Essential Paris Travel Information
Practical Paris Travel Information for American Tourists
Paris Airports
There are two main airports in Paris Charles DeGaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY). Most likely if you are flying from North America you will be flying into Charles DeGaulle airport.
Arrondissements. What are they?
The postal codes in Paris are broken down by districts known as arrondissements. The last two digits of a buildings postal code refers to the district of Paris it is in. For instance: your hotel is located in postal code 75010. That means you are in the 10th arrondissement. Arrondissements in Paris form a swirling pattern starting at the Ile de la Cite, the small island in the middle of the city where Notre Dame is located.
Bookstores in Paris (Books in English)
For some reason Paris makes us want to read when we are there. If that bug hits you too, here are a list of a few bookstores that have a good selection of books in English.
- Shakespeare and Co. 37, rue de la Bûcherie Paris
- Brentano’s 37, av de l’Opéra 75002 Tel : 01 42 61 52 50
- W.H. Smith 248, rue de Rivoli 75001 Tel : 01 44 77 88 99
- Galignani 224, rue de Rivoli 75001 Tel : 01 42 60 76 07
- Village Voice 6, rue Princesse 75006 Tel : 01 46 33 36 47
Paris Travel Information: Standard Business hours
Most services, shops, and business are open all day from 8:00 or 9:00 am to 6:30 or 7:30 pm
Sunday & Monday are traditional closing days for shops, however more and more tend to open on Mond`ays.
Standard banking hours are 9:00 am-4.30pm Monday-Friday
Museums and Monuments: Generally, open between 9:00 or10:00 am and close between 5:00 and 6:00 pm, Closed either Monday or Tuesday. Check individual museum for more information
Currency Exchange and ATM’s
Currency exchange houses are all over Paris. ATM’s are everywhere as well and almost all will accept your American or Canadian ATM card. Paris Travel Information Tip: ATM’s are the cheapest and easiest means of getting cash in France.
Paris is a safe city, but pay attention when using an ATM. Also, make sure your bank knows you will be traveling to France before you leave.
Customs
The single European market allows visitors to bring in and out most goods; as long as taxes have been paid on them in an EU country and they are for personal consumption.
Limits apply to alcohol and tobacco bought in duty free shops as follows: 200 cigarettes, 250g tobacco or 50 cigars; 1 litre spirits or 2 litres sparkling wine and 2 litres table wine; 60ml perfume and 250ml toilet water.
Disabled Travelers
The “Compagnons du voyage” (Travel companion), is a RATP & SNCF service offering travelers with reduced autonomy the possibility to be accompanied in the metro, RER, bus and trains. This service costs around 15€/hour in Paris.
Call for more information:
tel: 33 1 45 83 67 77
Fax: 33 1 45 83 01 19
A Braille metro map can be obtained by contacting Association Valentin Haûy; ask for Guide du Métropolitain et du RER intégral en Braille
Price: Around 4€, Service des Ventes AVH 5, rue Duroc 75007 Paris
For transport with special vehicles for wheelchairs contact the following companies and associations for assistance:
GIHP tel: 33 1 41 83 15 15, AMHAP tel: 33 1 42 80 40 20, ASA tel: 33 1 42 03 61 67, AIHROP tel: 33 1 41 29 01 29, AMP tel: 33 1 48 58 86 95
Electricity
220V out of double, round pin wall sockets. Buy a convertor at the airport in Paris or your home country. In a pinch ask your hotel’s front desk for one – they usually have one or two that have been left behind by other travelers.
