Champs-Élysées, Paris

The Champs-Élysées (pronounced [ʃɑ̃zeliˈze] audio (help·info)) is the most prestigious and broadest avenue in Paris. Its full name is "Avenue des Champs-Élysées". With its cinemas, cafés, and luxury specialty shops, the Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous streets in the world, and with rents as high as $1.25 million a year for 1,000 square feet (100 m²) of space, it remains the 2nd most expensive strip of real estate in the world (the first in Europe) after New York City's Fifth Avenue.The name refers to the Elysian Fields, the place of the blessed in Greek mythology.

The Champs-Élysées is known in France as La plus belle avenue du monde ("The most beautiful avenue in the world"). The arrival of global chain stores in recent years has slightly changed the character of the avenue, and in a first effort to stem these changes, the Paris City government (which has called this "banalization") decided in 2007 to ban the Swedish clothing chain H&M from opening a store on the avenue. This street is also very popular with many of the rich and famous.

Events:

Every year on Bastille Day, the largest military parade in Europe passes down the Champs-Élysées, reviewed by the President of the Republic (see our multimedia content on the parade).
Every year from end of November to end of December, the 'Champs-Elysees' Committee contribute for the Holidays seasons lighting of the Champs-Elysees.
The Champs-Elysées is also the traditional end of the last stage of the Tour de France.
Huge and spontaneous gatherings occasionally take place on the Champs-Élysées in celebration of popular events, such as New Year's Eve, or when France won the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

Arc de Triomphe, Paris

This article is about the monument in Paris. For the horse race in Paris, see Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe . For other uses, see Arch of Triumph.

Arc de Triomphe at night
The Arc de Triomphe is a monument in Paris that stands in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle, also known as the Place de l'Étoile (Star Square). It is at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. The arch honours those who fought for France, particularly during the Napoleoni

Wars, and today also includes the tomb of the unknown soldier.

The Arc is the linchpin of the historic axis (L'Axe historique) — a sequence of monuments and grand thoroughfares on a route which goes from the courtyard of the Louvre Palace to the outskirts of Paris. The monument was designed by Jean Chalgrin in 1806, and its iconographic program pitted heroically nude French youths against bearded Germanic warriors in chain mail and set the tone for public monuments, with triumphant nationalistic messages, until World War I.
The monument stands over 51 meters (165 ft) in height and is 45 meters wide. It is the second largest triumphal arch in existence. Its design was inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus; The Arc de Triomphe is so colossal that three weeks after the Paris victory parade in 1919, marking the end of hostilities in World War I, Charles Godefroy flew his Nieuport biplane through it, and was caught in a newsreel.

Access:

Pedestrian access to the Arc de Triomphe is via an underpass - dodging through the Paris traffic on the roundabout that surrounds the arc is not recommended. The Arch has one lift, to the level underneath the exterior observation level. Visitors can either climb 284 steps to reach the top of the Arch or take the lift and walk up 46 steps. From the top there is a panoramic view of Paris, of the twelve major avenues leading to the Étoile and of the exceptionally busy roundabout in which the Arc stands. Take the RER or Metro to the Charles de Gaulle - Etoile stop.

Cabaret in Paris : LE LIDO

The story of the Lido begins in 1946. The famous cabaret offers to Parisians a brand new concept : Revue-Dinner. This idea was a such success that in 1977, the cabaret decides to move for a bigger place, at the Champs Elysées : 6000 square meters of space into a panoramic room offering perfect visibility from all 1150 seats.

Enjoy this magical place, discover this breathtaking show with the 70 artists, the Bluebell Girls, the Lido Boy Dancers, the ice rink, the 23 settings, the 600 costumes ... Let's Go to the "Bonheur" !

Cabaret Paris : LE MOULIN ROUGE

Moulin Rouge, in the heart of Pigalle quarter, directs 100 artists, whose 60 Doriss recruited all over the world, for its "Féerie" revue.

Not less than 1000 suits dress ladies of this mythical place. Setting makes also you travel, indeed the great majority of drawings are created by Italian artists.

Let's be seduced by the Moulin Rouge which, since its opening in 1889, has made dream and escape from reality so many spectators thanks to its very high show quality and wonderful beauty of dancers.

Disneyland Paris®

Disneyland Paris® Adults 59€ Children 44.5€

A huge must when visiting Paris is bringing the children to Disneyland Paris®. It is a unique chance to meet Mickey Mouse and his crew, and to discover the all new attractions such as Nemo, Cars and other Disney films. Teens and adults can enjoy the all new Space Mountain 2 or the Indiana Jones roller coaster. “Pirates of the Caribbean” will delight the whole family.

Disneyland® is well organized and provides a number of practical services. Among others, “Baby switch” will enable parents to take turns embarking on +18 year old rides without lining-up a second time. The baby sitting service will provide some rest time and the luggage service will lighten your day. Everything is there to guarantee a magical day at Disneyland Paris®.

Museums and Monuments of Paris

Paris is bursting with museums. There are the famous ones, the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay or Versailles, but we tend to forget many of Paris’ gems like the Georges Pompidou Center Museum of Modern Art, the Picasso Museum, the charming Rodin Museum right next to the Invalides, and the brand new Musée Quai Branly (also known as the Musée des Arts Premiers).

