“The City of Light”

This tag-name of Paris actually comes from “Ville Lumière,” a reference not only the the then revolutionary electrical lighting system implemented in the streets of Paris, but also to the prominence and aura of “enlightenment” the city gained during “La Belle Époque,” the Parisian golden age of the late 19th century. It was during this time when Gustave Eiffel’s famous tower was erected, as well as the first Métro line, and the creation of parks.

A multi-cultural experience

Paris enjoyed considerable growth as a multi-cultural city beginning in the 1970s with the influx of new immigrants from all corners of the world, especially among French-speaking countries, including most of northern and western Africa as well as Vietnam and Laos. These immigrants brought their foods and music both of which are of prime interest for many travelers.

Migration even continues in Paris until now, with a marked increase of immigrants from Latin America in the 21st century, bringing along with them the “taquerias” (which were hard to find in Paris even during the 1990s), the introduction of the chili pepper, and Samba and Salsa music that has become all the rage in the city (alongside Paris lounge electronica).

Today, there’s more nationalities represented in Paris than even in New York.

The Parisians

The city lives in an atmosphere like that of London or New York, with hurried, businesslike people. In France, the Parisians have a reputation for arrogance and perpetual hurriedness. The arrogance is also in keeping with the fact that Paris is a very big city, and the stresses of city life can drive anybody to be a bit brusque.

Aside from which, Parisians undergo constant requests from beggars, salespeople, and buskers every day. Sometimes, they turn out to be crooks, so naturally the Parisians become a bit suspicious of strangers asking for anything, even their time. Try to keep this in mind when you need to ask for directions in the Métro. A shabbily-dressed, badly-shaven, backpack-carrying, foreign-speaking tourist may be, in the eyes of the Parisians, yet another person who till tell some dramatic life story finishing with a request for money.

Courtesy matters

Despite the Parisians being notoriously arrogant, Paris is observed with a high level of politeness. Even if you don’t speak the language, bear in mind that courtesy is extremely important in everyday dealings. Even one word in French, like “bonjour” (good morning), means a lot and the person will help you with overwhelming charm; or at least, give a greeting in English. Write on a slip of paper or, better yet, remember some French speak with their hands and there should be no problem.

Speak with a well-mannered tone

Just like in any other major city, Parisians generally expect people to speak in a measured voice when in a crowded place. They are likely to look down on people who talk very loudly in a train or subway car. While it’s unlikely that anybody will say anything, such behavior will mostly get you classified as rude and is likely to reduce the possibility that you’ll get help should you need it.

Americans, in particular, are advised that they are often considered ill-mannered by the French, most notably because of groups who talk very loudly in restaurants or the Métro. Keep in mind that the people around you are not on a vacation, in general. They are probably going to or coming back from work and thus may not appreciate another source of headache. Also, the vast majority of the Parisian population are not in any way related to the tourism business. You are not in a resort or theme park, but in a city where people have to get on with their lives.

Speaking in English

For most people, English is something they had to study in school, and seems a bit of a chore. People helping you out in English are making an extra effort, sometimes a considerable one. Younger people are more likely to be fluent in English than older people.

However, English language in Paris is a bit more complicated since they learn British English in the “received pronunciation,” also known as the “Queen’s English.” In order to communicate your English properly to a Parisian who learned English in school, always do try to speak slowly and clearly, and maybe affect a bit of a Margaret Thatcher accent, but please do not shout.

Speaking in French

Speaking French in Paris is just as complicated, since the French taught in schools in English-speaking countries tends to be “written” French and it is quite different from the spoken French. This makes your “French” hardly understandable by the actual French person. The French people speak their language very fast, swallow some letters, and make all sound like a beautiful music. If the Parisian asks you to repeat what you just said, do not feel offended. Instead, write down phrases or place names.

One determinant into knowing your “expertise” in French is that if you understand (or at least sort of understand) French movies without its subtitles, then you can speak French like a true Parisian.

Asking for directions

When in need of direction, find someone who is not in a hurry, preferably a younger person or someone reading a book or magazine in English. Greet him or her with “hello” or “bonjour,” then start by asking if the person speaks English (“Parlez vous Anglais?”), even if he or she is reading something in English, speak slowly and clearly–evern writing down names when necessary. Don’t forget to smile a lot. Also, carry a map, given the complexity of Paris’ streets.

Do not stop a random person in the Métro and, without a greeting, start asking questions in your own normal way of speaking English. That person is likely to depart quickly with no word of apology.

