Riding Aboveground on the Métro and other Paris, France Transportation Tips

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: One of the funnest things to do in Paris is to ride the Métro aboveground; here are a few of those lines and the places where the Métro comes aboveground to provide a view of Paris.

Métro Ligne (Line) 2
This metro line runs aboveground partway from Place du Colonel Fabien in the 19th arrondissement through Jaurés station along boulevard de la Chapelle to Barbes-Rochechouart in the 18th when it goes underground halfway to Anvers station. It provides a rare aboveground glimpse of Paris courtesy of the subway.

Métro Ligne (Line) 6
This line provides an intimate view of the Eiffel Tower from aboveground coming over the Seine from Passy in the 16th across the Pont de Bir-Hakeim to Bir-Hakeim station in the 15th (and maybe beyond along Bd de Grenelle, Bd Garibaldi & Bd Pasteur to Pasteur station, I'm not quite sure).

Métro Ligne (Line) 10
Goes aboveground from St-Marcel station in the 13th through Gare d'Austerlitz and across the Seine to Quai de la Rapée in the 12th before going underground.

RER-B
Runs aboveground from CDG airport, through the 18th arrondissement, affording a beautiful view to Sacré Coeur, to Gare du Nord in the 10th arrondissement, then goes below and pops back up again at Denfert-Rochereau in the 14th to ride aboveground again through Parc Montsouris to Cité Universitaire.

RER-C
This train runs aboveground from Av. du President Kennedy-Maison de Radio France across the river to Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel in the 7th arrondissement. Like the Ligne 6, This one also provides a lovely panoramic view of the river and an inimitable view of the Eiffel Tower through the window of while crossing over the Pont de l'Île des Cygnes (over the Allée des Cygnes); you can also see Ligne 6 going across the neighboring Pont de Bir-Hakeim.

Photos: February 2006

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.ratp.fr

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: This is the speedy line 14 Metro that runs from Gare St-Lazare in the the 9th arrondissement to Biblioteque Nationale located on the Quai Francois Mauriac in the 13th. Its draw is the fact that it is a driverless train and one can sit in the "driver's seat" as the train goes through the dark Metro tunnels. Very cool!

Despite the apparent sleepy looks on the train, when we reached the end of the line and heard the announcement for everyone to get off, a throng of people gleefully jumped off, joyously ran to the other side to ride in the opposite direction.

I loved it so much I rode it twice!

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.ratp.fr

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: One of the easiest, fastest ways to get around in Paris is the RER, the express train through Paris that also takes you to regional areas such Chartres or Chatou. If traveling solo, have one suitcase & want to save a bit of cash, the cheapest way to go is via the RER-B train from CDG. It stops conveniently at a few stops in Paris such as Gare du Nord, St-Michel-Notre-Dame, Luxembourg, Port-Royal, & Denfert-Rochereau. Because it stops at fewer stations it gets you quickly to where you need to go. I've taken the RER into Paris every trip including when I came into Paris via the Eurostar to Gare du Nord. But be careful in Gare du Nord as it's notorious for pickpockets.

The other thing I'd caution you on is that many times the ticket machines are difficult to use; this past trip I stood in line with a long line of people as person after person got exasperated when the machine refused to accept his or her credit card. So I just went to the long lines to pick them up in person. This turned out to be a good thing as I was able to get my Metro pass, a carnet of tickets and the return fare to CDG. I believe round-trip fare from CDG to Paris centre is about 15 euro - not a bad deal at all. Remember to keep your ticket with you as you're likely to need it to exit the station. At least it's that way going into CDG. Also, there are Metro cops that may pull you aside to check if you've got your ticket with you. I'd been lucky prior to this trip in that I'd never seen them but ran into them late one night at Barbes Rochechouart stop. I flashed them my Coupon Jaune Metro pass and all was well. I asked if I could take a photo of them for you good folks here at VT to see but they politely declined.

If you're traveling with other people and can split the cost of a taxi, then that is a much more convenient and cost-effective way to go. Also, taxis are a good idea if you're traveling with young ones or have more than one suitcase.

Photos: February 2006

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.ratp.fr/

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: I love the Metro in Paris! What I love about the Metro are the artfully done stations and the chance to hear great music. Below are some memorable ones:

Varenne Metro station - 7th
My first day out this past trip Rodin sculptures I headed out to the Musée Rodin via the Varenne Métro station where I saw copies of Rodin’s famous Balzac & le Penseur. Only in Paris can you see copies of famous sculptures in the Métro station - Rodin's Balzac & the Thinker. C'est incroyable!