It is possible to visit all these museums with just one pass. The Paris Museum Pass opens the doors to 60 Paris museums and monuments. Choose from 3 passes: 2, 4, or 6 consecutive day passes. One of the great features is that it also avoids you the line-up. You can start using it at any date, and access all the monuments and permanent collections of the museums at will.

Musée du Louvre Paris

The construction of the Louvre started in 1190 under Phillippe Auguste. At first it was a fortress with a donjon. In the XIVth century, under Charles Vth it lost its protective purpose and became a sumptuous royal residency. After being dormant for a century, it was revived when François Ier moved to Paris. At this point the Louvre took on a Renaissance style. It was completed by Henry II and used as a royal residence until 1793 at which time it became the “Museum Central” and was opened to the public. The infamous Pyramid of the Louvre was completed in 1989 under François Mitterrand.

The Louvre Paris is one of the biggest and richest museums in the world. The collections include Greek and Egyptian antiques, painters such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Goya. To save time, the Paris Louvre Pass enables you to access the museum directly, without lining up.

Paris, Cars Rouges Paris

Cars Rouges Paris 22€

The famous Cars Rouges and their open roof Paris Tours have several advantages:- the monuments are just splendid when you see them “first hand” rather than through a window. - The ticket is valid 2 days, and you can hop on and off the bus at any of its 9 key stops throughout Paris. This flexibility lets you enjoy Paris at your rhythm. The Cars Rouges stop locations are : Eiffel Tower, Champs de Mars, Musée du Louvre, Notre Dame, Musée d'Orsay, Opéra de Paris (Opéra Garnier), Champs Elysées - Arc de Triomphe, Grand Palais, and the Trocadéro.

Tip : Don’t forget to get off the bus after you go around the Etoile (the round about at the Arch of Triumph). You can go up the Arch and admire Paris from a totally different angle than from the Eiffel Tower.

Paris Tour

>> Price: 24 €
>> Advantages- Few felow visitors, more intimate and personalized service.- Trilingual guide: French, English and Spanish - Montmartre - Sacré Coeur walk included in the tour- Visit Paris' most splendid monuments
>> Departure: Every day at Tous les jours 9:30am and 2pm (click for details)Agency return at the end of the excursion
>> Duration: 3h00
>> Add a river cruise for 10€ more
>> Minivan service available at your hotel
:: More about the Paris City Tour ::
:: Reserve your Tour Now ::

Paris Boat Cruise

Believe it or not, the famous Bateaux Mouches are not the only ones around. Several possibilities are offered for cruises on the Seine. One of the best ideas is to have lunch or dinner on the cruise.

Eiffel Tower

Built in 1898 and designed by Gustave Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower reigns over Paris from its 324 meters (1063 feet).

All the tourists go up to the top of the tower, but have you ever considered a lunch or dinner in the Eiffel Tower? There are 2 restaurants. On the 2nd level, the 3 star restaurant is devine but a little pricy. However, the charming “Altitude 95” on the 1st level is delightful and affordable.

After a delicious meal in the Eiffel Tower, why not go fully Parisian and take a cruise on the river Seine. After seeing the monuments from the top of the tower, you’ll enjoy an exceptional view of the heart of Paris from the cruise boat.

La France Gastronomique, What is Gastronomique?

As the name implies, it is a focus on French food and wine. When creating such a trip, one has the option of including all the meals as sit-down affairs in fine restaurants. Instead, I have opted for a broader range of gastronomic experience. I'll be showing travelers on a budget how to eat inexpensively but well by choosing delicious fresh food and low-priced regional wines from a local Monoprix or town market. We'll be tasting wine in several different wine-growing regions. We'll visit a chocolate shop run by the same family since 1913.

We'll sample brasseries, bistros, bars, pâtisseries, and cafés along with some of the finest restaurants in France. We'll visit family-style restaurants where we may be the only tourists. We'll enjoy a dinner cruise along the Seine. Often our menus are prepared by the chefs especially for our group. All this makes it a gastronomic experience. In addition to the food and wine, I want us to enjoy the special treats each region has to offer: châteaux in the Loire, the tiled roofs and ramparts of Beaune, the cathedral and canals of Strasbourg, the great monuments of Paris. So, not only do we savor the French food and wine, but also the sights, sounds and history of each location.

The itinerary is laid out like a good meal. We start with the lighter fare of the Loire Valley. Here the traditional dishes and wines are crisp and light. When we visit Beaune in the Burgundy region, we experience a heartier, richer flavor. This region gives us some of the world's finest red wines, as well as dishes like boeuf bourguignon and coq au vin. Next, Strasbourg has an even heartier, Germanic flavor, with sauerkraut dishes alongside tartes flambées.

Finally, in Paris, all the great flavors come together in the continent's most elegant and sophisticated city. Here we'll enjoy not only a variety of dining experiences, including a dinner cruise on the Seine, but also our own private cooking class with French chefs!