If you do speak French, remember two magic sentences: “Excusez moi de vous déranger” and “Pourriez-vous m’aider?” Use these liberally, even in shops.

The districts of Paris

Central Paris is officially divided into 20 districts called “arrondissements,” numbered from 1 to 20 in a clockwise spiral from the center of town. The arrondissements are named according to their number. For instance, you might stay in the “5th,” which would be written as 5ème (“SANK-ee-emm) in French. The 12th and 16th arrondissements include large suburban parks, the “Bois de Vincennes,” and the “Bois de Boulogne” respectively.

Each district has its own main attractions. For instance, the “1st” is where you find the Louvre, while the “2nd” is the location of the Paris Stock Exchange.

Navigating through Paris is easy if you have a pocket map, the most recommended would be “Paris Pratique par Arrondissement,” which you can buy at any news stand.

Visit the museums and monuments with just one card

One of the best value and most convenient ways to see the sights of Paris is with the “Carte Musées et Monuments, a pre-paid entry card that allow entry into over 70 museums and monuments around Paris and comes in two-day (30EUR), four-day (45EUR), and six-day (60EUR) denominations. This card allows you to jump otherwise sometimes lengthy queues and is available from participating museums, tourist offices, Fnac branches, and all the main Métro and RER train stations. However, you would still need to pay to enter most special exhibitions.

Schedule your museum visits

Note that most museums and galleries are closed on either Monday or Tuesday, so check ahead to avoid disappointment; and most ticket counters in museums close 30 to 45 minutes before closing.

Aside from which, all national museums are open free of charge on the first Sunday of the month, and this may mean long lines and crowded exhibits.

Explore the sights

As said before, each arrondissements of Paris has something to offer in terms of infrastructure beauty. The Eiffel Tower, located on the 7th, is one of the most famous–and tallest–landmarks in the world. The Notre Dame Catheral, an impressive Gothic cathedral that was the inspiration for Victor Hugo’s novel, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” is located at the 4th. The 3rd is where you would find Picasso Museum, containing the artist’s own masterworks.

There are also unpopular but just-as-wonderful sights that you can visit when in Paris. The Sacré Coeur on th 18th is a church perched on the highest point of the city, while the Sainte Chapelle on the 1st is far more beautiful than the famous–but gloomy–Notre Dame. The Panteon (5th) is where you would find the resting place of the great heroes of the French Republic. And the Carnavalet (3rd) is a museum of Paris’ history; its exhibitions are permanent and free.

See Paris from above

At the 9th, you can check out the skyline from the roofs of Printemps and the Galleries Lafayette. There’s also a hot air balloon at Parc André Citroen (south-western Paris) in which you can ride on. It doesn’t operate on windy days, though.

Watch inline skaters

Every Friday night and Sunday afternoon (except when raining), hordes of inline skaters take to the streets of Paris on a preplanned route for about 3 ½ hours. Even if you do not participate, find a café near the route and watch them fly by. If you are interested in participating, check out http://www.pari-roller.com.

Celebrate Bastille Day

The celebration of the beginning of the French Revolution, which is held every July 14, is a crowd-drawer. The day starts with a Bastille Parade held on the Champs-Élysées at 10:00 a.m. and ends with the Bastille Day Fireworks, with many city-sponsored events in between. Remember to arrive early to get prime viewing spots. The city officials recommend gathering around the gardens of the Eiffel Tower during the Bastille Day Fireworks.

Witness its many festivals

Paris has many festivals, each catering to a particular group. For instance, the city celebrates a “techno parade” every mid-September, with Djs and (usually young) fans from acrosss Europe converging to Paris for five to six days of dancing. This culminates in a parade whose route traces roughly from Place de Bastille to the Sorbonne. Also in its events list are Six Nations Rugby (February), Paris Fashion Week (March for winter collections; October for spring-summer collections), Roland Garros (also known as tennis’ French Open, May), and Fête de la Musique Paris (June 21)

Watch a movie

The cinemas of Paris can be considered the envy of the rest of the world. Big-budget Hollywood films are screened in Paris often a few weeks after its release in the US, and do not forget its prestigious and artistic French films. Also, during any given week there are at least half-a-dozen film festivals going on, at which you can see the entire works of a given actor or director. Meanwhile, there are some older cult films that you can enjoy any day you wish.

