A magical city rich in grandeur
From the “City of Lights” to the “Most Romantic City in the World,” Paris has picked up quite a few impressive descriptions over its long and rich history, and lures in scores of travelers each year. There is a wealth of things to see and do in Paris, but even a tight budget can still give travelers an in-depth view of this fascinating and picturesque city.
Getting to and from the airport
Charles de Gaulle Airport is the first glimpse of Paris that most travelers get – and frankly, the best way to enjoy this crowded and uncomfortable airport is to simply get out. You’ll find currency exchange stations conveniently located near shopping districts and hotels throughout the city, but changing a bit of cash for some euros before you leave the airport is usually a good idea.
Taxis abound at the airport, but high prices combined with frequently dismal traffic during the day, means taking advantage of the city’s commuter trains and excellent metro system is a faster and more affordable option.
RER trains from the airport to multiple stops within Paris leave every eight minutes and cost 8 euros 50 cents (approximately US$11.50 at the March 2010 exchange rate of US$1.35 per euro). Keep in mind that self-service kiosks only accept “smart chip” credit cards – if yours doesn’t work, you’ll have to pay with euro coins rather than notes, or resign yourself to standing in what is likely to be a long line at the ticket counter.
Story highlights:
* Beat the local traffic and rent a Vélib bike
* Try local delicacies of escargot (snails) and cuisse de grenouilles (frogs legs)
* Wander through the towering cathedrals and impressive museums
* Visit Le Marais – one of the most fashionable and oldest districts in Paris
* Pick up fresh bread, cheese and meat at an authentic food market
Getting around Paris:
The trains take about 30 minutes to reach Paris and offer easy connections with the metro system to allow for navigating towards a meeting place or hotel within the city. The metro system itself is famously fast and efficient, with trains running on most lines every five to 10 minutes throughout the day. The lines are color-coded and are usually identified by their numbers or end-station names. Metro tickets can be purchased at any station and run a modest 1 euro 60 each, though buying a pack of ten tickets at a discount (11 euros 40) is a good option for most travelers. The tickets are good for unlimited travel on the metro system within a two-hour period.
If you’d like to get a bit of exercise into your travel itinerary, consider seeing Paris by bike. The city sports many well-kept bike paths with scenic views, and getting around on two wheels can also help avoid the frustrations and confusions of local traffic. You’ll find bike rental stations with the name Vélib dotted throughout the city; after paying a security deposit, you can rent a bike at a fairly low rate.
But be warned – for every 30 minutes you spend with a Vélib bike, your rate will go up, so you’ll want to get to your destination and return the equipment quickly. Alternatively, you can rent a bike from the transport authority. Roue Libre, Les Halles on Mondétour offers by-the-day bike rentals for around 10 to 20 euros.
Where to eat?
Paris is an excellent place to spend copious amounts of money on food, and for the true connoisseur, taking a break for a glass of wine, a special cheese plate, or even a selection of buttery-sauteed snails or frogs legs is a must when in the city. But you don’t have to break your budget to eat well in Paris.
One of the best ways to save exorbitant expense when dining out in Paris is to focus on lunch; evening meals are often subject to significant surcharges, and snagging a reservation or a walk-in spot can be quite the feat. Consider instead a prix-fixe menu at a downtown bistro or a quiet brunch at a cafe. Consider instead a prix-fixe menu at a downtown bistro or a quiet brunch at a cafe.
escargot
Chez Marianne, near the Notre Dame Cathedral, is a popular choice among travelers and locals alike, with a classic ambiance and perfect people-watching terrace. You can enjoy a sit-down meal of traditional and Middle-Eastern fare for around €20, with walk-up sandwiches available for just €4.
Close by, on the Ile-Saint-Louis, Mon Vieil Ami offers splendidly hearty daily lunches featuring impeccably fresh produce in a sleek, intimate space. At less than 15 euros for the plat du jour, this is one of Paris’ best deals.
For true cheese-oholics, Pain Vin Fromages, near the Rambuteau metro station, offers a cornucopia of fondues, cheese plates and raclettes at reasonable prices.
What to do?
Paris inspires grandeur. From Napoleon’s imposing Arc de Triomphe to Eiffel’s pioneering tower, every notable landmark seems to have monumental proportions. But Paris also has delights of a smaller, quieter nature; manicured parks and flower gardens give a green backdrop to the broad avenues, soaring cathedrals and marble monuments.
For a low-cost capture of the city’s charm, take a tour of one or a few towering cathedrals, or check out the Picasso or Rodin museums – the latter’s garden is particularly beautiful. Some museums, including the Musee d’Orsay and the Louvre, are free the first Sunday of the month.
Walk through the “Le Marais” district; one of the only areas that preserves the narrow streets and architectural styles of Medieval and Renaissance-era Paris. Le Marais is one of the most fashionable districts of Paris, and here you will find the famous rue des Francs-Bourgeois – one of the rare streets of Paris completely open on Sunday.
Cheap movie tickets lead the way to Paris’ many theatres, which are held by many to be the best in the world. When visiting in the summer, look for local celebrations such as Bastille Day on July 14th or the Fête de la Musique on June 21st, both of which offer free music and plenty of parades and other festivities.
Shopping
In an era of shopping malls, Paris still offers thousands of intimate specialty shops, as well as large department stores offering world-renowned perfume, wine, cheese, chocolate, haute couture and antiques.
Rue Mouffetard
For a little more atmosphere check out the city’s food or flea markets. The famed Marche aux Puces at St. Ouen/Porte de Clignancourt (not the bargain-hunter’s paradise it once was) has interesting stalls selling clothes and name-brand athletic shoes. Other fascinating markets include the outdoor food markets held each week in every arrondissement, the flower markets on Ile de la Cite and the stalls of old books, prints and maps along both banks of the Seine. One of the last authentic food markets of Paris is situated on the Rue Mouffetard.
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