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Paris, France Hotels and City Guide

Paris Hotels and Paris Guide with Paris maps, top attractions, room reservations and hotel deals at a wide range of the best Paris hotels

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Paris - Travel Tips

When to Go

Seasons

Paris is at its best in springtime, though it sometimes a little wet. Winter in Paris is notable for the many cultural events which take place then, while in summer the weather is warm and lazy. The sizzling heat of August drives most Parisians to beaches in the west and south, and many shops and restaurants are closed, though this is changing. The tourist season picks up around Bastille Day and towards the end of the year, making reservations essential to avoid disappointment.

Events

At February's Great Wines Fair, 100 of the country's top wine producers display their vintage crops at the Carousel du Louvre; Paris Fashion Week displays the most daring Parisian haute couture in March, with outdoor fun the theme at the "Printemps des Rues" arts festival later in the month; classic cars race up the Montmartre hill during the Vintage Car Rally in May, while June sees the Music Festival de Saint-Denis and Le Carre Rive Gauche, when the rue de Bac beside the Seine is bedecked with antique art.

Parisians are always in celebratory mood during mid-July's Bastille Day celebrations, before disappearing for extended vacations during August, leaving Paris almost solely to tourists. The September Autumn Arts Festival showcases the city's contemporary and performing arts, with an extended jazz festival at Parc de la Villette. As in London, Paris hosts an Open House 'Heritage Weekend' in September when visitors can tour a host of buildings normally closed to the public.

Sports events of note in Paris include the start of the Paris-Dakar rally in January; the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros from late May; Europe's oldest golf tournament, the Open de France, is staged at Le Golf National just outside Paris in June; the climax of the epic Tour de France on the Champs-Elysees in August and October's Prix De L'Arc de Triomphe horseracing meeting at Longchamp. Rollerblading is popular most of the year, and skaters are welcome to join the groups that make circuits of the city on Friday evening and Sunday afternoons.

Value for Money Sightseeing

The widely available Museum Pass (Carte Musées et Monuments) gives access to more than 70 museums and monuments in Paris and the wider region, including the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, The Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, Pompidou Center, Basilique Saint-Denis, and Rodin, Picasso and Versailles museums. Prices from €25 per day, €44 for three days, €62 for five days.

The permanent collections of the Paris City museums are free for everyone all year. Many museums in Paris offer free admissions on the first Sunday of each month, with others free at all times for visitors under 18. (Note: The museum pass does not permit access to temporary exhibitions or guided visits.)

Paris Visite combination passes are available that include entry to the Louvre Museum or Disneyland Paris resort in conjunction with RATP transport. Buy a Carte Orange, Mobilis Pass or Paris Visite Travel Card if you plan to make full use of the city's public transport network.

Disabled Travellers
Major attractions such as the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay are easily accessible, though less visited cultural attractions tend to fall short. Admission is free to national museums for the disabled.
A limited number of restaurants have disabled bathrooms. Metro transport is not wheelchair accessible, though wheelchair compartments are provided on all TGV high-speed train services (book ahead). RATP provide travel companions (‘compagnons du voyage’) for around 25€ per hour, on métro, RER, bus and trains.
Since 2001, disabled travelers in Paris have seen an improvement in services and facilities thanks to the work of the “Tourisme & Handicap” association (Email: tourisme.handicaps@club-internet.fr). Useful books include ‘Paris for Everyone: A Guide for People with Reduced Mobility', available from French National Tourist Offices. The Michelin red guide for France also lists hotels with disabled facilities. Access Able provides worldwide access information.

Local Holidays

Paris Public Holidays
1 January: Jour de l'an (New Year's Day)
1 May: Fête du premier mai (Labor Day)
8 May: Fête de la Victoire 1945; Fête du huitième mai (WWII Victory Day)
14 July: Fête nationale (Bastille Day)
15 August: Assomption (Assumption Day)
1 November: La Toussaint (All Saints Day)
11 November: Jour d'armistice (Armistice Day)
25 December: Noël (Christmas Day)

Local Customs & Language

Customs: The French cherish their language and culture, and grow increasingly protective of it as the world becomes ever more Americanized. Even if you can manage only a few words of French, your effort will be appreciated.