Bastille Metro - 12th
The second day, I headed out to the Marais via the Place de la Bastille. If you visit this Metro station, be sure to check out the murals showing the history of the Place de la Bastille and what it once looked like; judging from one painting it appeared to be rather rural in this area several centuries ago. I love it!

Concorde Station - 1st
Inside the Concorde Metro station the walls are filled with tiled letters created words (in French)!

Chatelet Metro Station - 1st
At the Chatelet station I heard beautifully played violin; it was rather like a scene from The Lovers on the Bridge (Juliette Binoche). When I came around the corner I saw this lady playing the violin beautifully, so much so that I wish I'd purchased her CD. I did donate money to her especially since she allowed me to take several photos of her playing.

St-Denis Metro Station
I love the photos of the stained glass and statues at St-Denis shown inside the station - it just whets your appetite for what's to greet you at the Basilique!

Another station I'll tell you about is the Abbesses station, one I wanted to visit since I'd wanted to see artist-signed tiles of the famous artists that once lived in Montmartre. But since I was staying in this area & could just walk to Place des Abbesses there was really no need for me to come up out of that Metro. If you go, report back to me and tell me how beautiful it is, please!

Photos: February 2006

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.ratp.fr

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: In March 2001 I rode my first Eurostar or Chunnel as it sometimes popularly called. I found round-trip airfare thru Travelocity for $378 Cincinnati/London and paid RT $158 via Eurostar London/Paris. I learned that the total was definitely cheaper than flying directly to Paris and got to see 2 cities to boot!

I rode the Eurostar from city center of London (Waterloo Station) to city center of Paris (Gare du Nord) & then back. There were plenty of seats to choose from and I just took one from wherever. It didn't seem to make a difference. However, I did ride the Eurostar in March which is low season so maybe it might be more crowded during the time you'll be traveling.

Also, you might consider the time you save in getting taking the Eurostar. In the time you've take a train to the airport, go thru security, board the plane, fly, go thru customs on the other end, grab your luggage you could have just taken a train & it would have been cheaper.

Plus, taking the train you get to see the lovely countryside of France. And the thrill of arriving in Paris is just amazing!

UPDATE:
This past trip I captured a photo of the trains snaking into Gare du Nord from behind the station on boulevard de la Chapelle, which borders between the 18th & 10th arrondissements (3rd photo).

Photos: February 3006 & November 2007

Leave a Comment

Phone: 08705 186 186
Website: www.eurostar.com

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: We did the hop On/hop Off green/yellow L'Open Tour bus in Paris April 2002. A few of the stops I recall are:
1) Place de la Concorde (looking North towards Madeleine the stop would be north of the Place just to the left),
2) Champs Elysées in front of the Lido (coming up out of the Metro, turn around behind and you'll see it),
3) Notre Dame (past the Parvis, past the Crypt Archeologique, at the bus stop in front of the Conciergerie).
4) 2 stops near Madeleine

We liked it a lot! With the price of the ticket you get a set of earphones with which to listen to the tour in English/French. About 40 stops total and you can take 3 different tours (Bercy/Bastille, Montmartre, Central Paris). Very cool, very informative! The 2-day pass (1-day pass was about $23USD or 24 euro, 2-day pass is 26 euro)is definitely worth the excursion as it takes you past most of the sights and you can hop on and hop off at your leisure. For a short trip to Paris it's a good way to maneuver around the city.

We had trouble finding some of the stops. Tried flagging down a bus near the Eiffel Tower & the driver just shook his head at us. Very disappointing. We finally had to go to the tourist bureau on the Champs to find out.

Funniest moment:
We were waiting for the bus to pull up at the stop near Nôtre Dame and one of the British passengers remarked "Look, dear, they drive on the wrong side". My friend & I, being from the U.S., just cracked up. Different perspectives and so unexpected!

You'll see the full itinerary on the website listed below.

Photos: Feb 2006 & March 2001

Leave a Comment

Phone: +33 (0)1 42 66 56 56
Website: http://www.paris-opentour.com/en/open.htm
Other Contact: +33 (0)1 42 66 56 57

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: I've taken 7 taxis in Paris during 4 trips:

1st trip, taxi ride to CDG airport took 20 or 30 minutes (mid-morning traffic) - plus tip the cost was 40€ (about $40USD).

2nd trip, I feared I may be late in getting to Nôtre Dame for the Pâques (Easter) celebration. Caught a taxi at Métro St-Paul. From the Marais on a Sunday was 5€ including tip. The driver seemed pleased & I was first in line for the ceremony.

