Métro, Paris

We used Metro always ON THE WAY BACK from our trips around Paris. Going by Metro and sighseeing its not a good idea, but after a 7 hours walking aroung the city you may feel tired and taking a metro is very helpful. its also reasonable to use it in the evenings and early nights.

Métro tickets can be purchased individually or in packets of ten (a carnet). The http://www.paris.org/Metro/ site states that "The Métro opened on 19 July 1900," and today you can still find some of the original Art Nouveau entrances designed by architect Hector Guimard, such as "Abbesses in the 18th arrondissement." The website also boasts that "Every building is within 500 metres of a métro station," so it's no wonder that "There are 3500 cars which transport roughly 6 million people per day."

Print a map from: http://www.paris.org/Metro/ or--even better-- use the handy "route finder" feature on the following site: http://www.ratp.info/informer/anglais/index.php

Using the Metro in Paris is the best way to get from place to place. The subway system in Paris is efficient, clean, safe and generally reliable. A one-way ticket costs 1.30 euro, which is much less expensive than taking a taxi.

Unlike some cities, Paris doesn't have a huge problem with crime in the subway. I've taken the Metro alone very early in the morning and very late at night and have always felt comfortable doing so. While you should be cautious, of course... the Metro is reasonably safe.

The Metro has a number of different lines that cover Paris. It's simple to transfer from one line to the next to get to your destination. Look carefully at a subway map before you arrive in Paris to get a sense of the lines. Each station also has several large maps posted so you can figure out where you're headed.

Different Metro cars have different handles to open the doors. The doors don't automatically open when the cars stop. You'll need to press the "open" button on the door or pull the handle upward, depending on what kind of door that particular car has.

Enjoy using the Metro in Paris!

When i arrived in Paris, I wasn`t sure how I would get about to travelling around the city, but in the end i decided to just go ahead with using the Metro, and asked a Metro ticket sales agent what would be the best option for me...it turns out you can get a 1, 3, or 5 day metro pass which you can use on an unlimited basis within the time period...I bought the 3 day pass which was around 28 euros, but I think this was fair for the amount of times that I used it.

So on arrival, depending on how long your stay in Paris is, just ask a Metro ticket sales agent for a specific day pass.

Paris metro system is very similar to London´s system, lots of lines interwoven like threads, each one being unique, but the one that liked us most was the "Madelaine". To hop on the train you've got to wait until the glass doors of the platform get open, then there´s the train glass doors and last, but not least, you can finally get on the train!

One of my friends had been to Paris several times, and has a lot of experience the Metro. She gave us some guidelines, and then made us figure out which lines and stops to use. It was really pretty easy, and a very efficient means of transportaion.

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Paris has a great underground train system which covers most of the city. The metro opened in 1900 and the first line went from Porte Maillot to Porte de Vincennes. There are now 15 lines and more than 350 stations. It's said that no building in central Paris is more than 500 metres from a metro station. Fulgence Bienvenüe was the chief engineer of the metro and there is a station named after him - Montparnasse Bienvenüe on line 12.

The metro is easy to use and is the most convenient way of getting around the city. It costs 1.30 Euro for a single ticket which is good value compared to subways in other big cities. If you plan on using the metro frequently then it might be worth while buying a travel pass.

One thing I love about the Paris underground is the names of its stations. Some of them are historic or literary, some are rather cryptic while others are simply place names. One summer when I was staying Paris for 2 weeks, I used to pass time trying to imagine the origin of some of these names. The origin of metro stop Gobelins - I got this completely wrong!!

The interiors of many of the stations have been given a facelift in recent times reflecting either the origin of their name or of nearby attractions. For example you can see displays on Art at the Musee du Louvre station, on science at Pasteur, and at Varenne, on Line 13, there are mini replicas of exhibits from the nearby Rodin Museum.

The Art Nouveau entrances to some of the stations are beautiful. These were designed by Hector Guimard and the best examples of his work are at Abbesses on Line 12 or POrte Dauphone at the end of line 2.

The Best way is the Metro and RER. Buy a map of the metro and tickets in bulk. they are cheap.Do not try to rent a car and drive. the french are crazy drivers. Then there are bikes. Also the streets are a bit hard to find, but by walk they are easier. Parking will be a nightmare if you rent a car. Fuhhgeddaboutiit

The metro is very good in paris. Maps are everywhere. Even in the trains. YOu also see the direction you are heading, on the doors. If you think you are far away from the metro and see a BUS, catch it, and use the same ticket as the Metro. Keep an eye out the window, and when you see the Metro sign somewhere, jump off the bus. Then use the same ticket in the Metro! How cool is that!!!

There is music on the Metro too. Sometimes you can listne to music, mostly accordion, played by musicians licensed by the metro. It's beautiful. There is a musician who wears a sherlock hat and a sports jacket , i saw him a few times on the Metro, he is good!