, 5 Pl Pigalle, 48.78.32.65. Place Clichy, 6 Pl de Clichy, 48.74.65.18.
11e. Nation, 12 Pl de Nation, 43.73.24.03
12e. Daumesnil, 6 Pl Filix Eboui, 43.43.19.03. Porte de Vincennes, 86 Bd. Soult, 43.43.13.68.
13e. Italie Tolbiac, 61 Av d'Italie, 44.24.19.72.
14e. Pharmacie des Arts, 106 Bd du Montmarnasse, 43.35.44.88.
18e. Barbhs, 64 Bd Barbhs, 46.06.02.61.
TIP! The Monoprix Department Store at 52 Av des Champs Elysies is open 24/7 and has drugstore medical supplies, personal care items, alcohol, and miscellaneous items.
Shopping
French law still maintains that most shops remain closed on Sundays, unless they are located in a district that is designated as "tourism", such as parts of the Marais - so some stores will be open on Sundays in this area. Most museums are open on Sundays and will be crowded because Sunday is a good time for Parisians to enjoy the exhibitions on their day off.
TIP! On Thursdays most stores stay open until 10p. They usually close at 7p. And most are closed on Sundays.
TIP! If you are looking for last-minute souvenirs or gifts the museums' gift shops will be open and are well-stocked with unique gifts.
Sightseeing in Paris:
Paris Museum Pass is a Paris museum and monument pass that is a good investment if you plan to visit a lot of museums in 2/4/6 consecutive days and can be used on any start-date. NO WAITING IN LINES. €30/45/60. More than 60 participating museums and monuments are included. It is usually less expensive to wait until you arrive in Paris and purchase at the main Metro stations, fnac shops, the Office of Tourism, and participating museums. If you buy it before you leave the prices are guaranteed in U.S. currency. The Paris Visiti Pass includes access to the same museums, PLUS bus and metro tickets, a Seine river cruise, a discount book, and a tourist map, all enclosed in its own wallet. €85 for 2 days/€125 for 4 days/€155 for 6 days. You can order these at www.paris-paris.com
TIP! Museums are free on the first Sunday of each month. Admission price to most museums and monuments are lower on other Sundays. Most are closed on Mondays, except the Louvre, which is closed on Tuesdays.
Paris City Passport is a discount booklet offering 10-50% discounts off museums, excursions, attractions, shopping and services. Only €5 and can be used by anyone in your group.
The Skinny: Those under 25 and teachers of all ages gain free admission, anytime, to the Louvre, Musie d'Orsay and other public museums.
Theatre tickets can be purchased for HALF-PRICE/Same-Day at Kiosque Theatre, Cash only. Tues.-Saturday, 12:30p-7:45p and Sunday, 12:30p-3:45p. Look for dark-green, mini-van sized kiosks at these locations: 15 Pl de Madeleine, 8e; Parvis de la Gare de Montparnasse, 15e; and Place des Ternes, 17e.
TIP! Get tickets in advance for the Moulin Rouge show ($109-207) by phone, 33.01.53.09.82.82. Book the Lido ($97-255) at 33.01.40.76.56.10. or the smaller Au Lapin Agile at 33.01.46.06.85.87 or au-lapin-agile.com.
Tourist information:
Office de Tourism: 08.92.68.30.00. @ €34 per minute. www.parisinfo.com
Paris Tourist Offices are located: In CDG: Terminal 2C, Arrivals/Departures level opposite Gate 5. Open 7a or 8a-2:15p-8p. Terminal 2D, Arrivals/Departures level opposite Gare 5. Terminal 2F, Arrivals level, opposite Gate 11.
1e. 25 Rue Pyramides (M: Pyramides) Open Mon-Saturday, 9a-7p.
9e. 11 Rue Scribe (M: Opira) Mon-Saturday, 9a-6:30p.
12e. 20 Bd Diderot (M: Gare de Lyon) Mon-Saturday, 8a-6p.
18e. 72 Bd Rochechouart (M: Anvers) Mon-Saturday, 10a-6p.
TIP! Street numbers/addresses in Paris are marked differently than in U.S. The streets in Paris that run North and South (perpendicular) to the Seine, begin with "1" at the Seine and increase as the street continues away from the River. As you face away from the Seine, odd numbers are on the left and even numbers are on the right side. The streets that run East and West (parallel) to the Seine have street numbers increasing from East to West. In a nutshell, you may find yourself confused when the even numbers go down on one side and the odd numbers go up on the same street. If an address is "16 bis", it means that it's similar to 16-A. If you see "16 ter" it is similar to 16-B.
