PARIS - GENERAL INFORMATION..............................................................................................................................................

PARIS
A city rich in treasures from it's historic past, Paris boasts many modern attractions as well. Paris is known for its famous buildings and works of art, its chic fashion scene and its modern literary, artistic, and intellectual ideals, and is a must for anyone wishing to experience the best of both contemporary and age old European culture. Paris is family friendly and is a city that welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds with open arms.
The capital of the nation and of the historic Île de France region, Paris is located in northern central France, across the English channel from Britain; 165mi southwest of Brussels; and 315mi west of Stuttgart. The city center, known as Intra-Muros, (within the walls), is bisected by the River Seine. Paris is divided into twenty zones or arrondissements that fan out in a circular pattern with the Louvre as the center point. The last two digits of the postal zip code of each zone indicate its location.

Few cities can compare with the eclectic mix of cafés, bars and restaurants that line every street and boulevard of Paris. The city's compactness makes it possible to explore on foot and experience the individual feel of the different quartier Paris is a real cinema capital, and the best Parisian music encompasses jazz, avant-garde, salsa and, currently, Europe's most vibrant African music scene.

Parts of Paris don't fit easily in any "category". In fact, Parisians say that their city is just a collection of one hundred villages. Montmartre, rising up to the north of the center, has managed to retain an almost rural atmosphere with its colorful mixture of locals and artists despite the daily influx of tourists. Undisturbed by tourism, the dilapidated working-class quarters of eastern Paris offer a rich ethnic slice of Parisian street life and in direct contrast, technological wonder is paraded at the ground-breaking science museum constructed in the recently renovated Parc de La Villette.

GETTING AROUND
Paris is well equipped in the area of public transport, which is administered by the state owned company RATP. The easiest way to get around Paris is by the metro (subway) which runs daily from 5:30am-12:30am. Transportation maps are available at subway stations. Tickets can be purchased singly or in books of 10. They are available at the stations and from tobacconists and must be validated before boarding. It is also necessary to have the ticket available at the end of the journey. The best buy is a Paris Viste ticket which is valid for 1-5 days and can be used interchangeably on the subway, bus and rail service to some destinations.

Airports: Paris has two main airports, and there are numerous options to get to and from them, including the Airport Shuttle one of the best deals around on either side of the Atlantic.... or Pacific.

 
The Métro: One of the world's best, even if it is among its oldest. In Paris, nothing is more than 500 yards from a Métro stop.
You may purchase an individual Métro ticket or a packet of 10 tickets (a Carnet). Cost of RER tickets depends on distance traveled. Within central Paris cost is the same as Métro tickets, and the same ticket is also valid on both systems. Both the Métro and the RER (Réseau Express Régional) are run by the RATP - Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens. The RATP also runs the busses.

     <<  Click for Paris Metro / RER Interactive Map >>

Paris Visit: Get one of 12 different Métro passes online (days/zones/adult/child) to bring you around the City. These passes can be delivered to you at home before you arrive in Paris, or at your hotel in the City.

Museum Passes: Go to the front of the line everytime! Unlimited visits! There are 1, 3, and 5 day passes. Buy them online and have them delivered to you at home before you arrive in Paris, or at your hotel in the City.

EuroStar: Also known as The Chunnel, connects London and Paris via a tunnel under the English Channel. Its fast, convenient and superb!
 

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