Many non-French movies are subtitled (called “version originale” or “v/o”). However, when watching French movies, it is probably a good idea to watch it with subtitles especially if your French is not adequate to follow fast conversations.

To know the movie schedule around Paris, buy a copy of “Pariscope” at newsstands.

Stay safe

Crimes in Paris is similar to most large cities, but violent crime is uncommon in the heart of the city. Pickpockets are active on the rail link from Charles de Gaulle Airport to downtown Paris and on the #1 Métro subway line. A common scheme is for one thief to distract the tourist with questions or disturbance while an accomplice picks pockets, a backpack, or purse. Thieves often time their crime to coincide with the closing of the automatic doors on the Métro, leaving the victime secured on the departing train.

Many thefts also occur in major department stores like Galleries Lafayette, Printemps, and Smarantine. Tourists tend to leave wallets, pasports, and credit cards on cashier counters during transactions, leaving your possessions vulnerable from pickpocketing.

Popular tourist sites are also popular hunting grounds for thieves who favor congested areas to mask their activities. Areas to watch out for include the crowded elevators at the Eiffel Towers, escalators at museums, and the area around the Sacre Coeur Church in Montmarte.

The area around the famous Moulin Rouge is known as Pigalle. It is best to avoid going there after dark unless you’re with a group headed for a show. Pigalle is an adult entertainment area known for prostitutes, sex shows, and drugs. Unsuspecting tourists often run up exorbitant bar bills and are forced to pay before being permitted to leave. Other places to be alert on are the Marché aux Puces flea market, the suburbs (or “banlieue”) like Barbès.

The Métro is relatively safe, but pickpockets do work in the stations and on the trains especially near tourist destinations. If you carry a bag make sure that it is closed tightly. If you have wallet in your pocket keep a hand on it while entering or exiting the trains. Don’t carry any more cash than you can afford to lose and keep it on different parts of your body: like on your money belt, your wallet, your shoe. When you have to access your money, do so in private.

There are recent reports of new tactics by thieves, targeting taxis on their way into the city from Charles de Gaulle Airport. Thieves wait for the cab to stop in the usual traffic jam along the A1 highway and break windows to get the passengers’ bags. To avoid this, you may place your bags in the trunk of the taxi or take the very safe Air France shuttle.

Do not litter

Not only this is disrespectful, but violators are also fined with hefty fines starting at 18EUR. Place your trash in the many trashcans provided by the City or the subway authority.

Luxury Paris Hotels

The many Paris hotels that are located in the heart of the city, in close proximity to the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre museum, on Champs Elysees and Rue Saint-Honore, the celebrated Eiffel Tower, Place de la Concorde, Tuileries Garden, the Elysee Palace, the Invalides Museum, the Seine river that cuts across Paris, and the other renowned landmarks of Paris are obviously the most expensive and the plushest hotels of the city. Some of the best luxury Paris hotels are the Hotel Plaza Athenee, Hotel Pont Royal, Hotel Le Meurice, Tiara Chateau Hotel Mont Royal, Hotel de Crillion, Radisson Blu Le Dokhan’s Hotel, The Westin Paris, La Tremoille, Hyatt Regency Madeleine, Hotel du Louvre, Trianon Palace Versailles, Sofitel Paris Arc de Triomphe, etc.

The luxury Paris hotels charge anything from € 610 to €20,000 per day according to the rooms and suites that you choose to stay in. These hotels of Paris provide grand luxury to their inmates. Each of the rooms and suites are gloriously furnished and opulently decorated. Whether you’ve booked just a single room or the Presidential suite, you’ll feel that you’re re-living history and living like one of the Parisian monarchs, in the luxury Paris hotels. The architecture of each of the modern luxury Paris hotels resembles that of some medieval palace or imposing medieval edifice of Paris in one way or the other. So it’ll not be surprising if you feel like Louis XIV or Napoleon Bonaparte while traversing through the rooms of a luxury Paris hotel. Though equipped with modern and hi-tech amenities for the comfort of the 21st century traveler, the luxurious hotels of Paris represent the medieval spirit of the Palace of Versailles, the fascinating beauty of the exhibits of the Louvre, the exquisite workmanship of the Notre Dame and the intellectual superiority of the Montmartre in their halls, rooms, their decor and in their milieu.