3rd ride, which was the best, was past midnight when I feared I wouldn't make my Metro connection from the taxi stand at Place Maubert in the Latin Quarter to Place d'Anvers in Montmartre. I negotiated a rate of 15 euros but it was actually less. The guy took me straight from one area to the other while taking me past beautifully lit monuments regaling me with stories of his days of living in Sri Lanka & while we discussed Elvis Presley & John Lennon - best ride of my life!

4th trip was from rue d'Orsel in the 18th to the Hotel Chopin - for 16euros. A total rip-off. When he showed up the price on the meter was 10euros & then 6 more racked up during that trip (which should have been short) where he zig-zagged east & west racking up the charge.

5th trip was great, too, we went straight from Gare de Lyon to my hotel in the Latin Quarter (Hotel les Degres de Notre Dame) - nothing scary & a beautiful ride at night, no needless zigzagging.

6th trip was also one of the best - from the hotel in the Latin Quarter to CDG airport - the guy was fast, efficient, took me straight to the correct gate - got there in TWENTY-FIVE minutes (of course, it was Sunday so hardly any traffic) and about 50euros. I was completely satisfied.

7th trip was in Nov '07 - a lady from the hotel & I shared a taxi from near Les Gobelins to CDG; my share was 28euro.

CityFlash has maps that shows all the Taxi Stands in central Paris - very much worth the $5!

Photo: Feb 06

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.parisby.com/transpor/taxi.htm

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: One of the great pleasures of riding the Metro is coming upon the gorgeous art nouveau Metro station entrances designed by Hector Guimard. Metro Abbesses is one of the most frequently-photographed entrances in Paris but it's not the only one. Some people ride the Metro from one Guimard classic to the next taking photos of each. An added feature of the Abbesses station, though, are the artist-signed tiles that you see as you come to the surface.

However, there are only 2 of the glass butterfly-style Guimard classics left:
Abbesses (Montmartre)
Porte Dauphine (16th)

Directions:
Place des Abbesses - Montmartre - Paris - 5-10 minutes walk southwest of Sacré-Cœur

The website below lists all Guimard entrances still in Paris along with photos.

My measly pic (taken April 2003) does not do these masterpieces justice! Notice the Harry Potter advertisement.

Photos: April 2003, February 2006, November 2007

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.parisinconnu.com/guimard/index.htm

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: Montmartrobus
Bus#18

The Montmartrobus is the local bus (#18) that does a complete tour around Montmartre. Although it can be used for a quick sightseeing overview of la Butte it is actually put into use by the locals as they head on out to work & go to & fro different places on this mountain. It comes in rather handy to get one's bearings in Montmartre or even to get from one destination to another.

What's wonderful is that you can see many famous landmarks of this hill including Place du Tertre (from where you may also pick up a ride), La Maison Rose, the Moulin Rouge, Abbesses, Moulin de la Galette, Sacré-Cœur (on the place du parvis and by the rue Maurice-Utrillo), Amélie's café, Van Gogh's house, Chapelle du Martyre, Vigne du Clos Montmartre and Au Lapin Agile.

Last year, I rode the complete circuit of the Montmartrobus route twice to get the layout of Montmartre. Two simple ways to access it:
1) take the #12 ligne (line) to the Jules Joffrin exit - you'll see the bus waiting on the edge of the square
2) take the #2 or #12 lignes to Métro Pigalle

The first choice brings you to the calm village-like area of Montmartre, an area filled with locals; the latter, well, it's Pigalle.

Montmartrobus map

Cost: 1 billet or use the Carte Orange

Photo: November 2007

Leave a Comment

Website: www.ratp.fr

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: I think one of the best one on-line interactive maps available is the Paris Yellow Pages website, Les Pages Jaunes:
http://www.pagesjaunes.fr

Plug in the address you want to go to, click "itineraire", plug in the address (or metro or train station) you're walking from, click the radio button "piéton" and it'll provide you with walking distances and approximate time. I've been doing this since my first trip in 2001 and it works brilliantly. In fact, I've used this website for extensive research on a book of walking itineraries I'm currently finishing up!

You may also click on the photos and "walk" down the streets. They have photos of practically every building excepting those areas that are private residences such as la Cour de Rohan (an interlocking series of 3 beautiful courtyard in the 6th arrondissement).

It also gives you phone & fax numbers (always handy).

There's also the "Vue aérienne" or "Vue 3D" functions to see aerial views of Paris (excellent for finding green space in Paris).

And, of course, they have maps!

This and cityvox's web page are the 2 best sources I've found for official websites.
http://www.eng.cityvox.fr

Or use http://ratp.fr/ to figure out time, walking time & distances with use of busses, metro & RER (regional train system).

Leave a Comment