While the food is second to none, Americans may find the service in many restaurants sloppy; waiters can appear rude (particularly in Paris) and take their time. This is just the way they are.

Language: Parisians are very well-mannered and respond well to everyday courtesies such as a pleasant greeting or the polite offering of please and thank you at the beginning and end of a conversation. When walking into a shop, café or restaurant local custom dictates that you should greet the shopkeeper, bartender or receptionist with a "good day" (bonjour) or "good evening" (bonsoir).

Smoking: although more widely accepted in France than in many other European countries, has recently become an issue. Expect to find no-smoking signs in many public places, although most cafés and restaurants will allow smoking in at least part of their premises.

Paris Tipping Advice
Service charges are included on all restaurant bills at a cost of between 10% and 15%. However, it is fair to add a little more if the meal and service have been exceptional. Taxi drivers expect small tips of between 5% and 10% of the fare. Parisian porters, doormen and room service staff can be offered a gratuity of approximately EUR 1.50 to EUR 3.00. It is also common practice to give a small tip to ushers in cinemas and theatres, perhaps EUR 1 or 1.50.

Health and Security

Report the theft of personal items or credit cards, missing vehicles, and lost or stolen identity papers to the nearest Préfecture de Police (police station). For missing identity papers, you will be given a special receipt to use in obtaining replacements; also contact your embassy or consulate. Lost or stolen credit cards must be reported to your credit card company.

For lost personal items, contact the Paris lost property office. The RATP and the SNCF also have lost and found services.

Health
For minor ailments, consult your nearest pharmacy. French pharmacists play a more active role in personal healthcare than, say, those in the United States. They will listen to your complaints, recommend over-the-counter medicines and if necessary even refer you to a local physician. On the street, look for a green neon cross to locate a pharmacy. If a pharmacy is closed, it will have a sign posted giving the location of the nearest one that is open.

For emergency hospital appointments in English
The clinic of the American Hospital of Paris provides a medical and surgical emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The bilingual care team can call on specialists, accredited by the hospital, who are on call in more than twenty medical and surgical fields. The American Hospital always has a cardiologist and intensive care doctor on duty.

Security
Traveling around Paris on foot, by bus, or on the métro is very safe if some commonsense precautions are observed. Petty theft is the most common threat, and tourists are a favorite target. RER Line B between Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport and Paris is a particular danger zone for jet-lagged travelers who are not guarding their belongings.

Petty theft, bag-snatching and pick-pocketing are both prevalent in Paris; tourists are advised to conceal bags and purses even when driving, and to never leave valuables unattended in the car. Visitors should be vigilant of luggage while loading bags into and out of hire cars at airports.

Tax Refunds
Standard sales tax is 20.6% (though tax rates vary between essential items and luxury goods). Non-EU visitors can gain a tax refund on larger purchases - obtain a form at the relevant shop and present it to Customs on departure.

Hotels in Paris, France

Districts:

InterContinental Paris - Le Grand Hôtel

2 Rue Scribe - 75009 Paris - France

Description A remarkable landmark in Paris, the stunning InterContinental Paris Hotel Le Grand is brilliantly situated overlooking the famed Opera Square and neighbouring Opera Garnier. The St Lazare subway station and the... More »

Best Western Acadia Opera

4 Rue Geoffroy Marie, Paris, FR-75009, France

The Best Western Acadia OpÈra is located in the very heart of Paris, close to the OpÈra Garnier and the main department stores including Galerie Lafayette. This hotel offers modern comfort with air-conditioning and sound-proofing. The Best Western Acadia OpÈra has been... More »

Best Western Aida Opera

11 Rue Richer-17 Rue Du Conservatoire (Corner), Paris, 75009, France

The Best Western Aida Opera is centrally located with easy access to all major attractions including the Opera Garnier, the main department stores, Montmatre and much more.Our hotel has a cozy outlook and all the rooms are equipped with cable and Internet television,... More »

Best Western Albert Premier

162 Rue La Fayette, Paris, FR-75010, France

The Best Western Albert Premier is located within walking distance of both train stations: Gare du Nord (100 meters) and Gare de L'est (200 meters). You will also be very close to the Canal Saint Martin, Opera Garnier, department stores and the famous Montmartre district.... More »

Four Seasons Paris George V

31 Avenue George V - 75008 Paris - France

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