La France Gastronomique includes:

A smart, well-traveled Journey Out guide dedicated to making the art, history and culture of France come alive for you ● A family atmosphere with a group of fewer than 15 gay men, lesbians and their friends – less than half the size of most tours ● 8 nights in three- and four-star hotels, 4 in a two-star candidate for its third star ● All your breakfasts ● About half your lunches and dinners, including two at Michelin-rated restaurants ● Welcome party ● Wine tasting in Amboise and Beaune, plus a full-day tour of the Route des Vins d'Alsace, including wine tasting ● Full-day visit to Loire Valley châteaux ● In Amboise, a visit to the Château Royal d'Amboise, Clos Lucé, independent visit to Pâtisserie Bigot chocolate shop ● In Beaune, an English-language tour of the town, including les Hospices de Beaune ● A tour of Strasbourg by canal boat ● Transportation between Paris, Amboise, Beaune and Strasbourg by train and /or minibus ● Guide to the food and wine of France ● Cooking class taught by a professional chef, with lunch ● Sunset dinner cruise along the Seine ● History lectures, orientation talks and language tips ● All group sightseeing tours, admissions and more ● Optional tour of Paris' tastiest pastry and chocolate shops guided by a professional chef, available as an add-on. Itinerary is subject to change. To book your air travel (not included)

Itinerary

Day0
Monday

Depart USA — Remember, due to the time difference, you'll arrive in Europe the day after you leave the U.S.
1
Tuesday

Paris to Amboise
Morning

Arrive at the Paris airport and travel by train to the town of Amboise. Part of your journey is on France's high-speed TGV train system.
Afternoon

In Amboise, settle into our four-star hotel, a charming 17th century manor house lovingly restored by its owners.
Evening

After a wine and hors d'oevres reception, we dine together at a family-style bistro.
2
Wednesday

Amboise
Morning

Today we visit the Château Royal d’Amboise, The Château was built over the reign of three kings and partly designed by Leonardo da Vinci. Its most prominent occupant was François I, who at 22 enticed 65-year-old Leonardo da Vinci to spend his final days here in Amboise.
We’ll stroll up the hill together to visit Clos Lucé, the 15th century manor house where Leonardo da Vinci settled at the end of his life. He brought with him just four paintings to enjoy, including an unfinished portrait of Mona Lisa di Anton Maria Gherardini, the third wife of a Florentine businessman named Francesco del Giocondo, which is how the world's most famous painting arrived in France.
Afternoon

If you like, have a wine tasting at nearby Le Caveau des Vignerons. You can also visit Amboise's most delectable chocolate shop. Founded in 1913, the shop is run by four generations of women.
Evening

Dinner tonight is on your own. Your Tour Director will be glad to make recommendations.
3
Thursday

Amboise
Morning

If you like, enjoy an all-day outing to visit several châteaux. See why the Loire Valley is known in France as the Valley of Kings.
Afternoon
Free time.
Evening
Tonight we enjoy one of France’s top restaurants. Some highlights from its description:
In the restaurant which overlooks the river and from which one sees the gardens, the cuisine, which has been honored by guidebooks, is light, refined and subtly regional . . . Pascal Bouvier, the head chef, doesn't give in to the nonchalance of this region called the "Garden of France," but instead brings the regional products together with great sensitivity . . . There are more than 10,000 wines in our cellar. The Loire Valley region is richly represented but one finds also Pétrus and Richebourg . . .
4
Friday

Amboise to Beaune
Morning
This morning, sleep in or take one last stroll through the town. Take your time packing.
Afternoon

Our train to Beaune departs Amboise around 12:45. Our travel time is just under seven hours and we have one train change. There will be a dining car on the train for those who would like a sit-down meal or a sandwich that can be taken back to your seat.
Evening
In the old-town center of Beaune we settle into a modest three-star hotel in a charmingly ramshackle old building. Take time to freshen up before you head out to explore the town and enjoy dinner on your own. Your Tour Director will be glad to make suggestions.
5
Saturday

Beaune
Morning

This morning we have an orientation walk through the town, including a visit to Hospices de Beaune. The Hundred Years’ War and the Black Death devastated Beaune, leaving more than 90% of its population destitute. Nicholas Rolin, chancellor of Burgundy, felt he must do something for his people, so in 1443 he built Les Hospices de Beaune, a flamboyant and richly-decorated hospital for the poor. Also here is Rogier van der Weyden’s dramatic Last Judgment polyptych, or multi-paneled painting. From the courtyard we’ll see the style of tiled roofs that are typical in Beaune and became popular throughout the Côte d’Or region.
Afternoon

Saturday is town market day, so after our tour we’ll visit the market and choose what we want for a picnic lunch. We’ll dine on the steps at a nearby park.
After lunch, we visit the Marché aux Vins wine smorgasbord, the best way to sample Beaune’s impressive array of wines. We’ll take a wine-tasting cup and plunge into a labyrinth of candlelit caves dotted with 18 barrels, each offering a different tasting experience. Wine stewards will guide us through the tasting.
The rest of your afternoon and early evening are free. If you are feeling adventuresome, ask your Tour Director about strolling above Beaune on a segment of its 13-century ramparts, and walking to some vineyards that are just outside town.
Evening

