PARIS advice for trippers.                    Click here for good Paris Links

Mainly for people travelling with abceda.com, but useful for everyone new to Paris.

Metro Pass Paris Visite Pass

A 3-day, 3-zone Pass will cost about £16 and is valid for Metro and buses. 1 and 5 day passes are also available. Best buy your pass in the Eurostar Terminal in London. Don’'t wait until arrival in Paris because there are long queues at the arrival station, Gare du Nord.

Visits

Most of the students who come on a trip to Paris have not visited the city before. Therefore it is obvious that they want to see as much as possible. However, I would advise you not to try to do too much! Strike a happy balance! Much better relax a little and absorb the unique atmosphere of the city.

It is a very good idea to get a book with information about Paris. If you don't want to buy one, your local library will have plenty of free guide books. Hotels, too, usually have a selection of leaflets.

Some of the most popular places to visit

Musée du Louvre

Lots to see, of course! However, do not join the long queue at the glass pyramid. It is not necessary. On the Rue de Rivoli there is an escalator down, which takes you in with far less queueing.

Musée d'Orsay

The most famous museum in Paris for Impressionists, once a huge train station.

Don't miss it!

Musée Marmottan

Second only to Musée d'Orsay. Among the paintings are numerous works by Monet and other impressionists.

Disneyland
Hotels provide information and most sell tickets, You can also get information and tickets from RER stations. The RER station is Val du Marne.

Versailles

To get to the Palace of Versailles, get the train from St Lazara, Defense or Puteaux.

If you visit this famous palace, don't omit the town of Versailles, too - it's pleasant.

Show Time
There are a number of famous, spectacular shows in Paris. They cost about £100 with dinner and about £30 - £50 without dinner. The main shows are:

Lido - the most spectacular. Expensive.
Crazy Horse Saloon - spectacular. Expensive.
Moulin Rouge Made famous by Toulouse Lautrec, the painter. A good show.
Follies Bergere Used to be the most famous. Not quite so costly. Smaller.

More Information, Suggestions and Advice

Lunches - eating cheaply.
Buy bread in a shop (patisserie or boulangerie). They will cut it for you if you like. Then buy ham, cheese or salad at another shop (boucherie) usually next door. They will happily make it into a sandwich. This is the cheapest way to have lunch in Paris. Much cheaper than buying ready-made sandwiches!

You can also buy a drink in a bar and eat your lunch there. But ask first.

France is world famous for good food (cuisine) and great wines!. So try not to have junk food! See a recommendation below.

The Cafe Society
One of the great pleasures in Paris is to sit at a table inside or outside a bar. When you sit down in Paris you pay a little more than if you stand at the counter. But you'll enjoy it more! Just sit and watch the world go by! It is not necessary to give a tip in a bar or restaurant - it is already included. You can give a small tip if you like, if the service has been good.

 

WARNING!

ALWAYS KEEP YOUR BELONGINGS SAFE!

THERE ARE CLEVER PICKPOCKETS IN PARIS!

INSURANCE IS IMPORTANT.

 

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