Transportation around Paris:
RATP telephone is 08.92.68.77.14.
Buses use the same tickets as Metro. Bus maps are free at Metro stations. Buses run from 6:30a-8:30p and generally require one ticket. You also can buy a ticket that is valid for 90 minutes and can be used for transfer from bus to tram or bus to bus.
TIP! Line #69 will take you across Paris and passes so many famous sights you won't find it necessary to buy a seat on one of those double-decker tour buses. Take it East to West (roundtrip will put you off at the Eiffel Tower) and try to get a window seat on the right side (best availability if you get on at one of the first stops.) You will see: Grand Palais, Petit Palais, Musie d'Orsay, Tuileries Gardens, Pont du Carrousel, Louvre Museum, Ile de la Citi, Nttre Dame, Ile St-Louis-Enl'Ile, Pl de la Bastille, Phre Lachaise Cemetery, Pompidou Centre, Rodin Museum, Les Invalides.
Balabus only runs on Sundays and national holidays from RATP Metro stations. 12:30p-8:30p. It's a good, economical way to see Paris, with stops along the way. It runs from Gare de Lyon to Grand Arche de Defense on the Right Bank, and then on to the Left Bank. They accept Metro tickets.
Batobus, 08.25.05.01.01. Seine riverboats operate as a shuttle service and stop at Tour Eiffel, Musie d'Orsay, St-Germain-des-Pris, Nttre-Dame, Jardin des Plantes, Httel de Ville, Louvre, and Champs Elysies. €3.50 per stop, €12 for day pass, €14 for 2-day pass. Schedules may change throughout the year. No refund on lost tickets.
TIP! Art Process Bus Tours: 47.00.90.85. They run every third Saturday. €50 for reservation (required) and includes lunch. They begin at Opira Bastille (12e.) In French with bilingual guide.
Bicycles in Paris: Paris Charms & Secrets electric bike tours. 3e. 106 Rue Vielle-du-Temple (M: St-Sibastien Froissart) 1.40.29.00.00. Olivier and his guides host group tours of Paris. Departures: 9:30a, 2:30p, and 8p (3 hours) Maximum of 20 bikes. Call.
Rent a Vespa from Left Bank Scooters. Deliver it and collect it after your day of self-touring Paris on your own. www.leftbankscooters.com
Vilib, www.velib.paris.fr
More than 700 bike stations provide tourists and residents with three-speed rental bikes for pickup and drop off throughout Paris. The bikes have baskets and weigh about 50 lbs. The first 30 minutes are free; the next 30 minutes @ €1; the 2nd 30 minutes @ €2; subsequent 30 minutes @ €4. Your best bet is to buy a Subscription Card for €1/1 day, €5/7 days, €29/1 year.
Machines accept Visa cards with a smart-chip or American Express for a €150 deposit per bike. Navigo card-holders simply swoosh it over machine and out comes a bike!
City-bird, 08.26.10.01.00. will pick you up and take you anywhere you want to go. They also offer motorbike tours.
Fat Tire, 24 Rue Edgar Faure, 15e. 01.56.58.10.54. offer bike tours in English. Reservations usually required.
TIP! Fitness buffs staying on the Left Bank can jog or walk the following routes:
2 miles jogging for 30 minutes or walking 1 hour: Begin at Rue Dauphine and Quai des Grand Augustins, cross Pont Neuf and go Right (east) along Quai des Orfhvres on Ile de Citi and pass Nttre Dame winding Left (north) around Quai aux Fleurs and then west along Quai de la Corse which continues as Quai de l'Horloge until you reach Pont Neuf and cross this bridge to arrive where you began.
A 3 mile jogging for 40 minutes or walking for 1 1/2 hours: Take the above route and continue along Rue Dauphine (south) and take Right on Rue de Buci, crossing Bd St. Germain, Rue du Four, Left on Rue Mabillon (south) and on Rue Galancihre and then Right (west) on Rue de Vaugirard, entrance to Luxembourg Gardens, Left (south) along periphery of the gardens and then Left, and then Right, and then Left until you reach Bd St Michel which winds around the Gardens and becomes Rue de Medicis, Left on Rue de Vaugirard (west) and finally Right (north) on Rue de Tournon which changes to Rue Rue de Seine and back to Bd St Germain.
Limousines: Chabi Limousines: 01.41.20.95.10. Elite Limousines: 01.47.20.70.20. Must Limousines: 08.70.44.43.74.
Or, trust your hotel's recommendation because they have already established a good relationship with the company.
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Excerpted from PARIS BY THE NUMBERSby Kathleen Goodman Copyright © 2010 by Kathleen Goodman. Excerpted by permission.
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