Paris Travel Information: Embassies in Paris
USA
2 av Gabriel 75008 Paris. Tel: 33 1 43 12 22 22 – Fax: 33 1 42 61 95 91
Australia
4 rue Jean Rey 75005 Paris. Tel: 33 1 40 59 33 00 – Fax: 33 1 40 59 33 10
Brasil
34 cours Albert 1er 75008 Paris. Tel: 33 1 45 61 63 00
Canada
35 avenue Montaigne 75008 Paris. Tel: 33 1 44 43 29 00 – Fax:33 1 44 43 29 99
Deutschland
13 avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt 75008 Paris. Tel: 33 1 53 83 45 00 – Fax: 33 1 43 59 74 18
England
35 rue du fbg St Honor? 75008 Paris. Tel : 33 1 44 51 31 00 – Fax: 33 1 44 51 32 88
Espana
22 avenue Marceau 75008 Paris. Tel: 33 1 44 43 18 00
Israel
3 rue Rabelais 75008 Paris. Tel: 33 1 40 76 55 00 – Fax: 33 1 40 76 55 55
Italia
51 rue de Varenne 75007 Paris. Tel: 33 1 49 54 03 00
Japan
7 avenue Hoche 75008 Paris. Tel: 33 1 48 88 62 00
Russia
40 bd Lannes 75016 Paris. Tel: 33 1 45 04 05 50 – Fax: 33 1 45 04 17 65
Saudi Arabia
4 bis rue de Franqueville 75016 Paris. Fax: 33 1 40 50 16 26
South Africa
59 quai d’Orsay 75007 Paris. Tel: 33 1 45 55 92 37 – Fax: 33 1 47 53 99 70
Health Care
Many health care providers in the United States will pay for emergency medical care in France. Check with your individual provider for more information before traveling.
English-speaking hospitals:
The American Hospital in Paris
63 bd Victor Hugo Neuilly-sur-Seine
tel: 33 1 46 41 25 25 (métro: Anatole France /Pont de Levallois).
The Hertford British Hospital
3, rue Barbès Levallois-Perret tel: 33 1 46 39 22 22 (metro: Anatole France)
Lost and Found
Bureau des objets trouvés, 36 rue des Morillons, 15e tel: 33 1 55 76 20 00. Yes, this exists. 🙂
Phone Information
To call Paris, France from the USA dial +011 33 1 then the eight digit telephone number.
To call abroad from France dial 00 then the country code. To call the USA simply dial 00+1+area code+number
Post – La Poste
Look for the yellow and blue La Poste signs to find a post office in paris or ask in french ask for: “La Poste?” or ” Le bureau de Poste?”.
Public holidays
- January 1
- Easter Sunday
- Easter Monday
- Ascension Day (forty days after Easter)
- Whitsun (seventh Sunday after Easter) plus the following Monday
- May 1
- May 8 (Victory Day)
- July 14 (Bastille Day)
- August 15 (Assumption of the Virgin Mary)
- November 1 (All Saints Day)
- November 11 (1918 Amistice Day)
- Christmas Day
Public Transportation in Paris
Paris has an amazing metro and bus system which is administered by the state owned company RATP. Download a free Paris Metro Map.
Rail
Visit our Long Distance Trains page for more information.
Taxes
Don’t forget to collect your shopping bills and fill the appropriate form at the airport’s custom office to get your taxes refunded. Paris Travel Information Tip: it takes quite a while to do this at the airport. Arrive early.
Visa Information
Citizens of EU countries, the US, Canada, New Zealand, Finland Norway and Sweden do not need a visa to enter France, and can stay for up to ninety days. All other passport holders must obtain a visa before arrival in France from the French Consulate in their country.
Weather
Average temperature per season
Maxi | Mini | |
January to March | 59F / 15°c | 54F / 12°c |
March to May | 70F / 21°c | 54F / 12°c |
June to August | 83F / 28°c | 57F / 14°c |
September to November | 61F / 16°c | 43F / 6°c |
Paris Travel Information: What to wear in Paris?
Paris likely became a fashion capital because of its agreeable climate. Usually the weather is never too hot or too cold. Yes, the snow falls in Paris and there are many days for shorts in the summer, but by and large the city has a wonderful climate.
Above are the average temperatures in Paris that will help you decide what to wear. Also, keep in mind that Paris is generally not an incredibly windy city – wind chill is rarely a factor unless you are near the Seine.