Tonight we enjoy a family-style dinner at a great little restaurant situated in a wine cellar just a few blocks from our hotel.
6
Sunday

Beaune to Strasbourg
Morning
Our train to Strasbourg departs Beaune around 9:00; our travel time is just over five hours and we have two train changes. We arrive in Strasbourg mid-afternoon. There will be a dining car on the train for those who would like a sit-down meal or a sandwich that can be taken back to your seat.
Afternoon

On our arrival in Strasbourg, we settle into our three-star hotel, a small, quiet, charming hotel in the historical town center near the Cathedral. Late afternoon, we meet for an orientation walk through the town.
Evening

In the evening we tour Strasbourg by canal boat and enjoy a traditional Alsatian dinner at a nearby restaurant (you must try the Tarte à l'Oignon!)
7
Monday

Strasbourg
Morning and Afternoon

Today you will enjoy an all-day visit to nearby Colmar and a Route des Vins tour, which takes you to outlying villages along France's Wine Road in Alsace. Wine tasting is included.
Evening
Free time. You are on your own for dinner tonight. Your Tour Director will be glad to help with restaurant recommendations.
8
Tuesday

Strasbourg
Morning

Free time.
Afternoon
This afternoon we lunch at one of Strasbourg's best restaurants. Michelin stars are the source of intense pride and pain in the great restaurants. Only a handful of restaurants in France have ever achieved three stars. Each year Michelin’s new ratings spark not only celebration but also despair, even suicide. Chef Emile Jung writes:
My wife Monique and I took over the restaurant thirty years ago. The Michelin Guide to gourmet cooking recognized its excellence in 1989 by bestowing upon it a third star, which has been our constant source of pride for the past thirteen years. The loss of that mark of distinction came as a shock to all of us. There are no words to express our pain . . .
Despite loss of the star, we trust our restaurant will provide a memorable dining experience. Our lunch will be a full four-course meal with drinks.
After lunch you will have time to relax and explore the town.
Evening
Free time. Enjoy dinner on your own, and perhaps a visit to one of Strasbourg's gay bars.
9
Wednesday

Strasbourg to Paris
Morning

Your morning is free today. You are welcome to leave your bag at the hotel after checking out while you enjoy a last look at Strasbourg and perhaps have an early lunch.
Afternoon
Our train to Paris departs Strasbourg around 1:00 p.m.; our travel time is about four hours and we have no train changes. There will be a dining car on the train for those who would like a sit-down meal or a sandwich that can be taken back to your seat.
We arrive in Paris and transfer by Métro to our hotel in the Marais, Paris' gay quarter. You will have plenty of free time to settle in and unwind.
Evening

This evening we meet in the lobby for an orientation talk. Pick up your Paris toolkit: Métro pass, museum pass, map, and hop on / hop off tour bus pass. Afterward we walk to dinner together at a very special local restaurant where our menu is prepared by the chef just for our group.
10
Thursday

Paris
Morning
Free time. Enjoy Paris at your own pace, seeing what most interests you. Your guide will be glad to help with ideas, recommendations, and logistics. Start with the convenient hop on / hop off bus. It takes you all over Paris, stopping at all the major sights. Your two-day pass allows you to get on and off as many times as you like.
Today you may join cookbook author and chef David Lebovitz for an amazing tour of the famed bakeries and pastry shops that make Paris, the destination for pastry and chocolate-lovers. Your six-hour tour is the perfect way to see specialty bakeries, and to learn about the pastries and confections from a professional pastry chef and tour guide. Your day will begin with morning pastries at a famous, stunningly renovated bakery and coffee-house on the Champs-Elyées. Steaming bowls of café au lait and café noir will accompany baskets of fresh, buttery croissants, tartes, almond-scented brioche, and rich pain au chocolat. Afterwards we'll head over to La Maison du Chocolat for their thick, rich hot chocolate and to sample to best chocolates in the world. And this is just the morning . . . ! (This excursion is available as an add-on. Cost is dependent on the number of people in the group.)
Afternoon
You can't stop in Paris without a visit to the world's greatest museum, the Louvre. Don't waste precious time standing in line to get in. We'll show you the one entrance that almost never has a wait. Then use the museum map and our self-guided walking tour to see the best the Louvre has to offer.
Evening
Free time. You are on your own for dinner tonight. Your Tour Director will be glad to help with restaurant recommendations.
11
Friday

Paris
Morning
Free time. Consider a day trip. One of our favorites is a day-long visit to Versailles, "Sun King" Louis XIV's astonishing palace, just half an hour outside Paris by train. Or to Chartres, to visit the greatest cathedral in France -- check at the gift shop for the English-language tour schedule. Consider walking the labyrinth set into the floor of the cathedral -- it can be a life-changing experience. You could even spend a day at Disneyland Paris, where Main Street has a definite Parisian flavor, Mickey Mouse speaks French and you can have wine with your lunch.
Afternoon
Free time. If you've stayed in Paris, today is a perfect day for a picnic lunch on Pont des Arts, the pedestrian bridge across the Seine. We like to pick up lunch treats on the cheap at Monoprix, the department store with a little of everything, including quiche, pastries, bread, wine and fresh vegetables. Afterward, may we suggest a stroll along rue du Bac? There you'll find art galleries with museum-quality originals for sale. Yes, you really can own an original Marc Chagall!
Evening
Free time. What are you in the mood for? Whether it's live jazz, the view from the top of the Eiffel Tower at night, or a romp through Paris' gay bars, we'll be glad to make recommendations and help with logistics.
12
Saturday

