TRAVEL TIPS
PARIS
OVERVIEW VISÃO GERAL TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTE ATTRACTIONS ATRAÇÕES WHERE COMPRAS TO STAY ONDE WHERE FICAR TO EAT ONDE SHOPPING COMER
OVERVIEW Paris, the capital of France, is one of the largest
Paris has an oceanic climate and is affected by
cities in Europe with over 2 million people
the North Atlantic Current, so the city rarely
living in Central Paris and another almost 10
sees extremely high or low temperatures,
million people living in the suburbs.
although there was an extreme heat wave of 2003 and a cold wave of 2006.
Located in the north of the country on the river Seine, the city has the reputation of
The city has warm summers with average
being the most beautiful and romantic of all
high temperatures of 25°C (77°F) and lows
cities, brimming with historic associations and
of 15°C (59°F). Winters are chilly, but rarely
remaining vastly influential in the realms of
below freezing point, with temperatures
culture, art, fashion, food and design.
varying between 3°C (37°F) and 8°C (46°F). The days in spring and autumn are mild and
Dubbed the City of Light (la Ville Lumière), it
the evenings are cool. Rainfall can occur at any
is one of the most popular tourist destination
time of the year, and, although not a very rainy
in the world.
city, Paris is known for its sudden showers.
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS PARIS
TRANSPORT Central Paris is not very big, so walking is a reasonable way to travel to many destinations. When you want to go further afield, there are a host of public and private transportation options.
MÉTRO The Paris metro is one of the oldest and one of the best systems in the world. There are around 300 stations connected by nearly 300 kilometres of track. On the Metro, you can get within a couple blocks of anywhere you want to go in Paris. The metro runs from 5 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
TRAIN The RER train is a suburban line that goes further outside the city than the Metro, though it has several stops in central Paris and in some cases may be more convenient than the Metro. You can use your metro ticket on these trains too, but only in the central part of the city.
BUSES The bus system is also exceptional and, unlike the metro which is fast but sort of redundant (since after awhile all tunnels look the same), travelling above ground is not only more entertaining but a good way to familiarize yourself with the city. Metro tickets can be used on the buses and can be bought on the bus as well as in the metro stations.
TAXIS Finding a taxi in Paris is usually not a problem. There are taxi stands all over the city and
you can also hail them in the street. Taxis are relatively inexpensive, and the easiest way to get home after a day or night of walking around is by taxi.
BOAT The Boatbus runs up and down the River Seine with six stops between the Eiffel Tower and the Quau de l’Hotel de Ville across from Ile de la Cite. The boat runs from mid-April to mid-October
BIKES You can rent bikes in Paris and maps of the bike routes through the city are available at tourist offices and bike shops.
ATTRACTIONS It’s hard to decide what to visit first in Paris as the city is steeped in history and beauty. However, there are some attractions that simply shouldn’t be missed.
EIFFEL TOWER More than any other landmark, the Eiffel Tower has come to represent an elegant and contemporary Paris. The iron tower, which was built for the 1889 World Exposition by Gustave Eiffel, was wildly unpopular with Parisians when it was unveiled, and was nearly torn down. It has since attracted over 220 million visitors, and it would be hard to imagine Paris now without it. The tower crowns the Paris night sky with its festive light.
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS PARIS
ARC DE TRIOMPHE
NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL
The Arc de Triomphe is situated at Place de
One of the most beautiful cathedrals of Europe,
l’Étoile at the top of the Champs-Élysées. A
Notre Dame Cathedral’s dramatic towers, spire,
symbol of the French nation, it links old and
stained glass and statuary are guaranteed
new Paris, standing on the highest point of the
to impress. This was once the heartbeat of
line running from the Louvre to the Grande
medieval Paris, and took over 100 years of hard
Arche de la Défense.
labour to complete. Seeing Paris from the top of
THE LOUVRE Definitely one of Paris’ best attractions, the
the North tower will help you understand why Notre Dame is one of Paris’ top attractions.
Louvre is the site of the world’s largest and most
MUSÉE D’ORSAY
diverse collection of pre-20th century paintings,
The Musée d’Orsay houses the world’s most
sculptures, and decorative objects. As well as the
important collection of impressionist and post-
Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, you will find
impressionist painting, including works by such
works of Vermeer, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and
famous artists as Degas, Monet, Gaugin, Van
countless other masters here. The palace itself
Gogh, Delacroix, and Manet.
is testament to a rich history spanning from the medieval period to the present.
SACRE COEUR With its unmistakeable white dome, the Sacre Coeur sits at the highest point of Paris on the Montmartre knoll. This basilica, which was consecrated in 1909, is best-known for its garish gold mosaic interiors and for its dramatic terrace from which you can take in sweeping views of Paris on a clear day.
WHERE TO STAY
DINING OUT
Keep in mind that Paris is the most visited city
As Paris is one of the world’s great
in the world, and you want to be sure you
gastronomic capitals, no visit to the City of
have a bed. So, don’t go without a reservation.
Light is complete without sampling some of the wonderful culinary pleasures on offer.
Generally one should be aware that Paris hotels, almost without regard to category or
In Paris you can find hundreds of beautiful
price, observe high and low seasons. These
restaurants with thoughtful interior design
differ slightly from one hotel to another, but
and well-planned and executed menus
the high season roughly corresponds to late
offering a creative mix of French and exotic
spring and summer, and possibly a couple of
foreign cuisines. Of course there are also
weeks around Christmas.
some traditional offerings, and for the budget conscious there are hundreds of traditional
Be aware that will be a bit harder to get
bistros, with their sidewalk terraces offering a
a room in hotels that are listed in Paris
choice of fairly simple (usually meat centred)
guidebooks or websites. That means that you
meals for reasonable prices. Trendy restaurants
will probably need to book ahead, especially in
often require reservations weeks, if not months
the high season. However, if they don’t have
in advance. If you haven’t planned far enough
a room, they sometimes know another place
ahead, try to get a reservation for lunch which
close by that does have a room available.
is generally easier and less expensive.
