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P A R I S
Some useful information
for visitors to the
city:
High and low seasons:
Prices in Paris can vary between high and low season. High season is from May to June and September to October, low season from November to March. Some shops and restaurants close in August as the Parisians take their annual holiday and many
businesses offer discounts at this time. Museums and other sights stay open all year round. Spring and autumn are probably the best times to visit Paris and find it least crowded.
Tourist Information:
Tourist information offices can be found at the Eiffel Tower, on the Champs-Elysees, and in the five major railway stations. You can pick up all kinds of maps, brochures and information here.
Museums:
Paris is hard to beat for its museums. Museum guides give all the essential information you need about the major Paris museums: opening hours, how to get there, admission charges and links to their websites so you can find out more.
Transport:
Arriving in Paris:
Paris has two major airports with flights from all over the world: Charles de Gaulle and Orly Airports. Both are connected to central Paris by bus, train and taxi services.
Transport around Paris:
The Metro is probably the best and cheapest way to get around Paris, with hundreds of stations all over the city it is never very far from the nearest Metro or RER stop. Tickets can be bought at all stations and you will make a big saving by buying a "carnet" of ten tickets. Weekly and monthly passes are also available. Metro tickets are also valid for the buses, or you can purchase your ticket from the driver.
Taxis are best taken from one of the many taxi ranks outside stations and at major intersections. Rates are fixed, and a light on top of the taxi tells you which rate applies. A tip of around 15% is customary.
Paris is a great city to walk in and not too big: get a good map, plan your itinerary well, and you will be able to reach many sights by foot, as well as enjoying the bustle of Paris street-life.
Money:
Credit cards are probably the best way to carry money while traveling. You can use them to purchase items directly or withdraw cash as you need it from ATM machines, which are easy to find in Paris. The exchange rate by this method is better than at banks and exchange offices. Check with your bank before you leave whether you will need a different PIN number, and check that the machine you are using takes your particular card. If you want to change money over the counter then it is worthwhile checking the rates at different banks to find the best one.
Discounts and special passes:
If you intend to visit a lot of museums then consider buying a Paris Carte-Musee, valid for one, three or five days. It allows you access to the permanent collections of 70 museums and monuments in and around Paris, including the Louvre. You will avoid queues and can return to the same museum as many times as you like. Current prices are: 1 day
$12 (12,20 Euro), 3 days $24 (24,40 Euro), 5 days $35 (36,60 Euro)
Children and seniors are usually eligible for discounts at museums or even free entrance, be sure to enquire when buying tickets and to bring proof of identity.
Security:
Paris is not a dangerous city but beware of pickpockets in the Metro and at tourist sites. Always keep any valuables you don't need in the hotel safe.
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