Paris
Morning and afternoon
Today we hone our cooking skills in a private cooking class with professional French chefs. You'll bring home recipes and skills to impress all your friends! Plus, we get to enjoy the fruits of our labor, enjoying our lunch in a private dining room.
Evening
Tonight we enjoy a farewell cruise along the Seine with a sumptuous four-course dinner, wine and live music. Over the course of the evening we’ll see the great monuments of Paris illuminated as the sun sets.
13
Sunday

Tour over after breakfast — This morning we say our final goodbyes and head for home. Au revoir et merci!

France Gourmet Tour

"I had a great time on the La France Gastronomique tour, and found Journey Out to provide a professional, personalized experience with a group of like-minded people. Careful thought had gone into every step of the trip from the charming hotels to the great restaurants we visited. I can gladly endorse Journey Out." – Dennis Coleman, Artistic DirectorSeattle Men's Chorus & Seattle Women's Chorus

On the list of grand things you must do in life, La France Gastronomique is sure to be the most delicious. You’ll spend almost two weeks in heaven on earth – living life the way it ought to be. You will sample all the great tastes of France, from the light Vouvray wines of the Loire Valley to the rich flavors of Boeuf Bourguignon and Coq au Vin in Burgundy and the German-influenced sauerkrauts, tartes flambées and Reislings of Alsace. Along the way, the great chefs of France will prepare special menus just for our group. You’ll meet some amazing people and be introduced to France as a guest, not a tourist, welcomed inside the culture instead of just skimming the surface. You’ll finish in Paris with a private cooking class and breathtaking sunset dinner cruise along the Seine

Well known for its sumptuous châteaux, the relics of French royalty, the glorious valley of the Loire is rich in both history and architecture. Like the river Loire, this vast region runs through the heart of French life. Its sophisticated lifestyle, luxuriant landscape and magnificent food and wine add up to a little piece of paradise on earth. Overindulgence is no sin in this rich region. It has a quality of life and light that is like no other. It bespeaks a more luxurious time. Here, life is savored, inhaled, and taken in at its fullest.

Burgundy is a prosperous region with world-renowned wine, earthy but excellent cuisine and magnificent architecture. Under the Duke of Valois, the duchy of Burgundy was France's most powerful rival, with territory extending well beyond its present boundaries. By the 16th century, however, the duchy was ruled by governors appointed by the French king, but it still managed to keep its privileges and traditions. Burgundy, now as in the past, is a wealthy region, a centre of medieval religious faith which produced Romanesque masterpieces at Vézelay, Fontenay and Cluny.

Caught in the wars between France and Germany, Alsace and Lorraine have changed nationality four times since 1871. It has a unique character that is not quite all French and not quite German either. There are amazing sites to see. Alsace abounds with castles, from the pastiche folly of Haut-Koenigsbourg to Saverne's ruined fortress, built to guard a strategic pass in the Vosges. In Alsace they take pride in local costumes, traditions and dialects. In Alsace, Route des Vins d'Alsace vineyards nudge pretty villages in the Vosges foothills. And in Alsace, cosy winstubs, or wine cellars, serve sauerkraut and flowery white wines, such as Riesling and Gewürztraminer

"As an American having what I would consider 'everything at my disposal,' I enjoyed the ability to live as the French do." – A. K.

A Note on Transportation . . . Our goal at Journey Out is to create a French experience for Americans, not an American experience in France. On this trip we travel primarily by train, because that's how most French people travel. We carry our own bags and use public transportation. The exceptions are when we feel the experience is significantly enhanced by using private transportation or when provided by local guides. We encourage guests with mobility issues to talk to us about how the trip can be adapted to suit their needs.

Paris, News

New Partners for Paris Visite

Enjoy discount rates at renowned Paris landmarks and venues such as the Arc de Triomphe, Pantheon, Guimet Museum or the Crazy Horse with the Paris Visite transit pass. Rates also apply to Bateaux Parisiens boat tours, the Open Tour or the Montparnasse Tower! Have great time in Paris!

Be Smart!

Buy your Disneyland Paris admission booklets at the main RATP stations. Avoid the lines at the entrance to the Park.

Paris, Where to buy the ticket ?

ParisVisite

ParisVisite is on sale in all metro stations, RER stations, commercial agencies, bus terminus sales windows, SNCF suburban train stations, Paris airports and the offices of the Paris Tourist Office. Abroad, it is on sale at travel agents and tour operators.

In France :

Metro stations, RER stations, certain commercial agencies, bus terminus sales windows, SNCF suburban train stations, Paris airports and in 150 Paris hotels

Paris OpenTour
Tel. 01 42 66 56 56
www.paris-opentour.com

Paris Tourist and Congress Offices:
Opéra-Grands Magasins, Gare de Lyon, Gare du Nord, Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, Carrousel du Louvre.

