Paris
Tourist Information
There are a lot
of books and other information about traveling to Paris. For tips on safety
and security, we'd like to refer you to this very helpful report by the U.S.
State Department: http://travel.state.gov/france.html.
The two main airports in Paris are Roissy Charles de Gaulle and Orly. Additional arrival information
as well as meeting points for Shuttle buses into Paris, in English, can be found
on the site: www.adp.fr.
From Roissy- CDG
The RER B is the fastest way to central Paris (allow 45 mins to Châtelet-Les
Halles). From Terminal 2 (Air France Flights) there is direct access to the RER
station; from Terminal 1 take the free shuttle bus. Trains (7,75€ *) run
every 15 to 20 minutes.
Air France
buses (recorded English info 01 41 56 89 00) leave every 12 minutes (daily
6 a.m. - 11 p.m., 12€ or 18€ RT) from all terminals and stops at Porte
Maillot and Etoile (35 - 50mins). Air France buses also run to Gare Montparnasse (7 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., every 30 minutes). The Gare Montparnasse is the closest
station to WICE (11,50€).
The
RATP- run Roissybus runs every 15 minutes, 5 :45 a.m. - 11 p.m. (8,30€)
between the airport and rue Scribe, near place de l’Opéra (45 mins).
From Orly
The high speed Orlyval shuttle train (8,85€)
runs every 4 - 7 minutes to RER Antony, then to central Paris (30 mins) from 6:00
a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Air France buses (5,50 - 7,50€*) leave both terminals
every 12 minutes, daily 5:50 a.m. - 11 p.m., and stop at both Invalides and Montparnasse (40 mins). Tickets from the Air France Terminus. The RATP-run ORLYBUS to Denfert-Rochereau
leaves every 15 mins (daily 5:35 a.m. - 11 p.m.). Buy tickets (5,8€) on
the bus.
Taxis
& Airport Shuttles
A taxi to
central Paris can take from as little as 30 minutes to over an hour in rush hour.
Expect to pay 50€ - 60€.
A
cheaper alternative to taxis is the Parishuttle www.parishuttle.com.
The price for 1 person is 25€ and 19€ for 2 - 4 people into Paris.
Check the website for details. The only drawback is that shuttles can be delayed
in picking customers up at the airport.
Security
Warning: Do not accept anyone proposing “cheap” transportation into
Paris! Like any major city, Paris has its share of pickpockets. Keep your money
and passport out of their reach. Hotels have safes for valuables which we advise
you to use while in the city.
*(Prices
are subject to modification)
Getting to WICE
:
WICE is located at 20, bd du Montparnasse, in Paris’
15th arrondissement near the Gare de Montparnasse (train station). The closest
metro stations are DUROC (lines 10 & 13) or Falguière (line
12). Try to avoid the long corridors of the very busy Montparnasse-Bienvenue station. Bus numbers 28, 82, 89, and 92 all stop in front of WICE.
The
RATP : Paris Transportation System -- www.ratp.fr
Money
The Euro (€) (rates vary daily http://www.xe.com/ucc/)
is divided into 100 centimes. The most cost-effective way to obtain Euros is through
your home bank's ATM card. Use any of the ATM machines in Paris to debit your
home account. There are no special charges and there are no exchange fees. You'll
need a four-digit PIN, though. For larger purchases, it's often more cost-effective
and most convenient to use your credit card -- VISA is the most widely accepted,
MasterCard is gaining ground. Check with your card about fees on overseas purchases,
though.
The Bureaux de Change generally open Mon. - Sat. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. At Airports, they open daily 6 :30
a.m. - 11:30 p.m. There is an exchange counter at American Express, 11 rue Scribe,
9th. M° Opéra, opens Mon - Fri 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.,
Sun 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Exchange counters can also be found in main Post Offices
(PTT) in Paris. VISA is the most widely accepted credit card, many dispensers
also accept Mastercard, so remember your PIN.
Internet Cafes:
There are many
in Paris but we’ll list the ones we know and trust. Internet access runs
from 6 - 7€ per hour.
These first two are relatively
close to WICE:
- Café Orbital: 13 rue de Médicis,
6th
- EasyInternetCafé: 6, rue de la Harpe near Métro St. Michel.
For
other addresses, ask your hotel concierge or manager for locations.
Emergencies: In the case
of any sudden serious medical problem you can call the SAMU (first aid rescue
team / dial 15). In the case of fire or accident call the Pompiers (firemen /
dial 18). If you must see a doctor in the night, you can call SOS Medecins and
they will send a doctor to your house. SOS Medecins/ dial 01.47.07.77.77. For
any other other problems please don’t hesistate to ask the WICE staff.
General Tip: Your hotel concierge
or manager is there to answer your questions, make reservations, recommend restaurants,
send faxes. Don’t hesitate to ask for laundry service, ordering in food,
where to buy bus or metro tickets – directions to WICE! The hotel may even
offer Internet access or tell you where to find it.
