Free Europe Guides: Paris

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Our guides and tips on Paris

Here you will find all the information we have gathered on Paris. Public transport, airports, sightseeing, shopping, Disneyland, it is all here.

Paris: from the airports to the city center

Here we provide some information regarding the airports of Paris and their connection to the city center. We will focus on ways having to do with local public transport.

Paris is served by a network of buses, night buses (noctilien), metro and a system of regional express trains called the RER. There are also suburban trains connecting distant stations in the outer Paris area to major stations of the public transport system. The bus system is quite efficient but it is subject to traffic. The metro has numerous stattions serving all parts of the city. Trains are very often and make transportation fast and efficient. Service begins at 05:00 and ends at 00:30. On Saturday night it is extended till 01:30. The RER has fewer stops and trains run at larger intervals. We feel that it is not a good option for central Paris. However, it helps reach the suburbs a bit faster and places like Disneyland and Versailles where there is no metro station. The Paris area is divided in 6 zones with generally the fare getting more expensive as you move away from the center. We recommend using the metro when it is possible since it is both fast and cheaper (metro has a unique ticket for all zones).

Paris: overview of the most interesting sights

Most interesting sights in the Paris area

Arc de Triomphe-Champs Elysees-Place de la Concorde: Located on the Charles De Gaulle Etoile place, the Arc de Triomphe stands at the head of the Champs Elysees Avenue. This monument is a landmark for Paris and it is dedicated to French military victories and the glory of the revolutionary army. You can admire the Arc either from the avenue or by climbing to the top and enjoying the view from the terrace. The monument is located very near to the metro and RER station Charle De Gaulle Etoile. Access details and admission fees, here at the official website. You can then stroll down the Champs Elysees Avenue, through the shops and the various restaurants on the upper part. At about the middle of the avenue on your right (Champs Elysees-Clemanceau metro station), you will be able to admire the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais, and to enjoy a beautiful view of the Seine and the dome of the Invalides. At the end of the avenue, you will reach Place de la Concorde, the biggest and one of the most famous places in Paris, to admire the Obelisk that stands there.

Enjoy Paris in three days

We have compiled a small guide in order to see the most important sights and places in central Paris in 3 days time.

1st day

Begin your day by visiting the famous Notre Dame early in the morning. Try to be at the entrance at least 20 minutes before opening time in order to avoid the long queue and to wait as less as possible. (TIP: It's preferable to wait first at the queue for the towers, which is longer and tends to move too slowly.) Access to the towers is free for European citizens under 26 and for holders of a valid Paris museum pass. NOTE THAT THE MUSEUM PASS DOESN'T ENABLE YOU TO BYPASS THE QUEUE. After visiting the towers, see the interior of the church.

Five days, a bit more of Paris

Will you be staying in Paris a bit longer? Are you willing to make some steps further from the mainly touristic sites? Then, this guide is the perfect solution for you! Just have a look...