For visitors to the capital
a single number : 0 892 68 3000 (0.34 euro/minute)
www.paris-touristoffice.com

In the United Kingdom

Allo France
Tel : 44 870 240 59 03
laurie@allofrance.co.uk
www.allofrance.co.uk

In Belgium:

Thomas Cook Belgique
GENT - BELGIUM
Tél : 31.92486716

In Switzerland:

FRANTOUR SUISSE SA - Geneva
Tel. 0041 22 906 41 00
frantour@frantour.ch
www.frantour.ch

GROUNDLINE - Basle
Tel. 00 41 61 272 34 34
www.groundline.com

In Europe:

EUROQUEST EUROPE
Tel. 01 60 14 86 24
gmoulin@euroquest.com
www.euroquest.com

In the United States

Euroquest USA
Tel. 1 20 121 600 24
www.euroquest.com

Paris, Noctilien

How to use it

Noctilien is the network of night buses in the Ile-de-France region.

The network is made up of 42 lines connecting Paris to 175 communes in the Ile-de-France.
All the line numbers start with the letter N.

The network is laid out around the 5 major transfer stations: Gare de Lyon, Gare de l'Est, Gare St Lazare, Gare Montparnasse and Châtelet.

In Paris, (42) lines connect the four stations and a number of locations that are busy at night: e.g. the Champs Elysees, Saint-Germain-des Pres, Bastille, Republique, Pigalle, Place de Clichy.
From the 5 major Paris stations you can also transfer to all of the Noctilien lines that service the Ile-de-France.

Timetables

The Noctilien operates at night between 0.30 a.m. and 5.30 a.m, 7 days a week, when the metro, RER, buses and suburban trains are shut down.

Paris, Bus

How to use it

Each bus is clearly identified by its line number and direction and its main stops shown along the side.

The Paris buses carry a two-digit number and suburban buses carry a three-digit number.
In the street, the stops are shown by a bus shelter or a signpost indicating the name of the stop and the numbers of the buses stopping there. Some lines are fitted with a display showing the times of the next two buses.

When the bus arrives, the driver will stop if you so request. You should always board at the front and alight at the back.
As you get aboard, you should validate your ticket by slipping it into the validator.

To get off at the desired stop, you should press one of the red buttons fixed to the upright support rails. The sign “Stop requested” will come on.

The driver sells single tickets if necessary and can advise on your route. Don't hesitate to ask him.

Timetables

All buses run from Monday morning to Saturday evening and many run on Sundays and public holidays.

Buses run from 5.30 a.m. until 8.30 p.m. and many go on until 0.30 a.m. At night the special Noctilien lines take over (until 5 a.m.).

Paris, Tramway

How to use it

There are currently 4 tram lines : T1, T2, T3, T4.

T1 Gare de Saint-Denis / Noisy-le-Sec
T2 La Défense / Issy-Val de Seine
T3 Pont du Garigliano et la Porte d'Ivry
T4 Bondy RER / Aulnay sous Bois

Several other lines are under construction

The tram runs in the outer lane or on a reserved track and uses a bell as a warning signal.

Tram stations are shown by their T logo on a mast visible from afar.

Timetables

Trams run every day from 4.50 a.m. to 11.40 p.m. Their frequency varies between 5 and 7 minutes depending on the time of day.

Paris, Métro

How to use it

In the street, the metro entrance is always shown by a sign reading Metro, Metropolitain or just M.

To reach the platforms, you must pass through the checkpoints. Each line is identified by its colour, number and directions.

To enter a Metro, RER, Bus or Tram control zone, you must be in possession of a valid ticket which must be validated in every case. Don't forget to retrieve your ticket and keep it throughout your journey.

If you wish to let us have your remarks or make a complaint, please contact the customer Service on 32 46 (0,.34 € / minute).

Timetables

The metro runs every day from 5.20 a.m. to 1.20 a.m. plus one additional hour on Saturday night.

Paris, RER

How to use it

The RER crosses Paris to link the suburbs on opposite sides, so it makes fast connections from east to west and north to south in the Ile-de-France. There are now 5 RER lines, each with its own branch lines.

The entrances to the RER are identified by posts carrying a sign RER in white on a blue background.

To reach the platforms you must pass through the checkpoints. On the RER, your ticket is checked on the way in and on the way out. Each line is identified by it colour, number and directions.

Timetables

The RER runs 7 days a week from 4.45 a.m. to 1.30 a.m. Timetables are posted in the stations and on the platforms.

Paris, Noctilien

The 42 Noctilien Buses take over from the Buses, Metro, RER and Ile-de-France trains every night from 0.30 a.m. to 5.30 a.m. To meet demand, more buses run during the weekend.

They service Paris and 175 towns in the Ile-de-France

Fares :
Your Paris Visite pass allows you to use the Noctilien (according to your selected zones). The t ticket and Mobilis are also accepted.

Network layout:
The network is laid out around the 5 major transfer stations: Gare de Lyon, Gare de l'Est, Gare Saint-Lazare, Gare Montparnasse and Châtelet.

A circular line joins up 4 of the major transfer stations and a number of locations that are busy at night: e.g. the Champs Elysees, Pigalle (N01 and N02).

