{"id":3963,"date":"2013-06-10T15:08:37","date_gmt":"2013-06-10T19:08:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/?p=3963"},"modified":"2020-06-22T17:36:30","modified_gmt":"2020-06-22T21:36:30","slug":"everything-you-need-to-know-about-paris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tripcentral.ca\/blog\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-paris\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Paris"},"content":{"rendered":"

Paris, the ultra-cosmopolitan French capital, known for its world-famous art collections and vivacious energy continues to be a desired destination among travelers. Paris simply has magical way of leaving an impression on everyone. Nearly everyone in the world romanticizes Paris, whether it\u2019s for the Eiffel Tower, Mus\u00e9e du Louvre, or for the fact that it has been home to countless revolutions, and kings named Louis. But before venturing into this stunning landscape, read through this week\u2019s Travel Guide<\/a> for a more efficient navigation around Paris.<\/p>\n

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Photo by kla4067<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

City Basics<\/strong><\/h3>\n

From the Airport.<\/strong> Paris is a major hub for many airlines, making it a great starting point for your upcoming European vacation.<\/p>\n

Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG), one of the largest airport in Paris is about 22 Km northeast of the city. From here you can take the RER B train, a 45-minute ride to central Paris through stations like Ch\u00e2telet-Les Halles for \u20ac10 ($13.45), and make a transfer to the Paris M\u00e9tro lines.<\/p>\n

Orly Airport is about 19 Km from central Paris. Unlike CDG, it does not lie directly on a main train line, but buses connect fliers to the Pont de Rungis station on the RER line C for \u20ac2.50 ($3.36, 10 min). While the Orlyval shuttle train takes travelers to the RER line B through Anthony station for \u20ac7.40 ($9.95, 8 min).<\/p>\n

For visitors, wanting to taxi their way into the city, this method takes up to 40 minutes and can cost roughly around \u20ac40 to \u20ac 86($53 – $115). Make sure to carry some cash with you since credit cards are rarely accepted.<\/p>\n

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Photo by Pixelglo Photography<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Getting Around<\/strong> Paris<\/strong>. The Metro Line which consists of 300 stations on 16 lines covering the main areas of central Paris is the most convenient option for travelers. From Sunday to Thursday it runs from 5:30 AM to 12:40 AM, and 530AM to 140AM on Fridays, Saturdays and days before a holiday.<\/p>\n

Day Pass: \u20ac11.90 ($16.62) for one adult<\/p>\n

For a detailed travel itinerary, the RATP offers a route planner<\/a> which allows you to enter street addresses and station names.<\/p>\n

Tipping. <\/strong>Service charges are often included in restaurant bills, so they generally don\u2019t have high expectations. But you can show your satisfaction with a gratuity in the 5% to 10% range.<\/p>\n

Where to Stay<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Before booking your accommodations, note that the historical center of Paris is divided into 20 neighbourhoods also known as arrondissements<\/em>. Each district is a little village within the city with its own history, culture, and way of life. Try to find accommodations in the areas that interests you most.<\/p>\n

Le Marais<\/strong> \u2013 Le Louvre<\/strong> (Arrondissements 1, 2, 3, 4)<\/em><\/p>\n

Ideal for shopping and museum aficionados, this district is a great mix of trend and culture. Located in the centre of Paris with access to major tourists destinations such as the Le Louvre Museum.<\/p>\n

Latin Quarter – Saint Germain des Pr\u00e9s<\/strong> (Arrondissements 5, 6, 7, 13)<\/em><\/p>\n

Home of the famous La Sorbonne University, this district is perfect for the thinkers and idealists of our generation. Walk the streets of this district and have a taste of the scenic inspiration behind literary geniuses, Fitzgerald and Hemingway.<\/p>\n

Champ Elysees – Trocadero <\/strong>(Arrondissements 8, 9, 16, 17)<\/em><\/p>\n

Get a view of the Champs- \u00c9lys\u00e9es and Grand Boulevards, or find the world-renowned Eiffel Tower, this district has all the major pieces of monuments and symbols that make Paris such a compelling destination to travelers.<\/p>\n

Bastille \u2013 Oberkampf<\/strong> (Arrondissements 10, 11, 12)<\/em><\/p>\n

The perfect spot for budding designers and vintage-lovers, this district offers a nice mix of cafes, lounge restaurants and ecstatic dance floors.<\/p>\n

Montmartre \u2013 Sacre Coeur<\/strong> (Arrondissements 18, 19, 20)<\/em><\/p>\n

This district is suitable for travelers looking for some romance. In here, everyone paints, wears a beret and sings to accordion music. If you want to fall in love with Paris even more, this is the area for you.<\/p>\n

For a detailed selection, please visit our Paris Hotels<\/a> page.<\/p>\n

Major Paris Attractions<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Eiffel Tower<\/strong><\/p>\n

A must-see for anyone visiting Paris, the Eiffel Tower was supposed to be a temporary exhibit for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World Fair). Its popularity thankfully assured its survival after the fair.<\/p>\n

Opening Hours<\/em><\/p>\n