Conference Facilities, Banqueting, Weddings and Fashion Shows in Luxury Paris Hotels

Needless to say, the luxury hotels of the city are great places for historic meetings and rendezvous. These hotels boast of spacious and elaborate conference and banquet halls equipped with the smartest audiovisual gadgets so that meetings may be conducted seamlessly. It’s an altogether different experience to conduct or attend meetings amidst gorgeous surroundings, intricately carved statues, sculptures and caryatids in the meeting rooms of these Parisian hotels. While transporting you to a bygone age, the meeting rooms in these hotels help you to experience the advantages of cutting-edge technology when you’re hosting and participating in interactive conferences. Meeting room layouts in these hotels can be arranged as you wish and according to which Parisian landmark you’d like your meeting attendees to get a glimpse of in the course of the meeting: the Eiffel Tower, the Tuilleries Garden or the Louvre.

The luxury hotels of Paris are also perfect venues for celebrating weddings and for hosting parties and fashion shows. The luxury Paris hotels employ the talents of the best chefs of Paris who dish out their amazing and mouthwatering creations at banquets, parties, weddings and conference luncheons and dinners hosted in the hotels.

Medium-Priced Paris Hotels

These hotels are situated on highways, near the Charles de Gaulle Airport of Paris or in places in the city from where long-distance traveling is essential to get to downtown Paris and the various tourist hotspots of Paris. Medium-priced hotels in Paris are good hotels and offer fine accommodation facilities to their guests. They are well decorated but not opulently decorated. The décor in medium-priced Parisian hotels is modern and posh and focuses more on utility than on grandeur. Medium-priced hotels afford their guests an extremely comfortable stay as rooms and suites in these hotels are equipped with all the modern amenities. The medium-priced hotels of Paris are generally 3 and 4 star hotels.

The medium-priced Paris hotels are noted particularly for the sumptuous breakfasts that they serve their guests every morning. Sumptuous breakfasts, in Parisian hotels, are included with the room charges and are not extra as they are in the London hotels. Breakfast halls are typically roomy and divided into many segments so that different groups of tourists can sit in the different segments, while they eat. Breakfasts are well-laid out and include meat as well as non-meat products. Different kinds of French cheese; fruits, fruit juice; a variety of French bread including baguettes and croissants with generous helpings of butter, marmalade, pork-spread and jam; different preparations of egg such as French omelets, scrambled eggs, fried eggs and boiled eggs; milk, cream; cereals such as cornflakes and porridge; pork products such as grilled and deep-fried bacon, smoked and grilled sausages, ham and salami; and beverages such as tea and coffee are what you’ll see in the breakfast halls of medium-priced Paris hotels every morning, when you wake up, bleary-eyed and eager for a hearty meal. Hotel guests of these hotels have often praised the kitchen staff of these hotels for serving tasty and filling breakfasts, luncheons and dinners.

Medium-priced Paris hotels charge anything from € 102 to € 500 per day. Some of the most famous medium-priced Paris hotels are Express by Holiday Inn, Lille Center, Abba Montparnasse Hotel, Baltimore Paris Hotel, Astra Opera Hotel, Best Western Etoile Saint Honoré Hotel, Best Western Premier Elysées Bassano Hotel, Castille Paris Hotel, Metropol Hotel, Modern Lafayette Hotel, etc.

Meeting Facilities in Medium-Priced Paris Hotels

All medium-priced Paris hotels are equipped with meeting rooms and conference facilities. The meeting rooms in such Paris hotels are equipped with hi-tech audiovisual gadgets so that meetings may be conducted, effortlessly. The seating arrangements in the conference halls may be designed as you wish, in boardroom, U shaped, cabaret, classroom or in other styles. All medium-priced Paris hotels are equipped with Business Centers which are operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the benefit of conference hosts, presenters and attendees.

Budget and Cheap Paris Hotels

The budget Paris hotels are also known as the cheap Paris hotels. These hotels are plainly decorated and are ideal for travelers who travel on a strict budget. Rooms in these hotels are equipped with basic amenities. Many of the cheap hotels of Paris are located in the Montmartre area of Paris, the artists’ quarter and the various flea markets of Paris. The Montmartre area and the Latin quarters near the world famous University of Paris, Sorbonne, are inhabited by intellectuals and students who prefer living on a tight budget. So, the cheapest hotels of Paris which are situated in these areas offer several advantages to their inmates. The Ile de la Cite of Paris epitomizes the quaint culture and charms of Paris. Several cheap Parisian hotels have cropped up here too. The Ile de la Cite houses the famous Notre Dame and other well-known landmarks. Many famous museums of Paris, other than the Louvre, are located in the vicinity of the Ile de la Cite. These are the Musee d’Orsay and the Musee De La Conciergerie. The guests of the cheap hotels hence have a wonderful time visiting the repositories and their breathtaking works and sightseeing in these picturesque parts of Paris.