A number of lines criss-cross Paris and service all the suburbs

N01-N02 :
Weeknights : one bus every 17 minutes
Week-end : one bus every 10 minutes

N11 to N16 :
Weeknights : one bus every 30 minutes
Week-end : one bus every 10 to 15 minutes

N21 to N63 :
At least 1 bus per hour and up to 1 bus per 20 minutes on certain routes some days

N121 to N151 :
1 bus per hour
(N131 and N150: 2 buses per hour)

Enquiries
To find out when RATP Noctilien buses are due, you can

By SMS: send to 61064 (0.35 € / message plus SMS rate) "BUS, line number N01 to N63 and the name of your stop"You will get an SMS back on your mobile phone showing the next 2 Noctilien buses due in both directions.

On Internet mobile: connect to the address wap.ratp.fr or imode.ratp.fr

On the spot at major stopping points via information terminals.

Paris, Tourist excursions

Batobus

The batobus: Paris seen from the Seine. An original trip to discover the historic neighbourhoods of the capital.
The pass is valid for one or two days so you are free to get on and off whenever you wish.
Since April 2004 this line is open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (9 p.m. in June, July, August and September). It's a regular shuttle service: a boat comes by every 25 minutes

Batobus timetables and fares

Batobus ticket office at each stop
Paris Airports at Orly Sud, Charles de Gaulle 1 and Charles de Gaulle 2
Paris Tourist Office: Tel. 08.92.68.31.12

Central Office

25, rue des Pyramides, open every day except 1st May
from 1st November to 31st May: from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays and public holidays)
from 1st June to 31st October: from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Office at Gare du Nord
from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day

Office at Gare de Lyon
from 8 a.m. 6 p.m. from Monday to Saturday

Office at Opéra
11, rue Scribe, Paris 9ème
from 9 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. from Monday to Saturday

OpenTour boutique: Tel. 01.42.66.56.56
Espace du Tourisme / Paris Ile-de-France / Carrousel of the Louvre : Tel. 01.44.50.19.98
Espace du Tourisme / Paris Ile-de-France / Disneyland Paris : Tel. 01.60.43.33.33
Tourist Office at Montmartre: Tel. 01.42.62.21.21

Fares
Batobus 1 day Adult: 11 €
Batobus 2 days Adult: 13 €
Batobus 1 day Child: 5 €
Batobus 2 days child: 7 €

Paris, Louvre

No-wait entrance to the museum

Billet Louvre

The Louvre ticket gives priority entry to the museum (via the Passage Richelieu and the Carrousel Gallery) avoiding the queues at the cash-desks.

It is valid all day long and enables the visitor to go in and out as often as desired.
Additionally:It can be used the same day at the Delacroix Museum and provides 10% reductions in the museum cafés and restaurants on site (i.e. café de la Pyramide, Le Grand Louvre but not in the restaurants and cafés in the Carrousel gallery).

Practical information:

Ticket with unlimited validity
Entry to the Louvre is free for children under 18 and on the first Sunday of every month

Opening times:

Open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Nocturnals until 9.45 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays
Closed Tuesdays and some public holidays

Save time and beat the queues at the entrance to the Louvre by getting a combined ticket in the main metro stations.

Un billet d'entrée pour le musée du Louvre vaut 9.70 €

Disneyland Paris

Presentation

The Disneyland Paris passport

The Disneyland Paris passport provides access for a day to a single park of your choice, and to go in and out as often as you wish.

Buy your Disney pass as the same time as your travel ticket: that way you go straight into the park without waiting!
The Disney Passport is on sale in the main Metro and RER stations.
Take the RER A in the direction of Marne-la-Vallee-Chessy (careful : in that direction the RER A serves two destinations) and get off at Marne-la-Vallee-Chessy (it's the terminus).
You'll be there in 35 minutes from the centre of Paris.
Remember to buy a ticket covering the whole journey.

Passeport Disneyland Resort Paris

Attention ! This pass only gives you access to the park, the transport ticket is sold separately.

Adult (1 day pass) 47 Euros

Children * 39 Euros

* Children between 3-11 years old. Free entrance for children under 3 years old.

Paris, OpenTour

Presentation

The Paris Open Tour offers four circuits from which to discover Paris "from above" on a hop-on, hop-off basis!

Paris Grand Tour, Montparnasse - Saint-Germain, Bastille - Bercy and Montmartre - Grands-Boulevards.

You will need a pass valid for one or two days, with effect from the first day it is validated, and you can get on and off as often as you like on the same line and take your time discovering Paris.

There is a commentary in English and French on the 4 lines, which operate 7 days a week throughout the year. Individual headphones (not replaced if lost) are issued to pass-holders on first validation.
You visit Paris on these double-decker buses so as to get a great view from up top

Enquiries:
Paris OpenTour
"La Boutique"
13 rue Auber 75009 Paris
Tel : 01 42 66 56 56 (7 days a week)

Paris, Airports

Presentation

Dessertes aéroports

The RATP offers three ways of getting to the airports:

For Orly: Orlybus and Orlyval
For Roissy: Roissybus

These are economical and speedy facilities for making the Airport-Paris journey

Roissybus is a direct shuttle bus that runs from Charles de Gaulle Airport to the Opera neighbourhood in Paris.

