Buy a map!
by Rojo72
The first thing you NEED to do in Paris is to get a map of all the streets and metro and stuff. You could go for a free map, but I chose to buy one in a small bookstore near my hostel. It was 7 euros, but well worth it. My map was a BOOK, not a folding map, organized first by the 20 Arrondissements and then a lot of suburbs and places like Bois de Boulogne after that. It also included a bus, RER and metromap.
I'd say: buy an book of maps instead of a foldning map any day of the week. You can have it in your bag and it's MUCH easier to pick up and look at without taking up the whole of the pavement...
Saving money ? Maybe - Cutting lines ? Sure !
by mariev
The Paris museum pass covers 60 museums and monuments and allows an unlimited number of visits.
It exists in 3 versions : 2 days, 4 days and 6 days (consecutive calendar days)
You can buy it in advance (the valdidity starts when you enter the 1st museum)
It costs 30 € for 2 days, 45 € for 4 days, 60 € for 6 days (to compare : one single museum ticket costs 8 or 9 €)
Even, if you are a moderate museum fan, the pass has the interesting charateristic to allow you to skip the tickets lines (and, for some museums like the Louvre , to use separate entry gates) . This make a huge difference in high season when the queues are important.
Nota : the pass doesn't allow to skip the security check (the only place where it makes a difference is the Sainte Chapelle)
http://www.parismuseumpass.fr/flash/hp_fr.html Most parisian museums are freee under 18 years old, but if the parents have a pass, the acompanying children can use the same line (and skip the tickets line too).
The pass even allows you just to enter a museum to use the (generally very clean) toilets (even if you don't visit it)).
You can buy your pass in the museums (chose a small one with next to no queue to do this, like the Conciergerie or the Cluny) but also in the Paris tourist office (25 rue des Pyramides), in the shopping mall under the Louvre (Caroussel du Louvre) or in one of the FNAC shops (www.fnac.com).
La Tour Eiffel
by barryg23
Everyone has heard of or seen the Eiffel Tower so there's not (too) much I can add. The queues here always seem very long so it's often a good idea to arrive early. I usually climb the tower to the second level rather than take the lift, and then take the lift to the top. In that way, you avoid the queues, get some exercise and save 18 francs. On the climb, there are also many interesting signs, at the top of each flight of stairs, detailing the history of the tower.
The tower can be seen from many parts of the city. One of the best views is from the metro. If you take line 6 towards Etoile, once the train leaves Bir-Hakeim, the tower suddenly and spectacularly pops in to view. There are also great views from Trocadero and from the summit of l'Arc de Triomphe.
Street artists
by Helga67
Paris is a city of artists. Wherever you go, along the Seine, in the metro, on the famous hill of Montmartre, you will encounter them. Some make beautiful music, others will make a painting of you.
The most famous place to find artists is still Montmartre.
Sneakers - a Walker's Friend
by BeatChick
People are always asking "What are they wearing in Paris?", I suppose this is because they want to fit in. So in response to that I took some "fashion photos" of things that were prevalent in the city. Last trip, I noticed a plethora of what we call "Chucks" or "Chuck Taylors" here in America(for the Chuck Taylor logo on the side), those classic basketball shoes made by Converse, those shoes favored by the punks when they can't afford expensive boots or shoes by Doc Marten.
I was gratified to see them again in this city along with some brightly colored, very european sneakers. The first 3 photos were taken in the Place de la Bastille, the 4th photo was taken in the Marais. The 5th photo of the 66euro Chucks & 100euro gold Nikes was snapped at Ici Courir on the rue de Rivoli in the Marais, also.
Photos: February 2006
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ready to enter Louvre...
Notre Dame de Paris - Gargoyles
Eric Kayser baguette, with cheese and ham
Old corner of the street and rue de Bievre.