There is a distinct advantage of living in the budget hotels of the city because these Paris hotels encapsulate the tasteful and lively culture of Paris. As they are located in the crowded areas of Paris near the museums and universities, the hubs of intellectual learning and culture, they offer endless opportunities to their guests to explore the nooks and crannies of Paris, to get the feel and pulse of the city, it’s rich and variegated history, its myriad etiquette, cuisines, artworks, the romantic spirit of the sculptures that adorn the city, every now and then. The cheap Paris hotels ask for anything between € 30 and € 150 for a single night’s stay.

Paris is a truly enchanting city. Its romantic aura encompasses you the moment you step into the city. Every boulevard, every sidewalk, thoroughfare, every street corner of Paris is a treat for the eye of the discerning tourist. Whether you’re parading the Grande Gallery of the Louvre or admiring the fabulous interiors of the Palace of Versailles, whether you’re getting your picture painted in the Montmartre or just gazing at the Egyptian obelisk in the Place de la Concorde, you’ll always be surrounded by the rich heritage of Paris, a heritage that’s inextricably interwoven with the city, its people and its monuments. And all the Paris hotels, however modern or sophisticated, try to be the archetype of the city’s wonderful past. So it’s no wonder that tourists feel the turmoil and turbulence of the Bastille, hear the screams and shrieks of guillotine victims, and perceive the sounds of Louis’s hundred horsemen clip-clopping on the roads of Paris while they roam in Paris or when they reside at the Paris hotels.

• It’s a simple 10 minute walk in the Gare de l’Est to the Gare du Nord, in an easier way than using the metro.
• Walk from the end with the platform, turn right across the concourse and go out from the Gare de l’Est side entrance (marked “Sortie rue d’Alsace”)
• Turn right and walk up the long flight of pedestrian steps, using the tracks in to the Gare de l’Est in your right.
• Ignore the initial left turn into the Rue des Deux Gares, but take the second left develop into Rue de Dunkerque. You’ll now begin to see the magnificent facade from the Gare du Nord straight in front of you.
• This may be the quickest and shortest route, but to avoid the long flight of steps, walk out from the Gare de ‘Est and turn all the way down the Rue du 8 Mai 1945. Turn straight into the Boulevard de Magenta then right again to the Boulevard de Denain. The Gare du Nord has become straight in front of you. This route is longer, but gives level access from station for the other.

Gare de Lyon to Gare du Nord

• Follow signs to ‘RER D’. You want direction ‘Orry la Ville’, which often means RER ‘D’ platforms 2 & 4. RER ‘D’ platforms 1 & 3 are for trains within the other direction.
• Take RER line D two stops direct to the Gare du Nord. The actual train ride only takes 7 minutes. All RER D trains call on the Gare du Nord.
• The whole trip in the Gare de Lyon concourse for the Gare du Nord concourse takes about 25 minutes including walking time, investing in a ticket from the machines and waiting a few minutes with an RER train.
• At both Gare de Lyon and Gare du Nord there are escalators (and/or lifts) involving the mainline station concourse, the RER concourse as well as the RER platforms, making it relatively easy despite luggage or perhaps a pushchair. To access the RER platforms, additionally , there are special wide ticket gates for passengers with luggage or pushchairs.

Gare de Bercy to Gare du Nord

• Walk from the mainline station onto the forecourt, down the steps and across the road ahead of you. The metro station is simply round the corner.
• Take metro line 14 from Bercy to Gare de Lyon (only one stop, follow signs ‘M14 direction Saint Lazare’).
• Take RER line Of the Gare de Lyon for the Gare du Nord (just two stops, follow signs ‘RER D direction Orry la Ville’).
• Alternatively, walk 600 metres towards the Gare de Lyon and make RER direct to the Gare du Nord.

Gare d’Austerlitz to Gare du Nord

• Take metro line 5 direct for the Gare du Nord (follow signs ‘M5 direction Bobigny’).
• The M5 metro station at the Gare d’Austerlitz is really a high-level station opposite the mainline station entrance. Line M5 crosses the Seine then dives underground throughout your way.