Travel time: taking between 45 and 60 minutes.

Orlybus is a shuttle bus that runs from Orly airport to Place Denfert-Rochereau in Paris.

Travel time: taking about 30 minutes.

Orlyval is an automatic metro connection from Orly Airport to Anthony station on RER B.

Travel time: approx 35 minutes Orly/Chatelet via RER B and 45 minutes Orly/Charles de Gaulle via RER B and RER A

Paris, T+ Ticket

Presentation

The t+ ticket

With effect from 1st July 2007, the present mauve-coloured t ticket will give way to the new white-coloured t+ ticket.

The t+ ticket enables the customer to travel on:
the whole of the metro and the Montmartre funicular
the RER (RATP and SNCF) within Paris

the RATP buses in Paris and the suburbs (except for lines with special fares)
and to make connections on the whole of the metro and the RER in Paris as the t ticket did
and use the Noctilien network (of night buses) without connections, in accordance with the specific fare system on the Noctilien network

The t+ ticket brings in a more extensive service with a new functionality:
the possibility of making bus/bus and bus/tram connections.
"connection" means transferring from one bus line to another

How do you use it ?

After validating it every time you board a bus or tram, you have an hour and a half between the first validation and the last validation to make one or more connections.The t+ ticket is sold singly (full fare) or in a carnet (full or reduced fare).

Be careful ! Aboard buses the drivers have a different ticket they sell which does not allow connections.

Airports

Travelling to and from the airports requires special tickets.

ParisVisite

Presentation

ParisVisite, a must-have travel pass for you to discover the whole of Paris!

ParisVisite allows you to travel as and when you wish.

It comes as a card with a coupon attached and opens the doors to the whole Ile-de-France network : Metro, RER, Buses, Trams, SNCF overland suburban trains, the Montmartre funicular, Montmartobus, Noctilien and the Optile bus network, depending on the zones you choose (Zone 1 to Zone 3 or Zone 1 to Zone 6).

How about a few destinations ? - Disneyland Resort Paris (zone 5), the Château de Versailles (zone 4) or the airports at Charles de Gaulle (zone 5) and Orly (zone 4).
There are several durations available for ParisVisite : 1, 2, 3, or 5 days as you wish.
The pass becomes valid from the first day of use (and not when you buy it), so you can buy it ahead of time and miss out on last-minute queues.
The whole day is billed, whatever time you start to use the pass during operating hours (between 5.30 a.m. and 1 p.m.).

Once you have bought your ParisVisite pass, fill in the card with your name and first name. Take care to write the serial number of the card on the coupon and add your planned start date. The card and coupon must be kept together and produced for inspection when requested.

A Journey to Spain

A Journey to Spain does not have to be as complicated as it may seem. There does not actually have to be a drawn out planning process full of expensive endeavors. By the end of this article you will know how to find a great place to stay in Spain. More importantly you will understand why Spain is a must-see, and a must-experience, destination.

Why Spain?

Spain is a large and diverse country that is beautiful all the way through. This can be said for many countries across the world. So, what sets Spain apart from other incredible countries? It's true Spain is beautiful from one end to the other, but not just aesthetically. The people, the cuisine, architecture, music, dance, festivals and customs are all beautiful and important parts of the Spanish experience. And these aspects are not uniform across the country.

There are dishes that are regional like Marmitako, which is a popular tuna dish in Basque Country on the northern coast of Spain. La Tomatina is a festival involving a tomato fight that can only be found in Bunol, a small town in Valencia. Jota is music and dance especially popular on the Canary Islands. As you travel across Spain, you will see that everything from the elements of everyday life to special occasions and cultural paradigms change from region to region. This unique aspect of Spain makes it an exciting and fascinating place to visit, whether you go to one location in the country or many.

How to Get to Spain

There are many ways to get to Spain, and many ways to stay in comfort. Here is just one idea of how to find an easy and affordable Spanish adventure. Vacations to this part of the world are common and not hard to obtain. The trick with traveling to a popular destination is finding a way to do it that you can afford. One way is with timeshares, and here is why it can be more affordable than other alternatives.

Spain Timeshares

The cost of buying a timeshare can be a lot if you buy directly from a resort. This is because resorts run major advertising campaigns and have great expenses to pay for many personnel and development. All of these expenses are absorbed by the cost of buying timeshare from them. There is another way to own timeshare, however. Purchasing timeshare on the resale market can save you thousands of dollars because the existing owner, instead of a resort, is selling the property.

There are other advantages to buying for-sale-by-owner timeshares such as the lack of stress and hassle. When looking for timeshares on the resale market you can search from home, at your own pace. You don't have to sit through high-pressure sales presentations or worry about paying too much for property with resales. Timeshare resale companies can help you find a property that is right for you and make sure you wont be paying too much. To make sure you are working with a reliable and trustworthy timeshare resale company, check their history with the Better Business Bureau and make sure they have a satisfactory record.

You can experience something totally different on your next vacation, without breaking the bank. Spain is something everyone should experience in his or her lifetime.