Destination guides > Europe > France > Paris
Paris
From the bourgeois chic of the 16th arrondissement to the trendy shopping and nightlife of the Marais, and from the literary legends of Montparnasse to the quaint side streets of picturesque Montmartre, Paris has something to offer everyone. Whether perusing the quayside bouquinistes, trekking the infinite halls of the Louvre, or dancing jusqu’a l’aube (till dawn) at Le Queen, every minute of a stay in Paris will overwhelm your senses and surpass your expectations from one pleasure-filled moment to the next.
Paris is an interesting dichotomy of subtle inspiration and unrelenting challenges.
Wander along the Île Saint-Louis in the middle of the night and you may peek into a doorway to find a painter passionately splashing colours onto a canvas in his studio, smell the sweet aroma of warm morning bread from a boulangerie, or hear the low tones of a trumpet player practicing below in the moonlight on the quay. Come morning, hordes of tourists and rushed businesspeople flock through the streets and descend into the snaking halls of the metro, causing some of the most jammed traffic and congested sidewalk choreography you can find anywhere.
A first venture into the most visited capital in the world will present you with unique perspectives into culture, history, fashion, gastronomy, and the arts. At times it can be a strenuous task to navigate through such a complex urban metropolis, but ultimately worth it many times over. Once you familiarise yourself with the metro system and overcome the initial shock, you can begin to enjoy all the intricate complacencies of Parisian life.
The city’s 20 arrondissements are laid out in l’escargot, a snail-shaped pattern of quartiers, spiraling out from the centre, and each with its own distinct flavour, so that a stroll from one to the next often feels like you are passing through villages rather than traversing a city.
The métro system is easy and efficient, and often an interesting form of entertainment on its own, with performers and musicians taking advantage of the sometimes very long commutes. This underground labyrinthine system has over 300 station stops, which means you are never more than a ten minute walk from one. Often it will suffice to walk to the nearest métro station to get your bearings when you are lost. If you are in Paris for three days or a week, it is usually worth it to buy a three day metro pass or a weekly carte orange instead of individual tickets. However, Paris is a very walkable city, and some of the most magical moments and beautiful scenes can unfold along random wanderings through cobbled backstreets and ancient passages.
You can't get lost in Paris as long as you know where the nearest métro or RER station is. Outside every station, and on most busy streets you will find maps of the local area.
Coming & going
Local transport
Hostel accommodation
Eating and drinking
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Practical information
For an up-to-date look at what's happening around Paris, including information on gigs and theatre, pick up a copy of Pariscope (€0.40 in French). If you want information in English grab a copy of the Paris Free Voice from the bins at the WH Smith Bookshop near Place de la Concord or the American Church near Invalides.
Paris is divided into 20 numbered districts known as arrondisements. It is a common practice for people to refer to a part of town by its arrondisement number so don't be too surprised when someone tells you that they live in the 17th. Parisian postal codes are made up of a combination of the department number 75 plus a zero and the arrondisement number. Therefore the postal code for the 17th arrondisement is 75017.
INFORMATION CENTRES & USEFUL NUMBERS
Paris Tourist Information Centre
127 Champs-Elysées, Paris
Métro, RER Etoile CDG
Tel (01) 49 52 53 54
Train Information
Tel (01) 53 20 90 90
RATP Information
Public tranport information in English
Tel (08) 92 68 77 14 (€0.34 p/min)
Eurostar Information
Gare du Nord
Tel (08) 36 35 35 39
American Church
Excellent notice boards if you are looking for work or a place to live in Paris. The free publications FUSAC and the Paris Free Voice are also avaliable here.
65, Quai d'Orsay, 75007 Paris
Métro Invalides
Tel (01) 47 05 07 99
EMBASSIES
Australian Embassy
4, rue Jean Rey, 75015 Paris
Métro Bir Haeim
Tel (01) 40 59 33 00
British Consulate
16, rue d'Anjou, 75008 Paris
Métro Concorde
Tel (01) 44 51 31 00
Canadian Embassy
35, avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris
Métro Alma Marceau
Tel (01) 44 43 29 00
Irish Embassy
4, rue Rude, 75016 Paris
Métro Argentine
Tel (01) 44 17 67 00
New Zealand Embassy
7 rue Léonard de Vinci, 75016 Paris
Métro Victor Hugo
Tel (01) 45 00 24 11
South African Embassy
59, Quai d'Orsay, 75007 Paris
Métro Invalides
Tel (01) 53 59 23 23
United States Consulate
2, rue Saint Florentin, 75001 Paris
Métro Concorde
Tel (01) 43 12 23 47
INTERNET ACCESS
The following hostels have free wireless internet access: Absolute Paris, Aloha Hostel, CISP Kellermann, CISP Maurice Ravel, Hotel Caulaincourt Square, Oops Budget Hotel and St Christopher’s Paris “On the Canal”.
Many parks and public libraries throughout Paris have free wireless internet access, although Wi-Fi only operates during government business hours. The City of Paris maintains a website listing city services (including Wi-Fi hotspots) on an interactive map.
Free Wi-Fi access is also available in many branches of MacDonalds as well as an increasing number of cafes throughout Paris.
Ozone Paris operates an extensive network of Wi-Fi hotspots in Paris with access costing €1.50 per hour or €18 per month.
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