Gare Montparnasse to Gare du Nord

• Take metro line M4 direct for the Gare du Nord (follow signs ‘M4 direction Porte Clignancourt’).
• Note that as opposed to other Paris mainline stations in which the metro is directly underneath the mainline station, at Montparnasse it’s really a 700 metre (750 yard) walk (with steps in places) in the mainline TGV platforms for the metro station. Allow sufficient time for this particular transfer.

Gare Saint Lazare to Gare du Nord

• Follow signs ‘RER E direction Tournan & Chelles Gournay’.
• Take RER line E one-stop to Magenta, that is attached to the Gare du Nord.

• It’s an easy 10 minute walk in the Gare du Nord towards the Gare de l’Est, much simpler than going only one stop around the metro.
• Walk from the Gare du Nord on the street in front of the station.
• Turn left across the front of the station, and continue straight before you in the Rue de Dunkerque until the tracks leading to the Gare de l’Est stop you going any more.
• Turn straight into the Rue d’Alsace along the tracks, descending the long flight of pedestrian steps to the side entrance of the Gare de l’Est.
• This is the quickest and shortest route, but to prevent the long flight of steps, walk out with the Gare du Nord and over the road in to the Boulevard de Denain straight ahead of you, turn left in to the Boulevard de Magenta, then left again into the Rue du 8 Mai 1945. This route is a bit longer, but gives level access in one station to the other.
• Map of Gare du Nord & Gare de l’Est neighbourhood

Gare du Nord  to Gare de Lyon

• Walk off the end from the Eurostar platform, turn left, and keep to the signs for RER line D.
• All RER line D trains stop at the Gare de Lyon, as long as you jump on one going in the right direction. So stick to the signs for ‘RER D direction Melun / Malesherbes’. Trains might be shown as likely to Melun, Malesherbes or Corbeil-Essonnes, these all take a look at the Gare de Lyon.
• Take RER line D two stops direct to the Gare de Lyon. The train ride only takes 7 minutes. There’s one stop along the way, should it be Chatelet-les-Halles you know you’re about the right train!
• The whole trip from your Gare de Lyon concourse to the Gare du Nord concourse takes about 25 minutes including walking time, buying a ticket from the machines and waiting a couple of minutes with an RER train.
• At the Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon you can find escalators (and/or lifts) between the mainline station concourse, the RER concourse and also the RER platforms, which makes it relatively simple despite luggage or a pushchair. To access the RER, there’s also special wide ticket gates for passengers with luggage or pushchairs.
• Top tip: If you’ve time to get a meal, coffee or beer whilst waiting in the Gare de Lyon, try the famous Train Bleu restaurant about the main concourse.

Gare du Nord to  Gare de Bercy

• Walk from the end of the Eurostar platform, turn left and follow the signs for RER line D.
• Take RER line D two stops from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon (follow signs ‘RER D direction Melun / Malesherbes’). Trains might be shown as planning to Melun, Malesherbes or Corbeil-Essonnes.
• Take metro line 14 one-stop from Gare de Lyon to Bercy (follow signs ‘M14 direction Olympiades’). Or you canit’s about 600 metres.
• The mainline Gare de Bercy is really a stone’s throw from Bercy metro station. Go in the steps to street level, then just about to happen using the ‘Cafe Chambertin’, and you will view it ahead of you beyond the Hotel Claret.

Gare du Nord to Gare d’Austerlitz

• Walk off the Eurostar platform, veer left, and follow the signs for metro line M5.
• Take metro line 5 direct for the Gare d’Austerlitz (follow signs ‘M5 direction Place d’Italie’).
• Line M5 climbs out above ground, crosses the Seine on the bridge and gets to the Gare d’Austerlitz on the high-level station opposite the mainline station entrance.

Gare du Nord to Gare Montparnasse

• Walk from the Eurostar platform, turn left, and keep to the signs for Metro line M4.
• Take metro line M4 direct to Montparnasse Bienvenue (follow signs ‘M4 direction Porte d’Orléans’).
• In contrast along with other Paris mainline stations, the location where the metro platforms are more or less directly beneath the mainline platforms, at Montparnasse it is a 700 metre (750 yard) walk (with procedures in places) in the metro station to the mainline TGV platforms. Allow the required time for the transfer, of course , if you’re not good with long walks with luggage, consider going for a taxi from Paris Nord towards the Gare Montparnasse.

Gare du Nord to Gare Saint Lazare

• Walk off of the Eurostar platform and keep to the signs for RER line E direction Haussmann Saint-Lazare.
• Take RER line E one-stop to Saint-Lazare.

