Un petit repas

un petit repas

I used to travel with an assortment of cutlery (plastic) 

and small plates, but you can buy just what you need 

at Bon Marche or at a Monoprix.

We often feel that just a little taste of pain et fromage 

will get you through the early evening and give you the energy 

to stay out late enough to see the sun go down at 11pm.  

In the summer months the Paris sky stays a translucent blue 

until the wee hours of the morning.

Rue Jacob

75006, Paris

 

Des Vélibs

Vélib bikes

Lined up and ready for riding...

It is an easy way to get around Paris and much faster than walking.  

However, you need to have a good knowledge of the streets,

 and I would not recommend taking photos while riding (bien sûr!)

Vélib station

Place André Malraux

75001, Paris

Gare de l'Est - Dépêchez-vous!

Gare de l'Est

Have you ever noticed the people running in train stations?  

It is no different in Paris as we see these passengers hurrying off a train.  

I have done the same myself, hurrying to catch a train 

in Madrid, in Prague, in Vienna, in Milan... and even in Paris.  

Why would one need to run 

with sufficient planning of schedules and locations?  

Well, for one, it is never a simple matter 

to find the correct window for ticket sales.  

Buying tickets on-line in advance will reduce the stress.

Perhaps you will have time to sit in the station 

and photograph others who did not plan as well.  Hummmm...

Gare de l'Est

Place du 11 novembre 1918

75010, Paris

Les Vélibs

Try it!

Well, Holly has a big smile because we were having so much fun riding around Paris on the Vélibs.  The cost can be a little as $2.20 to ride for the day.  If you return your bike to one of the 1,800 stations within 30 minutes, there is no additional charge.  We rode for two days all over Paris, mixing it up with the traffic.  On my recent trip, I spent one day riding alone, crossing the Seine bridges and riding as far as Jardin des Plantes from the 2ème.

There are 20,000 bikes ready to ride, waiting on you.  Check out the site here.

If you are hesitant, start away from congested traffic areas (Place Charles de Gaule for sure!) 

On our first 30-minute ride we bumped across the cobblestones of Champs Elysées, passed between Grand Palais and Petit Palais, and then crossed Pont Alexandre III.  What a rush!  

(Learn the words - It will make you feel so cool - 

do not forget to ring the little bell as you sing, too)

Je m' baladais sur l' avenue
Le coeur ouvert à l' inconnu
J' avais envie de dire bonjour
A n' importe qui

N' importe qui et ce fut toi
Je t' ai dit n' importe quoi
Il suffisait de te parler
Pour t' apprivoiser

Aux Champs-Elysées
Aux Champs-Elysées
Au soleil, sous la pluie
A midi ou à minuit
Il y a tout c' que vous voulez
Aux Champs-Elysées!

Les rues du 15ième

75015, Paris

From CDG to Paris

When you arrive at CDG airport in Paris, how do you get into the city?

Oskar prefers to take the RER which is easy for him as he travels light... one small bag and he is ready to go.  The price is good at 9,10€ allé simple (one way) and there are multiple options for stations and transfers after you get into the city.  Be sure to hold onto your ticket as you will need it to exit any of the arrival stations.  On my last trip into Paris with Oskar and Holly, we departed the RER B at Châtelet les Halles to walk several blocks to our apartment.  Now, let me say that Châtelet les Halles is an enormous arrival station with many levels.  We were simply headed for the exit at street level and did not have to take the stairs even once.  We rode at least 5 escalators but no stairs either up or down. 

Note: This does not work going the other direction!

Another option from CDG is the RoissyBus which leaves every 15 minutes from Terminals 1, 2, and 3 and arrives at Opéra (Rue Scribe and Rue Auber) for 10€ one way.  You do get a more scenic view for your arrival in Paris and you do not have to be worried about the dreaded stairs.  The return is just as simple with the departure from Opéra every 15 minutes.

If you are not concerned about the cost, you can simply take a taxi, but I can envision all the other ways to spend my Euros and with only carry-on luggage it is not that difficult to avoid a taxi.  If you go to the links above you can plan for your arrival and transportation, deciding on the best option for your preferences and final destination in Paris.

Oskar says, "Bienvenue à Paris!"

 

Le Métro - the long walk

The Métro de Paris is an easy system to navigate, and with a few simple instructions, color-coded lines, one can cross Paris with ease.  The maps are consistent in the color assigned each of the 16 lines, and the Métro stations themselves are well-marked with signs so you will arrive at the proper platform (headed in the correct direction).   Before you leave a station, a map on the wall will show you the exit(s) and where you will be at street level.  I have found that a compass or an iPhone app with a compass is helpful as you come up to the street in an unfamiliar area.  

The photo above was taken for the chic attire of this Métro passenger, but it reminds me that some of the stations are quite large with long walks to make connections to another line.

What tips do you have for navigating the Métro? 

     

Paris Travel Tip II

How do you get into Paris from CDG (Charles de Gaulle Airport)?

It depends.... Take a taxi if:

1. You are in a group of 3 or 4 people,
2. You bring more than you can carry (tsk, tsk)*,
3. You are directionally challenged and prone to getting lost,
4. You are willing to spend €65+
5. There is a grève (RER/Métro strike)

You can take a hotel bus making several stops before you are deposited at your hotel or take the RoissyBus which will take 1 hour or more depending on the traffic (if you are staying in Opéra district).

You can take the RER-B for €8,5 which will take you to stations shared with Métro stops. Buy your RER ticket at this green machine with cash. If you do not have Euros you may have a long wait in the line with the tourists. You may get on the Métro (with a ticket or pass) without coming up to the street level. I have been fortunate to ride the RER to St. Michel-Notre Dame and then take a short walk to one of my regular hotels in the 5ième.

If you are going to buy a Métro pass (1, 3, or 5 days) do not buy it at CDG as they only sell zones 1-6 and you may only need zones 1-3. If you plan ahead you may buy your Paris Visite online and have it mailed to you. However, do not buy online and print out a voucher as you will have to go to some random address on Rue de Rivoli to get your pass -- a pain. Paris Visite includes the RER, Métro, and busses and offers discounts (some museums, Disney, Printemps, etc).

If you are going to be in Paris for a longer period there are some economical options with NaviGo Découverte which is not restricted to residents of Paris. (let's talk about this)

I love the Paris Métro and find it easy to navigate -- Just don't get caught far from your hotel/apt as it is shutting down for the night (you know who you are). There is no advance warning -- it just stops and you are done for the night.

If you know where you are staying and some of the venues you will be going, this interactive Métro map is a great place to start planning your visit!

* Taxis charge by the bag. Tant pis pour vous.

Paris travel tip I

This is not a very sexy post and there is probably nothing in here that a seasoned traveler does not know, but just in case...

Whether I am gone for a week or a month (I wish), I take no more than a carry-on suitcase (less than 6 pounds empty). However, I always pack two or three plastic plates, plastic forks and knives, zip-lock plastic bags, and a tire-bouchon (wine opener). None of these take up much suitcase real estate or add any weight.

As you look at the above photo you can see why. There are times when you started early, ran all day, and when the sun went down at 11pm (yes, in the summer it does!) you were simply too tired to sit in a café (make that another café). So, you grab une bouteille de vin, une bagette, des fromages and you can have a little respite in your hotel or your apartment. It is also handy when you are going to do macaron research -- more another time on that topic (miam-miam).

Regarding le tire-bouchon, I had the simple plastic "hotel-type" opener taken by security as I left Paris headed to the USA, but it had been to/from Paris 4 times, to South America twice, and many other places. So, I feel less certain about transporting than I did previously.