For those who are staying for a while renting
In general, the French follow this pattern daily:
a furnished apartment might be a more
breakfast (pastries, croissants, fruit and coffee),
comfortable and money-saving option.
lunch (sandwiches, pizza), afternoon espresso,
Furnished apartments differ considerably in
aperitif (starting around 6 p.m., consisting of an
quality, so it is important to choose carefully.
alcoholic drink and snack-type foods including traditional pork products, such as sausage
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS PARIS
from the charcuterie) and then dinner (starting
main meal of your day lunch. Virtually all
around 8 p.m. and typically consisting of a
restaurants offer a good prix-fixe deal. By
starter, the main meal, bread and cheese, and
complementing this with a bakery breakfast
finally, dessert). Restaurants will get very busy
and a light dinner, you will be able to
for dinner starting.
experience the best of Parisian food and still stick to a budget.
For an easy-to-manage eating budget while in Paris, consider: breakfast or “petit dejeuner” at
SOME SPECIALITIES
a restaurant, possibly in your hotel, consisting
For seafood lovers, Paris is a great place to try
of some croissants, coffee, and maybe a piece
moules frites (steamed mussels and French
of fruit. Get a ‘walking lunch’ from one of Paris’
fries), oysters, and sea snails. Meat specialties
many food stands—a panino in the centre of
include venison (deer), boar, and other game
the city, a crepe from a crepe stand, a falafel
(especially in the fall and winter hunting
pita or take-out Chinese in the Marais. Traiteurs
season), as well as French favourites such as
serving Chinese food are ubiquitous in the city
pork, lamb, and beef.
and good for a cheap lunch. Many patisseries sell inexpensive coffee and sandwiches. All these are cheap, easy, and allow you to maximize your sightseeing and walking time while enjoying delicious local or ethnic food.
SHOPPING
For dinner, stroll the streets at dusk and
Paris is one of the best cities in the world in
consider a prix-fixe menu. This will get you
which to shop or browse. It has some of the
3 or 4 courses, possibly with wine, and an
world’s most exclusive shopping areas like the
unhurried, candlelit, magical European evening.
districts around the Champs Elysees where there are a myriad of boutiques and designer
If one of the aims of your trip to Paris is to
labels, many of which have their origin,
indulge in its fine dining, though, the most
designers and fashion houses in Paris.
cost-effective way to do this is to make the
In summer, there is nothing better than
from fur coats to oriental carpets. There are
browsing the boutiques along Canal St-Martin,
pots and pans, cosmetics at great prices and, of
or strolling along the impressive arcades of the
course, the usual large selection of food. Close
historic Palais-Royal.
by is the giant complex known as Les Invalides where the glittering golden dome of he Church
In Le Marais, a mostly Jewish neighbourhood,
of St. Louis marks the final resting place of
most of the shops are open on Sundays. The
Napoleon Bonaparte. This market functions on
stores in this area are intimate, boutique,
Thursday and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m.
“Parisian” style clothing stores. You will no
to 1 p.m.
doubt find something along each street, and it is always well worth the look.
Marché d’Aligre – One of the cheapest and liveliest markets in Paris, with a strong North
Another great area to shop is around the
African influence, this is the place to buy
Sèvres Babylone area. In this area you will find
salamis, cheese, and regional specialties.
Le Bon Marchée. The area also houses some
There’s also a wonderful spice stall and
of the major fashion houses (Chanel, Jean Paul
another where you can fill your own containers
Gaultier, Versace, etc) and has many smaller
with differently flavoured olive oils.
private boutiques with handmade clothing. Marché aux Puce St. Ouen – This is Paris’ In the Quartier Saint-Germain-des-Prés, you
largest flea market. A labyrinth of alleyways
can find a handful of vintage clothing shops,
is home to more than two thousand open and
carrying anything from couture early 20th
covered market stalls. It is made up of half a
century dresses, to 70s Chanel sunglasses.
dozen markets grouped together and between
Walking along Boulevard Saint-Germain, you
them they sell practically anything you could
will find major brands. However, if you are in
possibly want. The market is open all day on
search of eclectic finds, opt to walk the northern
weekends and Mondays.
side of the Boulevard, especially along rue Saint André des Arts. The Quartier Saint-Germain-
CURRENCY
des-Prés is also famous for its galleries, and it
The euro, denoted by the symbol € (or EUR), is
is impossible to turn a street without finding a
the official currency of France.
gallery to visit. On Fridays, most open until late.
STREET MARKETS
The euro is divided into 100 cents sometimes called euro-cents. All circulating coins have a
Markets are part of the fabric of French life.
common side showing the value, and a map in
From the standard street markets to specialist
the background. The coins also have a national
antique, flower, organic and flea markets, Paris
side showing an image specifically chosen by
has them all.
the country that issued the coin. Euro coins from any European Union (EU) member state
Marché Saxe-Breteuil – This large market is
may be freely used in any nation which has
one of the finest in Paris. It sells everything
adopted the euro.
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS PARIS
There are €2, €1, 50-cent, 20-cent, 10-cent, 5-cent, 2-cent, and 1-cent coins. The euro banknotes have common designs on both sides and are issued in €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10, €5 notes.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
33 1 112 113
COUNTRY CODE CITY CODE EMERGENCY POLICE
or
17 115
FIRE STATION
or
17
TOURIST INFORMATION
892 68 3000 INTERNACIONAL AIRPORT
02 748 5220 02 74852200