How you can pre-book taxis…
As there’s normally a long queue for taxis in the Gare du Nord as well as other Paris stations, it’s a wise decision to pre-book one. Several companies offer pre-bookable taxis in Paris, including www.taxis-g7.com. To book taxis from G7:

• Call the G7 Taxis English-speaking line on +33 1 41 27 66 99. Lines open 24 hours.
• Bookings can be made from 7 days until An hour before you decide to require taxi.
• A bank card guarantee may be required at certain peak times.
• Book the taxi for around 10-15 minutes following the scheduled arrival of the Eurostar. They’ll offer you a booking reference. The taxi will wait up to 5 minutes unless you arrive promptly (you might be charged for that waiting time!).
• For some reason, their taxis can’t or won’t make use of the official station taxi ranks, so in the Gare du Nord they are going to normally explain how the taxi will wait at 12, Boulevard du Denain, throughout the road directly opposite leading with the station. Similarly, if you are being acquired in the Gare de Lyon, ask to become picked up at number two, Place Louis Arnand, which is outside the Hotel Mercure, just walk away from station to the forecourt and turn left. The taxis have a ‘G7′ sticker in the rear window (see the photo off to the right).
• If you know them you’re arriving by train, some G7 staff will refuse to book taxis for you personally and let you know to call back right then and there of travel. In reality, I suspect these staff are following their company policy, whereas other staff happily conspire with you to pre-book one, having an address it doesn’t look like a station pick-up (which may explain the idea above!). So it’s probably easier to avoid mentioning that you are arriving by train, utilize the ’12, Boulevard du Denain’ address above instead of mentioning the Gare du Nord, and when the staff member refuses to book taxis simply because they suspect you’re arriving by train, either (a) politely insist upon pre-booking a get in one with the above addresses rather than the ‘Gare du Nord’ or ‘Gare de Lyon’, as it might function as the reluctance to get from stations this is the problem, or (b) place the phone down, re-dial and acquire a far more helpful member of staff who will pre-book it for you personally. Yes, you really can pre-book certainly one of their taxis, but some G7 staff tend to be more helpful than these to get around their company’s rather self-defeating and hazy rules about train-related taxi bookings…
• Of course, you could call G7 Taxis right then and there of travel making use of your mobile as soon as your Eurostar exits the Channel Tunnel, after which you’ll be sure you’ve reached France running promptly. That might an excellent option! +33 1 41 27 66 99.
• You just spend the money for taxi driver by the end from the journey within the normal way, based on what the meter says, around 17-19 euros from Gare du Nord for the Gare de Lyon, Gare de Bercy or Gare d’Austerlitz, plus the 5 euro booking fee. The drivers accept both cash (euro) and credit cards. A recent Gare de Lyon to Gare du Nord trip cost 25 euro like the booking fee along with a five minute wait once we were somewhat late.
• If you utilize this service, feedback would be very welcome. It’s reported that they may well not accept taxi bookings through the Paris rush-hour.

Alternatively, visit www.taxi-paris.net (+33 6 07 60 49 14, tim@taxi-paris.net) and book a hassle-free private transfer specifically designed to fulfill trains and take you across Paris to board another train. This service gets good reports, by having an English-speaking driver meeting you on the Eurostar arrival gate along with his car parked right outside the station. The only downside is the fee, around 58 euro per car plus 1 euro per luggage item, 4th & 5th passengers a few euro extra. They may require a 50% deposit. If you employ a reverse phone lookup, feedback could be very welcome.
Wheelchair-accessible taxis…

There exists a pre-bookable wheelchair-accessible taxi service in Paris run by www.taxis-g7.com (the website is merely in French, but try to find ‘plan du site’ then ‘G7 Horizon’). To book, call +33 1 41 27 66 99 (English speaking line) or +33 1 47 39 00 91, making certain i hear you ask for any wheelchair accessible taxi. There may be a 5 euros booking fee, and bookings can be produced from 7 days until An hour before you need the taxi. Gare du Nord to Gare d’Austerlitz for instance costs 17-19 euros per taxi. If you utilize a reverse phone lookup, feedback would be very welcome!

Crossing Paris by metro physically takes about 30-35 minutes, but you should allow no less than one hour between the Eurostar coming to the Gare du Nord as well as your connecting train leaving one of many other Paris stations. 45 minutes is enough for that Gare de l’Est as it’s a ten minute walk from your Gare du Nord. Allow longer (a minimum of 90 minutes, or Gare de l’Est Sixty minutes) if you are catching a sleeper train which you can not afford to miss.

On the return journey, remember the Half hour Eurostar check-in, so allow a minimum of 1 hour 30 minutes relating to the train arriving in Paris as well as the departure of the Eurostar to London (Sixty minutes for the Gare de l’Est).

How much does the metro cost?
The metro fare is 1.70 euros per journey.
Children 0-3 travel free. Children 4-9 (inclusive) travel for 0.85 euro.
It’s cheaper to get a ‘carnet’ of 10 tickets for 12.00 euros. You are able to keep any spare tickets and rehearse them later, even up to and including year later. Each ticket is valid for one journey in central Paris on either metro, RER (express metro) or bus.

How can you buy tickets?
The metro is not a part of mainline tickets, so head downstairs to the metro and buy a ticket from the self-service ticket machines or on the metro ticket office. The self-service machines provide an English language facility and accept euro coins, notes & credit cards. In addition they sell carnets of 10 tickets.

Travel tip: If you haven’t any euros, the ticket machines will let you work with a bank card even to purchase one 1.60 euro ticket.

Travel tip: If you are making returning journey, buy two metro tickets as you move across Paris on your outward journey. You are able to use the 2nd ticket for crossing Paris in your return trip, not waste time queuing in the ticket office. Metro tickets can be used on a daily basis after they have been bought.

Travel tip: You can find a carnet of 10 Paris metro tickets for £11.50, and Paris metro visitor passes, on the information desk within the Eurostar terminal working in london, just ask…
Finding the best metro platform…

Unlike the London Underground, which works on the line name then ‘northbound’ and ‘southbound’, Paris metro lines each have a number a ‘diréction’. The ‘diréction’ may be the name with the station at the conclusion of the line in the direction you want to go. As an example, ‘M5 diréction Place d’Italie’, Place d’Italie being the station at the conclusion of line 5 because direction.

Gare du Nord lower-priced hotels

The Soft Hotel Paris (£76) markets itself to an “affordable design hotel” with fancy furnishings but reasonable rates. It’s got modern, clean rooms along with a location. It receives typically 78% from 112 verified guest reviews.

Hotel Campanile Paris X (10) Gare Du Nord (£83) is directly opposite the metro, has small, clean rooms and a well-priced breakfast.  It receives an average of 80% from 330 verified guest reviews.

Each room at the Eurostars Panorama Hotel Paris (£88) features pictures or words from a different star, for example there’s an Edith Piaf room amongst others. It is fully renovated and located in a quiet side street, and offers 24-hour bar service.  It receives an average of 78% from 556 verified guest reviews.

Hotel Peyris Opera Paris (£86) is quiet with just 50 rooms, includes free WiFi  in the lobby and has been recently renovated. It’s close to the Paris Opera as well as the train station but some say the rooms are a little cramped. The hotel scores 80% in unverified reviews.

Paris Gare du Nord mid-range hotels

Holiday Inn Paris Gare De L’Est (£102) is also close to Gare du Nord and the location directly opposite Gare De L’est and next to the metro station is ideal. The rooms are small but clean. the hotel receives an average of 80% from 682 verified guest reviews.

The Hotel La Tour D’Auvergne Paris (£101) is beautifully decorated and also in a handy location near the stations.With only 24 rooms it is particularly quiet. It receives an average of 82% from 23 verified reviews.

At the Hotel Windsor Opera Paris (£103) the rooms are more spacious than average for a central Paris hotel and the staff have a reputation for being friendly and helpful.  It scores an average of 86% from 83 verified guest reviews.

The 58-room Best Western Aida Opera Hotel Paris (£96) offers free WiFi and larger than average rooms for the price range.  It scores an average of 78% from 87 verified guest reviews.

The Hotel Francais Paris (£106), not to be confused with the Grand Hotel Francais, (a much pricier place) is set amongst lively shops and still close to the major train stations, and its business centre offers free WiFi.  It receives an average of 78% from 301 verified guest reviews.

The stylish 9 Hotel Paris (£107) has been recommended by Wallpaper magazine, although again many guests say the rooms are a little on the small side for the price. With only 35 rooms spread over six floors,it is a quiet boutique hotel with friendly staff.  It receives an average of 80% from 518 verified guest reviews.

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